The best earbuds I've heard are the Sennheiser MX580. They come in well below your price limit (currently $30 on Amazon). The MX 880, for $50, are supposed to be better, but I haven't heard them myself.    You might also look at the Yuin line (PK2, PK3). 

It would make a lots of sense to say Orpheus... but the K1000s just look so cool and unique, I don't think I could turn them down.

The only 'Grado' I've owned is the MS-1, which I know isn't on the level of some of the higher-end models. But, I don't really find it to be as impressive for rock as I'd heard. It's great for lending energy to pure guitar solos, but for most rock I also want clarity and instrument separation...

Shure SCL4: Jimi Hendrix- Little Wing Van Morrison- Madame George   AKG K500: Joni Mitchell- Little Green Mozart- Violin Concerto in G Major   Alessandro MS-1: Eric Clapton- Running on Faith (unplugged) Van Morrison- Comfortably Numb (live) Rolling Stones- Honky Tonk Women  

I'm now thinking this could be either a clipping issue (since the distortion seemed to decrease when I tried a slightly more powerful amp) or a hair on the driver (since I'm now pretty sure it's only on one side). Any thoughts?

Hi, I've been reading these forums for a while but haven't posted before. I recently bought a pair of (used, obviously) AKG K500s as my first decent full-sized headphones after using IEMs exclusively for years.    The K500s are cosmetically in great condition. It's too early for me to reach...