The pro2900 could be an excellent choice imo but has a slighlty smaller soundstage.

  Quote: From reviews, the HFi580 has more punchy bass where the pro550 has more soundstage.     Quote: The xb500 has more punchy bass but the overall SQ is much better concerning the HFi580.

  Quote: The ST/STX has amphasized bass.   Quote:   Its true for the HD518 but its still better than a smartphone

  Quote:   Yes, exactly.     Quote:   The DT990 is very particular, i not a big fan of V shaped headphones like the pro900/DT990 for music, too much recessed mids and treble.    DT880 imo, is a much better headphone (for my tastes), more balanced, but in comparison with...

  Quote: Maybe the HFi780, excellent for rock and very good isolation.

Hum, a lot of them, maybe the W1000x but i know that the HD800 ll be the next number one soon,lol.

  Quote:   Like "nikp", we must know what you like in the HD598 and what are your genre of music to propose you other headphones.   There is a lot of headphones in the 500$ price range that are technically better than the HD598.   But if you like a relatively bright headphone...

Which type of isolation? passive or active?   With passive isolation, the HD380pro is good but have a strong clamping force, with active isolation you can have less clamping force, but are often heavier headphones and some peoples don't like noise from active isolation headphone.

The W1000x imo, beautiful, wonderful voices and a very fun headphone imo.

  Quote:   Quote:   The srh750DJ could be a good choice for you.

  Quote:   HFi780 or srh840 imo.

We have all different methods,lol.   Mine is listen to all genres of music continously during 50 to 200 hours depending on headphones.  Every 24 hours i increase the volume but never too loud.

The HFI780 has slightly more soundstage, better quality bass (HFI580 has more punchy bass) and more refined/detailled mids. Treble are better but more extended.

Well, when you do a burn-in you must begin slowly, not loud with a max of bass for example. You have the same problem with all your others songs? Its maybe a problem with your amp too.

  Quote:   I m a mid centric headphone lover, that's why i like them :) and i have no problems with all my HiFi amps or headphone amps, all are SS amp, maybe you are very sensible with treble.

  Quote:   Yes but they are tuned differently.   There are graphs somewhere but i don't remember the site.(if someone has the url). I remember that the pro900 and pro2900 frequency response are completely different.

  Quote:   You can be the bassiest open back headphone and also the best all rounder

  Quote:   We are always delayed in France     Quote:   You should have bought some Philips headphones before, 'cause Philips make headphone since long time,lol. They aren't the best, but they have very good quality/price.

  Quote:   Between K242HD and K601, take the K601 but they require a good amp to shine.

  Quote:   Pro2900 is much better imo, i haven't very good memory from DT990, but we have all differents tastes.   Quote: Like most of the Ultrasone pro series headphones, they require very good recordings to shine.   Quote:   Its not my opinion, for example i find...

  Quote:   I don't know the A1000x, but for 500-600$, the W1000x pads are much, much better than the a900x.

  Quote: under 150 and closed headphones :   SRH440 the mots ipod friendly,lol. SRH840 the most balanced. (not the most efficient) HFi780 the most aggressive. ...  

  Quote:   Your budget max?.

  Quote:   The old version had the same problem, not the same earpads but still so bad:( Strange from audio technica to still propose so bad earpads for A900 (x) series. Most of the manufacturers propose better earpads for the price.

  Quote:   Quote:   HFi780 if you want an aggressive and fun all rounder (sometimes looks like a cousin from the HD25). Pro900 if you want mainly bass quantity and quality Pro2900 The best all rounder of the three and one of the best headphone for the price, but open...  ...