M,   Last question -- how tight are the Ultrasones' grip? I haven't been able to find them anywhere in person, and the only grievance I have against swivels are that the frame/cup grip tend not to be so hot (which is one of the major reasons why I've found myself gravitating so much toward...

And then just replace the earpads with some velour ones. You're right -- that really probably would be the best (and certainly the most cost effective) way to go. Again, thank you so much. I'll let you know what my final decision ends up being.

@MalVeauX Just read your review of the SRH-490s (which was extremely thorough, by the way) -- they're beautiful cans and easily the most transportable of the bulkier pairs I've looked at, but I'm still unsure that they're what I'm looking for sound-wise, which I really should've been clearer...

Thank you both for the replies!   @MalVeauX The M50 is actually one of the most accurate (and least expensive) of the four, both in what I've read and heard in testing them myself. But, as you've noted, they're also the least comfortable, which is something And I hadn't looked at the Shures...

Hi!   I'm a very, very nascent audiophile who has been searching long and far for a nice pair of headphones upto $300 suitable for both day-to-day mp3 bus commuting and computer use as well as prospective home vinyl listening and couldn't think of any better place to come for a final second...