The Alessandro MS2i (essentially a tuned SR325is) would be another alternative. The MS2i tames the highs a bit while keeping that rocking Grado sound sig. Been using the MS2i for the past 8 months and loving it (I listen almost exclusively to rock).

If you aren't excluding earphones as an option, I've greatly enjoyed my Monster Turbine Pro Copper's for about a year now. They offer plenty of bass and, since they're in-ears, they block out most outside noise without leaking sound.   The Gold's are meant to be more bassy, so those might be...

I went through this same debate a couple months ago and decided to go with the Alessandro MS2. They're essentially the same headphone but the MS2 is meant to be less harsh compared to the 325is

Quote: Any soundcard with support for Dolby Digital Live and Dolby Headphone will do this. There are actually a very large number which have these features.

Quote: I was actually just about to mention the A30s. They seem like they'd be great for you considering that they're very portable and have a detachable microphone. Also, they don't scream gaming headphone like the TB's do

You might look into Gunnar Optiks. The flat frames on their gaming glasses prevent that discomfort.

I went with the Alessandro MS2i. It's the SR 325is without the overly fatiguing sharpness.

Quote: +1 on the Apple Earbuds. Could never get them to stay in properly either

The L7's product page has useful information.

  Quote: Do the Monster Turbine Pro's not cater to the audiophile market? While their MSRP is ridiculous, the Coppers can be found on Amazon for ~$250 which makes them quite respectable IMO.   I seriously doubt that anything from the Beats by Dre line will be anything other than...

As for a future sound card purchase, you might look into the HT Omega Claro Plus+. It features both Dolby Live and Dolby Headphone so you'd be able to utilize 7.1 surround sound for your games.   I know you're not looking into getting a new one now, but just for future reference.

Quote:   So does mine! No, really, my '06 has beige leather seats :)   That's a really lucky buy on the 325's though

Just got the adapter with my new MS2i and it's very nice. Styling of the adapter matches the 1/4" plug and is meant to have the same high quality copper used in the headphone cable.

What kind of source audio are you listening to? FLAC, ALAC, 320kbps MP3, VBR, etc?

I guess the PC 360 has a more narrow pickup range than the A40. When I position my microphone below my chin it doesn't pickup any breathing noises and teammates say that I come across very clearly. Also, pretty sure that the mic monitoring is on the MixAmp side

When you connect to your PC do you connect via the MixAmp? Try positioning the microphone under your chin where your breath won't be picked up by it.

That is called microphone monitoring and is intended to prevent you from accidentally yelling into your microphone. There is no way to disable it.

They are the L-Cushions.   Quote:    

There should have been two sets of flanges (yes, the cones), one small and one large. The small ones fit my ears and I usually use medium sized tips. None of the foam "supertips" fit my ears properly and I didn't like the sound that I got from the silicone ones. Switched to the TX-400s from...

Grados are excellent for rock/metal (just got an MS2i today), but for the genres you listed something from Ultrasone might be better suiting.   As for comfort, I find the MS2i to be very comfortable for an on-ear headphone but can see how others would disagree.

I've owned the MTPCs for about 6 months and, out of the stock tips, got the best sound isolation and bass response from the triple flanges. For the past 5 months I've been using a pair of Comply tips as none of the stock tips were very comfortable IMO.   If bass is what you were looking for...