First time I've heard about 550s not doing too well in mid frequencies.  Mine perform very well all around and in mid frequencies especially.  You can usually find them used for very cheap, I got mine for $110 on ebay buy it now.

I would add AKG k550s to your list of things to look at.  Cable length and comfort are nice, and the whole thing is an overall step up from my ath m50s.   Hope it helps.

No experience with those, bur I recommend putting the beyerdynamic dt990s on that list. They've got a nice slight v shape to them and work well with most genres.

The DT pads are not compatable with the Vmodas, but they are comfortable enough to begin with.

Sennheiser HD 439s are pretty mid focused and fit most of those categories.   Also look at Koss Pro DJ100.

Look for Vmoda crossfade lps for around that price.  Nearly indestructible and they sound better than beats. 

Had a beats user at my school appreciate the Grado sound.   Also knew what my portable amp was without me having to explain.    

Cannot comment on the others but melodic death metal sounds damn good on gr07s.  They're pretty well constructed too.

Metal fan here.  If you can make the jump, I'd go for vsonic GR07s. got to try a pair of my friends recently, and they are just stellar.  Well worth the price.

I bring HD598s and K240s to school all the time, people usually only ask about my E11 though.

Happy to help

Sonic preferance? Do they need to be bluetooth?  Are they going to be used at home or on the go? Do you have or plan on getting an amplifier?

Try posting on the recommendations thread http://www.head-fi.org/t/529144/full-size-headphone-recommendations-thread-i-e-dont-start-a-new-thread-ask-for-advice-here-please-read-op/29250 where there's more traffic   I'd suggest looking at V-Moda Crossfade M80s (<$200).  Not the most comfy but...

Agh, I've yet to encounter that, as all my current headphones are one-sided. But that's a terrific solution

Quote:   I don't believe it matters between the two, and either way, they wouldn't be supporting more weight than they can handle

I use the backs of desk chairs, but I've seen some cool solutions like having a wide pole run from one wall to another and using it as a long headphone(s) stand.

Look at some reviews of the Beyerdynamic DT990 premium 32 ohm (right at the end of your price range). It's open back, so it won't isolate from outside noise that well and it will leak sound.  They'd be quite a huge step up from beats detox sound quality wise.   Otherwise look at V-Moda...

What are your musical preferences?  Will you be using an amp? Open or closed?   M50s are closed and don't really require an amp, and are a decent choice, there are much better headphones depending on the questions above though.

The E07k would power 661s pretty easily, and no extra cables are needed if you use the standard 3.5 mm audio out on the s3

Fostex t50s are semi open, but have a straight cable.  Even my closed back t40s don't isolate as well as V6s, that being said I still use them portably out of my setup easily.   Unfortunately, I only own the vintage T40s with circular drivers that are better sounding according to most...

I hear a lot of good things about the Shure SE215s these days, but I haven't heard a pair to comment

Sometimes it's more about sound pressure level (volume) than resistance, a k701 has a lower spl I'm guessing, even with less resistance

+1 for durable headphones

Skullcandy products are just not durable, the problem has nothing to do with the driver blowing out,   and thus doesn't pertain to volume levels. It's the cable fraying at/near the solder points and not being able to transfer signal anymore.  Happens in all Skullcandys and most other cheap IEMs...