I think I would prefer to be in the audience.

They are closed-back though. Open-back headphones have a more realistic sound don't they?

Hmm ok maybe I will go for the HD 558 then. I see one on ebay for 120 euro. Thank you for your help and patience.

"Velty smooth"? Would the Grados be better for listening to rock then. That's mostly what I listen to. Every kind of rock except heavy metal.

Which have a more neutral/balanced sound would you say? Sorry about all the questions!

Yeah that's the only decent alternative I have come across from reading other threads. Is there a big difference in sound quality between them and the Grados do you know?

Initially I won't be using an amp. I will probably get an amp eventually when I can afford one.    I will be mainly using my headphones for listening to music on my laptop. I also have an iPod 5.5g which I plan to iMod some time in the foreseeable future. I will mostly be using IEMs with the...

Ok well what are the best over-ear headphones (preferably open-backed) for under 150 dollars. I'm finding it really difficult to choose. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

So there's no over-ear headphone that can contend with it for this price?

What if I do care about "accurate, relative positioning of the instruments"?

Thanks for the reply. What is so different about the Grados from anything else in my budget?

Hi, I want to buy a pair of open-back headphones and have been seriously considering buying the Grado SR80e. I have tried them out and love their sound.   However, the Grados are on-ear headphones and I would prefer over-ear headphones. I was just wondering could anyone recommend a pair of...

OK. Thanks for the info. I've established that if I have the choice between 24 bit and 16 bit, I might as well go for the 16 bit to save space, as I won't be able to hear a difference anyway.

Hi,   Lets say I have a device that can play 24 bit files but nothing above 48 khz.   I have a track in 16 bit, 44.1 khz FLAC format and I also have the same track in 24 bit 96 khz FLAC. But I will have to downsample  the second one to 24 bit 48 khz so it will play on my device.    Which...

So are you saying the iPod can't play 24-bit files?

I've read that the iPod can play 24 bit files at 48 khz, but not through the headphone jack as it downsamples to 16 bit through the headphone jack. I'm not sure if this is true though.

By the way I would like 24 bit apple lossless files on my iPod. Do I need to use a DAC or a headphone amp through the dock connector in order to hear it at 24/48? Or will it play 24/48 through the heaphone jack?

Thanks for the info.   I would expect the SR225 to require an amp though. The sr60e is far less powerful so I'm not sure the amp would have the same effect?

Hi,   I have an iPod Video (5.5g enhanced) and have just bought a pair of Grado SR60e headphones. I've read that these headphones don't need an amp but nevertheless I was wondering would a good headphone amp improve the sound quality at all? And if so, should I use the headphone jack or a line...