[Kontakt]

So I busted my headphones, and have decided to upgrade. I've allocated $200 for the hunt on eBay.
What should I get?
 
I'm looking for open, clear sound. I fell in love with the Sennheiser 800HDs the first time I heard them, but that's long out of my reach.
I need something that can be driven by my iPod.
I need something that looks classy.
I generally listen to electronic and rock, but I also enjoy classical and orchestral music, so nothing bass-centric please.
I'm a fan of detachable and replaceable cables.
 
What can you guys tell me?

 

[Kontakt]

I'm looking at a pair of sennheiser 518s. any comment?

 

[blueangel2323]

AKG K550/K551 have a pretty spacious soundstage for a closed headphone, and they can be driven by an iPod. Should be about $200. A used Q701 or HD600 can also be found in the $200-$250 range, but they need an amp and are open so you can't use them outside.

 

[PurpleAngel]

I'm looking at a pair of Sennheiser 518s. any comment?

AKG K550s would be a little easier for the iPod to drive and they are closed and blocks outside noise.
HarmanAudio (AKG) sells refurb K550 with a manufacturers warranty, on eBay, winning buds are usually between $150-$180.
 
Current bid, $132.00
http://www.ebay.com/itm/AKG-K550-Reference-Class-Hi-Fi-Headphones-Closed-Back-Design-/190940428351?pt=US_Headphones&hash=item2c74efb83f
 
Current bid, $1.04
http://www.ebay.com/itm/AKG-K550-Reference-Class-Hi-Fi-Headphones-Closed-Back-Design-/390686402630?pt=US_Headphones&hash=item5af6b96846

 

[Kontakt]

I don't want the isolation. I spend a lot of time longboarding and in places where hearing my surroundings is ideal. That's why I felt that going for open headphones would be a better choice.
Am I wrong about this? I am not a pro at audio.
 
Also I am open to buying a headphone amplifier. I was considering one of those anyways, just to improve sound from my desktop.

 

[PurpleAngel]

  I don't want the isolation. I spend a lot of time longboarding and in places where hearing my surroundings is ideal. That's why I felt that going for open headphones would be a better choice.
Am I wrong about this? I am not a pro at audio.
 
Also I am open to buying a headphone amplifier. I was considering one of those anyways, just to improve sound from my desktop.

Sennheiser HD558s are $130 at Amazon, should offer better mids, sound stage and treble, over the more bassy HD518.

 

[Kontakt]

Alright, so I ordered a second hand pair of the 558s. Can you recommend a low budget amp that would go well with them, preferably with optical-in?

 

[FatmanSize48]

What would the optical signal be coming from? If you want to use it with a computer/console, then I'd go for the Fiio E10.

 

[Kontakt]

You'd recommend the usb over optical? I would be using it for gaming, so I'm not sure how much of an effect the latency mentioned in many reviews might affect me.

 

[PurpleAngel]

  Alright, so I ordered a second hand pair of the 558s. Can you recommend a low budget amp that would go well with them, preferably with optical-in?

Just get an Asus Xonar DG (PCI) sound card, $26.80 and there is a $10 mail in rebate this month.

 

[Kontakt]

My onboard sound card (VIA Vinyl VT1708/A - 8-channel HD Audio) claims
 

1. Supports 44.1K/48K/96K/192KHz DAC Independent Sample Rate
2. All ADCs Support 48K/192KHz Independent Sample Rate
3. Built in High Quality Headphone Amplifier

 
I figured that it would provide the quality, but I'm less certain about the strength.

 

[PurpleAngel]

  My onboard sound card (VIA Vinyl VT1708/A - 8-channel HD Audio) claims
 

1. Supports 44.1K/48K/96K/192KHz DAC Independent Sample Rate
2. All ADCs Support 48K/192KHz Independent Sample Rate
3. Built in High Quality Headphone Amplifier

 
I figured that it would provide the quality, but I'm less certain about the strength.

I believe the VT108 might be a slightly older audio chip set (maybe?).

 

[Kontakt]

It's from ~2008 so yeah, gettin up there. It's still good though.