[the hulk]

Hi Head-Fi!
 
I've decided to purchase some nice headphones for a little better music-listening experience.
I listen mainly to Rock and Metal (Metallica, ACDC, Cheap Trick, Airbourne, The Offspring) but I also ocasionally enjoy some pop (Gaga) and rap (Eminem).
 
My budget would be $150 for headphones.
I'm also guessing an integrated soundcard will not be the best choice for music listening. Could you recommend me a sound card? ($100 budget) - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829102032&cm_re=soundblaster-_-29-102-032-_-Product this one looks nice.. and it's USB.
 
Also is there any way I could extend the cable, since the headphones usually come with about a 3m long cable and I'd need about 5m. (should I go wireless?)
 
That's all for now.
Hope you'll help me answer some of these questions.

 

[Proglover]

Do not go wireless.
 
I can't advice you on soundcards.
 
On the headphones, rock/metal sound great on Grado according to many head-fiers. I'm definitely one of them. If you'r willing to spend 199, SR225's are seriously good headphones. If you spend less that that, I would go for SR80's and keep some of that 150 in your pocket.
 
For a longer cable, buy a decent exention cable.

 

[the hulk]

How about Alessandro MS1, 2009 edition?

 

[trip221]

If you want to try out the Grado/Alessandro sound, I'm seeling my barely used SR60's. 
http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/530772/grado-sr60-used-but-in-near-new-condition
 
Please note they are the pre "i" version.

 

[Proglover]

Quote:

How about Alessandro MS1, 2009 edition?

also a good option

 

[Yoga Flame]

 
Quote:

I'm also guessing an integrated soundcard will not be the best choice for music listening. Could you recommend me a sound card? ($100 budget) - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829102032&cm_re=soundblaster-_-29-102-032-_-Product this one looks nice.. and it's USB.
 
Also is there any way I could extend the cable, since the headphones usually come with about a 3m long cable and I'd need about 5m. (should I go wireless?)
 

 
External sound cards are also commonly known as DACs (digital to analog converters). You can find out more in the Dedicated Source forum here on head-fi. I don't know much about the Creative that you linked to, but I'm sure there's a thread about it. Popular recommendations are the uDAC, the FiiO E7, and the Audinst HUD-mx1. I suggest placing more value on recommendations from people who have personally heard the DACs (i.e. not me) and have compared them with other DACs.
 
 

Also is there any way I could extend the cable, since the headphones usually come with about a 3m long cable and I'd need about 5m. (should I go wireless?)
 

 
Another option is to get a long USB cable, or USB extension cable. That way you can still have the DAC relatively close by and use the volume knob from your listening location.

 

[the hulk]

 

Quote:

 
Quote:

I'm also guessing an integrated soundcard will not be the best choice for music listening. Could you recommend me a sound card? ($100 budget) - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829102032&cm_re=soundblaster-_-29-102-032-_-Product this one looks nice.. and it's USB.
 
Also is there any way I could extend the cable, since the headphones usually come with about a 3m long cable and I'd need about 5m. (should I go wireless?)
 

 
External sound cards are also commonly known as DACs (digital to analog converters). You can find out more in the Dedicated Source forum here on head-fi. I don't know much about the Creative that you linked to, but I'm sure there's a thread about it. Popular recommendations are the uDAC, the FiiO E7, and the Audinst HUD-mx1. I suggest placing more value on recommendations from people who have personally heard the DACs (i.e. not me) and have compared them with other DACs.
 
 

Also is there any way I could extend the cable, since the headphones usually come with about a 3m long cable and I'd need about 5m. (should I go wireless?)
 

 
Another option is to get a long USB cable, or USB extension cable. That way you can still have the DAC relatively close by and use the volume knob from your listening location.

 
Thanks a lot
Also thanks for the suggestions so far.
I'm really tempted to get the Alessandro MS1 headphones but I'm a little worried because I'm from Slovenia, Europe and if
Alessandro's warehouse is located in the US (which i'm almost certain it is) I will have to pay customs :/

 

[the hulk]

Any more suggestions?