A little about me plus an obvious question

[tjcaustin]

I've been lurking through head-fi for a long time now and have finally decided to connect and make an account.
 
Most of my listening is done through a fiio x3 fed to either grado sr225i that will be getting a wood cup mod soon or JH13pros.  I listen to a fairly broad range of music, from classical to rock to edm (rough genres just for example) and like a well-rounded sound but like a nice tight bass hit before the reverb.  Well, now I'm looking to enhance my listening options with a few more sets of headphones. 
 
I'd like to get a great bang for your buck pair of both open and closed headphones and have tentatively narrowed it down to two pair of each and would love opinions and possibly why I should go other ways.
 
Open:
HiFiMan HE-400:  I like the idea of planar speakers and these seem like the best high-mid tier option.  I looked into Mr. Speakers stuff as well as a handful of other options and always lead back to these.
 
Audio Technica ATH-AD900x: I also like the idea of matching open/closed brands for a hopefully similar signature.  I've read the bass is lacking in comparison to the HE-400, but that the mids/highs were enough better to sway people this way instead.
 
Closed:
 
ATH-A900x: I hear nothing but good things about these for what I listen for and I have a head that these should fit well.
 
ATH-ES10: A higher priced option that I'm interested in exploring or hearing from people that have been able to hear both of my closed options.
 
Again, I would love to hear opinions on what people have tried themselves and I'm trying to limit myself to the $350 or lower range per pair. I know, weird with what else I own, but yeah.  I think if I went matching price high end, I'd be ordering LCD-2s or HP1000 or HD800s.  But anyways, enough about that, I have my high end stuff.
 
Thanks

 

[tomb]

You might add the Grado PS-500 to your list.  I know that's higher than your price range, but it might be a better deal if you can find them used.  A little more money applied to those may be a better choice than wooding the 225's.
 
The PS-500/HF-2 is different from most Grados.  Many people prefer them to the RS-1's.  There's a little less high-end tizziness and harshness of the normal Grado sound, but bass is very deep, impactful and articulate.

 

[tjcaustin]

You might add the Grado PS-500 to your list.  I know that's higher than your price range, but it might be a better deal if you can find them used.  A little more money applied to those may be a better choice than wooding the 225's.
 
The PS-500/HF-2 is different from most Grados.  Many people prefer them to the RS-1's.  There's a little less high-end tizziness and harshness of the normal Grado sound, but bass is very deep, impactful and articulate.

 
I appreciate the recommendation. I'm actually doing all the work to make the cups, so I'm just out the cost of wood, so less than $50. The ps-500 look great and I'll be certain to look into them like I have other stuff now.

 

[Makiah S]

Quote:

I've been lurking through head-fi for a long time now and have finally decided to connect and make an account.
 
Most of my listening is done through a fiio x3 fed to either grado sr225i that will be getting a wood cup mod soon or JH13pros.  I listen to a fairly broad range of music, from classical to rock to edm (rough genres just for example) and like a well-rounded sound but like a nice tight bass hit before the reverb.  Well, now I'm looking to enhance my listening options with a few more sets of headphones. 
 
I'd like to get a great bang for your buck pair of both open and closed headphones and have tentatively narrowed it down to two pair of each and would love opinions and possibly why I should go other ways.
 
Open:
HiFiMan HE-400:  I like the idea of planar speakers and these seem like the best high-mid tier option.  I looked into Mr. Speakers stuff as well as a handful of other options and always lead back to these.
 
Audio Technica ATH-AD900x: I also like the idea of matching open/closed brands for a hopefully similar signature.  I've read the bass is lacking in comparison to the HE-400, but that the mids/highs were enough better to sway people this way instead.
 
Closed:
 
ATH-A900x: I hear nothing but good things about these for what I listen for and I have a head that these should fit well.
 
ATH-ES10: A higher priced option that I'm interested in exploring or hearing from people that have been able to hear both of my closed options.
 
Again, I would love to hear opinions on what people have tried themselves and I'm trying to limit myself to the $350 or lower range per pair. I know, weird with what else I own, but yeah.  I think if I went matching price high end, I'd be ordering LCD-2s or HP1000 or HD800s.  But anyways, enough about that, I have my high end stuff.
 
Thanks

Wow I'm just the guy for you then my friend! I'm getting an AD 900x here to review FROM Audio TEchnica here shortly, in addition. I own the Ath A900x and the w1000x, 
 
The Ath w1000x is a GREAT closed can. I mean it's a beautiful head phone, and it sound even better. But mine [+mods] cost me about $500, which is the price of an HE 500/ That and I've modded mine as well
 
That being said, as for open cans the He 400 and the Beyer Dynamic Dt 880 have LONG been rivals. and I ADORE my Dt 880 and W1000x combo to DEATH. They compliment each other very well, the w1000x does Rock, EDM, Vocal, Jazz, Nu Jazz, World Music, Folk Music, Orchestral 
 
The Dt 880 does EDM equally as well [ Tight Deep Bass] Classical, Orchestral, Vocals, JAZZ, Classical Jazz 
 
well the two cans overlap quiete a bit, and my Old Dt 880 was a Pro 250 ohm, my new recabled Balanced Dt 880 600 ohm is in transit, so I'll get back to you on how it does. But the Dt 880 has tight bass, smooth airy treble, great details and a nice low mid weight and warmth [I also own the Dt 990 which is a DEDICATED EDM and CLASSICAL only can, the extra bass of the Dt 990 adds a nice weight to mids, and the extra bass is epic with Classlica] The Dt 880 with my  Matrix M Stage, also has an amazingly thick warm lush lower mid range! With the body and decay of the Dt 990, and the warmth and beauty of the w1000x [although last time I heard the two, my w1000x was un modded] 
 
So my point being, I went with Beyer Dt 880 and w1000x for open and closed compliments, for me they are like Red Wine and DARK Chocolate, the wine has those nice acidic notes and deep flavors [the Beyers] The chocolate has smooth earthy tones, and some bright hints of Vanillia, along with a smooth silky texture, with a clear and refined taste and bloom [the W1000x]
 
So that's my two cents on the matter. I am hoping Ath will send me a AD 1000x instead of a 900x as it might be destroyed by the w1000 and Beyer Dt 880, the higher model should stand ground with my two giants though
 
And again, if you like bass the Dt 990 is simmilar to the Dt 880, except that the Dt 990 is like a Chocolate Wine a mix of the two with out the delicate refienment of either. Or rather... the Dt 990 is a more full bodied wine. leaving the Dt 880 a touch drier with some Oak Accents.
 
[I used to be into food and wine alot if you did not tell] But Ath and Beyer are complimentary house sounds imo.