So far I only have two pairs of headphones. A pair of Skullcandy Supreme Sound Aviators that I bought about a week and a half ago, and some Grado SR80i 'phones that I picked up three days ago.
I know that seems a bit odd, but I (literally) just got into the idea of getting some good cans and went to the store with very little knowledge of what to get. I knew of Grado (of course) and went in to buy a pair actually, but the guy working there was a huge fan of the Aviators, and suggested I try them. I listened to them and several other models many times, going back and forth between them to A/B different cans.
Ultimately, I was impressed with the midrange on the Aviators and bought them. Then I took them home and was using them non-stop for several days in a row. I found their weaknesses (thin sounding, quick to distort at high volume, too forward in the upper mids/high frequencies) rather quickly, and wished I had bought the Grados instead.
p
So, I went back to the store and only listened to Grado models. Everything model from the iGrado, up to the 325i. I found them to be a bit bright, but for some (seemingly unexplainable) reason, I found the SR80is to be a bit mellower than the rest of the lineup. I am not sure why, and I "wanted" to like the 125s more, but I just didn't...I don't get it at all... Anyway, I picked up the SR80i Grados and I like them quite a bit more than the Skullcandy Aviators. The aviators seem to play louder than the Grados using my laptop and ipods as sources, but the Aviators seem to distort easier (may be due to the amps though).
I have found that with both of these 'phones, I MUCH prefer to use my laptop as the source. In fact, using either of these cans (which are much more revealing than the Apple ibuds) made me come to the realization that I seriously do not like the sound of the ipod touch at all. I do have an ipod video (30 gb 5th gen) and I feel that the older model sounds a bit fuller than my new touch does. In fact, it sounds quite a bit better all aorund IMO...but still not besting the integrated sound card (Realtek HD Audio) in my budget laptop. I find that odd and figured that the Apple products would easily outperform my laptop....considering that they ARE dedicated portable audio players and all.
p
I am thinking my next pair of cans is going to be the ATH-M50, and I will probably pick them up soon (as in within a week), but a part of me wants to stop playing around with these lower cost HPs and jump into something a bit more refined throughout. Some Sennheiser 600 or 650s maybe. With their popularity around here, I am sure that they are at least worth nabbing up for a while. I figure, with a headphone of that popularity and caliber, I can always sell it if I end up not liking it.
Decisions, decisions...too many of them. LOL!