audio virgin here. Help a brotha out.

[travismp]

I have started reading over a lot of the previous posts but want to make sure I am not missing anything. I come seeking your wisdom, you are all much greater than I am. Please take pitty on this fool before you and guide me to the correct decision.

So here is my full run-down.
32
white & nerdy by nature
music taste

1. Folk/Singer/Songwriter - 40%
2. Alternative - 40%
3. Hip Hop/Rap - 15%
4. Other - 5%
5. Favorite Bands (Modest Mouse, Dave Matthews Band, Band of Horses, Travis, Jason Mraz, Jack Johnson, Damien Rice, Joshua Radin, Brendan James, 2Pac, Counting Crows, Tyrone Wells. I like a ton more, but this will at least give you an idea of what type of music will be used. I only wanted to list the more common bands that most people know of.)

 
I know very little about specific details (ohmz, driver size, cone type, ect... I know I like music and have money to spend for a decent set of headphones)
 
Type - Over the ear. I guess on-ear are OK, I hate ear buds.
Budget - Anything under $300
Usage Breakdown

1. DroidX - Verizon smart phone - 50%
2. Denon 1910 Receiver - 30%
3. HP Laptop - 20%

 
 
I want to buy something in the next couple weeks. If I had to make a selection today (after my 30 minutes of forum browsing and 15 minutes at Best Buy) I would go with maybe:
 
Beyerdynamic DT 770  ($200)
Denon AHD2000  ($200)
Beats by Dre  ($300)
Bose QuietComfort 15  ($300)
Audio-Technica ATH-A900  ($225)
Sennheiser HD595   ($230)

Once again this is after very limited homework. If I am missing anything please add it to my list. I have NO brand loyalty.
 
A couple extra thoughts

1. I do not want anything that lets out music. (Open ear???) I do NOT want to bother anyone around me.
2. I travel maybe once or twice a year, so these will not be for traveling.
3. Also do I need any type of Amp for these headphones for better quality sound or just a louder sound, especially for use with my phone?
4. I want the Beats by Dre, only because my heart says they are what they cool kids use. However at the end of the day I want the ones which will sound the best overall for the type of music I listen to.
5. Quality is most important, then comfort, then price, then style.

 
 
I think that is everything. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE help this dork out and welcome me with loving arms to your head-fi community and show me the way. I would love to become the guy giving the advise before too long. Thank you all.

 

[kingtz]

30 mins on here and you didn't already notice all the threads about Beats and Bose headphones?

Anyway, I'll make your search slightly narrower:
 
Quote:

I want to buy something in the next couple weeks. If I had to make a selection today (after my 30 minutes of forum browsing and 15 minutes at Best Buy) I would go with maybe:  
Beyerdynamic DT 770  ($200)
Denon AHD2000  ($200)
Beats by Dre  ($300)
Bose QuietComfort 15  ($300)
Audio-Technica ATH-A900  ($225)
Sennheiser HD595   ($230)

 

[VALIENTE]

Go for an audiophile level headphone i.e. Denon D2000 on your list.

Save some for a desktop amp, you'll need it.

 

[blackzarg]

For lower than your budget, The Audio Technica M50's (someone had to say it =) ). You can also cross out the HD595's from your list, as they are open ear headphones. Fits your requirements pretty well, and matches your music choices as well. Bass is much more articulate and clean than the Beats or Bose.
 
Think of the M50's as a Subaru STI WRX...and the Bose/Beats as a BMW M3. Sure, the BMW's the cooler car to get, and has a lot of brand icon, but the WRX beats it in price/performance ratio.

 

[VALIENTE]

Quote:

For lower than your budget, The Audio Technica M50's 

Yeah...I agree too. This headphone can be considered too if you have limited funds.

 

[NapalmK]

Quote:

 
Beyerdynamic DT 770  ($200)
Denon AHD2000  ($200)   
Beats by Dre  ($300)
Bose QuietComfort 15  ($300)
Audio-Technica ATH-A900  ($225)
Sennheiser HD595   ($230)

 
DT770s- Honestly, I really dislike these cans and there aren't many cans I hate. They have overpowered, boomy bass which bleeds into the rest of the sound in some songs. On top of that they have grossly recessed mids and a peaky treble. Though they do have good soundstage, positioning, and top notch comfort. Still we're all different so I'd try them out if possible (Guitar Center has them).
 
Imo the best on your list is the D2000 though I haven't heard the A900 yet. I really like mine but they would like an amp. They also leak a little bit and you get virtually no isolation with them. Good soundstage and are the most comfortable can I've tried so far. The bass is definitely exagerated but not near the level of the DT770. They also have a laid back presentation and tend to be somewhat slow. They do have slightly recessed mids (which was a minor annoyance for me) and a little bit of an elevated treble. In addition you can get them for a good price now.
 
Bose and Beats. Unless you need noise cancellation (and can't use IEMs) don't get these. I've tried both of these and there are much better alternatives for a lower price.
 
The HD595s are open which probably won't do you any favors when using it in around others.
 
Another suggestion would be to look at the Sennheiser HD25-1 II which can be found at BB or GC and the Audio Technica ESW9a. Both are on ears though.
 
All of this is just my thoughts and may not be what you hear at all so I'd urge you if possible to try some out for yourself to see what type of sound you like best.

 

[blackzarg]

The HD25 can be a good choice - if you find them uncomfortable you can always get the velour earpads for them.

 

[travismp]

Great info so far, you guys are really helping here. So what exactly does the AMP do? Does it make the sound quality more rich and full, does it add bass, does it simply make things louder, does it pull out sounds that are lost? I am simply not sure what the overall purpose of the amp is.
 
It seems most are guiding me toward the Denon AHD2000. So if I do that which "desktop amp" would be the way to go with this Denon set?

 

[radonsg]

Quote:

Great info so far, you guys are really helping here. So what exactly does the AMP do? Does it make the sound quality more rich and full, does it add bass, does it simply make things louder, does it pull out sounds that are lost? I am simply not sure what the overall purpose of the amp is.
 
It seems most are guiding me toward the Denon AHD2000. So if I do that which "desktop amp" would be the way to go with this Denon set?

maybe this will help you.
http://www.goodcans.com/HeadphoneReviews/Reviewss/HeadphoneAmp101.html

 

[casioa5302ca]

Quote:

The HD25 can be a good choice - if you find them uncomfortable you can always get the velour earpads for them.

Well, go for HD25...I´ve got HD25-CII (the same as HD25-II but coiled cable)...and they´re great allrounder.

 

[travismp]

Quote:

Well, go for HD25...I´ve got HD25-CII (the same as HD25-II but coiled cable)...and they´re great allrounder.

thanks for the heads up. I will check these out as well. Soooo many choices. How will I ever know which one to go with?  And then will I always ask myself if I made the right decision or would a different pair have been better?  I may just order my top 3 or 4 pairs from Amazon and try them all in house for a few days then keep my favorite and return the rest.
 
There is no local place around that sells good headphones so I cannot listen to any brands or specific headphones unless I order multiple pairs. I am so confused.

 

[flargosa]

Welcome to Headfi 

 
Quote:

Soooo many choices. How will I ever know which one to go with?  And then will I always ask myself if I made the right decision or would a different pair have been better?  I may just order my top 3 or 4 pairs from Amazon and try them all in house for a few days then keep my favorite and return the rest.
 

 

[senndroid]

I want to keep a Senn in the running, some I'm going to go ahead and throw out the HD448s--this is solid closed phone (so people around you won't hear your music), with stellar, rich mids and clear highs. The lows, though, might need a bit of a boost; I would recommend buying it with a portable amplifier (the FiiO E7 maybe) along with the phones, which would really balance the soundstage. The cans should run you about 100, as should the amplifier. Let me tell you, I've heard the QCs, as well as this combo (my friend has this setup), and the Senns+E7 beats the pants off of the QCs. Honestly, the Bose have no mids.
 
In sum: HD448 / E7 Amplifier
Pros:
Clear, natural sounding sound, especially in the mids
Light and Comfortable
Cheap (100 is a steal for these cans)

Cons:
Cans need amp for full potential.
Bass can get lost without amp.
Short chord
 
Don't think I'm missing anything...I have the 595s in the mail right now, sorry you had to rule those out. I can't wait to hear those bad boys.

Also, don't forget to burn your cans in!