[Ishamael]

I just broke my HD 280 pro's and I would like to upgrade to a better 'phone at a higher pricepoint.  I was looking at Sennheiser's HD 598's, but I was wondering if anyone had any other recommendations for headphones ~$200?

 

[LFF]

Look at the Fischer Audio FA-003. Might be right up your alley.

 

[devhen]

I just got the Beyerdynamic DT 770 Premium 600 ohm version from ProAudioStar for $230 on their Memorial Day sale and I'm absolutely loving them. This is one of only 2 sites I could find on all of the interwebs that still have new ones (they're discontinued). You might be able to get them for close to $200 on a 4th of July sale.
 
http://www.proaudiostar.com/headphones/closed-back/beyerdynamic-dt-700-premium-600.html

 

[Ishamael]

the fischers seem perfect but they seem ridiculously difficult to obtain.  Is there a site or something that sells them that I'm missing?
 
The beyers look good too, but I'm worried I'd need an expensive amp to run them properly.

 

[juantendo8]

Quote:

the fischers seem perfect but they seem ridiculously difficult to obtain.  Is there a site or something that sells them that I'm missing?
 
The beyers look good too, but I'm worried I'd need an expensive amp to run them properly.

 
Forget the 600 ohm beyers if you don't have a decently powerful desktop amp. From experience, I can say that they really don't perform well when underdriven.

 

[devhen]

Quote:

 
Forget the 600 ohm beyers if you don't have a decently powerful desktop amp. From experience, I can say that they really don't perform well when underdriven.

This is true. BTW, there are 32 and 250 ohm versions as well. You should be able to find those ones for a similar price...maybe even cheaper than the 600. Here's one:
 
http://www.buy.com/prod/beyerdynamic-dt-770-250-ohm/215080009.html

 

[devhen]

Also..you dont *neccessarily* need an "expensive" amp to power the 600 ohm version. Right now I'm just running them off of my Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 PC speakers (which are admittedly more powerful than typical PC speakers) and the performance is very good. The ProMedia 2.1 goes for just $150. The 770s sound best if I turn my computer volume down and the amp (Klipsch) volume up. Then the 770s become very clear and balanced with a great soundstage. I actually prefer them to my Senn 600's for video games & movies/tv shows. The Senn 600 has a higher quality sound overall IMO and probably a more expansive soundstage but theres something about the 770's soundstage that just makes them more engaging in games & videos. Great for music too, needless to say. More bass impact than with an open-back headphone.

 

[ssrock64]

Quote:

the fischers seem perfect but they seem ridiculously difficult to obtain.  Is there a site or something that sells them that I'm missing?
 
The beyers look good too, but I'm worried I'd need an expensive amp to run them properly.

You can easily buy the Brainwavz HM5 (which is the same thing) for less from MP4Nation for $120, or you can buy the Digitech Pro Monitors (also the same thing) from JayCar for only $70ish shipped.

 

[WyattLW]

Bump

 

[devhen]

If you want to stick with closed-backs the Senn 380 might be a good upgrade from the 280. I've never owned either of them, though, so I can't give you specifics.
 
Have you checked out the headphone buyer's guides?
 
http://www.head-fi.org/a/headphone-buying-guide
 
http://www.head-fi.org/a/buying-guide-headphones-by-price-range

 

[ssrock64]

Quote:

If you want to stick with closed-backs the Senn 380 might be a good upgrade from the 280. I've never owned either of them, though, so I can't give you specifics.
 
Have you checked out the headphone buyer's guides?
 
http://www.head-fi.org/a/headphone-buying-guide
 
http://www.head-fi.org/a/buying-guide-headphones-by-price-range

The HD380 is actually a pretty low value, and there's much better out there that you can get for the price.

 

[devhen]

Quote:

The HD380 is actually a pretty low value, and there's much better out there that you can get for the price.

Ahh, good to know. Doesn't surprise me. There are so many quality headies in that price range. If only I could have them all.... haha

 

[devhen]

Ishamael, what about the Senn HD 25? Those are probably the ones I would pick at the $200 price point in fact I plan on getting myself some soon. Just know that they are on-ear headphones and have a tight fit which gives them great isolation but this means they won't be as comfortable for long listening sessions as, say, an over-ear Beyer or any of the over-ear Senns. Checkout this eBay listing, this guy is an authorized dealer and I can say from experience that he's willing to accept best offers that are quite a bit below the list price:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/310407098689
 
Here's a great review of the HD 25 alongside several other similar popular models
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/574617/review-comparison-beyerdynamic-dt1350-t50p-sennheiser-hd25-1-ii-hd25-13-ii-pioneer-hdj-2000-v-moda-m80-aiaiai-tma-1

 

[devhen]

crap sorry, I obviously forgot about the 'circumaural' in the title I've been responding to several similar threads about ~$200 headphones and obviously got confused....
 
Anyway, the HD 25 has a huge following so maybe its worth looking into anyway.
 
Have you checked out the Denon D2000? Its a bit above your price range but you might be able to find a good deal.

 

[devhen]

Also checkout the Audio Technica ATH-AD700 and ATH-A700