Sound quality mostly. I mostly listen to edm, rap, rock, techno, trance, classical, metal, dubstep, and power metal... and stuff like Lindsey sterling and nightwish. I would like to be able to hear my surroundings if possible and listen at a decent volume without disturbing my codriver. Bluetooth and wireless is a plus but not needed
That's a wide variety of music... Do you have any sound preferences as well (do you want a bassy phone vs a brighter one, etc.)? In terms of isolation, I've never found any headphone that could allow me to hear my surroundings without leaking noise... Well, actually, the only model that I've had do that was the MEElectronics Atlas (earpad design allows this). Semi-open helps with this, but may not be as good as allowing you to hear your surroundings. A fully open model will leak (it's inevitable), but will keep you fully aware of all of your surroundings. I would not recommend an IEM as they isolate too much while earbuds tend to be not as strong sonically (though there are exceptions). Some suggestions:
- NAD VISO HP50 - This is a closed back phone, so it does isolate, but is a very well-received model. The sound signature is warm and lush, it's an easy headphone to listen to without any issues. It doesn't require an amp to run properly either. This comes in around 300 dollars.
- Bowers & Wilkins P7 - Another warm phone, the bass is a little more focused on the low/mid-bass in contrast to the HP50. The mids and highs are a little more energetic, but also a little more refined as well. These scale up very well with better amps. The P7 is closed back as well. This will set you back around 400...
- AKG K545/K845BT - Another warm phone, good depth and big bass body. Treble is similar to that of the P7, slightly less refined but a middle-ground between the P7 and HP50. Again, another easy phone to listen to, but it's not as laid back as the HP50 is. Having a BT model available may be a plus as well. This is also closed back. This will run you 250-350 dollars (depending on whether or not you get the BT model)
- Harman Kardon BT - This is a sound that had to grow on me... It's a closer-to-neutral sound signature but also quite unforgiving, so you'll have to feed it good files (mastered well). This model runs over BT which may prove to be an advantage. The main downside of these is that the earpads aren't as thick (leads to discomfort after about 1-1.5 hours of use :/ They run around 250 dollars.
- V-Moda M-100 - This is a v-shaped model, focuses on the lows and highs mainly, good for everything you listen to except classical. Again, this is a closed back model (if I'm not mistaken, the vents are just for show). Very well-received model, and should hold up to whatever you throw at it. This will run you around 300 dollars.
- MEElectronics Atlas - This is another V-shaped model, sonically speaking, it's quite inferior to the majority of the other headphones, it's still offers quality that is respectable... The reason why I suggest it is because it does exactly what you want it to do in terms of isolation and leak... It leaks very little, but allows you to hear your surroundings almost as well as an open headphone (better than most semi-open-backs I've used). It's an on-ear model though. It'll run you about 100 dollars.
- Oppo PM-1 - Another warmer, slightly aggressive phone when it comes to the midrange. Should work for the majority of the genres you listen to. This is a semi-open-back planar, exquisite feel and look as well, should hold up well overall. The sound signature is similar to that of the AKG K845BT. This can be driven from something like an iPhone, but will improve with a better amp (like anything else). It's been said that they don't scale up as well as other planars (but will scale). This makes them a good choice for a portable-like setup. This is the most expensive of the bunch, it'll run you 1100.
- Oppo PM-2* - A sweet, mid-focused headphone. They share the same driver as the PM-1, but do have a different signature. Treble is a little stronger, but does roll off earlier. Bass depth is OK, though not the best (it's bested by both of HiFiMan's new models as well as Oppo's top model). Like the PM-1, it's semi-open-back and feels just as exquisite and should hold up well. Materials are cheaper with this model (some of them), but still very high quality. Like the PM-1, it can be driven from an iPhone alone... I'd assume they scale similar to that of the PM-1. They will also improve with a warmer source IMO. This will run you about 700 bucks at release time.
- HiFiMan HE-400i* - Warm, bassy phone. Has good thickness and is quite musical and easy to listen to. Take the midrange of the PM-2 and the bass and treble of the PM-1 and you get the signature of the 400i. This is a fully open phone though, so depending on how loud you listen, this may leak. It won't isolate well either. The 400i can be run directly from an iPod/iPhone, but scale up with better sources. This cost around 500.
- HiFiMan HE-560 - Neutral sound signature that is nearly flat, though the edge is taken off of the upper midrange. It's quite a musical phone, but also has a tendency to be less forgiving in nature, so if your source is good (song source that is), it'll treat you very well. Like the 400i, this is a fully open phone. This one costs around 900. The 560 are made to be run with a portable amp (yours can drive them), they scale up well too. I am able to run them to a good level with my iPhone, but I am a quiet listener.
The first 5 are the cheaper models (if you can call them that), the last 4 are planars. Historically speaking, planars have never been recommended for on the go use due to their weight and low sensitivity. Both Oppo and HiFiMan have worked to fix this issue and did a great job with it. With that said, consider a few things when choosing one out:
- Signature... Find a signature that you feel you'll enjoy. Some signatures will correspond directly to a specific genre of music you listen to. Signatures also color and flavor music differently, though a v-shaped signature may be weaker with classical, some may prefer that signature as it thickens up instruments and focuses on specific instruments better... With that said, choose your preferred signature over something that fits your genres.
- Open-ness... The more open a headphone is, the more it allows you to hear your surroundings, but the more it leaks as well. Keep in mind that if you do listen at lower volumes, it may not be audible (or barely audible) to your neighbor... If you're inside of a loud truck, it may not be at all. The more closed, however, the less it leaks, but will isolate more. There may be exceptions to this... Keep in mind that different pads can also alter the way they isolate and sound.
- Price... This doesn't seem to be an issue for you IMO.
I would say that if money is no issue, the PM-1 may prove to be a very good selection for you, but it is pricey (in terms of of setup, it should fare quite well)... It actually isolated quite well for me when I auditioned them... The second in line recommendation would be the 400i. Both hold a similar signature that are easier to listen to. If you're looking for neutrality, then the signature of choice would be the 560. If you want a v-shaped sound, the M-100 might suite you very well. If you want to ditch the amp, I'd say use the NAD, AKG, V-Moda, or B&W.
One last note, the 400i and PM-2 are not fully finalized yet (denoted by the '*'). Their signatures, moreso the PM-2 can change with time. I don't see the 400i changing personally, HiFiMan seems to be waiting on a smooth and completed release of the 560 before they officially start on the 400i final models. The specs, drivers, sound, etc. of that model seem to be finalized though.
