[jman1503]

[size=8.0pt] I am in a little bit of a bind. I need headphones to watch film with Dolby Headphone (or something similar). I have read that generally speaking,  the bigger the soundstage of the headphone the more effective it will be in expressing the virtual headphone effect (as in DH). My budget is $100 and what seems to win out in that category is Audio Technica  ATH-AD700. What is the best closed back headphones that have the greatest soundstage under $100? Again, my end goal is a virtual surround sound effect on the headphone and I'm assuming that the biggest soundstage headphones will be most desirable for this effect. Any suggestions? [/size]

 

[KetchupNinja]

As you've said, the AD700's have a great soundstage, but I found it lacking when watching movies because the anemic bass.  If you're looking for an decent semi-open headphone with good soundstage and bass, the Samson SR850's are a pretty good choice for about $50.00.  For a little over $80.00, the Technical Pro HPT990's are a decent option as well.
 
http://www.amazon.com/Samson-Technologies-SR850-Reference-Headphones/dp/B002LBSEQS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1360889830&sr=8-1&keywords=samson+sr850
 
http://www.amazon.com/Technical-Pro-Professional-Headphones-Controller/dp/B0057CW4UU/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1360890736&sr=1-1&keywords=hpt+990
 
The Creative Aurvana Live! and the Gemini-HSR 1000's seem to be popular for closed backed under $100 these days.  I don't own any of these two but maybe someone can chime in about them?
 
http://www.amazon.com/Creative-EF0060-Aurvana-Live-Headphones/dp/B000ZJZ7OA/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1360889869&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=creative+aurvana
 
http://www.amazon.com/Gemini-HSR-1000-Professional-Monitoring-Headphones/dp/B006Y2BI04/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1360890552&sr=1-2&keywords=gemini+headphone
 
Hope this helps.

 

[Katun]

This should be of great help:
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/534479/mad-lust-envys-headphone-gaming-guide-updated-1-28-13-k702-65th-anni-ed-added

 

[jman1503]

Thank you for the tip about Mad Lusty's page. I've read that before and didn't know if there had been any other opinions. Thanks also for the suggestion about those four headphones. You say that the lack of bass really discouraged you from using them for film, I listen to classical music as well, so this might be a good par? I plan on using a transducer in the chair that I'll watch movies that although doesn't replace good bass response, certainly helps out. Out of the Samson and technical pro, you suggested KetchupNinja, which has the biggest soundstage? Also, how much sound leaks in and out of a semi open, pretty much the same as fully open?

 

[KetchupNinja]

IMO the AD700's are great for classical music.  To my ears, the soundstage between the Samson's and the Technical Pro's only differ by small amount.  I'd have to give a slight edge to the Technical Pro's though I think it is because of my preference to velour pads to pleather.  The sound leakage is not that bad actually, both headphones both don't leak as much as my Grado's that's for sure!

 

[jman1503]

So, it looks as though the Technical Pro HPT990 are the best sound stage of a closed back, under $100? 

 

[Vidmaven]

Quote:

So, it looks as though the Technical Pro HPT990 are the best sound stage of a closed back, under $100? 

Pretty sure those are open. Same as the Takstar HI2050.
 
Maybe these:http://www.amazon.com/Gemini-HSR-1000-Professional-Monitoring-Headphones/dp/B006Y2BI04/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1360890552&sr=1-2&keywords=gemini+headphone