[Scherzo]

Hi, I'm looking to buy a fairly decent pair of headphones from somewhere, and am torn between several different possibilities.  I mostly play classical and would mostly want something for that purpose (especially symphonic music) but am interested in pretty much any genre.  Also will likely use these for gaming, though nothing terribly serious.
 
Anyhow, my budget is no more than $300 total, amps/shipping/etc. included.
 
Here's my short list:
 
AKG Q 701 for $240:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004444O3W/ref=ox_sc_act_title_5?ie=UTF8&m=AT5HPYEEN9G2E
 
Denon AH-D1100 for $100 (with BOUNTII code):
http://www.electronics-expo.com/denon-ah-d1100-advanced-over-ear-headphones-black
 
Shure SRH440 for $90:
http://www.amazon.com/Shure-SRH440-Professional-Studio-Headphones/dp/B002DP1FTU/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top
 
Prodipe Pro 800 for $35 (shipping extra):
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000UH4RV6/ref=ox_sc_act_title_10?ie=UTF8&m=A1IXMID1Q2WO8I
 
Sennheiser RS120 for $55:
http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-RS120-Wireless-Headphones-Charging/dp/B0001FTVEK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1325198723&sr=8-1
 
Sennheiser HD448 for roughly $55 (with BOUNTII code):
http://www.electronics-expo.com/sennheiser-hd448-around-the-ear-headphones
 
***
Amps (if any):
 
Ergh, no idea yet.  Is this one good?
 
FiiO E11:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004QVPGXK/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&m=AFKH6OU9WWNFS
 
***
I should note that I would have liked to have bought something locally, but the only non-chain store in the area has a rather limited selection.  However, I think they do have a Sennheiser 428 for roughly $80, so if that's a particularly good one for some reason (especially with classical music) I'd certainly consider it as well.
 
Anyhow, thanks in advance for any help you guys can provide - I really have no idea what I'm getting into!
 
- John
 

 

[Scherzo]

Oh, also, what about this one, for the Sennheiser 598:
 
http://www.target.com/p/Sennheiser-High-End-Over-the-Ear-Headphones-HD598-Brown/-/A-13556384?ref=tgt_adv_XSG10001&AFID=Froogle_df&LNM=|13556384&CPNG=electronics&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=13556384

 

[nikp]

You should bump your budget a bit. Get the HD600 and you can never look back.

 

[Scherzo]

Well, Amazon has the HD600 for $314.15... Head-Pi?
 
 

 

[jimejam]

get the shure 840 or 940 great detail and if you enjoy vocals they are both as good as you can get for that.

 

[Dubstep Girl]

the akg q701 would be a good choice as well.

 

[liamstrain]

With your budget and stated needs, the 598 seem ideal to me. They won't require an amp (but will play nicely with one later if add it), handle the soundstage and imaging of classical really nicely... as a result also work well for gaming. Have a good all-around laid back sound that works for just about any genre (though you may find yourself eventually wanting something a bit more agressive for jazz/rock later). 
 
I love the K701/702, but to me, to really perform they require a good parametric eq, and a good amp (more than FiiO has been able to provide the market with - to my ears), which will put them out of your budget. 
 
I'm sure there is some appropriate quip about asking a dozen head-fiers and getting 2 dozen answers... 

 

[Scherzo]

Hmm, how much of a difference is there between the HD598 and HD600?   Of course, it's possible I won't understand the difference at all until somehow trying both, given that my previous headphones were $20 Sennheisers...
 

 

[liamstrain]

Personally, the 600 are more neutral to my ears, but I feel like they need an amp to really perform well - they felt weak out of portable and computer sources. The 598 does not have that restriction. 

 

[bowei006]

Guys let's stop recommending headphones at the $300 and just A LITTLE OVER. Headphoens over $100 greatly improve from amping. the ones at the $300 mark need $150+ amps to do it justice. let's stay in the $200 sub area.
 
Shure SRH 840
i'm not a sennheiser dude but there is one or two in the 500 series if i remmeber that go well here also
 
for amps I would recommend the 
FiiO E11
The E10 is a great desktop choice, but it's only for desktop. if you need portability. The E11 is for you. however. if you need both desktop and portability(amp AND DAC) I would say to wait a month. The FiiO E17 is almost here and has features that will rock your socks off.
 
SRH 840 -$150
FiiO E17 $150
$300

 

[bbophead]

To the OP:
 
Hie thee to the dealer with the headphones and try some out with the music you listen to. This will give you at least a clue.  Listen for how realistically violins sound.  Do you need to feel the bass drum?  What about soundstage?  Would you like to sit close to the orchestra and have it spread out between your ears?  Think about the attributes you might want in relation to what you actually hear at a concert (the one you're attending, not the one you're playing in.

 
 
Organize your desires.

 

[Scherzo]

OK, thanks guys, I'm now wondering about this Fostex T50RP at $75 from Amazon, but I have no idea what orthodynamic headphones are exactly.  Any pointers there, or should I probably just stick with "normal" varieties?
 

 

[Scherzo]

Oh, and yes, I'd love to try out some phones, but there's so few stores around my area (Humboldt County, CA) that I'm not sure how best to go about it.  I've been asking friends to try theirs, but they, being musicians and therefore not rich, have pretty rinky-dinky ones (even my $20 Sennheisers sound better)...
 
Ah, well.  I tried a SuperLux 681 at a nearby music store, but thought it sounded pretty tinny in the high ranges.  Also, it was about $50 (tax not included), which seemed a bit high even for a local shop.
 

 

[bowei006]

Quote:

Oh, and yes, I'd love to try out some phones, but there's so few stores around my area (Humboldt County, CA) that I'm not sure how best to go about it.  I've been asking friends to try theirs, but they, being musicians and therefore not rich, have pretty rinky-dinky ones (even my $20 Sennheisers sound better)...
 
Ah, well.  I tried a SuperLux 681 at a nearby music store, but thought it sounded pretty tinny in the high ranges.  Also, it was about $50 (tax not included), which seemed a bit high even for a local shop.
 

that's expensive. they are usually $38-$42 online with free shipping and no tax >_< superlux tinny in high frequency? usually i hear about how harsh they are. not tinny? Go try out the SRH 840's and a couple Sennheisers. you will be in love
 

 

[GanChan]

Classical music + gaming = ATH-AD700 perhaps?