[Sarevok]

I'm looking for some good closed headphones for under $100.  I'll go to $150 if it's really worth it.  I listen to a lot of different stuff, but most often metal and electronica.  I want some cans that can put out a lot of bass, but I don't want them to be unbalanced.  Basically I don't want more bass proportionately than the artist intended, but if the song is really supposed to have earth shattering bass, than I want headphones that deliver.
 
Right now I have Senn HD 280 pros and really like them.  They still sound great, but aesthetically they're getting really worn out.  The plastic at the top is all cracked, the ear cushions are all ripped up, and the head cushion looks really worn.  I also don't like the coiled cable since it gets tangled with other cables.  Right now I'm looking at the Senn 400 series.  Anything else I should be looking at?  They will be powered by an Audigy 2 ZS sound card (no amp).

 

[Mochan]

Audio Technica M50s

 

[natejp]

The HD 280 isn't exactly a bassy headphone, so you will probably like switching to the M50 which apparently gives a lot in that department. You can also get a HFI-580 for ~150.

 

[Mochan]

By the way, make sure you get the M50s and not the M50. S is for straight cable.

 

[Sarevok]

In terms of efficiency, how does the M50s compare to the 280 pro?  Will it be fine driven by my sound card?  I don't want a separate headphone amp.

 

[natejp]

While some people here might tell you every headphone needs an amp... the M50 does not. It will function perfectly well without one.

 

[Mochan]

The M50 sounds fine off a soundcard. I forget how efficient the HD280 is, but the M50 is very easy to drive. It does benefit from a nice amp IMO, but it is not necessary and sounds great as is. 

 

[Sarevok]

So I got the M50s and I'm not sure if I like it more than the 280pro.  As I said in the OP, I wanted a balanced headphone and the M50s is most definitely not that.  Based on what I read I expected a slight bass bias, but after listening to them it feels like the bass is 2x as loud as it's supposed to be relative to the treble.  The bass is very good; they can go deep, loud, responsive, and don't distort.
 
I think I just need to balance it with an eq.  Does anyone know if there's a way to get a good parametric eq in my windows volume settings on Windows 7?  Right now I just have a bass and treble knob.  I know I could get a parametric eq plugin for foobar2k for music, but I'd rather have one that controls everything, not just music.

 

[casioa5302ca]

Quote:

Right now I have Senn HD 280 pros and really like them.

If you like them, than need to pick-up some from HD 25´s family, some definitely fit to your budget.
 
HD 25-1 II - 70 Ohms, 1.5m steel cable with rt.angled 3.5mm mini-jack and screw-on adaptor to 1/4" jack. These come with leatherette *and* velour earpads and a drawstring carry bag.

HD 25-1 II Special Edition - 70 Ohms, 1.5m cable with rt.angled 3.5mm mini-jack and screw-on adaptor to 1/4" jack. These come with only leatherette earpads and a nice zip case. These are no longer available as far as I am aware.

HD 25 II - 70 Ohms, 2m steel cable with straight 3.5mm mini-jack and screw-on adaptor to 1/4" jack.

HD 25-C II - 70 Ohms, 2/3m coiled copper cable with straight 3.5mm mini-jack and screw-on adaptor to 1/4" jack.

HD 25-13 II - 600 Ohms, 3m steel cable with straight 3.5mm mini-jack and screw-on adaptor to 1/4" jack.

HD 25-SP II - Lower quality version without the split headband, 60 Ohms, 3m cable with straight 3.5mm mini-jack and screw-on adaptor to 1/4" jack.
 

 

[EternalEmpire]

Sony V6 are worth a look. They're quite a way under your budget and impressive for the price.
 
You could try modding them with the DT250 velour pads, it increases the comfort and apparently also increases the sound quality. I never did it to mine but there you go.

 

[1Time]

I suggest considering an Ultrasone. These sell on eBay for under $150 shipped:  DJ1, HFI580, HFI550, and Proline (Pro) 650. FWIR, the first two of these are bassier.

 

[classakg]

If you want a more balanced headphone, get the SRH440's...or the 840's (used)