First timer looking at jumping into the headphone game. MS-1i, HD555, AD700, M50, DT-440, SRH440, DTX900

[Tommizzy]

Over the past week I've seriously put in about 40 hours worth of research. I'm overwhelmed and reaching out to this wonderful community for help. I started off looking into the 300 dollar market but I've decided that's a little out of my price range when I look at additional cost for a sound card as well.  I've looked at countless reviews and other threads on this topic but I am at a complete loss in what would be best for me.
 
Currently I am looking at a pair of cans around the $100 usd mark. My main form of operation is going to be listening to music on my computer being powered by an ASUS xonar Essence STX.  Additionally I will be using them for gaming sessions, but performance there isn't really all that important to me.  I have a small head so I wouldn't expect any problems with comfort. 
 
I listen to a wide array of musical genres: Indie, Alt Rock, Rap, Chill wave, 80s synth, classical. I very much love synth sounds in music.  I like a strong bass but I'm not a bass head and great sounding highs that penetrate my skull. The first two seconds Lose My Mind by Young Jeezy defines what I love in music. I love Drumma Boy's audio-con(like an icon but audio) then immediately the hit of the bass dropping.
 
Anyway, enough about me.  The can's I've been looking at are as follows:
MS-1i
HD555
AD700
M50
DT-440
SRH440
DTX900
 
I'm open to any other suggestions and input. Even if you could rule one of these out for me it would be of great help. Thank's in advance.

 

[Anaxilus]

DT440, 700, 555 are light on bass.  No knowledge of the Shure 440 or DTX900.

 

[Tommizzy]

Quote:

DT440, 700, 555 are light on bass.  No knowledge of the Shure 440 or DTX900.

Very good to know. From what I've been reading the M50 seem great for my uses but the sound stage is a little lacking.
I haven't seen too many comments on the MS-1 on how well it handles specific genres.

 

[JayB18]

Quote:

DT440, 700, 555 are light on bass.  No knowledge of the Shure 440 or DTX900.

The HD555 and AD700 maybe, but I wouldn't describe the DT440 as bass light.  Id rule out the DTX900, HD555, and AD700 altogether. DT440 is a step up from the DTX900. HD555 has weak bass and highs. AD700 has weak bass. DT440 is the best overall allrounder of the list imo. Only one I haven't heard was the DTX900.  SRH440 is overall superior to the M50 in balance, soundstage, and separation if you need a closed phone but id go MS1 or DT440 over both.

 

[EYEdROP]

I voted M50, never heard them though. But they seem to best match your prefrences based on my personal research. If you decide on them, just be aware of counterfeits. 

 

[blueyan]

Closed headphones in your list are weak in soundstage , while the opened headphones are weak in bass. It's up to you , whether prefer soundstage and strong bass .Unless you can top up your budget to get DT990 , which are opened headphone , good soundstage and bass.I suggest you to get the M50 , since you like strong bass . Don't get the Srh440 , I got the 840 and I found the bass is quite light for playing trance , electronica and pop.
I only listen vocal with them.
 

 

[144004]

Go closed if you ever want to bring the cans out of the house, or into a LAN shop/party. I've lost count how many times I've cringed at people using MS-1's as portables...Yeesh.
 
MS-1 (not MS-1i) was my first pair of headphones. Great sound, and I never desired an amp. But...uncomfy (I have a small head and my ears stick out a lot) and useless for gaming. Even single-player gaming.
 
Also had a SRH-440. If your ears don't stick out too much, you might like them. Like the MS-1, great sound and no/little need for an amp, plus they're closed and have really good soundstage. Was fab for gaming. I only sold them because of fit--my ears were squished against the grills, though YMMV.
 
Based on a very brief listen to the M50, I recall them being more comfortable than the SRH-440, and comparable otherwise. 

 

[Anaxilus]

Quote:

The HD555 and AD700 maybe, but I wouldn't describe the DT440 as bass light. 

Perhaps I was harsh on the DT440 in comparison.  However, despite their clarity and the bass was recessed to my ears.  Not enough low end balance w/ respect to the whole range for me.  If I had my Arrows bass boost at the time I might have considered it in another light.  I guess it would be appropriate to say the M50 and DT440 are equivalent opposites in a Yin Yang sort of way.  

 

[andtobis]

m-50's seem to fit you best, I have a pair and they are good for every genre, and have bass that you would like, and they also don't require much to power them. The other headphones seem to be weak in the areas of bass. Especially the srh440's

 

[Trysaeder]

Needs multipoll.
 
I voted MS1i, it's like a bucket of water on a sleeping person for an introductory headphone.

 

[Tommizzy]

Thank you everyone for you input. I think you guys confirmed what I was expecting.
 
I ordered the M50s today. Should have them on Friday (2 day overnight).
 
I'll definitely post my findings for anyone out there in the same boat.

 

[EYEdROP]

Closed headphones have isolation, and that can make a big difference to your music. I personally dont want to hear details from the outside world intude in my music. It completely ruins the mood. My Grados usually only sound good at 3:00 AM.
 
 But open headphones have their advantages too. Just saying though, they drove me nuts and made me aggravated with my family. If I was a non-critical listener or had a silent listening room, open or closed wouldent matter. 
 
EDIT: oops, didnt see you ordered m50. Anyways, I hope you like them! Dont forget to burn them in and take good time to get used to their sound before making quick judgments.

 

[Tommizzy]

After listening to three tracks; Pon de Foor - Major Lazer, Bicycle - Memory Tapes, You Stole - Brand New, I am amazement with these cans! AND!!!!! I don't even have my xonar essence ST yet(decided on the ST over the STX)! Running off on-board audio from an Foxconn P35 MoBo with no break-in sound great! I can't imagine what they are going to sound like with proper burn-in and a great sound card. I LOVE IT! Best 107 dollars I've ever spent!! I'll update when I run 100 hours of burn-in tracks and when I get the sound card (should have it within a week). Thank you so much for your input everyone!