I'm primarily an IEM user looking to step into the realm of full-sized headphones. Truthfully, I don't even know where to start.
My current pair of IEMs (and my current benchmark) are a pair of VSonic GR07s (which I love). The R07s are everything I'm looking for in terms of a sound signature. They are a sort of "everyman" headphone. For those of you who have not yet had the pleasure of hearing them, they have fairly speedy bass with just enough punch and good extension, the mids are smooth with a bit a warmth, and the high end is pretty clear and airy, though not quite as present as the rest of the spectrum (at least to me). Overally they have what is more or less a neutral sound that is moderately laid-back and very effortless. They have a pretty spacious soundstage compared to other IEMs I've heard, and I particularly love the positioning of vocals sounding like they are smack in the middle of your head. This is basically what I'm looking for in a full-sized headphone as well. Also worth noting is that I am primarily a mobile listener and have a Fiio E11 out of an iPod (though I'm looking to upgrade to a Cowon J3 very soon).
My music preferences are irrelevant, because I want an accurate headphone and an accurate headphone is supposed to recreate the music as it was intended to sound. I've never understood the concept of buying headphones based on genre or colored headphones being more "fun."
Essentially what I am looking for is this:
- Tight, controlled bass with good punch and extension. I tend to not like bass-heavy headphones, but don't want bass-light headphones either. MY R07s have pretty much the exact bass I am looking for. I'm willing to bend a little in either direction though.
- I like an open, airy sound. I'm a big fan of smooth highs. As I understand it, some headphones that are a bit edgier in the high end can sound more detailed, which is also fine by me.
- I like a neutral mid-range with maybe a touch of warmth.
- Good separation is a must. I HATE congested sound, and I also really hate headphones that come off as being a sort of "wall-of-sound."
- I don't like feeling to disconnected from the music (as in it being positioned very far away and being overly laid-back), but I do tend to prefer a slightly more laid-back sound as opposed to a very "in your face" and intimate sound.
- I'd prefer something with a spacious soundstage and good imaging. I really like the combination of good separation and being able to hear were all the various audio cues are coming from.
- I'd also prefer circumaural headphones, but it's not a requirement.
If I need to be more specific with anything let me know. And thanks in advance!