The Beyers are going to feel like they weigh a considerable amount more than the AE2s, as long as you are cool with that. IMO there is absolutely nothing out there that can touch the comfort of the AE2s. I can wear those for hours and not feel them, BUT there are headphones that sound better. Guys don't flame me... But Bose gets a bad rap on here for no reason other than the fact that it is a mass marketed consumer headphone. The sound isn't THAT bad, and their comfort certainly makes up for it.
Yes, you are paying for a name, but I am totally fine with that when I can wear the headphones for hours and not notice. I love my Sony MDR 7506s, but I can't wear those for more than an hour without getting a wicked ear sweat and pain. There are always trade offs. If comfort is a priority, keep the AE2s, they are a great headphone!
+1. The AE2 are the most comfortable headphone in my setup (and that I've ever tried); the next closest (that isn't made by Bose (e.g. the original TriPort are also comfortable) would be the Sony MDR-F1 (which aren't made anymore). The F1 are somewhat better sounding overall, and originally cost about twice what the AE2 do. They're both very light and comfortable headphones with smooth and non-fatiguing presentations - something you can sit and listen to all day with no problem. The Beyers are not in the same league imho - they feel a bit claustrophobic by comparison, but they're still relatively comfortable headphones.
Other models I'd suggest:
- Bose QC15 (they do sound better, but like the AE2, they're fairly laidback and smooth - no sibilance or harshness, but they might be too mellow for those expecting a modern "audiophile" presentation (e.g. MEGA-TREBLE!), remember that they also use batteries)
- Kenwood KH-K1000 (very comfortable, but they weigh a lot, and after a few hours you will start to feel that (say, maybe more than three-four hours you'll start to notice it on your neck))
- Koss ESP/950 (they sound heavenly (but if you're expecting a lot of "wow" they won't do that), and feel nearly weightless (they're *huge*) - they fit very loosely (they will slide around on your head), and the original pads on mine would very lightly stick to my head (nothing like the M50, and the second pair of pads (they cost $5/pr to replace btw) seems a little better in this regard; I don't know if it's just an inconsistency in the pads, if I'm imagining the difference, or what - I know my original pair of pads had some knicks in them (I forget what I did, but it was why I replaced them)).
And the previously mentioned MDR-F1 (if you can find one), and the later MDR-SA5000 (not quite as comfortable, and different sounding (more aggressive, less spacious and airy, tighter and dryer) - also discontinued). Supposedly the new-ish MDR-MA900 continues that line of comfort fairly well, but I have not personally tried them so I can't speak to their sound or actual comfort.
Also realize that the Bose headphones do have something of a house sound, and you won't get that same presentation from other manufacturers.
