Headphone suggestions for less than $400

[phillyd]

I'd like to satay with a closed-back headphone but I want much stronger mid presence than on my DT770 pro. They are very bright and harsh, and the highs are too much even with blu-tack dampening. Comparatively, the ATH-M50's sound much more balanced. However, they aren't as clear and the bass is underwhelming from the M50's.

I could go open back, but only if necessary as isolation is something I don't want to sacrifice. I could go as high as $400 but the cheaper the better. Used is an option.

My sound preferences. I am a basshead. Loud, clear, exaggerated bass is important. The mids are very important, as the Beyer DT770 pro's are failing miserably in that department. A dark or warm signature would be greatly appreciated. The highs should not be overbearing, and maybe be a bit rolled off.

My music listening includes a lot of rap, rock and metal. A good balanced selection of artists for a short listen would be as follows:

Chance the Rapper
Kanye West
Incubus
Red Hot Chilli Peppers
Avenged Sevenfold
Emery

I also will game in these, and watch tv shows/movies.

I'd prefer a higher-Ohm headphone, as I want to get some real use of the Schiit Vali I just got. I am using a Schiit Modi as a DAC. I also have a Fiio E17, which will be replaced by some iBasso DAC/AMP.

What I'm looking into
Closed back:
Sennheiser HD6, 7

Open back:
Hifiman HE-400
Shure SRH-1440

With more research, I believe that the HE-400 would be a very good option, as they are warm and bassy. The SRH-1440 also look very good. Still haven't heard much of the Sennheiser HD6 or 7

 

[TwelveTrains]

If you can stretch you budget to 500, the Shure SRH1540 I think is exactly what you want. I am a DT770 owner as well.
 
However, the SRH1540 work best with low impedance amplifiers.

 

[phillyd]

If you can stretch you budget to 500, the Shure SRH1540 I think is exactly what you want. I am a DT770 owner as well.

However, the SRH1540 work best with low impedance amplifiers.

I can get the HE-300 for $185, I'd really like to stick to the lowest end of my budget, so I think I'll just buy and try some of my options until I land on something I like.

 

[lin0003]

I would recommend the HD600.

 

[billybob_jcv]

The HE300 (an open dynamic driver) is a completely different design from the HE400 (an open planar magnetic driver). However, some folks I trust like both of them - for example:
http://www.head-fi.org/t/639287/hifiman-he-300-or-he-400#post_9911547

 

[phillyd]

I'm gonna just have to try these out. Starting with the HE-300. Bought em, if I like em, I'll keep em. If not I'll sell or return em and then I'll try the Shure SRH-1440. If I don't like those, I'll sell or return them and get the HE-400 or HE-500.

 

[billybob_jcv]

Spoken like a true head-fier!