Headphone with good mids and fat bass?

[Imperative]

Hey,
I've been searching around for some new headphones. I've had about 5 pairs of cheap-y Skullcandy earbuds and phones and I'm fully fed up with the absolute crap quality on the cords. I've seriously broken every pair within a month from nothing other than normal use (In pocket w/ iPod, nothing else in my pocket, wrapped around iPod with attention to not breaking them and keeping it loose). I'm looking for a pair of phones or iems that have a fat bass and a warm mid. I'm going to be using these for a lot of hip-hop, some rock and some jazz (So good highs are welcomed too.) Looking through the "Describing Sound" thread some good words would be: Weighty, Fat (gripped) lows, warm, and lush. I looked into some threads comparing the obvious consumer choice: the "Beats by Dr. Dre" and I see that there is a lot of hate, with a lot of seeming good reason. I've listened to these on a friend's iPod and I wasn't impressed - especially for $300 - but they started to have the right idea. I'd get some Monster Turbines but I really would like the phones and ESPECIALLY the ability to switch out cables, I know it sounds stupid but these things seem to break like no other, so it'd be nice to be able to do that.
Thanks much for any help, and if you would like any clarifications please ask. I live near Chicago, IL. so I have *SOME* ability to test headphones, but not that much (unless you guys have hidden Chicago audiophile shops 

- north of Chicago is preferable - for those around, I live around Lake Forest/Deerfield area)
-Glenn
 
Edit - Again, I'm using this on an iPod so I would very much prefer to NOT have to use an amplifier, if that makes a difference.
Edit - Price range is sub-$200, sorry, should have mentioned that to begin with.

 

[TheWuss]

look around.
there are already threads here that might help.
here's one that's active right now that seems to have similar criteria to yours:
 
http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/509865/bass-heavy-and-great-mid-and-highs-headphones
 

 

[Imperative]

I looked through this thread before, and I care a lot less about the full spectrum than he does, also my price range is lower (sub-$200) - probably should have mentioned that

- also, I'm not using an amp.

 

[Amarphael]

Grab a Koss PortaPro and you're done! Also the Denon AH-d1001 are supposedely warm but i've never heard them.

 

[Imperative]

I'll get back to you on the PortaPros because I think I have a friend who uses those - What better way to test them?

. Other than the aesthetic they seem to be pretty great - I'm a '90s kind of guy
Also - Are they sturdy? I have to stress that apparently I break headphones like no other, maybe it's just Skullcandy but I'd like to be on the safe side anyway.

 

[revolink24]

I'll be the first of probably many to recommend the ATH-M50. Just a quick search will find lots of positive reviews on them, they're good out of an iPod, and they have the characteristics you're looking for, from my listening experiences.

 

[Imperative]

Are they going to be a pain in the you-know-where to lug around with me though? I'm in school and would greatly appreciate something that'll even stay in my bag. Also - Sturdiness?, Burn-in?

 

[Amarphael]

The PortaPros' are surpsingly sturdy, or rather flexible, even though they feel rather flimsy and plasticky. they won't stand the M50 durabilty stansards but fortunatley Koss has killer advantage with their lifetime warranty- You can get them fixed or replaced for a flat fee no matter what happens to them as long as you're the original owner.   

 

[dbdynsty25]

ATH-M50...just the way to go sub $200 for someone who likes bass...especially if you like closed over the ear cans.