[Sublogic]

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[Sublogic]

Also, I'd prefer closed headphones that wouldn't allow sound in or out, but if going open would give considerably better results, I would be 'open' to them.

 

[rubinstein]

MA 900 would fit your needs. if you can bypass the onboard soundcard by using good soundcard or dac/amp (such as E10 or E17), the sound quality can be improved.
also read, http://www.head-fi.org/t/616401/sony-mdr-ma900-review

 

[Sublogic]

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[rubinstein]

I was in the market earlier looking for a pair headphones with a wide soundstage. I was suggested to look these phones
Beyer DT880
Sony MA900
Philips Fidelo X1
AudioTechnica AD900X
AKG Q701 / K702
Hifiman HE-300
 
I ended up in buying HE 400. I am very satisfied with them.
 
Look the trade/sale section of this forum. Sometimes you would get a very sweet deal for used cans, especially if you live in North america

 

[Sublogic]

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[rubinstein]

where are you from?

 

[Sublogic]

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[rubinstein]

do not order from Amazon usa. You may have to pay 30% import duty or so!
I guess Amazon india sells Sennheiser headphones. Have you considered HD 558, 598 or 600? Another way is to ask someone (who returns from US/other countries) to bring these stuff from US or other countries.

 

[Sublogic]

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[PurpleAngel]

  I have been considering the 558s and 598s - the 600s are out of my price range. Are the 598s considerably better than the 558s? Also, would these work well without amp/dac?

Sennheiser HD558
Asus Xonar DG (PCI) sound card.
 
The HD558 and HD598 use the same driver, just different cup designs.

 

[rubinstein]

E10 would improve the sound quality.

 

[Sublogic]

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[PurpleAngel]

  Thanks for the replies. The Asus Xonar is an internal sound card, and my motherboard has an on-board(albeit crappy) sound card. Do you have any guides I could use to install it etc? Also how does it hold up against the E10? In addition, what's the sound leaking situation like on the 558s - do they leak a lot of sound, or is it manageable?

The Xonar DG will roughly provide the same audio quality as the E10.
The DG is limited to headphones up to 150-Ohm, the E10 up to around 300-Ohm
I assume the DG comes with directions and I'm sure there must be videos on the internet that show how to install sound cards.

 

[ostewart]

SoundMAGIC HP100 or Rockit Sounds R-Studio