[LuvMeSumNoise]

Hey Guys and Gals
 
I currently own the HD280 pro, I love it for playing my drums pumping the mix into the cans, and M50x (not sold on them, yet, but more comfortable than the 280PRO for a closed ear phone), and am thinking of buying my first open backed headphone. Unfortunately, I do not have the ability to try them out other than using amazons return policy.
 
I am currently considering buying the HD 598 and either the MS2i or DT880 (open to suggestions but I do not like the Q701 and am not spending the type of cash to get the stax lol).
 
I primarily listen to Metal, EDM, Jazz, and Classical.
 
Everyone seems to say the HD598 should go well with classical and (maybe) Jazz.
 
AND EVERY ONE, lol, tells me Grado's are the way to go for metal. But I am very concerned about the hot top end.
 
I am concerned the dt880s will not provide me the clarity and articulation of the bass and will have to much of a recessed mid for me to really rock out and enjoy the drumming.
 
I have given a lot of thought as to what I would like my preferred sound to be:
 
Overall neutral
Slightly warm
A bit rich
Clear extended highs with presence without being fatiguing
a medium to large sound stage
fast
a bit forward mids
a bit emphasis on the bass but more important for clarity and articulation than reverb
If Grados are in your face, at the from of the stage, and the HD600/650 are being up in the gallery, airy as could be I wouldn't mind sitting in row 15-20 on the 1st floor
 
Do you guys think I am being unfair and to judgmental to the Grados/Alessandro's, or would I be better off with the DT880s? Or am I barking up the wrong tree here all together
 
Thanks for helping a new headphone freak!

 

[KG Jag]

What will be driving and feeding these cans?  The best versions of the DT 880 require an amp to be properly driven.

 

[LuvMeSumNoise]

What will be driving and feeding these cans?  The best versions of the DT 880 require an amp to be properly driven.

Forgot to say, i currently do not have an amp.

I will be buying most likely a prtable amp/dac maybe an e18 to run out of my lg gw flac lossless or spotify premium.

For home use use I will be using flacc lossless out of laptop modi/magni combo or modi/little dot mkiii (still need to buy) or running out of AVR for movies (unlikely truth be told) I am new to all this stuff but am allready planning the next 3 months of purchases lol.

Edit: I am considering between the FIIO e18 vs the ifi micro IDSD for portable rig

 

[Blastomussa]

I saw the title of this and thought there was going to be a link to your PayPal address. Oh well, nevermind.

 

[LuvMeSumNoise]

I saw the title of this and thought there was going to be a link to your PayPal address. Oh well, nevermind.

Well if you are interested in financially suporting my ears happiness I wont say no and we can work something out, but fist i need to know what to buy

 

[Bugler]

More $ than the cans you're considering but I listen almost exclude to jazz & classical. Absolutely love my HD650 and my Schiit Valhalla amp.

 

[KG Jag]

You need to find a way to listen to as many of these cans that you have listed (and more for that matter) as possible, preferably on equipment that you can buy and afford.  One thing (of many) is that you will then tell us where your personal line/range on treble is between that which is OK or better for you and that which is fatiguing, harsh and ultimately sibilant.
 
First, some of your impressions don't sound like they are correct.  For example, the HD 600 and (especially the) 650 are not airy.  Their treble is rolled off--or at least pinched a bit.  See:
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/634201/battle-of-the-flagships-58-headphones-compared-update-audeze-lcd-2-revision-2-6-4-13#user_HD600
 
and
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/634201/battle-of-the-flagships-58-headphones-compared-update-audeze-lcd-2-revision-2-6-4-13#user_HD650
 
Compare with the much brighter DT 880, which does not have the mids you seem to think it has:
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/634201/battle-of-the-flagships-58-headphones-compared-update-audeze-lcd-2-revision-2-6-4-13#user_DT880
 
Unless you get some older stock, you are not going to get a MS-2i.  The current version is the MS-2e, which is based on the Grado SR 325e.  I have not heard the new Alessandro, but the 325e is less bright than the older 325is.
 
The HD 598 is one of the safest choices at or near its price.  While it may or may not be your personal favorite and ,like the HD 600 & 650, is not very fast, it has few characteristics that turn people off.  And it is generally considered to be a comfortable headphone.
 
Once you decide on a can, you can then select what equipment you need to buy to complete your package. 

 

[LuvMeSumNoise]

You need to find a way to listen to as many of these cans that you have listed (and more for that matter) as possible, preferably on equipment that you can buy and afford.  One thing (of many) is that you will then tell us where your personal line/range on treble is between that which is OK or better for you and that which is fatiguing, harsh and ultimately sibilant.

First, some of your impressions don't sound like they are correct.  For example, the HD 600 and (especially the) 650 are not airy.  Their treble is rolled off--or at least pinched a bit.  See:

http://www.head-fi.org/t/634201/battle-of-the-flagships-58-headphones-compared-update-audeze-lcd-2-revision-2-6-4-13#user_HD600

and

http://www.head-fi.org/t/634201/battle-of-the-flagships-58-headphones-compared-update-audeze-lcd-2-revision-2-6-4-13#user_HD650

Compare with the much brighter DT 880, which does not have the mids you seem to think it has:

http://www.head-fi.org/t/634201/battle-of-the-flagships-58-headphones-compared-update-audeze-lcd-2-revision-2-6-4-13#user_DT880

Unless you get some older stock, you are not going to get a MS-2i.  The current version is the MS-2e, which is based on the Grado SR 325e.  I have not heard the new Alessandro, but the 325e is less bright than the older 325is.

The HD 598 is one of the safest choices at or near its price.  While it may or may not be your personal favorite and ,like the HD 600 & 650, is not very fast, it has few characteristics that turn people off.  And it is generally considered to be a comfortable headphone.

Once you decide on a can, you can then select what equipment you need to buy to complete your package. 

Would I be safe in buying the grado 60 to get a feel for how hot the high end is and if i am ok with it then getting the ms2e?

 

[KG Jag]

 

You need to find a way to listen to as many of these cans that you have listed (and more for that matter) as possible, preferably on equipment that you can buy and afford.  One thing (of many) is that you will then tell us where your personal line/range on treble is between that which is OK or better for you and that which is fatiguing, harsh and ultimately sibilant.

First, some of your impressions don't sound like they are correct.  For example, the HD 600 and (especially the) 650 are not airy.  Their treble is rolled off--or at least pinched a bit.  See:

http://www.head-fi.org/t/634201/battle-of-the-flagships-58-headphones-compared-update-audeze-lcd-2-revision-2-6-4-13#user_HD600

and

http://www.head-fi.org/t/634201/battle-of-the-flagships-58-headphones-compared-update-audeze-lcd-2-revision-2-6-4-13#user_HD650

Compare with the much brighter DT 880, which does not have the mids you seem to think it has:

http://www.head-fi.org/t/634201/battle-of-the-flagships-58-headphones-compared-update-audeze-lcd-2-revision-2-6-4-13#user_DT880

Unless you get some older stock, you are not going to get a MS-2i.  The current version is the MS-2e, which is based on the Grado SR 325e.  I have not heard the new Alessandro, but the 325e is less bright than the older 325is.

The HD 598 is one of the safest choices at or near its price.  While it may or may not be your personal favorite and ,like the HD 600 & 650, is not very fast, it has few characteristics that turn people off.  And it is generally considered to be a comfortable headphone.

Once you decide on a can, you can then select what equipment you need to buy to complete your package. 

Would I be safe in buying the grado 60 to get a feel for how hot the high end is and if i am ok with it then getting the ms2e?

 
It should serve as a rough estimate, but it won't be a guarantee.  The SR 325e is still the brightest can in the current SR lineup and the MS-2e is based on it.

 

[LuvMeSumNoise]

Bump

Regarding my ideal sound

"
Slightly warm
A bit rich
Clear extended highs with presence without being fatiguing
a medium to large sound stage
fast
a bit forward mids
a bit emphasis on the bass but more important for clarity and articulation than reverb
If Grados are in your face, at the front of the stage, and the HD600/650 are being up in the gallery. I wouldn't mind sitting in row 15-20 on the 1st floor
"

What do you think would be a good can for metal, and prog rock rock (dreantheter, rush, opeth, tool, riverside) dt880 or ms2e or something else?