Help needed in finding the right cans for me!

[Jukkis]

I there, I’ve decided to take the plunge into the world of HI-FI. The fact that as of next term in collage I’ll be living with a couple of mates in the same apartment, some of you probably know how that’s going to be like, might have helped my decision. I’ll be listening to tunes from my computer, no sound card at the moment but after some reading here I came to the conclusion that a ASUS Xonar Essence ST will suite me just fine, now it’s just the matter of finding one… Some listening will be done with my DAP while on the train/air plane, so it would be a bonus if the cans could also be driven with my DAP without great loss in SQ, but tbh I’ve my PortaPro’s for that. I’ll probably try to build a Starving Student (which I am btw) if I get the time this summer, I’d prefer to stay away from buying a AMP as here everything tend to cost not only an arm-and-a-leg but two-arms-and-a-leg!

Most of the tunes I listen to are in FLAC or 320kbps mp3. I listen to pretty much everything, but I’d say that D&B, Rock, Metal and House get the most playing time on my computer. I’ll listen to music, watch movies and I might occasionally play games with them (FPS/RTS/adventure if it matters).

I’m prepared to invest 250€, tops - but don’t mind if the cans cost less…

Some HPs that I’ve laid my eyes on…
-Grado 225i, 325i (used)
-Beyerdynamic DT770 2005 Premium (80/250/600 ohm???)
-ATH-m50
I’m open for suggestions/recommendations for other cans.

Things that I look for in HPs (in order of preference)
-Good overall sound (obviously)
-Comfort
-Sturdiness (they don’t break in your hands and that they can take a bump or two)
-Bass (I'm not a bass-head but one can't listen to D&B/House without some)
-Looks, NOTE: I consider it to be a bonus –not a must!

Questions:
Would a Starving Student benefit the SQ, or would it be just for the fun of building stuff?
The grados are open, does that mean that they let sound slip out from them and let background noise in?
How big of a difference SQ wise, am I to except with the sound card and a good set of cans - considering that I roll with on-board sound and PortaPros atm?


Thanks for reading

~Jukki(s)

 

[Jukkis]

Anyone? I really need some advice as I'm new to this...

 

[1Time]

Welcome.

About the amp, amped headphones are usually preferred to not amped.

Are you wanting closed portable headphones for travel so those near by won't be bothered by the sound leaking out? If so, FWIR, the M50 should work well for you.

Otherwise, you might want to consider an Ultrasone or a more comfortable Beyerdynamic.

 

[Jukkis]

Thanks

It's so seldom that I need portability, so I'm not aiming at that. For clarification let's say that if I had to chose between 2 different cans, both equally good SQ but one of them could also be driven from a DAP - I'd chose the portable one! No preference between open and closed phones, if the open ones don't let background noise in.

Do you mean to look at totally different Beyerdynamic phones or to just order ones with leather pads, I've understood that they sound better and are more comfortable. Would a “starving student” make them sound good? I'll have to take a look at the Ultrasone phones.

Loads of questions I now...