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Thanks MuppetFace for your reply.
I want to ask your opinion and know which one of the below-mentioned headphones is a better choice for me (I listen and make Black/Doom metal and their subcategories like sludge, drone doom, black/dark ambient &...):
Headphones:
Sennheiser HD600
Hifiman HE-400
Koss ESP 940
Audio-Technica ATH-A1000X
Desired Qualities
pen, airy, detailed, neutral, accurate headphone with a deep soundstage, and excellent sub-bass
Thanks
I haven't heard the A1000X personally, but from what I know about it, its signature is said to be somewhat bass-light and bright up top, so it could be a little fatiguing with black metal while a little thin and lacking heft with doom metal. Again, that's just what I'd guess from what I've read, but I can't confirm it for certain. Also it's only available in Japan, so unless you specifically want something exotic, it's going to be a bit of a hassle to import, and there will be added expense there.
Honestly, I think the other three choices---the HE-400, ESP 950, and HD600---are all excellent and you really can't go wrong with any of them. I think the HE-400 will have a bit more bottom end weight compared to the others, so personally that would be my choice for listening to doom metal. It's also the darkest of the three so it's the least fatiguing, and for me that's always a plus when listening to black metal or anything with harsher sound (cymbal crashes, buzzing guitar, etc.).
However some people like a bit more aggressiveness in the treble, what I like to call "bite." The ESP 950 will likely have the most energy up top, but it's not so much bite as to be harsh in my opinion. The highs and midrange on the ESP 950 will be exquisitely detailed, open, and analytic sounding. That's really where electrostatic headphones excel. The biggest weakness will be down below, and in comparison to the other two the bass will lack a bit of weight. It will be well-extended and detailed, with great texture, but electrostatic headphones tend to lack a certain sense of body or "grounded-ness." They pretty much epitomize airy sound, whereas orthodynamic headphone (like the HE-400) have a more weighty sound and sense of presence in comparison, though they're not quite as refined overall in my opinion. That's just a gross generalization however.
The HD600 is going to be brighter than the HE-400, about on par with the ESP 950, though perhaps with less refinement up top and a slightly grainer treble, as that's one of the limitations of dynamic headphones compared to the other technologies. Its bass should be a little more robust than the ESP 950, though not as much as the HE-400. The midrange will be the biggest strength of the HD600 I feel, with a neutral but organic quality that isn't as airy as the ESP 950.
Really, all three have their relative strengths. If you get the HE-400 or HD600, you'll probably want to invest in a decent amp down the road. Both can run fine un-amped, but adding one will enhance your listening enjoyment by making the sound a bit more lively and "fleshed out" sounding. It's like the difference between drinking a soda straight from the fridge and one thats been sitting out and is kind of flat. The ESP 950 comes with its own amp, which is a plus, but you'll have to use that amp since it's electrostatic. In other words: with the ESP 950 you WONT be able to use it on the go with an iPod or any other portable device. The other two headphones could be used portably, though since they're open-back you probably don't want to anyway. However the ESP 950 will pretty much tie you down to your desk. Just something to keep in mind!
