[shymog]

The title says most of it, but a little more information won't hurt.
 
I've been using a pair of Sony MDR-V700s for quite a long time.  Yes, I know they're not particularly good, or well-regarded in these forums, and I can even agree with a lot of the reasoning for it.  However, they served me well, until two days ago when a cat decided to chew through the cord.  I've since relocated my desk to a room the beast doesn't have access to, but the 'phones are completely unusable unless I replace the cord, and for these headphones that's just far too much effort.  The one nice thing about the MDR-V700s was that they were incredibly easy to drive.  I don't want a separate headphone amp at this time (somewhere I have an old HeadRoom amp that I could use if there's something very compelling).
 
The soundstage on the V700s was terrible, so I'm looking for something that doesn't sound like I'm listening in a small box.  I do however like a little "punch" from the low and mid bass, but I also like to have clear, relatively bright highs and clear mids as well.  For reference, I use a pair of Etymotic E2Cs for on-the-go listening and enjoy that sound quite a bit.  However, when I'm working at my computer I prefer the comfort of headphones to in-ear.
 
What's the best "bang for the buck" under $100 that won't sound worse in any significant way than the V700s?  Preferably I would like an improvement, but the cheaper I can replace these right now, the better.
 
EDIT:  For ideas of what I listen to, it's a variety.  I spend a lot of my time listening to hard rock, classical, and the very occasional guilty pleasure of dubstep.  I also do play games/watch movies on occasion (gotta keep it quiet for my daughter at night) but I'm not looking for gimmicky "5.1 surround!!!!!#$!@$" 'phones.  Music quality is still the priority.

 

[KodaO]

Depending on the movies and games you play, I could suggest several.

If you watch/play a lot of action, (lots of explosions and guns) Then mabye a pair of cans with an elevated bass end would be fun. The Sony XB500's or 700's (60 , 90 dollars respectively) would be a fun pair of cans. The700's are a little more refined than the 500's, but aren't as boomy.

If you want a more balanced sounding can, the look into the past models of the ATH-M series from Audio-Technical. I enjoyed using my mother's M-40's for watching videos. They may not be the blossom that the M50's, they will work just fine for what you need them for, and they run for around 65 dollars.

 

[shymog]

Quote:

Depending on the movies and games you play, I could suggest several.
If you watch/play a lot of action, (lots of explosions and guns) Then mabye a pair of cans with an elevated bass end would be fun. The Sony XB500's or 700's (60 , 90 dollars respectively) would be a fun pair of cans. The700's are a little more refined than the 500's, but aren't as boomy.
If you want a more balanced sounding can, the look into the past models of the ATH-M series from Audio-Technical. I enjoyed using my mother's M-40's for watching videos. They may not be the blossom that the M50's, they will work just fine for what you need them for, and they run for around 65 dollars.

I might check out the XB500s.  Right now I'm also trying to decide whether I want to wait for a set of cans to get shipped or to buy from brick and mortar.  Limits me heavily, I can't find any place with a good selection!  Sennheiser HD419s and HD428s seem to be the best available locally, but I'm unsure if they'll suit my tastes.

 

[KodaO]

In my opinion, the Senn's are more of a classical listener's headphone. You should be able to buy the XB500's at your nearest Best Buy.

And I know that the brand get a lot of flak, but the Skullcandy RokkNation's might suit your needs quite well and they run around 170. They are a decent listening headphone that isn't all about bass. Their only downside is there hit ended high end is slightly tinny, harsh. They got some style though.

 

[shymog]

Thanks for the suggestions.  I grabbed a pair of Sennheiser HD 439s after checking five different places (two Best Buys and a few music specialty shops) and couldn't find the XB500s.  I got the HD439s for $35 thanks to some RewardZone certificates and a gift card I had.  I'm ordering Sony XB500s to see which I prefer, then either return or pass the losing pair to my wife.  Auditioning headphones is difficult when places don't have them set up.  So far I like the HD439s.  Bass is present but not terribly distorted, and it has enough punch to not suck.  Highs are good as well, mids make me think I need to find an amp.
 
So far I like the comfort of the HD439s, though.  The cloth pads are perfect and are waaaayyy better than the pleather pads of the old V700s.
 
Thanks for the suggestions.  I just wish brick n mortar stores would be better equipped to sell these things.  "Oh, you want a $80 pair of headphones?  Let me keep them in plastic blisterpacks so you can't make a good decision."