[ya93sin]

Hi,
 
I'm looking for a step up in quality from what I currently have, which is the over ear Sennheiser Momentum (orange version if that means anything). My current setup for listening is essentially a desktop PC which has foobar2000 installed along with the WASAPI output support. USB 3.0 outputs from the motherboard's rear I/O shield to a Schiit Modi DAC and Magni Amp, then on to the headphones or speakers.
Although I only recently bought it, I'd probably end up using the Surface Pro 3 a fair bit for music as well, especially at night.
 
The new headphones would be used in a small room with very little ambient noise - the PC's noise is under 30dB from half a metre away - so I was thinking that open-back headphones may be better for me for a few reasons beyond the different type of sound. As I'm in a dorm room there's no issue with sound leakage, in fact it's better if I can hear flatmates knocking on my door or something. Plus I tend to listen to music for quite long periods of time whilst studying, so I need something that remains supremely comfortable.
 
 
Beyond this, however, I'm not really sure what direction to head off in. I understand there are either dynamic or planar magnetic headphones at this kind of price level.
I tend to listen to hip hop, motown, house, trance, hyperdub, chillstep, drum and bass, sometimes even classical music. I certainly prefer the kind of headphones which have accurate bass and treble which isn't too bright as it sometimes hurts my ears.
 
So my priorities are:
1. High comfort
2. Very good build quality
3. Open back
4. Bass which is accurate
5. Treble which isn't too bright
6. Budget of ~£600
 
Can someone help?

 

[SteveHiFi]

£600 is a bit of an awkward amount which puts you in between the flagship high-end cans and the lower rung.
 
You might consider the Sennheiser HD700 (a bit of a high-mid bump in these might be a pain) but perhaps you can drop down to the HD600 for around £300 new.
 
Or if you want to, look around for a cheap Beyerdynamic T1. They have the comfort and accuracy but aren't fatiguing in my experience.
 
From the genres you list, you might like planar magnetics like the HiFiMAN range.

 

[MorrisL]

I second Steve's advice. T1 is the best option, but with a little more than your current budget. You could also pick up a used T1 and stay within the budget. Since you've already got a pair of (pretty good) Senns, choosing your second pair from the Beyerdynamic products (especially their flagship) would be really nice. Even Beyerdyinamic's older flagship, the DT 990, would be a thrilling listening experience for you (and a LOT cheaper), given your stated tastes in music. Switching between the Momentum and DT 990 is a delightfully wide sound experience. 
 
HD 600 is of course always a good option, but I have a feeling your preferred musical styles would suit DT 990 better.

 

[sinnottj]

  Hi,
 
I'm looking for a step up in quality from what I currently have, which is the over ear Sennheiser Momentum (orange version if that means anything). My current setup for listening is essentially a desktop PC which has foobar2000 installed along with the WASAPI output support. USB 3.0 outputs from the motherboard's rear I/O shield to a Schiit Modi DAC and Magni Amp, then on to the headphones or speakers.
Although I only recently bought it, I'd probably end up using the Surface Pro 3 a fair bit for music as well, especially at night.
 
The new headphones would be used in a small room with very little ambient noise - the PC's noise is under 30dB from half a metre away - so I was thinking that open-back headphones may be better for me for a few reasons beyond the different type of sound. As I'm in a dorm room there's no issue with sound leakage, in fact it's better if I can hear flatmates knocking on my door or something. Plus I tend to listen to music for quite long periods of time whilst studying, so I need something that remains supremely comfortable.
 
 
Beyond this, however, I'm not really sure what direction to head off in. I understand there are either dynamic or planar magnetic headphones at this kind of price level.
I tend to listen to hip hop, motown, house, trance, hyperdub, chillstep, drum and bass, sometimes even classical music. I certainly prefer the kind of headphones which have accurate bass and treble which isn't too bright as it sometimes hurts my ears.
 
So my priorities are:
1. High comfort
2. Very good build quality
3. Open back
4. Bass which is accurate
5. Treble which isn't too bright
6. Budget of ~£600
 
Can someone help?

 
Get a Sennheiser HD600 and save yourself £300-£400.
 
If you like the Momentum, it's like a hifi version of that sound.