[stephenshafer]

I have been researching headphones, and it has become clear that I simply do not have a foundation strong enough to know what I'm doing, so I will turn to you guys. I am looking for the highest quality headphone to use at my place of work, which pretty well eliminates an open back, from what I can tell. I do not necessarily need noise cancelling. I lack the vocabulary to explain most of what I am looking for, or even how to ask for what I want, but music means a lot to me, and I want to hear it all very well. I listen to everything from Opera to Rap and Techno. Work isn't too loud, but I don't want to contribute anything to that environment either. I'm kind of hard on everything I own, so durability would be a plus as well.
Thanks in advance,

 

[TheJosablo]

Welcome! The Sennheiser Momentums are $300 right now on Amazon great without Amping them and outstanding performance for closed cans, the Mr Speakers Mad Dogs are also $300, bigger and retro looking headphone but more comfortable and neutral sound, Audio Technica ATH M50 are 104 bucks right now on amazon, great comfort but a bit on the tight clamp side yet off astounding bass for electronic music and rap, but mids will be lacking for vocals in opera, great deal still.

 

[Me x3]

Hi,
 
You should consider Shure SRH-840.
 
Best Luck!

 

[Ginron]

I'm saving to get the Mad Dog Headphones which are 300 USD and are pretty much the best you can get at that price point in the closed category, but they also need an amp to drive them well.
 
look at my thread that i started, it might give you a good idea of what your looking for. 
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/692687/good-closed-headphones-to-pair-with-my-fiio-e12-upgrading-from-ath-m50/30#post_10025045

 

[stephenshafer]

Thanks guys. I'll keep doing some research on these.

 

[ashton18]

Hey, I use my Beyerdynamic DT770s in 80Ohms at the library, and I crank them up pretty high, and no one can hear the music I'm playing. The sound isolation is good also, I really can't hear anything other than my music. I switched the stock velour pads with the original Beyerdynamic leather pads and that improved the bass and the sound isolation.

 

[money4me247]

I would also +1 on the Momentums vs. Mad Dogs if you are down to spend your whole $300 budget. similar new (exciting b/c they are new lol) offerings of closed/portable at $300 include the KEF M500 vs NAD Viso HP500.
 
New release but cheaper price (tho sonic performance is comparable) = AKG 545 at $200 from razerdogaudio
 
Older closed headphones that are in this $200-300 bracket include: AKG K550 ($220ish: non-portable if that matters to you) vs Sony MDR-1R (sub-$200)
 
there are also a ton more offerings out there, but this is just from the top of my head... lol