[wes1099]

I am looking for a good pair of closed back headphones around $130 usd. I would use them for music and gaming. I listen to just about any electronic genre. What would you guys suggest? I was thinking about the ATH-A700/A700x but I'm not sure if they are any good. I have tried my brothers' ATH-M50's before but they got rather uncomfortable rather quickly which will not work for me.

 

[PETEREK]

If you like the sound of the M50, get a pair and throw some HM5 pads on them. HM5 pads are more around-ear than the M50's on-ear-ish pads. They improve isolation, they're so much more comfortable, and the sound is a little more spacious sounding. I really liked them on my old pair of M50's. You can get the HM5 pads for about $16 shipped. They also have a new memory foam version of the HM5 pads that go for $21 shipped from MP4nation.com
 
Otherwise, I would buy a sony MDR-7506 or MDR V6.
 
Or an M-Audio Q40. Or it's upgrade the HDH50. Below is an EXCELLENT deal on some here in our classifieds from a very respected member.
http://www.head-fi.org/t/722779/m-audio-hdh50-for-sale-or-trade

 

[cel4145]

If you like the sound of the M50, get a pair and throw some HM5 pads on them. HM5 pads are more around-ear than the M50's on-ear-ish pads. They improve isolation, they're so much more comfortable, and the sound is a little more spacious sounding. I really liked them on my old pair of M50's. You can get the HM5 pads for about $16 shipped. They also have a new memory foam version of the HM5 pads that go for $21 shipped from MP4nation.com

Otherwise, I would buy a sony MDR-7506 or MDR V6.

Or an M-Audio Q40. Or it's upgrade the HDH50. Below is an EXCELLENT deal on some here in our classifieds from a very respected member.
http://www.head-fi.org/t/722779/m-audio-hdh50-for-sale-or-trade

+1

Good suggestions.

Or spend a little more for the M50X. The pads were revised to improve comfort.

 

[wes1099]

  If you like the sound of the M50, get a pair and throw some HM5 pads on them. HM5 pads are more around-ear than the M50's on-ear-ish pads. They improve isolation, they're so much more comfortable, and the sound is a little more spacious sounding. I really liked them on my old pair of M50's. You can get the HM5 pads for about $16 shipped. They also have a new memory foam version of the HM5 pads that go for $21 shipped from MP4nation.com
 
Otherwise, I would buy a sony MDR-7506 or MDR V6.
 
Or an M-Audio Q40. Or it's upgrade the HDH50. Below is an EXCELLENT deal on some here in our classifieds from a very respected member.
http://www.head-fi.org/t/722779/m-audio-hdh50-for-sale-or-trade

Is there anything I could do about headband padding?
 
AWESOME! There is a velour version of the HM5 pads! - http://www.mp4nation.net/brainwavz-hm5-velor-memory-foam-earpad-suitable-for-other-large-over-the-ear-headphones-1pc

 

[PETEREK]

  Is there anything I could do about headband padding?
 
AWESOME! There is a velour version of the HM5 pads! - http://www.mp4nation.net/brainwavz-hm5-velor-memory-foam-earpad-suitable-for-other-large-over-the-ear-headphones-1pc

I don't know what you could do about the headband, I never found it to be uncomfortable.
 
I wouldn't recommend getting Velours for the M50, it's going to suck the bass straight out of them.