Looking recommendations for a first pair of budget headphones to pair with JDS Atom Amp.

[Menthol]

Hey all.

I’m just getting back to HiFi and more precise vinyl.

Got myself a new decent Rega turntable that leads into a
pyle pp444 preamp that then leads into a JDS labs Atom Amp.
(the Pyle amp will go as soon as I find a good budget preamp.)
May also use a Rapberry PI with USB soundcard (right now using Corsair 7.1 USB adapter) loaded with musicbox to stream AAC content off the net.
Right now using my old ATX-m40x’s (kinda flat sound and they squeeze my noggin.)

Now I’m looking for a set of cans to get some tunes going.

I mostly listen to 80‘s soft rock and Hair/heavy metal from same age.
Some newer progressive metal, along pretty much most everything besides old school county,rap and whatever that skrillex stuff is. dubstep? Too much going on for me there.

I really like a big wide open soundstage and do enjoy bass. I know... tough combo.
Gotta be over the ear ones and I got kinda big ears bad big head
I like the music to be played "around me" not inside my head.

My budget is both Sides $250 ish. W. Shipping.
Not opposed to used cans as long they come from someone who cared for them or dealer refurbs.
(just gotta clean them good so no one catches the new plague).

In short looking for some good suggestions. Or at least word on what to avoid. In the hunt for my first "real" headphones and many more to come I think.

Thankful for any advice.

 

[Menthol]

I forgot to add existing research I have made and please let me know how far off I am.

it would seem that:

• Sennheiser / drop hd6xx do not have the greatest soudstage or bass. And would benefit from tube amps to get warmer sound.?
• Hifiman sundaras could have a lack of bass as a planar and be slightly uncomfortable as they clamp hard.?
• HarmonicDyne Zeus slightly plastic build and a bit out of my $$ as new items.?
• Grado’s in my $$ range generally lacking bass.?
• to get good soundstage one needs to get open back and skip looking at closed ones?

There has to be some “bs” in those statements. Please shoot them down and educate this noob.

 

[Menthol]

The pyle pp444 was replaced even before the box was opened. Went with a ART DJ Pre II.

 

[megabigeye]

Hey there,
I have the HD 650 and the Atom stack (and a Rega turntable and a Raspberry Pi, but that's all kinda beside the point), but I'm not very familiar with the other stuff you've listed.
I don't think what you've said about the HD 6XX/650 is wrong, exactly, but there's so much hyperbole and exaggeration around here that (I'd imagine) it's easy to get the wrong impression if you haven't heard them.
It's true that they don't have a huge soundstage, but to my ear it's just right for things like rock, which doesn't have much soundstage to begin with. They still sound like open headphones.
I've honestly never had a complaint about the bass. It's not gonna rattle your brains out of your ears, but music definitely has weight and warmth. I know you don't listen to hip hop or electronic, but even things with a lot of sub-bass can sound pretty fun with the HD 650. Are there headphones with more sub-bass? Sure. But that doesn't mean the HD 650 are bad.
Would they benefit from tubes? I dunno. Maybe? Probably? I certainly enjoy mine out of the Atom and any other solid state amp I've used. There are a bunch of people around here that will tell you they're not worth it unless you also get an OTL tube amp. To me that's like saying you shouldn't get a BMW unless you get the M5 and can flog it around a track. Total nonsense, I say. They're totally worth it, in my opinion.

Anyway, I hope this gives you a little more clarity on the HD 6XX.

 

[Mightygrey]

Hi mate, I'd recommend a pair of Grado 225e/325e's (depending on prices around you) + an extra pair of G-Cush pads. They ought to sound great with your preferred genres.