[Postal_Blue]

Short and sweet.

1. I love my HD580
2. I am Not a basshead
3. I have 2 quite capable amps
4. I am not interested in hd650's
5. I will gladly buy used
6. I listen to classic rock, folk, Brit pop/rock, Small vocal ensemble then everything else

**Update** So, the coffers have received an unexpectedly large donation and my new budget is 550. WooHoo! So any new recommendations? As always any and all suggestions are welcome and appreciated.

 

[DevilDog]

HD600? If you like the HD580 they are definitely a step up.

 

[Postal_Blue]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DevilDog /img/forum/go_quote.gif HD600? If you like the HD580 they are definitely a step up.

Not sure I wanna spend my wad on 580's with prettier plastic and "closer matched drivers" Think I wanna branch out a little.

 

[inthecup]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Postal_Blue /img/forum/go_quote.gif Not sure I wanna spend my wad on 580's with prettier plastic and "closer matched drivers" Think I wanna branch out a little.

They would only cost $280.

 

[Uncle Erik]

The AKG K-501 might suit you just fine. Run a few searches and see what you think. Another good choice would be the Beyerdynamic DT880. Very different presentation from the Senns and will work with what you listen to.

Both are under your budget, too.

 

[Postal_Blue]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle Erik /img/forum/go_quote.gif The AKG K-501 might suit you just fine. Run a few searches and see what you think. Another good choice would be the Beyerdynamic DT880. Very different presentation from the Senns and will work with what you listen to. Both are under your budget, too.

The 880's are on my short list for sure. Along with ad900's which I auditioned and was quite fond of, MS2i's and 325i's. Of course this list is just a starting point. I have issues with AKG's in that they do not fit my head very comfortably. I seem to have a Tall head, I max out the elastics and the head band itself is against my noggin. I wear a 7 1/4 so save the giant head remarks

 

[Fixcinater]

Have you tried Stax?

 

[Postal_Blue]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fixcinater Have you tried Stax?

Other than a very short listen in a rather loud environment, No. I am not opposed to the idea If I could truly get a stax system at my budget that would be superior/on par with the best dynamic phone I could afford.

 

[-=Germania=-]

Hmmm..... I say try and get and akg k500/400, Sextet, or some stax.

The k501 might be a bit too lean and hollow sounding. The Sextet is a unique and exciting sound.

Stax are a funny beast. I found that I LOVE Lambdas, I just do not have the budget for them. I would find a set of these and go to town.

However, if you want more Prat and zing - I would say the MS2i's would fit the bill. It is one of the few Grado's that I really like and gives you much better balance than the regular grado.

 

[winzzz]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle Erik /img/forum/go_quote.gif The AKG K-501 might suit you just fine. Run a few searches and see what you think. Another good choice would be the Beyerdynamic DT880. Very different presentation from the Senns and will work with what you listen to. Both are under your budget, too.

does the k501 good for rock uncle erik ?

 

[bperboy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Postal_Blue /img/forum/go_quote.gif Not sure I wanna spend my wad on 580's with prettier plastic and "closer matched drivers" Think I wanna branch out a little.

Maybe try some K701s?

 

[shomie911]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle Erik /img/forum/go_quote.gif The AKG K-501 might suit you just fine. Run a few searches and see what you think. Another good choice would be the Beyerdynamic DT880. Very different presentation from the Senns and will work with what you listen to. Both are under your budget, too.

Another vote for the DT880s here.

I just went from listening to a symphony piece from my IsoMike Tests 2007B CD I got at CanJam, to some Hardcore/Screamo and believe me when I tell you that they do everything well.

I listen to just about everything and I haven't found any particular area that the DT880s don't excel in, which is quite a feat.

 

[Gu Sensei]

My vote goes to Grado 325i. Fantastic price/value, especially used.

 

[shomie911]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gu Sensei /img/forum/go_quote.gif My vote goes to Grado 325i. Fantastic price/value, especially used.

In the Grado line you can get about 90% of the sound quality from the SR80 (compared to the 325i).

So I think if the OP was looking for the best bang for the buck in the Grado line it would be the SR80s.

But DT880s still have them beat completely.

(Yes I've owned a pair of recabled and rescreened SR80s, but the DT880s beat them hands down.)

 

[Pantocrator]

HD650's for 350 easily. If you want something different from Sennheiser, Grado's are supposedly good for rock- you can get the 225 or 325i's for that price I would imagine.