[averageaudio]

Hello Headfi,
I currently have an Asus xonar stx in my PC and use the pc360s as a headset. I recently acquired a blue snowball mic, and my need for a mic on my headset has dissapeared. I got some dt770s meant for portable use for Christmas, and after burning these in, the clarity of these and the imaging has spoiled my pc360s. I intend to sell them and get some new cans. I need an open pair of headphones because I need to be able hear myself on Skype and closed headphones make my ears sweat after the long gaming sessions I sometimes due. My primary concern will be music fidelity, and my top choices so far have been the sennheiser HD 598 or the akg q701. What are your guy's thoughts/ reccomendations on these choices or others?

 

[rubinstein]

welcome to head fi,
what is your budget? what genres of music do you listen? what type of sound signature do you want? Do you want more bass? or do enjoy more separation of the instruments?

 

[averageaudio]

My optimal budget would be $150-300 max. I listen to a lot of classic rock and some folk/ indie acoustic most often. I enjoy good separation and my DT 770 has enough bass for me when I absolutly need tight powerful sub bass. I am looking for a phone with warm mids and crisp, but not sibilant highs. The lows do not need to be overpowered, but presence would be nice.

 

[rubinstein]

perhaps, DT 990
http://www.head-fi.org/t/568297/beyerdynamic-dt990-250-pro-review

 

[averageaudio]

I hear these cans have recessed mids, which are very important as I feel mids is the one place where the DT 770 is challenged. Do you know of this? I appreciate all the help a lot.

 

[rubinstein]

how about X1? http://www.head-fi.org/t/670318/philips-fidelio-x1-review-comparison
I would have suggested you HE 400 (used ones can be found for 300 $ in head fi), if mids are not important for you.

 

[averageaudio]

I like those cans, they are closer, but they are at the high end of my budget and will require more saving up. I will definetly keep them in mind. However, I am looking for a more sweet warm sounding mids and apperantly those have slightly reccesed mids. Is there anything else you can suggest that maybe have more present mids? Bass for me does not take complete precedence and can be sacrificed a bit in favor of mids

 

[rubinstein]

have you looked this, http://www.head-fi.org/t/634201/battle-of-the-flagships-58-headphones-compared-update-audeze-lcd-2-revision-2-6-4-13

 

[Claritas]

My favorite mids amongst the models currently in production are the Fostex, so consider modding a T50RP or buying pre-modded. ZMF is in your budget.
 
A different mid-centric model, which I've only read about, is Koss ProDJ100 It seems to require some amplification. See tdockweiler's thread about it. 

 

[averageaudio]

That thread was quite helpful. Now it seems my final decision is between AKG q701, senn 598, DT 88s and Phillips x1. I know its not exactly a cut and dry decision but its a step in the right direction.

 

[rubinstein]

If possible, you could try to audition those phones and decide.

 

[averageaudio]

I should have a chance to go to guitar center in a couple days, I'll see which cans I can try out there. I'll post on this forum my results, I'm sure there are others who might be interested.