[Avada kedavra]

Well that saves me about 200 bucks! Haha, and yes i am very into music, as of about three months ago. Sadly my friends think this hobby is stupid and are obsessed with beats. Their loss i guess!

 

[obobskivich]

I've never heard the Q series, but the K701 and 702 are essentially the same thing apart from a few aesthetic/functional differences (the 702 has a removable cable and, based on other people's claims, a better headband (I like the 701's fit though)). I've never heard claims that the Q is in any way "worse" than the K, but I've heard some claims that it's "better" or "the same" - so either way I don't think you'll go wrong getting the Q (there's that green one though...

). The Fiio E11 should be more than competent enough for what you're after. Enjoy!
 
 
 
 

 

[Dubstep Girl]

another vote for the k701, the sound signature is very similar to the hd 800. they do great with rock and have great soundstage and great detail.

 

[MacedonianHero]

Quote:

another vote for the k701, the sound signature is very similar to the hd 800. they do great with rock and have great soundstage and great detail.

???
 
Sorry, I can't agree with this. Do the K701s have a good amount of detail? Sure...for frequencies at 800Hz or higher. Good luck hearing any details under 120Hz. The sound staging is wide, but they sound nothing like the HD800s (thankfully IMO).
 
My vote, HD600s.

 

[obobskivich]

I would have to disagree with you. 
 
Quote:

Sorry, I can't agree with this. Do the K701s have a good amount of detail? Sure...for frequencies at 800Hz or higher. Good luck hearing any details under 120Hz. 

 

 

[MacedonianHero]

Quote:

I would have to disagree with you. 
 


 

That's cool.

 

[catscratch]

HD600 is nice. HD650 I think improves on soundstage and detail, but you need a beefy amp or it will sound muffled. For your budget, and if you're also planning on adding an amp later, you can go electrostatic - even a basic 2170 rig or whatever Stax calls it these days will be pretty good, and you can get better deals if you go vintage. If you want maximum detail 'stats are the way to go.

 

[obobskivich]

The STAX basic system is something like $900 (at least in the US):
http://staxusa.com/System/STAX-SRS-2170.html
http://www.audiocubes2.com/category/Headphones/product/Stax_SRS-2170_Electrostatic_Earspeaker_System.html
 
Unless you know something I don't...
 
The Koss ESP/950 system can cost less than the 2170, the price dances between $500 and $700 (ostensibly depending on the cycles of the moon or the whims of prancing ponies - I have no idea). I would consider it a reasonable candidate here, but it probably breaks the budget. I agree with the suggestion to go used in tracking down stats. 

 
Quote:

HD600 is nice. HD650 I think improves on soundstage and detail, but you need a beefy amp or it will sound muffled. For your budget, and if you're also planning on adding an amp later, you can go electrostatic - even a basic 2170 rig or whatever Stax calls it these days will be pretty good, and you can get better deals if you go vintage. If you want maximum detail 'stats are the way to go.

 

 

[catscratch]

$700-ish from Japanese grey market importers. If the OP was planning to add an amp later, it already includes one so it makes sense.

 

[obobskivich]

Oh that isn't bad at all, right in the same vein as the ESP/950. I was just thinking "a thousand dollars when he said 500..." 

 
Quote:

$700-ish from Japanese grey market importers. If the OP was planning to add an amp later, it already includes one so it makes sense.

 

 

[Losingedge]

K701 are a good bet, but when I listened the k701 vs denon d2000, denon was a clear winner. But this is only my opinion, go listen if possible.

 

[Avada kedavra]

What made you like the denons more?

 

[zuk0v]

I purchased the HD650 with Fiio e7/e9 about a month ago. These are amazing - to actually hear the progress of the soundstage opening up a little every day is beyond awesome. From what I've heard, these aren't the "best" at soundstaging, but for me they are very good.

 

[Avada kedavra]

Ive listened to the hd650 and they were very, very dark. I just didnt like them very much.

 

[Han Bao Quan]

Quote:

What made you like the denons more?

The Denon has better bass, and to my ear, has more details than the AKG, but then again I have the D7000, not D2000. The highs are excellent on both, however it's smoother on the Denon for me. The AKG is great when I want to listen to vocals and classical, for everything else I would prefer my Denon, and Grado for rock