Next headphone purchase help! HP-2s or Audio Techina?

[Territhemayor]

Hi, today my pair of darth beyers broke, so while sending them back for repair, I'll be headphoneless for a month. I had alot of other cans (3 pairs of Darth Beyers, Edition 9's, GS-1000s), but I sold them all, so now I'm sitting on a large wad of cash and I really want another pair of cans for a substitute/alternate pair. I have a budget of around 2k, a bit more than that I guess, I've got more than that, but I'm not sure I want to blow it on this pair of cans. I'd really like to spend less than that since I'm also putting cash aside for a pair of r-10s (If one comes along, via pm or whatever, I'm snatching that one up so this thread would be meaningless).

I have passed up the opportunity to buy a pair of hp-2s many times, and I think Its time I just do it. Although I'm not used to the grado sound (A beyer man myself) I have no problem with open cans, although I do prefer closed. I have heard these are wonderful, so I guess I cant go wrong with these cans. Also, I've always had a beef with grado comfort, so I guess a headphile c-pad mod would change that. Are these effective?

The other purchase I was considering would be a pair of either L3000s, W2002s, or W5000s.
I like the L3000s because they have gotten amazing reviews, and I can't go wrong with a great pair of closed cans. They're a bit more money than I want to spend, but I've got the cash so it's not really a problem. My only concern would be comfort. I HATE the k701 headband system, really pisses me off, way to tight and junk. I have never tested a Audio Techina, but they have always intrigued me. Are ATs comfortable? They're weird headband system seems strange, kinda like the K701s but two side things? Do you understand what I'm saying?
I also passed up an opportunity to get a pair of W2002s, I kinda regret that. they were at a great price (1k for a practically mint pair with case and everything) These are a little more attractive to me because they are cheaper, I love the wood (coming from darth beyers) and I digg the case. Plus I hear these all sound great.
The other one I would consider is the ATH W5000s. I like these because they come with a nifty case, they're mad cheap compared to the other things I'm looking at, particularly the hp-2s and L3000s. Also they are easy to find. I hear alot of people dont like their sound signature though, either way they're here on my list.
Other cans I would consider are Grado HF-1s (I have no idea how much they cost, but I would get them woodied by Headphile) also PS-1s, but these are less attractive to me becuase of John Grado, and I really disliked the GS-1000s, and if he made both, I guess I would rather go with a Joseph Grado pair.
I guess thats it. My set up is
X-Fi Soundcard----> BADA PH-12 amp ---> cans

What would you guys recommend?


Thanks alot

 

[philodox]

I'd vote for HP2's since I've yet to hear an AT headphone that I loved... but I have also yet to hear the Leatherheads, so take that with a grain of salt.

 

[Territhemayor]

I have a hp-2 purchase standing buy, it's the only one I can readily buy. Well, I guess I can do it with the W5000s, but I dont really want to buy those. IF you could describe the HP-2s, how would you? Mine would have the standard cable.