[Captain Proton]

Hi, I'm looking to get a new pair of headphones and would appreciate some recommendations on what pair you think would work best for how I'd use them.
 
These headphones would be used mostly for music and some gaming. My budget for new headphones is around $150. The types of music I'd mostly listen to on them are classical and jazz with some vocals, so having lots of bass isn't important. Instead I'm looking for a pair which can provide clean sound with a good sound stage. An over-ear design would be preferable. These would only be used on my desk, so it doesn't matter how large they are or how they look.
 
I see there's some good deals out there right now so I'd like to pick up a nice pair while they're discounted.
 
Thanks for any recommendations!

 

[Ginron]

If your not really concerned with bass the Sennheiser HD 558 is probably exactly what your looking for. it has great mids, highs and the sound stage is very good at its price point (around 130 USD). 
 
its only downfall is that it has pretty weak bass, but that can be improved with a very simple mod (foam mod).
 
HD 558: http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-504631-HD-558-Headphones/dp/B004FEEY9A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1385863253&sr=8-1&keywords=hd+558
 
Foam mod: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-kJ7sN16qw 

 

[Claritas]

KRK KNS8400. Pros: very detailed and clear, relatively open sounding. Cons: a little bright (but there are mods).
 
Shure SRH840 is more expensive. Pros: non-fatiguing, more versatile, good looking. Cons: heavy headband (but there are mods).
 
KRK's using the same numbers as Shure can't be a coincidence.

 

[Captain Proton]

Quote:

  If your not really concerned with bass the Sennheiser HD 558 is probably exactly what your looking for. it has great mids, highs and the sound stage is very good at its price point (around 130 USD). 
 
its only downfall is that it has pretty weak bass, but that can be improved with a very simple mod (foam mod).
 
HD 558: http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-504631-HD-558-Headphones/dp/B004FEEY9A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1385863253&sr=8-1&keywords=hd+558
 
Foam mod: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-kJ7sN16qw 

 
Thanks for those suggestions everyone. The HD 558 seems like a good option for what I'm looking for in headphones, especially with that foam mod, which might not even be necessary.
 
I saw for about $50 extra, there's the similar HD 598 which from briefly reading comparisons between the two, appears to have significantly improved audio quality over the 558. In your opinion do you think it's worth spending that extra amount for the upgrade?
 
Also the headphones I've been using the past several years are the Sennheiser HD 202 which at the time cost me only $20, so I imagine any of these will be a huge improvement from what I'm used to now. 

 

[Ginron]

i don't know how big the difference is between the 558 and 598 since i only own the 558, but it might be worth it since its in your price range.

 

[TK277]

  i don't know how big the difference is between the 558 and 598 since i only own the 558, but it might be worth it since its in your price range.

My buddy uses the 558. I think the differences are noticeable... but then again, I'm the one who paid more money and I would want to believe that! The soundstage... that's a big difference.

 

[Ginron]

i think the OP should get the 598 then.

 

[Captain Proton]

After reading more comparisons I think it's worth the extra $50 to upgrade from the 558 to the 598, however one set of headphones I see commonly compared against the 598 is the Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro. So far I've read mixed opinions on which is a better value. Currently the DT 990 Pro costs slightly less but despite that some claim it yields better sound.
 
Between these two headphones, which do you think is the better value at their current prices? Is the 598 still considered better for classical music since from what I can tell, the DT 990 seems more focused on bass?
 
Thanks again for the advice guys.

 

[Ginron]

i think the DT line needs an amp to really sound good, but i don't know them very well since i never owned or heard one.
 
the HD 558 (and probably the HD 598) on the other hand doesn't really need an amp to sound good, but an amp would probably make them sound slightly better.

 

[Captain Proton]

I'll mostly be using these headphones with my Sound Blaster Z sound card through it's 600Ohm amplified headphone out 3.5mm connection. 
 
As such I'm wondering if the DT line might be a better value. Both seem to have all the features I'm looking for. The HD 598 seems to offer a better sound stage but from a number of reviews I read the DT 900 Pro seems to be a better set of headphones overall. For use with a sound card amplifier, do you think the 598 is still better for how I'll use them?

 

[Ginron]

Yes i do, but i cant say for sure since i don't have either of those headphones or your sound card. 
 
i would say your sound card probably wont drive the DT 990s very well (the 250ohm and 600ohm), but they will drive the HD 598 for sure.

 

[Captain Proton]

Between what I've read here and elsewhere I went ahead and ordered the HD 598. I'm looking forward to trying them out. Thanks for your help. 

 

[Ginron]

Nice