Currently owned
1. Sennheiser HD800
Pros: Biggest Soundstage, Top Tier Imaging, Extremely high detail level, very fast/keeps up with the most complex passages, deeply extended if not powerful bass, extremely realistic mids. Very comfortable
Cons: Can be sibilant with poorer recordings / not forgiving, can lack euphony overall and is not the most involving listen for some music, Slightly too bright
Best Genres: Ambient Electronic, Classical, Acoustic music, Flamenco, Soundtracks, Progressive Rock (certain recordings), Movie viewing, Gaming, PSY-Trance (synth texture/layering)
OVERALL: A
FOR THE PRICE ($1590): B
2. JVC DX1000
Pros: Powerful, deep and robust bass that will satisfy bassheads and audio purist alike without midrange bleed. Euphonic and highly involving midrange with interesting wooden colorations, superb imaging for a closed headphone, reasonably large soundstage, forgiving and relaxed, closed sonic sibling to HD650 and LCD2. Very comfortable and light for its size
Cons: Treble can sound flat and lacks energy, soundstage is not up there with the best open cans. Not a very fast headphone. Mids can sound distant on some recordings
Best Genres: Electronic (Dubstep, Trance, House, IDM, Chillstep etc), Blues, Small Ensemble Jazz, Female Vocalists, Stoner Rock
OVERALL: A-
FOR THE PRICE ($950): A
3. Hifiman HE500
Pros: Strong Imaging, and fairly high level of detail retrieval. Fantastic all round for most genres. Very neutral - only slightly dark. Well detailed treble without being strident or overly bright. Well extended and moderately powerful bass.
Cons Slightly uncomfortable after long sessions. Slight lack of bass quality on some tracks. Soundstage nothing to write home about for a open can, better than most closed options though. Mids slightly forward and a tad aggressive with some female vocals.
Best Genres: Almost everything
OVERALL: B+
FOR THE PRICE ($700): A+
4. Audeze LCD2 rev 2
Pros: Incredible bass detail, tightness and depth also great slam. Very fast presentation for a dark can. Forgiving as well as fairly detailed a rarity. Incredibly realistic male vocals (for me at least), Very musical
Cons: Lack of treble detail and upper midrange harmonic content. Smaller soundstage. Imaging could be better. Uncomfortable and heavy on top of the head.
Best Genres: Jazz, Metal, Rock, EDM, Pop
OVERALL: B
FOR THE PRICE ($1180): B
5. Beyerdynamic T1
Pros: High perceived detail level, large soundstage, nicely warm midrange, comfortable, effortless sound, similar but darker than the HD800 ~ treble less clear, Fantastic all rounder
Cons: Harsh treble spike aggravated occasionally by high pitched instruments, imaging unimpressive compared to the HD800, Lacks speed to keep up with very complex passages
Best Genres: Classical, Metal, Rock (Prog especially), Movies, Gaming
OVERALL: B
FOR THE PRICE ($1150): B
6. Fostex TH600
Pros: Heavy, powerful and incredibly hard slamming bass. Highly detailed for a closed headphone, very solid imaging. Best closed soundstage I've heard
Cons: Bright and strident with cymbals in quite a few recordings, recessed midrange - lacks presence for vocals and guitar.
Best Genres: EDM, Pop, Movies+Gaming++ (bass is impressive theater like with obviously better control)
OVERALL: B-
FOR THE PRICE ($1000) : C+
7. Mr Speakers Alpha Dog
Pros: Well extended and detailed treble, very clear and grain free sound - seemingly more detailed than JVC or Fostex. Tight controlled bass. Very detailed Midrange - while being balanced throughout. Very good closed can for classical and acoustic mainly for its treble detail. Almost can be seen as a closed HD800 tonally
Cons: Treble can be a bit hard on some recordings that are excited up there / not forgiving, Sounds unexciting, bass not very powerful by any stretch, soundstage and imaging are unimpressive compared to the TH600 and DX1000 on my setup
Best Genres: Acoustic, Classic Rock, Jazz, Classical, Soundtrack
OVERALL: B-
FOR THE PRICE ($750): B+
8. Fischer Audio FA011 Limited Edition
Pros: Fast and aggressive sound which is of a fun variety overall. Bass extending into the sub-bass, super powerful upper bass power. Very thick and crunchy guitar tone, accented by the powerful bass guitar resulting in a very live sound. Baby Grado PS1000 with more refined Treble. Very well separated instruments.
Cons: Small soundstage, Aggressive Treble - slightly harsh but not bad at all. Minor upper mid recession.
Best Genres: EDM, Metal, Rock
OVERALL: C+
FOR THE PRICE ($480): A+
9. Grado Bushmills w/ Jumbo Pads
Pros: Above average soundstage, Very pristine and detailed, Crystalline Treble - nothing like most other Grado models, Very lifelike guitar tonality as well as strong speed. Good instrument seperation
Cons: Not genre diverse, harsh upper midrange on certain tracks, weak bass, poor bass extension, cold overall tonality (believe it or not for a Grado)
Best Genres: Metal, Classical, Soundtrack
OVERALL: C
FOR THE PRICE ($500): B+
10. Sennheiser HD600
Pros: Smooth and forgiving, slightly romantic sound, acceptable with most genres, moderate soundstage, fairly open
Cons: Lacks Detail, Unimpressive separation/imaging, wooly and undefined bass, lacks bass extension, lacks excitement - too laid back
Best Genres: Mostly anything
OVERALL: C
FOR THE PRICE ($400): A
I have Audio GD NFB 28 system. I also quoted my values from prices here in Australia. There was not much separating most headphones from one another in my preferences. Don't let my criticism seem too harsh many of these things are minor annoyances.