1) Denon AH-D 1000- Recable with D2000
What can't be said about these? Check just about every known site and these are in their TOP 10 list.
Not the perfect can but they have a pleasing sound that just makes your feet tap...Higher sets have come and gone, these are still here if that tells you something?
2) HD 428 with Bass mod- These have been said to beat the famous 580 and even push close to the 600, Both I've never owned, but that's saying a lot coming from a under $50 set. By far the cleanest low end Senn I've heard, Nice mid to top end detail here.
No darkness (Veil sound) here, Even the 439's are darker... Got to do the simple bass mode tho, it makes them in another class sound wise. Don't know why Senn didn't just tune them that way from the start.. It's a piece of tape, really.
3 & 4 tie)
HD 439 and Koss DJ100
Take the 428 and add more Bass and a slightly darker sound, By no stretch these have a veil, they are really Bright and Crisp just a tad colder sounding then the 428's. Still very detailed..I'm using them now and Camels- The Snow Goose, it's giving me chills..Very pleasing!!
Koss- Are you kidding, these are $50, Did they price these wrong? I've heard mids worse then these on much higher $ sets, These have some of the best (At this price point). The Bass has a nice little punch to it, that never creeps up into the rest of the spectrum. My only gripe is the top rolls off a little to soon, A little Eq here works wonders, Also I found these really need to be matched up correctly with your source. They will really show flaws in the music.. Well matched these sound fantastic.
5) HD 419
The darkest of the newer 400 series, This is the classic Senn Veil, They remind me of the PX100 in some aspects, It has a great sound tho, everything is nicely detailed, just dark. At 30-40 tho it's hard to beat really. But you got to have that Senn likable flavor.