[Shady Death]

I'm thinking investing in some good Over-Ear Headphones, and I mostly listen to Rap. I will mostly use them at home, but if I can use them on the go it's a major plus. Obviously I have no idea about this stuff so yea.
 
So far the one pair that caught my attention are the Sennheiser HD 598. Thanks for any help.

 

[beatslover]

Anything Beats man. That's what they made for. Lotsa haters though, block them out.

 

[MorbidToaster]

Anything Beats man. That's what they made for. Lotsa haters though, block them out.

Back in the dungeon troll.

To start...the 598 probably isn't for you. They're open and don't satisfy most bassheads.

A few noteable ones...HD 25-1 II, Phiaton MS400, Beyer 770 Pro 80 ohm, Koss ProDJ100, A&H Xone 53, XB700...Just to start you off in a few different price ranges.

Edit: Some of these are on ear but still good options.

 

[MattTCG]

Rap phones?? Hummm...I say m-audio Q-40. Hard to beat that kinda bass for the money

 

[scud80]

i own none of these (yet) so i can't comment on them personally, but the closed cans i've seen repeatedly recommended for good bass extension are sony mdr-xb500 (and maybe mdr-zx700), m-audio q-40, audio-technica ath-m50, and denon ah-d2000.  all are closed so they'd be suitable for use in public places.

 

[lilkoolaidman]

I would recommend the XB700s over the 500s. Yes, the 500s are punchier and have more impact, but they don't go nearly as low as the 700s and everything else is muddied in comparison. It's amazing to me that the 700s are only one model up and they sound so much better. I'm listening to some Tonedeff right now through my 580s and I don't feel that it lacks bass, so the 598s could be a good all-rounder, but if you listen to 90% rap, I would go with the 700s. There are some better options depending on how much you want to pay (LCD-2 rig?) but the 700s are a place to start. The M50s are punchy, but their bass is over-rated IMO and they lack the extension of my 580s and especially the XB700s.

 

[HiFiGuy528]

Sony XB700 is my vote.

 

[tdockweiler]

I vote for Ad700 and a WA 22.

 

[bmiamihk]

Big wide poounding bass and sub bas with the clearity to hear every word and messege then if you can afford it or in my case I cant afford it but I got it anyhow go for the Future Sonics MG6Pro.

 

[bmiamihk]

Which earphones?

 

[thedefender]

Quote:

I would recommend the XB700s over the 500s. Yes, the 500s are punchier and have more impact, but they don't go nearly as low as the 700s and everything else is muddied in comparison. It's amazing to me that the 700s are only one model up and they sound so much better. I'm listening to some Tonedeff right now through my 580s and I don't feel that it lacks bass, so the 598s could be a good all-rounder, but if you listen to 90% rap, I would go with the 700s. There are some better options depending on how much you want to pay (LCD-2 rig?) but the 700s are a place to start. The M50s are punchy, but their bass is over-rated IMO and they lack the extension of my 580s and especially the XB700s.

 
This corroborates my view. The XB700 has a lot of improvements in clarity/detail that make it a much better headphone.
 
HOWEVER - I'm not sure I can recommend the XB700 for rap music. It does everything EXCEPT rap music better than the XB500. The XB500 is a good cheap option for rap. 
 
However, I recommend spending more - consider the Denon D2000. Consider the Ultrasone Pro 900 (which may be out of your price range). 

 

[PlayerN07]

XB500 if rap is mainly what you listen to.
 
What ever you do please refrain from falling into the over priced artist endorsed HP segment.

 

[xzobinx]

for real ? 
Quote:

I vote for Ad700 and a WA 22.

 

 

[scud80]

i just received my pair of xb500s today, and they're not terrible but my darth beyers absolutely destroy them in the bass department.  i don't want to carry the darths around with me, which is why i'm looking for an on-the-go pair.  these will work for now, but at some point i'm definitely going to try d2000/d5000.

 

[thedefender]

You're looking for more bass quantity? Then the D2000 is the wrong headphone to get.
 
"destroy them in the bass department" is ambiguous...