[sprucemaple]

Hello all, I'm looking for a pair of headphones to be used at home mostly out of a MacBook Pro (2010), occasionally with an iPod Classic (80GB). I don't have much experience with headphones, but I'm using a pair of Westone UM3x. I'd like these headphones to be a complement to my UM3x if possible. 
 
Budget: Under $150 USD, but if an amp is needed, the budget can be adjusted accordingly, and I'm open to going up to $250USD if there's something that fits my wants a lot better
 
Closed/Open: They will be used mostly at home, so it doesn't matter. 
 
Over/On ear: I have pretty small ears (7cm), so some on-ear headphones end up being half over my ear, so I'll audition them before buying to see how they fit. Not so much of a concern at this point in time. 
 
Music genres: I listen to a good deal of different music, mostly alternative, folk and rock, but the occasional classical and orchestral pieces as well. 
 
Sound preferences: A decent soundstage, smooth mids, no sibilance, less fatiguing highs, tight bass. 
 
I'm open to learning how to mod my headphones, and a detachable cable would be nice. 
 
I've been looking at the Fostex T50rp, would they suit my preferences? Help is very much appreciated, thank you!
 
(Actually posted this on the Recommendations thread but it got ignored so I'm hoping this will help. Thanks all, don't mean to clog up the forum!)

 

[BillsonChang007]

The K550 should help but it lack detachable cable. You might like to drive it with an E6 small amp as when I paired it with my iPod Nano 3, there's no sound produced.

 

[sprucemaple]

Hi, thanks for the suggestion, but the K550 is ~$280 on Amazon, and that's out of my budget.. Any other suggestions?

 

[TheGhost]

Try the HFI 580 from Ultrasone, I received them about 3 days ago and I am enjoying them quite a lot. Good bass, not basshead cans though, soundstage is decent.
 
edit: they don't have a removable cable but that can be modded if you wish to but you can also just tie the cord to make it shorter. It's quite thick and hard to break.

 

[Greed]

They're tons of decent headphones in this range a few that I can recommend off the bat are: AKG K-240, Sony MDR-V6, Grado SR80i, Shure SRH840, Sennheiser 558s and 598s, and of coarse the Audio Technica ATH-M50s. All of these headphones are great in their own way, for your tastes I would strongly recommend the Senns and AKGs.

 

[streetdragon]

Quote:

They're tons of decent headphones in this range a few that I can recommend off the bat are: AKG K-240, Sony MDR-V6, Grado SR80i, Shure SRH840, Sennheiser 558s and 598s, and of coarse the Audio Technica ATH-M50s. All of these headphones are great in their own way, for your tastes I would strongly recommend the Senns and AKGs.

the M50 can be rather sibilant though, shures have pretty prominent treble too (but oh my it is beautifully detailed and so is the upper midrange), though not really sibilant,
i would suggest the HD598, excelent soundstage, not fatiguing treble, and quite a neutral bass.
im not sure about the akg though, so i can't really say much about it.

 

[soundeffect]

I second on not the M50 as they have small sound stage and I wouldn't really call there bass tight.

 

[KCxSmacker]

HD598 is a great open headphone. If you can get a good price on them that is. Get that and maybe the new Magni fro Schiit and you will have one nice little setup for home use. 

 

[Ditti]

Considering the budget, here are the two that I have heard and own or owned;
 
Creative Aurvana Live!
ATH M50
 
Less popular models;
Skullcandy Aviator

 

[BillsonChang007]

Having to audition ATH-M50 & HD518, I would much prefer HD518 with an amp for home use. Pairing it with an amp will further more outstand the sound. Really surprised when paired with an amp!

 

[Wasatch]

The Sennheiser HD515 are very nice for around $100.

 

[streetdragon]

the HD558 is now 170 on amazon, the HD518 is a good option too if the budget is a problem

 

[PurpleAngel]

Gemini HSR-1000 (Takstar Pro 80) closed headphones, usually sells for $85-$88.
http://www.head-fi.org/t/585356/the-takstar-technical-pro-gemini-thread

 

[sprucemaple]

Hi, thanks everyone for the suggestions, I'm wondering if a pair of Mad Dogs would be good if I could push my budget? From what I've read, they sound like a dream I think I'm narrowing down my search to the HD598, AKG K240 and perhaps the Grado 225i for now. On a side note, what's the difference between the 240 MKII and Studio?

 

[kid vic]

I'm about to order the AKG K240 as an upgrade for the AKG K172hd's I just traded in. I also own the MDR-7506 and spent a fair amount of time with the SRH840. From my experience with the AKG house sound and my test of the K240's I would suggest those to you first, followed by the SRH840 and lastly I would suggest the MDR-7506 (even though there my current most used pair).
Personally I hate the Sennheiser "house sound" so I'm biased.