[Siegfried262]

[size=small] Hi guys, I was hoping you could help me find a good pair of headphones to upgrade to.[/size]

[size=small]  [/size]

[size=small] Budget: 150-200ish[/size]

[size=small] Open to Semi-Open preferred. (Ears need to breath)[/size]

[size=small] Noise isolation isn't important. (It's usually quiet where I use them)[/size]

[size=small] Circumaural preferred.[/size]

[size=small] No amp required[/size]

[size=small] Source: Computer (Onboard sound)[/size]

[size=small] Primary use will be gaming with movies/videos right behind it. I listen to a wide variety of music but I tend to stick to classic rock and power metal.[/size]

[size=small] At least a bit of bass oomph.[/size]

[size=small] These are for home-use; portability is not a concern.[/size]

[size=small] Available in North America.[/size]

[size=small]  [/size]

[size=small] I currently use a pair of Audio Technica ATH-AD300 headphones and I've enjoyed them. They're super comfortable but don't have any bass presence.[/size]

[size=small]  [/size]

[size=small] I'm hoping to find a fairly well-rounded pair of open/semi-open headphones to upgrade my listening experience.[/size]

[size=small]  [/size]

[size=small] Any suggestions or insight would be greatly appreciated. [/size]

 

[valerianaoff]

DT990 / DT880
 
Ultrasones 780 / 750 Pro
 
Cheerz !

 

[Siegfried262]

Thank you for the suggestions, those look very nice.
 
And they run without an amp? Although for the Beyerdynamic I'd want to pick the low ohm version right?

 

[valerianaoff]

Yeap...32 Ohms version will be just nice. Sound signature will be different from the 250 or 600 Ohms, but those are definitely not for you since u aren't into amping. Anything less then 80 Ohms will be safe to drive without amps.  Do invest in an amp / dac when you get a chance. That will only make things better. If you are into Electronics, maybe you can make your own amp...O2...which should cost less and the design is open source. 

 

[Siegfried262]

That's something I'd definitely be into for the future but for now I'll abstain. I would go the soundcard route (I know there are some cards that come with amplifiers) but the case I'll be building into in a month won't have room for a sound card. (Going small form factor).
 
Also do any of these need to be burned in and if so what's the best way to do that?

 

[macrocheesium]

Another vote for the DT880 from me. The Ultrasones are closed back.
 
Edit: For burning in, just leave them with music playing through them; nothing to it.

 

[valerianaoff]

You don't need to, but people like to speed up the time it takes for the headphones to loosen up and produce optimum sound, they way the cans were intended to be
 
You could check this link out...lotsa information there:
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/610546/how-do-i-burn-in-my-headphones