Wanting To Replace/Upgrade My ATH-AD700's

[Ed-IT]

Hello Head-Fi'ers,
 
I'm not really new to the forums, for some reason my old account is broken, and the password reset isn't working so just thought I'd make a new account. Thanks to all of you, I decided to purchase the ATH-AD700's last year. They were an excellent pair of cans, but the only thing that was a turn off for me was the lack in bass.
 
I listen to lot's of bass heavy music such as Trance, House, Drum N Bass, Dubstep (very sub bass heavy), IDM, Rock/Metal, Hip Hop etc. And so I decided to sell the AD700's and look for some new headphones in the same price range of $100-$150. So I'm asking for some advice to help me narrow down a small list of headphones, so that I can go out and do a little research on them, and perhaps even try them out locally.
 
Here are some key points, that I'm looking for in my next pair of headphones.
 

1. They will be used only indoors at home. So I really don't mind if they are huge. I want the best headphones for in-home use ONLY, in the 100-150 price-range.

 

1. Comfortable enough for long sessions.

 

1. I like the idea of open headphones, but I've heard that these type almost always lack in bass. So maybe closed would be the better option, this go around?

 

1. MUST have excellent smooth deep clean bass. Think miniature little sub woofers in my ears, that's what I'm looking for.

 

1. I consider myself an Audiophile, and LOVE perfect representation of sound; I do not want added color to my music, I just want accurate, clean, sound. The only exception being the bass as I mentioned earlier. I don't want a down step in overall quality that my AD700's had.

 

1. I have the FiiO E5 Headphone amp, so if there is a headphone that could take advantage of this amp, I would happily consider it.

 
 
From what I've gathered in the forums as of now, I'm interested in the ATH-M50. Just looking for some other options, and some comparisons. I hope some of you can help me out.

 

[Digital-Pride]

Here are some recomendations for ya:
 
open type
 
Sennheiser HD555, HD595
 
Beyerdynamic DT 440
 
Grado SR80i, SR125i
 
AKG K 240
 
closed type
 
Denon AH-D1100
 
Shure SRH440
 
Sennheiser HD448

 

[Ed-IT]

Damn, I noticed the M50's have fake leather pads. I'm sitting on a pleather chair right now and its got sharp cracks all over it... I hate pleather so much. Why the heck would they even use pleather in the first place...
 
Anyways. Thanks for the recommendations Digital Pride. Is there anyone else who's got something to add? Just looking for some new headphones that have sound quality similar to the AD700's, but with some really deep deep sub bass that isn't muddy.

 

[dweaver]

Denon AH D2000 come to mind, in open phones you could also look at the DT990. If you want to try something a bit cheaper price wise but I think as nice sound wise as the AD700 check out the Superlux HD668B after burn-in (100hrs+) they actually become very nice sounding and I find they have the bass I missed with the AD700 and just as nice highs and maybe even more balanced mids when properly amped.
 
The one thing about the HD668B is that they do need better amplification than MP3 players and most generic sound cards in computers supply. But their price is low enough to allow for the purchase of a decent small amp. Also many Superlux owners have bought AKG K240 Velour pads for better comfort and slightly improved sound as the pads are supposed to help reduce the treble a bit.

 

[scytheavatar]

 
Quote:

Damn, I noticed the M50's have fake leather pads. I'm sitting on a pleather chair right now and its got sharp cracks all over it... I hate pleather so much. Why the heck would they even use pleather in the first place...
 
Anyways. Thanks for the recommendations Digital Pride. Is there anyone else who's got something to add? Just looking for some new headphones that have sound quality similar to the AD700's, but with some really deep deep sub bass that isn't muddy.

 
If you are concern about the pleather you can use the Beyerdynamic DT250 velour pads on the M50.... it's not like you will be able to get real leather headphones at your price range, so most of the closed backs aren't available for you if you refuse to buy a headphone with pleather pads. Off the top of my head the only closed backs in your price range that comes with velour instead of pleather are probably the DT235 and Numark PHX Pro. In any case if you don't want a downgrade in overall sound quality from the AD700 the M50 is probably the best option for you.