Your recommendations for cost-effective and musical sounding headphones?

I have Yamaha HPH-200WH that for some strange reason cost only $59.99 white at Amazon.  Black version is $95 (still a bargain).  It has strong tight bass, clear highs and good imaging.  I also have AKG K271 MKII and used to gave HD-580 (same drivers as HD-600).  Both sounded cold and lifeless in comparison to Yamaha.  It is "on the ear" open air design. They need a week of loud playing for midrange to fully open.  Sound is warm and very musical.  I drive them with Oppo HA-2 (USB to MacMini).

inna2,048 posts07-10-2016 5:37pmBy audiophile standards $700 is not much. I really like Grado RS-1. Grado 225e are 'poor man's' RS-1 - very good.

True for audiophile, but for common sense standards it's a-bit too much. For quality standards, for substantially less you can get same or better performance.

second for sony mdr7506,the best buy in my audio quest

I could say that common sense standard is not to spend less than needed. The difference between Grado 225e and RS-1 is big even when just listening to youtube without external dac/amp. $500 is next to nothing these days. But for most people spending more than $100 would be madness or at least weirdness. Or even more than $50.