Best Headphones in $500 range for Leben 300X

Thanks Swampwalker, guess my price info was a few years out of date, and unfortunately, that puts them over-budget for the OP.

I think Hens' advice about the Head-fi site is a good one. As for good 'normal' headphones in that price range, my info is 'old' in that I think the Senn 650 is pretty good. I also like the Grado RS-1, but thought it was better as a walking-around-with-an-ipod headphone than as a sitting-down-on-the-sofa-in-an-otherwise-quiet-apt headphone (something of a warm-ish mid-bass hump if I remember). I have not listened to the AKG K702 but the K701 was a very good pair of headphones.

T_bone, the K702's are the same as the K701 other than the addition of a detachable cable with the K702 and a different colour (K701 - white, K702 - dark blue). You are right that they are very good headphones.

The Senn 650's are very good as well, but a different presentation - a little warmer and more bass pronounced. Personally, I preferred the more neutral AKG's. Grado also have some excellent 'phones at that price point, but they are on-ear type fitting as opposeed to around the ear which I find more comfortable and better for isolation.

Just like loudspeakers, I would highly recommend auditioning extensively before laying out your dough!

Hi, I am a dealer for the Leben range of products and recommend the AKG702's as a great match for the Leben integrated amps. I do not sell headphones, but personally use these headphones myself, while working in my office. They have a very natural presence and an articulate bass presentation that is true to the music. Through the Leben amp, they are really smooth.. and present the music with an enjoyable ebb and flow for many extended hours of listening...

Enjoy,
Matt

I have recently bought the AKG K702 headphones for use with a Leben 300X and am very pleased with them (though according to various reports I have seen they probably need more hours before they are fully broken in). There appear to be a number of after market headphone cable upgrades available for the K702 (e.g. Cardas). Does anyone have any experience of these?

I have not heard the Leben, so can't say what headphone will work best. I own HD650s and have listened to the AKG K701 at Head-fi meets. I have never been impressed by the K701. They tend to sound quite analytical, tend toward sibilance, and are relatively difficult to drive. They enjoyed a FOTM status a few years ago on Head-fi but no one over there who regularly attends headphone meets owns them. The HD650s, when properly driven, are a much better headphone. They are enjoyable, but have a slightly laid back presentation. However, my favorite headphone by far has been the JVC Victor DX1000. I stumbled upon a used pair for $550 about two years ago and now use them exclusively. They sound absolutely wonderful with any tube-based amplifier. In many ways, they are similar to the HD650s but just better them in every way. There is a very long thread on Head-fi about the DX1000s, which I recommend you take a look at. You can buy the European version new for about $650 from computer universe, a German online retailer. Many people regard the DX1000s as the "poor man's" Sony R10, a legendary headphone that cost $3,000 but are now out of production. Finally, avoid the K1000s. They are uncomfortable and out of production, so impossible to service.