Good Headphones...What should I Get?...

There are ways to compensate for the lack of spatial orientation when you use headphones. There are times when they are useful. They will not replace the effect of listening in a room with speakers. If you don't plan on using them alot, you may not want to budget much. A $150 set of headphones with a built in amp from your receiver may be all you want. That will buy alot of headphones these days. If you want a dedicated rig that will be used frequently, budget a minimum of $400-$500 ($200+ for the amp and $200+ for the headphones). I have heard $99 headphones that sound really good, especially if you are not going to listen to them for an extended time. Good luck!

GRADO. Don't forget the headphone amp. Spend as much as you're willing because IME they get better as you spend more. I super dig my SR225s.

I drive my Senn HD650's with a SI T-Amp via an ASL UHC with spectacular results. Prior to installing the T-Amp, I had planned to purchase a Singlepower MPX. I found a local headphone nut who happened to have a Supra on hand and invited me over to give it a listen. It's a great amp, no question. However, the following week, I picked up the T-Amp on a whim, and well, it comes frighteningly close to the Supra.

While I don't love the T-Amp with my speakers (4ohm, 96db), it really seems to shine as a headphone amp. The T-Amp drives the 650's easily, and they have great synergy. I highly recommend this combo. Of course, you need a way to connect the headphones to the T-Amp, this is where the ASL UHC (universal headphone connector) enters into the picture. It's passive, inexpensive and effective. However, I had much less success with the ASL when using my Korneff 45. The ASL seems to not infringe on the music at all with the T-Amp.

I'm quite pleased with this setup. Unfortunately, I don't think I've played it for more than ten hours tops. I have so much invested in my big rig, I feel guilty listening to the headphones. Plus, I just don't find much time to listen to cd's, and I have my vinyl set up connected to the Korneff.

Anyway, if you plan to spend a good amount of your time listening to headphones, don't settle, a great system can be had inexpensively. When I was shopping for headphones, I was able to audition side by side Senn 580, 600,650 and Grado 225, and 325's. The sales folks were really busy that day, and I think they just forgot about me, as I was upstairs in an alcove. I was able to listen uninterupted for about 3 hours. The 650's seemed to be the most dynamic, detailed, and open, with great image and outstanding (for headphones) soundstaging.

Good luck and have fun

I'm just in the process of "converting" to headphones now, actually. I'll be in a dorm or studio apartment for the next couple years, it looks like. I'm going pretty all out: Stax Omega II driven by a HeadAmp Kevin Gilmore "Blue Hawaii" hybrid balanced tube amp with outboard PSU. But then, this will be my dominant, or even sole, form of serious listening for a while. I imagine you can do very well for a lot less with some of the other suggestions here - I almost went with the Sennheiser 650 myself. But I listen mostly to Early Music, and I want the transparancy, neutrality and detail of really good electrostatics.

I have two setups both driven by the Musical Fidelity V3 after owning several other amps. Great for the money. HD 600 and Grado Reference one's Are two top sets of cans!