Dr. Dre Beats

You can do much, much better than Bose or Dre for that kind of budget...

Another strong recommendation you spend some time at head-fi. For that kind of money you can probably get some world class headphones on the used market like the HE-5s with matching amp.

Thanks everyone for your inputs. I'll check into head-fi. I think I even started an account there awhile ago but that was as far as I got.

And yes, you are all correct when you say I should be able to get into some really good headphones for the budget. I read up a few reviews this morning and some said that the over-whelming bass began to cause headaches. I went back to the store this afternoon and put 'em on again, for about four minutes longer than I did yesterday and I almost couldn't stand it. They still sound good. Clear and undistorted which is what I think impressed me. But I'll never listen to headphones that loud.

I actually have a pair of Shure SE-110 or 115 or whatever that entry model is into their in-ear phones. I was always happy with them but I really want a good pair of around the ear style phones. Something that'll go good with a tube amp and an iPod/iPhone alike. Anywho, I'll check out those websites mentioned but if anyone still has any other recs I'd be very happy to hear them.

Thanks again for the inputs.

John

If you don't need noise canceling,and don't have room noise to
deal with,Sennheiser HD-600.[http://www.sennheiserusa.com/private_headphones_audiophile-headphones_004465]

If you must have noise canceling,I'd would try Sennheiser,but can't recommend a model.I like their products,so I would definitely give them a try.

Well that's where I come up with my most basic problem. I work in a generally noisy environment. All the fans and electronic cooling water lines and computer gear all going at once. It averages 90db in my workspace. Noise cancelling would be a nice thing to have. However, I also have to be able to hear the announcement system and my radio if something happens I need to be able to repsond quickly. So. That pretty much means no noise cancelling. More like sound isolation. I've been using earplugs or my Shure earphones for that purpose for a while now and with good results. But that makes me wonder about the open back designs because I figure a lot of noise would get in that way. Should I just go with a sound isolating, closed-back design? I know they don't sound as good but I may just go with that Blossom headphone amp and that runs $1,500. So I might just dive into this purely for the sound quality and when I'm not working I'll hide in a quieter space and do my listening there.

I was recently given a recommendation of the Blossom amp and the Grado RS1 headphones with balanced connectors. Great combo I think. But do I really need to spend $2,500+ just to get some good sound while I'm trying to pass the time on deployment? That's the primary reason for doing this. Otherwise I'd take my freakin' stereo with me. Which I could do but I don't trust the power on the ship. Too many brown-outs and power losses. And the surge protectors that are authorized for use suck and I don't trust them. Maybe I should just get an iQube and the Bose and be done with it. I stil don't know enough about this market to even start making an informed decision. The Dre beats I listened to AGAIN today sounded a bit better with the bass reducer turned on. It was almost just right. But started to lack in low end weight. Still had that thumping sound though.

I didn't realize headphones were so complicated. :-(