What are the best bang for the buck on higher end headphones?

One of the cool things about headphones for me is that it's like having a bunch of different sounding speakers that do different things well.  When I want to hear a lot of detail, I get out the HD800.  When I want to hear some bass and midrange, I get out the Audeze LCD-4.  When I want something more neutral, I get out my Hifiman HE-560 or Focal Elex.  

The reason I say all that is that there are two ways you can go if you want to get more cans - stay with a certain sound signature you like or get some headphones that have a completely different sound so you can change up.  

If you like the HifiMan sound, move up the food chain to the HE1000 or Susvarra.  I have no experience with either, but from what I've read, they will give you more of that house sound you like.  

I listened to some Utopias and there was something magical about them, but also "artificial".  I only listened for a few minutes, kind of hard to describe.  I can see why people like them.  I have the Massdrop Focal Elex and think they are wonderful.  Much more affordable, super comfortable, very detailed, but a more natural and neutral sound to me.

Try to audition the Sony MDR-Z1R.  Lots of bass, great detail, very comfortable.

There are lots of other great headphones out there.

@freediver , are the Focals you refer to the Utopia? Have not heard the HE 6 cans but all the reviews seem to love them, they are just hard to drive with a headphone amp as you know. @big_greg, talk to me about the Audeze 4 if you would as I am basing my judgment of Auzeze on the LCD2F which actuslly got me started on this quest a few years ago.

I LOVE my HiFiman Arya. I used to have other headphones including the Focal Clear. As someone said above, I too can understand why people like them. However, they don't have anywhere near the midrange warmth that the planar Aryas do. 
Many people say the Arya is the sweetspot in the lineup. 

That probably doesn't answer your question. I just wanted to contribute a post on the new headphone thread on Audiogon. Lol.

@tooblue The LCD-4 are the best headphones I've ever heard. I haven't listened to all the uber expensive cans out there though.

I own LCD-2 (I think mine are non fazor), LCD-XC, Sony MDR-Z1R, Focal Elex, Sennheiser HD-800 and a few others. I spent some time this morning listening to the LCD-4 and the Sonys and Focals. The LCD-4 are really easy to listen to and provide visceral bass that the others can't with slightly warm but incredibly detailed mids and highs. If you like Steely Dan, Black Cow on The LCD-4s is pure bliss.

The only negatives to the LCD-4 are their weight (really heavy!) and they need a lot of power (and their price). I love the Focals, they are really detailed without being bright. The Sony's are really nice and produce a lot of bass, but it's not as tight as the LCD-4.  If I had to get rid of all my headphones but one set it would probably come down to the Focals and the LCD-4. The LCD-4 win on sound quality, the Focals on comfort. 

It could be Raal Sr1a

https://forum.headphones.com/t/schiit-jotunheim-r-direct-drive-raal-sr1a-amplifier-official-thread/4094/24

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/raal-ribbon-headphones-srh1a.890603/page-105#post-15283862

I expect to audition it near future.