Good Pair of Headphones

[WoodSheddin]

http://www.headphone.com/products/headp ... -sr-60.php
http://www.headphone.com/products/headp ... hd-580.php
http://www.headphone.com/products/headp ... -er-4p.php

Above are the ones I use regularly. For all around usage, the $60 Grados are fantastic and work well in portable devices without a dedicated headphone amp. The Sennheisers have the best sound quality and are comfortable for hours on end but require an amp and are bulky. The Entymotics have incredible sound, but lack a bit in bass and can be uncomfortable after several hours. The Entys big selling points are their ability to block something like 29dB of external sound, don't leak any sound to those around you, and have that phenominal sound. They are expensive though.

I would get the Sennheiser 580 if you are looking for the most realistic neutral sound for classical music or listening to playbacks of recording yourself. They can be had on eBay for around $150 new. Again you might need to buy a seperate amp if using portable devices which are notorious for their low quality and low power op amps.

I have not found a closed headphone which delivers realistic sound. Most exaggerate the bass unnaturally.

BTW, Bose is all marketing. Their quality for their various pricepoints never compares well with the competition on any of their products. They are a shiny commercial and expensive gimmicks. Take their $150 headphone and do back to backs with other quality $150 headphones and you will see what I mean. The Sennheiser 580 headphones on eBay are light years better.

Bose makes some good stuff, but they price themselves into categories with much better products. If the Bose headphones were say $45-$60, then MAYBE they would be something to consider. You however said you have a $150 budget so you deserve much much better for your money.

Same goes for their speakers, wave radios, cd players, etc.

[poomshanka]

I've been pretty happy with these, and have run across several audio engineers who swear by them. They're very efficient, and work nicely with everything from small portables to bigger home equipment. Nice price too:

http://www.etronics.com/product.asp?stk ... -1549508-2

I've tried the spendier, bulkier offerings Sony has, and just don't like them as much as the V6s. Definitely worth a listen, and if you get them at a local retailer that has a return policy, you can always take them back.

...Dave

[Shockwave]

I also vote for the Sony MDR-V6. They sound 95% as good as my super expenive Stax electrostatic headphones, and as good as the sennheiser 580 IMO while blocking outside noises a lot better. Not only that but they are only $80, they fold up, and are nearly indestructible.

-Eric

[Bove]

I use the Sennheiser 600... very, very nice sound. I prefer listening to them to using a pair of high quality speakers. They are great for home or recording studio use.