I NEED HEADPHONES....NOW

For your musical tastes and budget you are probably best off getting something like the Alessandro-Grado Music Series II (http://www.alessandro-products.com/) or the Grado SR-325, both of which are $300. The AGs are supposed to be a bit more neutral than their Grado cousins.

I have listened to Senn 580s, 600s, Etys, the Grado SR-60, and the AG Music Series Pro (cousin to RS-1)--for small small jazz and vocals the higher-end Grados are hard to beat.

Basically, Grados have incredible rhythm and microdynamics, give you an up-front, somewhat aggressive presentation, very transparent, very live.

Sennheisers are more laid-back, darker, cooler, much larger soundstage, and have an ease and loveliness about them that is wonderful in its own right. You can really sink into them and they are conducive to falling asleep in--the earpads are more comfortable than Grados. They benefit much more than Grados from a dedicated headphone amplifier like the above MG-Head, but they will still work well off a receiver or something (not too brilliantly on a portable CDP, though).

Etys are extremely detailed and precise and occupy a sonic medium between the above two headphones. The soundstage is smaller, though, because they fit in your earcanal. All deep bass is *heard* not *felt* for the same reason. They do provide excellent sonic isolation--23dB worth. If you ever intend to travel on airplanes with your headphones, these are the headphones for blocking out jet noise.

Hope that helps.

If you search around you might be able to get a pair of Grado RS 2 for $300. I did and I feel these are excellent cans. I never tire of listening to them.

I own both, Grado RS-1 and Senheissers HD600. Let me tell you that even the grados are twice the price of the HD600 I prefer the HD600 over the grados in all music genres. The HD600 are more neutral with a bigger sound stage and a bass as deep as the bass in the grados, but the bass in the HD600 is better because is faster and better controled than with the grados. I don't know why some people say tha the grados have better bass than the HD600, I find the bass in the grados slightly (just a bit) boomy in comparision with the HD600. I also find the sound in the grados a little coloured that is nice for some people, not for me. Anyway this is my point of view on these two cans. I also have the Musical Fidelity XCANv2 headphone amp, which I consider very good for the price. Good luck in your decision. Jorge.

I have a pair of Sennheiser HD 580's and a Pair of Denon AH-D750's. The Sennheiser's are great at low to mid listening levels, but the Denons handle alot more power and subsequently deliver more SPL. I listen to the Sennheisers when I'm in a relaxing mood listening to smooth jazz. But if I've had a few beers, and want to pump up the music L-O-U-D, then the Denon's are my choice.

Firstly, I suggest going to headwize.com and you will find an entire website dedicated to headphones. Use their search engine (if it is working) to save time.
If you re-read most of the recommendations for Sennheisers you will find that most who like them use a dedicated headphone amp, frequently with tubes. The only way I have liked the Sennheiser 580 or 600 is with an Earmax. This combination sounded terrific, but is much more than $300.
I prefer Grado's but I do not wish to bother with a dedicated headphone amp. I have Grado SR-80's and RS-2's and like them both. I just picked up a pair of Denon AHD 750's to try for summer listening (when the air conditioner is on) and they seem to sound good for a sealed can.