who makes a good set of headphones


I'm in the market to buy a new set of headphones for my stereo system and would like some advice. I have been looking at the Grado 125, 225, 325's. I've heard they are pretty good. I am willing to spend $300-400. My other question concerns headphone amps? Are they necessary, and do they improve the sound just marginally or greatly. Any advice would be appreciated.
89lotus
I have a Musical Fidelity tube headphone amp with Grade sr 125 headphones. sounds very, very good; so good I wonder why I have these big speakers and amps sitting here since I am the only one that usually listens to the stuff.
MF Can ver2 amp and Sendheiser 600 headphones sound very very sweet. I changed the tubes to Amperex and it sounds even better.
if you need isolation buy the ety's, otherwise buy the $69 Grado's and start saving for the Grado RS-1's or the Stax. you will never regret it and the $69 Grado's are fantastic and will easily get you by while you save.
if you listen to much rock n roll the Stax may not do it for you. if I listened to mostly classical and/or acoustic jazz I'd have the Lambda's.

I've owned Grado 125'S, 225's and 325's but I swear the RS's blow the rest away by so great a margin that they are worth waiting for. the $69 grados are 85% as good as the more expensive models until you reach the rs-2's. then it's a leap!

I've used a lotta great headphone amps but believe that the 1st thing to do is to get killer phones. the grado's will blow you away even without an amp - even the $69 ones. then you can improve your source and amplification til the cows come home. have fun!
akg1000 are the best dynamic headphones.I also have grado rs-1 that I have used wth the cary 300sei.However the akg1000 is much better.The akg1000 have a wonderful organic sound with ahuge soundstage.The headroom web site is great resource for headphones...check it out.
All of the 'phones mentioned are of grat quality, I just would like to add that not only the sound, but also comfort is very important, so IMHO buying online would not be adviseable...

Satch.