Need to replace/upgrade headphone. Most neutral/acureate/detailed Sub-$500 choice?

[Lunatique]

My Sennheiser HD555 just got it's right side blown (one of my Samson C-Control's been overloading sporadically on its own for no reason. It also blew one of my subwoofers. It even makes a loud buzzing sound by itself when it happens--the volume meter is full red and it sometimes is only in short bursts, and sometimes very long bursts, and only way to stop it is to turn it off).

Anyway, so now I'm looking to replace the HD555. I'd like to get something that sounds as close to my K+H O 300D's as possible (I've heard that Sennheiser HD650/600 comparison to K+H before, and I kind of understand. I feel that too with my HD555, except the K+H is more extended at both ends). I'm only interested in open-back designs since I already have the AT M-50 as my go-to closed-back tracking headphones.

In general I have a hard time tolerating any kind of over-brightness and shrillness, as I find it fatiguing, irritating, and uncomfortable. If I absolutely had to settle for either shrillness or bloated/muddy bass, I would grudgingly pick bloated/muddy bass as the lesser evil, mainly because it doesn't bore into my skull like sharp shards of sonic knife that shrillness does (it's more like getting pounded on the head with large pillows--still uncomfortable, but not as painful).

The contenders I have been considering are:

AKG K702 - I like that it's got a detachable cable over the 701, since I'm a klutz and often trip over/pull out stuff by accident. I like that the AKG has auto-adjusting headband, since I'm a little annoyed with accidentally altering the headband size when I pull on the cans. I'm a little concerned that they might be too bright since some people have said that they sound a lot like the Beyerdynamic DT880, and I thought the DT880/770 were too bright. Some also said the bass is lacking, but I have to wonder if it's really lacking or it's simply not bloated/hyped.

Sennheiser HD650 - I'm very comfortable with the Sennheiser signature sound, and I loved my HD555. From the frequency graph at headphone.com, it seems it's very similar to the HD555 in the rolled off treble, and it's got a bit more bass bloat/hype.

Sennheiser HD600 - I've tested it against the HD555 years ago, and they were so similar, with the HD600's treble not as rolled off like the HD555. I would have no problem with the HD600 since I'm already so comfortable with the HD555 already.

My heart is leaning towards K702 since I'd like to try a different brand just to experience a wider variety, and also I like the auto-adjusting headband. I know all three cans sound amazing, are very comfortable, and all are worthy reference quality cans, so it's really hard to pick.

Your advice?

[tapehiss]

Grados!!!!!!!!!!

see atlas pro audio

[Shy]

I've used the HD600 for a long time but I find the K 701 much better in every way, much more accurate and amazing for actual mixing and even mastering (along with monitors). They're the only headphones I've ever used that could actually give me balanced results, no hyped frequencies, etc. There are headphones with a "smoother" high frequency response (K 701 have somewhat of a hole in a few places), like even HD600, but overall the response is much more accurate with the K 701 and the results in comparison with HD600 (and any other model I've used) speak for themselves for me.

[NWSooner]

I really like my Ultrasone Pro 2500's.

[Unclenny]

Originally Posted by NWSooner

I really like my Ultrasone Pro 2500's.

Me too.

Well......I like mine. Bet yours sound just as good, though.

[Lunatique]

Originally Posted by Shy

I've used the HD600 for a long time but I find the K 701 much better in every way, much more accurate and amazing for actual mixing and even mastering (along with monitors). They're the only headphones I've ever used that could actually give me balanced results, no hyped frequencies, etc. There are headphones with a "smoother" high frequency response (K 701 have somewhat of a hole in a few places), like even HD600, but overall the response is much more accurate with the K 701 and the results in comparison with HD600 (and any other model I've used) speak for themselves for me.

So you don't find 701 too bright and fatiguing on some material. I've seen comments in the past about the 701 sounding a lot like the Beyerdynamic DT880, which I found to be too bright on some material.

[FireMoon]

The AKGs 701s are not forgiving of the amp that drives the. They sit on the edge of the territory where, they almost need a proper amp to do them justice. Stick them on a cheap headphone socket and they will do exactly that, make it sound like a cheap headphone socket. Stick them through, even something as cheap as a PIMETA and, lo the bass appears about an octave deeper and the hi mids show you exactly what is there..

The Sennheisers are more forgiving of a source and headphone amp, the AKGs simply give you back what you stick into them, it's up to you to decide whether you want accuracy or euphony

[pendejo]

I find the 701s harsh and bass shy. This is with a Benchmark H1. Still using my HD 280.