Open cans under $400

[vanwazltoff]

I currently own Audio Technica ATH-M50's and Grado SR80i's, but I just don't like my ATH-M50's, probably going to keep them around for backups/travel.

 

I have an unpopular opinion, but I don't really like my ATH-M50's, for most people its there first leap into the audiophile world, but my first set of audiophile cans were Grado SR80i's. The ATH-M50's feel way too closed off for me and have a very small and almost nonexistent sound stage compared to the SR80i's.

 

For gaming and movies I'll take off my ATH-M50's and go and find my SR80i's because they have a much more realistic experience. For music I also prefer my SR80i's, it feels like there is no down time or gaps between the notes with closed headphones, its like there is so much missing. Like a broken record I'll state that the sound stage for music just feels so closed off, also the mids are not very defined and can often go completely unnoticed (at least in quite a few songs I regularly listen to). 

 

Enough rambling on, I like open headphones and large sound stages. Some contenders I have thought about are Grado SR325i's, Grado RS2i's or Hifiman HE-400's. Open to suggestions, looking for an upgrade. 

 

 

 

[ShearMe]

Well, with a budget like that you're going to have hard time deciding....

[SirRoderick]

Sennheiser HD600's if you can get them at a reasonable price are pretty darn good. My friend has one of those and I do like to  *cough* borrow them when I go over there

 

I think the 650's have a little better bass response but they also cost a little over your budget, only just though.

[h264]

I currently own Audio Technica ATH-M50's and Grado SR80i's, but I just don't like my ATH-M50's, probably going to keep them around for backups/travel.

 

I have an unpopular opinion, but I don't really like my ATH-M50's, for most people its there first leap into the audiophile world, but my first set of audiophile cans were Grado SR80i's. The ATH-M50's feel way too closed off for me and have a very small and almost nonexistent sound stage compared to the SR80i's.

 

For gaming and movies I'll take off my ATH-M50's and go and find my SR80i's because they have a much more realistic experience. For music I also prefer my SR80i's, it feels like there is no down time or gaps between the notes with closed headphones, its like there is so much missing. Like a broken record I'll state that the sound stage for music just feels so closed off, also the mids are not very defined and can often go completely unnoticed (at least in quite a few songs I regularly listen to). 

 

Enough rambling on, I like open headphones and large sound stages. Some contenders I have thought about are Grado SR325i's, Grado RS2i's or Hifiman HE-400's. Open to suggestions, looking for an upgrade. 

 

Get the AKG K701/2s next

[ShearMe]

Get the AKG K701/2s next

 

I'd second this - they'll be more radically different than anything else.

[vanwazltoff]

Sennheiser HD600's if you can get them at a reasonable price are pretty darn good. My friend has one of those and I do like to  *cough* borrow them when I go over there

 

I think the 650's have a little better bass response but they also cost a little over your budget, only just though.

I've heard from a couple of people that SR325i's are better than HD650's

[MayflowerElectronics]

I've heard from a couple of people that SR325i's are better than HD650's

That's pretty subjective. HD 600's are a better value if you are looking into them.

[ShearMe]

I've heard from a couple of people that SR325i's are better than HD650's

 

That's a matter of opinion - everyone will have their favorite headphone.

[Aphexx]

get all the headphones.

 

welcome to the multiheadphone club

 

gotta catch em all

[OddballMV]

Shure 1440 are pretty good and cheap in the US.

[vanwazltoff]

get all the headphones.

 

welcome to the multiheadphone club

 

gotta catch em all

If I had that kind of money I would

[ShearMe]

If I had that kind of money I would

 

Well for $400, you kind of do.