Advice on First Higher End Headphones

[Maxwell_P]

Hello  As the title states, I'm looking for some advice on my first pair of higher end headphones (about $200 or less). I have a few options I was considering after a bit of online searching, and I was wondering if anyone would be able to recommend some over the others, as well as answer a few questions about them. 

The headphones I am looking at so far are:

Audio-Technica M50X

Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pros

AKG K7XX (I know these are limited editions from Massdrop, but I have seen quite a few pairs on Amazon and have heard very positive reviews)

I listen to a lot of different music, from classical to heavy metal (DOOM 2016 soundtrack especially haha). I also enjoy atmospheric/Lo-fi type music as well. My main question is which one of these will give me the best music listening experience, as I do not do any content creation, and I don't care about how they are for gaming. Also, would an amp and dac be worth it for any of these headphones? If it would improve the audio I would not mind spending the extra money.

I apologize in advance if I left anything our am just being ignorant, these will be my first actually good headphones, pretty much the only thing I have used are $20 headphones from Walmart.

[DukeOLuke]

Audio-Technica M50X 

 Just saying i never bought high end headphones but ill just say that

[ramencupofjoy]

https://www.massdrop.com/buy/massdrop-sennheiser-hd6xx

happy hannukah
these cans are absolutely The Bomb, people plug these badboys into thousand dollar tube amps because of how well they scale
they work really well for your use case scenario, too
you will need to buy an amp though, just hit google up for some common pairings for these headphones

[Cereal5]

 

8 minutes ago, ramencupofjoy said:

https://www.massdrop.com/buy/massdrop-sennheiser-hd6xx

happy hannukah
these cans are absolutely The Bomb, people plug these badboys into thousand dollar tube amps because of how well they scale
they work really well for your use case scenario, too
you will need to buy an amp though, just hit google up for some common pairings for these headphones

I joined the HD6XX drop earlier today. I've been wanting a pair of either HD650s or HD700s, so I couldn't pass up the opportunity to get them at only $200. It's seriously like the best deal ever. However, the drop ends in something like 16 hours, so act fast if you want a pair. They don't come around super often.

[Max_Settings]

37 minutes ago, DukeOLuke said:

Audio-Technica M50X 

 Just saying i never bought high end headphones but ill just say that

M50X is total garbage.

 

Like everyone else said, get the HD6XX.

[GamerDude]

Disagree strongly with DukeOLuke, agree strongly with ramencupofjoy. Go for the M50X if you enjoy bass that overwhelms mids thus muddying the sound, or the HD6XX for a more balanced all-rounder......great for music, gaming (Not as wide soundstage as I'd have liked but good imaging, more than what I can say about the M50X) and movies. IF you were to get the M50X, it'd not scale well (if at all) even if you were to get better DAC stack/combo or amp. The HD6XX (like the HD600 and HD650) is a different animal, pair it with better audio gear and it'd scale well with such gear.

 

@Maxwell_PWill this can be used in a quiet environment where there's little to no extraneous noise? Will you be alone and not disturb anyone with the sound leak? If yes, then the HD6XX would be ideal. 

[Maxwell_P]

Ok, thank you! Yes, these will be used solely for at home listening, and generally when I am alone. The only noises around are my computer and the fan I have a few feet from my desk, and perhaps my cat haha. Thanks for all the help! I'll run over to the drop right now, and look into an amp/dac in the near future!

[Guest]

(A quality headphone) > (>$100 USD headphone amplifier). That’s @SSL ‘s sage advice. 

 

Can you afford 2 pairs of cans? 1 pr open-back and 1 pr closed-back. Different uses. Different strengths.

 

You also have house panthers!? I’d urge you to consider headphones that have replaceable cables. Om nom nom nom (over night or when their bored).

 

I picked up a pair of HD6xx (and they really are HD650 clones) at the beginning of summer. No buyer’s remorse. My elderly HD5... cans are still kicking. Believe the hype, eh.

 

I’m an unrepentant Schiit Audio fanboy (4 brushed aluminum boxes & counting...[Magni, ModiMB, Loki Mini, SYS]). Consider the Schiit Magni3 headphone amplifier. $99 USD + shipping. It lights up my cans like nothing else!

 

Buying a DAC? ... ... ... meh, I did. This year, I decided (audiophile toys) > (beer + [video game allowance]).  Metro Exodus will have to wait for a bit!