A new audio setup

[IamPinhead]

So, as the title suggests, I'm thinking of getting new headphones and a portable amp as a graduation present. So, I decided I would go to the tech-savvy Pavilion for audio advice. I'm not an audiophile or rich, so anything that totals >$160 is out of the question. I need headphones with good bass, isolation and sound stage. I'd like a portable amp that isn't going to cost an arm, a leg, and 12 pints of virgin blood to obtain. So far, I've looked at:
Headphones:
Audio Technica MD-50
Audio Technica PRO700
Equation RP-21/22x
Haram K18DJ/Pro 1
Denon 1001k
Sennheiser HD-25
Amps
FiiO E3
FiiO E5
Beringer Micromon HA400
I currently have JVC Rx-900s, and I'd like to find a pair of headcans similar in overall emphasis and isolating quality.

[The_Real_Crunk]

Ive got Senhieser HD 228's and they are pretty awesome for $100. They arent too huge, or too small, and they sound great. They also keep all the noise in your head so people around you dont hear your music unless you really crank it up really loud, and they dont drown everything out in tons of bass like alot of other big expensive headphones seem to do. They have just the right amount of bass.

At least to me anyway.

Senhieser makes great headphones.

Heres the HD 228 headphones that I have.
http://www.sennheiser.ca/live/senn/produit/en/1019/43

Heres their list of headphones.
http://www.sennheiser.ca/live/senn/type/en/1

Also, portable amps for portable music devices like mp3 players are a waste of money. They are audiophile bait.

[Alex]

I've heard a lot of good things about the HD-25's. Almost snagged a pair.

Instead I got the Grado SR-60 (http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=grado+sr+60&hl=en&cid=3405044689788078144&ei=whXuS9KoN5-ejgSezr37CA&sa=title&ved=0CAcQ8wIwADgA#p)'s for half the price. I love them, excellent sound, with natural bass, but they're open so everyone can hear what you're listening to.

And yeah. Most headphones out there don't need extra amplification. But whatevs.

[IamPinhead]

Also, portable amps for portable music devices like mp3 players are a waste of money. They are audiophile bait.
Depends on the impedance of the headphones. For high-enders, amps are a must since I'm almost 100% portable. Sennheisers have a ridiculous amount of resistance, and because of that flaw I'll need an amp so my Zune's power isn't cut down even worse (it's already almost two years old and I use it constantly).
It also depends on the amp you're getting. FiiOs are really good at improving quality and power usage. My friend Dan is an audiophile, and at one point he had an $800 (300$ cable, $300 Sennheiser HD-650, $250+ Compass DAC) setup. He later SOLD his 650s (I screamed when I heard that), and currently has a pair of Denon 2000s. I can hear the difference from when he's using them with and without the Compass. But for portables, amps provide better volume for power consumption, which is something for which I'm looking. I'm aware that using an amp around 1/10th the price of Dan's Compass is going to decrease the improvement, but it's something I'd like to have considering the impedance difference between my JVCs and the range on which I've settled.
I love them, excellent sound, with natural bass, but they're open so everyone can hear what you're listening to.
I've never heard anything bad about the Sr-60's, in fact pretty much every audiophile can tell you they're overall good headphones for their price. But that openness is a problem for me, and is almost enough for me not to want a pair of Sennheisers despite their famous quality.

[Perversion]

A few years ago, we carried Sennheisers (entry/midrange) at my place of employment. When they went closeout, I purchased all three types we carried (regular, noise cancelling, and earbuds). I like them quite a bit. Not sure about the model you listed, but there are times in a quiet room where I've heard things on an album (CD/MP3) that I've never previously heard before through these headphones. And these albums were ones I've heard many, many times before.


So I can throw another vouch for Sennheiser.

[Cutter De Blanc]

get some bose bro

[IamPinhead]

get some bose bro

http://biobreak.files.wordpress.com/2009/10/facepalm.jpg

[Perversion]

Might...might this be the first time I've ever agreed with Pinhead?

[Cutter De Blanc]

I just do it for the reaction. :)

[Chrono]

Bose sound quality can be good, but their prices are ridiculous. My brother had a set of Bose headphones, they sounded great but they were cheaply made. The chord and jack were no different than $5 earbuds. The wire-thin chord quickly separated from the jack. I use Sennheiser HD 280. Sound quality is good and it's durable.

[The_Real_Crunk]

BOSE is awesome if you enjoy spending $300 on a pretty average product.

[IamPinhead]

BOSE is awesome if you enjoy spending $300 on a pretty average product.

http://www.upenn.edu/computing/provider/pda/images/iphone/iPod_Touch.jpg
Never heard of such a thing Crunk, could you elaborate?

[Alex]

Hur hur iPod touches are average.