Peter,

I've had the Sennheiser HD600 headphones for over a decade. I began recommending them to musicians (in person and on the internet) from the day I got them. At first it was a hard sell (cost), but the word has gotten around.


I have at least 10,000 hours listening experience with the Sennheiser HD600's.

(This is where you conclude that they are incredibly comfortable.)


The phones go around the ear, but have an open back. Therefore, they are not suitable for a vocalist while recording (lack of isolation).

They are perfect for late-at-night listening. If someone is seated right next to you in a quiet environment, and you have them turned up loud, there will be some tinny sound audible to them.

They are completely neutral.

You will appreciate them the first time you put them on, but you wll appreciate them much more 6 months down the road. (After 6 months, those nagging little response problems will grate on you. In the Sennheiser HD600's there are none.)

The bass response is stunning. It will probably be shocking to you, because it is so clean.


You'll probably never have a burning desire to buy, for either comfort or fidelity, another set of phones, .



The cord is very light, nearer in weight to a mp3 player ear bud cord than the old-timey shielded coaxial cord.

The phones come in a form-fitting cardboard case.

They're really well made, but they're not made for throwing on a table or the floor. I've done this with many other phones, but never with the HD600's. In fact, I put them back in the case each time when I'm through with them.

Sennheiser's support of their headphone products is incredible. Based on past performance, if you need another cord, or ear covers, 20 or 30 years from now, you'll be able to get those things.


DRIVERS:

They will sound great if driven from a (Sony) portable CD player. (But not nearly as great as they can sound.)

I would not drive these with a $200 multichannel receiver (garbage). But if you have a nice receiver you will be ecstatic with the sound.

(You can, of course, spend thousands on the driver electronics. These headphones will actually support you in that expenditure, but (obviously) with diminishing returns.)


.RECOMMENDATIONS:

Currently, the Sennheiser HD800 headphones ($1400) are thought to be the best available.

Previously, the Sennheiser HD650 headphones ($650) got that praise. (2nd in the Sennheiser line)

Prior to that, the Sennheiser HD600 headphones ($520) were universally so acclaimed. (3rd in the Sennheiser line)

The street prices (South American River prices were the only ones I checked) were significantly lower. (The guys at Headroom say they will match any price from an authorized dealer.)

The HD650 and HD600 are both in your (street) price range. Either would be great. I'd get the HD650's. I wouldn't even consider getting a lesser Sennheiser model than the HD600's, based on my listening experience.

USEFUL LINKS:

(BTW, Headroom is a great company; those guys are REALLY serious about headphones (and they carry them all).


http://www.headphone.com/selection-guide/top-picks/top-picks-for-audiophiles.php

http://www.headphone.com/headphones/sennheiser-hd-800.php (for edification and comparison, only)

http://www.headphone.com/headphones/sennheiser-hd-650.php

http://www.headphone.com/headphones/sennheiser-hd-600.php



When I got the Sennheiser HD600 headphones, it seemed like so much money, even if they were rated the best commercially available headphones in the world.

Within a year, I thought they were the biggest audiophile bargain of my life.

I still feel that way!


Hope you find the headphones that are right for YOU!