Good Headphones

If you are shopping for new headphones in the price range of $200 and higher, its hard to go wrong. At these higher prices you are going to get excellent sound quality no matter what. There are, however, certain attributes that differentiate some of these headphones from the rest. I believe that the Sennheiser HD 600 headphones are the best headphones you can buy in this price range. This product review written by Michael Mikesell tells it all:

"Sennheiser seals its reputation as the classiest name in headphones with the stunning HD600, a stylish and high-tech headphone that's exquisitely pleasing to listen to and nearly as pleasing to wear. A near-perfect mating of art and science, the HD600 uses an open, over-ear design to eliminate unwanted resonances and optimally position its large, dynamic drivers just outside your ears--so they work more like miniature speakers than traditional in-ear or against-ear drivers...

The Sennheiser HD600, we're here to tell you, manages--through its extremely high-grade parts and exquisite engineering--to bring home truly full-range sound with remarkable timbral balance. Rich, deep, effortless bass grounds the listening experience while the headphone's airy midrange and treble help render everything from acoustic bass to soprano saxophone and electric guitars with a haunting degree of realism." --Michael Mikesell

The Sennheiser HD600 headphones are as good as it gets when looking for headphones and although they list for $520, you can find them on this page for about $315.

The HD 595 is the top-of-the-line headphone of the audiophile 500 series range, boasting a new level of comfort and sound quality. Features include our E.A.R. technology and a highly constant,compressed cellulose fleece to reduce total harmonic distortion. Velour ear pads and high-quality leatherette headband both provide outstanding comfort.

Features:

Closed, around-the-ear design blocks outside noise
Good attenuation of ambient noise
Lifelike stereo sound experience
Ergonimic design provides comfortable fit
Includes a storage pouch and extension cable for added length and protection
Rich crisp bass response and faithful dynamic audio reproduction
Advanced acoustic system with powerful neodymium magnets and lightweight diaphragms
Powerful bass and increased signal levels for modern rhythm-driven music
Gold Plated plugs and 6.3mm stereo adaptor allows for excellent connectivity
2-year warranty

With lightweight construction, these open-air headphones offer a completely natural listening experience. A lightweight honeycomb aluminum casing and magnesium frame structure keep the phones featherweight. The sound is smooth and relaxed, with deep resonating bass and vocal projection. The self-adjusting wing support automatically adjusts to your head size for listening comfort even during long sessions. A straight cord at the left earpiece terminates to a mini plug with included 1/4-inch adapter.

Air Dynamic (open) headphones produce clear and natural sounds, with deep resonating bass and vocal projection. This design doesn't put a sense of pressure on the ears, resulting in a completely natural sensation. These headphones are ready for those all-day sessions, offering plenty of comfort. The icing on the cake are the soft and comfy velvet ear-fitting pads.

Large-aperture 53 mm drivers with neodymium magnet systems and CCAW voice coils provide superior sound reproduction. A high-quality hybrid PCOCC and titanium alloy cord is ready for daily wear and tear. A gold-plated stereo 1/8-inch (3.5 mm) connector completes the package, with a 1/4-inch (6.3 mm) adapter.

Focusing more on the lower frequencies and offering a powerful bass response, the Sennheiser HD 428 on-ear headphones sound as good as they are styled, with a dark rubber coating providing a rugged, sporty design. The closed-back design blocks ambient noise for use on-the-go, or at your home studio. The rubberized outer shell features a unique crosshair design, which adds to the durability of the headphones.

You'll get powerful bass-driven stereo sound thanks to the headphone's neodymium magnets, and the single-sided cable stays tangle-free, making it easy to use and store. For perfect sound on a home hi-fi system, the HD 428 comes with a gold-plated 6.3 mm stereo adapter.