Hey all. Not sure if this is where I should post this but here goes anyway.

After about 3 years of rockin the Bose AEs I've decided it's time for an upgrade. I'm looking for over-ear closed-back with a little more emphasis on bass than neutral, and I don't care nearly as much about active noise cancelling as I do sound quality. Comfort for long periods of time is also extremely important, since I'll be using these during 12 hour live/online poker sessions, flights, train rides, etc. I want to get the best cans I can buy up to ~$400.

I did some research today and after reading a bunch of reviews it seems like these models have made my short list, so if anyone can provide more input on any of these that would be great:

Bose QC 15
Bowers & Wilkins P7
NAD VISO HP-50
PSB M4U 1 or 2
Sony MDR-1R
V-Moda Crossfade M-100

It seems like most of these are pretty comfortable for most people and have very high sound quality, but according to reviews the only ones with more punch in bass or the M-100s and the ones with the best overall sound quality are the M4U 1s. the QC 15s also have the best NC in the market but I just want some opinions on the sound quality, because I just like how the Bose phones I have managed to hold up for this long.

For what it's worth, I listen to anything from all kinds of rap/hip hop to disco to Metallica to Tchaikovsky, and I'll do it on Spotify, Youtube, or on my phone if I've walking around, etc (if it matters for sound quality). I also have big nerdy dumbo ears if you think it'll effect comfort, although my ears never hurt if I've had the Bose AEs on all day.

Any help you guys could give we would be greatly appreciated. Thanks a lot!

Sennheiser

Sony MDR-7506

I too have big dumb nerdy ears and these are the best sounding cans I've come across yet. No NC necessary as these will swallow your ears with the bass I think you're looking for. Sony has literally made these for decades with no change to the speakers because they're so dead on. The only flaw is will you eventually need these, as recent iterations have cheaper foam pads which tear easily (because they're so soft).

Sennheiser Momentum

http://www.head-fi.org/products/sennheiser-momentum

http://store.sony.com/gsi/webstore/W...KU=27-MDR10RNC

Dig these . Check em out!

I got the Sony MDR-V6 headphones 3 years ago and they changed how I listen to and make music. They are very similar to the MDR-7506, so I'd advise anyone to get either model. Pros have been using them for decades. And they're very cheap compared to other brands.

Comfort level is about an 8/10 for me. There are a few rare times where my ears get annoyed and I need a break, but I'm wearing them 50 hours a week. My ears aren't that big though. I think the 7506's have bigger pads but I can't remember. They might be the safer bet.

The sound is neutral, so there's no bias to any specific frequency. The bass is real nice.

Depending on what you're using now, you might end up hearing a million new things you didn't know were in the songs you listened to. These things are very sensitive and accurate. You'll be hearing what the artist intended you to hear. My favorite songs have way more layers and depth than I previously realized.

I find it interesting that BEYER never made your list, given that they've been fairly standard reference phones for years?

I need some new headphones too, glad I saw this thread, I was leaning towards some sennheiser hd25, my friend has them and they sound great, and are pretty comfy.

Jam wireless at BBB for $50.. save the extra $350. wtf do you need a $400 headphone for? jesus, what a ****ing waste.

DON'T GET THE BOSE QC 15. **** hurts my ears after 20 min, like physically the outer ear.

And if you really want the Bose QC (maybe I have weird shaped ears?), I'll sell em to ya for $100. I pawned them for $50, so we both win and the ****in pawn sharks lose.

http://www.amazon.ca/Audio-Technica-.../dp/B000ULAP4U

Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Professional Headphones. You won't regret it.

the only headphone you've listed I've not tried was the qc 15, but if it was anything like the qc 25 then it would be my least favourite of that list.
I owned the nad hp50's for a while but ended up giving up on it as my portable can because the B&O H6 I think sounds better and doesn't have the frankenstein look, if you can afford it I suggest those, I've had both the v1 and v2 and given you like bass I'd suggest the v2
I liked the psb's v1's a fair bit they're designed by the same guy as the nad's also, I approve of the mdr 1r and 1a, I thought the v-moda's were ok, better than the m50x which some suggested.
I've also got big dumbo ears, mine stick out, I've only found 4 headphones that don't touch my ears period beyerdynamic t1, sennheiser hd 700 & 800 & and the audeze lcd series.