Well Bro Anthem,
Have you decided anything? Tried any, listened to any cans yet? You have excellent taste, wonderful hearing it seems,
SOOOO I am waiting to see what you decide on.
Tell us.
I just hope Thelma Lou doesn't get jealous.
God Bless,
Wayne

Wayne:
If what Moderator says about Goldenear coming out (eventually) with headphones, I may wait.
Three years ago I picked up a pair of Grado SR60's (Stereophile recommended)...fantastic midrange.
I use them in my bedroom system which consists of an Anthem AVM 30 processor and Denon DVD-2910.

Keep the recommendations coming. If Goldenear drags their feet to long I may pull the trigger on something else.

Hey Buddy,
I MIGHT be seriously wrong, but I THINK you need to start auditioning something else.
Course there is a LOT to like about the Grados.
Does Thelma Lou have a headphone jack? IF so, have you tried the Grados there?
Blessings,
Wayne

Wayne: like I said, this is my bedroom setup (preamp, CD player & headphones) no speakers.
Thelma Lou doesn't have a headphone jack. I don't want or need a headphone jack in my main system. Headphones are for the bedroom system only. I use them 10-15 minutes each night. They are nice sounding headphones with a sweet midrange.

Seems like I can't go more then a couple years without upgrading.

Hey Anthem,
I understand the need to upgrade if anybody does. And I am not saying that you can't do better than the Grados. But there is quite a price to pay for better than them.
Maybe, and this is just a maybe, a nice little tube headphone amp in the bedroom is just the ticket, run your Grados outta it, then later, when you save some more and NEED to upgrade again, get some ortho headphones. They will HAVE to have a headphone amp.
Just a thought,
Blessings,
Wayne

Do you need open or closed phones? Open- other people can hear your music.

My #1 open phone would be Sennheiser HD 598 about $200 most comfortable in my collection! Unique color combo but I like it.
#2 open-Audio Technica ATH-AD 700 about $100 great value very comfortable but big. Again purple color not for everyone.

Closed: Audio Technica ATH-M50-good bass
Shure SRH 840
both used in studios-very neutral

I have Grado 225-great sound but on ear-all the others are around ear. I can only wear these for 30 min. before they kill my ears.