I've got that itch to try a different headphone and hoping to get something I want to keep for a long time. I find I very easily develop listening and comfort fatigue, the former of which I think is mostly due to treble issues. I'm hoping to find something I finally don't want to EQ, because that isn't always available. Closed headphones would be nice for isolation purposes and being polite while others sleep, but that's not a necessity. I have some possible candidates in mind, but I wanted to see what others might recommend based on what I've heard before (in no particular order):

1. Paradox, Mad Dog 3.2, Alpha Dog - First, I want to note that I have yet to find some iteration of the T50RP that I don't want to EQ the treble on. They all seem to have some sort of emphasis around 9-10KHz and have a certain treble quality to them that can get to me after a while. The Paradox was the most well-rounded of the bunch from what I can remember, but I did like that the Mad Dog was a tad bit more laid-back. It was decent enough until the latest revision, which I'm actually quite happy with overall. Still, I have to EQ the Mad Dog as well and can find it a bit too much at times. The Alpha Dog just killed me around 5KHz and 10KHz. Was not a smooth, comfortable listening experience with heavier material like Opeth or even some "energetic" bands like Radiohead (post-OK Computer, In Rainbows is my favorite album). However, I did like how the Alpha Dog handled bass relative to the Mad Dog...more control and authority, cleaner. I think my favorite was the Alpha Dog with a decent amount of EQ to those treble spots.

None of these really do it for me in terms of comfort. 1 hour and I'm out. Head hurts too much. I always had to apply additional cushioning to these headphones. I'm most sensitive at the top of my head.

2. AKG K702 65th AE - Not bad, not super great. It was a bit less cohesive (more lo-fi?) sounding than a good T50RP mod, but that's not the problem. It had some sort of spike around 2KHz that I could not deal with. Smooth that out and it was a pretty agreeable headphone. Fairly comfortable overall, though the pads hindered that (scratchy and just didn't fit quite perfectly).

3. HE-500 - Sometimes I put this on and love it, sometimes I just don't know what to think, and sometimes it just hurts my ears. Sometimes it sounds nice and full, other times it sounds thin. It doesn't help that it's ergonomics aren't designed for the human head, weighs a good bit, and has no cushioning to help support it. The jergpads really helped out with the sound, but I still find them too tizzy and bright. EQing down that hump that starts around 6-7KHz helps a lot. The jergpad-ish/modded alpha pads I tried on it greatly help with comfort (not eliminate) and also help give a more laid-back, warm sound while also really helping the soundstage and overall openness to the sound. The downside is that the sound takes on a little bit lighter quality to it.

4. HD598 - Been a while since I've heard these (about 2 years), but I remember loving how open and natural they sounded. They could occasionally sound a little thin and boring with some of my music, but generally this was not an issue. Not too many complaints otherwise. Based on measurements, better THD and less scratchy pads would be nice.

5. HM5/FA-003 - Nope. Can't even describe it, but it was just nope to my ears. At least the pads are nice...

Thoughts and suggestions? Current candidates include HD600/650, Sony MA900, LCD-2...I know the LCD-2 has that mid/treble shelf, but that might actually be what I need. On the other hand, I'm not sure about comfort. I do prefer a darker sound over a brighter sound. A little bit of extra bass or mid-bass is not an issue, but too little can be.

I've got that itch to try a different headphone and hoping to get something I want to keep for a long time. I find I very easily develop listening and comfort fatigue, the former of which I think is mostly due to treble issues.

Thoughts and suggestions? Current candidates include HD600/650, Sony MA900, LCD-2...

I find the MA900 to be very comfortable (of course they have zero isolation), and a very good value per dollar.  They give a wonderful sense of open space, and I find that it is fun to listen to favorite music on them, as they provide a different perspective.

I'm not sure how they would fit your treble requirements, although I don't find them bright (but I also don't find the Alpha Dogs bright either).  They are sometimes "grainy" and at other times not at all, it is hard to figure out why.  The timbre is a weak point (similar to the Vali amp in that sense).

But a prolific Head-Fi'er with neck pain changed to the MA900 solely because they are so light - so if you have those sorts of problems the MA900 might work for you.

Have you considered IEMs - zero pressure on the top of your head !

My current headphones are Alpha Dog, Mad Dog 3.2, and MA900 and I plan to keep those until they are replaced by something better.  I have HE400, but I am packing those to put up for sale (I'll probably put a notice in the appropriate place here in case a pirate is looking for a mint used pair).

How do you find the MA900 compares to the MD3.2? My main problem is pain on the top of my head. The fatigue on my neck and such doesn't come until much later.

They are way different in almost every way.  Open vs Closed, big open soundstage vs shallow soundstage, lively vs controlled, poor timbre vs excellent timbre, very lightweight vs slightly more than average weight.

If you are only talking about the physical comfort aspect, then the MA900 are one of the lightest in weight.  Clamping force is about zero.

See

http://www.head-fi.org/t/663121/sony-mdr-ma900-appreciation-thread

Moody,

I suspect you'll get lots of answers to your different questions, so I'll just offer a little bit to start;

Two things you gain with a CIEM are portability and isolation.  No full sized, especially the so called flag ships, will isolate as well as a good fitting CIEM.  Portability, well, no brainer there, right?  I have commuted with ill sized cans, but I don't they ever compare to CIEMs for isolation and ease of use on the move.  Same goes for air travel, where I use them a lot.

In my opinion the difference between proper fitting customs and the "universal" demos is pretty big.  I think a lot of the custom magic is that seal and the optimized delivery in the earl canal.  Good fitting customs will not loose a seal unless you are doing something extreme.  Remember, the origins of customs is with performers, who move, jump, dance, and make all kinds of really strange faces!  The fit is really good for most.

Sorry I mean no disrespect, but I can not imagine what people exactly call MA900's soundstage. I have owned them around 4-5 months alongside with HD598 and HD650 and compared it to DT880. First of all they have very distorted bass and when some bass notes is hitting you have two bummy speaker on your ear. compared to Senns vocal is very close to you ear and creates impression that someone whispering in your ear.

For the price like 140-150$ and low-moderate listening volume they are great buy. If you need phone to plug in your laptop and chill out, yes sure, but not Hi-fi can.

HD650 is good but not great. bass is still distorted but you will notice it mainly if you crank volume up (and sometimes I like to listen that way) HD598 is kind a cool phone compared to 650, less bass, more distortion, BUT very airy sounding. Hence I am keeping both