Headphones- need some help

[bumpnzx3]

I ordered the following DAC/amp for the office and I may use it at home some also. I ordered the fully upgraded version (I got in on a group buy- the fully upgraded version for a little less than the standard unit). http://www.hippohifi.com/products/bloat/bloat.html.

I wanted to keep the cost of my entire setup to no more than $300. I've spent a shade less than $200 on the DAC/amp- which leaves me with ~$100 for cans. I have it narrowed down to 4 and I need some help from there.

Grado SR80, Senn HD280, and the AKG K141S or K240S.

I listen to a broad range of music, but more folk/acoustic than anything (Ray LaMontagne, Alexi Murdoch, Donovan Frakenritter, etc..). I like crisp/bright sound, within reason. I would like to keep the sound outside of the phone down to a reasonable level- I would like to be able to turn the volume up a little, but not bother those around me at work. I am leaning towards one of the AKG cans- a good compromist between a full open and an enclosed can- not to mention good reviews.

[tonyvdb]

AKG tends to be the choice for recording studios. I have several pair lying around from the late 80's that still sound as good as they did when new. Grado and Sennheiser both make a great product as well it comes down to your taste and what you want to hear, Have fun shopping.

[bumpnzx3]

I was already leaning towards the AKG's- thanks for the push. One thing you may be able to help me with since I am new to headphones- how much sound escapes an open (or semi open in the case of the AKG's)? Should bothering my co-workers be a concern? I don't blast my music really loud- but I do turn up the volume on occasion. Would the sound escape more than say a standard cheapie heaphone that comes with a mp3 player or personal cd player?

[tonyvdb]

bumpnzx3 wrote:

how much sound escapes an open (or semi open in the case of the AKG's)? Should bothering my co-workers be a concern?

It depends on how quiet it is on your office, The semi open design will alow more to escape than a fully closed design BUT the AKG's will let less out than a cheap pair of headphones and will sound much better at lower volumes.

[bumpnzx3]

There's always random chatter going on around me. As long as the escaping sound isn't going to be more than a standard set of cheapies- I don't really care. Thanks!!

[bumpnzx3]

had a chance to listen to some '06 model Beyerdynamic DT660's last night. has anyone had a chance to hear those in order to fill me in on the differences between those and the akg k270 or the senn hd280?