I feel like i'm almost ready to get the DT990 Pro, but I just thought of another reason I might not want open. I might be getting a electronic drum kit in the near future, and in that case I could see the passive noise cancelling being an advantage.
What about the Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO?
I wouldn't recommend them. Well, of course it all depends on usage and desired sound, but the DT880 and DT990 are similar in characteristics, whereas the 770s kind of aren't. They're heavier on the bass and are overall not close to the neutral emphasis the 880 and 990 have. If you do wish to go for closed, there are several other alternatives I'd consider. I had a bout with this when I was figuring what headphones to bring to work. I didn't end up buying them, since I just started bringing my 880s everywhere I go. But I tried everything from M50, 770 and a lot of 100-200$ range. My clear favourite for this type of usage (wearing outside, closed, passive noise canceling) were the Shure 840. They're what, 150$? They sounded good, and while they might colour the sound, at least they do it consistently, and not just an outrageous amount of emphasis on the 20-50Hz, and muddy mids. They were generally heavier on the bass, but in a nice, comfortable way, that gives you a sort of.. Just imagine sitting in a heavy textured couch that you just sink into. It might not be your favourite chair, like these headphones wouldn't be my favourite pair, but damn it's a nice feeling once in a while.
If you are a studio guy, remember that closed is a big advantage when it comes to vocals. If noise bleeds out of the headphones, you will pick it up with a good mic. If you're concerned about hearing your own drumming against the electric kit through open headphones, I think there's no need to worry, even with open headset. Generally, healthy volume (think 40% lower volume than the average music listener uses today) will mask the drumming. I have never played an electronic kit with open headphones, though, so I can't say. I think the 880s would be a safe bet, anyway, for you. They've been my main set for the last 5 years (three iterations worth) and they sound great. The semi-open build will be a nice compromise for all the things you've set forth, and they generally considered to be top-tier, only beat by those pesky 1000$ headphones in many regards.
If I could indulge the thread for a moment, what are some of your guys' all time favorite headphone designs? I want to try my hand at designing and modeling some, and want to start with some good inspiration.
I have two design philosophies when it comes to headphones:
1) Aesthetically pleasing (form over function)
2) Engineering brilliance (function over form)
The first type are the types of headphones that are made to look. Urban Plattan is one example. Sleek design, vivid colours, I love them. I really wanted to get a pair just for their looks, but sadly, after giving away a pair as a christmas gift, I learnt that their sound are just going too far out of my way just for their looks. ATH ESW9A are definitely a pair of this type. What I wouldn't give for a pair of over-the-ear mahogeny-side-covered headphones (anybody know any with wood?). They just look fantastic, and to me they're an accessory more than headphones.
The second type are the types of headphones that are just built to be amazing headphones. I think Beyerdynamic really cover this. Their T1 is the epitome of their design. It's just like they're made by an engineer to be sturdy, be well made, and are just perfected to sound good, with sound first in mind. This is where the headphones just end up being a piece of art due to the engineering feat they are. Shure 840 are "good looking" by the same regard. I'm probably stepping on some toes, but the Sennheiser HD800 never did hit me as beauties. Probably just something about it being different proportions.
I'd say the T1 are a great example where form comes first, and the aesthetics fall into place because of it. And the Urban Plattan are the exact opposite. I just want them because they're of great design. The two things that are present in both of these are simplicity and knowing that the details are what makes it shine.
To see a cross of these two, try the Beyerdynamic headphone customizer, where you can choose the color and materials the parts of your headphones should be made of. You can wind up with some ridiculously sexy headphones there, where you can do that crazy color design on already existing works of engineering beauty.
There are some headphones out there that are the typical over-designed, over-priced, self-alleged avant garde stuff. They just come across as something only someone with too much money and not enough understanding would buy. Like Bang&Olufsen. Don't strive to emulate those.
