Input Wanted in Making a Purchase

I am not sure if this kind of question is would fit in this forum, but here goes anyway. I am right on the edge of purchasing some really high quality headphones for listening to music and movies and stuff. I have always wanted something really really great for those purposes. I am thinking about a few options. I am really really leaning towards the Sennheiser HD 650 headphones. I also like the noise canceling aspect of the Bose QuietComfort 15 headphones. The Bose is probably not going to sound as good as the Sennheiser, but the Sennheiser is not noise canceling. I do not want to spend that much money on something that I am not ultimately going to like. I was looking for some input from you guys whom I trust. I am not talking about buying a pair of earbuds or a pair of $25 sony headphones. I want the best in bass reproduction, in lack of distortion, in smooth trebles that are not too bright. I want a full lively sound that really does come to life on the bass end without dropping out or distorting. I want the headphones that will allow me to hear the person putting their mouth on the mouthpiece. I want the headphones that will make me fall out of my chair when I hear the bass lines coming through. I want the headphones that make crisp clear distinctions in horn harmony like the Tuba Miram from Verdi's Requiem that surpass the effects given off from ecstasy and bring you into another realm. I want to have the greatest headphones in the world in the $300-$500 range. I do not want to pay $700-$1,500 for headphones. I can order the Sennheiser hd 650 on amazon for about 350 and I am definitely willing to do that. I would probably pay up to 500 for them if they sounded just like I want them to.

Also, I don't know if the noise canceling is going to be something that I really want and cannot do without or whether it is not really necessary if the sound is great. I am loving the noise canceling of the Bose headphones, but sometimes the bass is obviously distorted in some of my favorite pieces of music.

So, what do you guys like. Have any of you ever purchased headphones of this quality before? Do you guys have any experience with the Sennheiser brand? The Bose Quietcomfort line? Any other favorites?

B&W also makes some pretty kick-donkey headphones, and you can plug them into your iPhone and talk as well.

Subtle point but headphones will never be as good as full on speakers. And any of those massively expensive headphones are unlikely to really be that good. It is absolutely ridiculous (IMO) to spend $500 on headphones, which can break easily since they're worn on the head in heavy use. If you absolutely must splurge, get something from Bose or Senheiser.Either company will give you top-notch products at reasonable (and some not-so-reasonable) costs.

Bose and Sennheiser are probably the best around. I wouldn't spend a fortune on a pair - especially noise cancelling - It's bound to colour the audio and to be honest I can't see they justify the price (especially Bose!!). I use a pair of Sennheiser HD555 and for me, they strike a good balance between cost and quality.

I wouldnt pay too much for headphones as others already said. Consider buying good studio monitors instead! If you have enough money, you can even buy both good headphones and decent studio monitors. I also have the sennheiser HD555 and I am very pleased with them. You shouldn't (IMO) go more expensive than those, unless you really have too much money.

Oh, I know exactly what kind of speaker system I want. I want the Klipsch HD Theater 500 (HDT 500) Home Theater System. I love Klipsch. That system comes with the receiver, but is priced at $600. That is reasonable considering that it sounds amazing and gives you everything you need in surround sound. I think that Klipsch really knocks the socks off of Bose in the home theatre department.

I love listening to music on good headphones over speakers...it makes me feel like I'm in a different world. No one else hears it and the sound is right there, up close and personal. I love good headphones although I don't have the greatest. I can't make a recommendation to you as the best I have is a pair of the bose in ear headphones which I like but the quiet comforts are better. I also have a pair of Yamahas for studio use that are quite good but much flatter(intentionally)