Does your 150-250 dollar budget include an amplifier? (Possible future purchase)   It sounds like you want to eventually go with an amp. If that isn't the case, then I urge you to take a good hard look at Grados. My 225s are pretty awesome with the sort of indie you listed, and I can...

They all offer a boost in volume. but a good amplifier will have more power available, offering a more controlled sound. Amps with little improvement may be called volume boosters I suppose.    There are a lot of factors that go into an amp improving your sound quality, and some of it has a...

Quote: QFT.    I don't know if they sound much better with an amp, but my guess is yes. I'll have to get my friend to let me audition them again soon. Will let you know.    However, I'm big on portable dac/amps for value. Most everyone now does at least some listening over a...

I was a little worried about that one. This thread mentions Kreyshawn and not Dessa. :)

Quote: I did the same when I read Kreyshawn.

Don't think that because the Beats aren't well regarded on head-fi that they sound awful. Try to find a way to enjoy those phones. I would think that you're not going to notice an improvement over your $400 Beats by going to a <$200 headphone. They aren't bad headphones. Just not what head-fi...

Wal-mart's insistence on censorship is a deal breaker for buying music there for me. I refuse to support that particular business practice.      I found Fiona Apple's Extraordinary Machine for $4.99 at Best Buy. I don't think it has to make you old to find your music for cheap.

I figure you folks would be rather interested in a stream of the new Fiona Apple album. It's pretty magnificent. Find it here: http://www.antiquiet.com/news/2012/06/fiona-apple-idler-wheel-full-album-stream/

How did you do that?! **** you Lucy was on when I loaded this thread. iTunes is on shuffle. That's one good coincidence! A very strange song to cover like that, but it works well. 

I just got to see Nicole Atkins open for Fountains of Wayne. While I wasn't too big on Fountains of Wayne, I did get an incredible set from Nicole Atkins. If you get the opportunity to see her, don't miss it. Here's a vid from the actual show someone behind me took.  And a week before that...

They have less parts to them, so in most cases yes. Depends on the engine too. Which one in particular?

One of my favorite female singers, Diane Birch, did a cover EP with that track on it.    Oops looks like UMG obliterated it from the youtubes.     Quote:  

A trick I've used with isolating IEMs or cans is to start at the lowest volume level you can still get the effect from and work your way down over the next few songs. Your ears will adjust to the levels and you will get better details and protect your hearing over long listening sessions.

Quote:   Haha yes! It's been like 3 months since i've been on head-fi. I was worried that all the lady gaga fans were tired of being shunned!