[xiaolinmonk]

Hello all,
 
I am trying to decide between 3 headphones. All of them are Sennheiser. Urbanite XL, Momentum and the HD 598's.
I am not quite an audiophile, but I very much do enjoy my music. My current cans are the HD 518's but the left driver is starting to buzz/pop during bassy parts of songs.
I typically listen to my cans  3 to 5 hours each day and now that it is snowing out here in MI I usually wear them while I am out shoveling the driveway.
 
I listen to mostly Country/Acoustic music right now, but I am also into Rock, Rap and Pop. Honestly I listen to all genres. I like the over the ear headphone style as well.
Everything I have read is pointing me to the HD 598's but the only real thing holding me back is they are the open-aire style cans like my HD 518's. Which is not a bad thing, but sometimes I would prefer no one hear what I am listening to.
 
What do you guys think? What would you guys choose?
 
Also I was doing some searching on the forums here and I read something about someone doing a break-in on headphones? Is this necessary? If so, what exactly does it do and should I do it with my new pair?
 
My final set of questions are about Amps, and DAC's. 
I had a FiiOS E11 for my HD 518's. I stopped using it because I could not really notice a difference and it just made my phone bulkier. 
 
I am currently looking at Schitt products.
 
Amp: Schitt Vali - $119 - http://schiit.com/products/vali
DAC: Schitt Modi 2 - $99 - http://schiit.com/products/modi-2
PreAmp: Schitt: SYS - $49 - http://schiit.com/products/sys
 
I was considering getting these 3 items for my headphone setup on my PC.
Will these headphones benefit from this or am I just going to be wasting ~$300 dollars.
 
Thank you guys for your time and help!

 

[Peeko2]

I can tell you the 598's were the first audiophile headphone I ever purchased and they were arguably the most comfortable. Being that you're not an audiophile you will probably be blown away by their sound, I recommend them highly as a good place to start. I just got my Modi2U/Magni2U sctack 2 weeks ago and am loving them so far.

 

[PurpleAngel]

If you get the HD558 and remove the black rubber tape from inside the cups, it will make the HD558 sound somewhat more like the HD598.
 
Used, HD558, currently bid is $53 and shipping is $13.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sennheiser-HD-558-Headphones-Black-with-HD-598-Mod-/191481428418?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2c952eb9c2
 
If your into gaming, get the Schiit Modi optical.
If just for music, get the USB Modi (optical would be ok too).
 
Plug the FiiO E11 into the DAC (Modi) and the headphones (HD558/HD598) into the E11.

 

[windowlicker]

I would recommend going for HD598, going back to using FiiO E11, and spending rest on beer. Or, if you don't drink beer - consider some fancier cans.
 
The fact that you don't hear a difference between E11 and nothing doesn't mean you need more amp. It actually most likely means that what you have is more than enough.

 

[xiaolinmonk]

Right on!
Thank you guys for the replies! Sounds like the easy choice to make is the HD 598's. 
I also like windowlicker reply about just using the FiiO E11 and saving the rest of my money on beer... mmmm.. Dragon's Milk is pretty pricey but I can buy a few 4pks saving the money not spent on the Schitt products lol!