[Vedub]

I recently upgraded from a pair of DT990/600's to the Sennheiser HD650's and while just about everything massively improved with the upgrade, the one thing I miss about the DT990's is the massive soundstage, it made it feel as if the music was all around me.  I could sink into the music and it felt like it was encompassing my head despite the noticeably bright signature of the headphones.
 
Unfortunately (sort of), I gave the DT990's away to a friend as a gift because his headphones broke.  Now I come here asking if there is any headphone with a better / similar soundstage to the DT990's. 
 
My current setups are (were) :
PC-->MAV Audio TUBEmagic D1-->Darkvoice 337-->HD650 / DT990
 
Portable Ipod (LOD) --> Ibasso D4 Mamba --> DT990/ RE0
 
If anyone could provide a set of cans (or IEM's even) that are better than the DT990's soundstage i would appreciate it.  Otherwise I suppose I'll be pulling the trigger on another set (hate the idea of asking for something back). 
 
Also I would like to keep this under $500 but anything around that area would be fine too.

 

[Uncle Erik]

A used AKG K-501 will give you a terrific soundstage, though I don't know if it would work well with your music. Worth looking into, though.

The ultimate soundstage headphone is the AKG K-1000. Out of your pricerange, but it might be worth saving for.

You might want to look at something like the Magnepan MMG. $600 new, but used ones are $400-$500. It's a speaker, but it's a dipole. If you want soundstage, dipoles are simply incredible. Pair it with an old $20-$50 receiver and you can bliss out with a truly 3D soundstage. I've been running various dipoles for almost ten years. I'm still amazed at the soundstage they give. If you haven't heard a dipole, you'll be floored. They're really a lot of fun to listen to.

 

[ZARIM]

Ultrasone Pro 2900, Grado GS1000, AKG K701 and HFI780.

 

[Matrixnobu]

Wow. I didn't know the Beyers had such big soundstaging. I'm going to have to listen to one of those. I was thinking of getting a T1.

 

[NamelessPFG]

Up to $500? That might buy a used Stax Lambda system, and soundstage is a Lambda-series strong suit.
 
However, you'll also need an electrostatic amp, or a transformer box and a speaker power amp. That can eat into the budget, but it's not impossible; I've seen SR-Lambda Pro + SRM-1/Mk2 Pro setups sell for $400 before.

 

[reddragon]

why dont i feel like my dt990 has big soundstage? i mean its bigger than my closed headphones but not big enough for me to go "wow"

 

[TMRaven]

That's because soundstage is two-thirds recording dependent.

 

[reddragon]

Quote:

That's because soundstage is two-thirds recording dependent.

 
 
my music is mostly in 16 bit 44.1 kHz lossless, is that not good enough?

 

[soundstige]

That has absolutely nothing to do with soundstage.
 
Quote:

 
 
my music is mostly in 16 bit 44.1 kHz lossless, is that not good enough?

 

[reddragon]

Quote:

That has absolutely nothing to do with soundstage.
 

 
 
but he said its dependent on the recording...

 

[soundstige]

Yes, the recording done at the studio. Not the bitrate of the file on your computer.
 
Quote:

 
 
but he said its dependent on the recording...

 

[Dixter]

Only you can answer if you can hear the difference....
 
To me 16 bit does not cut it...  
Set up Foobar2000 on your laptop and install component WASAPI and set it for 24 bit...
it works fine with your E17...   and you should notice the difference easily... 
Don't forget to set the Windows for 24 bit or your laptop will drag the 24 bit down to 16 bit... 
 
here's a site showing you how to get 24 bit out of your laptop/E17
 
http://www.whathifi.com/forum/computer-based-music/how-tosetup-foobar2000-to-use-wasapi

 

[reddragon]

i see... so what are some songs that will make my dt990 have a really big soungstage?

 

[soundstige]

It's really dependent on the genre of music. I can't give too many recommendations, I listen mostly to rock and metal with small soundstage.
 
Quote:

i see... so what are some songs that will make my dt990 have a really big soungstage?

 

[Dixter]

If you want to hear a recording that demonstrates the soundstage then try out this one....  you don't have to purchase it unless you want but you can try it out and see how a recording is setup for soundstage...  this is probably the best " Demo " of soundstage I know of...
 
https://www.hdtracks.com/index.php?file=catalogdetail&valbum_code=HX090368035561