Here’s what I’ll say: I rarely used my Sennheiser HD555 headphones, and that was a mistake. They sound absolutely brilliant, and they don’t chafe my ears.
But in general, my long-term goal for music is to buy something like a NAD 320 amplifier (which also costs $320) or a NAD 352 ($440), and a pair of Dynaudio 42 speakers ($350 each) to go with it.
That comes to 1,000–1,100 dead presidents. Quite achievable if I save up for a year or two.
But if I become wealthy, I’ll set my sights on professional ADAM S2.5A reference monitors ($2,200 each). At this point, those who "don’t get it" can call me crazy—I won’t be offended. Incidentally, the aforementioned speakers look fairly plain. But form is nothing; sound is everything.
NAD 320/352
Dynaudio Audience 42
ADAM S2.5A
