For that price, really all I can think of are the Nighthawks and the Modhouse Argons. Maybe HD650 (or HD6xx?)
Hawks sound perfect based on your description
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Thatās what I was thinking. Hawks fit that description better than about anything I can think of. Only other one might be the MDR Z7, but I havenāt heard them so I canāt compare.
Z7ās would fit the bill but are outside the budget even in the used marketā¦ nighthawks might take it in the punch/slam category but z7ās are warmer (if by warm we are referring to amount of bass)
I really enjoy them both
I should have mentioned you! I forgot you have them both to compare. I feel like if you look around used you can probably snag a set of the mk1 Z7 for $350-$400. Here is somebody on Head-fi with a pretty sweet looking set that he is asking $425 but accepting offers: https://www.head-fi.org/threads/for-sale-sony-mdr-z7-first-generation-unmodded-worn-only-once.934076/
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I just remembered another headphone that might fall under what I said. Would the verums fit that description? Also know there is the fostex headphones, but I think those are out of budget or on the line.
Thatās a pretty sweet price 
highly recommended to someone who wants an easy listening bassy headphone with good detail and interesting presentation
So I had my āburn in timeā I guess.
My weird feelings about the fitment and sealing of the pads went away. No I understand what you guys ment about the time to adjust to them.
I totally get the speaker Inspired thing now.
Itās like little speakers are floating around your earsā¦
The music feels so Incredibly natural and clear with the nighthawks.
Probably the effect of ultra low distortion.
Iām highly impressed by these headphones. I will keep them for sure, they are really special.
At first they felt good, than they felt wrong and weird to my ears, but Iām glad I finally gave them their chance to shine tonight!
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How do you guys deal/prevent/handle leathers peeling? It started with the case, now the headband is showing signs.
Never had this problem before, but you can probably get a leather repair kit somewhere and self-restore it.
Is it the top or the underside of the headband? The underside (suede) of the handle on my case has been flaking off a little bit, but no signs of issues on the headband yet. 
Yes, that part!
Itās actually the edge of the head strap, the folding part that connects to the headband.
I always thought/knew these were good imaging and soundstaging headphones, but wow. Been swapping between the Nighthawks and my Elegias, and the separation is on the Nighthawks blows me away, really. Just listened to this track with both headphones and you can pretty distinctly hear the two guitars being on opposite ends. Itās been months and still finding new ways to love these headphones!
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This is confidential information. But Iāll say this much, Hawks plus Eikon Perforated lambskin pads is HIGHLY competitive with the Elex. And I personally prefer over the elex. (credit to @fbizzle for discovering this amazing combo)
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Iāll make sure not to post this anywhere
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lol
10 chtr limit
How did you connect them on? I was very interested in the Elex, but if I can just get some padsā¦
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Curious how you attached the pads. I might have to give this a shot. In total confidence of course.
*edit: Just looked at the pads in the hawks. Iām assuming you take the the plastic ring out of the original pads and slide it into the ZMF pads and then punch small holes in the leather where the tabs are?
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@Mr_Makua @Blu thatās correct, just made tiny holes on the back flap of the pads like the ones the hawk og pads have. I made the holes super small and just used the connectors from the plastic ring that stick out to penetrate them so that the who isnāt too big and ugly. Hereās a Pic
Iām order to try it out u donāt need to make the holes but I suggest u do since the pads are bigger and are nice with the stability. No moving around. From there itās a perfect fit imo.
i can totally recommend this. I would say the only downside is less bass. but if you are fine with that itās pretty dang amazing how radically the sound changes. presentation in particular is amazing, very 3d as well
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Less bass? No thanks. 
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