[Rclark]

 Friend is lead singer in a new up and coming country band (he'd be the Crawford of Crawford n' James)... He also loves rock music, played that most of his life. Anyway.

 Tasked me to find $100 closed back (has to be closed, these will be used on tour and can't be noisy to others around) of superb quality.

 I know nothing about headphones except to say Sennheiser. I'm sure you guys can beat that..

 Thanks 

 Just texted me... prefers a balanced sound vs super bassy.

[Tyson]

Actually, the Sennheiser HD280 is a great headphone for just this type of use.

[Rclark]

Thanks Tyson! Got any others? I was hoping to throw him a good three or four top picks... said I'd get back by tommorrow.

[Rclark]

Says he had the 280 and liked it buy was hoping for something different. Needs an amp too.

I know nothing about this stuff here.

[JohnR]

Perhaps see the $100 IEM thread I started.

[neobop]

In this price range some pros favor the AT40FS
http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-ATHM40FS-Precision-Studio-Headphones/dp/B0002D03ZW/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1333122722&sr=1-1

If he's getting an amp, some like the Superlux 668b, which is the same driver as a Samson 850:
http://www.amazon.com/Superlux-HD668B-Dynamic-Semi-Open-Headphones/dp/B003JOETX8/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1333123058&sr=1-2

http://www.amazon.com/Samson-Semi-Open-Studio-Reference-Headphones/dp/B002LBSEQS/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1333123058&sr=1-1

The Fostex T50RP also could benefit from an amp. This has amazing potential with slight modification.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/281431-REG/Fostex_T50_RP_T50RP_Studio_Headphones.html

[bregez]

I would add the Sony MDR-V6 to the short list.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sony_MDR-V6

[eclein]

As John mentioned an IEM- In Ear Monitor type would be excellent. There are a ton of different types depending on his tastes. I would tell him to look at the Logitech Ultimate Ears stuff and grab something in his price range. They are well made and every pair of them that I've heard sounded very good. Its a safe bet and they do alot of work with musicians.
 
Or go pickup some $19.99 earbuds made by Sony specifically for the new Playstation portable they just released. I got some because I loved the look and they end up being my current favorites right now and I have more enough to wear a different pair each day of the week. I found them to be excellent right out of the box...forget the reason they were made and enjoy the sound..tremendously engaging and only $19.99.
 http://www.amazon.com/PlayStation-Vita-In-ear-Headset/dp/B006PP3ZK6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1333130507&sr=8-1

[roscoeiii]

+1 on the Fostex T50RP. But unless your friend has a lot of time on his hands, I'd keep him away from the Fostex T50RP modification thread over at HeadFi. It is a beast.

But even stock they are great headphones. I have also liked the Shure 880s which you can sometimes get around $100. But I'd take the Fostex T50RP over them in general.

[Rclark]

Thanks a lot guys. Got about two weeks before they make their first stop in Denver I believe. He's gonna love this list. I'll pull some from the iems too, those might be the most practical.

[Tyson]

For IEM's, I think the Etymotics HF5's are awesome - http://www.amazon.com/Etymotic-Research-Portable-In-Ear-Earphones/dp/B000XP8DJC/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1333141996&sr=8-2

Especially if you use them with the Shure black foam tips here - http://www.amazon.com/Shure-PA910M-Replacement-SE530PTH-Earphones/dp/B000NDHIKY/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1333142077&sr=1-1

The foam tips come 10 to a bag and they sound better and are more comfortable than any of the tips that come with the Etys.  And having play/pause/volume control built into the Ety's cable rocks.

[Noseyears]

Shure SRH440. Closed back, balanced sound, good with rock music.

[Rclark]

Thanks, I'm gonna compile this tonight and send it out. Thanks guys