I started buying good headphones as a teenager in the 90's. Back then I had pairs from Sony, Fostex, AKG, I'm sure a few others.
Nobody cared until it was trendy, and then everyone runs out to buy the exact same headphones...
You have companies that have been making great cans for decades, only to be ignored by kids who need the cool thing, not the best thing.
The beats headphones have artificial software induced bass. Like a cheap $80 canon camera that "makes every picture look better!" by applying various software techniques and... ruining your photos.
If you want bass, get a pair of Velodyne V-Pulse in-ears for $100. (
http://www.kenrockwell.com/audio/velodyne/vpulse.htm)
I love my pair of Sennheiser HD-25-II's, they were around $250 I think, and are incredibly clear, comfortable, and accurate.
Avoid the big $500+ headphones if you don't listen to classical music at home plugged in to an amp.