Honestly, why not give the Klipsch Status a try? We do free 30 day returns, so it shouldn't be a hassle. I've compared them to a lot of stuff, including Grado and Sennheiser, but always end up back at Klipsch.
They're passive, use a 40mm driver which I've always been a huge fan of, and are nicely balanced. Part of that is the consistent front volume we have in that design. Bass comes off VERY punchy but never muddy. The highs are great because of the seal, so we can get a lot out of a 40mm just with the right ear cushions.