Really depends on what you're into. This being a hip hop website, im surprised I see this silly debate as beats were made for people who love bass and appreciate the beat but It also depends on your phone. When you have an android you can cop a eq app(poweramp if its still around is goat) Iphones output is the weakest of them all and to get that boost, Beats are the way to go. The eq apps are also trash on iphone so youre SOL.
Anyone that says their $30 headphones sound the same as the beats is a fukking liar plain and simple if they have an iphone however, my vmodas i bought a few years back combined with a good eq on my android = iphone w beats. in 2011 i spent about $750 in headphones to compare. Bose, Senheiser, Beats, and 2 other brands i don't feel like looking up. For what i mainly listen to (hiphop, bass driven/7 or 8 string guitar driven metal) Beats kept me most satisfied
As far as I've noticed, most people who bring up the beats = sheep argument just hate hype and go against something popular which I respect, but they clearly dont listen to the same music as me or appreciate the "highs" in sounds where i love the "lows"
We all have preferences but dont be a fagat about it