3 comments about Koss ESP-950 Electrostatic Stereophone.

1. Real good and real expensive. What else can you say?



2. I bought a pair of the ESP 950's in 1994 from a wholesaler for 495.00, I have collected high end audio gear my whole life and have several complete systems; however night time listening can
   make your family very hostile...so I use these for stealth listening of my SACD and Hybrid Surrond encoded DVD's and Cd's.
   The transcients on electrostatic phones are amazing, they tend to be a little bright with standard supplied connects, so I use my Transparent Audio Music Plus RCA inter-connects to the koss
   E 90 unit which come with and runs these babies. Shear heaven!
   I have been thinking of having some one build me a tube headphone amp for these headphones...then my family would be hostile again ..cause I would not want to go to work anymore.



3. It's hard to properly review this headphone system since Koss had an awful little $10 budget portable CD player hooked up to it at CES. However, it definitely sounded far too bright. There's no way it was the CD player causing that, I don't care how crummy it was. I also found the construction of the Koss to be very cheap: lots of plastic and a feel of low cost mass production. The volume and balance knobs are imprecise and inconveniently placed on top of each other. The mini 3.5mm TRS input also should have been supplemented or replaced with individual RCAs, possibly TRS 1/4" balanced inputs, which are cheap if you're tempted to think that's too "exotic". It's not. I really doubt balanced would make that much difference, but since the headphone is sending signal to the transducers with separate lines, it's a bad idea to share a ground on the input. RCA inputs are the bare minimum any amp needs, even a portable one as this energizer is marketed as. I'm sure the diaphragm probably is indeed very fast and revealing, but I can't say I was impressed beyond that. On the plus side, Koss has the best warranty possible. So the construction quality is perhaps moot, but that's doesn't change the tonal imbalance problem. You will need to use this with an EXTREMELY warm DAC or phono cartridge/preamp to get a neutral sound out of it. Maybe the old Burr Brown 20bits or Grado, respectively?

1 comments about Wireless Tv Listen Headphone.

1. they need to protect this device from external interference. when i touched the thing it went beserk. at sitting, audible background noise.
   
   terrrible waste of money.

1 comments about Grado Prestige Series SR225 Headphones.

1. Ultimately, whatever I have written in this review below, please remember that with Grado, it is all about the sound and they have the awards to prove it! I have spent a lot of time and money looking for "THE" set of cans (audiophile speak for headphones) that would truly satisfy all aspects of my desire for the best sound available without having to go past the two hundred dollar mark. My search took me through Koss, Sennheiser, Sony, Bose and of course Grado. And Grado's motto of "Truly the world's finest" applies to all of their products made in America; I also own a pair of SR60 and SR80 cans from Grado so I know what I speak of about this company and their hand-crafted, American-made lovingly built product (only one exception, see below). They also have fantastic customer service and really know how to take care of you, even after a warranty has expired according to people I've spoken to. (I haven't had a need for warranty service, just for the record.)
   
   I believe that all of Grado's cans are on the audiophile level as I have written in a review of the SR60 here on Amazon though they only cost $69 with perhaps the exception of the mass-produced, made in China iGrado model. As much as I love my Grado SR225 which I am reviewing, my SR60 cans are still in use, get five stars every time I put them on and are incredible! So imagine what I will have to say about the SR225! I've done the research, purchased numerous sets of cans from low-price and low-end to high-price and high-end and in the end, I absolutely believe that nothing beats the Grado SR225 unless you want to spend at least four to five hundred dollars and I believe you will still be disappointed unless that money went towards an even higher end set of Grado cans. For example, I do plan on saving my pennies and one day purchase a pair of their $495 RS-2 models that incorporates a mahogany wooden air chamber. But to spend the same amount on a set of Bose or Sennheiser will leave you feeling flat and not as impressed as with the $300 you could have saved by purchasing the Grado SR225 model in my opinion.
   
   I realized a while back that I am an audiophile, someone who loves good sound and thus wants his cans to be able to reproduce those sounds as accurately and beautifully as possible. I've read many reviews, done countless hours of research, spoken with fellow audiophiles and I have come to realize that a true audiophile wants to share the knowledge he/she has acquired with others so they can make informed decisions. I've read reviews from people who claim to be audiophiles but they seem to suck the oxygen out of the room (so to speak) with their words and one quickly realizes that though they may know technical data, they have forgotten the joy and love of sound.
   
   So back to the SR225 cans. As I mentioned, the SR60 model is a five star set of cans but I did make qualifications in that review. But if you are reading this, you want to know about the SR225 model. Yes, they cost $195-$200 and that is a lot of money for many of us. But what makes these five star audiophile cans better than the five star less espensive model? Basically put, it is the design of the can's transducers that allow for even more amazing sound reproduction. The back side has a full metal mesh screen which allows for more air flow. This matters on open backed cans. If you've ever put your hands up to an open-backed pair of full size cans and covered them, you know the sound would become "tinny" and diminished. What Grado did is take their award winning SR125 and increased the air flow by 50% and this makes a HUGE difference by increasing the sound stage! Highs, mids and lows are all so PERFECTLY balanced that it could make you weep with the right CD or DVD or even Video Game. I would recommend Samuel Barber's Adagio for Strings, Bach, Vivaldi, Berlioz, Third Day or anything by Martina McBride as an example of what your cans "can" do or try "Million Dollar Baby" or "Unforgiven," "The X-Files," "Van Helsing, the London Assignment" on DVD and any "Call of Duty" or "Medal of Honor" video games.
   
   Also, it's important to mention that these cans have only a 32 Ohm impedance so you can use them with low-powered portable devices and not burn out your batteries in one sitting because you have to turn the volume up to max just to hear anything as with some other brands. Yes, you may have to put the volume up 2-5 notches for CDS or MP3 CDS but that is negligible and depends on the recorded media. I personally have no complaints but if you really feel you need an amp, the handy and inexpensive Boostaroo works great for less than $30. The company really upgraded the circuitry and will increase the power 50-100%! But if you want an official "audiophile approved" amp, the HeadRoom Total Airhead Amp is recommended at $150. Grado makes different amps which can be used with any of their cans (and designed one of the amps to work with some other brands as well) but are primarily for the SR325 and higher and cost between $350 to $425 on-line. But again, I wish to emphasize that the Boostaroo really does the job for pennies on the dollar without scrimping on quality.
   
   When I first listened to my Grado SR60's, I nearly jumped out of my seat the first time I heard a startling sound such as a thunderclap or the sound of a gunshot and I was extremely soothed by the sound of rain that I had never heard before on a DVD through television speakers. But with the modifications to the SR125 (which is based upon the same design structure as the SR80, also great!) such as improved diaphragms which are put through a special "de-stressing" process in order to enhance detail, voice coil design and UHPLC (Ultra-high purity, long crystal) copper voice coil wire, when I heard those same sounds such as the thunderclap, I DID jump out of my seat! And the sound of rain is so detailed, amazing and comforting. And classical music is even more amazing than EVER before. Instead of feeling like you are in the first row with some high-end cans from Sennheiser, with Grado you actually feel like you are standing next to the orchestra, the band or are in the movie.
   
   You have to remember that with high-end cans, there comes a point of diminishing returns. The SR225 model is absolutely amazing for $200 but if you purchased the most expensive model in the Prestige Series (the SR325i) for $295, you might wonder "why" it costs almost a hundred bucks more. Are they better? Yes. A lot? Not much. The difference is there but you really have to put in the effort to notice it. In my case, the difference between the SR60 and SR225 is immediately noticeable but even the the difference between the SR80 and SR225 isn't "quite" as noticeable but definitely still there. Now if you purchased the RS-1 for $695 or the GS1000 for $995, you would notice a difference even from the SR225!
   
   So in conclusion, I commend the Grado SR225 to you as the Absolute Best set of cans available on the market today for $200 or less. Just a few qualifications before I close: The 225 has a full size 1/4" inch plug so you will need a "mini" adaptor for use with portable devices and even some televisions, etc., which this model does not come with. Perhaps Grado is saying these are for home use but that's not the case at all. I recommend the Grado adaptor highly because it puts less stress on the plug. It is worth the extra money for Grado quality plus you get another 8-10 inches of cord! (If you need extension cord, I can tell the difference that is in the Grado extension cord as being superior by about 25% because it uses Grado materials and recommend it as well.) Also, for all that is wonderful about Grado's cans, some people do find them a little uncomfortable because the foam cushion does not all of the transducer. It is designed this way to increase sound stage but it can be uncomfortable if you aren't used to it. I can only say that the cushions do get more comfortable with time, you get used to the feel and the high quality in sound is worth it. If you really find them uncomfortable, I would recommend the foam cushions from the SR60 model as it is very comfy and covers the whole transducer. You can always cut a small hole about the size of a quarter to increase the sound quality if you feel you have lost something. But I find that either set of cushions works great with no modifications at all on all my Grado cans! Also, as with all audiophile cans, there is a break in period for maximum sound quality of about 30-60 hours but you will notice every time you use them. It's actually amazing to listen to the same musical piece, etc. over the break-in period and hear the difference. Also, less power is necessary to drive the cans at the end of the break-in period.
   
   I believe that Grado has every right to claim "Truly the World's Finest" with the scores of awards they have won and I believe you can't go wrong with the SR225. It really is worth every penny and I hope I have been of help to you. Enjoy the world of sound Grado offers you!

No comments about Sony MDR V300 - Headphones ( ear-cup ).

2 comments about Panasonic RP-HT360 Monitor Headphones.

1. 
   I ordered it from one of the Amazon used-markets, and I'm so happy with this nice headphones. When it was delivered, I opened the box (of course, it is new one.), and I plugged the headphone-jack to my mini headphones amp. When I wore this headphones, it was extremely comfortable. It fully covered my ears, and it was also very light to wear this headphones.
   
   I tried a couple of classical music (Bach's Violin Sonata, Beethovan's Symphony 4&7, 9, Chopin's piano music, nocturne, and more), and I was so impressed by its sound. In case of violin solo, this headphones very sensitively catches wide range of frequency. The high pitch sound of violin solo fits very well to the headphones, and the sound is very clear and sharp. When I listen to the Symphony 9 of Beethoven, every bit of the frequency (high and low) are also very clear and crispy. This headphones was only about 23 dollars including shipping, but I was so impressed by its quality of sound.
   
   My only complain is it's cable. The headphones has pretty long cable, and I have to handle this cable very carefully. I hope the cable is not very long. I had to tide this cable with zip ties because it was really long. Other than that, it was perfect headphones for me.



2. This is an outstanding value headphone for only $25. You can't beat that. It's a large studio monitor headphone that encloses the ears. The sound is excellent--balanced and clear. My only issue regarding the sound is that the highest freqs are a tad excessive for my taste, but that is trivial to fix with a slight EQ adjustment (a lot easier to fix than other freqs).
   
   Comfort wise, ear cups are well padded and comfortable. However, the headband is very uncomfortable because it is two hard, thin plastic bands. And only 1/2 inch portion of one of the plastic bands will be supporting all the weight. So there's a lot of pressure on a small part on top of the head... very distracting.

5 comments about Sennheiser HD 415 Versatile Open-Aire Ultra-Light Supraural Headphone.

1. For those who say it is uncomfortable, it's probably because you have a bigger head. Just extend the headphones to their max, and it should feel fine from there.
   
   Aside from comfort, the headphones do have great sound, and they're sounding better the longer I listen to them.
   
   The headphones, though, are made of cheap materials. That's the only drawback. otherwise, an excellent deal.



2. Very good cans for the money. Will impress most users except the demanding audiophile, then again, not audiophile priced headphones. Quite comfortable for long wear and convinient cable winder. Great gift item.



3. great sounding headphones.
   
   1 these headphones are huge, so there is the sound with them and the size.
   2 you need a little more power to drive them
   3 they sound great but not as good as the iluv noise cancellers. that is what is missing.



4. I've been in radio for 27 years and Sennheiser makes the best headphones on the planet. Period. These, however, are not their best effort. Sure, they sound great and are reasonably comfortable to wear, but the notched headband is not that sturdy and will strip inside of a year. Bring back the ond 414s!!!!!



5. I bought this pair as a replacement for a pair of HD 555's I bought and was EXTREMELY pleased with, as they got a short and need to be repaired. Luckily for you and me, Sennheiser's have a 2 year warranty with every set of cans, even this very economically priced one. That means if anything goes wrong with these headphones that you paid a measly $30-40 for in the next 2 years, you can send them in to be repaired for free. Sennheiser is all about quality, and it shows with every set of headphones they make.
   
   The HD 415's are not only very cheap, but for the price they are pretty damn good. they're nowhere as amazing as my HD 555's, but you're still going to hear a lot of detail that you just won't hear with ANY OTHER pair of headphones in this price range. It doesn't matter if it's Sony of Philips or what have you, in this price range you're NOT going to get any better than THIS PAIR OF HEADPHONES.
   
   It is true the Bass is a little muffled. It reminds me somewhat of Koss headphones of the past, which I enjoyed thoroughly because although the bass always seemed to be muffled with Koss, it did have a habit of bumping a bit, and that is a lot like what the HD 415's do. They won't offer the crystal clear clarity of Bass that the HD-500 series does, but if you're not a TOTAL audiophile or if you're strapped for cash like I was, these are a decent set of headphones for Bass.
   
   As for everything else, it does it great. I'd say the quality of the stereo is about 70-75% of what my HD 555's were, so for less than half the price you're getting a pretty good deal.
   
   Most amazing to me about Sennheiser is their ability to make a pair of headphones that is just.....the most comfortable thing you will ever put on your head. Yes, MORE comfortable than a nice worn in old baseball hat.
   This pair in particular I was amazed by, as the price didn't make it look as if the comfort would be very good at all, and if you look at the picture the actual cans look to be made from cheap and uncomfortable material.
   
   If that's what's stopping you, I urge you...BUY IT....TRY IT...this is one of the most COMFORTABLE pairs of headphones I have ever bought. The other one was my HD 555's. The first time I put these babies on though, I was SHOCKED. I literally couldn't stop smiling and laughing giddily as I realized that these headphones GENTLY CARESS YOUR EARS like a nice warm hug from a loved one. They could easily double as earmuffs for those in cold areas (such as myself) as they keep your ears nice and warm and fluffy. I'd say one could wear them for about 8-10 hours before becoming bothered at all.
   
   The only issue I have with this pair of headphones is that the cable is somewhat thin and not as protected as Sennheiser's HD-500 series, and as such you might have to be a little careful with them. However, the cable is also very long, so your only task is not to trip, you clumsy fool.

1 comments about Sony Clip Headphones - Blue (MDRQ22TB).

1. These headphones are great. My daughter and I both have them. We're not big on earbud type headphones. These headphones fit over the ear, and sit very comfortably on the ear. You hardly realize they're on when you're using them, they're that comfortable.
   
   I use mine for my laptop, and she likes hers with her mp3 player. It doesn't drown out all external noise because they're external earphones. However, I do need to remove them frequently and need to hear my environment so blocking out external sound doesn't matter for me.
   
   The only negative about them is that when I remove one or both of them, the over-the-ear hook sometimes gets stuck in my hair - doesn't matter whether it's down or pulled back.
   
   Other than that, great little headphones!

5 comments about Shure E500PTH Sound Isolating Earphones.

1. I purchased these from Amazon, and used them every day since. Great sound, but the wires won't stand long. I got mine taped cause the wires inside began to show after the outer rubber began to crack. And you can't change the wires because they're not replaceable. The only thing you can do is to fix them the hard way or ship them back to shure so be replaced.



2. I own three iPODs and listen to music about 3 to 5 hours a day. It helps me concentrate when working (i do some graphic art work) and block out noise and it puts me to sleep a few nights a week when I have trouble. I listen to everything from "fuzz" (white noise) to classical music, jazz,rock, bluegrass etc. so I guess i am a good "reviewer" and I felt obliged to pass along my experience as it has been fairly costly to obtain and could save others a lot of time not to mention money. So here's my take. By the way i am also a product design engineer, not that it helps me be a better consumer but rather i tend to see things more analytically than many consumers. So much for qualifications - this is still just my opinion -
   
   Having lived with ultimate ears super.fi pro 5EB (excellent bass) and before that the ultimate ears pro 5 both for a couple years now,AND having to replace the thin cord set on both three times - the last time - I opted for a pair of Shure E500PTH's their best earphones instead.
   
   My reasoning was based on my previous experience with Shure's most excellent V15 type III series of stereo phono cartridges (what are those) from back in the days of "record players".
   
   Anyone who could make such a tiny transducer that produced superb sound from plastic discs with bumps on them surely could make one of these ear buds. I also thought about there industry standard microphones. so I ponied up the $500 and gave them a try.
   
   Well lets get the audio performance out of the way -I must note that It is hard to do A/B comparisons because you can't just switch between speakers. Changing involves pulling these guys out of your ear canal and stuffing the other set back in which is a bit distracting from your sonic memory
   
   BOTTOM SOUND LINE - Yes they have excellent clear solid sound and decent bass response as I expected for $500 and they seem just slightly "cleaner with more separation both voice and instruments" than the UE 5EB's but with less bass (that's what the EB stands for i think - extended/enhanced bass so no big surprise there) BUT the differences are small and once I start listening with either one the music is so clear and enjoyable I forget any differences. But i prefer the Shure's
   
   HOWEVER just as critically helpful in delivering that awsome sound was I suspecct the volume control. Since the frequency response of your ear varies with volume you can "tune in" the best sounding sweet spot by adjusting the volume - and with your iPod up all the way this control can either whisper or blow your eardrums out. (in fact Shure puts a warning paper in the box advising you to listen at the lowest level - which sounds the best anyway to me)
   
   LET ME QUALIFY THAT - They sound really really good once you get the right sealed foam piece on the earbud so your ear canals are really isolated. I have one ear canal slightly bigger than the other so it took a while, but i guess everyone's ears are different both individually and in pairs which is why they give you so many different sleeve.
   
   Just like ultimate ears (UE), they come with an assortment of different sizes of foam and soft rubbery "sleeves" as they call them, to help you get that fit right. One thing they do have that ultimate ears doesn't is a moldable foam material on some of the sleeves that slowly re-expands when you squeeze it so it creeps shut and since it's solid I imagine it blocks out sound more effectively than the rubber umbrella design.
   
   Another difference is the heavier three piece cord - UE's have a single thin and very light weight cord with a right angle plug that goes into you iPod at one end AND at the other end(s) a stiff bendable wire sleeve at the earbud which bends around your ear and KEEPS the cord over your ears.
   
   The right angle plug keeps close to your iPod and out of the way and it is harder to accidently pull out like if you drop you iPod (heaven forbid - I do it almost once a day with no problems). They are very comfortable to the point that you forget there is a cord and that you have earphones on! AND IF THEY GO BAD since the cord plugs into each earbud assembly right at the ear - YOU CAN UNPLUG THEM and replace them, Lucky for me. The cords are only about $20 instead of the $100-150 for a new set of earphones.
   
   Shure E500PTH uses three pieces -
   1. a short headset cord that comes together at chest level under the chin ending in a female mini stereo jack plug
   2. a 2 inch long thumb-wheel volume control which has male and female ends and a short cord ending in a bulkier right angle jack
   3 a 2 foot or so long standard male/female straight steros mini jack cable that plugs into your iPod and of course sticks up an inch and a half or so bulging above your pocket and adding that extra length to your iPod
   
   Now i guess you can plug number 2 and 3 in reverse order so the handy compact right angle plug on the volume control is at your iPod but that puts the bulky volume control right there also since the cord it has is very short (about 4 inches from angle plug to volume control)
   
   ANYWAY - I thought the idea was to put the handy volume control right under your chin so you can just reach up and turn it down (or up if you like the next tune) which is what i like about the Shure E500PTH's
   
   On the downside Shure E500PTH uses no such bendable sleeve - the wire is molded into the earbuds so i guess if it goes bad after the 2 year warranty your out the $500 but it seems more durable than the UE's. Because the cord just winds over the ear, I found the cord kept falling from around my ear and pulling at the earbud unsealing it until I pushed the cowboy-hat-like rubber cinch that holds the two cords together, up tight under my chin. Yee-Ha with a strangle hold - well it isn't really that uncomfortable but you feel it up under the chin like a cowboy hat cord.
   
   BUT this stiff bendable wire that keeps the UE's cord over my big ears is right where my UE's cord frayed and broke down so maybe this could be a hidden drawback for UE's
   
   Shure E500PTH's heavier bulkier cord, while more durable, is always there making its presence known, with the volume control dangling from it.
   
   I guess that's the trade off and why my UE cords eventually broke - and in fairness I should mention that I frequently fall asleep listening to my ipod in bed so there's a cord stress test.
   
   After listening to the Shure E500PTH's for a while and adjusting the volume with each song, I put my UE's (the 5EB) back in and they seemed to have a stronger bass but very similar sound not noticablly worse or better -both excellent.
   
   so i guess if i could put UE's feather light cord on Shure E500PTH's earbuds and add a magic lightweight volume control AND make the cord DURABLE - NOW THAT WOULD BE THE ULTIMATE EARBUDS



3. I have owned the Shure E500PTH for 4 months now and would definitely spend $379 to purchase them again.
   
   I use them mostly for going to the gym and working out with free weights, elliptical machine, and Stair Master. They nearly eliminate the clang from weights, noisy AC, and loud background music, and leave me with crystal clear, well balanced, full range music from my iPod. The cord is not microphonic and produces no added noise, even at a fast pace on the elliptical machine.
   
   The E500PTHs are so clear that I can hear the difference between low and high bit rate music. In fact, I have gone back and encoded most of my CDs to Apple Lossless format.
   
   As many other reviewers have commented, I can hear background instruments, vocals, and effects that I never knew were in my music.
   
   I took the advice of other reviewers and gave the E500PTHs a 20 hour "burn in" with my iPod on 3/4 volume. I noticed a huge increase in clarity and tone after the "burn in" period.
   
   I also read the manual for proper insertion of earbuds, and have found that the best technique for getting a good seal is to pull down on the bottom of my ear lobe while pushing the earbuds into my ear canal.
   
   I do not use the PTH module since it is too bulky to wear at the gym. It is very easy to get the earbuds back in and quickly get a good seal. I tried the foam, hard rubber, and soft rubber inserts in different sizes, and have found the soft rubber to get a perfect seal and stay in my ear despite a fast pace and sweaty face.
   
   These earbuds are very durable. They have been dropped, sat on, and sweat on for 4 months and still look brand new.
   
   The accessory kit is awesome. I love the durable aluminum case. The included wax removal tool works perfect. There are many different sizes and types of inserts. And best of all, the included cords and adapters ensure the earbuds will work in almost any environment.
   
   Over 500 miles of cardio and 100 trips to the gym and I am still in love with the E500PTHs!



4. For people who are not satisfied with the free earphones that came with your ipod and for those who believe that listening to quality music demands quality equipments then the Shure E500 Noise cancelling Earphones are for you.
   
   
   I plugged the E500 to my ipod and pressed play, the sound quality was beyond any I had ever heard from a pair of headphones. The best way to describe the listening experience would be , like having music wired straight to your brain. The isolators are very good in cancelling outside noise, it is so good that shure developed a voice port module that would enable you with just a flick of a switch, and the outside world come back in, thanks to a microphone embedded in the line.
   
   Another downside would be that it has a lot of wires to contend with especially when the voice port module is connected. I find this to expensive for an earphones, because of its high quality. So if you are serious with your music and have the extra money, this would be worth every dollar.



5. I went from the E3Cs to these in November last year. I could not believe the improvement in sound quality: the tonal response is smoother and flatter, and the dynamics jump out at you. Really, REALLY good.
   
   And then a friend recommended the Sensaphonics custom sleeves to go with them. He let me try his -- OK, the fit was not very good, and it was a little uncomfortable, but with the sound being delivered further down the ear canal, I was truly astounded by how much better the listening experience was. I was hearing stuff in the music that I just had not known was there. Of course, I soon made an appointment to get my impressions taken, and the sleeves ordered.
   
   At a total of $570 ($400 for the IEMs, and $170 for the sleeves) this is NOT cheap. However, the sound is superior, noticeably, to the sound I get from my $2500 speakers driven bi-amped from my $4000 CD/pre/power setup (listening from the headphone jack on the pre-amp).
   
   I really can't say enough good things about this combination.
   
   Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful!!!

5 comments about AKG K55 Lightweight Closed-Back Design Headphones.

1. Getting a pair of quality headphones is a great way to exhance your musical listening experience. The AKG K-55s are the headphones I use at home, being a fan of progressive rock "headphone records", they're kind of an essential. I've had them for many years and they work just as well as when I first got them. The sound is crisp and clear and the dynamic range is great (sounds good quiet, sounds good loud).
   
   The headphones come with a super long cable, which tends to be handy in a studio if the drummer in the back of the place wants to listen to the mix as he plays. It's quite handy for us regular people too. With such a long cable, you can get up and dance with them on in the privacy of your room, and no one will even know, cause they won't hear it. I do it all the time.
   
   The leather earpieces are comfortable and the headband is snug but not tight, often after I've stopped playing music through my laptop I forget to take them off! With nothing playing through them, you can still hear and talk to someone, but with the music up, you'll be hard pressed to hear anything else. I've almost missed my phone on a few occasions!
   
   I've heard that the bass is a little weaker compared to similar headphones. I haven't noticed that much, except when I whip up some homemade electronic music and use these 'phones to mix it, I usually end up with a bit more bass in the track to compensate. It's minor, really, though those who are or have to be strict audiophiles may want to invest in a more precise pair.
   
   Personally, though, I think the AKG K-55 is a great value pair of headphones. I'm going to be sad when my pair finally wears out, but that doesn't look like its going to be for a while yet.



2. I used to use these for practice on my Digital Piano; they worked great for 6-7 years before finally breaking down, though after all that faithful service I definitely feel they were worth the 35 bucks; intended for musical-instrument use (at least in my experience), but can handle some pretty gnarly signals from your output-device of choice, though the 3-foot chord may prove troublesome for such casual use. I give it 4-stars just based on what I was using it for.



3. I bought these to use in a loud office environment. In comparison to the Koss R/80s that I own, which are roughly in the same price bracket, these are a little brighter and have tighter bass response.
   
   The physical design is pretty good. The headphones are pretty comfortable, and the design should prove very durable for someone who tends to be rough on headphones. The Koss R/80s in comparison tend to break due to the use of thin plastics at key stress points, so these are definitely better in that area.
   
   My only real disappointment with the AKGs is how much outside sound they let in. Most sealed over the ears headphones provide a good amount of passive outside noise reduction, but the plastic around the headphone speakers on these is thin and apparently not sound dampened. So outside noise really just comes right though for the most part. If I cup the outside of the headphones with my hands the amount of outside noise passing though drops dramatically. So they are not really useful in noisy environments, and would definitely be useless on a plane.
   
   I know these are inexpensive headphones, but it would have been so easy for the manufacturer to make these great inexpensive headphones with just a couple of simple changes. Oh well.



4. I've used a few models of cheap headphone, and they are typically dreadful. These are the first ones I've used that have been good with strings, for example. Very good for the money.



5. First off I really really like large head phones. I also like loud headphones. I like the person next to me on the train, so i obviously want him to rock out with me! these headphones are great they isolate well and are of a reasonable price. also super comfortable for those long car trips.
   
   They seam durable and i;m HARD on my hear phones (I've broken 2 of those dinky sony's in a week)but i've only had them for 3 months

2 comments about Audio Technica ATH-W5000 Dynamic Headphones.

1. I bought these headphones and I cannot belive what i'm hearing so crisp and natural sound, my friend heared it and said wow! Audio Technica rules!!!! i use them with my xtreme music card of CREATIVE and my PRO-JECT Head Box amplifier on Windows Media Center on Windows Vista the best program of audio and with my mp3 collection of 320kbps and 192 only! and wav files is the best! but i still think that a perfect amp such grace m902 sounds more than perfect its also depends on the equipment that you will use after all.



2. Like all headphones, this one too has a distinct sound, ie. it is not neutral. I find the W5000 to be the right balance between warm and neutral. The soundstage is very large, and all the details are present. I find that when listening to vocals, especially female vocals, or listening to a concerto, the solo instrument/vocals tend to stand out, making it harder to hear the details. It sounds very natural, but is a matter of preference. Additionally, the bass is not as pronounced as on other headphones--it is there, and very tight, but not overwhelming. I like it better than the Denon D2000, which is too cold and analytical. Compared to other ATH offerings such as the A900 and the ES7, it has a much wider soundstage, but the flavor of sound is pretty much the same. Basically, you are just getting more of the benefits of those headphones--more details, more soundstage, etc. I have used this with an Onkyo receiver hooked up to a Sony DVD player, and it sounds very good. It also works well with my Cowon D2, and also very well with my Sansa Clip, believe it or not. Basically, it has very low impedance, so I can listen to it at a fairly loud volume with my Clip volume set at 3/4 of max. Overall, a great headphone that gives you great enjoyment, even if you don't spend the extra thousand to buy an amplifier and DAC.