Amazon.com Product Description

Any music fan that travels by plane, train, or bus knows that it's hard to hear the nuances of a complex melody over the roar of loud engines and your fellow travelers. Enter the dynamic, closed Sennheiser PXC 250 headphones, which employ NoiseGard active compensation to dilute ambient sound, so you can enjoy your favorite tunes without turning the volume to ear-busting levels. The headphones are also equipped with Duofol spiral-embossed diaphragms and a Kevlar-reinforced copper cable, which combine to ensure a distortion-free signal and high-quality sound, including powerful, punchy bass. Frequent travelers will appreciate the compact design, with fold-and-flip ear cups that turn 90 degrees for flat storage. If stuffing the phones into a backpack or suitcase seems too cumbersome, merely stow the phones in the included belt pouch for effortless transport. The headphones weigh only 2.29 ounces (not counting the 1.8-meter cable) and come with both 1/4-inch stereo and 3.5 mm double mono adapters (for airline audio).

The PXC 250 noise-canceling headphones are factory reconditioned, meaning they were returned to the manufacturer and restored to like-new condition. The product comes with a two-year warranty on parts and labor.

What's in the Box
PXC 250 headphones, 1.8-meter cable, 6.3 mm adapter, 1/4-inch stereo plug, 3.5 mm double mono plug, soft belt storage pouch with extra pocket, user's manual. ... Read more

Features

• Factory reconditioned to like-new condition; 2-year warranty
• Lightweight, foldable closed-ear portable headphones
• NoiseGard active noise reduction cancels steady-state noise by up to 15 dB
• Fold-and-flip design lets listener turn the ear cups 90 degrees for easy transport
• Includes 1/4-inch stereo and 2-pronged airplane adapters

Reviews (2)

Wonderful sound, at least for this non-audiophile
This is certainly the nicest pair of headphones I've ever owned, so I'm in no position to compare the PXC-250 to other expensive models, whether noise-canceling or not.

That said, I consider these headphones easily worth the $100 I paid for them.I don't sleep well on airplanes (who does, after all?), but I slept comfortably for almost half of my recent trans-Atlantic flight with these headphones on.They don't "cancel" the surrounding din, as other reviews have pointed out, but they make a huge dent in it.They say it knocks 15 decibels off the sound reaching your ears.That might not sound like much, but for loud noise the difference is enormous (since decibels are on a logarithmic scale, 15 decibels for loud sounds is a whole lot more in absolute terms than 15 decibels for quiet sounds).

The quality of music is also a big improvement over the cheapish headphones I've always used with my iPod, such as those white earbuds.I'm hearing sounds on my music that I'd never heard before, on everything from Beethoven to Pat Green.

I also like how compact these headphones are.You can look normal when wearing them on the street, which would not be possible with something like the more-able (and more expensive) Bose Quiet Comfort II.

There are a few drawbacks, none of them major:
1) You must turn the noise-canceling on to get quality sound even in noiseless environments.Battery life might be an issue (although after ~20 hours of use on the same two AAA's, there is no sign of diminished capacity so far).
2) The noise-canceling unit, which is separate from the headphones themselves (presumably to reduce their size), can be a tad awkward when on-the-go.It is about the size of a dry-erase marker, and clipping it to your belt leaves two dangling cords that must be dealt with.
3) Getting a proper seal around your ears can be somewhat challenging given the small size of the earcups.I've gotten the hang of this one, though, so it's not an enduring problem.

These issues not withstanding, I heartily recommend these headphones

Very pleased
I am taking a trip to Tokyo at the end of the month, and that was my reason for purchasing the headphones.I was a bit weary of going with the refurbs...but I'm trying to save money everywhere I can for the trip.I have had them for two days and have taken them around with my MP3 player on the way to class and what not to test them.I've been very pleased with the noise-reduction function.Even with no music playing they do a very good job.Definately an excellent buy for noise-reduction headphones at a refurbished price.They have worked flawlessly thus far. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

The Koss VC-20 volume control can be used with any music player. Itsgold connector will connect to most headphone jacks. A convenient pocket or beltclip lets you position the VC-20 where it's most comfortable for you. ... Read more

Features

• Lifetime warranty
• Includes pocket/belt clip for convenient positioning
• Can be used with any portable music device
• Connects to any 0.125-inch headphone jack
• Gold minijack plug

Reviews (4)

Convenient, but...
It's definately a nice item to have... at first. I got mine so that I could use it with my computer, and be able to change the sound level without going through menus and unplug the headphones easily without having to crawl behing the computer, so that I could use them with my stereo. It worked great for about 3 months, however, it's wearing out - the headphone port has broken loose in the casing, and I have to fidget with itfor a minute to get the plug all the way in (otherwise, sound only comes out one side). Due to the way it's constructed, the dial for the volume will keep it from getting any worse, so I'll still be able to use it, but it sure is annoying when I'm trying to move between things.

Nice, very useful
I use this on my computer. Yeah, there's software volume controls - but they require dropping out of whatever you're doing to set, and differ from program to program. It's far more convenient to be able to reach over and make a little adjustment without effecting what you're working on. Also, the sound quality isn't effected - I used to plug my headphones into a set of speakers to do the same thing, but it resulted in static and noise that degraded the music; this volume control retains the clarity of the music.

Very functional
This is a surprisingly useful gadget, as it serves as an extension cord and volume control. The extension cord aspect adds about 3 feet to your headphone, which gives me a lot more room to move when I am listening to music on my computer. The volume control is handy when using a portable player because you can change the volume without jostling the player.

Cool
It is nice to have a volume control off of the cd player so when its in its case i can change the volume. ... Read more

Product Description

These Aiwa headphones with Mute Switch have a double headband for the best fit and long-wearing comfort. Features 38mm (1-1/2") Neodymium magnetic driver units; single-sided OFC cord; Ear Logic design for comfort and super bass sound; gold-plated stereo mini plug and adapter; and CCAW voice coils for great sound performance. Silver. ... Read more

Features

• Built-in mute switch
• Double headband for fit and comfort
• 38mm (1-1/2") Neodymium magnetic driver units
• Ear Logic design
• Gold-plated stereo mini plug

Reviews (10)

Bass went out
I have been using these phones for about a month with hardcore rap beats with extreme bass. I turn the volume up pretty loud, and eventually the bass booster inside burned out, and now my recordings and beats are distorted

Better then some expensive studio models
I bought my Aiwa originally for PC gaming.Comfort- and sound-wise these headphones were excellent.Add an outside noise blocking to top it off.
I've used studio monitor headphones at the University of Hartford volunteer radio station (wwuh.org) while hosting a program.
Now I am bringing my Aiwa to the station in place of our professional ones.Combination of total comfort and a very decent sound wins hands down.
Of course, in a recording studio you'd need high end "ears", but for my purposes Aiwa are indispensable.
I don't see much use in a mute button (at least it's harmless compare to distorting inline volume controls in some other inexpensive models).
I'd prefer having coiled cord in the air studio, but at home I like being on Aiwa's super long leash at those times when I need to grab something from the other end of my play/work office.

Great!
First, I'm not a hardcore audiophile so I guess my ears aren't SUPER sensitively pampered to only Seinhiesser or whatever, but I am a musician who plays 3 instruments and isn't completely ignorant or tone deaf.

Sound blocking: It drowns out sound REALLY well, which is awesome if you live in a noisy dorm like I do.If you're just wearing them with quiet music or no music, you can still hear what's going on around you muffled, but once the music goes up to medium to high volume, you can hardly hear people talking at all.Great for if you want to study or concentrate, doubles as earplugs.

Long cord: great plugged in at home or something, gives you mobility. Length can be slightly annoying on portible audio devices, but not bad.Just got to wrap it around your CD player a gazillion times, or bunch the cord into a ball and hold it next to your music player, or just let it hang a lot and hope it doesn't catch on anything.

Really comfortable:Doesn't hurt at all, even after hours.Easy to adjust, though I always keep it on the smallest setting because I'm a small person.Your ears get slightly hot after a while of being covered though, but that's just obvious and inevitable I think.

Quality: Great. But DEFINITELY play music in it for a while before judging it, let it break in a bit.At first, everything sounded muffled & gross and even worse than my cheap earbuds, so I was sad.But after letting it play for a couple of days, now it's EXCELLENT quality, and im really really satisfied!I don't hear any distortion.Im able to decipher lyrics in songs effortlessly that I've never been able to understand before.Clear base, good all around.I definitely think that these headphones are much better for contemporary bass/guitar/drum/electronic stuff & vocals though, than for classical music (especially strings).In the beginning, classical music sounded really muffled & awful...after letting it break in, it's gotten TONS better, so now, classical music actually sounds really good & clear on these.It's just that once in a while, violin sounds a bit tinny though, but it's usually fine; piano & other instruments sound fine.So in short, great quality!But if you listen exclusively to classical music or something, maybe another headphones more catered to that would be better, though these are usually quite good anyway and almost always sounds crystal clear; but if you're the standard contemporary rock/pop/etc music person, these are perfect.Phenomenal sound, I LOVE these headphones, they sound better and better every day.

Big:These are huge.I'm a small person, so I look like a total retard wearing them, but maybe they'll look okay on you.Random note: these are the same headphones that Natalie Portman wears in the movie "Garden State" if you want a visual :)You can wear them around your neck when you're not using them, but then you can't look down cause they get in the way.So maybe size might be an issue for some.Nothing major though.

Mute Button:Great.I wasn't looking for this feature, so its a nice little extra.It only mutes it when you have the finger on the button though...meaning that the second your finger leaves the button, the music starts playing again; it doesn't work as an on-off switch.However, there are levels of muteness, which is nice.Like, if you only push the button slightly, the music plays in one ear so you can hear someone talking more.Then, it mutes the music completely if you push it all the way.Easy access, no problem.

Overall, I highly recommend these headphones.They're the best I've ever owned (though I'm no audiophile), and are excellent quality, isolation, comfort, sound, and value.They're nearly flawless.My only slight complaint is slightly tinny sounding violin on OCCASION (it's usually great), its hugeness, and really long cord length which might actually be good for some.So yeah, buy these, they're awesome

Great RELIABLE headphones, with few flaws
I purchashed these headphones to replace my 2nd set Philips HP170 headphones that developed a short in the wire just like my first set.

These headphones are serving me well, and they do a very good job in drowning out sounds of coworkers and they are very comfortable. They also have a very long wire which allows me to move around my cube without being retricted to staring at my computer screen all day.

The sound quality is pretty good, but I think they they can use a bit more bass and clarity.Also while I like the mute button on the headphones, but I also wish they had a seperate volume control on both the left and right side as my philips headphones did.

Other than that these are very good headphones, and more importantly, they last longer than 5 months.

At $30 these are a real bargin.

Excellent low-end headphones
For those browsing the low-end headphone market, these headphones deserve consideration.It a very powerful seller for Aiwa which is why it's still being sold about a year and a half after i bought them with NO alterations to the original product.That's impressive.

Pros
-Excellent Sound quality
-Easy Access Mute Button
-Excellent Noise Cancellation
-Very comfortable
-Long cord
-Great value
-Nearly zero force needed to adjust headset to head

Cons (nitpick)
-Too easy to accidentally hit mute button
... Read more

Product Description

Cushioned, around-the-ear earcups with padded adjustable headband * CenterLock auto tuning * switchable SRS processor for 3D sound image * selectable 3-channel transmission * includes 2 NiMH rechargeable battery packs and built-in charger * operating range up to 300' ... Read more

Features

• Soft, cloth-covered earpads and headband cushion for comfortable extended use
• Supra-aural, hi-fi stereo headphones for superb audio quality
• Automatic tuning for better reception
• Volume and transmission channel can be set individually on the headphones
• Expand with an additional set of headphones for multiperson use

Reviews (46)

Poor Right Out of the BOX!
After reading the variety of reviews on Amazon I still went ahead and bought a pair.What a mistake!First I waited 24 hours for the batteries to charge, a little long bey hey, I waited patiently.Next, the base unit wouldn't turn on.Instruction said the base unit automatically turns on when the headphones are turned on.Nope.I had to unplug the base unit and plug back in to turn it on.Next, they a constant low level hissing...on every channel.And don't change headphone channels with them on your ears or you get a very LOUD popping noise.And the grand finale was they automatically shut off every 3-5 minutes.Packing them up tomorrow and shipin em back...

Solution for Hearing-Impaired Mother-in-Law!!!!!
Spent considerable time researching cordless headphones!Spoke with hearing specialist about type of headphones to buy and was directed to ones that had large ear "coverings" to facilitate hearing aids.The RS-65 was probably the BEST Christmas present; mother-in-law now enjoys watching TV at a level that others (in the room) can also tolerate.Just wish the battery would last longer than four hours!

Great wireless headphones - One year review...
We've had these headphones one year now and have encountered zero problems with them. They work great inside the home from room to room (one level home) and to various points out into the yard (1+ acre).Lightweight and comfortable.No problems with breakage or wear, they still look new.On average, they are used several times per week for about an hour or so per use - but during football season, they are used MUCH MORE!I recommended these to a co-worker whose husband is loving them so much that he bought a set as a gift for someone else.

Sennheiser RS-65
I would ditto all of the other reviews; this is a good set of wireless headphones.The only downside is that after using them for a couple of months to give a decent review, I read that I should have received a second battery that wasn't in the box (it does say it on the box, but no mention in the instructions).No big deal for a $20 battery though.It is worth noting that they use a proprietary battery vs. something you can buy at Radio Shack.I am happy with the purchase.

Sennheiser RS-65 vs AR AW721
I just bought these and have a few obvservations that might be helpful.I replaced the AR AW721 with these. The foam on the ARs were starting to break down and flake off after a couple of years. These have valour so should hold up better. The Sennheiser sound better than the ARs.There is less static and the range is better. I think they are both comfortable with the edge going to the ARs because the ear foam is softer and a bit larger.The Sennheiser is lighter weight which I like.The ARs are a closed design and the Sennheiser are an open design.You will hear more room noise with the Sennheiser than the ARs.My daughter uses them to watch movies when we have people over so she likes not hearing as much room noise.The Sennheiser is more money, better sound and reception, lighter weight, but are all plastic. I have concerns how they will hold up over the long run.The AR is heavier, a bit more comfortable (especially for those with larger ears, and I think more durable.Ours gets thrown around quite a bit. I bought an extra set so two people can listen at the same time. If you are thinking of a second pair I would recommend getting two COMPLETE units and not getting the ADDITIONAL second unit. The complete units are about twenty dollars more, but you get two addition batteries instead of one and another charging base so I think it's a better deal. I did audition the new Pioneer 800 5.1 surround sound headphone also.They sound fantastic BUT they work on IR (line of sight) and the range was not that great and cut out pretty quickly.I suggest you check these out is a store first if you are interested in the Pioneers. ... Read more

Product Description

• Tuned bass port
• Flexible ear piece
• Over-the-ear non-slip design
• Rubber Comfort Rings
• Gold-Plated Plug

Features

• Tuned bass port for enhanced bass sound
• Gold-plated plug for better connections
• Flexible non-slip design offers a comfortable, snug fit

Reviews (2)

I Love This Product, but.....
I absolutely love these Over-the-Ear buds by Jensen, but I've gone through 3 pairs in the last 2-1/2 years.I love the way they fit.They sit snuggly in my ear like a regular bud and the over-the-ear part guarantee that they're going to stay put.Nobody can hear what I'm listening to.I use them a lot and unfortunately the bud detaches from the over-the-ear thing and sometimes when that happens the wire breaks too and the sound is lost.I have yet to find something similar to these that will fit the same and give the same sound quality.

Powerful for the price
Until an accident caused one bud to stop emitting sound, these were my favorite pair of earphones. They were comfortable (I often left them in when I went to sleep), affordable, lightweight, durable, and had good sound quality. I used them with my Sony CFD-V5 boombox, my Oritron OP5034 portable CD player, and my RCA RP2410 MP3-CD player. On all three, bass and detail was great, and there was no distortion at a higher volume. All in all, these earphones were a great value; the only possible downside is a bit of fuzziness in the sound, which I got used to rather quickly and began to prefer over my other earphones (it lent a bit of warmth to the music). I plan to buy another pair in the near future, and I highly recommend that you do so as well. ... Read more

Product Description

Built on the same features as the SR60, but utilizes a 4 conductor connecting cable and larger ear cushions, the result of which gives a more open stage. The SR80 provides an improved bass resonance, which enhances the overall detail. ... Read more

Features

• Vented diaphragm
• Non Resonant air chamber
• Standard copper voice coil wire
• Standard copper connecting cord
• Mini plug with 1/4 inch plug

Reviews (9)

The best I have so far used.
I had Sennheiser HD497 for over a year which I loved except for that its Bass performance was not good.

Then came the SR60, which I soon exchanged for SR80 (because of its superior Bass performance) and also bought a Total Bithead Headphone amp and I absolutely love the setup.


Q. How do you know a good can from bad??

Ans. I use a simple solution that works for me.

1. Firstly, Close your eyes while listening to music.

2. Put a rather noise song (something that has many instruments playing simultaneously) and try to figure out-
-- diffrentiate exactly what instruments are playing
-- in which ear and at what pitch level they are playing?
-- how audible the soft ones like bells and chimes are?
-- How defined, spacial and NATURAL sounding the Bass is? (There are many people for whom loud Boom-Boom Bass means good Bass. What they fail to understand is how NATURAL it sounds is more important.)
-- How the overall experience is?

Do this much with a Grado and you are sure to take one home.

Absolutely Amazing...
Seller:Audio Advisor, ordered on Friday via FedEx GROUND and had it by MONDAY!!!

Ups:GREAT SOUND.Good bass.Cord is long enough, but not too long for me.Very comfortable, with plenty of adjustments, even for a small head like mine.

Downs:Proves to you why you shouldn't have gotten that crappy stereo, and why you need a soundcard for your laptop...

All Arounds:Had researched for a good pair of headphones for a while and learned about Grado Labs.Read reviews that were very good, but didn't have the money at first.So I struggled through using my RadioShack (Oh yes, that bad) and then sorta went up to (birthday sympathy from a friend) a pair of Sony's...Well, needless to say, I finally got enough money to buy some Grado's.By then I found out that a friend had SR60's and every minute I was there they were on my ears, absolutely loved them.However, I heard that the SR80's had a bit more bass, and I like bass in the music I listen to.So, I bought a pair from Audio Advisor...Soon as I got em (luckily right before I left for a two-day vacation) I set em up to my stereo with a mix cd of all the music I listen to and set it repeat and let em break in while I was gone.Now that I'm back, they sound amazing for what I listen to usually (rock), but even listening to jazz and classical it sounds great.I also use headphones for gaming (people around me don't like blasting gunshots and explosions :) and it's very helpful to be able to hear where things are coming from...All in all three thumbs up for Grado Labs.

They're pretty comfortable, too
If you are reading this you have probably already read one of the many reviews raving about the perfectly balanced and clear sound of these headphones. [...] Most of those (older) reviews comment on how the older earpads were too hard on the ears, or the headphones themselves were overall just uncomfortable to wear.

I just wanted to add that (at least in the newest incarnation--the pads have been tinkered with by the manufacturer) they are *very* confortable, compared to many other headphones. The earpieces have two pivot points: one allows them to pivot on a vertical axis attached at the headband and another on a horizontal axis running through the earpiece. This combined with the bendable headband allows for a lot of adjustment. I have a pretty large head and they're not overly tight or otherwise uncomfortable. And the apparently-recently-redesigned earpads on this model have some cushion without being mushy-soft on their outer surface (pads like that always made my ears sweat).

Before buying these, I read just one (recent) review that claimed these were comfortable, and I didn't beleive it. Now I do. (I also didn't beleive they would sound appreciably better after a break-in period, but they did after about 30 hours of being attached to my receiver with the radio on nonstop.) Well, that's all I wanted to say. Back to listening.

Great Headphones
First the good: These headphones will clearly reproduce any note or sound given to it. You will hear beautiful clear music. Bass response is excellent. 1 review here says it is too bassy, another review says there is not enough bass. I think it is perfect. Grado does not give their headphones the "Sony" treatment by boosting the bass. High notes are unlike anything I have ever heard. They sound like NHT Zeros (perhaps even better), clear, pristine, sweet. I have had my Grado SR80's for 2+ years now and I'm used to the large "uncomfortable" earpads. Super long cord, must be close to 5 or 6 feet. The tip of the connector appears to be gold tipped (although I could be wrong). Inexpensive - for the money you can't beat these cans. At under $100, it's like buying a Toyota Corolla with a Porshe engine.

Not so good: These headphones utilize "open air" design. Not only can you hear sounds while you are wearing them, but the sounds you are listening to will exit as well. You can't really wear these on a plane because you will bother your neighbors. The best place to listen to them is in a quiet office or bedroom. Not so comfortable to wear (if they are new), either in the long term or the short term. Cheap foam covering the headphones. Thick "stethoscope-like" cord can be cumbersome. My Panasonic portable CD player does not have any problems driving these headphones at all. Maybe it's because my CD player is older and I picked a good model. :) I have owned older Sony CD players that had difficulty driving any headphones, regardless of power requirements.

These are the best headphones I have ever owned. The soundstage is the same as my other Sony headphones so I can't say whether it is good or bad. I can say this: the reviewer "Gal" from Jerusalem (below) has it right on.

Grado SR80s not for me
I've owned and used (off and on) a set of Grado SR80s for the past year and sadly I can __not__ recommend them because they have such poor bass response (IMO and given my ears and listening habits). They are also not very comfortable to wear (I find them too heavy on the ears after only 30 minutes of use and yes they have the new style of head cushions and I've tried to break-in the headband as best as I can).

I've tried everything that I can think of to make these headphones sound better (to me). I carefully "burned" or "broke" them in (for more than 20 hours before I even used them), I tried higher-powered amplifiers, I listen to different types and sources of music, nothing really helped.

I've finally come to the conclusion that the SR80s are just an inexpensive "boutique" or audiophile headphone that will never sound good to me even if they do come from Grado (I guess that the much higher-priced Grados are actually pretty nice and some say that the SR60s are both more comfortable and have better bass -- and the SR60 is less expensive, go figure). Can you tell that I'm not happy with these phones? Actually, they're probably fine for classical music or anything that doesn't have an important or strong bass line, they have a clean, very well defined, mid and high range but that's about all. They are also not suitable for low-powered (portable) music players (which isn't a direct fault of Grado's, but you have now been forewarned).

Overall, __not__ recommended for most users (popular, rock, folk, dance, and country music fans do not need to apply). ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

These Sony headphones are lightweight, economical, and comfortable. The MDR-201LP stereo headphones have an adjustable, overhead headband which allow you to fit them perfectly to your head's shape. The open-air design removes undesirable resonance by allowing outside air to pass through the headphones; the result is a better sounding headphone. The thirty millimeter drivers deliver deep bass. The Sony Acoustic Turbo circuit is included for high efficiency; it gets high sonic output from your portable stereo, and extends bass response. Put together, these two features help counter the tendency of headphones to sound cheap and bass-low. With Sony's UniMatch plug, it is possible to connect these headphones to both mini or full size headphone jacks. The MDR-201LP's cord is single-sided which minimizes tangles. The long, 1.5 meters (4.9 feet) Y-style cord allows for ample movement and separation from the sound source.

What's in the Box
Sony MDR-201LP headphones ... Read more

Features

• Extra-long 4.9 foot (1.5 meter) cord
• Lightweight overhead headphones with adjustable headband
• Open-air design for clear sound
• 30 mm diameter driver for delivery of deep bass
• UniMatch plug adaptor will fit both mini and full size jacks

Reviews (4)

Simply a great value, you can't go wrong.
In this price range you cannot go wrong with these. While they may not provide picky audiophiles with super-high standards looking for supreme sonics with the total sound they're looking for, these are excellent for casual listening at your computer, gaming while everyone else is asleep, or listening to your MP3 player on the treadmill. They're great for travel too. Because of the extremely low price, you won't be afraid of damage or loss during travel and activities. The way they sit on your ears allows your ears to still breath and if you want to hear outside sounds you can. The cord is just a tad short, so I give it 4 stars.

About to order my third pair
I'm currently on my second pair of MDR-201 headphones and will be ordering another pair soon. For the low price that these go for, you get a sturdy set of headphones that are comfortable and sound good. I find they last 2+ years with heavy office use. I've tried other budget headphones from other companies (Yamaha, Aiwa) but in most cases they fell apart almost immediately. Also, for those of you out there who've been blessed with a humongous noggin like I have, these are the headphones for you - they fit even my 7 5/8 size head comfortably. The 1-sided cord is also great for avoiding tangles when using the phone. They're well-designed and a great value.

they do the job
My old standard Sony headphones broke while I was on a road trip, and I came across these. They were cheap enough that I didn't have to worry about making too big of a dent in my money. However, I don't think the sound quality is all that great, and wouldn't recommend them to serious listeners.

TURN YOUR PORTABLE INTO A HI-FI
I've gone through about half-a-dozen pair of these same 'phones for the last 4 years; I wouldn't think of using any other set while on the move!They're the surest way to wring every last little drop of fidelity from any walkabout stereo, pricey or cheap.I've tried it on an inexpensive Awai, and one of Panasonic's expensive "Shock-Wave" cassette players.These 'phones make either sound terrific. ... Read more

Amazon.com Hands-On Review

The Sennheiser HD 650 open-air dynamic headphone is a music lover's dream: easy to wear and downright intoxicating to listen to. Sennheiser is, hands-down, the number-one name in high-quality headphones, and for good reason. From the issue of its legendary HD 580 headphone in mid-'90s, the German company has cornered the market on ultimate over-ear sound coupled with ultimate comfort, an unbeatable combination.

With no need to reinvent the wheel year in and year out, 2004's titanium/silver-colored HD 650 is only the third top-of-the-line incarnation since the HD 580, following the classy HD 600 (and not counting Sennheiser's made-to-order $15,000 Orpheus electrostatic headphone). Is each issue better than the last? Fundamentally, yes, though they're also simply "different." Taking as a starting point that each is truly excellent, the 580 might be said to focus on glorious midrange; the 600 makes a point of delivering extended, exceptionally airy high frequencies; and the 650, fittingly enough, tackles the most difficult area of sound for small drivers to handle: deep bass.

The 650 offers appreciable bass well below 40 Hz, the region responsible for the deepest frequencies generated by kick drums, timpani, double bass, electric bass guitar, and all manner of electronic sounds. Further, the 650 reproduces its low frequencies with only minimal emphasis in the upper-bass region, between the areas we commonly call "bass" and "midrange", in which undue emphasis can destroy clarity both above and below.

If you listen mostly to classical, jazz, and acoustic music, you'll probably embrace the headphone's low-end authority without reservation. If you listen to contemporary pop/rock and electronica, however--genres subject to a fair amount of equalization and bass boosting over the course of recording, mixing, and mastering--then you might find yourself facing, at times, a bit too much bass. Of course, most rock demands excellent bass response, and the HD 650 delivers. It just isn't forgiving of a musical production's gross errors of judgment, which would makes it a great asset for sound engineers.

The 650's driver material is a specially fabricated "acoustic silk" that minimizes harmonic and intermodulation distortion while maintaining a natural timbre. These drivers start and stop on a dime, ensuring dynamic transient "snap" while minimizing subtle, unwanted resonances that a given sound can induce.

Its broad frequency response is rated at 16 to 30,000 Hz, -3 dB (that is: the point at which the frequency extremes are reproduced 3 dB quieter than the frequencies in between), and 10 to 39,500 Hz, -10 dB. This makes the headphone a brilliant way to fully appreciating high-resolution audio formats like SACD, DVD-Audio, and LP records. Comparatively lower-res compact discs also sound fabulous. For best results, listen through a high-quality headphone amplifier, such as a dedicated headphone amp or the headphone jack in a high-quality preamplifier, integrated amplifier, or surround receiver.

The 650 performs remarkably well with portable audio devices (your iPod will likely never have sounded better), but keep in mind that a) you'll need to crank the volume (sucking battery power), b) the 650 will probably make you uncomfortably aware of how amazingly far MP3s are from CD quality, especially below 160 kbps, and c) the open-air nature of the drivers means they block no outside noise whatsoever and broadcast their high frequencies to anyone within earshot.

The headphone's detachable, Kevlar-reinforced OFC copper cable is over 9 feet long. While unquestionably durable and free from motion noise over most of its length--that is, noises audible in the ear cups when the cable is moved or touched--we noticed that the top foot or so (where it meets the earcups) is far more susceptible to motion noise than, say, any part of the cord for the HD 600. It's not an issue when one is either motionless or rocking out.

A nice touch for nighttime use and for blind listeners is a trio of small bumps above the left earcup to assist in orienting the headset. Other features include hand-selected, matched transducers with tight (+/1 dB) tolerances, computer-optimized and highly efficient Neodymium ferrous magnet systems, extremely lightweight aluminum voice coils, and a gold-plated .25-inch jack plug with a separate adapter lead for connecting to minijack .125-inch plugs.

As to comfort, the 650's elliptical ear cups use thick felt pads which circle the ears completely. It's perfect for extended listening, putting no pressure on the ears themselves and fitting snugly across the head. The 650 is the tightest of the three models, an asset for those who want to listen while upright and moving about. --Michael Mikesell

Pros:

• Great sound overall
• Uncommonly comfy fit
• Deep bass response
• Extended overall frequency response
• Dynamic performance
• Extremely low distortion
• Long headphone cord
• Mercilessly revealing of a recording's deficiencies

Cons:

• Top 1 foot of cord is susceptible to motion noise
• Mercilessly revealing of a recording's deficiencies
• You may hate your speakers after hearing this headphone

What's in the Box
Headphone, a detachable headphone cable, a .125-inch minijack adapter, a hard-shell storage box (silver with embossed blue lettering), a user's manual, and warranty information. ... Read more

Features

• High power neodymium magnets deliver maximum efficiency
• Lightweight aluminum voice coils for very fast transient response
• Specially designed acoustic silk ensures precision damping over the entire frequency range and helps to reduce THD to an incredible 0.05%
• Improved frequency response is 10 - 39,500 Hz (-10 dB)
• Hand-selected matched driver elements

Reviews (7)

Don't forget to buy a dedicated amplifier and a cable and...
Many MP3s at 128kps sound terrible on these phones because the device reveals details like noise, distortion, discontinuities, low bandwidth, low sampling rates.On the other hand, you will be reintroduced to familiar CD tracks because the level of detail and musicality revealed may be astonishing.Amorphous boomy bass passages may become powerful punctual distinct deep bass impact events as if from a live setting; or muddy-sounding midrange noise may be transformed into a spacious and ethereal background vocal you never knew was there.The 650 can render it if it's there, like putting on a pair of glasses and seeing 20/20 after groping around the music nearsighted for years.

Here's the rub: If you don't have them already, you will need a headphone amplifier (100 plus bucks) and a high quality headphone cable (Equinox, Cardas (150-300 bucks)) to make the 650 sound the way it can.It can run off an MP3 or CD player and reach good volume levels, but the sound quality can become distorted because the portable players and some home audio amplifiers don't have the circuitry to generate the power to drive the headphones.The 650 will still sound better than any phone you already own but more demanding parts of the music may become distorted as a result of the player's limitations.I threw out five CDs after listening to them with the 650 because I realized their recording quality was low.These phones can also hurt at medium volume -- it might be sound pressure across the spectrum.These phones made my speakers sound terrible and now I must upgrade.Ugh.Audiophile hell.

Extraordinary sound at a reasonable price.
The jury is still out on these headphones. Without a doubt, they are among the best headphones I have ever heard. However, the little wooden Grados give them a run for their money (but then they should at almost twice the price of the 650s). The only complaint I have on the 650s is their "softness"; one has a definite tendency to fall asleep when listening to music through them (and that's not altogether a bad thing). Great headphones.

Things you need to know for producing the best sound
The HD650 is a superb headphone.Unfortunately,someone complain about quality of sound.
However, I guess that those people do not know about "break-in"(or "burn-in") period.
Almost all the headphones do not sound as good as a well used pair when you are listening to music with a headphone for the first time after you bought.
In a word, headphones must be "electrically" adapted by playing music for total of hours in order to sound to the intended best state.
Break-in period needed for producing the best sound depnds on a headphone.
I guess HD650 needs break-in period of over 100 hours.
What you need to do for that is to just listene to music you like.
After that period, you will be suprised by remarkable quality of sound produced by HD650! If you use a good CD player and a headphone amp, the sound quality would be more impressive!
Anyway, enjoy outstanding HD650!!

Excellent, but what did you expect?
So headphone.com calls them "simply the world's best headphone." I can't speak for the Grado or AKG contenders. I can say that they're better than my Sennheiser 590's, and that is shocking.

Which leads me to my first (and probably most important) point about this headphone. They cost a lot. A whole lot. Sennheiser has many units, including the 580, 590, 595, 600, and 650 (among many others), which could be construed as 'reference' quality. You'll spend about half as much on one of the 5xx models as you will on the 650. So if you were to ask me whether the 650 is *twice as good* (that is to say, it costs more in proportion to its increased capability), I'll tell you no, probably not. I might just not buy them, given the decision again. Perhaps if the price came down a bit.

At any rate, they are really a superb headphone. The sound is really incredible. You never really realize what you're missing in a recording until you've heard it through a set like this. You can hear the saliva in the back of a vocalist's throat. I'm not kidding. Everything is reproduced clearly, accurately, crisply, and I've yet to find any recording (Vocal, Classical, Electronic, etc) that can tax them. I suppose I'll stop trying to some day, but it's just wonderful to hear the headphones doing their job.

The construction is far more solid than the 590's are. Where there is plastic on the 590, you see metal and (no kidding) Kevlar. They are more attractive. They are also quite a bit heavier. They have a 1/4" connector instead of the more customary 1/8" mini connector -- this doesn't particularly bother me, I'll get to it in a minute.

Like the 590, they are an open headphone. That is, they are not "sealed" or "isolated". Sound from around you will seep in, and it is possible for others to hear what you are listening to (somewhat).

They are less comfortable. My guess is because of the metal band, the "spring" mechanism that keeps them round is tighter than the 590's, and it pinches. It really feels as though somebody is compressing your head. The ear cups are fine. They are almost identical to the 590's, but a little larger.

So, you probably wouldn't be here if you didn't know you needed an amplifier for these headphones (this is where the 1/4" plug comes in). However, it bears mentioning that you should not even consider buying these cans without first buying a capable amplifier. The PPA/PIMETA amps are cheapish, and Headphone.com has some that will work fine. To demonstrate this, you'll need another headphone and the 650. Connect the other headphone to your amplifier. Listen at a comfortable level. Then, relax a second, and attach the 650. The first thing you should notice is that the white noise is gone. The second thing -- other than the sound quality, of course -- is that it is much quieter. These cans need a lot of power to drive them effectively. Look at their specifications and you will understand (300 ohms of impedance!).

Buy em if you want the best and aren't afraid to spend the $$. Buy the 590's or 595's if what you need is a stellar headphone and you don't want to spend too much. Use the extra money to buy yourself an amp. You'll need it.

nice, but flawed
My expectation of the 650 was rather great, with it's 0.05%, 10-39500 and ratings on headphone.com ... the problem is that they are drastically colored. Sennheiser states that these cans were developed with the way music listeners listen to their music today. That's cute, but to do this they have colored all the audio ranges with a "creamy" sound that dulls all the details. All wave lengths are dropped so you get artificial bass in all spectums leaving your not-so-average-music-listener feeling like you are listening to great music but it's not the best.

I just finished an extensive review the another serious audio listener and engineer and we both agree that there needs to be more advertizement on these cans to let you know that they are pre-toned for your average listening pleasure. There's no way I would do mix-downs or proof a final track with the 650s ... they are just not accurate enough.

The best cans out there are still the HD 600s. They're numbers are slightly lower than the 650s but it's not going to cause you grief with colorization. You can get to 10 with 650s and 12 with 600s in the lows, but because of the colorization and everything begin in the lower bracket you'll wish they produced the 650s with the extra low and no colorization.

650s are a disappointment. When you train your ear to hear everything being played and recorded and want the most accurate listening that you can you'll want the 600s. ... Read more

Product Description

With Bose technology, you dont have to compromise the quality of your audio just because youre listening through a pair of headphones. Our acoustic equalization techniques deliver the rich nuances of your music that conventional headphones often lose. You hear the intricate notes of an acoustic guitar, the full range of vocals and even the beat of a drum with greater clarity and impact. TriPort® headphones faithfully reproduces deep, full low notes without requiring the artificial bass boost function found on many portable players. Advanced ergonomics and lightweight design define the stylish TriPort headphones. Soft ear cushions gently fit around your ear for hours of comfortable listening. A thin, adjustable headband has several head size settings and the earcups swivel for a better fit. An additional benefit of Bose TriPort headphone technology is that it helps reduce headphone size without sacrificing performance, resulting in a total weight of only five ounces. TriPort headphones put it all together: high-performance sound, comfortable fit and stylish design for an eye-catching, ear-pleasing audio experience. ... Read more

Features

• Bose acoustic headphone technology for exceptional sound
• Compatible with portable media players or home stereo
• Total weight of only five ounces

Reviews (18)

great sound, horrid construction
These headphone give great response at low to moderate levels. At higher levels you easily get distortion not found in other higher-end headsets. These lack any really good resistence. I can easily get sound distortion with my iRiver.

The build construction is horrid. The cups are nice and comfortable for many hours of wear but the plastic used on the rails and D-Ring is garbage. I use these at work (a desk job) and I'm already on my third pair (the first two were replaced under warranty) and these are starting to crack and break. If you plan to use your headphones every day, don't expect these to last more than a year before the plastic starts to crack or break.

Very .. Very Fragile
I have had and retured/replaced 3 pairs of the Boise TriPort Headphones for replacement without any repair charges.Boise is aware of the weak plastic headband.Sound quality is great!

Great Sound, Awful Construction
To preface my remarks -- I am a big Bose fan, and have owned their products since the late 70's (when I could first afford them, at college).I ordered the Triport headphones to use with my iPod at work, since I can't stand those one-size-fits-none earbud phones.

When they arrived, I was pleased with their design and comfort, and blown away by their sound.I was able to hear things in the background of iPod tracks that I had literally never heard before.

So far, so great.

Then they broke.

The nice people at Bose eventually replaced them (although it took four attempts to get them to respond to my e-mails), and the replacement pair has a one-year warranty, as others have noted.So why so few stars in my rating?

Simple - I know they will break again.I treat mine with kid gloves whenever they come out of their pouch, and yet I wear them with the knowledge that they will need replacing -- again -- in the fairly near future.For that reason I bought a cheapish pair of open air Sennheisers -- 433's -- while transiting Singapore airport.And guess what?They're lightweight, have great sound reproduction, are made of sturdy plastic, and were CHEAP.

Are you listening, Bose?

Bose Triports...Love 'em or hate 'em...or both.
The Triports have excellent sound. If they could just sit on your ears with no suspension design that would be a dream come true. However, for what ever reason, Bose has decided to make the headband not more than about a centimeter in width. The pressure of the band, after a while, wears a groove in the skin of my scalp, which is then very uncomfortable. Also the plastic of the headband is very cheap and will break in many pieces soon, out of stress wear. Keep your superglue handy. Mine have been repaired about 4 times. I inquired about parts from Bose and was told that if I sent the phonesin, that it would be only $65 to repair them. Thanks.
So I wear my Triports with a credit card between the headband and my scalp so they don't hurt, and the plastic is all patched up with superglue, etc. My wife says they're very attractive. But.....the sound is great!!

Excellent Sound, Expensive and Delicate
I can tell you tons of frequency related stuff to convince you its good but here is the bottom line.
Good:
1. Crystal clear sound, rich bass and sharp treble. Every thing about sound in these headphones is excellent.
2. Compact Size, Light Weight, very Comfortable to wear and if styling is a deciding factor they look really cool.
3. Good sound isolation. Others dont hear what you are listening toand you dont hear others when using the headphones
4. Extra extension cord, with pouch.

Bads:
1. Expensive (but you know good quality comes at a price)
2. Delicate. The plastic frame connecting the earcups (magnets) to the steel headband is delicate and so is the wire. The wire is infact super thin. Plus the wire is soldered to the speakers (magnets). Other brands offer gold plated detachable pins. Pins really save your investmanet when the wire gets accidentally pulled (happens all the time during boarding flights). So watch out one sudden pull and your 130 dollars go into the drain.
3. The wire connects to both the earcups. I like ones which connect to only one side.

Who should buy:
1. If you love pure quality, you should
2. If you have an expensive player that produces good sound, you should
3. If you sit in one place the whole day (like in an office cube) then you probably should

Who should not
1. Gym folks, dont even come near, a wire tangled in tread mill handle bars will get snapped in a sec. Try sennheiser or philips they have detachable pins and thick wires.
2. Frequent flyers stay away. This time wire would be tangled in the seat's head/handrests. It happened to my sennheiser three times and it survived due to detachable pins.
3. People who need to listen to sorrounding people while listening to music. Or those who have to take the headphones on and off frequently.

my final verdict, it sounds great, but you have to be careful while using it. ... Read more

Product Description

Product Description

Large diaphragm foldable headphones. Headphone features include: rugged design, folding construction, 40mm driver unit, closed ear design, gold connectors and oxygen free cord, frequency response (10Hz to 20kHz). ... Read more

Features

• Rugged Design - Proven to be reliable in the toughest situations
• Folding Construction - Compactness in storage
• 40mm Driver Unit - For clear, high quality sound reproduction
• Closed-Ear Design - Comfort and reduction of external noise interference
• Stereo Unimatch Plug - 1/4

Reviews (11)

Quality Headphones from a name you can trust for performance
At the radio station where I work we use these headphones and well, they rock. I highly recommend them to any one who is looking for headphones for consumer uses. They are very comfortable and have relatively high quality sound.

I own a pair of the MDR-DJ 700's and I would rate these head phones higher for two reasons. First is that they are more comfortable. The foam ear cushions are ear shaped and made out of a soft material, that also isolates noise well. The second area is ruggedness. The two pairs of 7506's we have at the radio station are 3 years old and still work like new. They are rugged, and can easily stand regular and varied use.

As a DJ, I know that DJ's want superior sound quality from headphones. These headphones sound exactly the same as other industry standard headphones, with more reliability then the 700's and a significantly lower price then other models with similar specs by Stanton, and Pioneer. Did I mention that they were comfortable? I confidently give these headphones 5 stars, and I will by a pair this summer, to replace my broken 700's.

If I could sum up these headphones in a word it would be quality.

Fantastic set of headphones-Studio Standard
These are the best pair of headphones that I have heard in a long while.Apparently, they are professional quality headphones, due to the band stating "studio monitor".You will hear specific instruments distinctly, and even the tapping of the drum sticks together before the song starts.Well worth $99.

I'm on my third pair of these excellent phones...
I've worn out the other two! The 7506 is indeed the industry standard, a smooth sounding headphone and very rugged. It takes a few hours to break 'em in so the bass becomes 'normal', and after that the bottom end is slightly exaggerated (when compared to the 7509's,) but that's something I like anyway. I found the 7509's to be somewhat lifeless --for twice the money!

I monitor through Mackie 624's with subwoofer and these 7506's compare pretty well to my $2,400 speaker system- this should tell you something about the 7506's!?

I love these 'phones. Highly recommended.

They're o.k.
Same model as the V6, but blue stickers instead of red.The 7509 actually sounds flatter, but not as controlled.The -6 model has a peak at around 8khz that really bugs my ears.They also don't exactly sound smooth up there...very crunchy.But they do cover all the frequencies without distorting, get more comfortable over time, and are extremely durable.I chose the Pioneer HDJ-1000 for DJing over this one (supreme tightness in the low end and more balanced on top), but unfortunately it just broke below the joint.The Senn 25 supposedly sounds the same as the Pioneer and is much more durable.

The Industry Standard Headphones
Start noticing when you watch TV and see radio stations, or professionals at work to the headphones they are wearing, and you will see this pair more than any other.

Great headphones for voice-over work.

The only thing I don't like about them, (which might actually be a plus for other people) is that the 1/4 inch plug unscrews to reveal a tiny 1/8 inch plug (used by portable walkman type radios) No professional would ever have a need for the tiny plug, so instead, they should have wired a 1/4 plug, and they could have thrown in an adaptor to go down to 1/8 inch, but now when using 1/4 inch, it is always going through the weak contacts of an adaptor all the time, rather than a solid hard wire.

I suppose you could always cut off the plug and hardwire another one to it. But so far, no problems, so it stays as is.

The plugs are the gold type, so less chance for corrosion over time.

Good highs and lows for headphones.

The best set of headphones I ever had were a pair made by Koss, and sold by Radio Shack called the Pro-60s that were only around $59, but they discontinued those many years ago. The foams would always wear away into dust after a while too, but when compared to the expensive Senheisers with the yellow foams, everyone I let try mine who had the Senheisers, liked the Pro-60s better and ended up getting a pair too.(I know I am going to lose a lot of credibility right away with some people when they read the words "Radio Shack" but keep in mind these were made by KOSS, and were KOSS headphones.)

Don't have a set of those anymore to compare with these, but unlike the Senheisers, that I never liked at all, these Sony 7506 headphones do a great job.

And they are real comfortable, which is a big plus when you have to wear them for hours, like you do sometimes in broadcasting.

This is the most common set of headphones used in radio and television stations today.

From what is available on the market today, I wouldn't get any other set.

I have a theory about those complaining about the "low end" on these, as to me they are clean and sound just fine.

However, I have an idea why some people might be saying what they do, the source they are feeding thier headphones are possibly causing the problem. These can only sound as good as what you connect them to!

In fact, after hearing my set in my studio, a friend really liked how great they sounded and wanted a set for boombox listening. Well, when we connected them to the boombox, the headphones suddenly sounded awful and muddy with no highs at all.Thanks to the cheap $100 boombox and it's low quality amplifier!

Connect these headphones to a good studio headphone amp, or a good Denon stereo, and most people should have no complaints to the sound they can produce.


... Read more

Product Description

The Sony Slim Headband Headphones admit outside sound in for added safety when you are listening on the go, and the super-light, in-the-ear design reduces size and weight, providing comfortable wear hour after hour. Headphones have an Acoustic Turbo circuit for high efficiency and high sonic output from your portable stereo; a Neodymium magnet for maximum energy; 3.3' cord; and an L-shape mini plug. Features 16-ohm impedance; 104 dB/mW sensitivity; 50 mW power handling capacity and 20-20,000Hz frequency response. 0.5 oz. ... Read more

Features

• 3.3 foot cord (1 meter) for ease of movement
• Open-air, dynamic headphones which fit comfortably in the ear
• 13.5 mm diameter for small size and sound quality
• Nickel-plated mini-plug is L-shaped
• Slim headband to keep headphones snug

Reviews (13)

a long time satisfied, loyal user
Ever since 1997, this is the only type of headphones Ive been using. They are very comfortable. Full-size headphones are too heavy for extended or portable use, too bulky to wear them while lying down, and too much like a pair of ear muffs on a warm day! Earphones, on the other hand, always giving me issues: they tend to either sliping out or too tight and uncomfortable. Quality wise, these headphones are also very solid. I've gone though three pairs since 1997. And at around 10 a pop, that's no big deal at all. I'm tempted to buy one of those new and ultra pricy earphones, but at 10 times the price of thse good old Sony, I'll stick to the old faithful.

Nice while it lasts
I went through 2 of these. Both were very nice before they blew out. They last me a little less than a year. They deliver a nice loud crisp sound especially for their small package but they don't last their lifetime which does not work for me.

Perfect
Way too cheap for what they are. I didn't fully realize this until I got a player with a lot of equalization choices. Then I discovered that the changes didn't make much difference in the way the music sounded in all the various earphones I had around the house (because they didn't have enough frequency response to manipulate), except these. Everyone I've shown them to has loved them.

The comfort issue someone else mentioned is real--it takes a while to build up the calluses to use them for really long periods of time, and you can't use them lying on your side. But it's worth it.

Sometimes the Best Foundations are the Easiest to Overlook
When you find yourself searching, in need a pair of headphones, you should ask yourself what you want from your music. Do you want a sound that seems to cover you ear, muffling the noise and perhaps minimizing exposure, or do you want purity of sound that closeness of proximity can bring? Do you want a design that might be right and that might not, with those newer designs that hook behind the ears or those sectional ones that sometimes pinch, or do you want a more basic model that has been time tested? While you might not think of it, how you answer that question makes all the difference in the world. And if you're picky and want something that has met the measure of thousands of hours of this reviewer's personal testing, then this model works.

Before the advent of volume control on headphones, this was only the way to go and is still the type I fall back on when I can't find that type. That's because they have a durable plastic structure, an adjustable fit that is pretty hard to wear out, and speakers that seem to take a sonic beating before giving out. Its actually amazing when you note the beating they can take, with so many other products falling by the consumer wayside. Also, they fit firmly in the ear, seating themselves properly, and the plug connecting the headphones to the player rarely wear rout. Besides that, they have one other thing going for them. They are formed well, especially around the speakers.

While many may not see this as a necessity, I've actually experimented with all types of headphones and I've found something that can happen when straying away from Sony. If you're lucky you'll get something that is wired decently, sometimes popping and giving the equal to a shock in the ear and sometimes not, and at worst you'll have a form with a jagged surface. While that might not be bad with something that fits over the ear, something inserted directly into the ear is dangerous when not formed properly. And that's why I swear by these because I've never, in well over 50 pairs of this model alone, had it happen.

If you look at these and you think they are to basic and that the price says something on lower quality, you'd be wrong in many a right. They are perhaps plain in design, not getting fancy in color or the way they fit, but they deliver sounds in only a way that Sony seems to understand. They also last, allowing you to get your maximum use out of the product. Personally, I find that to be the best way to secure loyalty as a customer and something Sony seems to understand. And they've been doing that for me for well over a decade.

Great Sound, Good Price, Buy It
This is definetly one of my favorites. Very good handling of sound and in a featherweight package. These were a lot better than my old headphones. Best of all, they're only ten dollars. Easily affordable by anyone. ... Read more

Product Description

For superb sound, rugged durability and comfort, you can’t beat Altec Lansing headphones. Just plug them in to your portable stereo, CD or MP3 player and other devices for vivid stereo soundno matter where work or play takes you. With three styles to choose from, you can get the headphones that fit your lifestyle. And when it comes to comfort, these headphones are second to noneso you can wear them every day.

• High quality audio reproduction.
• Discreet, contoured, behind-the-neck design doesn’t mess up your hair.
• 32mm neodymium drivers deliver full, rich sound.
• Handy volume control regulates audio level.
• Soft-foam ear pads provide long-wearing comfort.

Reviews (4)

Don't hold up
The wife bought me a 20GB Dell DJ for Father's Day last year (great gift, Honey..!).
I can't stand earbuds, and my old Sony MDR's foam earpieces were wearing out, so I went out and got the AHP212.
I figured I'd get an upgrade in sound quality and more comfortable phone.I ride an hour on the train to work every day, so I get a LOT of use out of these.
Well, 6 months in, they've farted out.The in-line volume control is shorting out, causing me to lose the right channel.
I've got to fiddle with it constantly, and any tiny jar causes the sound to cut out.
Also, the cord has pull 1/4 inch out of the left phone, leaving exposed wire, which occassionaly shocks me.
All in all, a big dissapointment.
Do not buy these.

Incredible for price-can't beat them
I was surprisingly very pleased with these headphones. I love the long cord and volume control. Wouldn't hesistate to purchase these at all. Much better than the awful earbuds that came with my iPod. Sound quality is amazing.

Great Sound
I was suprised at the great sound from this headphones. I already own a set of Altec Lansing PC speakers so I decided to buy these when I saw them. I am not at all dissapointed.

Suprisingly Very Good Sound!
My Sony behind the ear headphones were getting quite worn, so I was checking out replacement headphones and came across these Altec Lansing headphones for the same price as the Sony headphones.

The Sony headphones would hurt the inner side of my ear, from the clamp holding them into place, so I was wanting to try something new.(I listen to music on my MP3 player about 4 hours a day while at work.)

These headphones come with a volume control on the cord, which makes it great when someone visits my desk or in times when things get loud in the office.I can turn up or turn down the volume without having to reach to my MP3 player.

So far, these headphones are more comfortable than the Sony headphones.The sound of the headphones is really amazing as well.I believe they outperform the Sony headphones.

The cable is not that long, so consider getting a headphone extension cord to provide enough distance when using the headphones at work.

If you listen to quite a bit of music, consider buying these headphones. ... Read more

Product Description

around-the-ear, sealed earcup design * up to 14 dB reduction of ambient noise * on/off switch for passive (standard) or active (noise-canceling) operation * accepts "AAA" battery (not included) for up to 30 hours of noise-canceling operation * 59-inch cord with gold-plated stereo mini plug * ... Read more

Features

• Neodymium magnets delivers powerful sound
• Reduce ambient noise with noise-canceling circuitry
• Ear-conscious design for premium wearing comfort
• Slim, swivel folding style for easy portability
• Features 40 millimeter driver units

Reviews (2)

Noise reduction pretty good, depth of sound questionable
I recently purchased the MDR-NC50 headphones (~$149) as an upgrade for Aiwa HP-CN6 noise canceling headphones purchased in the fall of 2003 (~$65). I've used the HP-CN6 on many flights.I also recently purchased Centrios noise canceling headphones for a family member (~$39).I haven't tried Bose's headphones yet.

Of the three headphones, the new Sony headphones do the best job at noise cancellation and are the most comfortable, while the Centrios doesn't appear to knock out as much noise as the Aiwa. In addition, while you can typically hear some white noise when noise cancellation is in effect, the Sony headphone's white noise sound is definitely much quieter than Aiwa and Centrios. The Aiwa's white noise seems to be the loudest. You can appreciate the difference if you listen to quieter sections of music. For example, with the MDR-NC50 while listening to Mozart's Horn Concerto #1, you definitely are not distracted by the white noise as you are with the HP-CN6.

Regarding a previous reviewer's comments about audio volume being significantly less, I would have to agree.I tested the headphones with an iPod and a Roland electronic piano. The output was disappointing compared to both the Aiwa and Centrios. I also compared them to some old standard Pioneer SE-305 headphones.Even when you crank up the volume to 100% on the iPod while using the MDR-NC50, it still seems you lose out on some of the music. Using the Horn Concerto as an example, there are sections where the bass of the cellos appears muted in comparison to the other headphones. There doesn't seem to be as much depth of sound while using the MDR-NC50s. From this perspective, ranking the headphones for subjective audio quality, from best to worst, I would have to say Pioneer, Aiwa, Sony, then the Centrios.I rank the Sony headphones before the Centrios, because sound seemed more muddled with the Centrios headphones.In addition, the Centrios seems to have trouble voicing the highest octave notes from the Roland electronic piano, while all the others, including the MDR-NC50 had no trouble.

Regarding a previous reviewer's comments on "howling", the Aiwa's user instructions also stated the same thing. I haven't heard any howling from either Aiwa's or Sony's headphones. I have tried putting on the heaphones backwards, skewed, etc., and haven't had any problems.

In conclusion, I think for an airplane environment and at a reasonable price point, the Sony headphones are probably a good trade-off between noise cancellation and audio reproduction. For pop and rock music it's OK. However, the depth of sound and volume issues are disappointing, in particular for classical music.The MDR-NC50 is as comfortable as my standard Pioneer set.Price wise, the MDR-NC50 is probably reasonable between $125 to $150.

don't buy these!!!
It says in the instruction manual, if not worn correctly, will cause howling.It sounds like feedback.You have to absolutely wear them perfectly.You can't move your head.You can't yawn.You can't walk.The howling hurts since it is such a high pitch.Plus, the audio is not really high compared to my other Sony headphones.With these headphones, I have to turn up my mp3 player at position 17, whereas other speakers play loudly at 12. The connection is usually loose as well, especially if you turn your head.I wasted my money at a Japanese airport in Tokyo, where I thought the quality would be great.Sometimes Sony makes flawed products.I will do my best to get a refund for the 19000 yen I spent (roughly 190.00).I thought it would be an equivalent to the Bose speakers for less.I was wrong. ... Read more

Product Description

Koss Corporation, the leader of high fidelity stereophones is pleased to announce the introduction of PRO/4AA Stereophone. Few products receive the distinction of being equated with the industry they serve. The PRO/4AA Stereophone has been faithfully serving the broadcast and recording industries for decades. It is only fitting that Koss commemorates the anniversary of the world's first SP3 stereophone with a limited edition of this outstanding leader. The PRO/4AA Stereophone features a dynamic element and closed cushion design to deliver an outstanding frequency response and bass performance. Designed to withstand the stress and pressure of everyday studio use, the PRO/4AA incorporates an adaptable steel and plastic headband design. A boom microphone mount is included for broadcast flexibility. ... Read more

Features

• .25-inch plug
• 10 - 25,000 Hz frequency response
• Closed ear cushions for maximum bass and isolation
• Includes microphone mount hardware
• 10 foot cord

Reviews (26)

Jock's Cans of Choice!
When I started in radio 30 years ago...the first cans I used were Koss Pro 4AAs...
over the years I have used AKG's,Pioneers,and more recently Sennheiser HD500s
which I like...but call me sentimental...my wife got em for my birthday and they still
sound just like I remember them and still cost about the same...So there heavy...big deal..adjust. It is worth it...I missed the weight on my head and they sound great in the studio too! A+

Yes they are heavy, but.....
As many people say they are heavy.21 ounces on the head as opposed to my old Sony 405's at 12 ounces.However after a couple of days use (and by letting the weight of the phones rest on my recliner) I now find I have adjusted.The sound is first rate, and only limited by the quality of the input. In reading other reviews I notice many complaints about the power requirements, but I seem to get better output at lower power levels than other phones with these. (at least on stereo recievers).I do have a big head, and yes they were tight, but the bands are made out of a good quality metal and will allow for slight and permanent tweaking for fit.Lastly, yes they are hot.All good closed cups are, but my solution while it may not be fashionable, is excellent and actually hygenic.I cut off the tops from an old pair of socks and slip them over the cups.Works fine, collects the sweat and dirt that would otherwise gross out the phones, and even allows multiple users to feel a little less intimate than they might want to be.For the price and quality there is no substitute.Thanx JPW

OUCH MY EAR
When I first got the Koss Pro-4AA's they would make my ears feel like they were being ripped off my head after wearing them for 10 minutes or so. After about 5 months they stopped hurting my ears and the only pain came from the them weighing down on the top of my head. So, now after owning them for a year I can wear them for about an hour before the pain becomes too much. They sound great but they are most uncomfortable peice of head gear ever invented. I'm switching to some Grado SR80's, those are supposed to be the best headphones for the price.

Koss Pro4aa
Superb! Sturdy construction, great sound, a great value. Much better quality than Bose, Sony or Sennheiser.

It was a blessing disguised as a curse.
Initially, I had accidently ordered the 4aa, but once it arrived I put it on and have never heard Bjork so clearly. If your on the fence about these, Get 'em! ... Read more

Product Description

BLUETAKE has produced the i-PHONO series products which are both simple and convenient to use. With its Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP), the i-PHONO BT430 Bluetooth® Hi-Fi Audio Dongle enables your audio device to transfer the stereo audio signal cordlessly to the BLUETAKE i-PHONO BT420 Bluetooth® Hi-Fi Sports Headphone. The i-PHONO BT430 Bluetooth® Hi-Fi Audio Dongle is plug-n-play and compliant with various audio devices using the built-in standard 3.5mm (1/8 inch) stereo audio plug. The only installation procedure you need to do is to plug the i-PHONO BT430 Bluetooth® Hi-Fi Audio Dongle into the audio out jack of your audio device such as a walkman, MP3/ MD/ CD player, Pocket PC, Tablet PC etc. Additionally, the innovative one-button pairing operation allows you to pair the audio dongle effortlessly with the i-PHONO BT420 Bluetooth® Hi-Fi Sports Headphone. Whilst you exercising and enjoying your favorite music with the i-PHONO BT420 Bluetooth® Hi-Fi Sports Headphone, the headphone's ergonomic design and the Bluetooth® wireless technology will make you feel comfortable and free, with no cable to bother you or get in the way. The foldable, behind-the-neck headband allows you to reduce the whole size of headphone for carrying or storage. Additionally, the changeable color plates enable you to look both stylish and out of the ordinary. Besides the wireless stereo audio application, the i-PHONO BT420 Bluetooth® Hi-Fi Sports Headphone can be used for mobile hands-free communication with any mobile phone which supports either the Bluetooth® Headset or Hands-free profiles. Whilst enjoying music, you can receive or make a phone calls easily through the built-in foldable microphone and the embedded innovative auto switching technology. Once you have an incoming or outgoing phone call, you can hear the ring tone from the headphone, so you won't miss any phone calls even if you are steeped in your music with the headphones. ... Read more

Features

• Bluetooth Class 2, up to 5~10 meters (in open space)
• Bluetooth Profile Supported A2DP/HSP/HFP/SPP
• Max. 5 different Bluetooth enabled devices
• While listening music, you can receive or make a phone call with the paired mobile phone
• FHSS (Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum)

Product Description

Virtual Dolby® Digital surround sound * around-the-ear earcups * self-adjusting double headband with auto power on/off sensor * automatic tuning * 2 "AAA" NiMH rechargeable batteries (supplied) and charger * range up to 23' ... Read more

Features

• Gold-plated analog input for noise-free Dolby stereo and pure stereo sources
• Ideal for DVD players and other components with Dolby Digital, Dolby Surround or DTS Surround Sound
• Comfortable, cordless, open-air headphones with a 23 foot transmission range and a 90° transmission angle
• Incorporates Sony VPT Virtual Phones Technology, with 125 million instructions per second Logic 3D processor
• Optical digital input allows use with Dolby Digital and PCM audio

Reviews (3)

Great if You Only Need One Headphone
Acoustically and ergonomically, the MDR-DS3000 is all that Sony claims it is. However, if you want additional headphones (MDR-IF3000) you will have to charge them one at a time on the base station, because no separate battery charger is available. With prolonged use and/or many headphones, juggling multiple headphones on one charger is sure to fail. If you need multiple headphones, perhaps a product line that provides extra battery chargers as well as extra headphones would be preferable.

Good Quality Sound & Comfy
I've had this unit for about a month now.They are very comfortable to wear for long periods of time.Yes, there are better quality sounding wired headphones at significantly higher prices, but these are no "slouch".I listen to CDs and Radio AOL in the morning when I work at the computer.With my computer, I use the regular wired analog connection tied into a standard 1/8" stereo plug that's connected to my computer's headphone jack.I have the input select switch on the left of the base unit set to "analog" (you have a choice between digital and analog), and the effects switch on the right of the base unit set to "music" (you have a choice between "off", "cinema" and "music").Stereo sound with Radio AOL, which is CD quality, is very good.Sound is crisp...bass, while not overwhelming, is realistic. Separation is very good. There is a minute bit of hiss, but I do not find it troubling. You typically notice it only between songs, and at very high volumes that probably aren't good for your ears anyway.More on that later...

Please note that this Sony unit has a dB attenuation switch on the back that allows you to decrease the sound output level.I have not had a need for this, so I've kept it set to zero.When I first took it out of the box, it was set to (-). Make sure you experiment with this before panicing that the unit is dfective.Set at (-), this caused me to increase volume significantly in most applications, and this caused a corresponding jump in hiss.If it's set at zero, hiss is not a problem (at least for for me).

You can keep this unit connected to your computer or sound system with the analog set up described above, and can, at the same time, keep it connected to a DVD player with the optical output and cable they supply.For surround sound applications, I set the input selector on the left side of the base unit to "digital", and put the effects switch on the other side to "cinema".I have tried the unit on my DVD player with several regular movies, and also a good quality THX movie - Finding Nemo.I find the sound to be excellant with very good surround sound separation results.Again, a very slight bit of hiss in the background at higher volumes, but I don't find it disturbing.

One thing about hiss: When I researched several of the RF technology units out there (most are 900 mHz like cordless phones), some reviewers complained about varying hiss as you moved about a room, and commented that it seems to vary with things like cordless phones in close proximity.That does not happen with this Sony, and is one of the reasons I think hiss may not be as noticable as some of the RF technology units.Also, because it's IR, I don't have interference with my cordless phone, wireless keyboard, etc.

Range of the unit in my application is as advertised - about 20 feet or so...then, it begins to fade out.Within the 20 feet, the sound volume remains absolutely consistent.Just stay line of sight with the base unit, and inside the 20 foot range, and the sound remains strong and consistent.

The "auto off" and "charge in the cradle" features are great.As soon as you take them off, they shut off.It's a little tricky to set the headphones in the base unit to charge them, but this is no big deal.The charge holds for quite some time...I have yet to exceed it (I've used them for 6-8 hours straight several times with no problem).

I bought these on Amazon for about $140 right after Christmas.That price was a "steal".I've seen them advertised for over $200 at some sites!!Sony sells a similar but higher-end model - the MDR-DS8000.But I wasn't willing to spend the $500 bucks or so for that unit.Alternatives I considered: Seinnhauser RS65, Amphony 1000, Advent AW720.The Amphony is highly recommended by Consumer Reports, but has been replaced by the Amphony 2000 and 2500.Seinnhauser is a quality name, and the Advent seemed to be value priced.At the end of the day, I guess I felt comfortable with the Sony name so I bought these.

As of the date of this writing, I could not find product reviews comparing wireless headphones against each other, except for Consumer Reports, and that study is old - 11/02 (it did not include this unit in the comparison).Also, try and find a retail store that will let you try ANY wireless headphone!! They all keep them in the box...can't take them out...it's frustrating.

I love the freedom of wireless headphones.While these Sonys may not pass muster with the most conceited of audiophiles, the average person with average to above average sound quality requirements will find this unit desirable and a good value.

Hope this helped...

Does not work with Plasma TV!
I bought it 2 weeks ago. As soon as I turned it on after connecting to DVD machine, I got this huge noise. I had to put my headphone very close to the base in order for clean sound. Then I read this one line text in the instruction manual that this system uses infrared and does not work with Plasma TV. Sure enough, as soon as I turned off my plasma tv, the sound became clean. But I bought them mainly for watching movies late at night. Now they are really useless to me. If you have a plasma tv, do not buy this!

The headphones sound pretty mellow. I didn't get enough base when playing Return of the King. And the positioning of the sound is really unclear. The only bright side is when listening to stereo audio source, it sounds very clean and natural.

Auto on/off is nice. Putting back to the base to recharge requires practice. It should have more than one digital connection input. ... Read more

Product Description

Sennheiser has extended its range for the audiophile: enthusiasts of classical music will want to try the open-back HD 590 Prestige. Using selected quality materials, these headphones have been designed with unadulterated listening pleasure in mind, making them the top model of Sennheiser's 500 Series. The HD 590s feature large-surface "Duofol" diaphragms, a special diaphragm consisting of two foils welded together to reduce standing waves to an absolute minimum. A new transducer orientation ensures better localization of sounds and a superbly natural sound reproduction. ... Read more

Features

• 10-foot, single-sided OFC (oxygen-free copper) cable reduces tangles, maximizes transmission accuracy
• Duofol membranes reduce partial harmonics
• Over-ear stereo headphones with comfortable ear cups for extended listening
• Extended frequency response: 12 to 38,000 Hz
• Open-ear design reduces resonances that would otherwise color the sound

Reviews (3)

Fantastic Audio Experience!
After one month of listening I say:Wow, these sound great!

Considerations which influenced my purchase: I wanted to plug-in to a variety of sources.I didn't want to mess around with a separate headphone amp.Also, comfort wearing headphones for hours at a time while watching movies was a consideration.Personal trial comparisons were out because the local audio market isn't large enough to support a wide range of options so after reading the reviews of several models I just googled for price and dealer comparisons.Ended up paying $181.24 + shipping through an Amazon affiliate called a_hallelectronics@yahoo.com out of Phoenix (no phone number!).Headphones were sent USPS Priority Mail, a good thing because the padded manilla envelope was totally insufficient... granted, it didn't show signs of having suffered any impacts, but I'm chalking that up to blind luck.A solid box was definitely called for given the price/quality of the item.

I listen to a wide range of music:Classical, jazz, rock, new age, folk and world beat.The sound is transparent and bright with no trace ofharshness even with Depeche Mode.Very uplifting!

Intro to Audiophile Headphones
If you think that you have a discerning ear and you don't want to spend a ton of money on headphones the hd-590s are the best place to get your feet wet.I did a bit of research and chose these over the comp grado's for personal aural peculularities.So, do your own investigation.These Headphones will not disappoint.

Quite good for the price
These are great, great headphones, at bargain price. I've used them mostly with a NAD C340 amplifier but also did some listening with cheap portable players. They are extremely comfortable, which is always a plus if you plan to listen for a long time. The structure looks good, very lightweight, but I still think some of the plastics used look too cheap, I guess build quality in general looks cheap, the glue under the Sennheiser rubber strip on the top, etc. Maybe Sennheiser decided to focus the cost on the transducers, because they sound a lot better than they look.

Even so, not all that fragile, design is very effective, the headband is large and adjustable, the soft cloth pads are very pleasant. Overall, these headphones are EXTREMELY comfortable, probably the most comfortable headphones I have ever tried. The longevity of the HD590 is assured since all vital components can be replaced when damaged. The OFC cable has the usual detachable mini-jack (one wire only, attaches to left transducer) always useful if you keep tripping on the cable or need an extension. The velour pads are also easy to remove (which is good since they seem to pick up dust like a vacuum cleaner). Also, keep in mind that they are very permeable to ambient noise because of the open design. If you plan to use them in noisy environments, that might be a problem.

When it comes to sound, some people think the treble is inexplicably sharp and intrusive, probably making these more adequate for jazz and classical. They are indeed very bright, but I don't find them fatiguing or excessively harsh. True, these excel in detail with classical and all acoustic, but also sound pretty decent with completely different sounds from Rage Against the Machine to Bauhaus. Very high resolution, with natural bass, not too punchy, but enough to please most listeners.

Yes it is true, the Sennheiser HD 600 are also amazing headphones, a lot darker than these, but still great. There is a catch however, at 300 ohms the 600 need lots of juice, definitely not easy to drive with maximum quality unless you have a dedicated headphone amp or a very good integrated amp. The 590 don't need a dedicated amp, at only 120 ohms nominal impedance, they are easy to drive, even from laptops, portables and other low output sources. When it comes to sound quality, there's really nothing like picking a few models and listening before choosing (to the right CDs). Your opinion might be completely different. To me, while not perfect, these are definitely in my list of favourite non-electrostatic headphones. I also own the pricier Sony MDR-CD3000 (a fairly high-end model often considered superior to such beasts as the Grado RS-1, the HD 600/650 and the AKG K1000) and comparing the two I can say that at about 33% of the 3000's price, the 590 sound very, very good. Ok, so not as good as the 3K, but still great value for money in the market of circum-aural open headphones. ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

Sennheiser's HD570 headphone replaces the discontinued HD545 model. Like the model it replaces, the 570 uses an open-ear design that lets you clearly hear environmental sounds but also allows other listeners in the room to hear the music being played. The 570's earpieces also have a sharply pointed bottom, designed to more closely encircle the ear--those with particularly large ears may even find these snug. However, like all Sennheiser headsets, the 570s are extremely comfortable to wear for long periods of time, assuming the fit is good.

And, like almost all Sennheiser headphones, the HD570s have a rich, seductive midrange and deep, authoritative bass response. Where this set differs from most of the line is in its top end. The 570's high frequencies are more pronounced than the usual Sennheiser sound, as typified by the glorious HD600 and now-obsolete HD580. If you find the sound of those headsets on the dark (high-frequency restricted) and unexciting side of accurate, you'll likely be delighted with the tonal balance of the 570. On the other hand, if you find those models just right, you'll hear the 570 as bright, possibly even extremely bright (with accentuated treble response).

Of course, this also depends upon the source components you listen to. Cassettes and underpowered portable CD players might actually benefit from the 570's high-frequency boost, whereas most receivers or separate headphone amplifiers don't need it. Because the HD570 wants a fairly substantial signal to sound its best, however, it should not be used with most portable players. Dedicated amplifiers produce the best sound.

This is a comfortable headset with a different tonal balance from most Sennheisers. We suggest careful consideration (abetted, perhaps, by a 30-day return policy) before committing to living with the HD570. However, if this is the sound you're looking for, the HD-570 is rugged and extremely well constructed. You'll get a lifetime of use out of them. --L.V. Phillips

Pros:

• Lightweight design and padded headband make them comfortable forhours of listening
• Low-distortion Duofol diaphragms provide exceptional detail andclarity
• Single-sided cable makes it easier to move around while wearingheadphones

Cons:

• 64-ohm impedance level makes headphones difficult for most portableplayers to drive; works best with dedicated headphone amplifier
• Somewhat bright (trebly) tonal balance may strike some listeners astoo much of a good thing

Features

• Designed for comfortable long-term wear
• Over-ear, open-back stereo headphone
• Single-sided, 10-foot OFC (oxygen-free copper) cable
• Proprietary Duofol membrane reduces diaphragm distortion at edges
• 18 to 22,000 Hz frequency response

Reviews (56)

Sennheiser Rocks
I've had the HD570s for over a year now and I use them EVERYDAY.I originally thought 100+ was too much for headphones, but I never regret purchasing these!The headphones are very comfortable and the sound quality is phenomenal.I highly highly recommend these to everyone!

Great price for audiophiles, but indeed, fragile.
There are no other headphones that compare to this one in sound fidelity, comfort AND price. Definitely great sounding headphones. All those reviews claiming bass response is low or treble is too high are overstatements, and probably didn't allow some hours of break-in.
The higher fidelity the headphones are, means usually you will have higher resistance, these being 64 Ohms. Some of the professional headphones use 120 or even 300 Ohm drivers. Of course you'll get lower volume, some of these are meant to be used in quiet studios (open-aural requires quiet places) and professional equipment (good quality amplifiers)! However I found these to suit my needs perfectly, as it can still respond loud enough for my cdplayer and mp3player (it will still blast my ears if cdplayer volume is maxed). My computer will play it the loudest, being able to hear it all around the room without them on.

I really love the sound of these headphones, but care has to be taken, for mine also stopped working in the right ear. Sometimes it can be due to not plugging in the the cable completely, but in my case, it did stop working. Try to use this at home, if you're careful, you can take them around the neck, but my advice is don't carry them around in a bag. T_T sob.

So for those who just want lots of bass and usability with portable devices (low wattage, high volume), just go for a pair of low-impedance(32 Ohm) HD457, they are even cheaper. You probably won't notice the fidelity with all that loud volume and bass blasting, but compared to the HD 570, makes it sound like crap IMO. Remember, HD 570 are high fidelity, budget, and audiophile oriented headphones, and if you like music as it is meant to be appreciated, get these. You'll hear sounds you never knew were in that cd, and clarity that will blow you away. However, if you just want it to be used with portable audio, and don't care about sound quality i'd recommend any sony headphones, and spend your 80-100 bucks elsewhere.

Award-winning for a reason.
I've had these headphones for about five years, and I love them. You must know their purpose before you buy them, though. They're for private listening in a studio or your own home. You should not take these on a subway. They're MEANT to be healthy and circuitous for your ears, and thus they're not isolating. You'll hear other things as clearly as you'll hear the music. It's just like having a stereo system on your head. There's other sounds you can hear, too. They have a lower amount of midrange, that's for sure, but the highs are absolutely gorgeous, and the bass is just right. I love these headphones, and it isn't surprising that they've hardly gone down in price since I bought them.

Too treble to be a top one
This headphone is far from satisfactory, especially for me,
because I listen to violin a lot. The high is treble like needle, which is rather disturbing. Although the total balance is fairly good, the over-bright feature repels me a lot.

Seriously, I do NOT recommend HD570 for classical music lovers.

Sound OK, but way too fragile
These headphones are really comfortable, and sound OK, but the cord they come with is really awful.The 1/8" -> 1/4" adapter is flaky, and started giving me problems almost from the beginning. Also, the cord is really thin, so it tends to get wrapped up on everything.And the other day, the right side just stopped working.I can't recommend these headphones... ... Read more

Product Description

Vic Firth now offers the perfect solution - the newly released Stereo Isolation Headphones. These isolation headphones are designed to protect musicians from the high sound levels associated with their instruments. Prolonged exposure to these excessive levels of noise can have traumatic and lasting effects, including hearing fatigue, tinnitus and permanent hearing loss. ... Read more

Features

• Speaker Type: 50.m/m Dynamic Speaker Mylarcon
• Magnet: NFB 15x1.5 Four-Hole Style (50u)
• Sound Pressure Level:110.Db +/- 3dB (1mw at 1kHZ)
• Rated Input Power: 30.mw
• Max. Input Power: 100.mw