$22 Monoprice headphones takes on $150 Bose and Audio-Technica rivals

Thanks for posting. Almost just bought a pair on impulse, but shipping came out to about a third extra, which stopped me, although on a absolute basis the shipping charge is fairly reasonable.

 that looks like the kicker headphone?

http://www.amazon.com/Kicker-HP541-DJ-Style-Headphones-Black/dp/B002VWJY7U

The Kicker is a rebrand of the Monoprice.
 

 

 

I'd just like to point out one things.

 

The Monoprice headphones that look exactly the same as the Kicker HP541's have different speaker drivers, at least that's what I've heard from Kicker reps.  54mm vs. 50 mm, and 107 dB vs. 100 dB, for Kickers and Monoprice respectively

Thanks for the link. I never quite trust CNET (after all, they're lumping Bose in with "high-end headphones" and that gave me a troubled laugh), but it was worth the read anyways.

Are the Monoprice headphones bass heavy? I saw some graphs and they definitely didn't seem that way. The Kicker HP541 has way, way too much bass for me.

 

I would expect Kicker to say something like this, but you never know. Maybe they are different.

True, but I wouldn't know.  I read somewhere on the forums that Kicker supposedly re-engineered some "expensive German/European headphones" and put the drivers into their headphones, but then again everything now is hearsay.

I heard that Beats sound the way the artist intended, but yet again that information was garnered from Monster Cable.

 

I never trust Cnet reviews when it comes to headphones. Electronics reviews are fine. 

 

I think somebody made a review of the monoprice hp's here? 

I only trust CNET headphone reviews if Steve is on here discussing them with us, but even in his best reviews he sometimes has to mention such consumerist brands as Bose and Beats to relate to the more general audience that CNET caters to. I excuse him most of the time.

I don't see anything to suggest that Steve is somehow not trustworthy in his review. he lists one headphone with worse build quality, and one with better sound quality. it's a fair review stating he thinks the cans are a good value.

I haven't heard them myself, but it seems very unlikely that this review is embellished as some here are suggesting. it didnt seem like a rave review or anything, just a positive one for people looking to buy on the cheap. nothing wring with that in my eyes.

I think thats the main problem. 

But hey, Steve is not the only headphone reviewer there. 

I really respect Steve (and who knows how CNET's headphone reviews would be without him), don't get me wrong. It still just peeves me a tiny bit that the consumer market will often make him mention Beats or Bose as a point of reference, even when talking about completely different types of gear.