baadaq said:

  has anyone compared the onkyos to headphones likes sony mdr 1a,ath msr7 or nad viso hp50?.

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Probably not quite on the same level as those, but given the price and performance, I wouldn't pass them up if you're curious at all. Definitely as good as a lot of the stuff in the $250 range. 

I gotta give a quick first impression of these.
 
First off upon opening, I was cringing at the fact how squeaky the construction is. Everything just seems to creak and it feels like 10 dollar Sony headphones you find hanging in a Walmart. Though the headband seems nice, very nice and soft. Much softer than my pillows.
 
I heard a lot about the connectors but I decided to give these a go. Cable quality seems ok, maybe a little thin but it allows for very little if any microphonics. Especially like the the springy right angle connector. Though I guess only time will tell how well and long the connections last on the earcups. Not too excited.
 
Upon listening, wow. It sounds very open for a closed headphone, and the bass is.. almost perfect. Maybe just a touch too much for my tastes but it's very thumping good. No muddiness or distraction from the music.
 
The mids, well I don't really judge mids well but guitars come through clear and clean, same for vocals. Very detailed surprisingly.
 
The treble, clean and detailed as well. I found it to be the perfect amount of treble for the "open" sound. I didn't find it at all bright though I do lean towards a brighter signature more than the warm.
 
I liked the sound on these much more than my Momentum M2's (GASP I know), M50S, Yamaha MT220's, and my Grado SR225e. 
 
(I haven't directly compared them, but from I think from the top of my head, I liked the Onkyo's sound much more).
 
I guess the sound is like the Audio Techncia house sound, but on steroids (or maybe adderall but you get the point). 
 
Still not completely sold on its longevity and its construction though.

feilong4 said:

  I gotta give a quick first impression of these.
 
First off upon opening, I was cringing at the fact how squeaky the construction is. Everything just seems to creak and it feels like 10 dollar Sony headphones you find hanging in a Walmart. Though the headband seems nice, very nice and soft. Much softer than my pillows.
 
I heard a lot about the connectors but I decided to give these a go. Cable quality seems ok, maybe a little thin but it allows for very little if any microphonics. Especially like the the springy right angle connector. Though I guess only time will tell how well and long the connections last on the earcups. Not too excited.
 
Upon listening, wow. It sounds very open for a closed headphone, and the bass is.. almost perfect. Maybe just a touch too much for my tastes but it's very thumping good. No muddiness or distraction from the music.
 
The mids, well I don't really judge mids well but guitars come through clear and clean, same for vocals. Very detailed surprisingly.
 
The treble, clean and detailed as well. I found it to be the perfect amount of treble for the "open" sound. I didn't find it at all bright though I do lean towards a brighter signature more than the warm.
 
I liked the sound on these much more than my Momentum M2's (GASP I know), M50S, Yamaha MT220's, and my Grado SR225e. 
 
(I haven't directly compared them, but from I think from the top of my head, I liked the Onkyo's sound much more).
 
I guess the sound is like the Audio Techncia house sound, but on steroids (or maybe adderall but you get the point). 
 
Still not completely sold on its longevity and its construction though.

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Yeah, I really love these too, and at the price they are today they're a steal. I had to switch the cables and wear them backwards because one cable doesn't work with one connector without cutting out, but they still sound great.  Other than the connectors they're doing well so far. 

It seems like that Onkyo have collaborated with Iron Maiden to create their brand headphones for the fans...
 
http://www.maidenaudio.com/
 
Looks like the ES FC300 model but rumor has it that the sound of these 'phones were created with Iron Maiden bassist/founder Steve Harris together. Interesting!

Does anyone know of a headphone with a similar/same sound as these ones, but with a fixed cable or a different kind of detachable cable (XLR, 2 pins, etc.); a better build, and possibly even more open sound?

Does anyone know of a hardshell case for the ES-FC300s?

feilong4 said:

  Does anyone know of a hardshell case for the ES-FC300s?

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It has been I while since I sold my Onkyo's, but if I recall correctly, this case worked for them.
 
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009YONZEG?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00

feilong4 said:

Does anyone know of a headphone with a similar/same sound as these ones, but with a fixed cable or a different kind of detachable cable (XLR, 2 pins, etc.); a better build, and possibly even more open sound?

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es700 sound very similar, just not as open sounding. They are like the portable version

feilong4 said:

  Does anyone know of a headphone with a similar/same sound as these ones, but with a fixed cable or a different kind of detachable cable (XLR, 2 pins, etc.); a better build, and possibly even more open sound?

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I am guessing that you may not be interested in an alternative to the Onkyo's since you are now inquiring about a hard case...I recently purchased the AKG Y50.  They have a removable cable (2.5 mm on the headphone side), and a decent build quality.  I paid under $80.  I am enjoying them, but I would not say that they have the same sound signature as the Onkyo's.  Going from memory, the Y50 are perhaps slightly less detailed, but with a nice sound stage for closed portables.  I also find the Y50's to be more comfortable than the Onkyo's.  Bonus...the case noted in my other post fits the Y50, as well.

Going to bump this thread since I recently acquired these for a very good deal and am wondering if anyone ever came up with some replacement ear pads that increase comfort while NOT degrading sound?  It seems the ones mentioned in this thread that I could find affect sound (e.g. K545 pads).  Thanks.

I love the sound of these headphones and find them comfortable enough for my portable needs. I even got used to them being white. But the connectors are the worst thing I've seen in (otherwise decent) headphones. In my Onkyos they started acting up after 2-3 weeks of not too intensive use, and became seriously intermittent after a few more weeks. I got them new, but from a private owner, so no warranty. I tried the two fixes I found/came up with: slightly bending the pin in the male connector (that helped for a day or two) and fixing the connectors with some white-tack (like blu-tack, only white) so that they would stop moving and losing connection every time I move my head. That helped, but didn't remedy the situation completely. 
 
I used the Onkyos less and less and eventually stopped using them, but yesterday I put them on again for the first time after a few months. Sound still great, but I got ultra annoyed with left connector losing contact all the time.
 
So I grabbed a screwdriver and attacked the bastards with great vengeance and furious fire. Here's what I found:
 
1. You can disassemble them to the point that the female connector (the one in the cup) is exposed
2. You can pull the wretched thing out easily - it's just pushed in its place, no glue or anything. It is reversible, you can easily put it back; there's also access to the points where the internal wiring is soldered to the connector.
3. There's quite a lot of space available once the connector is removed (looks like about 6 x 6 x 15 mm) - and of course there's a nice round 6 mm hole where the connector used to be.
 
So my plan is to remove the damn things and either run a new wire into the cups and solder it directly to the internal wiring, or go crazy, find 3.5 mm or 2.5 mm jack sockets that fit in the space where the MMCX sockets are now, and replace the MMCX crap.
 
Has anyone tried that?

That would be nice, I couldn't handle the weak connection that would be heard from adjusting or just cable movement. They were a bit bulky as well. great sound though... Show us some footage when you are done.

I'll post pics, sure. I've found 2.5 mm jack sockets that should fit in there, so I'll probably try that, I already have some cables terminated with 2.5 mm jacks for Sennheisers. It'll have to wait though, got a few open projects I want to finish first - but I should get to in 2 weeks or so.

Let vengeance be yours!  And +1 on documenting it for us all.  Might need to do that myself one day (so far so good, touch wood).

rlisin said:

I love the sound of these headphones and find them comfortable enough for my portable needs. I even got used to them being white. But the connectors are the worst thing I've seen in (otherwise decent) headphones. In my Onkyos they started acting up after 2-3 weeks of not too intensive use, and became seriously intermittent after a few more weeks. I got them new, but from a private owner, so no warranty. I tried the two fixes I found/came up with: slightly bending the pin in the male connector (that helped for a day or two) and fixing the connectors with some white-tack (like blu-tack, only white) so that they would stop moving and losing connection every time I move my head. That helped, but didn't remedy the situation completely. 

I used the Onkyos less and less and eventually stopped using them, but yesterday I put them on again for the first time after a few months. Sound still great, but I got ultra annoyed with left connector losing contact all the time.

So I grabbed a screwdriver and attacked the bastards with great vengeance and furious fire. Here's what I found:

1. You can disassemble them to the point that the female connector (the one in the cup) is exposed
2. You can pull the wretched thing out easily - it's just pushed in its place, no glue or anything. It is reversible, you can easily put it back; there's also access to the points where the internal wiring is soldered to the connector.
3. There's quite a lot of space available once the connector is removed (looks like about 6 x 6 x 15 mm) - and of course there's a nice round 6 mm hole where the connector used to be.

So my plan is to remove the damn things and either run a new wire into the cups and solder it directly to the internal wiring, or go crazy, find 3.5 mm or 2.5 mm jack sockets that fit in the space where the MMCX sockets are now, and replace the MMCX crap.

Has anyone tried that?

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Bwen workinf on my reviews on them (long overdue)

And have the exact findings as you.

They aound great,

I like the design (wish they were over ear considerinf the size)

But that is a small complaint compared to the ridiculous quality of the mmcx connector

Ive had mmcx connectors in the past and the onykos is so loose

I used the shure miced cable on it (a new cable)

It worked when connected but loses contact so easily

So i super glued the sucker on! This is on my black pair

My silver pair still works but loses contact with the stock cable even with very light usage. Never bumped and moved the cable

Im not sure whose idea was it to use mmcx connector but the implementatuon and quality is a joke.

I would have rather have a fixed cable instead (the loose connection is frustration).

Let us know how ur diy project goes a 2.5,3.5mm would have been the ideal set up.