You may be able to get the ESW9 for $300... but why are you just looking at AT?

Quote: should just go read cnet's best recommendation or something. Realllyyyy don't think that's going to help. They don't review enough brands of headphones to be an accurate source of advice.

Soft-2's just a jumper setting. Changes the sound of the DAC a lil' bit.

Don't waste your money on the HD555. Get the AD700. All the reviews comparing them indicate that the AD700 is the superior headphone.

Alessandro MS-1. Great for what she listens to.

Yeah. I'm been planning to try it out for a while now, but I'm too lazy to go down to the hardware store. @KT: Oh ok. Yeah, you do kinda get used to the protruding drivers. Took me a while to find the right spot too.

I'm surprised somebody hasnt bought this up: KT88, try the "phat pad mod" on your AD900s. http://members.cox.net/yrogerg/headphones/phatpads.pdf Apparently it helps a lot for the comfort problems you seem to have. Some people say it doesn't effect the SQ, some say it does. So you...

Got my compass. I can already hear a difference with the compass using USB. This is without any burn in!

My package that was shipped on the 17th has arrived in Australia. \o/ Great news! So what should I be listening out for with my compass? Greater separation Tighter, baster bass Less sibilance Anything else?

Retire them and get the ATH-A900Ti.

It could have been "headphones for sound-engineering". Didn't think about that did ya, busters?

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f103/a...-fakes-417148/ maybe you could use that as a reference point. It's for the ES7's, but I'm sure the ES9's would have some similar features such as the recycled logo.

In other words, they think it costs more than the declared price and want to tax you more?

Audio Technica AD900, if you do consider any Audio Technica's. They're in the right price range.

A man's gotta make a livin'.