Just wanted to sneak in and say thanks for all the contribution/ discussion on here!   If anyone is interested in my response to all the kind suggestions... I've heard of Fostex's option as well for iDevices, but simply thought the former (iDevice + Solo) would be more "future-proof" and...

From what I've read so far.. it seems that this (iPod + Solo) combo is essentially the best combination you could have for a portable gear. So I was wondering if disputes like Android vs. iPod/iPhone and Cowon's SQ vs. iPod SQ are even valid, because I'm guessing even Cowon or Android couldn't...

something tells me that not everybody agrees with this impression...

You should go to Yong-San and check out the Headphoneshop store on the 2nd floor? I think.. you should probably be able to find every single one of these headphones for testing - unless you've done that already

I don't see that sweet deal for AKG K 242HD's can someone update me on that?

I live in Vancouver, and yea definitely found some shops around here that I could venture, but the weather and school has been really putting me off of it 'll make sure I look into those meet-ups I could really use a friend who knows the world of audio (trying absorb all of head-fi's...

You know what Uncle Erik, i really really really really x100,000,000 should listen to these before I buy anything.. I fancy the K701 (so-far) for its classy-modern look they have, but the fact that I never had a listen to a descent set-up, makes me just clueless about what to expect.

Thanks for that.. maybe I shouldn't have said flagship.. cuz K1000's are waaaay out of my reach.. just along maybe the K801's?

I've been staring at an AKG K701 and telling myself "I want it, I want it.." but the more I go in-depth the more I feel like i'll be disappointed.. (plastic sounds, etc.) So since it's been a while like 4 years I believe.. will AKG release a new flagship soon? or do I need to consult to a lot of...

Great Post! I was hesitant whether or not I should buy the K242HD as the sort of low tier (what an understatement!) carry around headphones, but this made clear that I won't be disappointed by it. 

Just like the title saids.. is it? If it is, it'll save me a lot of time trying to look up a decent affordable portable amp that sometimes isn't a big deal - at least compared to getting a full size which only work "just right" for only specific lines of headphones.

Wow thank you for such a clean, detailed and heart-full feedback.. I based the prices found on Amazon, it seems that ESW9A's are very under-priced and the K242 HD's are very over-priced according to what you've said,, shows how bad of a shopper i am haha

I looked all over the place for a mention of these two cans together side by side in a single thread but i found nothin. They're in the same price range, both have fantastic sound qualities, and except for the fact the K242 HD's are over-ear compared to ESW9A on-ear classification they seem...

guess I didn't do my homework.. sorry!

Forgot to add, I would prefer for it to be an over-head headphones rather than the on-ear i mentioned up there