When i say durable i mean which are more likely to break, which are more hearty and robustly built all around?

Thats correct. The e7 will only function as a dac when plugged into the computer via usb. Under all other circumstances it functions as an amp.

Quote:   Extremely comfortable.  Discomfort is not an issue here.

Quote: I did listen to these without an amp today, there really isnt much difference with and without.  There IS... but not much of a difference.  It obviously can get to higher volumes and the bass is more present and there is slightly more detail... but not by much.  Using my android...

These were designed to be driven well without an amp.  So you would be fine without one.  If youre going to pull the trigger on these, you might as well eventually just drop another 80 bucks and grab a FiiO E7.  DAC/AMP.   If you look in my posts i wrote a review on that as well.   I...

So after extensive research i finally bought these cans.  My most recent pair of headphones used are Shure SRH840's.  I listened to these amped on a FiiO E7.   To test these headphones out i listened to almost every genre under the sun.  Some of the songs include.   Mozart - Requiem K...

I own these and they are sexy.  Im coming from Shure SRH840's.   Best purchase ive ever made.

Quote: IMO, the magic words.

Quote: Let me start by saying i was on the same quest as you, finding something that was bassy and would keep me happy when i'm not listening to electronica.   I picked up the AKG K550's after extensive research and driving all over the world to sample different types of headphones...

Quote: Or simply the E7 which is a portable usb dac/amp

I find myself interested in these headphones.  Yet i wonder how bad is the external sound leakage?  Would a co-worker in a relatively quiet office (not like a library) easily be disturbed by me listening at a moderate volume, say like half or 60% voulme, with my ipod amped by a FiiO E7?

I know this thread is old, but, how would they be rated for portability?  And how bad is the sound leak INTO the headphone.  If i'm on a train (i know theyre open back, but comparing to open back cans) how much of a distraction will the outside sound actually be?

EDIT:  I meant the AKF K550.   So ive made a bunch of threads now trying to narrow down what my next set of cans are.  I currently am using the Shure SRH840s with a FiiO E7.  I've narrowed it down to the Denon AH-D2000, but now the AKG K550 spark my interest.   I like how the SRH840s are...

Personally, i didnt read the thread here.   But from tons and tons of different opinions, and after listening to the Shure SRH940's and after owning Shure SRH840s for over a year, go with the 840s.  Better sound quality, not as fashionable, but, really?  If youre spending $200 on a headphone...

I know there have probably been about 1000 of these on there, but i figure why not one more opinion.   To start off, in case you were debating buying one of these, if you dont have an amp, BUY IT.  The difference is uncanny.  So i'm going to break this down into 2 categories, audio quality...