An expanded Pros & Cons regarding the HM9:   Pros: Very warm sound signature, so this is a pro if you're after something warm. The treble is subdued, nothing is overlly bright and there's no siblance, so if you're sensitive to treble this is something you'd appreciate. Fairly good sound stage, great set of detachable cabling, well made construction and really great fat ear pads that are thick and soft. The unit folds to a compact nature and again the cables are detachable. Great isolation (given it's compact and portable nature, this is great, as...

Ready for a repeat? Good, because the "short list" of Pros/Cons is too short. I wanted to provide a bit more in that regard. So here's a longer Pro/Con list that should sum it up better as there's a lot going on here:   Pros: Warm, deep rich smooth bass, mids are not recessed with the bass presence in a significant way, treble has some sparkle to it, very detailed, good separation of channels, solid aluminum build (metal), flat wires that do not tangle and birds-nest easily, great assortment of accessories (case, tons of tips, 1/4" adapter), very...

  Beyer Dynamic T70 Barely a Beyer? Beyer Dynamic discontinued the older premium DT770, although it’s still available here and there, but they’ve kept their PRO series DT770’s available and their MX series headsets which are essentially the same thing, and then release the T70 which looks just like the DT770 does actually, with small differences, as their newest closed back headphone offering short of going to the high end tesla. The T70 is a tesla technology headphone, so it differs from the other DT series in sound quite a bit and efficiency...

  M-Audio "Studiophile" Q40  A smooth bassy treat on a dime.   Always on the prowl for a new headphone to try, I do at least have a taste that steers me towards one versus another, and that's bass capability. I tend to think a headphone that is to be used for casual music listening should be bass capable, ie, neutral at a minimum, and slightly enhanced if wanting a bit more fun regardless of it being "audiophile" worth or not to like a colored sound. That said, a headphone came to my attention on the recommendation of RPGWizard (thanks!) here...

  Hifiman HM-101 Portable Sound Card An inexpensive way to turn any USB capable computer into a hifi station.   So I received the HM101 and put it through some work.   Package:       Small, wow, comes with everything you need. It's so tiny. Key chain tiny. This is good. I like small when it comes to this because it's really portable. It comes with the USB cable and the unit itself. Nothing else needed.   Construction Quality:   It's inexpensive, so expect it to feel that way. It creaks and feels like it compresses...

Panasonic RP-HTF600 Step Monitors Big Sound with a Not So Big Price   On the never ending quest to find hidden gems out there, yet another challenger has come forth. The Panasonic RP-HTF600 Step Monitor. I try a lot of headphones. I love picking up a set of inexpensive cans and seeing if they sound good or not. Why? Because it's fun. I already have high end stuff but that doesn't mean I can't also look for something fun and great to listen to while not spending much. That also gives me the ability to listen to high end, mid-tier and entry and then...

Sony MDR-XB500 Affordable Pulsing Throbbing Gobs of Bass   The XB500 is pretty well known to all at this point, however there's more to this little headphone that the immediate and obvious, which is the extra bass that they market the XB line towards and deliver with authority. They are some of the best basshead cans for the cost. But there's actually a gem out of the line and that's the XB500 because it's actually quite capable of more than just pulsing throbbing gobs of bass. It's an interesting little headphone, so let's get to know it if...

KRK KNS6400 A detailed monitor   So I had to give the KNS6400's a shot because they were recommended to me based on my love for the SRH940 and other headphones that are all about mids and details. The KNS6400 is only $80 from Amazon, but I was lucky enough to have Tdockweiler let me borrow his pair for a while to audition and get a feel for them, so a huge thanks to him for letting me borrow the cans. So the KNS6400's are supposed to be a very detailed, clear, studio monitor and I had to know because I've tried other studio monitors in the past...

Koss UR 55 Studio Pulse An inexpensive performer   There's a vast array of inexpensive headphones out there. Thousands of them. But every now and then, if you sample around, much like wine, you can fine something inexpensive that is actually pretty good. The Koss UR 55 Studio Pulse is a headphone that fits that description. I picked it up for $35 from Amazon (was on sale, goes on sale now and then, just watch for it if interested) because at a price like that, it doesn't matter. So I took a shot at it to see. I've seen some information out there...

Sennheiser HD448 A sub-$100 champ, or a stinker?   I picked up a pair of HD448's after reading about their sound out of curiosity, while looking at closed back headphones for the purpose of having a good sounding portable, and having enjoyed the signature of Sennheiser (HD580's) for over a decade, I figured they would make a quality headphone. So let's take a look at what the HD4xx series had to offer on it's higher end. These headphones are in the sub-$100 bracket (usually $99, and found them down in the $60's on a sale; can be had for much less...

Audio-Technica ATH-AD700 Over-rated or worthy of praise?   We all know the AD700. It's recommended far and wide by literally every gaming community out there, and a lot of audio/headphone communities. But why? Why is this headphone so popular? I've tried a lot of headphones and of course, I had to know. I previously picked up it's little brother the AD500, and was really curious to see if the AD700 was that much different. Plus, I wanted to test the AD700 against other headphones to see if they really are worthy of all the praise and...

Samson SR850 An inexpensive semi-open high performer   First let's get some information across. The Samson SR850 is a clone of the Superlux HD668B. Same headphone. They simply rebranded it and changed the style of the headband. The Samson SR850 more resembles the AKG series headphones. The Superlux HD668B more resembles the AudioTechnica series. Keep that in mind depending on which style you may prefer, as they are the same headphone and virtually cost the same. I went with the SR850 because I like the look better and the headband way better than...

Monoprice MHP-839 the budget performer *Note, this review also applies to the Kicker HP541 which is a rebrand of the same headphone. So I have both reviews with the non-model-specific info simply copy & pasted. Same headphone!   A couple of us here on Head-Fi were looking for some budget performers that could compete with higher end headphones that are constantly being suggested to new people who have never owned a pair of good headphones (that they know of). And we all know the problems associated with "flavor of the month" stuff. I will...

Kicker HP541 the budget performer *Note, this review also applies to the Monoprice MHP-839 which is a rebrand of the same headphone. So I have both reviews with the non-model-specific info simply copy & pasted. Same headphone!   A couple of us here on Head-Fi were looking for some budget performers that could compete with higher end headphones that are constantly being suggested to new people who have never owned a pair of good headphones (that they know of). And we all know the problems associated with "flavor of the month" stuff. I will...

The Shure SRH940, a Subjective Opinion-Based Analysis Subject to Scrutiny            The Shure SRH940: "I can hear the smoke in the bar."     Background (A Preface)   Before even beginning to describe my journey with the Shure SRH940 headphone, I should explain where I'm coming from to help explain some of my perceptions, expectations and generally how my opinion is formed. I'm a basshead at heart. I like thundering, pant shaking, jaw rattling bass. I like it low, tight and with impact. I don't like muddy uncontrolled flabby bass...

Heya,   So I received the AD500's today. Let me just say this now, I cannot stand FedEx. I didn't get to choose the courier. I always use UPS or USPS. I absolutely cannot stand FedEx. They're the only courier who leaves packages on door steps, knock and walk away. I wouldn't be completely devastated if a $30 pair of headphones were stolen. But what if that was one of my other headphone orders? Or my DAC? I would lose my mind. FedEx is not worth my business. I would never have even used them had I had the opportunity to choose the courier. Walmart...

Heya,   If you're looking for a beast of a tube amp that will output enough power to satisfy volume and push those drivers to get what you can out of your headphones, the Little Dot MK III is the best performer for the price out of the little dot line. I got mine used so I saved over $70 compared to new, but otherwise, be prepared to pay $244 for the unit because they're essentially $199 with $45 shipping. Build quality is solid, it's very heavy, very tight, and you don't hear any rattles or weird creek noises. Style is nice, the face is brushed...