I do not know much about headphones, but this is a pair that I owned for several years.  I remember that when I first put them on there seemed to be a 'dead air' to them, kind of like listening through plugged ears.  the sound was much better than what I was used to: sony walkmen stock headphones, ipod color stock headphones and what have you.  so from that it was a definite plus.  these were my first over-ear headphones and I will definitely be in the market for that style once again, these left a very good impression on me in that right.   one...