I used this phones unmodified for about a month and then put Lawton cups and replacement sheepskin pads on them.  I like them better than the Denon 5000 (wooden cups) and the ATH W5000.  Unmodified they were good but modified, I think they are hard to beat.  The Lawton cups are very tough. My don't have any blemishes despite being dropped on the carpeted floor many times. The Denon D5000 do not sound as good to me and are easily scratched.  The ATH W5000 is my most expensive phone and while they are refined, the wood is hard to care for and they are large. Also the wing system of the ATH 5000 (and the other ATH phones that use this system) is very fragile. 
 
The only thing I would disagree about is the cord.  I find that mine tend to twist.  I still have the plastic cups but hate to replace the wood just for a comparison.  But I do think the 2000's are good phones.
 
I did just check the price for these phones on Amazon and can't believe how much they are selling for now.  I guess that is because they are now out of production?????