@shiorisekine, the A800 I have was a review sample. They should be available on all Amazon sites. In fact, they were supposed to already be so it is likely just a distribution thing. I will see if I can get more information on availability.

@mitchell2001 yes, I have to admit I have grown to really like the cord as well. It really is easy to move around, nice and light and doesn't get tangled at all (at least not to this point).

@dlayman Wow, for real? At that price, I'm really tempted to throw them some money :O

Nice review, its something that I wish I had the guts to do.  Wish you could give it more comparisons to other headphones you have heard like the HE-400i, HD-650 along with the TH-900 and HE-560.

I am thinking of doing a comparison using the TH 600 and LCD 2F for one song (and had originally planned to have it done already for the review). If I get the time in the next few days I will add such a section to the review.

That A800 headband screams for a place on a 70's onkyo amp and hooked up to its headphone jack....if you feel like making that kind of an update, feel free to take pictures of the A800 with any 70's onkyo amp all you want...and let us know about the sound as well. ;+)

Just so happens my brother owns one of the very nicest 70s vintage ONKYO receivers, fully restored! I'll have to borrow it for a listen and a photo shot, that is a great idea, thanks @pbui44.

Thanks for the review! I own the earlier Onkyo on-ears and they are one of my favorite pairs—rich bottom end and silky mids and trebles. Glad to hear Onkyo continues and improves on that trend in their newest line.

Thanks @Cheesedoodle, I think the A800 is quite a well done signature and if you get a chance to try it I would love to hear what you think. I really wanted to help gain even more exposure for ONKYO here. Ultimately the more players striving to produce quality headphones, the better for all of us. I personally applaud ONKYO for being serious enough to do an open back and a closed back. I may see about the closed model as I am curious how the bass is handled. Cheers.

Looks very nice indeed, great review. One question, why are the jacks for each ear 3 pole connections?

Hey @Magic Man, I'm not completely sure, frankly I didn't really pay much attention to that. I'll ask my technical contact at Gibson Innovations and see what they say.

Appreciate it.

Great review, buddy. I almost want to get a set...

@swspiers, thanks mate. I didn't expect to enjoy them that much to be honest. I'm hoping a few people around here end up trying them and maybe they will gain some traction which I obviously believe they deserve. Certainly not the best choice for those who like a lush and warm signature. Mind you, even then, with some modest EQ cuts the A800 could answer that call as well.

Thx for the informative review! Any word on US availability? Really hope that some B&M stores will carry them for auditioning.

@fvoelling, I have just now re-asked my contact about expected North American availability so hopefully that is answered soon. In the past he has been quite responsive, but perhaps he has been on vacation lately? Anyway, I will update the review with that information and I will try to PM you as you have specifically asked. Cheers.

@Magic Man my ONKYO contact replied apparently the 3 pole connector is used as it is the most common in their supply chain, but internally only two poles are connected. Cheers.

@Sonic Defender, Ha, thanks for that! they say the simplest answer is usually the right one

@fvoelling, my contact will be updating me soon about North American availability through Amazon I believe. Hopefully I have news soon.

@Magic Man, yes, less is more right? Cheers.