I could give you a list of reasons why, but it would make it seem like I don't actually love the NO. I do.
Not at all, to some degree I think it's certainly easier to ascribe higher values to open backs; remember, I'm specifically referring to closed back cup design when talking in the sub $1,000 realm as they inherently have more sound-inhibiting physics to overcome. Before the Owl I had (and still own) the Shure SRH1540 and it was only the Owl that finally persuaded me to drop more cash on a pair of closed cans. I guess it'd be helpful to qualify my preferences, which are more musical than analytical, warm than cold, dark than bright (although I don't mind treble extension) and detail retrieval to an extent, but I wouldn't consider myself a critical listener so beyond a point it becomes negligible. Oh, and I definitely fall on the bass-head end of the continuum!
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