After spending some more time with these HPs, I realized once again how important the overall experience is to me. There is so much more than just the ‘sound’ when it comes to headphone ownership, from packaging, to aesthetics, design, and to build quality. This headphone made me re-realize the significance of weight and what impact it has on the overall enjoyment. I do not find these necessarily uncomfortable, but they are too heavy to just leave them on my head and forget about them. Upon closer inspection, the bigger issue here is the build quality, which is worse than I had initially thought. After just one day, I had to retighten the screw connecting the yoke to the headband on one side. And this is after using them with care. When I picked them up, the screw was loose enough where the cup rotated freely. I can see myself doing this frequently. Also, on the opposite side, there is too much gap between the yoke and the headband even with the washer in between, which is causing significant creak and rattle. And the screw will not tighten any further. And the fact that they are metal on metal does not help much. I know you can't ask for the world at this budget, but this is just a poorly designed headphone considering the price, IMO. I know some people like to say 'sound is everything,' but yeah I'm definitely not one of those people.
I wish more reviewers spent the extra time on build quality and fit, instead of skimming thru them and focusing solely on “sound,” which is something very subjective to begin with.
Luckily, I have enough headphones to hang them up and pull them back down for occasional enjoyment. They sound great, and that part has not changed. But they would never be my daily driver nor my only headphone if I were bound by such restrictions.
I guess on to the next headphone.
*these are just my experience, and one out of many, so I hope no one gets discouraged by my ‘subjective opinion’ if they are interested in trying them out. As an audiophile, the uncertainty, expectation, and the endless search will only enhance your overall enjoyment.