I posted this on Tyll's InnerFidelity blog as well, but maybe more people will find it useful finding it here.
I do like the phones, they are comfortable after break in. Keep in mind that initially the headband along with soft earpads allow to feel a bit tight on the fit and will not be comfortable for long periods. I didn't notice so much the sliding the Tyll pointed out.
I find these cans on the bright side and as such are more specifically suited to certain genres of music. I found that most rock is not compatible, and I tried even going to some classic pre-loudness-war type music like "Deep Purple - Machine Head", or even more subdued laid back rock like "Mad Season - Above" and while listenable the focus was too forward and bright.
With respect to the above, I think Tyll hit on a great but subtle point. Low volume. I found that rather than listening at the same volume as say HD598s or DT770 Pro 250Ohm, that relaxing a bit on the volume did make a difference, but I found myself wanting to go a bit higher volume which brought in the fatigue issue.
However, if I switched to more vocal based genres like "Feist - Metals" or "Ruth Moody - The Garden" the P5 really excelled. The idea of course is vocal attention on these types of album and that bright forward flavour of the P5 excelled here. The vocals were strong and clear, and the musical accompaniment was by nature more subdued but clear and full.
Incidentally, if you were to be more progressive with jazz-dub like "Nightmares on Wax - In a Space Outta Sound" or even "Filter - Title of the Record" the P5 was good. With Filter, the brightness was still there but with nature of being strong on bass it helps balance the presentation, because the P5 isn't strongly boosting the bass artificially.
Bottom line I think the P5 are going to be best suited in the vocal, r&b, instrumental area. I think for those of you more rock or metal based are best served looking elsewhere.
Music sampled where P5 excelled:
- Feist (Metals, The Reminder)
- Ruth Moody (The Garden)
- Fleetwood Mac (Rumours)
- Nightmares on Wax (In a Space Outta Sound)
- Beastie Boys (Hot Sauce Committe Pt. 2)
- Brandt Brauer Frick (You Make Me Real)
- Flevans (27 Devils)
Music sampled where P5 didn't represent:
- Mastodon
- Alice in Chains
- Deep Purple (Machine Head)
- Megadeth (Th1rt3en)
- Mushroomhead (XIII)
- The Killing Joke