There isn't an all-around authority when it comes to headphones, it's more about personal preference. It's a confusing mess and many people make a mistake their first time around. It's something best to try on you're own and figure out your taste. They are probably talking about the K701 and K702, I found the Q701 fun to listen to. Many people have a habit of assuming the K701 and Q701 are the same, but it's like comparing the HD 600 and HD 650, they aren't the same. I don't think the HD-300 is as comfy or has better sound quality, the sound quality is probably around the same or maybe less. The AKG Q701 is a faster and more detailed headphone, something that goes well with rock. They are somewhat bright, but not excessively so. If you were considering the DT 880 and DT 990 I would be concerned about the headphone being too bright but not the Q701. The AKGs sound a little weak, distant, and not as engaging without an amp as I explained earlier, I found them very engaging with an amp. They sound good without an amp, but the reason people say they sound like crap without one is that the Q701 sounds much better with an amp, and they do need one, but they are going to play music fine without one, just not very loudly and they won't quite have the power, range, and dynamics they should have without an amp. This basically applies to any high-end dynamic headphone.