Now if you have ever listened to Grados you will realize its not for everyone. Its a love or hate thing. The grado tone is just, well that Grado. If you like it, the you are obsessed with the sound. Now, the open headphones have always been known as great cost-effective phones due to their design. But, everyone is still amazed and how much sound you get out of a SR-225, which is $200. It was rated as the best sounding headphone if you factor in cost by many. Now, take this headphone, and deliciously add wood flavors to it, something rarely used that is mostly seen on $1,000 cans as of the like of the RS-1. The tone is just completely different and so beautiful with wood. Its warmer and moist. Not, take added wood, plus a signature by John Grado himself, which might as well be god. And you can see that many of us would have piad $400 for it, as many have. But, then add the fact that at half the price with money going towards these forums, these are the best headphones out there for less than probably $500 and you can't say no. I mean for the price these cans are just phenemonal, I am so happy I got a pair because now that bug will only itch for cans of real pedicure and price, of such a high cost that my wallet would be larger enough to hold it. So, its safe to say this will be my only headphone for awhile in true UNHead-fi style, but what can I say I love them that much that they are all I need.