Really a unique sound. As semi-opens, they do what the Nighthawk / owl failed miserably to do. Have a dense full sounding middle, with great sub bass extension and treble detail. Yet without boominess and no harshness anywhere. I had my trusty portable pair, the Sony MDR-1A with Meze 99 pads which reduce the mid bass bloom, increase the lowest sub bass and open up the sound stage and give your ears more space. I like the W response these have, with not only extended but smooth highs, and some of the best sub bass ever but not lacking in mids, plus having a 3D sound stage (I'm talking about the Sony MDR-1A with Meze 99 pads). That said these sounded better in every way. Spaciousness was for my ears, about equal. Sub bass as good, if a bit more controlled (amazing for a semi-open) and the highs were as detailed, yet even smoother. Mids were fuller overall, it was more engaging to me. Despite this fullness, the spacious sound meant everything was properly spread out, and panned. A very wide, yet correct and natural sound, I'll rarely hear both in one. If they build that sound tech into a set with less fancy design, less heavy parts, and better reach for the ear cups, they'd have a winner. 1 or 2 extra clicks in length on each cup would have made them a perfect fit all the way extended. A simple yet comfy and effective band that reaches far enough as the Sony MDR-1A has can work. Pads like the Meze 99 (oval vs. round) would give them that reach and comfort. Cost cutting on visuals with the simpler band design could make them lighter, and less expensive. If that happened there'd not be a single headphone out there that can compete with something like that in its price bracket. Still hard to compare them to anything, as they've broken such new ground here.
