I agree Mike, but I think people let the price get in the way of really comparing two headphones. In our hobby, we usually strive for that last 5-15%. The MDs compare very well to headphones mentioned earlier in the thread by prepro but if I'm looking for that last 15% of SQ and the Audeze does that (strictly SQ), then to me, they are not very similar other than the fact that they both reproduce great clarity.
For instance, back a couple years ago when everyone was on the hype that the K70x sounded like maybe 75% of a HD800 or whatever it may have been.... I had both and I was really confused at why people would think that. I then realized that peoples definition of percentages have to be different than mine which is their right because to me, the K70x might be 75% of the hd800 but that 25% is HUGE.