okay after reading this I got to set the record straight. Basically, if you want to buy these, buy them AND the srh750 earpads. These are NOT AT ALL bad phones.
The are comfortable and sound good after you replace the stock pads with the srh750 pads. The stock pads **** the sound up really badly (more on that later).
Having owned the 440s and the 750s (tested for a week each; both returned: 440 not comfy, 750 too tight fit and creaky), I would say this is a cross between those two.
It does without the brightness (some ppl consider harsh) of the 440s and without the crazy bass hump of the 750s.
So the best of both worlds - a smooth sounding pair with good mids and detail and spatial imaging.
I've owned these for a month now and yes, they require at least 3 days of burn in with at least 12 hrs continuous sound playing through them. They're DJ headphones; they can handle it.
This is what I did:
1. Download: http://rapidshare.com/files/86309077/Bass_test_1_2__MFX150_.WAV (its from
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fH_sUK7hJxE&feature=channel_video_title)
2. Setup AIMP2 with ASIO4ALL through my laptop's Realtek HD soundcard (bought last year so its decent).
3. Set your volume output on windows to between 70-80% as to not damage the phones.
4. Play the file on loop for 12 hrs straight. Maybe rest it 5 mins every 3 hrs or 6 hrs if you want to. Do this for A WEEK if you can.
5. Ordered the 750's pads. (Ordering online (~$10) for me is a bitch because shipping nearly doubles the price. I live in Toronto so I ordered from Long&Mcquade for $12. Took 2 weeks.)
6. Enjoy!
How the stock 550 pads **** the sound up:
Looking at the pics in OP's post you can see they obviously do not cover the ear. I wear glasses - these we painful to wear for a long time and also made my ears red and warm.
The extra padding does something to the resonance of the sound which makes the bass muddy, mids harsh, highs recessed as crap. Burn in as long as you want its not going to matter.
Now putting on the 750s pads opens up everything. No more weird resonance, the highs are smooth and not recessed, mids and bass become more detailed.
This is what the 550s are SUPPOSED to sound like.
I'll be happy to answer any more questions and suggestions on things you'd like to have me test.