Everything But the Sound
 
The observations were made over about 3 months and hundreds of hours of listening.  Amping helps, the QC3 pleather over Mikros foam mod explained later I feel is almost essential.

 
Presentation
Presentation definitely holds some importance.  Just like with food that's presented well, or a cool outfit for a character in any series, style has its importance.  Looks wise, they look a bit old.  Not classy old, just kind of studio monitor old. They're all black, with the only hints of contrast lying in the silver rim of the ear cup and the silver arms.  The headband is all pleather (probably a metal band in the middle, with a generous amount of cushioning, wrapped in pleather).  They just look a little plain.  They could've done better, but it doesn't stop me from wearing them outside on the bus or whatever.  They're not that ugly.  Presentation applies to the the style and feel of the headphones, the packaging, the sound signature/balance.  The style is OK.  I do wear these in public on a daily basis but I am only sometimes self conscious about it.  It’s not the plain-ness of the headphones that makes them look awkward, it’s the headband not hugging my head enough.  I’m sure it looks a little goofy.  Also, the headphones don’t feel like they're $300.  They just feel like headphones.  The packaging is OK.  Not much to speak about it.
6.5/10
 
Build Quality and Construction
The M90 is nicely built.  They feel almost unbreakable, similar to the way the Momentum feels unbreakable.  I hear no creeks or cracks or anything I've heard from just about every plastic headphone I've heard. Great, so no problems.
8.5/10
 
Comfort
Out of the box, they're not comfortable. Way too much clamping force.  You can easily fix this by stretching the headband.  Though don't make it too loose or too tight since the sound can be effected. In the end though, these are still on ear headphones, so comfort is limited.  Compared to the $300-$400 competitors, I'd give it:
6.5/10
 
Gripes
Very finicky and relatively difficult to get a great seal.
Take some burning in and a small amount of modding
-1pt(s)
______________________________________________________________________________

 
Sound
 
Bass
The bass is actually just about neutral.  Perhaps with a small amount of roll off.  Really, the bass is fine, but the bass itself is not directed around the ear enough.  It’s still good, but from the WS99 or FC300, the bass is distributed better.  This isn’t where the Mikros does the best, but they definitely excel.

 
Mids
The mids are also pretty great.  They’re really one of the things this can strives for.  The vocals sound great, the guitars, everything.  With a the stock pads, a not-so-good source and poor recordings, expect intolerable sibilance.  The midr-ange, unlike most of its competitors, is very well balanced.
14.5/15

 
Highs
The detail is just amazing.  They have more detail then the Momentum, and all of the competitors I’ve heard at that price. I don’t even know what to write to be honest.  Just the best treble out there.  Also, it’s not recessed, actually a little boosted.
15/15
 
Soundstage
Out of the box, and with the stock pads, I felt like the soundstage was severely lacking.  So lacking that I almost gave up on them.  Now the soundstage is extremely good, especially so for an on ear.  I now don’t feel like I’m missing too much soundstage coming from the MDR MA900.  There is perfect instrument separation. There may be some lack of width but in depth it stands out.  There’s some pretty hardcore competition though.
8.5/10
 
83.5/100
Though this point system means nothing if not compared to anything.  So without further ado:
 
Comparisons:
Style
 
 

 
 
Contributing Factors
 
Presentation (10/100)

1. Style
2. Packaging
3. Easy of use
4. Easy to get used to

 
Construction (10/100)

1. Materials
2. Durability

 
Comfort

1. Softness, width and depth of pads
2. Heat resistance
3. Clamping force
4. Weight

 
Portability

1. Size
2. Case
3. Isolation
4. Cable (removable, short)

 
Gripes

1. Finicky?
2. Lack of replaceable pads?
3. Other issues?

 
Extras

1. Accessories and Benefits?

 
Bass

1. Depth
2. Tightness
3. Balance
4. Distribution

Mids

1. Vocals
2. Detail
3. Mid-range Clarity
4. Balance

 
Highs

1. Largely detail
2. Sibilance?
3. Largely balance

 
Soundstage

1. Width
2. Depth
3. Height
4. Accuracy and Imaging

______________________________________________________________________________
 
Simple Mods:
 
The Stretch Mod: a mod in which you stretch the headband to a setting more comfortable.  This is essential since out of the box they clamp very tightly.
 
The QC3 Pleather + Mikros Foam Mod rotated 90 degrees: it is exactly what it sounds like.  Take some QC3 pads:
(http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009GDVTN4/ref=s9_simh_gw_p23_d0_i3?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=1XCJV96X1D55SQJAA4BW&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1688200382&pf_rd_i=507846), take out the foam, replace it with the Mikros' foam and rotate it 90 degrees.  This is the best sound I’ve been able to get out of the Mikros.  With this mod, you get a nice upgrade in SQ.  Comfort is the same, but bass depth is slightly improved, balance is improved, sibilance goes away, mids become clearer, soundstage rounds out.
 
The Beats Solo Pad Mod: buy Beats solo pads: (http://www.amazon.com/Replacement-Pads-Cushions-Beats-Black/dp/B006JDU6YM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1397658169&sr=8-1&keywords=beats+solo+pads); take off the stupid plastic plate on the back, and put them on the Mikros.  It is a tight fit but it does indeed fit.  This mod is ok.  It recesses the midrange, boosts the bass and treble, giving you a more laid back vocal performance.  I don't like it all that much but I'm sure some would.  It may be slightly less comfortable than stock, or slightly more comfortable (the former in my case)
 
The Reverse Mod: Instead of the right channel being on your right ear and and vise versa, just reverse the headphones.  The seal you get is improved.  I don’t do this because I can’t get around the vocals being behind me but many people can’t go without this mod.
______________________________________________________________________________
 
Added Notes + Comparisons
 
The Mikros may not be very stylish, but it's acceptable.  The construction seems great, and my pair seems to be in like new condition, and the headband is ultra flexible.  I question as to how long the arms will stand up, but I bet it'll be long.  The Mikros is not as comfortable as some of these over ear cans.  On it's own, it's moderately comfortable, but against others, they feel strenuous. The Mikros is extremely portable, since the cups rotate, it comes with a hard case. it's small, and it isolates extremely well.  They are finicky (gripe).  The cable is detachable, comes with a case, nice packaging (extra).
 
The Momentum (MOM) looks great to me.  It's constructed extremely well, almost unbreakable, though someone on Head-Fi did complain about the connector on the ear cup being damaged.  The pads are tiny, so they are either on ear, or partially on/over ear.  This does a number on comfort.  They're easily portable since they're a small, isolate, and come with a bag. However, they don't fold and the bag is huge so...  No gripes, and the packaging, and accessories are great.
 
The M500 is a good headphone, but it really doesn’t have anything (sound wise at least) that the Mikros doesn’t offer, or do better in.  The Mikros granted sounds different, but I think it’s safe to say the Mikros technically/statistically at last is the better sounding headphone in all areas.  From bass to mids, to tonal quality, to treble detail and control, the Mikros just can’t be beat.  The midrange of the M500 does com close in quality though.
 
I really like the FC300 for two reasons (it is my second favorite closed headphone):
1: it sounds just as good as the Momentum, or M500, or P7, or anything really below $400.  It only costs $150.
2: The sound signature is so enjoyable.  It’s very exciting but not too exciting.  I think it works for all genres (well, if you can deal with boosted bass) and all people.
 
However, the Mikros sounds noticeably better, and that’s really all it comes down to.  I’d recommend them though, since they look better.
 
The 1r is presented EXTREMELY well.
1: The packaging is great
2. They look out of this world
3. The pads look nice and sqooshie
4. They sound quiet in your hands.
However, the sound signature isn’t the type to pull you in like the FC300.
Compared to the Mikros, they don’t fare all that well sound-wise.  They compete somewhat well with the Momentum etc, but overall, if great audio quality is what you’re looking for, I steer clear of the 1r.
 
The WS99… Well, sound-wise they’re in that Momentum tier.  However, they are uncomfortable and the bass is just a little too aggressive for.  A great bass head can, but the FC300 sounds more balanced.  They beat the Mikros out in bass performance, but in mids and treble, not so much.
 
The Spirit one sounds essentially like the WS99 with a smaller soundstage and slightly tighter bass.  The build is OK, and the styling suffers from the headband sticking out of your head.
 
Th UE6000 looks great, but sounds boring.  Like a WS99 with a slightly larger soundstage but slower bass, and less treble.
 
100 pts:
Sound is 55 pts
Portability is 10 pts
Comfort is 15 pts
Style is 5 pts
Build is 15 pts
______________________________________________________________________________
Sources
Source(s):  I used mainly the Samsung Galaxy 5 Player, the iPod Touch 4g, Sansa Clip Zip, and Fiio X3.
>250 hours of use on the ears
Music Choices: I listen to a good variety of music.  Though, my favorite genre is J-Rock.
Music:
J-ROCK:
(320 kbps MP3) FLOW THE MAX by FLOW (the song Won't You Stay and many others)
(320 kbps MP3) The One by UVERworld (the song The OVER and many others)
(320 kbps MP3) The Last by UVERworld (the song Hi Mondaisaku and many others)
(320 kbps MP3) 26 a Go Go!!! by FLOW (most of the songs)
(FLAC) Jinsei x Boku by ONE OK ROCK (all the songs, all the time)
K-Pop:
(FLAC) PSY Five by PSY (the fantastic song It's Art)
Rap:
(320kbps MP3) Food and Liquor 2: The Great American Rap Album Part 1 by Lupe Fiasco (all songs)
Soundtrack
(FLAC) The Lion King Soundtrack by Hans Zimmer (all songs)
and a variation of different artists and albums
______________________________________________________________________________

Introduction:
This was an impulse purchase.  Not that it was hyped much (trust me, it isn’t), I just wanted to buy an on ear headphone, and these sort of showed up.  They’re relatively new so I wondered if they’d be a diamond in the rough among some pretty stiff competition (V-Moda  M80, UE6000, Martin Logan Mikros 90, ATH M50, ATH WS99, MDR -1R, and many many more).
 
Build Quality, Aesthetics, Comfort, Gripes:
First off I’d rate the build quality as very good.   I don’t see any structural flaws.  The cup themselves I believe are aluminum, and the core of the headband is also a really strong metal.  There is some plastic in the construction, but don’t expect that Beats type plastic or that MDR 1r type plastic.  It’s is much much much more sturdy, and it yields no structural weaknesses.  It also helps lessen the weight of these.  Also, the plastic is rubberized, meaning it has a thin layer of rubber as an exoskeleton, giving it a more high quality feel. I’ve tested the build quality by stretching the headband beyond its elastic limit and they didn’t break (the headband was basically a straight line at that point).  In addition, factoring in the price ($170 USD) you’ve got a fantastically built headphone.
 
These headphones look stylish, and even more stylish around the neck.  I’ve gotten a lot of compliments if that helps.  The stealth black works well, but I could do with a little more contrast.  The cable really is the only source of contrast in color.
 
The comfort is about average.  They are more comfortable than the average on ear, but a little less comfortable than it’s over ear competitors.  The pads are larger than the Momentums (basically an on ear), but a tiny bit smaller than the WS99.  They aren’t uncomfortable for me, but I can see some people experiencing discomfort.  The pads aren’t the softest (not memory foam), but to be honest that isn’t much of an issue.
 
The cable doesn’t have an IOS controller.  This means absolutely nothing to be, but be warned.  Also, the cables are detachable, but it’s really hard to pull the cables out of the ear cups.  I also experience a slight channel imbalance favoring the right ear slightly, but this isn’t a problem since you can easily adjust the channel balance on just about any device.  One more gripe: a good seal is easy to maintain (you can talk and do all the backflips you want once the pads adjust to your head), but can take a few seconds to achieve.  Good thing is I have worn these in literally 4 degree weather (and while it was snowing like crazy) and maintaining a seal isn’t difficult.  I have an average sized head with ears that stick out slightly more than average and I experience no problems.  You may experience problems at first but they will most likely go away after good use.
 
 
Sound:
First let me describe the sound signature, starting from the left of the frequency graph: the bass.  The bass extends quite low with great weight and authority.  Yes the bass is emphasized, but definitely not to bass head levels.  They have a tiny bit more low bass impact than the Momentum, and a bit less than the ATH WS99.  Anyway, the sub bass extension really is something that makes these headphones stand out.  You’ll hear sub bass notes you haven’t heard before if you listen to cans like the Momentum or MDR 1R.  Now my only problem with the bass is that it’s a bit above neutral, and I prefer a flatter response since I don’t really listen to much bass heavy music.
 
That being said, I’m not sure I’d call these warm sounding headphones.  I associate warmth less with simply bass than with mids to lower mids presence, accompanied with a mid to upper bass boost.  These sound more dynamic, more exciting then something like the Momentum, MDR 1R, UE6000, ATH WS99, or ATH ESW9a that sounds warm and laid back.  Moreover, I can sense a dip in the lower mids, but just a small one.  It removes a little bit of the warmth from the vocals and replaces it with a more airy, more spacious vocal presence.  As a result, compared to mid centric headphones like the MDR 1R, ATH WS99 (kind of mid centric), and Martin Logan Mikros 90, the vocals can sound only a tiny bit hollow.  The dip isn’t huge, but it’s noticeable.
Ah the treble.  This is something I like about these.  The treble is not offensive, neither is it conservative.  It isn’t crazy detailed like the Mikros 90 (*******!), but it has presence, lending to a fantastic balance, and beautiful female vocals.As for the soundstage, I’d rate it at slightly above average.  It’s a small step behind the class leading M500, or MDR 1R, but a step above the Momentum.
 
To sum up:  I haven’t liked a headphone like I’ve liked this one in a very long time.  For instance: I like the M500.  It’s got good sound, an awkward but interesting soundstage, and awkward fit (clamp is too light), and only OK isolation.  They are also a little creaky, at least for me.  I like the Momentum, but I can’t get a good seal, the sound is only OK, and they cost a little too much.  The B&W P7 is something I really liked both sound wise and looks wise, but there was nothing that stood out about it, especially at a price of $400.  I’m really liking the Martin Logan Mikros 90 right now, but I haven’t had them for long enough.  These headphones don’t really do anything wrong in any compartment, whether its build, aesthetics, sound, or comfort, and they actually do some /things that make them stand out, like for instance it’s sub bass, or its female vocals.  Look, I’m not saying these aren’t without their flaws, all I’m saying is I haven’t found them yet.
 
Used: Sansa Clip Zip, my Home Reciever, Shiitt MAgni, iPod Tough 4g, iPad 2, Samsung Galaxy Player 5, Fiio E6.
 

Introduction:
This was an impulse purchase.  Not that it was hyped much (trust me, it isn’t), I just wanted to buy an on ear headphone, and these sort of showed up.  They’re relatively new so I wondered if they’d be a diamond in the rough among some pretty stiff competition (V-Moda  M80, UE6000, Martin Logan Mikros 90, ATH M50, ATH WS99, MDR -1R, and many many more).
 
Build Quality, Aesthetics, Comfort, Gripes:
First off I’d rate the build quality as very good.   I don’t see any structural flaws.  The cup themselves I believe are aluminum, and the core of the headband is also a really strong metal.  There is some plastic in the construction, but don’t expect that Beats type plastic or that MDR 1r type plastic.  It’s is much much much more sturdy, and it yields no structural weaknesses.  It also helps lessen the weight of these.  Also, the plastic is rubberized, meaning it has a thin layer of rubber as an exoskeleton, giving it a more high quality feel. I’ve tested the build quality by stretching the headband beyond its elastic limit and they didn’t break (the headband was basically a straight line at that point).  In addition, factoring in the price ($150 USD) you’ve got a fantastically built headphone.
 
These headphones look stylish, and even more stylish around the neck.  I’ve gotten a lot of compliments if that helps.  The stealth black works well, but I could do with a little more contrast.  The cable really is the only source of contrast in color.
 
The comfort is about average.  They are more comfortable than the average on ear, but a little less comfortable than it’s over ear competitors.  The pads are larger than the Momentums (basically an on ear), but a tiny bit smaller than the WS99.  They aren’t uncomfortable for me, but I can see some people experiencing discomfort.  The pads aren’t the softest (not memory foam), but to be honest that isn’t much of an issue.
 
The cable doesn’t have an IOS controller.  This means absolutely nothing to be, but be warned.  Also, the cables are detachable, but it’s really hard to pull the cables out of the ear cups.  I also experience a slight channel imbalance favoring the right ear slightly, but this isn’t a problem since you can easily adjust the channel balance on just about any device.  One more gripe: a good seal is easy to maintain (you can talk and do all the backflips you want once the pads adjust to your head), but can take a few seconds to achieve.  Good thing is I have worn these in literally 4 degree weather (and while it was snowing like crazy) and maintaining a seal isn’t difficult.  I have an average sized head with ears that stick out slightly more than average and I experience no problems.  You may experience problems at first but they will most likely go away after good use.
 
 
Sound:
First let me describe the sound signature, starting from the left of the frequency graph: the bass.  The bass extends quite low with great weight and authority.  Yes the bass is emphasized, but definitely not to bass head levels.  They have a tiny bit more low bass impact than the Momentum, and a bit less than the ATH WS99.  Anyway, the sub bass extension really is something that makes these headphones stand out.  You’ll hear sub bass notes you haven’t heard before if you listen to cans like the Momentum or MDR 1R.  Now my only problem with the bass is that it’s a bit above neutral, and I prefer a flatter response since I don’t really listen to much bass heavy music.
 
That being said, I’m not sure I’d call these warm sounding headphones.  I associate warmth less with simply bass than with mids to lower mids presence, accompanied with a mid to upper bass boost.  These sound more dynamic, more exciting then something like the Momentum, MDR 1R, UE6000, ATH WS99, or ATH ESW9a that sounds warm and laid back.  Moreover, I can sense a dip in the lower mids, but just a small one.  It removes a little bit of the warmth from the vocals and replaces it with a more airy, more spacious vocal presence.  As a result, compared to mid centric headphones like the MDR 1R, ATH WS99 (kind of mid centric), and Martin Logan Mikros 90, the vocals can sound only a tiny bit hollow.  The dip isn’t huge, but it’s noticeable.
Ah the treble.  This is something I like about these.  The treble is not offensive, neither is it conservative.  It isn’t crazy detailed like the Mikros 90 (*******!), but it has presence, lending to a fantastic balance, and beautiful female vocals.As for the soundstage, I’d rate it at slightly above average.  It’s a small step behind the class leading M500, or MDR 1R, but a step above the Momentum.
 
To sum up:  I haven’t liked a headphone like I’ve liked this one in a very long time.  For instance: I like the M500.  It’s got good sound, an awkward but interesting soundstage, and awkward fit (clamp is too light), and only OK isolation.  They are also a little creaky, at least for me.  I like the Momentum, but I can’t get a good seal, the sound is only OK, and they cost a little too much.  The B&W P7 is something I really liked both sound wise and looks wise, but there was nothing that stood out about it, especially at a price of $400.  I’m really liking the Martin Logan Mikros 90 right now, but I haven’t had them for long enough.  These headphones don’t really do anything wrong in any compartment, whether its build, aesthetics, sound, or comfort, and they actually do some /things that make them stand out, like for instance it’s sub bass, or its female vocals.  Look, I’m not saying these aren’t without their flaws, all I’m saying is I haven’t found them yet.  You know what, I'll take a pic on my phone:
 
Used: Sansa Clip Zip, my Home Reciever, Shiitt MAgni, iPod Tough 4g, iPad 2, Samsung Galaxy Player 5, Fiio E6.
 

Grado SR80i Review
 
I’m going to review every little thing about the SR80i, so get ready.
Additional Details:  I bought the SR80i around Christmas of last year (2012) and ended up returning them because of a lack of bass and poor comfort.  I’m now much more experienced with headphones and audio in general, so they don’t sound really bad, or feel as uncomfortable.
Let’s start out with something basically insignificant, the packaging.  Now with the headphones priced beyond $200, you usually get some really good packaging.  Sennheiser really knows what they’re doing, as does Sony and AKG.  As for Grado and Beyerdynamic, not so much.  The SR80i comes in a rectangular box.  In the box, the headphones are held together by foam.   In the box, you get the headphones and a 3.5mm to 6.3mm adapter.  That’s it.  I wish they gave you a bag but whatever.
Construction:  These most definitely don’t actually feel like $100 headphones judging by the weight and complexity of the design.  However, I don’t think these will break any time soon like something like an MA900 or HD5xx would.  Most headphones have problems with accidents.  I’ve sat on these and they didn’t break.  I sat on the MA900 and now the rotation system is a little damaged.  No big deal, but it says something.  Moreover, the aesthetics on these really appeal to me.  They look very cool and retro.
Comfort:  The main weakness of Grados.  With the s-Cush pads, these aren’t totally uncomfortable.   They do build up heat and overall the comfort is not that great compared to really everything I have, but they are still not that bad.  Basically, they aren’t as uncomfortable as people say they are.
Sound: Two things I am definitely satisfied with are the bass quantity and treble presence.   There is DEFINITELY enough bass. Great amount of bass for all genres, including hip hop.  However, the bass roll off is not good.  I’ve tried EQ and they just can reach below 55 Hz very well at all.  For rock however, the bass is definitely satisfying.  More bass than the HD 558.
Tons of cans have problems with treble presence, mainly lack thereof.  These don’t… simple as that.
Yes these are engaging, yes these are bright, and yes, they have some warmth, but no, the mids aren’t balanced.  Compared to the MDR MA900 and HD558, the upper mids are ridiculously emphasized.   You can really hear it when an artist yells or sings really loud when the volume is turned up on your source.  The vocals don’t have a good weight to them, there’s just not enough warmth.  It’s good for some genres, but for certain artists like FLOW, it’s horrible.
The main problem with the mids seems to come from the plastic construction of the cups.    The louder noises in the upper mids sound strained and strident.  This only happens at louder volumes.
 
So since, as you can see, I am definitely not satisfied with the comfort, nor sound, I decided to take things into my own hands.  I bought the L-Cush pads, that pads used on the Sr225i and up.  I also applied the tape mod with Scotch Vinyl Electrical tape (google it), put them through a good receiver, and applied some EQ adjustments.  The difference before and after my modifications are amazing.  Almost night and day.
 
The sound stage improved, the bass depth improved, instrument separation improved, highs are less fatiguing, the vocals have a nice texture, and the overall sound is improved dramatically.  No more congestion at higher volumes, no more honky mids, no more crazy stuff!  These sound even better than the SR225i stock imo, so they’re on the same level as the MDR MA900, HD598, etc imo.  That’s simply how good they are.  Now of course the soundstage, like I said before, is small, but it has a good shape, and the imaging is top notch.  At $100, you can’t ask for more.  It’s crazy how even the bass depth improved.  I can now actually use these for hip hop and things of that sort.  Just fantastic.  They still love rock.
 
Now one con of the added L-Cush pads: more uncomfortable.  The new pads are hard, and I could only survive a 45 min session with them, and I see myself as pretty tolerable to discomfort.  I still gladly wear them though, since they sound so great.
 
Moreover, these things sound like Grados, a different sound signature, a different presentation of the same frequencies you already heard in your music.  In conclusion, I think at the $100 price tag, the SR80i beats all of it’s competition, including the MDR 7506, SRH 440, ATH M50, HD558 (perhaps in the same league, but I prefer the SR80i), HD518, and many others.  Sure, the build is questionable, sure they’re relatively uncomfortable, and sure the bass doesn’t go super low.  For all they do wrong, they do 10x better in a different area (provided you mod them a bit).  Am I a Grado fan?  Who knows.  Am I a Sr80i fan? Most definitely.


Overall, they arent in the same league as the MA900, DT880, AD900x, etc, but they sound enjoyable. Plus they cost 1/2 the price.

Disclaimers:
I'm a consumer, a headphone enthusiast, so I'm not using these for professional use.
... that's it
 
They come in a nice box, really giving them a professional feel.  The bag I think is nice, since it feels durable, but it is made of synthetic  leather so deon't expect something heavy duty.  In the box, Sony gives you the headphones, a 3.5mm to 6.3mm screw on adapter, a bag, and a year warranty.  When you actually take them out of the box, you'll soon realize that that 1 year warranty is useless.
 
In a word, the build is simply great.  I wish I could tell you more but there isn't much to tell to be honest.  Build shouldn't be one of your worries regarding this headphone.
 
Comfort wise, I would say they are uncomfortable.... until you replace the pads with these:
http://www.amazon.com/Auray-Deluxe-Velour-Earpads-Pair/dp/B005GC7YJ2/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1387672422&sr=8-7&keywords=mdr+7506+pads
or these:
http://www.amazon.com/Beyerdynamic-Velour-Earcushions-MDR7506-Headphones/dp/B0016MF7W2/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1387672453&sr=8-3&keywords=mdr+7506+pads
 
Now they're my most comfortable cans in my selection, only surpassed by the Sony MDR MA900.
 
As for sound, these sound very detailed and analytical, but if you're coming from something with a warmer signature like the MDR XB500, you'll definitely notice the emphasis in the upper mids (from around 2khz-12khz).You can obviously see the boost here: from Golden Ears

 
Not only did Sony decide to emphasize the upper mids-treble, but they decided to recess the lower mids.  That's simply a recipe for... badness (lol).  I'm exaggeration the flaws a bit.
There's some slight bass and treble roll off, though they shouldn't be the main concern.
 
Anyway, some may be wondering what effect the coloration would have on the sound.  Basically, it makes the vocals sound tinny, like they're coming out of a cellphone.  Obvious exageration though.  It also can make some instruments sound a littl;e strained/strident.  Unnatural is a good word, as is analytical.
 
So, why have I given them such a good review?  Well, that's because of E to the Q (tried to it rhyme).  Equalization (aka E to the Q)  is fairly easy, for this headphone at least.  When you EQ, you're trying to force the headphone to have a flat frequency response.  So, in order to make these sound flat, or natural, you must counter the response:

Use an EQ, (example, EQu on IOS, or Poweramp on Android) and follow that bolded blue curve.  Add some flavor to it to make it sound more pleasing.
 
Sound Impressions (EQ'd, with the soft pads which slightly increase the bass)
Bass is tight, mids are right, highs are bright, distortion -3000° Fahrenheit (I can do this all day!), soundstage out of sight.  These bcome the perfect cans.  Well, on bad recordings, the sibilance does start to act up, but who cares! (lol, I know some of you care, but you's better find some better recordings or these head-fi'ers will eat you alive!).
If you want to know why these react so well to equalization, well my best guess is because of the technical ability of these things.   Studio monitors like the MDR 7506 are usually good at EQ.
 
MDR 7506 vs UE6000 vs M50
UE6000 un EQ'd sounds the best, but they don't react the best to EQ.  They have the tightest and deepest bass, and have the best isolation.
 
The M50 is nicely balanced and doesn't really need EQ but you can if you want.  The frequencies that are particularly difficult to EQ are the Mid frequncies (less so with the upper mids) and that is where the M50 lacks.  The M50 also has a smaller soundstage and is much heavier.
 
The 7506 is the most engaging of these, and have outlasted the rest in terms of build.
 
 
Overall, a 3.5/5 from me.
 
(EDIT: January 2014) It is beaten by the UE6000, ES FC300, Martin Logan Mikros 90

I prematurely wrote a review on this that wasn't all too positive. However, after about a week, my impressions have changed. I swaer I have been listening to these nonstop. At least for 50 hours.

Construction:7/10
Really good I think. They are built like Beats actually (studios), with similarities in the folding system, headband cushion, earpads, overall shape, and the active noise canceling. However, the actual materials are of much better quality. There's a good amount of strong plastics and metals within the design giving them a nice weight. The pads though aren't replaceable. I don't care that much since they're only $100 now. [EDIT: They have some creaks now. Very annoying.]

Style: 10/10
I have the black ones (I like the more subtle look) and they look fantastic both on and off the head. I get good impressions from friends and family and whatnot.

Comfort: 7.5/10!
When I first got them, they were a little uncomfortable. The pads were too small, and the clamp was too tight. Now, they are rediculously [EDIT: Somewhat Comfortable] comfortable. I believe the reason for my discomfort was because prior to the UE6000, I had used the MDR MA900 nonstop which is widely known for its low clamp and high comfort.

Other: 10/10
Isolation is the best I've owned. Works wonderfully on the bus and train. In this way, they are totally unique in my collection! I like them the most out of all the portable cans (well, maybe not the momentum or Focal Spirit One, but I'll get that) because of their isolation. They also have a detachable cable, IOS remote, ANC, and a headphone splitter right out of the box.

So far so good right? Let's talk about sound.

After many hours of listening to these things, I have finally adapted to the sound signature. The bass is definitely emphasized. The mids are really nice. They're kind of lush and boxy sounding, but in a good way. I really have learned to like it coming form the WS99/Momentum/1r.

The bass is very tight and very deep. I actually don't mess with the bass when using my EQ since I feel it is in the perfect place quantity and quality wise unlike the 1r or Momentum. These do well with EDM and things of that nature.

The mids are like I said, warm. They might be a little recessed, but when you consider how subtle the highs are,they're almost neutral. Almost but not quite, so I'd give 2-4khz a little boost.

The highs are rolled off... significantly, but they seem rolled off smoothly. No, these don't sound really airy, but they don't sound congested. Many headphones will boost the highs to give the illusion of great instrument separation and sound stage but these actually do without it. No, the soundstage isn't that large, but it has a good shape. For example, the KEF M500. Sure the soundstage has great depth, however, the width leaves a little to be desired. I imagine a long oval with the M500, but with the UE6000 imagine a slightly smaller than average circle. It's a little hard to explain.

With EQ, these are fantastic. However, overall, for rock/Jrock/Metal/Brighter Genres, they aren't very well suited since the warmth and body get a little out of hand. The bass is fast enough, It's deep enough, it's just the highs.

Overall SQ: 7.5/10

Comparisons: Home Use SQ
KEF M500 (better everything except weight and thickness)>M4U(Clearer, more balanced)>Momentum*better detail and resolution, worse soundstage)=ATH WS99(tighter bass, more balanced, better bass texture and quickness)>Focal Spirit One(Sound very similar, UE6000 is more balanced, more weight, FS1 has tighter bass, more intimate vocals)=UE6000=DT770 (More higher, larger soundstage, looser bass, less mids)>Fidelio l1=MDR 1r

On The Go SQ (Very loud Environment): Excluding the DT770 and Fidelio L1
UE6000=M4U>Focal Spirit One>Momentum>WS99=M500>MDR 1r

Overall, Which Do I like?:
Hard to say. I don't like the L1, DT770 the most. Not too much of a momentum fan with that tiny soundstage. The 1r just doesn't sound good enough. The M500 doesn't isolate as well as some of the others, and will slide off my head not to mention the comfort (or lack thereof). The FS1 is just too lower mid heavy. The M500 and ws99 are my faves, followed by the momentum, the ue6000 and FS1.

4.5/5 in the end since they're only $100!
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[Updated 12/12/13]

Ill make this short and to the point.
 
The MDR MA900 is a fantastic headphone and even fantasticererer at the price of $200.  The soundstage is just unbelievable, trumping cans that cost more than twice it's price (HD650, HD600, DT880).  The imaging is also great, and the best thing about the soundstage is how focused it is.  Neither the vocals, nor the bass are lost in this soundstage (amazing!). 
 
Let's take a break from the sound.
 
These are hands down the most comfortable headphones I have ever worn, so if your thinking about the comfort, just stop it because it's just silly.  I read someones impressions somewhere and he described the comfort as it being like a hat: after a few minutes, you forget they're even there.
 
The build is... well the materials themselves are good, while also keeping the actual weight of the headphones very low, but the structural design has its flaws.  Dropping these is ok, but sitting on them, won't break them, but it may just mess with the swivel mechanism or something of that sort.  The headphones actually look nice, but are not very inspiring when you have them in your hands.  
 
Sound: The mids are very clear and the instruments sound true to the source.  The bass is surprisingly good.  EQ makes the bass actually better than a lot of other closed cans  at the same price.  On it's own, and this is just me, it lacks impact for pop, hip hop, and r&b, but its great for rock, jazz, etc.  The highs are slightly recessed (EQ to the rescue).
 
Overall, they trash every closed can I've heard (and that's without an amp).
 
This review was done without an amp.
 
9.9/10 because of the look.

 

1. Just to let you know what your getting into, these don’t NEED an amp, but they do like em’.  Don’t worry about amping because you don’t need it, it’ll be a little quiet though. 
2. They are semi-open.
3. 26ohms
4. Emphasize the bass (don’t all portable cans do that?)

 
 
Build- 7/7- Absolutely fantastic build.  The headband is real leather (or at least the top that is pressed with Philips on top of it), and the build is conposed mostly of metal.  The wire is covered in fabric.  I actually pulled the earcups to a 180° angle to both test the build and improve clamping pressure.
 
Comfort- 9/12- The first time you put them on, you’ll notice the brutal clamping pressure, and im someone who thinks the dt770s are a little light at times with the clamp.  Now all you have to do is stretch the hell out of the headband and you’ll get very favoring results, but right now they do clamp quite a bit.
 
Looks-1.75/2-  Theres no reason to have this section but I’ll throw it in there anyway.  They look great, its just the cord that sticks fron the top of the cans can look a little goofy, but I still like em’.  I still think the black momentum(don’t have) looks the best, followed by the MDR 1R(do have).
 
Isolation-4/6-Compared to the 1rs, these do have a little less isolation, since they are semi-open.  The isolation is just enough for me to use on the train and bus, but i do loose the bass.  These isolate just enough for me to hear people talk to me, when the music is played low, which i love!  The isolation will not be a turn off if you know what your getting into.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Bass- 9/10-The bass is pumping!  I like it for dance/electronic and rap, r&b, and pop music. The bass is emphasized, but I don’t think it’s crazy bass.  It’s very tight and quick, and it goes down deep.  Its tighter aand deeper than the 1r’s bass, and just tighter than the dt770’s (80 ohm).
 
Mids- 7.5/10- I’m not gojng to say they’re crystal clear mids because their not.  They are pushed back a tiny bit, but move up as you burn them in.  The sound is very smooth and warm, and the upper bass does interfere with the lower mids.  Eq fixes the hell out of it though!
 
Highs-8.5/10- You know, iI’ve never been able to succefully attampt talikg about the highs.  All I know is that they’re not emphasized, or recessed.  I do boost them because i’m a bit of a treble head, and i just like the air  and space it can give some headphones.  They’re very even sounding, but I don’t even know how high they extend or anything.  I just like them more than the MA900s and 1r’s highs.
 
With eq, these can become just a different set of cans.  The soundstage expands, and they no longer sound congested.
 
The MA900s have better, clearer mids and a wider and deeper soundstage, the the l1s have better highs and bass extension (and quantity).
 
The 1r’s… The 1rs are just more upfront…  More up close and personal.  The bass I think at least isn’t as solid or deep  as the l1s, and the highs are around the same level.  The L1s are a little clearer though and have a deeper doundstage, at least with eq. It does depend on what you looking for.
 
I just flat out am not a fan of the dt770s.
 
The ma900s trash all cans in comfort, and the 1rs are a little behind it.
 
This is all just coming out a a sansa clip zip, ipod touch 4g, galaxy player 5, or ipad 2, plus a fiio e6.  No super huge power requirements.
 
I overall enjoy these cans and they work well with my 1rs and ma900s.
 
They get 46.75/57  which is about 82%.
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Update:  The comfort didn't increase, and as time goes on, I've started to dislike these.  The bass simply isn't tight enough.
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Update 2:  These don't really compete well with other portables.