Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

If the around your ear size with soft breathable material, very comfortable light weight and one of the best sounding open headphones is what you are looking for, here they are! Headphone selection can be complicated as some are more suited for recording or live band use, some mixing and many just enjoying music a most subjective aspect. So there are many models maybe way too many making it difficult, sort of picking shoes on the Internet - may or may not be the best fit or feeling. Bass heads that want a music "blast" might find other models more to that design "taste". I have recently tested many models and have just a few top pics at under the $300 price level and the HD518's are my best pic for all around listening. Low distortion with wide response using E.A.R. Senn's design science seems to work very well for wide choice of music. Sound quality is exceptional detailed stage with bass solid and clean as at all frequencies, complex thick dynamic music is recreated without a hint of limits. One of my favorites to grab to know just what the recording really sounds like and enjoy. No EQ required but if you want to bring up the low end some they will respond! Using a worthy headphone amp will bring out those qualities even more but not necessary unless your are an audio junkie like me. I would consider sound character to be half way between ATH-M50s and ATH-AD700s which I believe is a very nice headphone neighborhood. The fit and long term listening comfort is about the best I have used making them a top choice. Amazon's price range $75 - $130 for entry level audiophile phones that can perform as well as many more expensive units makes it an easy choice.