Grado Prestige Series SR325is Headphones Review

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(More customer reviews)I own the SR80s and wanted to see what you got for the extra money with the 325i. I liked my SR80s and still think they're very good headphones for the money, but the more I listen to the SR-325i's, I realize I'll have to sell my SR80s because I'll never listen to them again. The 325i's are that good!
The SR325i is a NOTICEABLE improvement on the SR80s. I have read reviews on the internet saying they are night-and-day better than the SR80. I didn't originally agree with that statement, but the more I listen to the SR325i's, I realized that they ARE night-and-day better than the SR80 on a good recording.
There is a a definite family resemblance in sound between the two, but the 325i has a lot more bass than the SR80, the midrange area is about as bright as the SR80, but I'd say that voices in the SR325i sound a bit further back in the mix - a little bit more distant than the SR80. I'd also say the SR80 is a little brighter overall than the SR325i. I'm thinking that this is related to the greater sense of space you get with the SR325i.
When I first listened to the SR325i, I was rather overwhelmed by the increased bass. By increased bass, I don't mean just around 20hz. The entire bass and mid-bass area is stronger and fuller than on the SR80. It seemed like the bass overwhelmed the rest of the sound.
After listening to them for a number of months now, the SR325i has a LOT more of a "3d sound" - what audiophiles call "soundstage", and I think that the bass is much more realistic than the SR80s. I never thought the SR80s lacked bass, and still don't, but I like the bigger, more solid bass of the 325i. The SR325i just sounds "bigger" to me. Maybe like a physically larger speaker compared to a smaller speaker? I just can't describe these headphones. They are incredible! They have tons of detail - you can hear everything that's going on in the music - instruments are well separated, you can hear the different tones of, say, the bass guitar, you can hear fingers sliding over the guitar strings, every single detail is revealed!
The midrange is smoother and more detailed than the SR80 midrange. The highs, like cymbals, are more defined too - not brighter, just better defined - you can more easily tell what the instrument is, rather than just a bright "crash" of cymbals. Bass is a lot better defined and more solid and prominent than on the SR80s. What surprised me is that the bass from these headphones has detail! You can hear exactly what the bass guitarist is doing! Bass guitar actually has tones, not just providing bass.
The biggest difference between the SR80 and the SR325i is the soundstage - the sense of space that makes it seem more real, more like you're really there "live" with the performers! The SR325i's really come alive with a good recording and that's when the difference between the 325i's and the 80's really becomes seriously noticeable. By comparison, the SR80's sound flat and uninvolving.
I wasn't sure whether I liked the bigger sound of the SR325i until I listened to Eric Johnson's "Tones" CD. On the SR80s, it sounded thin and not very listenable - kind of harsh - and pretty flat and dull. With the SR325i, this CD comes to life. There is some really solid bass, and more feeling of three-dimensionality in the music. Music sounds just a lot more real - much more like really being there!
I also listened to the song "Walking in Memphis" by Marc Cohn. The piano sounded more like a real piano. I was out at a store the other day where they had a nice Steinway(?) grand piano and a guy playing. I stopped to listen for awhile and thought (before I bought the SR325i), "this doesn't sound like piano on my SR80s". The real piano sounded fuller and stronger lower frequencies compared to my SR80s. So after listening to "Walking in Memphis" on the SR325is, I realized it sounded a lot more like the real piano I heard a few weeks back. I just listened to "Walking in Memphis" with my SR325i again today and then put on my trusty SR80s, and the difference was pretty significant! The SR80s sounded more harsh, thinner, and noticeably less three-dimensional. I couldn't hardly stand to listen to it with my SR80s after listening to it with the SR325i.
I put on some old 80's rock - Foghat "Energized" - expecting to hear greatly improved sound. Well, it sounded about the same overall. Voices sound a little smoother, the background vocals are little more clear and sound better, and there is more bass, but night-and-day different it isn't. The differences are pretty subtle here.
I listened to Tish Hinojosa's "Homeland" CD and felt like the 325i's sounded better than the SR80s. Her voice was smoother, the increased bass was nice, and the overall feel of space in the music seemed better to me.
I listened back and forth with the SR325i's and the SR80's to Ry Cooder's "Bop Till You Drop". After doing comparing back and forth on a couple of tracks I just put the SR80's back on the shelf. They just weren't "alive". They had good highs, nice mids, good bass, plenty of detail, but they just didn't sound "alive". They just couldn't compete with the SR325i's at all.
I just listened to Chris Rea's "The Road to Hell" earlier this evening. I've listened to it a number of times with SR80s and thought it sounded pretty good. I played it for the first time with my SR325i's and it was like I'd never heard this CD before! The entire CD sounded MUCH fuller and MUCH more spacious than with the SR80s. There was more bass but the bass was never boomy - always well controlled. Great highs, especially on the second track. I can tell what the radio announcer's voice is saying on the first track. I was just totally amazed!
These headphones never cease to amaze me after all this time I've had them! It makes listening to music fun and involving again!
It all depends on the recording. The better the recording, the better the SR325i will sound, but they're not going to make a crummy recording sound great. I've listened to some older recordings hoping that the 325i's would bring them to life, but not so. A crummy recording is a crummy recording and, from my listening tests with headphones and other amps and other CD players, no fancy mega-bucks audio gear is going to fix that (I've tried!).
Are the 325i's, as some people claim, "the best in the world"? In a word - NO. But neither are any of the competition - Sennheiser, AKG, etc. If that's what you're looking for, you're going to be looking for a long time. Are they "colored" as some people who don't like Grado headphones claim? Yes, but no more than any other brand of headphones or any other piece of audio equipment. EVERY headphone, EVERY speaker, and to a lesser extent, EVERY piece of electronic equipment makes its own contribution to the overall sound and therefore is "colored". Do you prefer the sound of Thiel speakers over Magneplanar speakers? Do you prefer the sound of Magneplanar speakers vs. the sound of Martin Logans? Tube vs. transistor amps? Guess what? There is NO "absolute sound" by which everything else is judged. The SR325is are no more colored than any other headphone. The ONLY question that's important is: do you like the way they sound or not?
I think they're GREAT headphones and I recommend them! BUT - don't buy based on my recommendation or anyone else's recommendation. Listen to different brands of headphones for yourself and decide what you like best. For me, the SR325i's are definitely worth the money and I love them!

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What does the i stand for in the new SR325is from Grado? Improved, that`s what! Yes, Grado has taken one of the world`s most acclaimed headphones and taken it a few steps further. The new SR325is has an upgraded driver design, and they have enlarged and improved the mass distribution in the metal housing. The way the SR325is new driver and metal housing move air and react to sound vibrations are now less affected by transient distortions. With the SR325is you will notice improved control of the upper and lower range of the frequency spectrum with both better supporting Grado`s world renowned midrange. And why the Gold color? The new SR325is is in honor of their 50th anniversary celebrated recently. The SR325is will produce a sound that is pure Grado, with warm harmonic color, rich full bodied vocals, excellent dynamics and an ultra smooth top end. Listen and Enjoy!

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Ultrasone HFI-780 S-Logic Surround Sound Professional Headphones Review

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(More customer reviews)Firstly, I just want to say that I love these headphones and they are indeed 'different' from other headphones in similar price range. The HFI's come with the Ultrasone's demo CD and OMG!!! You will immediately appreciate what S-Logic can do to 'mimic' natural surround sound in a pair of headphones...you can hear musician's gasping for air, breathing, and other nuances that your 'normal' speakers don't pick up.
Okay, here are some headphones that I own or have tried in no particular order: Audio-Technica ath-m50s, Beyerdynamic dt770, Audio-Technica ath-a700, and others...anyhow, the point is, I would like to say that I know my headphones!!!
Some 'high marks' on these headphones are particularly the Highs and Lows. Highs are crisp and clear, drummers may love this aspect of the headphones as the sounds are very bright...
Low frequencies are somewhat boomy!! These are like mini-subwoofers for your ears...so bass lovers may want to try the HFI-780s cause they do deliver!!
IMHO, the midrange is the headphones 'weakpoint.' I mean, they do not sound all that bad, but unlike traditional headphones, the S-Logic tends to make the midrange, especially, vocals, sound very 'forwarding.' You also may not pick up certain sounds as 'clearly' as 'normal headphones' because of the S-logic feature...it's kinda hard to explain, but if you have an extra pair of headphones without s-logic to compare, you will notice that the s-logic does hinder certain sounds in the mix...
Comfort: 2/5...these are dead-right uncomfortable!! Give it about 30 minutes and the headphones will consume your ears as well as your skull! Really I should've rate these phones 4/5. I really wanted to like these headphones, but after long listening sessions, my ears are not only sweating, but also got very sore!Besides comfort issues, these are very 'bright sounding' headphones...I've heard some pro-musicians mixing with them, but I can see how S-logic may throw off your senses when mixing down. That said, these may have some 'coloring' in your sounds, but like everything else, you just gotta learn your equipments to see what works and what does not.
If you desire a different kinda headphone with great sound, then these are great and worth the money!
P.S. I prefer the sounds of my Audio-Technica-ath m50s over the HFI-780s...I feel like I've found the perfect under $200 headphones (M50s)...
but, I decided to keep the HFI's because they really do compliment my M50s and I like the S-Logic for certain things like movies, drums, etc...
the bass on the HFI-780's is just a tad bit 'better' than the m50s...and the highs on the 780's are also slightly brighter than the m50s....take your pick!

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The exclusive design of the closed-back Ultrasone HFI-780 is accentuated by the polar-silver color. The HFI-780 contains all Ultrasone technologies such as S-Logic Plus, ULE and safer hearing. The HFI-780 is developed from the studio sector and is distinguished by a frequency response that is specifically tuned for DVD and gaming. Sophisticated home theater and music enthusiasts are overwhelmed by the impressive sound that makes it appear as though you are listening to speakers placed meters away. Gamers are impressed by the exact sound reproduction, making the gaming world come alive. The low frequency ranges are raised in order to reach the highest possible synergies with DSP-Systems like Dolby Headphone and Yamaha Silent Cinema. Through S-Logic Natural Surround, the sound moves out of your head and into the room around you. Direction and distance are more easily perceived, giving the illusion of being at a live concert. With just a pair of Ultrasones and your favorite audio device, you can have genuine 3-dimensional aural enjoyment. The HFI-780 is equipped with thicker ear and headphone pads, and comes with a new velvet carrying bag.

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Grado Prestige Series SR225i Headphones Review

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(More customer reviews)I'm a grad student with no money and inexplicably picky tastes in audio equipment. Having acquired a high-end digital stage piano, I've spent the last few months piecing together a suitable setup for home use; in my case, 'suitable' means near-reference grade, but at a cost not exceeding what I can pilfer from Sallie Mae's purse.
Despite the fact that I play and listen mostly at night, I viewed headphones in proportion to their size: reluctantly, I splurged on a $30 pair of Sony oil-barrels.
But after a few weeks of headaches and ringing ears, I headed down to a boutiquey little sound emporium in Boston, having committed myself to spending $100, once and for all, on some SR80s.
Given the opportunity, though, I sat down in a studio and worked my way through the entire three-figure-price spectrum of headphones.
Grado yielded the most promising batch of candidates, but I was surprised at the variance among them: the product specs you read online for Grado really fails to emphasize this. The SR80s were everything I had expected, but then, the SR125s were identifiably more adept at rendering distinct voices within a choir.
Then, foolishly, I clamped on a pair of 225s: bass pours into your head with effortless clarity, background instruments that I never even heard on my old ear-traps were not only present, but warmly textured, etc. When I got them home, $175 later, I decided to baptize them by fire with a mix of Beck and Ben Folds Live, which I find stubbornly muggy at high bass and volume.
The 225s have revealed a completely unknown layer of instrumentation in some of my favorite Beck tracks -- I don't just mean there's a new cello back there: I mean there's a flute, a panpipe, a tapdancer, and a fat booger hanging out of the cellist's nose. As for the live recordings of Ben Folds, not only did the bottom-end piano hold up amidst the hum of the crowd, but you can actually hear people talking to each other in the audience in a couple of tracks that were recorded, it's now evident, in a small theater.
And as for my own piano, I can say that playing through headphones is no longer less desirable than through a set of very commendable Infinity speakers -- especially when I have the phones plugged into my amp instead of the piano itself.
I don't care how broke you are: if you listen attentively to your music -- and you have a quality home amp or receiver to drive these headphones to their potential -- you will not look back,
You might, however, benefit from calling around town... the internet isn't always the best deal for these sorts of products.

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The SR225i has an increased airflow by 50% which is achieved through an improved rear metal screen and closer matched drivers. The result is an enlarged soundstage achieved from closer driver tolerances, while the improved rear screen frees the headphone from colorations.

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Grado Prestige Series SR-60i Padded Headphones Review

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(More customer reviews)I recently bought these cans for my daughter to use with her iPod mini...I had read good things about these headphones even with the criticism(?) of antiquated styling, uncomfortable headband and open headphone style...Wow! I am so impressed with these headphones that I offered to swap my Bose Quiet Comfort 2 for these. She said NO! The response is so smooth with a dynamic range that allows you to hear every nuance recorded onto the track. Bass is true...not artificially enhanced or boosted...highs are razor crisp and midrange is full and "round." Don't look any further for your headphones...these are worth 4X the price...I know!

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The Grado SR60 Headphones produce brilliant sound and offer outstanding listening comfort for a low cost. The SR60s have a flexible, soft vinyl headband. The headband and earpieces are connected by metal height adjusters, which adjust the height of your head with the center of your ear. These nifty adjusters also allow the earpiece to rotate a full 360 degrees, permitting them to lie flat on a surface perfect when packing in a suitcase. The SR60s come with earpads made of soft, porous, open-cell foam that covers the driver much more comfortably than standard foam earpads.

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Grado iGrado Headphones Review

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(More customer reviews)I owned the GR60 model, which is a great headset for the stereo, but too clunky for a portable like the ipod -- the cord is too long, and the headset too unwieldy for street walking. I was hoping that they would come out with a model with the ipod in mind, and they have. Got it in the mail this past weekend, and have been using it ever since. What a great buy! I have read mixed reviews of this product -- not enough bass, too much high end -- but I have always had to adjust my ipod equalization settings to whatever headphone I am using -- in this case, the r&b selection works fine for all kinds of music. Everything sounds clean, and most importantly, I no longer get listening fatigue. The band is not adjustable, but it is a comfortable fit and I don't feel like my head is being crushed. I have also read some complaints about no noise cancelling feature, but that never bothered me -- to me that is a feature more appropriate for home use than walking in the streets, where one has to be aware of traffic. It sound better than any other headset I have heard for the ipod. Recommended!
I recently bought another set, and found some improvements. One, the wire is a copper color as opposed to the original black, and is firmer then before. Secondly, the ear pads ar emuch more comfortable. The sound is excellent, with clear highs and solid bass; clean, not exaggerated. Still my favorite walking headphones! (I use this with an ipod shuffle and ipod touch)

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With a high-grade reputation for fine Stereo headphones, Grado releases a model directly suited to the iPod and other portable Music and Video players. Retaining Grado's traditional Headset appearance instead of the popular earbuds, the iGrado aims for the more discerning individual who appreciates the nuances and qualities found in recorded music. According to Grado, the iGrado uses the same acoustic Drivers as their acclaimed SR-60 headphones which critic hail as the best affordable headphone. So if you're that individual who would go for a more traditional headset over the earbuds, we think you'd really appreciate the better peformance that the iGrado offers.

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Grado Prestige Series SR80i Stereo Headphone Review

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(More customer reviews)If you are reading this you have probably already read one of the many reviews raving about the perfectly balanced and clear sound of these headphones. [...] Most of those (older) reviews comment on how the older earpads were too hard on the ears, or the headphones themselves were overall just uncomfortable to wear.
I just wanted to add that (at least in the newest incarnation--the pads have been tinkered with by the manufacturer) they are *very* confortable, compared to many other headphones. The earpieces have two pivot points: one allows them to pivot on a vertical axis attached at the headband and another on a horizontal axis running through the earpiece. This combined with the bendable headband allows for a lot of adjustment. I have a pretty large head and they're not overly tight or otherwise uncomfortable. And the apparently-recently-redesigned earpads on this model have some cushion without being mushy-soft on their outer surface (pads like that always made my ears sweat).
Before buying these, I read just one (recent) review that claimed these were comfortable, and I didn't beleive it. Now I do. (I also didn't beleive they would sound appreciably better after a break-in period, but they did after about 30 hours of being attached to my receiver with the radio on nonstop.) Well, that's all I wanted to say. Back to listening.

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Built on the same features as the SR60, but utilizes a 4 conductor connecting cable and larger ear cushions, the result of which gives a more open stage. The SR80 provides an improved bass resonance, which enhances the overall detail. John Grado says he strove for the best sounding phones for the money, and with the glowing reviews the SR80's have received, who can argue.

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Grado Prestige Series SR125i Headphones Review

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(More customer reviews)*** Update *** After having these for a couple of weeks, I definitely notice that there has been a "breaking-in" period. The same music I first played through these is noticeably "warmer", with primarily low frequencies now being even more distinct. I.e. the sound is getting better - I am still happier with them now.I wanted very good headphones - great sound for various music types, comfortable, light if possible, decent length cord. I've had Sennheisers many years ago. I did a lot of reading and inevitably ran into reviews everywhere, with everyone touting "their" favorite brand based on various aspects (clarity, range, etc. etc.) which could easily lead to analysis paralysis.
Anyway, I went for it and got these. Initial impressions: very retro-looking, without the hi-tech molded plastic and fancy box other brands have. That was my first "what did I just spend a bunch of my money on?" moment. The earcups spin freely, which is nice. They are not very tight on my biggish ears, and sit very lightly on my large head; as someone else noted, the headband can be bent. The cord is very thick and long; you'll need an adapter for a standard MP3 player headset, but Radio Shack has good gold-plated ones and Grado also sells one.
I sometimes listen to music in a noisy environment and upgraded to these from a pair of Sony noise-cancelling headphones. The Sonys had awful sound but did a good job of canceling out noise (though not as well as the much more expensive Boses, of course). The Grados, despite no gimmicks like noise cancellation, actually did very well in this environment.
Overall, the sound is very good with a variety of sources. It's very balanced and light, and lots of nuances come through that I've never heard before. For example, in a Beethoven piano CD I have, I heard for the first time that a particular phrase's harmony (deep notes) actually alternated between two adjacent notes; previously, that phrase always sounded like the same low note played repeatedly under the melody. Rock, metal, electronica, orchestral classical, vocal, pop, and other types of music all sound great on these, and after running various types of music past them I decided I had a real upgrade on my hands.
If, like I was, you are trying to decide on a good pair of headphones on a mid-level budget and are a little lost between Sennheiser, these, and maybe other good brands, you won't go wrong with these. That said, Sennheiser also makes some great headphones, though you'll probably spend more than for these for similar sound quality. Either way, you'll enjoy your music a lot, which is what counts. Good luck!

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Grado's ability to combine lightness with extreme rigidity and internal damping has been put to good use on the SR125.Based on the same design as the SR80, the SR125 features an improved diaphragm and voice coil design and UHPLC (Ultra-high purity, long crystal) copper voice coil wire. The Diaphragms are put through a special 'de-stressing' process in order to enhance inner detail. An improved headband spring provides even greater comfort allowing the listener to relax and enjoy the fine tonal spread and balance. Bass, midrange and treble are all more open.

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Denon AH-D7000 Ultra Reference Over-Ear Headphones (Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)The AH-D7000 is the newest flagship reference headphone from Denon, a company usually known for their home theater electronics. Denon made a mark in the headphone market a couple of years ago when they introduced the AH-D1001, AH-D2000, AH-D5000 providing a well-rounded sound quality in the crowded market of premium headphone makers like Sennheiser, AKG, Audio Technica.
What I noted in my D2000/D1001 review is they are good headphones which have no glaring faults. They tend to have a very musically pleasing sound quality that doesn't dull the performance quality of the music, with their authoritative bass, clear and sparkly highs, but they don't overdo it either. They seem to do justice to most music types. So this "ultra reference" model carries on that tradition. The MSRP of this headphone is $999, and that puts it in the "ultra-expensive" category, but fortunately, you can actually find it discounted fairly steeply sometimes which brings the price down to earth a bit (but still orbiting). The main difference in this model over the lesser but similar wood-construction D5000 is an improved driver (higher efficiency) and a better finished wood earcup (now polished finish and nickel lettering that can't wear off). Looking at the spec sheets, there isn't much to differentiate it from the D5000 model to justify the $300 premium. Oh yes, but you do get a nicer box: A cardboard affair with leather-like panels, with a cloth material covering the main storage cradle. You don't even get an adapter to plug the ?" plug into the 1/8" jack of portable devices, which I guess sends the message, don't even bother using these with your iPod.
Ok, enough with the small talk.
Is this thing worth $1000? In many ways, no. On the surface, it's three times more expensive than the very competent AH-D2000 model which I reviewed and gave five stars to. For the extra money, you get a nicer box and the luxurious look of the polished wood cups. You get a less unruly cable which is stated to be of higher quality. But the headphone is still `Made In China', so it's not as if you are paying Japanese craftsmen descended from a long line of great Asian artisans to craft your headphone. The headband and swivel arm hardware is basically the same as far as I can tell. Even the ear pad itself looks and feels about the same. The difference between these and the AH-D5000 is even less apparent, as the D5000 is also made of high quality wood earcups. While you can easily justify that the D5000 costs more than the D2000 due to the solid wood earcups (rigidity is good to prevent resonances) the D7000 doesn't really seem to go much farther than the D5000 to justify that it costs almost 50% more. Besides the minor appearance differences, the only real tangible difference mentioned in the marketing blurbs is that the D7000 has a stronger magnet. If you try these headphones, you will find they mostly sound similar, the familiar sound signature clearly indicate that they are all from Denon, you won't be mistaking these for the warm polite sound of a Sennheiser, or the more clinical sound of some AKGs, or the energetic snappy bright sound of a Grado Labs model.
But hey, what are you REALLY getting in terms of the sound quality?
Since the D7000 has the same basic design as the D2000, I will say that they do sound similar in quite a few ways. The bass is strong and deep. Some people think the bass is too strong and uncontrolled, more of a flatulent sound than true accurate bass, but I disagree. The bass is strong to be sure, but I feel it's very well controlled. Maybe the fact that I have a big head helps, as these headphones are known to fit loosely, but on my head, they feel relatively stable and secure, but still supremely comfortable. But here's where one difference starts to be apparent as you compare the two. The D7000's bass quality is more punchy, more tuneful, seems to have no lower frequency limit, but still has good damping or control...like listening to a high end stereo system with a carefully manually equalized Velodyne DD-18 subwoofer that costs thousands. Whereas the D2000 has very good bass that is missing in some other brands' models, the D7000 takes it up a notch further. And then there are the highs, the D7000 seems to be more pristine, just slightly clearer and more detailed through, just a bit more sparkle overall. Again, these are pretty subtle differences overall, but they are there if you listen carefully, have a good system, and have good recordings that can highlight the differences. Other things like the soundstaging (placement of instruments/staging of the music) is pretty much similar; the D7000 has a richer, bigger overall sound in general
Where does that leave the D5000? The differences between the D2000 and D7000 can be somewhat subtle already, but the D5000 and D7000 are even smaller. I can notice that the D5000 does feel like a middle ground, the bass isn't as punchy or tight as the D7000, and the highs aren't as well controlled as the D7000. What does this come down to: I'll admit it, the D7000 is, like most higher end audio gear, a clear case of diminishing returns. You are paying a premium to get Denon's best effort, and luxury construction and presentation. The actual physical and engineering differences don't really reflect the price differential. The sonic differences are subtle for the most part, if I was blindfolded, I don't think I would be able to predict that I could identify which was which 100% of the time. But does that mean it's a waste of money? I would say no to that. If you take headphone listening seriously like I do, already spent good money building up a good system, a headphone like this just rounds out your listening experience. Even though it's diminishing returns to buy a headphone like this, I do appreciate that these do noticeably improve on the excellent D2000's which I loved and cherished for a year before I upgraded to these. Even though I describe the differences as subtle, I do appreciate the differences that I can hear.
Overall, these headphones has a completeness to the sound. The bass is indeed strong, and in fact, if you aren't use to listening to truly full range loudspeakers, you might find that these headphones do seem to go *way* over the top with their bass, and may seem to drown out the midrange compared to what you are used to. However, that doesn't mean I am implying that every other headphone is wrong and these are right though. If I was to try to analyze it, I think the D7000's do seem to go about 10-15% over the top with their bass and treble energy, but for me, it's erring on the side of offering a "fun" sound but without going overboard. I wouldn't master music with these headphones, but I'd still select these over many other headphones in their price range in terms of their overall musical accuracy. Every headphone has particular strengths and weaknesses. I do find these headphones are great for popular music, jazzy nightclub performances, electronic/dance, big band, but slightly less good for huge orchestral pieces (partly due to the closed nature, they sound a bit less 3 dimensional compared to the best open style headphones). As closed headphones, these don't leak that much sound.
So the bottom line is: for the most part, these headphones don't make any sense, but if your love of music runs deep, you like sound that is biased toward "fun" over purely clinically accurate sound quality, don't mind paying a bit more to get that luxurious look, then these are as good of choice as any other $1000 headphone that I can think of. The only other thing I should mention is that these headphones do have a very slight tendency to emphasize the upper midrange. Depending on the vocalist, there is just a tad bit of edginess to the voice. This could be a limitation of my system (as it usually is in most cases), but it's something to watch out for if you are sensitive to treble artifacts. All in all, the treble has a slightly more lively sound than average headphone I've owned over the years.
For the most part, I don't think I really want to try to convince anybody that these headphones are worth every penny, and that you shouldn't consider the cheaper D1001/D2000/D5000 models. You should because those are all great choices in their respective price ranges. I think these D7000's can compete against any other $1000 headphone, but like all things in the top 3% percentile pricewise, it's made for the fanatic or hobbyist that doesn't mind paying big dollars for the privilege of owning a top model to squeeze out that extra 3% of improvement. For the most part, I think the D2000 is a sweet spot and you should probably check these out first if you just want an enjoyable, excellent sounding, high quality, comfortable set of cans for general use.

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State of the art technology and old world style craftsmanship are combined in Denon's AH-D7000's to provide the ultimate headphone listening experience. Slip on these reference standard headphones and instantly transport yourself to the world's finest concert halls and recording studios. The AH-D7000 employs the latest transducer technology fitted in custom-crafted real mahogany wood housings for superior acoustical performance. Large diameter (50mm, 1.97") free edge Microfiber diaphragms provide extended frequency response. High strength Neodymium magnets deliver system efficiency and freedom from motor structure non-linearity. Denon's exclusive Acoustic Optimizer technology is also employed to equalize the sound pressure in front and behind the Microfiber driver. The result is natural and uncolored sound featuring deep, dynamic bass, smooth, detail midrange and extended crystal clear highs. The elegant and comfortable over-the-ear design assures hours of listening comfort, aided by the lightweight Duralumin headband, along with luxurious soft leather ear pads and headband cover. The elegant mahogany housings feature piano grade satin sheen finish with magnesium fittings. The lightweight tangle-free cable features reference grade 7N OFC (7 Nines – 99.99999% Oxygen Free Copper) wiring, and is finished with an elastomer-coated cloth sheathing. A luxurious storage case is provided.

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