Headphone Reviews

Sound Quality
Wow. Really, just wow. I spent a lot of time comparing these little gems with a variety of other good headphones and they consistently outperformed all other cans of this type and price. When comparing the Onkyo with on-ear headphones in a similar price range like the V-Moda M-80, Logitech UE40000, or Noontec Zoro, the ES-FC300 handily slayed them with a richer, more open sound. Likewise, when compared to significantly more expensive on-ear, sealed cans like the Sennheiser Momentum On-Ear, HD 25 Aluminum, Beyerdynamic DT1350, and B&W P5, the Onkyos were competitive, and usually more open and smooth sounding. In fact, I'd say the audio performance gets remarkably close to over-ear, sealed headphones like the Sennheiser Momentum or NAD VISO HP50, and bests, in some ways, the Sony MDR-1R. While the Onkyos are considered a sealed, on-ear headphone, they really compete and compare much more readily with over-ear, sealed cans.

I would characterize the Onkyo ES-FC300 as a slightly warm, but otherwise neutral and well balanced headphone. Bass punch and extension is very good---no sloppy low notes here, just good, solid bass. The mid-range is musical and even-handed; both male and female vocals retain their characteristic nature and are nicely balanced. Treble response is also well balanced delivering good clarity and an open sound (for a sealed headphone). My only note in the treble is a slightly hazy and artificial character, which is far more benign than the treble problems many headphones in this price range exhibit. It's only when comparing the Onkyos head-to-head with really good sounding over-ear, sealed cans like the Sennheiser Momentum and NAD VISO HP50 that you can hear the Onkyo cans as slightly congested relative to the more coherent and refined sound of the more expensive cans.

Conclusions
The Onkyo ES-FC300 is simply a superb headphone of this type and price, I'd venture to say it's best in this class. While Onkyo correctly calls this an on-ear, sealed headphone, it really competes most closely with over-ear, sealed cans. Due to its significantly larger ear capsules (I assume) it is far more even and open sounding than the on-ear, sealed cans anywhere near its price. I would go further to say it bests over-ear, sealed cans under $200 as well. It's only when you get to the over-ear, sealed headphones at $250 and above that better sonic performance can be had.

In addition to the very good sound quality, the ES-FC300 is also a stylish, well-built, and comfortable headphone. They've made producing a very good, low-cost headphone look deceptively simple; Onkyo has done one heck of a good job with their first entry into the headphone market. The ES-FC300 is going up on the "Wall of Fame" as a great sub-$200 sealed headphone; only the lack of a remote on the cable will prevent it from knocking quite a few other headphones off the "Wall".

One quick note: I also received a pair of Onkyo IE-HF300 in-ear headphones. lJokerl will have to make the final determination, but measurements show these new Onkyo in-ear cans are likely well worthy of a review. Onkyo, apparently, has knocked the ball out of the park. Good times!

Resources
Onkyo USA home page and product pages for ES-FC300 and ES-HF300.
Cool interview with Onkyo headphone designers about the development of these cans.
Head-Fi threads here and here.