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According to a February 2011 NPD Group study, celebrity endorsements are extremely/very important to nearly 30 percent of consumers when deciding what headphones to buy. Moreover, there was a 75% increase in sales of headphones over $100 from 2009 to 2010 ... in a bad economy, no less. Headphones are a hopping commodity.

So sure, why not nab a big name like Quincy Jones and extend the life into an aging, but still very good headphone.

The AKG Quincy Jones Q701 (MSRP $479.99, $299 street)
In late-2010 AKG decided to go…

The Sound
It's pretty easy to take for granted a headphone that's been around for six years, so I'm very glad the folks at AKG sent me the Quincy Jones Q701 to re-experience. The sound of these cans is very good, and I'd forgotten just how good. No, these are not headphones for bass lovers; though the bass is well extended, it is not emphatic in the least. I'd say the Q701 is well balanced with a slightly less present bass than perfect. The low notes are, however, tight and nicely textured, and well integrated into the whole.

The treble has been the troublesome spot with…

I was rummaging around amongst HeadRoom's demo cans the other day, and stumbled upon a Beyerdynamic DJX-1.

"Hmm..." I sez to myself, "I don't remember ever seeing these before. I wonder what they sound like."

Once home, I pulled them out of the box and had a listen ... wow, these aren't bad at all. I wonder why I've never heard them before?

The Beyerdynamic DJX-1 (About $129 street -- may be going down over the next few months during discontinuance.)
I did a little research on Head-Fi, and found very little…

Simply put, I'm stunned.

It's hard to make a good sounding sealed headphone, and much more so a small, supra-aural (on-ear) type. They all seem to falter sonically somewhere. In-ear headphones were the only way to get really good portable sound ...

... until now.

The Beyerdynamic DT 1350 ($299 Street)
Man, I'm in love. It's hard to know where to start when it's all so good. I suppose the place to start is with the manufacturer's intent. From Beyerdynamic's website, the DT 1350 are:

"Closed supraaural…

The Sound and Measurements
I can tell you that the world of headphone geeks is all abuzz with praise for the sonics of this spectacular little headphone.

I've been listening my way through a bunch of sealed headphones, both full-size and on-ear, preparing to do a buyers guide. I started with sealed headphones because, as a rule, they suck. All that trapped air inside the closed earcups, both between the headphone and ear and behind the driver, makes for a great opportunity for resonances and whatnot to muddle up…

When the stewardess asks me if I'd like to buy a pair of headphones for two dollars, I usually say no thanks and smile. She has no idea how good a pair of custom in-ear monitors sound.

And then I thought, "Well, I really have no idea how good her headphones sound either." So, I bought a pair, and brought them home to test.

Oh my!

United Airlines Flight 962
I have been stranded on a plane once or twice before without the proper adapters, and had to use the headphones they have. It's an abominable experience.…

I've been listening to a lot of mid-priced, sealed headphones lately, and these just keep jumping out at me. They say DJ on the side and have a mono switch, but I'm not buying it ... these are just plain good headphones.

Pioneer, eh? Who'da thunk it.

The Pioneer HDJ-2000 ($450 MSRP, $349 Street)
This full-size, sealed headphone is designated as a DJ headphone by Pioneer; and they do have a mono switch, swiveling earpieces, and surprisingly small folding size. But there's simply no reason avid listeners should shy away…

Sound Quality
These are a moderately colored headphone, sounding somewhat warm with a mildly forward mid-range. The highs are fairly clear but for a bit of graininess, and being slightly withdrawn. Thankfully they do not have the dreaded biting highs so often found on headphones. The bass is not very well extended and the upper bass is very slightly accentuated; the overall sense is a warm but slightly murky sounding. The dynamic punch of the cans is good, and the highs are well enough articulated to provide some imaging.

Event though these cans are somewhat colored, I…

Out of the blue, a Sony PR agent dropped me an email.

"Sony has recently introduced the new high-quality Studio Monitor Series headphones that boast premium sound and technology, and I wanted to see if you are interested in reviewing them."

She referred to four headphones in her email (two full size sealed MDR-ZX700 ($119.99) and MDR-Z1000 ($499.99), and two IEMs MDR-EX600 ($199.99) and MDR-EX1000 ($499.99)), but only had the inexpensive ones for review samples at the moment.

Oh .... okay. I'll take the cheap…

Sound Quality
I really spent a lot of time listening to these headphones, and comparing them to two other heavy hitters in this category: the Shure SRH440 and Audio Technica ATH-M50.

I heard the ZX700 as having a moderately forward mid-range; slightly below average bass extension, but good articulation; and slightly grainy, but well-balanced, highs. For a headphone of this price, I felt the Sonys delivered a very nicely balanced sound.…