If you can't afford the best, these are a close second (Sennheiser HD 497)

Member Name: HassledDad

Product:	Sennheiser HD 497
Date:	04/01/04 (1045 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Superb sound, Good price, Work well with a walkman

Disadvantages: Occasional 'hot ear' syndrome, Design not exactly subtle

These are superb headphones for the price. The sound is detailed, lively and clear, and you will hear depths in your records that previously were not there with lesser headphones.

Unlike some high quality headphones, they work well my battery-operated personal CD player, producing good quality and, if I want it, high volume sound. They are infinitely better than the headphones it came with, and I think almost any CD player would sound better with these.

They have a long lead (around 3.5 metres). There is no problem if you accidentally trip over it, there are miniature jack plugs connecting the lead to each earpiece that pull out. Unlike the older Sennheiser plugs, they are also easy to plug back in again.

There are a couple of points to consider. The go over the ear and most of the time this is very comfortable but will not suit everyone. Sometimes I get hot ear syndrome myself. Secondly the styling will not be to everyone?s taste, they are large and silver and not exactly discrete. But, hey, they are for listening to not looking at.

In summary, I am extremely pleased with these headphones, and have no reservation in recommending them. My only problem with them is that as long as I own these I cannot justify spending a lot more money on top-end audiophile headphones.

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