A headphone design from the 1990s that people still buy new and still recommend, which makes it close to unique in consumer electronics. Every part is replaceable, which is why they outlive their owners' interest in upgrading.
This entry is written from the 4 sources listed at the bottom of the page. The numbers are our editorial estimates drawn from that material, not measurements, and no statistical sample sits behind them.
On the evidence gathered here, yes. 91% of owners say they would buy it again, and satisfaction is still 8.9 out of 10 two years in. Owners report decade-plus use with only pad and cable replacement.
The first impression is often underwhelming and the six-month impression is usually devotion. This is one of the few products where sentiment rises with time.
Pads compress and change the sound, so they need replacing. Reviewers note modern rivals beat it on bass and soundstage. The amplifier requirement is a hidden cost for first-time buyers.
Owners report decade-plus use with only pad and cable replacement. Sentiment across the ownership period stays close to flat, which is rare: it reads 8.8 out of 10 in the first week and 8.9 two years later.
Worth it for: Long listening sessions at a desk; People who want neutral rather than exciting; Anyone who repairs rather than replaces. Think twice if: Commuting or any shared space; Bass-forward listening; You have no headphone amplifier.
Our reading of how sentiment moves across an ownership period, drawn from the sources below. It is an editorial estimate, not tracked longitudinal data.
| At purchase | 8.0 / 10 |
|---|---|
| First week | 8.8 / 10 |
| One month | 9.0 / 10 |
| Six months | 9.0 / 10 |
| One year | 8.9 / 10 |
| Two years or more | 8.9 / 10 |
Owner reviews move this score. The researched figure stays visible next to it, so you can always see what the sources said before anyone voted.
Leave a review on the live pageEvery complaint and every piece of praise above traces back to these. The summaries are ours; nothing is quoted, and no link, quote or username anywhere on this site is invented.
Measurement-based review of tuning and comfort.
Large body of owner reviews spanning many years.
Review comparing it against modern competitors.
Long-term perspective on the design's longevity.