Sony MDR-V55 DJ Stereo Headphones - Black

Bought these to replace my much loved MDR V700's, which must have been about 12 years old and still going strong - until some complete muppet snapped them at a gig. And now the MDR 700's are discontinued, I was very disappointed I couldn't replace them like for likeHowever, the MDR-V55's are great for the price. Good sound reproduction, good volume where you need it. Does a reasonable job of cutting out background noise in the way the pads cover your ears, making perfecting that mix a good bit easier. In my view they are a little bit bass heavy, but that's probably because I prefer sub bass that speakers reproduce so much better than headphones can. Obviously they're intended for DJ use which explains the extra rumble in the 100hz range when it should be down around 60hz, so perhaps explains why Sony tuned them that way. When comparing channels in the cue mix you can get a relatively accurate match between channel 1 and channel 2 when tweaking with the treble, mix and bass on your mixer. When you hear what's coming out front of the sound system it doesn't need playing around with much.I would recommend these headphones over Beats, Skull Candy or whatever brand of the day is most popular - every time. Firstly because they sound WAY better. Secondly, you're not just paying for a brand to help some rapper/phone tycoon make extra pocket money. You'd have to pay around 5/6 times in consumer fashion brand headphone fees than you would to find the same quality of sound/build in the Sony MDR-V55.I was a little dubious about the flat cable, but having said that... the old MDR-V700 headphones with their telephone coil type cable used to get horribly knotted and twisted. I still don't think these flat cables will last long - I say that because it looks like the same cheap flat cables you get with coloured unofficial iPhone lightning cables that last only a few weeks if you're lucky. One year in and we're still doing great so far, but time will tell. All it takes is to walk away from the mixer while forgetting you're still wearing the headphones to break the cable inside. Or worse still the cable gets pinched in a flight case when you attempt to lock it.The MDR-V55 is reasonably well built and they're quite comfortable for extended periods. They also do a great job of keeping your ears warm! If you wear them back to front (R on L, L on R), then you can fold them in such a way they sit around your neck with the pads on your collar bones when you're not using them. They don't fold quite as well as the old MDR-V700's and they don't come with a protective bag either. I can't see these lasting 12 years, but for the price I'd be pleased if they last another 3 or 4.

I have not had time to fully bed these headphones in and check them out properly but my initial impression is that they are well made with a very good sound range - clear base and a clean high end; not mangled and drowned with artificial muddy base etc.. ( I have two other good headphones sets I use for reference - a pair of NAD 16's and some Denon portables - both very good for their uses). At the current lower price I seem to have got a bargain.Sony may have discontinued / superceeded them but since I'm not a 'fashion / poser' type user I don't have a problem with buying the previous model - as long as it is good, and especially if it's around half price :-) (having said that mine are black with a subtly understated thin red band round each ear cup and a nice matching red flat cable - I really don't think I could have worn the white ones :-)) .... but if the price was right who knows??? )The headband / ear cup pressure seemed a little tight to begin with but after a few days usage they seem to have settled in well. Adjustment is via a click slide, notches numbered, metal band on each side and appears robust and secure. The earpads sit well (on my ears anyway) and at normal volume the sound leakage is not noticable. The outside world is still there but not obtrusive.The cable is flat with a right angled, gold plated, connector and, in real time usage, it is impressive - no bad tangles etc. and seems more robust than most modern lightweight twin cables I've seen. It is a fixed attachment to the left ear alone, not a separate plug in cable, with the right ear supplied via an internal cable running inside the headband.Promoted and advertised as DJ Headphones (and really used by many DJ's) you don't need to be a DJ to appreciate the versatility of swivel cups - nor the neat way the ear cups fold into the headband curve for transportation or storage.For me it's Sony at its' best - very good build quality and a very good (or better) sound performance. Definitely more value for your money - and it's a Sony!