I had a pair of Denon headphones ($70), but my cat chewed the cord up. I got some new ones for my birthday (picked out by my wife), the Sony MDR-200(or is it VDR-200?). I was disappointed by the lack of bass output, and a discernable level of distortion (instruments would "break up" at high volumes). I returned the Sony headphones and bought the Grados (after reading about them on the web and listening to them at some high-end shops).
While the bass doesn't vibrate your ear like the Denons did, there is so much detail and spaciousness (the bass is deep and sufficient). I am thoroughly impressed and recommend that those of you who have never heard of these venture out and check out a very high quality product with some serious acoustic integrity.

Ugh.
That's about all I can say. It took me a while to realize how bad these things were. I didn't use them much/at all for the first few months but once I had them long enough I realized that they truly bit. The high end is good, as is the midrange. Sadly, once you get to the bass--well.. That's the problem! You don't get to the bass!

Keep the headphones low and you get none, put them up high and the little membrane inside starts to rattle and buzz-- they came this way, too. I can't think of how I could have broken them other than using them, but isn't that what they're for?

Overall, completely disappointed. Currently awaiting a pair of AKG electrostats from my father's (Rich) friend.

I bought these headphones becuase my living arrangement prevents the playing of loud music. The MDR-V200 is a middle of the line product in Sony's headphone range. I normally use it with an Aiwa NSX-V70 mini-A/V system. I paid about $50US for the MDR-V200 at a local Circuit City about six months ago. I chose the MDR-V200 over comparable Kenwood, Aiwa, Altec, Sennheiser, etc. because from experience I know Sony would probably be of overall higher quality - deliver good sound for more years. I'm not an audiophile, but the MDR-V200 perform very well. At first they sounded muddy and colored, lacking in hihg end definition and low end control. But after a break-in of about 40 hours all the negatives have gone. Now they sound truly dynamic, as well as $50 headphones can sound anyway. I'd say they are pleasingly neutral; the high end is not bright or harsh, but full and appropriately transparent, the low end sounds like bass and not woof. The MDR-V200 also provide a pretty convincing "soundstage" for headphones. They fit very comfortably around my ears and and feel very solid of construction. For anyone in the market, I highly recommend this product. I believe the difference between the MDR-V200 and headphones in the over $100 range are minimal, so they deserve a rating of 5.

I bought these headphones becuase my living arrangement prevents the playing of loud music. The MDR-V200 is a middle of the line product in Sony's headphone range. I normally use it with an Aiwa NSX-V70 mini-A/V system. I paid about $50US for the MDR-V200 at a local Circuit City about six months ago. I chose the MDR-V200 over comparable Kenwood, Aiwa, Altec, Sennheiser, etc. because from experience I know Sony would probably be of overall higher quality - deliver good sound for more years. I'm not an audiophile, but the MDR-V200 perform very well. At first they sounded muddy and colored, lacking in hihg end definition and low end control. But after a break-in of about 40 hours all the negatives have gone. Now they sound truly dynamic, as well as $50 headphones can sound anyway. I'd say they are pleasingly neutral; the high end is not bright or harsh, but full and appropriately transparent, the low end sounds like bass and not woof. The MDR-V200 also provide a pretty convincing "soundstage" for headphones. They fit very comfortably around my ears and and feel very solid of construction. For anyone in the market, I highly recommend this product. I believe the difference between the MDR-V200 and headphones in the over $100 range are minimal, so they deserve a rating of 5.

Closed headphone

Closed headphone, lack of clarity, poor midrange and treble performance

Let me start off by saying that I'm not an audiophile - but I do know good sound when I hear it - and the MDR-V200 (or the V250 if you opt for the gold-plated plug) doesn't have it. I bought the MDR-V250 version simply because it was a Sony.

The major (and in my opinion) only strength is that it is a closed headphone. It doesn't provide total isolation from the outside environment, but people around you probably won't be able to hear what you're listening (depending on volume setting).

The weaknesses include a muddy midrange, boomy bass and poor treble performance. When playing a good hard rock track, the cymbals and high hat are barely there in the mix. The guitar is a sloppy mess with no 'bite'. Drums sound rolled off with no punch or attack. The bass is, at times, overwhelming. The shortcomings are even more apparent with classical and jazz music.

Performing a side-by-side comparison with the Grado SR-60 headphones (an open type headphone), the Grado's were a revelation. Midrange and treble were crystal clear. Although the bass extension was slightly lacking, bass response was tight with no annoying boominess whatsoever. You didn't need to strain your ears to hear details within the music.

If you are a bass freak on a budget, then this headphone might be for you. But if you care about sonic accuracy and clarity please save your hard-earned money for better headphones - check out the Grado SR-60, Sennheiser HD495 (another open headphone) or the Beyerdynamic DT231 (a closed headphone). They might be quite a bit more expensive than the MDR-V200s (or V250s) but the higher cost will be more than offset by immensely better sound.

But don't take my word for it, audition these headphones before you buy. Take advantage of return policies in your quest for better sound and you won't be disappointed.

Similar Products Used:

Various cheapies, Grado SR-60, Grado SR-125, Sennheiser 580

Small size

Sound quality

These MDR-V200s are absolute dog c**p! Muddy bass, nonexistent treble, uneven midrange! Thank G*d Sony had replaced these with the far superior MDR-V300s for the same price last year.

Since there are no negative ratings, I would give these cans only 1 speaker. A poor buy at $29.99 (the price I paid for them)--and a risky buy at its original list price of $50.00.

Similar Products Used:

Sony MDR-V300, MDR-V400

Sound quality rather decent for the msrp

improve overall sounds dynamics, stronger plastic

For about $30 its a good pair of headphones no one can deny that. although it may not be the best, it still provides fairly decent sound compare to other brands (ie koss, philips, roland)

if people are so concerned about sound quality, why not get electrostatics?!?

bottomline: the sound dynamics of this particular model can be improved. first, let me start by saying that the plastic of which they're made of is not very durable at all. i remember one time it fell on my carpet and i notice a crack right above the left headphone. so be carful with handling

with regards to sound quality: true to minimal extent, bassy, muddy, lack of presence of some portions of audio (you sort of have to strain to listen to certain insturmentals while with my technics headphones they come out a lot clearer). the overall dynamic range can be improved when listening to CDs (again my technics outperformed here as well), as well as the so-called volume/mode remote control. when you turn the knob to the maximum setting, the audio suddenly "shifts" from one channel to the other and the balance suddenly (to a minor extent) changes between the left and right channel. if you turn the knob to the opposite direction just slightly, both channels would then go back to center balance <-- very weird, this problem is probably due to crap manufacturing as i heard many other people have the same problem

other than that its a fairly priced for what you're getting, could use improvements though