Sound quality, comfort, ultra-high efficiency (can be driven by any audio source, including "super-long-battery-life" portables)

A bit on the heavy side

I bought these headphones today--and wow! I was impressed the first time I heard these! The bass is clean and hard-hitting; the mids are clear; the highs are detailed and not harsh. The impedance on these cans’ 50mm drivers is only 24 ohms, with a 107dB/mW sensitivity. That means these headphones are EASILY driven by virtually ANY audio source--including portable CD players that claim 32 hours playback on two AA alkaline batteries with the anti-skip turned ON. The only weak point is these headphones are the heaviest that I have worn in 20 years--but they’re much more comfortable than their relatively heavy weight implies.

Compared to my other Sony Studio Monitors, the MDR-V900 is near-perfect; the MDR-V300 is a touch boomy; the MDR-V6 is a trifle too bright; the MDR-V600 lacks mids and sounds echoey. And I haven’t even broken in the MDR-V900’s yet!

Overall, this is the best $170 I have ever spent (audio-wise).

Similar Products Used:

Sony MDR-V300, MDR-V6, MDR-V600; Sennheiser HD-495

I wrote a review on these headphones yesterday, but I would like to add a few things I forgot to mention. I was originally looking for the MDR-7509 Professional headphones (identical to the MDR-V900 except for an all-black finish and the word "Professional" on them), but the store which carried them said they had it in stock--then couldn't find it! They cost $30 more than what I paid for the MDR-V900. Three months ago, I had demoed the MDR-V700DJ headphones at an audio/video-only store owned by www.tweeter.com--but that model leans a bit too much towards the bass, and are relatively uncomfortable to wear im my opinion, despite weighing about the same as the MDR-V900.

BOTTOM LINE
My overall quality rating for both the MDR-V900 and the MDR-7509 is still 5 stars--and while the value rating for the MDR-V900 remains 5 stars, my value rating for the MDR-7509 is only 4 stars because it is somewhat more expensive and harder to find than the MDR-V900. When I factor in the high-performance open-aire headphones from Sennheiser and Grado, my rating for the MDR-V900 becomes 4.5 stars--but I'll still round upward.

Fantastic sound, comfy, sturdy, convenient!

Inspires envy, a bit pricey.

My search for a new set of headphones began with but two criteria: 1) something splendiferous to cultivate an insatiable urge to dance and engage in unbridled histrionics; 2) something to insulate me from the pile drivers next door (without sacrificing all-day comfort).

In spite of these lofty ambitions the Sony v900s have more than met my expectations.

I had arrived at the Metreon to demo a pair of v600s and laughed at the folly of spending more than $100 on a pair of headphones. But then curiosity got the better of me, and I foolishly asked to give the v900s a try. Big mistake! After listening to various tracks from my test suite of CDs, I knew I’d been humbled. At the same amp volume level, the v900s were noticeably more powerful than the v600s -- and *MUCH* more authentic sounding. I’d describe the ‘phones as playful, filled with presence. The bass was crisp, punchy, yet not overbearing or muddled. Sounds that hitherto went undetected were now readily discernable amidst such an onslaught of sublime clarity.

But let's not forget the requirement of sound insulation! Although I can't claim that the pile drivers were utterly attenuated, at least now they were bearable, and with the right track, complimentary (I started listening to industrial music)! Conversations around my desk are completely muted. While clad in the panoply of the v900s’ total ear enclosures, I can immerse myself in music -- becoming a fortress impervious to outside distractions (with the exception of being tapped on the shoulder or shot with nerf ammunition).

Did I mention comfy? Yes! Unlike other 'phones that place unwelcome pressure on my ears, the v900s lovingly encompass them. My only caveat is that it can get a little warm on a muggy day while wearing earmuffs.

Obviously I'm quite enthralled with my 'phones, and continue to be so even a year later. Fortunately the pile drivers are a distant memory, but the initial excitement of my v900s persists.

-Brian

Similar Products Used:

Sony, JVC, Grado

sensitivity, presence, clarity, crispness-horns and vocals are really "in your face" and "right there" Really excellent build quality-built for studio use.

a little heavy on the head, closed design not as comfortable as open types.

Listening to each of these headphones(Sennheiser HD570, Sony MDRV-900, and the Sony MDR F-1) on the same material at home revealed that, to my ears, the 900's sounded best. My amp setting could be 10 volume units lower with the 900's than with the other phones for the same output. The clarity of the 900's seemed also superior. The Sennheiser's weren't quite as clear, the bass seemed a bit exaggerated and sometimes a little muddy for my tastes. The mids and highs seemed fine though. The more expensive Sony MDR F-1 also sounds good but you have to crank up the volume quite a bit. Also the highs seemed a bit attenuated compared to the other two phones. The open designs have a lot of sound leakage, The Sennheisers less so than the MDR F-1's. In fact, with the F-1's playing some Metallica just a bit loud, they can be heard pretty clearly across the room. If you don't want to disturb others in the same room, then the open designs may not be for you. The fully closed 900's isolate you perfectly-my wife didn't comment at all. The 900's are designed for sound professionals such as recording engineers and other pro sound people and might be hard to find in the usual stereo shops but I found mine in the pro sound department at a large musical instrument store. I only wish that they were just a bit lighter, but they are a LOT better SOUNDING than other cheaper closed designs and I'll tolerate a bit more weight because I know that the added mass is due to really, really high quality components. Check 'em out, go out and find a pair to buy-you'll love the detail that you'll hear in the music that you listen to.

Similar Products Used:

Sennheiser HD570 and Sony MDR F-1

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It's me again. In my previous two reviews, dated 10/25/00 and 10/26/00, I thought the MDR-V900's were the best $170 I had ever spent on audio equipment. But that was a week and a half ago. It took me that long to find out that the MDR-V900's have rather heavy bass; I found that out after listening to the SBM-remastered Miles Davis' Kind Of Blue CD from Columbia/Legacy. But unlike the pile-of-s*** MDR-V600's, however, the bass on the MDR-V900's doesn't run into the rest of the music. I will probably be returning them to the pro audio shop tomorrow, because this somewhat boomy bass isn't for my tastes. I will be trying other headphones priced between $100 and $300 before deciding which one I will keep. My ratings will remain the same, but the ratings are relative to other closed-back headphones, not open-aire headphones (those in current production, not discontinued models).