Review on JVC HARX900 Black Full-Size High-Grade Headphones by Leslie Whitehorn

short version ----- No regrets. Spend $20 more and buy 900 instead of 700! Longer version --------------- I'm picky about large purchases and do my homework. I've spent days sifting through websites, reviews and forum posts looking for decent headphones that sound great but won't break the bank. These headphones earned a lot of praise online and I was curious if they deserved it. They are? I think so. Let's break it down. Design ------- First off, everyone says these things are big because they're weirdly, almost comically big. However, you will quickly get used to it. Luckily, they're much, much lighter than they look. And they're comfortable too. The head pad is very soft, as are the ear cups. Fit wise I have a big head and big ears that stick out a bit and they fit great. The cups sit comfortably around my ears without being too tight. The earbuds stay in place without squeezing your ears or skull, which is always a plus. They do get a little warm after prolonged use, which is normal for round-ear headphones but never uncomfortable. They seal pretty well and keep the tone. Overall, they're comfortable and durable, and feel pretty smooth when charging. Performance ------------- Subjectively, I really like how these things sound. They have a rich, detailed, full and wide sound that works well with any genre. They sounded great with whatever I gave them: Beethoven, Daft Punk, Andrew Bird, Killers, Kanye, Muse. These things have plenty of bass that hits but doesn't overwhelm the mids or highs. If you use cheap headphones, you'll hear details you've never heard before. And if you're listening to low-quality MP3s below 192 kbps, you're likely to hear details you don't want to hear. Considering these headphones cost around $50, I just can't complain about the sound quality. A note on "burn-in": If you've taken the time to research headphones, you've probably come across this term by now. Basically, it is a burn-in period in which you play a tone or music at a higher volume than normal for a set period of time to get a burn-in sound faster. Some people swear it improves sound quality while others think it's bullshit. I leaned towards the latter but decided to give it a try anyway. After about 30 hours of intermittent break-in, I honestly haven't noticed any difference. Whether the sound has actually changed or not, they sound great now. Fence about which pair to pick. I decided to order both headphones and see how they compare. They look about the same apart from the higher quality materials used in the 900's headband and earcups and the addition of a plastic mesh ring. The 900s definitely gain in comfort and style, but it's not a landslide. But in terms of performance, it is. I've read so many forum posts and reviews claiming the 700 sounds cleaner and more balanced. As you may recall, I described the 900's sound as rich, full and wide with bass that punches but doesn't overpower. The 700 has none of these qualities. What other buyers describe as crisp and balanced feels cold, bland and narrow compared to the 900. In a quick comparison of switching between both headphones on different songs in different genres, I preferred the 700 exactly 0% of the time. There was just no comparison. This comparative lifelessness was why I brought back the 700s and kept the 900s to myself. I would recommend skipping a step and getting the 900s right away. Verdict ------------ Pros: sound quality, comfort, build quality, style, price Cons: size (wear them indoors), cable length (use a lanyard) These headphones sound great, feel great and look great, all at a reasonable price. I was not disappointed. Leave your questions in the comments and I'll be happy to answer them!