Sony MDR10R Hi-Res Stereo Wired Headphones (Black)

Sony's MDRR10R are excellent, all-purpose headphones that hit the sweet spot in terms of build quality, sound quality, comfort, and price.Good-sounding headphones have never been a priority for me. For years, I've gotten by with pack-in earbuds that come with phones. I never saw the need to spend real money in this area.Recently, however, I've become far less tolerant to cheap headphones and earbuds with poor fit and sound quality. I've completely given up on earbuds; they're too fussy and never seem to fit well. It finally came time to get a good set of headphones, and these Sony's fit the bill.There were several criteria I needed the headphones to fulfill. They needed to sound great, be well-constructed, fit well, cost around $100, isolate noise, be somewhat portable, work with an array of mobile devices (including phones and tablets, which have tiny, underpowered amps), and be at least serviceable for video games (PS4 and Xbox One both offer headphone audio out with chat from their controllers). I actually did not want anything that was wireless, needed to be charged, or take batteries; above all else, I wanted simplicity and the quality of a wired connection. I have Sony's criminally underrated SBH20 Bluetooth adapter for wireless compatability if I need it.With some research, I discovered that I wanted what's termed "closed-back, over-the-ear headphones" (headphones that fit over your entire ear and create a soft seal to isolate noise) as opposed to "on-ear" headphones (headphones that sit directly on your ear). There are a ton of headphones in this category, so I set about trying a few of them out.Bose AE2: excellent fit and comfort, by far the lightest pair I tried. The build quality was good, but surprisingly plastic-feeling. What killed these for me was the sound quality. Although lows and highs were well-defined, the mids were too punchy, especially the high-mids, which sounded over-emphasized. Although they cost $100, the cord with an in-line microphone is a separate $30-purchase.Sennheiser HD439: the build quality felt really cheap on these, by far the creakiest of the bunch. Sound quality was ok, but the fit was poor. These were the only ones I tried that didn't form a complete seal around my ear.Beats Studio: because I needed something with great all-around sound, something that emphasized bass wouldn't work. If you like a lot of emphasis on bass, these are for you. Build quality was notably great.Audio Technica M-50: these sounded excellent, are built well, and fit great. The problem ended up being price at the time I looked at them (the M-50x is now out, which may have driven the price down). They were also the least portable of the bunch. If you need great sounding headphones at home, this is a solid option.I tried the Sony's last. First, sound quality is superb. The clarity of the highs and mids really surprised me. Whenever I start to think that they sound a little warm, the mids or highs cut in and prove me wrong. I'd say there's a touch of emphasis on bass, but not so much that it overwhelms. Isolation is good too; they definitely block out ambient sound in my apartment. Second, the fit was excellent. These are light and can be worn for hours. They sealed comfortably. Third, build quality is really good. They are definitely plastic, but certainly don't feel cheap, and are nicely-styled to boot. Fourth, they sound great across all my use cases. I was worried my phone's tiny amp couldn't generate enough oomph to power the drivers, but they've sounded excellent with my phone and tablet. They've been great with my Xbox One and PS4 too. Fifth, they aren't so big as to not fit in a messenger bag. They come with a sleeve-style case that they slide into after you rotate the drivers to a flat position.I should note that these Sony's come with two audio cords, one without a microphone (perfect for my Bluetooth adapter) and one with an in-line microphone that has a single-button control. The lack of volume buttons is an Android phone issue, but the headphones work with my Nexus and my iPod Touch all the same. The microphone also works for chat on my video game consoles. Both cords can be stashed away in a separate pocket of the included carrying sleeve.If you want to step up to good headphones, but don't want to break the bank, these Sony's will absolutely serve you well. I'm surprised at how capable they've been. If you're in the $100 range, these are a safe and excellent bet.

I'm a beginner when it comes to enjoying my music on above average headphones. I had tested this model in a Sony shop prior to ordering and am extremely happy with what I got considering the amount I paid.This product ranks high on:1) Comfort - I wear this in the office when I'm watching videos (for research) and has never removed it out of frustration. I can happily watch an hour-long documentary wearing it. I also listen to music at home and on the go. The soft headband padding and ear pads feels premium and is only an issue if you are wearing it in hot weather.2) Sound quality - I like the depth of sound I could hear. Again I am not very experienced with other headphones, and I'm easily impressed. I enjoy listening to both rock numbers and sappy ballads on these cans. I can feel the ooomph and hear most of the instruments separately, as though a live concert was happening within those ear cups.3) Portability - These fold flat and might not be as compact as the MDR-10RC on-ears, but I'm surprised as how small the package is when I fit them into the pouch provided. It helps that I carry a laptop backpack too I guess. If you carry a smaller purse then of course you might not agree with me.4) Having detachable cables - Two choices of cables, both 1.2m cables with one of them sporting a remote control and mic. This is just the right length for me on my commute, wouldn't want them any longer than that. I'm not a tall person either...5) Looking classy - I bought the black model with a tinge of red. I'm happy with the premium look with its silver rim around each side of the headphones. I like my gear in dark colors. Even the metal headband has a black finish which is noticeable if you adjust it for a wider head (like I did).This product is lacking on:1) A good mobile remote control - I mentioned the cable with remote control above, which was disappointing. It has only one button for Play/Pause function. I had expected it to have volume rockers as well but it doesn't. Not a deal breaker for me, but might be for some.2) A padded pouch - Another minor complaint would be the soft mesh pouch that came with the headphones. No padding at all, therefore does not serve any function other than containing its items. There are two slots; one for the headphones and one for the cables. There should be some form of closure on the cable slot as they keep falling out when I want to take just one of them. I can try describing it here, it is a smaller compartment that folds over the headphone compartment as a cover. So when I unfold the pouch to remove my headphones, the cable side is facing downwards, and the cables fall out. It is a weird design, not very functional. I am using it only to store them within my backpack.But overall, I am very satisfied and happy with my purchase. Nothing to complain about on the headphones themselves as they perform as beautifully as they look.

not loud enough for my taste, but i do like the crisp and neutral sound it has. I have noticed something kinda weird however, when walking i can here the cord scraping off my jacket or coat, its like a dull crackle sound when it happens....pretty weird, ultimately they're great headphones for the money, but if i had to do it all over again i'd probably shell out the extra cash and buy a more premium model from either sony or another brand.