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1. 

   Real Name
   November 2nd, 2010 - 09:02

   Review by Real Name for Sony MDR-V150 Monitor Series Headphones with Reversible Earcups
   Rating:
   It seems from a lot of the reviews on here, that people don’t quite understand the specs behind headphones which are crucial to its sound. A lot of people are comparing these headphones to iPod earbuds and saying that it sounds like something is missing. Here’s why:

   The technical specs for iPod earbuds:
   
   Bandwidth response-20Hz to 20,000Hz
   
   Impedance-32ohms

   The technical specs for MDR-V150s:
   
   Bandwidth response-18Hz to 22000Hz
   
   Impedance-24ohms

   For those of you who don’t understand the numbers, it means that the MDR-V150s have a broader range of sound, but the iPod earbuds pack a bigger sound. This is precisely why you think something is missing.

   If you listen to iPod earbuds over a long time, your ears become accustomed to really loud, albeit a small range, sound. This is also why iPod earbuds are known for causing serious harm to your ears over prolonged periods of use. For it to sound right, you have to use the full amount of power, which the earbuds provide. Your close-range hearing becomes damaged over time and you can’t hear subtle sounds or details, but you can still detect low volume. The earbuds won’t sound deafening because you can still hear outside noise.

   The MDR-V150s have a larger range of sound and lower impedance. That means there is a much richer sound. You don’t need to jack up the volume to get a good listen (but you do need your hearing intact). You also may not be used to the larger range of sound so the range of sound you’re used to will sound drowned out at close range. Many of the comments complaining about this transition from earbuds are noting that staples of their music listening sound strangely undetailed on the MDR-V150s. High levels of bass have a way of “drowning” out treble sounds if you’re not used to listening to music with ample bass at close range.

   Another major difference is that since these are “on-ear” headphones instead of “in-ear” buds, you have much less outside noise interfering with listening. It’s like the difference between listening to a car stereo with the windows up or the windows down. You have to listen to things louder if there’s more outside noise and you can’t notice as many details either. There is a reason cellphone handsets for the car use earbuds instead of headphones, and that’s so you can still hear the road. Why would you want to use earbuds that are intentionally designed so you can still hear your surroundings but compensate for it by deafening you?

   I work a lot with sound whether it’s production, music, or art and I use these as portable stereo phones because of their quality and sound range. I use them with my iPod with the long cord tucked into my case’s belt clip. They are incredibly affordable for their quality. Most comparable headphones cost at least $30. I have been using these headphones since freshman year of college when I was first exposed to them in my school’s sound lab.

   My opinion aside, the manufacturer specs speak for themselves and it’s hard to imagine that iPod earbud fans really believe that these provide less sound when physically they have a much broader range of sound and do not permanently damage your ears.

   As for the tightness, it’s good. It’ll keep the phones pressed against your ears. The padding coupled with the tightness is what keeps as much outside noise sealed out. The more noise cancellation you can get, the better the sound.

   And for the hair complaint: you could always tie up your hair or give up on headphones with plastic size adjusters. The plastic size adjusters were just designed to snag hair, so it seems.
2. 

   TheWaldo
   November 2nd, 2010 - 09:17

   Review by TheWaldo for Sony MDR-V150 Monitor Series Headphones with Reversible Earcups
   Rating:
   I bought my set from Wal-Mart. The sound is excellent with deep full bass and clear higher frequencies. Much better sound than the foam ambient noise type. My main concern was that the headphones are TIGHT on the ears. The cups (as noted by other reviewers) do not cup the ears, but rather sit on and press directly against the ears. Great sound or not, after half and hour or so of listening I would actually have a headache from the ear pressure. I gave these away and found a set of headphones at Radio Shack that sounds just as good and has a large enough cup to totally enclose the ears. After 3 or 5 hours these are still comfortable.
3. 

   Peter E. Johansen
   November 2nd, 2010 - 09:38

   Review by Peter E. Johansen for Sony MDR-V150 Monitor Series Headphones with Reversible Earcups
   Rating:
   I’m not a connoisseur of headphones, and quite honestly I don’t think I’ve even paid much more than $20 for a pair of headphones. And maybe because of this, I’ve never owned a set of headphones that I was totally happy with until now. These are by far the best headphones I’ve even bought, and I was just floored by how good some of my favorites sound on these headphones. I just hear so much more.

   I hesitated to buy these since so many people on Amazon complained about the feel of these headphones saying they pinched. Well, they are bigger than what I’m used to – a little bulky maybe – but I found them really pretty comfortable. Also, because they fit a little tighter, they seem to block out a lot more noise, which make them great for the gym or walking down a busy street.
4. 

   digikat
   November 2nd, 2010 - 10:14

   Review by digikat for Sony MDR-V150 Monitor Series Headphones with Reversible Earcups
   Rating:
   This product is very good in all respects except one – my hair (which is about shoulder-length) constantly gets caught in various parts of these headphones. It gets caught in the hinges of the earcups and in the adjustable headband.Other things I can mention about these:- overall, these headphones are comfortable and the sound is very good
   - (for ladies and the occasional gentleman) these headphones are pretty tight and can hurt if you’re wearing the wrong earrings
   - the cord is very long and rather thickI would recommend these unconditionally to someone who likes the style of the headphones (i.e., bigger, covers the entire ear) and also doesn’t have long hair or earrings.
5. 

   lew
   November 2nd, 2010 - 10:47

   Review by lew for Sony MDR-V150 Monitor Series Headphones with Reversible Earcups
   Rating:
   Sound better than Bose TriPort (that has overemphasized bass). Sound better than my best Koss. Unfortunately: a) too tight. After half an hour I have just enough, b) the cord seems to be rated for 60 amperes, extremelly thick and stiff

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