Pooh Bear wrote:

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Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be any decent hi-fi shops around
here locally (Durham) to go and try some out (unless someone knows
different). Although IMHO, it seems a bit pointless testing headphones
that haven't been 'broken in' anyway.

It's fairly accepted that heavy duty ( eg PA type ) speakers can be 'broken
in' with a few hours 'conditioning' with the result of a lower resonant
frequency but I've never heard the claim made of headphones - nor can I
think of a rational reason why they should need such conditioing.

There are a *lot* of reviewers out there that would disagree. I'm not
disputing you, but there seems to be considerable mentions of this
nonetheless.

Names like Technics, Koss and Sennheiser are also some I've looked at,
in partcilular the Sennheiser HD497.

Beyers are nice too - I have a pair currently.

I think the only Koss headphones around now are the Chinese PRO4AA 'copies'.
Very heavy. The ear seal makes for stunning ( literally sometimes ) bass
though.

Sennheisers and Beyers tend to much favoured by pros. AKG make some good
stuff too. Seems to be an area where the European manufacturers seem to have
an edge.

Yes, some of the AKG's had good reports. Sennheisers don't seem to match
the Grado's at the same price level.

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