jstn: Overall winner: Denon AH-D2000 They’re all really interesting headphones in their own way, but for my money these are the ones to get if you like to go swimming in your music. The B&W P5 was a close second, and I bet if you don’t like one you’ll like the other. I limited my contenders to closed-back designs because I work in a relatively quiet office, but some day I’d love to try the open-back Grados and Sennheisers of legend. Here are some quick notes, I listened to a variety of songs of the type I sometimes post here and knocked them out one by one: 1) DENON AH-D2000 • the ones i’m listening to right now • smoothest, creamiest, airiest of the five • mellow but still very clear with tight bass • expansive and atmospheric sound • only wish the fit was a little more snug • awesome rope cable 2) BOWER & WILKINS P5 • very intimate as opposed to expansive, much different vs denon • punchier sound, not quite as mellow, slightly more exciting • excellent low end, although maybe a little muddy • the most comfortable of all, nice snug fit 3) SONY MDR-V6 • my previous favorite, and still the best in its price range • extreeeeeeeeeeeeemely mellow • warm dreamy sound, but at the expense of detail/accuracy • everyone should own a pair once in their life 4) SONY MDR-Z1000 • the most detailed of the five • very punchy sound and thick bass, almost aggressive • too cold for my taste, wore my ears down the fastest • pinched my glasses in a weird way 5) BOSE QUIET COMFORT 2 • very flat, actually too flat for me • slightly warm sound if anything • reasonably detailed • noise canceling works as advertised

jstn:

Overall winner: Denon AH-D2000

They’re all really interesting headphones in their own way, but for my money these are the ones to get if you like to go swimming in your music. The B&W P5 was a close second, and I bet if you don’t like one you’ll like the other.

I limited my contenders to closed-back designs because I work in a relatively quiet office, but some day I’d love to try the open-back Grados and Sennheisers of legend.

Here are some quick notes, I listened to a variety of songs of the type I sometimes post here and knocked them out one by one:

1) DENON AH-D2000
• the ones i’m listening to right now
• smoothest, creamiest, airiest of the five
• mellow but still very clear with tight bass
• expansive and atmospheric sound
• only wish the fit was a little more snug
• awesome rope cable

2) BOWER & WILKINS P5
• very intimate as opposed to expansive, much different vs denon
• punchier sound, not quite as mellow, slightly more exciting
• excellent low end, although maybe a little muddy
• the most comfortable of all, nice snug fit

3) SONY MDR-V6
• my previous favorite, and still the best in its price range
• extreeeeeeeeeeeeemely mellow
• warm dreamy sound, but at the expense of detail/accuracy
• everyone should own a pair once in their life

4) SONY MDR-Z1000
• the most detailed of the five
• very punchy sound and thick bass, almost aggressive
• too cold for my taste, wore my ears down the fastest
• pinched my glasses in a weird way

5) BOSE QUIET COMFORT 2
• very flat, actually too flat for me
• slightly warm sound if anything
• reasonably detailed
• noise canceling works as advertised