Monster Beats by Dr. Dre headphones

Summary: There are going to be a lot of reviews about these headphones that use audiophilesque (I know, not a word, but bear with me) terms like "warmth" and "muddiness". Terms that generally speak to the clarity and integrity of the original recordings as heard over a specific piece of equipment, or combination of electronics. In this case, when someone talks about the headphones being "muddy," what they're pointing out is that, to their ear, music played through these phones ends up somewhat distorted due to an excessive base response with the 'finer' notes of music running together sloppily as a result. There will be, absolutely, and with good reason, a lot of people asking whether or not such a high price tag is worth a set of headphones, no matter how good they may sound.

I open, addressing other reviews, because these are all sound and valid, but very subjective and personal points. The Monster Beats by Dr. Dre headphones are "warm", or "boomy", or even "muddy" -- but that's by design. Make no mistake, these headphones have been designed with an urban purpose in mind. Where the outstanding noise cancellation technology contained within will drown out the harsh sounds of city life as one takes the subway to work, walks down a street filled with cars and construction, or in Lebron's case, walks into a hostile arena with friendly and non-friendly fans screaming for his attention. Where the person whose head and ears are so comfortably ensconced can trade the chaotic din of life, for the rich and even immersive experience Beats offers. These phones have been designed with hip hop in mind, which is to say that this "muddy" quality in a range that serves to actually enhance, not detract, from beat-heavy music, and no apologies are made about that given the name, and the endorser behind them who played such a direct and critical role in their development.

Are these phones for those who only listen to music with strong backing beats, like hip hop, and certain 'areas' of rock and industrial music? Absolutely not, they simply excel within. Beats perform brilliantly no matter the fare, it's just a matter of understanding purpose and intention.

Which is why I recommend hearing a pair before buying. If you're looking for a set of noise-canceling phones through which you can quietly relax to Mozart, I still think you're going to be very impressed, but maybe you'll find them too "warm" for your taste and the cost. That's a big maybe, and why a review like this is so difficult. We each hear a little differently, we each value experience and sensation differently, so as much as I can (and would) rant and rave about these headphones, and swear that they're worth every penny of their suggested retail price, the truth is that your mileage may vary.

As for the reality of my own experience and perspective; these are now the best headphones I've ever owned, and I listen to a very wide spectrum of music genres. The audio quality (discussed in better detail above) is worthy of any superlatives thrown at it. The comfort is outstanding. The build quality is top notch. The battery powered noise cancellation technology is wonderful. Little touches like being able to temporarily mute audio by pressing a discrete button on the side of one phone (the stylized 'b' logo) is brilliant. The extra cable to turn Beats into a completely functional and very high quality two-way headset for the iphone was a masterful touch. Even the packaging all of it comes in was masterfully designed, with great emphasis placed on both form and function -- an area of product design often overlooked, but greatly appreciated (even if just unconsciously) when done well.

These are, without question, absolute top-of-the-line headphones, and while they may have been engineered to bring out the best in beats, they provide an outstanding experience all-around, making them (in the eyes and ears of this reviewer) worth every penny to those who value music.

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Updated on Oct 27, 2011

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Updated on Oct 27, 2011

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