I do amateur recording as well as listen to a very wide assortment of music, sourced from LPs, CDs, lossless computer files, played back through both audiophile and studio grade equipment. The first impression was that the AKG K712s were a little light on the bass and had a forward treble (particularly harsh with female voices), but once they were properly broken in, the transformation was night and day! Ruler flat response from the bottom of the bottom notes to the tippy top of the top notes. The K712 is not a set of cans for someone looking for the typical "Consumer" sound (huge bass, bright trebble), but it IS for someone who wants to hear the music, and nothing but the music. I replaced a pair of Sony "Professional" style cans, and there is no comparison. These are fantastic for my production work, and supremely comfortable for long sessions! (Don't let the size fool you, they are HUGE!) The K712 is a power hungry set, so plan on using some sort of amplifier with your portable devices, but fine on everything else I've tried. This is a truly open backed headphone, so you'll get that expansive sound that only open backed 'phones can give you, but they provide very little in the way of isolation, so probably not best to use while traveling. In my studio and at my easy chair, they are perfect. While light in weight, they have a feeling of quality. The replaceable cables (2 are included, coiled and straight) are also of very high quality. Bottom line: If you are looking for a set of headphones that reveal ALL of the recording, and don't add their own "personality", get the AKG K712. Truth seekers, your headphone is right here, treat your self, you won't be disappointed!