I can hold them up to my ears (when doing nothing but listening), but - when playing along - I can't do that.
I had learned the the 7506 Sony (over ear) headphones hangers were compatible with the 7502 earpieces.
Someone had a 7506 "FOR PARTS" on eBay (seller reported: "no bass").
They cost $28 w/ postage.
When they arrived, I discovered that the hangers were SORT OF compatible, but the 7506 hanger SPAN (sadly) was too wide.
Then, I plugged in the 7506...NOTHING.
The 1/8" stereo plug LOOKED and FELT funny.
I examined the plug.
The insertion part was mashed into the back of the plug. I pulled it out with pliers. BOOM !!!!!!
I then listened to the youtube comparisons of the five orchestras playing the Mahler 2 brass chorale.
In the past, I was pretty sure that Concertgebouw kicked everyone's else asses.
With these headphones, there's just no doubt that they did.
(If you disagree, that's OK: You're wrong.
)I've messed (in-studio recording work..."WE NEED A TUBA FOR THIS...WHO SHOULD WE CALL ??") with all sorts of super-expensive headphones.
Admittedly, relying on my memory, these ($28 with shipping) Sony 7506 phones are the best I've ever used.
...and - typically - they're only about $115, bought new.
It was WORTH walking steeply downhill and back uphill (1400 feet x 2) - on melting, glassy, water-covered ice - to retrieve them from the mailbox down at the highway (with a heavy overcast sky at sundown and HEAVY fog...nearly dark) to retrieve them TONIGHT.
.