VINCE NEIL's Strip Club To Host Post-CES Launch Party For Motörheadphönes; LEMMY To Attend

I'm actually kinda torn over what these things are. They look and have the specs of a studio monitor, but reek of "cheap fashion accessory" They do not cost enough, even considering price is no indication of quality, to be an audiophile headphone. These seem to have characteristics of all three types of headphones because they a) seem to be designed like studio monitors, b) obviously are being sold for their looks, and c) have a "customized" frequency response. Let's hope that along the way, they are actually really good, but I'm skeptical.

Let's discuss the three types of "studio" headphones made:

1) Actual studio headphones meant to be used as monitors during tracking but are also used during subsequent studio work in a lot of cases. An example would be Sony MDR-7506's. Usually cost between 25-200 bucks. No matter if you spend the least or the most you are getting what you pay for. Some of the cheaper Sony examples such as the no longer made XD200 that retailed for about 25 bucks meet or exceed the standard 7506's but have a cheaper chassis, but superior drivers to the 100 dollar 7506's.

2) "Audiophile" grade. These are meant to sound unique to the make and model and are often colored in timbre. They are no better in materials or craftmanship than the above, but command super premium prices. They are not for studio use no matter what anyone says. They are made to sound "pleasing" at the expense of accuracy. Any claims about their usefulness as an audio tool is marketing to make you believe they are being used in studios. This is usually untrue and no good engineer or producer would pick a flattering headphone over a revealing one. Examples include Grados, et al.

3) The fashion accessory. Cheap headphones that are made to look good and generally have little regard for their audio performance. Unfortunately Sony is starting to move into this direction by charging 300 bucks for mediocre headphones these days. That is what you get in this category, a fashion accessory that in no way constitutes an acceptable audio product. Examples include the newest line of Sony's that look like Beats Headphones. Yes, beats headphones are shit that are being sold to make you look "cool" on the subway or bus or whatever.

This doesn't even discuss complete garbage like you would find at a big box retailer or bullshit such as skullcandy that are marketed and used in the consumer audio market.

Anyway. I can't wait to read some reviews of these by musicians that aren't in the band trying to hawk them and the likely divergent opinions of audio enthusiasts too.