Here at the G-Lab, we expect a luxury item to do three things: work real good, look real good, and cost real good. Audio-Technica's ATH-W5000 Dynamic Headphones fit the bill with a capital "Bling.

Excellent, precise sound; Enticing craftsmanship; Thoughtful weight-saving measures (like a magnesium alloy frame) keep the headphones at just 340g despite dense ebony backs; Light and soft-one of the most comfortable closed-back, full-size phones we've ever used

Exotic materials require special care; Headphones cost as much as a diamond tennis bracelet; Let's be honest-these are too nice to ever leave the sound room

This is one of the two best current-production closed headphones on Earth (the other being the Stax 4070). Just be glad that you can buy it through newegg rather than importing it from Japan.

Very high resolution Excellent 3-d soundfield positioning and size; especially for a closed headphone Very efficient and can handle very high volumes without trouble Super sexy looking

Earcups have limited swivel from the headband, which means that these headphones may not fit you properly; Quite a few folks have tried my pair only to have the headphones not seal at the top or bottom of the head; It's hard to tell if they will fit without first trying them.

Audio Technica's ATH-W5000 closed-back headphones are extremely high-end, reference-grade headphones for the truly discerning audiophile. These well-built, comfortable cans could be excellent for the studio, providing potent detail and clarity for many genres of music

Accurate sound quality; Super-detailed high-end; Ideal as reference headphones for mixing; Excellent cabling

Bass isn't too powerful; No 6.5mm-3.5mm adaptor in the box

If you're looking for cheap headphones to use on the go, this review won't help you. Audio Technica's ￡700 ATH-W5000s are extremely high-end, closed-back, reference-grade headphones for the truly discerning audiophile.

Accurate sound quality; super-detailed high-end; ideal as reference headphones for mixing; excellent cabling

Bass isn't too powerful; no 6.5mm-3.5mm adaptor in the box

If you're looking for cheap headphones to use on the go, this review won't help you. Audio Technica's AU$1,449 ATH-W5000s are extremely high-end, closed-back, reference-grade headphones for the truly discerning audiophile.

Accurate sound quality; Super-detailed high-end; Ideal as reference headphones for mixing; Excellent cabling

Bass isn't too powerful; No 6.5mm-3.5mm adaptor in the box

I bought these headphones and I cannot belive what i'm hearing so crisp and natural sound, my friend heared it and said wow! Audio Technica rules!!!! i use them with my xtreme music card of CREATIVE and my PRO-JECT Head Box amplifier on Windows Media Center on Windows Vista the best program of audio...

Seeing as we've had a pretty good run of some fabulous headphones lately and finding that Audio-Technica had a model at nearly twice the price, we were more than merely curious. On arrival, the W5000 turned out to be one of the most glamorously packaged bits of hi-fi around.

The ATH-W5000s are a super high-end option from Audio-Technica. The ear cups are made from striped ebony wood and the ear cups are lambskin. Looking at these headphones, it's easy to tell they're for people that are serious about audio.

The ATH-W5000 is, in the company of other uber headphones, a rather unassuming design. It doesn't ooze luxury.

The ATH-W5000 headphones are endowed with exceptional sound characteristics and stylish, cutting-edge design which earns them recognition as some of the best-sounding headphones available today.

Clear sound with low distortion; Sturdy build quality; Attractive striped-ebony hardwood earcups; Rugged; red velour-lined storage case

Difficult to fit on your head; Bass response is weak by some standards; No accessories