Design and features:These headphones have low sensitivity; so while they can provide satisfying volume levels when used with home audio equipment and higher-powered portable audio devices, they may not be a good match for lower-powered portables. The HD 461 has an inline volume control that works with iPads and some iPod and iPhone models, plus an integrated microphone and music player function control that are compatible with iPads, some iPods, and some iPhones and some other cellphones. The call connect/disconnect button can be used with some iPhones and some other cellphones. These headphones may not operate properly with some non-Apple/non-Android mobile devices or other audio equipment. Additional features include a detachable audio cable
Sound quality: We found the HD 461 delivers sound quality that falls in the fair range, meaning that it has sonic shortcomings that leave a lot to be desired when listening to music. But don't rule it out for dialog and communication. The overall sound can best be summarized as bassy and "plasticy". Bass (as in bass drums, bass guitars, stand-up bass, etc.) has good impact, but the mid-bass is somewhat prominent and boomy while the lower bass is subdued. The midrange (voices, guitars, horns, etc.) is a bit nasal and echoey and has a moderate plastic resonance (something like what you would hear if you talked into a semi-rigid plastic cup). The treble (cymbals, the upper range of violins, etc.) is extended but prominent and sizzly--sounds that should have a delicate shimmer have a sound reminiscent of bacon frying. While the sound has a decent sense of liveliness, it is closed-in (sound-wise, it is somewhat obvious that you have something plugging up your ears).
Comfort: We found that these headphones produce a sense of light pressure around ears. The earpads might feel hot and/or sticky after prolonged use. The sound is very dependent on the earpads forming a good seal around the ears; if a good seal is not achieved, bass and midrange performance suffers (the bass becomes recessed and midrange gets nasal and more plasticy sounding). Users with small or narrow heads or pronounced depressions around their ears may have problems getting a good seal. Although it has a detachable audio cable, it is very difficult to detach the cable from the headphone.
