Design and features:The headphones have high sensitivity so they can provide satisfying volume levels when used with lower-powered portable audio devices. The Hi-Fi Over-the-Ear headphone 12230 has an inline volume control that works with iPads and some iPod and iPhone models, plus an integrated microphone and music player function controls 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. This model has a detachable audio cable, earcups that swivel to flat for ease of carrying and storage, and comes with a storage case.
Sound quality: We found the Hi-Fi Over-the-Ear headphone 12230 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 nasal, washed-out, and sizzly. Bass (the tonal range that covers bass drums, bass guitars, stand-up bass, etc.) has good detail and decent impact, but is slightly subdued and deep bass is lacking. The midrange (voices, guitars, horns, etc.) is nasal, somewhat constricted (think straightjacketed) and congested (as in sonic traffic jam), and has a very noticeable 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 somewhat extended but the upper treble dies off quickly and what's left is pronounced 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 obvious that you have something covering your ears.
Comfort: We found that these headphones produce a moderate sense of pressure around the ears. The over-the-ear fit of the ear pads may be cramped for those with bigger ears, and the pads might feel hot and/or sticky after prolonged use. When wearing this model while walking the vibrations from each foot step can be heard through the headphones.
