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The AD-2000 gains special distinction by providing high-end detail and being easy to drive without an amp. While the sound can be aggressive, there's not a hint of "bass boost"; to the contrary, the bass seems fully integrated into the overall sound.

- The AD2000 has a rich, full sound through its range. It can even be called a "rockin'" headphone, albeit without the comparative warmth of, say, the Grado SR225; the A/Ts have a bass that seems colder or "drier." There's surprising balance, though it's certainly not the ideal choice for classical. Detail is every bit the equal to the K701, though it doesn't have what I'd call a "refined" sound.

- These phones almost seem to be tuned to the special sonorities in Japanese music: pop or instrumentals. Traditional Japanese instruments are rendered with particular accuracy - even MP3s.

- The earpads are velour, but only moderately comfortable; however, if you have spare foam, there's enough space behind the pads to improve comfort moderately. For pad replacement, you'll have to stretch the material intto position - an operation which can be annoying. The AD2000 has a "flying wing" that rests on top of your head, presumably for comfort, but looks superfluous and decorative. Out of the box, the AD2000 exert a lot of pressure; but it's easy to stretch the memory-metal to your requirements.

- With savvy shopping, the AD2000 can be found for around $450 - considerably less than full import prices.