Design and features: Although this home/studio-style on-ear model has a closed design, it doesn't form a tight seal with the ears so you'll be able to hear that door bell ring, train announcement, or car horn when you are wearing the headphones. The headphones have medium-high sensitivity so they can provide satisfying volume levels when used with home audio equipment and even lower-powered portable audio devices. The Grind has an integrated microphone and 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 comes with a detachable 47-inch long audio cable with a 4-contact mini-plug that generally works with mobile devices but may not be compatible with other audio equipment.
Sound quality: We found the Grind delivers sound quality that falls in the very good range - it reproduces music and voice very well although it does have some noticeable sonic quirks. The overall sound can best be summarized as bassy and a bit bright. The bass (as in bass drums, bass guitars, stand-up bass, etc.) has good impact and goes deep, but is prominent and somewhat boomy. The midrange (voices, guitars, horns, etc.) is constricted, a bit hazy and gritty and slightly thin. The treble (cymbals, the upper range of violins, etc.) is extended, but is a bit pronounced and lacking in detail. The sound has a good sense of liveliness and is somewhat open--sound-wise it almost seems like you don't have anything covering your ears.
Comfort: We found that these headphones produce a sense of light pressure on the ears. The fit is loose and headphones will tend to fall off if the user leans far forward when wearing them, and the ear pads might feel hot and/or sticky after prolonged use.
