first , let I say this . these headphone use a active , power noise cancel system . you must turn it on . if you do not , well ... then yes , they sound a bit weak . turn THEM ON ... it have the feature , use it . I would consider myself a audiophile and these be , far and away , the best set of headphone I have ever own . any pair of headphone have to pass a few test for I : dark side of the Moon , Into the Mystic , Cinnamon Girl , u2 's Joshua Tree . these headphone blow any other set I have ever own totally out of the water . great high , thunder low , and the noise cancellation work great . will it eliminate everything ? no , of course not . sit at my desk in my office today , however I can tell you that it pretty much eliminate 90 % of the background noise . catch they on sale , but I would have gladly pay full price for they . I have be set on a pair of bose , but after a final comparison , there be no comparison . if you need some good headphone , these be for you .