I still have not decide if these be supra-aural -lrb- on the ear -rrb- or circumaural -lrb- around the ear -rrb- headphone . rather than flip a coin , let call they hybrid headphone . unlike most `` big '' headphone , these do not give you sweaty ear or over-isolate you from you environment . I rate that a advantage -- you be more likely to be able to hear a phone ring or the doorbell , but they do mute ambient noise sufficiently to allow focus on music . fit : if you have big ear you may find they a bit snug , as they low-profile design suggest . I have a big head -lrb- 7 5\/8 hat size -rrb- but the earpiece easily drop down far enough . these ` phone be a good choice for extended wear -- they have enough grip so they do not slip and slide ear pad , but they do not feel like a clamp you 'll want to throw off halfway through a 2-hour dvd . sound : the sound , like the fit , be non-fatiguing . the treble be extend without be sibilant , while the bass be shaded toward tight-and-crisp rather than lush . look : these be great-looking headphone and they do not stick way off you head like many around-the-ear phone . build quality : these be make of lightweight but strong plastic . the ear pad be higher quality than typically find in this price range . the cord be a bit longer than average , and thicker than on most lightweight headphone , but it be not heavy . bottom line : if you be trade up from the cheapo headphone that come with a portable -lrb- usually a good idea , even with a ipod -rrb- , you will be surprise at how much the bass be improve . the non-fatiguing sound and fit of the hd-497 ` phone , combine with tight bass , win that fifth star . recommend .