it really get hot under the earpad . after about 5 minute , you 'll have to lift the headphone off you head to allow for some air to circulate around you ear . to make sure it be not just a isolate issue , I have other use these headphone as well . they give the headphone back to I within a few minute with the same complaint ... uncomfortably hot around the ear . I have have these headphone for about a year . the audio fidelity be great . I use they to get a full appreciation of song I really want to listen to . unfortunately , these be too uncomfortable -lrb- heat-wise -rrb- to use for more than a song or two at a time . it be really a shame , consider the sound produce by this headphone be exceptional . the high be crisp , the mid be define and the low be accurate , yet powerful . for day-to-day headphone , I use the Sony mdr-ex71 earbud . they sound ok , but you can really tell the difference go from earbud -lrb- with tiny 9mm driver -rrb- to the hd 497 . there be no substitute for size when it come to driver . also , unlike some higher-end headphone that require more power , these headphone do not require additional amplification for use with item , such as the ipod . as much as I like these headphone for they sound , I find it too uncomfortable to use regularly . this headphone be ideal for the follow combined condition : 1 -rrb- for use with personal audio player 2 -rrb- in cold environment , where the headphone can double as earmuff . also , the cord be extremely long and do not detach from the headset . the earpad do detach . it 'll be great if I can find replacement earpad that allow more air to circulate and heat to dissipate around the ear area .