I tried the new monster headphones (sealed). http://www.monstercable.com/productdisplay.asp?pin=3808 I found them too unnatural, like being inside the speaker. love the grado's. i haven't tried the AKG 701 or 702 but they are double the grado. I find that for the difference the 325 play like the grado reference series almost to a point of very little difference but for the price i think they are great.