My point of reference is the DT880. To me, the A500s have a somewhat bloated bass with hardly any detail. While with other headphones, one may notice the individual bass notes, the A500s seem to muddle them together. Mids take a bit of a backseat to the highs and especially the bass. The presentation will be a bit blended together and messy.

Most sane people would opt not to use these on the go. Although they are closed, the fashion factor is nil. They are easy to drive however. The wing system is a tad bit on the loose side and one can notice the two pressures, but it is decently comfortable. The pads are not as shabby as some would lead one to believe, but can get a bit hot after a while. They will not disappear as easily as the DT880s.

Overall, I believe that the A500s are a wonderful starter headphone for anyone trying to get in. They can present any kind of music well for what it has. It is most definitely worth the one hundred dollars for an audio skeptic.