Given the low cost, I’m not sure there is much to fault in relative terms. I’m rating it 5 stars factoring in value. I’ve come full circle in my appreciation for the HD201s. Having now own/owned countless headphones and related gear, including a few much costlier Grado, Sennheisers and Beyerdynamics cans, I’ve come to appreciate the entry level cans more. The HD201s are excellent for the intended market, easy to drive, lightweight, smooth, revealing enough for the intended sources, and easy to listen to over extended sessions. Of course compromises are many. They are rolled off in the extremes frequencies by design allowing them to be used with lower quality source material and not sound harsh. Soundstaging is mostly two dimensional and flat. Dynamic range and drive is also limited probably because Sennheiser has selected drivers that are easy to drive. Most of the sound is in the midrange making vocals clear and pronounced. If you are searching for bass, look elsewhere like the KOSS Portapro. The Sennheiser HD201 offers better noise isolation and low leakage being closed back and over the ear design. Even with all of the compromises, I still think it competes with cans that cost more. No they aren’t going to blow your socks off but then again you wouldn’t expect that given its price. They are however solid Headphones and a good value.