Right out of the box the Beyerdynamic DT231 galactic headphones look the part. Luckily the sound matches the great contemporary styling (more on that later). The closed back, circumaural design means that they are a good choice for noisy environments as they are able to block out a useful amount of unwanted sound. With an impedance of 32 Ohms and a nominal SPL of 95db these headphones are a good match for a wide variety of devices giving plenty of level - just remember to watch that volume, you only get one pair of ears! They come supplied with a 2.5m single sided cable which I personally prefer as I find double sided cables tend to get twisted up. The cable terminates in a mini stereo jack plug (3.5mm) but comes with a clip-on 6.35mm adaptor, a welcome addition for using with the Hi-Fi system at home. Given the reasonable retail price the DT231 Galactic headphones are beautifully well balanced right across the frequency range (20Hz - 18,000Hz). Bass extension is impressive without being flabby - kick drums and bass guitars are rendered with warmth yet remain tight and well controlled. Mid range instruments and vocals are reproduced clearly but do not exhibit the harshness associated with inferior headphones. High frequencies sparkle without tizziness and do not fatigue the ears over prolonged listening periods. Highly recommended!