I don't mean "can you recommend a good pair?" I mean......how do you judge the sound quality between different brands......models even?

I just got the newly released Pioneer HDJ-1500's I ordered and I'm not real happy with the sound considering I paid $185 for them.

All other things being equal, how do you tell good sound transmission from bad? Most of the music stores don't have working setups where you can go right from one to another. And, there are so many brands and models, they're not going to have them all anyway.

Tonight I tried these Sony headphones in Staples, and although the construction was not that firm, I thought they sounded better than the Pioneers I just bought so I DID hear a difference there.

I think I'm going to return the Pioneer's. Any suggestions on how to go "headphone shopping" now?

Mark