Sony X Headphones (MDR-X10)

As a reviewer of Simon Cowell's celebrity-branded Sony X Headphones (MDR-X10), I am in the unique position of potentially berating Cowell the way he berates young pop hopefuls on his TV shows. The $299.99 (direct) headphones are slyly named after Cowell's latest show, X Factor, and, like Dr. Dre, 50 Cent, and Lady Gaga before him, Cowell probably locked himself away for weeks in a lab and designing these beauties. Just kidding?he probably said things like "more bass" or "better cable," but celebrity-branded headphones are typically more about marketing than hands-on design from the celeb. However, despite being overpriced and a tad uncomfortable, I'll regretfully miss my chance to casually dismiss Cowell's X Headphones with a witty barb?they offer a quality audio experience. One caveat: Audiophiles can stop reading now. Low-end lovers: Read on.

Design
Curiously, the big red X on both of the X Headphones' massive earcups is not the actual X Factor logo, but Simon Cowell assumes you can put two and two together here. There are two models?a primarily white model (like our test pair) and a primarily black model, but both feature generous patches of shiny metallic accents and bright red flourishes. The Sony logo is printed in massive lettering across the top of the plush headband. With several internal ridges along the headband for adjustments, it is possible to fine-tune the fit of your headphones so that they're perfectly snug.

The earcups, which house 50mm driver units that Sony claims can play back sub-bass frequencies as low as 3Hz (that's very low), are also exceedingly plush and at first, quite comfortable. Over time, however, the pressure on your ears becomes noticeable and there can be some discomfort.

My first reaction when I hear of a new pair of celebrity headphones is: I wonder how much these will resemble something from the Beats by Dr. Dre headphone line?believe it or not, just as almost all noise-cancellation headphones seem to take cues from the Bose QuietComfort 15 , the Beats-esque look is a common theme with celebriphones. I don't think Dre will have to lawyer up over the design of X Headphones, but he might take issue with the familiar cable design: the flat, red, linguini-like cable looks practically lifted from the Monster Beats by Dr. Dre.

Regardless of the look of the cable, it is one of the best features of the headphones. First off, it's removable, which adds significant value to the purchase, as cables tend to malfunction long before the internals of a headphone pair do. Thus, in most scenarios, you can replace the cable without having to pay for repairs or new headphones altogether. Furthermore, Cowell and company include a second cable, so you won't even need to buy a replacement cable. One of the included cables comes with inline remote controls and a microphone for making calls on the iPhone, as well as controlling playback and volume on most Apple iOS devices.

The headphones also come with a 1/4-inch adapter for larger headphone jacks, and a snazzy, zip-up, soft carrying case with another big red "X" gracing its surface.

Performance
Since the product page for the X Headphones on Sony's website boasts the boosted bass response, let's start there. Audiophiles seeking flat response and accurate reproduction from your audio gear: Why are you still reading? Bass lovers, on the other hand, the X Headphones could be what you're looking for.

On tracks with extremely deep bass, like the Knife's "Silent Shout," the X headphones deliver a thunderous level of low-end, and even at top volume, they do not distort. They can get quite loud whilst delivering clean sound, and it should be noted that these listening levels are dangerous?and especially ill-advised for aspiring X Factor contestants seeking to retain their hearing. Even at reasonable or, frankly, low listening levels, the X Headphones still deliver an almost palpable, thumping low-end.

This is great for certain styles of music, like modern pop, hip hop, some heavy rock?it may not be accurate, but kick drums, bass synths, and a lower register percussion tend to sound quite powerful, and for some of you, it's more about replicating the concert or club experience than it is about accuracy. There's no shame in that, and the X Headphones do a solid job of providing a powerful, club PA system feel?I close my eyes when listening to Jay-Z and Kanye West's "No Church in the Wild," and I might as well be in the front row at the Barclay's Center.

The boosting also exists in the high frequencies?it has to, or you'd be left with a muddy, inarticulate mess. Vocals and higher percussion parts don't get lost in the X headphones' exaggerated mix, but some genres do suffer from its sculpted sound.

Instrumental and classical tracks, like John Adams' "The Chairman Dances," can sound almost comical through the X Headphones. Bass frequencies are boosted to the point that the lower register strings sound unnatural, and the large drums used sparingly throughout the piece sound like bombs exploding. It's all very exciting, like the oft exaggerated treatment film scores receive so that the orchestra's lower instruments can sound even more ominous and dramatic, but it doesn't do classical or jazz genres any favors. Somewhere in this boosted mix, the original tone of many of the instruments is twisted into something entirely different.

Like many an X Factor contestant, the Sony X Headphones face some stiff competition. The Beats Pro by Dr. Dre from Monster ?looks quite similar, predates Cowell's design by nearly two years, and provides a very similar frequency response, in addition to removable cables and flip-up earpads intended to make DJ-ing easier?but it is significantly more expensive.

Our most recent Editors' Choice, Sennheiser's Momentum, is a direct competitor in the sense of pricing and its accessory array?it, too, comes with a nice case, two removable cables, and an eye-catching design. The Momentum, however, has a far more balanced frequency response that will appeal more to audiophiles. The same-price Bowers & Wilkins P5 Mobile Hi-Fi Headphones ?is an on-ear pair that delivers a quality audio performance in a sleeker, smaller, stylish frame. And if all these models are too expensive for your budget, the Harman Kardon CL offers the alluring design, accessories, and solid audio performance for a significantly lower price.

So, my chance to end this review with a cavalcade of Cowell-esque feedback like "horrible, just horrible," "ghastly," or "horrendous" has been thwarted by the overall quality of the X Headphones. Are they overpriced? Yes, but so are virtually all celebrity-endorsed headphones. Are they audiophile-level? No, there's way too much boosted bass here for these to be considered accurate. But do the Sony X Headphones provide an exciting sound signature for fans of bass-heavy modern mixes? Sure?and the inflated price at least also nets you some solid accessories.

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