Master & Dynamic MH40 Wireless Over-Ear Headphones

sweet, i've heard really good things about the AKG N700NCM2 from a number of sources, they're on my short list. :) i listen to a lot of metal, and suspect that the AKGs would be well equipped to handle that genre.

Thanks for the detailed reply. Agree with you on MW60 -- warm but a bit too muddy for my tastes. Just not enough clarity for me despite their excellent balance. My recent purchase decision came down to the AKG N700NCM2 and the Master & Dynamic MH40 Wireless. The AKGs were $186 at Amazon (now down to $158!); the M&Ds were $249 at Amazon. I chose the AKGs, for these reasons: Price. The AKGs are $63 less and could be up to $100 less if I return these and buy again at lower price. ANC. The AKGs have them; the M&Ds don't. The ANC isn't great in the AKGs, nowhere near as good as Sony or Bose. But it's there. Better battery life, by about six hours. Comfort was a push. The M&D's have very little padding on the headband, so if you're sensitive to pressure on your dome, you may not like the MH40s. Sound. Man, I AGONIZED over this, as the AKGs and M&Ds both have excellent audio quality but have very different sound signatures. The AKGs are more crisp, analytical. The M&Ds are warmer. To simplify, the AKGs sound very digital, while the M&Ds are more analog. The sound of the M&D is more like vinyl, while the AKGs are more like a quality digital source. I like the warmth of the M&Ds, but it still got a bit muddy. Not as muddy as the MW60s, but I preferred the clarity and crispness of the AKGs. The treble in the MH40s NEVER gets hot or shouty, while the treble often pushes to the edge with the AKGs. While occasionally the treble gets shouty with the AKGs, it never sustains to the point of being an ice pick in the ear drums. The bass also is a smidge forward but never blooms or leaks into the mids. It almost seems like the M&D engineers went for more of a neutral, warm, conservative sound, while the AKG engineers pushed everything to the edge but pulled back on the reins just before going off the cliff. The AKGs are a more exciting listen while not being too excessively V-shaped like the overrated sound of the Sony XM3 and XM4s.

"Sony has best-in-class sound?" i don't think that's quite what i said, but please allow me to clarify. in the $200 range, for bluetooth headphones, sony's XM2's have best-in-class noise cancelation, excellent clarity, a pretty pleasing sound signature, and (iirc) support aptx. i don't disagree with your assessment that they are V-shaped, with rolled off treble. compared to other "consumer" bluetooth headphones, they have relatively subdued and clear bass -- seriously -- but sure, compared to any of the wired big names, they pale in comparison in terms of extension, detail, and are not nearly as "neutral" (though that term is a bit loaded and subjective). but that's apples and oranges. the OP asked for wireless recommendations and mentioned the HD6XX as a (wired) contender, so i tailored my response to that. for reference, i also own: -- HoM Exodus (insanely bloated bass, no ANC) -- Sennheiser Momentum Wireless 2 (excellent sound, but expensive and uncomfortable, mediocre ANC) -- M&D MW60 ("fun" sound, muddy bass but tolerable, no ANC, gorgeous build, less comfortable) -- and far too many wired headphones in the same price range, but the OP asked for wireless recs i stand by my recommendation of the XM2 as a top contender in the $200 wireless space, having owned or demoed a lot of the competition. just my opinion, though, of course. if you have any recommendations in the same price ballpark you think are better, i'm all ears... pun intended. ;) (and that's not meant to be sarcastic -- i'm always in the market.)