i got the 590s through amazon. i got the refurbished ones for $105 with free shipping. i listened to them and i really like them, i have never had phones that had such clarity. i am using them without an amp, but still i am very impressed. i decided that i didn't want the closed ones so i could hear if someone was trying to talk to me. i have always used buds because i like them being small, protable, and they didn't mess up my hair, but these are really great now that i cut my hair off. i had the sony MDR-EX71SL, and they were pretty good, and i will still use them when welding and grinding metal because they act as earplugs, but i really love these 590s, and am suprised at how light they are.