The Audio-Technica ATH-M30's are a set of closed back studio headphones. I've used these headphones solely for monitoring during recording and nothing else really. Judging from using them in this fashion, I don't think I'd recommend using them for anything else other than this application anyway. They feel okay in terms of being comfortable, but aren't the most comfortable headphones out there that I've used at all. They fit on my head and stayed there just fine, but don't have the tightest grasp, which could be a positive or negative thing depending on how you look at it. As far as the sound quality is concerned, these are sub par at best in my opinion. They lack a sufficient low end response, but do provide an adequate enough sound for monitoring during recording. However, I wouldn't use them for any other sort of using, and of course not for mixing or any critical listening. In general I wouldn't do any mixing on headphone, and especially not of these. Audio-Technica has plenty of headphones to choose from in all price ranges, but it seems like the ATH-M30's should be a bit cheaper than they are. In my opinion you can definitely get a better set of headphones for this price, but I guess in the end these aren't all that bad. I just wouldn't recommend them if you're in the market for a set of mid level recording studio headphones, as I'd go with something like the Vic Firth Isolation Headphones over these any day. I'd also encourage you to check out other headphones made by the likes of Audio Technica and Sennheiser, as the Sennheiser HD 280 Pros will cost you a bit more than these, but they're in a whole other league in my opinion. If you want a set of headphones that will last you a while and are a bit more versatile, I'd spend the extra money and go with the HD 280 Pros, but if you don't want to spend that much I'd still recommend going with a pair other than the ATH-M30's.