I use this headset since its first release, replacing the MDR-V6.
Only its relative strength, for the most "brutal" could be a weakness.
As a professional audio, I tried almost all professional models pro-audio market for over 15 years.
Nevertheless, it remains my "justice" absolute and non-contestable, in quality control as well as in sound recording / mixing / mastering.
His critics are missing probably the "habituation" necessary, in comparison with other monitoring systems to "weight" and calibrate their ears.
If we had that choice again? It's already done: I have three.

Philip J. PLUG
Sound engineer & Director
Member of the AES-France