i was hoping the 449s could replace the 440-IIs, but they never will. it's not even close.

they're alright through a big amp, but they need to be driven rather substantively, or you get that underpowered bass-heaviness. i can barely even tone them down from the alesis. so, they're just shelved...

that said, it's been a few years now, and the magnets might have dulled a bit. it's worth another try. soon.

if that's the case, and i can make sense of them, i may want to get a pair of 559s as backup, while i can. i can replace the cord in the 559s; i can't in the 449s.