Rock music benefits greatly from the closed-back design. Mids are difficult to define sometimes in a closed-back planar, but the Audivina doesn't run into too many issues with this thankfully. I like to chalk it up to the wooden acoustics in the ear cups which add a nice warmth and natural resonance to the presentation. The cushioning and dampening also play a role in how your ear will receive the frequency range of the headphone, so in this respect, the Audivina excels compared to the competition. Rock guitars and vocals aren't necessarily in your face like other smaller soundstaged headphones, but they are far from recessed. They might be a touch quieter for my preference, but that's traded off with the top end sparkle and tight lows. The Audivina is tailored especially well for classical, jazz, folk, and classic rock.
*Quick Note: I will say that I expect some of the perceived "harshness" of the top-end sparkle to simmer down a bit after some substantial burn-in time. [Update] After 72 hours of burn-in time there is a noticeable difference in the top end - slightly smoother and no perceived harshness whatsoever. Detail and clarity are still present, and they're still definitely a forward-sounding headphone, but much more enjoyable to listen to after the burn-in.
Overall, I'm pleased with the sound of the Audivina. Lots of sparkle in the top-end, the bass is well-represented and tight, though not particularly thumpy. The mids are okay and depending on the song selection or genre the lower mids could certainly benefit from a small boost (see Black Dragon cables). The soundstage is simply incredible, and that is where these headphones really shine. The closed-back planar design retains that energy from the driver and makes for some lively and exciting listening sessions. From a studio pro perspective, these headphones will work as expected, giving the engineer the soundstage they're looking for - with plenty of separation for instruments to make mixing a breeze. The Audivina certainly has the detail and clarity required for the task at hand. There are some nuances however to consider when comparing to other headphones in the same price range, and that's where decision making can be a little tough.
