I love my Poang chair for all the above reasons...I've been using it for about 15yrs, (w/ matching ottoman). The headrest is great but if you want to open it up a bit you can fold the headrest under the top "rung" and tuck it under the one below it...this reduces the height of the fabric somewhat and hence the absorption factor around your ears (I lay a nice folded throw over the top when not in use to keep it neat looking). I've even been tempted to drill some 1" or so holes across that [now exposed] top wooden rung to see if it will 'air it out' even more but I haven't bothered yet. If anyone does, let us know.
Happy Lissn'n.
Happy Lissn'n.