Pros: Folds up, better build quality.
Cons: Uncomfortable, boring sound.
First and foremost, I didn't buy these. Put in bogus purchase dates or it won't let me submit.
It was a really short audition, roughly 15 minutes.
And this will be an equally short review.
In fifteen minutes I found out six good/bad things about the M50
1) Boring sound signature.
2) Very clampy head band.
3) Uncomfortable ear pads.
4) They are not as revealing as some say they are.
5) Loved the coiled cable. Very thick and solid.
6) collapsible, iirc.
I suppose point 2 and 3 aren't deal breakers since headphones
do get more comfortable over time.
The M50 wasn't worth S$240. It surely didn't sound like $240
to me. I auditioned the M50 and the Grado SR80, and I preferred
SR80's sound signature.
The M50s are not overly revealing headphones. I suppose this could
be largely due to my mediocre DAP (fat PSP). They just sounded flat.
Didn't stand out in any department.
I suppose this is how Studio Monitor headphones should sound like...
I haven't tried the Sony MDR V6 or 7506 which are recommended quite
often to those looking to produce/mix music.
Btw, I was auditioning this at the time when everyone was recommending M50
to newcomers - June/July of 2011? I was like "Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat" when
I put them on. They're decent headphones but they certainly are not worth US150
or SGD240.
I'm not a fan of the design either.
To really be at their best, they need a decent DAC and amp. Even a cheap one such as the PA2V2, E7 or E11 would do. When they have this, they have a lot of detail and are very revealing.
It's pretty well know that M50 needs a little burn in too.
BTW the M50s are supposed to sound fairly flat and balanced (new ones at least). Now I don't think they sound that way, but pretty close. The mids don't do it for me, but M50s are still quite good. Sound clarity is very good, but not great IMO.
I dont like the M50s either but it is not because of "boring" more like because of boominess and piercing highs
Your overall impression is actually close to what your long session analysis will likely turn up. I think they are definitely over recommended.
That said, they are not worth $240 - the MSRP is $199, and they can be found on the street for almost half of that. They're definitely a great buy below $150, but I agree that above $200 you're pushing their actual worth.
Fifteen minutes was enough time for the headphones to make a good first impression. They're selling for S$230-40 ish here, and from what I heard in those fifteen minutes, I don't think they're worth that much. In fact, there are plenty other headphones in the $150 range that are more fun than the M50s, imo.
They're not bad, they're just really overrated (imo) and highly overpriced where i'm at.
but 15 minutes with a PSP, really?