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Denon AH-C710 vs. Sony MDR-EX500LP

post #1 of 5
1/19/10 at 2:42am
Thread Starter 
Hi,

I'm looking to purchase a pair of canal phones. My most important criteria is comfort and ease of insertion (and of course ease of establishing a good seal). Too many IEM's require insertion far too deep in the ear canal for my comfort.

A close second is sound quality. I value detail, resolution, and seperation most of all, and look for that quality in all my headphones. I also tend to prefer a neutral presentation. I hate headphones that are so "warm" that they sound muddy and lose detail. Conversely, I'm not a bit fan of fatiguingly harsh treble. (I find that the Grado SR-325i fall into that latter category for me.)

I will use these mostly while sitting. They will be driven primarily by one of my Ipods (Nano and Classic) and occationally by my Icon Mobile or Fiio E5.

So, with that in mind, and based on my budget, I've narrowed down my choices to the Denon and Sony models listed above. I'd really appreciate any feedback about the comfort, sound quality, and sound signature of these two phones, as well as any opinions about which might be a better choice for me.
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post #2 of 5
1/19/10 at 3:17pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by New2TheScene View Post
Hi,

I'm looking to purchase a pair of canal phones. My most important criteria is comfort and ease of insertion (and of course ease of establishing a good seal). Too many IEM's require insertion far too deep in the ear canal for my comfort.

A close second is sound quality. I value detail, resolution, and seperation most of all, and look for that quality in all my headphones. I also tend to prefer a neutral presentation.
That was pretty much my criteria too with the addition that I wanted them to fit snugly enough to stay in while walking and have satisfying, but clear/precise/never-muddy bass.

I have the Denons you mention although mine are the AH-C710K version, same price. Comfort is outstanding for me. I have large ear canals and these fit snug. I lose myself in the music. I forget within seconds - and for as long as I want - that they're even in. I don't have anything but the Apple buds to compare them with but the Apple ones went out with the trash the other day.

I'm not very good about describing sound quality. I will say that the bass, which is thundering and very tactile when called for, is never muddy, never overpowering regardless of tempo. I can always follow the bass guitar line no matter how jamming a song may be. Highs are never harsh to me. In fact I sometimes boost the highs. So to me the highs may be recessed but I'm no expert - I just know what I like and I like these Denons a lot. They're precise enough to tell when a drummer or a horn player is playing on an elevated stand relative to the rest of the band for example. I listen to a fair amount of vocals and jazz on these too, and find I prefer these to my over-ear Beyers for some things. Music should resonate with the soul and make us forget we're trapped in physical bodies as well as shake our physical bodies to the core and the Denons do it for me. Don't know where that last line came from. I just copyrighted it though. ha ha

Hope that helps.

Of course this being the hobby it is, I also plan to buy some S4s and some Turbines for comparison eventually.
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post #3 of 5
1/19/10 at 4:42pm
hmm the 710 would prob be better for you than the ex500but..........

since you have an icon mobile i say go for the C751
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post #4 of 5
2/4/10 at 10:57pm
Thread Starter 
Mark,

I decided to go with the C710s for two main reasons:
1. I've read some complaints regarding comfort of the 751s, but none of the 710s.
2. Price... the 710s are cheaper.

I do however appreciate your advice, and if I end up liking the 710's I plan to keep an eye out for a well priced 751.
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post #5 of 5
2/4/10 at 11:43pm
Fine choice with the C710's, be sure to give them at least 75-100hrs of burn in to fully appreciate them. The bass will tighten tremendously and the treble calms down a bit. It is a bit of an aggressive phone that works well with rock, jazz, and trance.
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