Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Headphones (full-size) › Recommend: Upgrade From ATH-M50
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Recommend: Upgrade From ATH-M50

post #1 of 35
4/3/10 at 9:21am
Thread Starter 
Hey everyone, new to the forum but I have been reading the posts and learning on audio for the past year. Finally decided to make a profile, figured I might as well since Im making a career in DSP, but down to business...

My first purchase of serious cans were the ATH-M50's, which I love dearly. The only complaints I have are the soundstage and the comfort of the fit. The fit feels a little loose to me (yea, small head, i deal) and I keep feeling like the cans are pressed up against my ears and would like a little bit more room to capture that 'real music environment' feel. Any recommendations from previous ATH-M50 users? (price range $500, closed phones please)
Reply
post #2 of 35
4/3/10 at 6:17pm
So, I can assume you like everything else about them and want those strong points in better phones?
Reply
post #3 of 35
4/3/10 at 10:02pm
I'm interested in this myself. Would the D2000 or DT770 Pro be considered an upgrade?
Reply
post #4 of 35
4/3/10 at 10:07pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by BlacKnight104 View Post
The only complaints I have are the soundstage and the comfort of the fit. (price range $500, closed phones please)
You might consider Denon D2000.
Reply
post #5 of 35
4/4/10 at 1:40am
I don't really see D2000 as an upgrade to the M50. If you prefer the balance of the M50, then the D2000 definitely isn't going to very satisfying considering their V shaped frequency response and its piercing treble (at times). However, the D2000 definitely has a wider and deeper soundstage in addition to sounding more open.
Reply
post #6 of 35
4/4/10 at 6:52am
I have all of them (770Pro/80, M50 and D2000).
D2000 is definitely the better one.
I mainly use the 770Pro for movies, M50 and D2000 listening to music, M50 at work, D2000 at home.
Overall SQ:
D2000>M50~770Pro
Comfort:
770Pro~D2000>M50
Isolation:
770Pro>M50>D2000
Reply
post #7 of 35
4/4/10 at 7:34am
Shure 840 might be an option.
Reply
post #8 of 35
4/4/10 at 9:39am
A substantial upgrade at OP's budget would be to Ultrasone PRO900, And applying the Kees mod or a layer of Dynamat would balance them nicley so they could be still counted as a monitor succssor.
Reply
post #9 of 35
4/4/10 at 2:17pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks guys, Im definitely going to check the D2000's out. My biggest point is a flat frequency response because I produce alot of music, so do the D2000's have a "V-shaped" frequency response as moonboy303 said?

And Ill look into the Ultrasone's, don't know much about their quality in terms of a company
Reply
post #10 of 35
4/4/10 at 2:33pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by BlacKnight104 View Post
Thanks guys, Im definitely going to check the D2000's out. My biggest point is a flat frequency response because I produce alot of music, so do the D2000's have a "V-shaped" frequency response as moonboy303 said?

And Ill look into the Ultrasone's, don't know much about their quality in terms of a company
The midbass accentuation of the D2000 would also be problematic if you're looking for a flat frequency response.
Reply
post #11 of 35
4/5/10 at 10:29pm
Thread Starter 
Then moonboy, what would you see as an upgrade to the M50's in terms of flat frequency response?
Reply
post #12 of 35
4/5/10 at 11:05pm
There aren't really any phones that fit what you're looking for as far as I know. The Denon's have a very different sound to the M50. Some love the Denon sound, but it's not a reference by any means.

I would recommend just trying the SRH-840, because they have a similar sound to the M50. It's not really an upgrade, but it does have a different sound and comfort which you might prefer. Finding a phone that has a sound signature you like is much more important than it's overall "fidelity". for example, I prefer my ksc-75 to the GS1000 because I prefer it's sound signature. So just because the Denon D7000, for example, is more expensive, or considered "better" doesn't mean it will be an upgrade for you.

Otherwise, maybe semi-open? Because then you could try the K240 Monitor version.
Reply
post #13 of 35
4/5/10 at 11:08pm
My upgrade path was from M50 to DT770 250Ohm edition. And what an upgrade!

Takes care of some of your complaints... wider soundstage and more space in your ear, though clamp is also looser.

However it's not exactly the same sound. You lose the mids of the M50, and gain a piercing treble in return. However bass extension goes deeper than the M50 and smoother without the midbass bump.

Another good upgrade option from the M50 would be the A900. Similar sound all in all but with wider soundstage and less grainy sound, more detailed all around.
Reply
post #14 of 35
4/5/10 at 11:20pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by BlacKnight104 View Post
Thanks guys, Im definitely going to check the D2000's out. My biggest point is a flat frequency response because I produce alot of music, so do the D2000's have a "V-shaped" frequency response as moonboy303 said?

And Ill look into the Ultrasone's, don't know much about their quality in terms of a company
Hmm now after reading this the DT770 shouldn't be on your list, and neither should the D2000 actually.

I never really considered the M50 as a "flat response" phone because it clearly had a bass bump. But still pretty good and I know musicians who use it for mixing.

But if you really want something more flat with big soundstage maybe you should look into something a little more sophisticate. I personally loved the M50s dearly as well but I've since moved on -- currently using Senn HD650s (which are not flat either) and K701 is coming in couple of weeks. And yeah also have the DT770.
Reply
post #15 of 35
4/5/10 at 11:22pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks everyone, my number one pick so far are the dt770s. I have heard mixed reviews about the Shure 840s in relation to response, but my cousin is going to let me try them in two weeks (can't wait...). But in response to rhythmdevils, I prefer closed, especially since I like to carry my phones around campus to and from classes as well as in libraries while I listen to my tracks for modifications. But when you mean sound "signature" do you mean like warm or dark sounding phones?
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Headphones (full-size)
Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Headphones (full-size) › Recommend: Upgrade From ATH-M50