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ATH M50 vs Hd555

post #1 of 18
4/12/10 at 11:49am
Thread Starter 
Hi all,

Having found the opinions of this forum highly useful in the past when choosing headphones I have a question.

I am looking into getting some closed headphones, my girlfriend keeps complaining she can hear what I'm listening to, I currently have a a pair of Sennheiser HD555's that I have had for a while. Anyway I was looking at the ATH M50's and they seem to have some great reviews and fit into my 'up to about £120-30 price range.

My question is since i have never really done the whole closed back thing before I understand that there will me a loss of airyness and soundstage but when comparing the two models (Sennheiser HD555 and Audio Technica ATH M50) do you think that there would be an overall perceptible loss of quality in these areas? Or is it offset by gains in others (other than isolation)?

Thanks.
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post #2 of 18
4/12/10 at 12:38pm
I haven't personally heard the HD555's yet so take this for what it's worth. Their should be a loss of soundstage and airyness when going to closed cans but generally closed cans have more bass though there are exceptions. The difference in soundstage should be fairly noticeable. Though you will gain in both bass and isolation. I have a pair of Sennheiser HD280 Pro's and they have similar isolation to the M50's. I listen to my music at low to mid volume and I can't hear anything at all. And unless you're playing your music at high volume others can't hear what you are listening to either. Someone else who has heard both can give you a better comparison.
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post #3 of 18
4/12/10 at 1:18pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by NapalmK View Post
I listen to my music at low to mid volume and I can't hear anything at all.
Well, you should turn up the volume, then.

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post #4 of 18
4/12/10 at 1:48pm
Lol I probably should have worded that differently.
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post #5 of 18
4/12/10 at 2:38pm
I heard both (wish someday I can say the same when people ask for comparison between L3000 and HD800)

They are very different headphones.

M50 has ok soundstage for close cans. HD555 has ok soundstage for open cans.

M50 is bass monster (bass is nice too) while the main weakness of HD555 is bass.

M50 has higher resolution and more forwarding while HD555 is more laid-back.

I cannot make it more detail. I'm having an exam in 30'. DAMN!!!
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post #6 of 18
4/12/10 at 4:43pm
God, I can't wait to get my M50's. I ordered a some but the dealer ran out of stock so now I have to order them again later today. The wait is killing me.
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post #7 of 18
4/12/10 at 5:16pm
I should get M50s soon and could compare them for you. PM me if I forget
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post #8 of 18
4/12/10 at 5:35pm
I have both. Difficult to compare them since they have very different sound signature.
I agree with SillyHoney's description.
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post #9 of 18
4/12/10 at 6:09pm
I currently own the M50 and have previously owned the 555. I think you would only find disappointment if watching movies. I have found the M50 to be a significant upgrade in detail, crisp highs and bass.

The M50 has pretty decent sound stage. It's not going to be as wide as the 555. So I think your application will play a big role.
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post #10 of 18
4/28/10 at 1:30pm
Thread Starter 
I know this is bumping from a long way back but thanks guys! I am going to go for the M50s.
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post #11 of 18
4/28/10 at 2:07pm
I like the 555s but got dissapointed with the m50s. its a boom-tishh type of headphone
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post #12 of 18
4/28/10 at 2:13pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by donunus View Post
I like the 555s but got dissapointed with the m50s. its a boom-tishh type of headphone
++ HD555 is just technically superior to M50 in most aspects. They have a more natural open sounding treble than the M50s, tighter, better controlled bass and more refined mids. Neither is particularly detailed, but the detail level is sufficient for most uses. M50 can be perceived as more detailed because it is more boosted in the bass and treble. HD555 is more neutral and accurate.

BTW, you can get a great sounding closed can for just a little more - Shure SRH750 DJ. They sound way more natural than the M50 in every way. The SRH750s do have some upper mids/low treble emphasis though and can sound a little bright with some music. For a more neutral overall presentation Shure SRH440 will be better, but you will loose some bass depth with those.
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post #13 of 18
4/28/10 at 4:42pm
The M50's are more analytical and flat in their sound, they are totally different from the HD555's.
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post #14 of 18
4/28/10 at 6:16pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by earerror View Post
The M50's are more analytical and flat in their sound, they are totally different from the HD555's.
Perhaps M50 is indeed flatter in the mids and highs, but HD555 has a much more neutral (and higher quality) bass response and sounds much natural than M50 overall. M50 may be more neutral in the mids and treble, but the quality of those frequencies is not as good on M50 as on HD555.
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post #15 of 18
4/28/10 at 6:37pm
And here I am, thinking the M50 is natural because the bass was so loud.

Truly I have been shown the error of my ways.
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