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Review: Fashion vs. Function-Phiaton MS400, B&W P5, Monster Beats Solo, V-Moda Crossfade, Sony... - Page 4

post #46 of 187
2/2/11 at 11:27am

Heh, Hopefully 9wave and I can beat them to it! 

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post #47 of 187
2/2/11 at 3:43pm
Thread Starter 

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by Negakinu View Post

Thanks for this beautiful write up! Nice, clear and informative with an attractive layout. I wish Head-Fi could sticky threads like this one. 


Thanks, I appreciate that. There is a sticky feature (I think my portable headphone thread is stickied in the full-size forum confused_face_2.gif) but I just hope that this thread comes up in search when people look for info on the beats or crossfades or whatever, though I don't know how many of them actually try the search function prior to asking. Head-Fi also has a pretty high google page rank which is why I stuck all of the headphone names in the title.
 



Quote:
Originally Posted by Severanth View Post

Just wanted to say a thank you.

 

Appreciate the effort and work put in to help newcomers like myself get a clearer foundation in what these headphones do and don't have to offer.  


Great, glad you found the write-up useful beerchug.gif



Quote:
Originally Posted by Mochan View Post

To note, although the two look almost like twins lost at birth, the TMA doesn't sound like the HD25 at all. It's funny but I often say that the TMA-1 is what the HD25 would have been if Sennheiser made it... And before you say anything yes I know the Hd25 was made by Senn. It just doesn't sound like it was: it's forward sound is a bit of a departure from the typical Senn consumer house sound. By the way I winder why the HD25 is included in this lineup, it is neither Particularly bassy nor a fashionista phone by any stretch.


The HD25 was included as a performance benchmark since it's a set many head-fiers are familiar with. Barring the HD25, the MS400 is the best value out of the 

fashion' portables  in my book. 



Quote:
Originally Posted by RPGWiZaRD View Post

Wow, the best headphone review I've ever read, your review is detailed to the maximum and very easy to grasp for a head-fier (but probably more difficult so for newcomers :p). I fully agree on all your points about XB500 vs XB700 (this guy really knows what he's talking about) which you also provided a very extended and detailed comparision, I still prefer XB500 (whit some EQing for better clarity) though because I like the added warmth especially to the mids that seem less recessed and the punchier bass. Hmm I didn't expect that MS400 was such a warm sounding headphone.


Thanks, I actually got lucky with the XB500 as I had already sold mine by the time I got the XB700 but then a coworker of mine allowed me to borrow hers for a couple of days for some comparative listening. As for the thread's appeal to newcomers, I only hope that those who can't understand the terminology will at the very least intuitively trust me when I say that the MS400 sounds better than the Beats, etc. 

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post #48 of 187
2/2/11 at 6:06pm

Nice match!

I own two of those 5, and hopefully/luckily non of the bottom tier.

 

At first i was anxious about the score and went straight to the points, when i saw" HD25: 9 ... Beats: ...21" i know something was wrong and went back to read L3000.gif

 

No wonder those V-Moda were so hard to sell uh Joker!

 

One question, if it were up to you, which would be the MSRP of each one? (the fair price to pay)

 

Sennheiser HD25-1: ?$
Bowers & Wilkins P5: ?$
Phiaton MS400: ?$
Sony MDR-XB700: ?$
V-Moda Crossfade LP: ?$
Monster Beats by Dr Dre Solo: ?$

 

Very nice to read BTW, Thank you.

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post #49 of 187
2/2/11 at 6:49pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by swbf2cheater View Post


If phiaton ever releases a set of portables exactly like the ms400 but with a better soundstage and clarity, I Would never buy another portable set again ( unless I design my own hehe )




 



I really want them to make the MS400 single-sidedly, and better yet with a detachable cable. Gimme that, and make it have the t50p's highs, and I have my ultimate portable.
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post #50 of 187
2/2/11 at 8:37pm

Have you tried a K181 DJ? It might surprise you... Then again who am I to suggest it? There are so many options and tweaks you might as well get a RP-HTX7 and modify it until it is excellent.

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post #51 of 187
2/3/11 at 1:26am
Thread Starter 


 

Quote:
Originally Posted by JamesMcProgger View Post

 

One question, if it were up to you, which would be the MSRP of each one? (the fair price to pay)

 

Sennheiser HD25-1: ?$
Bowers & Wilkins P5: ?$
Phiaton MS400: ?$
Sony MDR-XB700: ?$
V-Moda Crossfade LP: ?$
Monster Beats by Dr Dre Solo: ?$

 

Very nice to read BTW, Thank you.


I don't think I'm qualified to set MSRPs as I don't see myself as the target audience for any of these except maybe the Phiatons. If I were going by sheer sound quality, I really wouldn't pay more than $40-50 for the Crossfades and maybe $50-60 for Beats Solo. There's obviously a lot more to most of these than sound quality, however, and what that's worth depends on the listener. The P5 is still way too expensive at $300 but I can easily see someone happily paying the current street price for the MS400, HD25, or XB700.

 



Quote:
Originally Posted by Deep Funk View Post

Have you tried a K181 DJ? It might surprise you... Then again who am I to suggest it? There are so many options and tweaks you might as well get a RP-HTX7 and modify it until it is excellent.

 

Yes, there's a review of the K181 in my long portable thread (see sig). 

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post #52 of 187
2/3/11 at 8:16am

Great review! I may get the XB700s sometime and recable and balance them as well as use EQ with them, to get a sound that other headphones may not be capable of. I really like the look of the Phiatons much better than the Beats, and they look much more durable. The beats have horrible durability, from holding them in my hand, seeing reviews of people whose Beats broke, and seeing broken pairs at different stores. They really deserve their terrible reputation on here. I listened to John Mayer's Say, and the acoustic guitar that was produced so well by my cheap Metrofi 150 IEMs or any other headphone I have had did not sound like a guitar at all.

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post #53 of 187
2/3/11 at 9:41am
Quote:
Originally Posted by GeorgeGoodman View Post

Great review! I may get the XB700s sometime and recable and balance them as well as use EQ with them, to get a sound that other headphones may not be capable of.


A recabled and balanced XB700... *sigh* Have you ever HEARD the XB700? What do you imagine they are capable of? What do you think will happen to them after your XB-surgery? I own them and enjoy them for what they are but no snake oil voodoo cable or balancing magic will make them sound hi-fi. They're just fun headphones with a warm and mellow sound that can still basskick the earwax out of your skull. They're no LCD-2. normal_smile%20.gif

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post #54 of 187
2/4/11 at 4:30am

Sorry I was reacting to Mochan with my suggestion...

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post #55 of 187
2/4/11 at 5:13am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Negakinu View Post



Quote:
Originally Posted by GeorgeGoodman View Post

Great review! I may get the XB700s sometime and recable and balance them as well as use EQ with them, to get a sound that other headphones may not be capable of.


A recabled and balanced XB700... *sigh* Have you ever HEARD the XB700? What do you imagine they are capable of? What do you think will happen to them after your XB-surgery? I own them and enjoy them for what they are but no snake oil voodoo cable or balancing magic will make them sound hi-fi. They're just fun headphones with a warm and mellow sound that can still basskick the earwax out of your skull. They're no LCD-2. normal_smile%20.gif


I would do that for fun and laughs. I know what they sound like, I have heard the XB500. Balancing would probably tighten up the bass, and EQing would clean it up further. It would also look better depending on what cable I used. I am not talking about expensive cables here, just some basic big gauge stuff. Why not?

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post #56 of 187
2/4/11 at 5:15am

Well be my guest. Be sure to post the photos in here! 

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post #57 of 187
2/4/11 at 5:18am

I will.

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post #58 of 187
2/4/11 at 3:40pm

ljokerl> how would you compare XB500 vs the V-Moda Crossfades? I've got the picture that sonically they have a similar sound signature, biggest boost in the lows and the least in the highs and somewhat "muddy" sounding unless EQing. Are the Crossfades even more muddy (I'm suspecting based on reviews in this case from even more veiled highs) or is less detailed than XB500 despite the price difference? I find XB500 to have great detail/sound quality if you EQ them out to make it more balanced, sound quality is very good for the price but the frequency response isn't very balanced and what makes it justify that 50~$60 pricetag (mids gets colored/smoothened out by the upper bass & highs suffer from slight lack of presence) while detail/soundquality wise I'd easily put it at like $150~200 range when properly EQd using a good quality EQ. I know you haven't used the XB500 very recently or for very long time to give an accurate answer but your impressions would be enough.

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post #59 of 187
2/4/11 at 6:26pm
Thread Starter 


 

Quote:
Originally Posted by RPGWiZaRD View Post

ljokerl> how would you compare XB500 vs the V-Moda Crossfades? I've got the picture that sonically they have a similar sound signature, biggest boost in the lows and the least in the highs and somewhat "muddy" sounding unless EQing. Are the Crossfades even more muddy (I'm suspecting based on reviews in this case from even more veiled highs) or is less detailed than XB500 despite the price difference? I find XB500 to have great detail/sound quality if you EQ them out to make it more balanced, sound quality is very good for the price but the frequency response isn't very balanced and what makes it justify that 50~$60 pricetag (mids gets colored/smoothened out by the upper bass & highs suffer from slight lack of presence) while detail/soundquality wise I'd easily put it at like $150~200 range when properly EQd using a good quality EQ. I know you haven't used the XB500 very recently or for very long time to give an accurate answer but your impressions would be enough.



I think you are right in saying that they are similar in balance but whereas the XB500 sounds smooth and warm and starts to roll off in the treble, the Crossfades manage to be equally muddy despite being more neutral in tone (with better treble presence) and more textured which is quite a feat. Personally I like the XB500/700 both more than the Crossfades but if I were ranking them on technical ability I would put the crossfades just above the XB500 (w/flat EQ).

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post #60 of 187
2/4/11 at 8:53pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mochan View Post





 

To note, although the two look almost like twins lost at birth, the TMA doesn't sound like the HD25 at all. It's funny but I often say that the TMA-1 is what the HD25 would have been if Sennheiser made it... And before you say anything yes I know the Hd25 was made by Senn. It just doesn't sound like it was: it's forward sound is a bit of a departure from the typical Senn consumer house sound. By the way I winder why the HD25 is included in this lineup, it is neither Particularly bassy nor a fashionista phone by any stretch.

Ironically that is why I like the TMA-1s... I've been a Senn user for a while and I love their sound... It also helps that TMA-1 responds well to EQing... My friend has a pair of HD25s, When I see her we'll probably do comparisons :) I might even consider buying them after I audition them properly... 
 

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Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Portable Headphones, Earphones and In-Ear Monitors › Review: Fashion vs. Function-Phiaton MS400, B&W P5, Monster Beats Solo, V-Moda Crossfade, Sony XB700, HD25-1