Hi, its me again! So i just recently broke the plug of my ATH-M50 and I can't listen to them anymore. The left phone isn't working and it's useless right now. Because of that, I bought the D1100 from Denon and overall I am very pleased with them. The bass is great, mids and highs are really good but cannot beat the M50s clarity. So I searched online and found these Ultrasone HFi 780s. Some people have mentioned that they deliver the same SQ as the M50s but with more bass thump. So I was wondering if I should get these headphones instead of getting an M50s again. Any comments about the sound quality of 780s? are they worth it? and btw, I'm still keeping my Denon's for portable use. Thanks and please reply asap!

also intrested but i would ask something more ... how are the bass on the hifi 780 compairing of the bass on the 580?

Heya,
 
The 780's are less bassy than the 580, but the 780 in general is more refined, smoother. The biggest thing you'll notice coming from an M50 is the sound stage. M50's have no sound stage. They're so cramped. The HFI series is going to introduce more sound stage to you, a bit more bass (not tremendous mind) than you're used to perhaps, some brighter highs and less of a flat response, more colored, more fun and energetic. The M50 is pretty flat. This is a good or bad thing depending on what you're looking for. I would say yes, get the 780's in a hear beat over the M50. But the cost is significantly different. I can't say if it's worth it for you to spend that much more, but for me, yes, it is worth every penny if for nothing but having an actual sound stage, it makes such a difference listening.
 
Very best,

thanks MaIVeaUX! I agree about the M50s sound stage. They're really flat and no sound stage at all. I love listening to house, techno and some jazz music so it's a good thing for me. btw, how do you compare them with the Sony XB500? just curious. and regarding the price, I found a good deal at amazon ($160) compared to headroom's ($240).

Quote:

kebbin15 said:

thanks MaIVeaUX! I agree about the M50s sound stage. They're really flat and no sound stage at all. I love listening to house, techno and some jazz music so it's a good thing for me. btw, how do you compare them with the Sony XB500? just curious. and regarding the price, I found a good deal at amazon ($160) compared to headroom's ($240).

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Heya,
 
XB500's really are undercosted for their ability. When I EQ'd a pair of XB500's to bring out their mids/highs, they sounded so good, I was surprised they were $50. It's very hard to justify going higher up in the cost, like $250, when you can get amazing sound for that. Ultimately I would suggest the Ultrasone, simply because it has more refinement and better highs out of the box. But if you're willing to tweak equalizers and are ok with the comfort of the XB500, it's hard to pass up saying, "Spend $50 and see if you want to go further than that after you hear them." If you can get the 780's for $160, jump on it. More expensive, and look at the HFI 580 instead ($130 new). But if you really just want some house, dance and jazz, it's hard to say not to look at the XB500 first. Warning, the XB500 out of the box is massively bassy, with veiled mids/highs. But the thing about the headphone, the XB500, is that when you equalize the highs/mids up a few decibels, the headphone comes to life in a way that most headphones I've tried does not. It greatly benefits equalizer and responds well to it. So for $50, I suggest it as an easy entry point. If you feel it's lacking, it will sell fast, or you can return it, and then go from there.
 
Very best,
 

I used to have the XB500's but i lost them. The bass is just amazing on them but other than that all mids and highs are drowned. For now I'm still confused becuase I already have the D1100 and so far I'm loving them. The bass on them are just like from the XB500 but with quality, mids and highs are just great and sound stage is really good. Do you still think that 780's are a good upgrade from D1100??

Ultrasone HFI-780 vs Denon D1100??