Monoprice Hi-Fi DJ Style Headphone Review - Page 3

Quote:

Originally Posted by gelocks 

So since you are indeed a "basshead" (self-classified :-)), do you think these are a good option and give fight to at least

the Sony XB500/XB700 (or any Ultrasone you might have heard of?)

^ This, would like to know too. I've read a lot of comments on the bass isn't really that strong on these by several people. As a XB500 owner I might probably get slightly disappointed by the quantity at least.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RPGWiZaRD 

^ This, would like to know too. I've read a lot of comments on the bass isn't really that strong on these by several people. As a XB500 owner I might probably get slightly disappointed by the quantity at least.

 

Ya but see that is the beauty of owning both.. I think variety is the spice of life. I mean who has exactly one headphone now a days.. The bass on the kickers are ample but not to the level that you are used to.. If you go into a kicker/ monoprice purchase with a clean slate and not have too many expectations on them you will be rewarded with a sound that is not even close to what you payed for them.. For the guys that try these.. They will surprise you.

What they might lack in bass for you rpgwiz. They will give you a whole new sound all together. That my friend is what it is all about.
 

Ok...I have to ask..

What is the sound clarity like? Crystal clear, clear, or kind of clear?

I'm extremely picky when it comes to this. As you know, my pair lacked sound clarity, but I hope the pair I get on Tuesday will be good.

Like on a scale of 1 to 10, how clear is the sound? 7/10? Comparable to the M50 in this area?

On the pads of mine, there was a thick fabric over the driver. This can't help much I imagine. Has anyone tried replacement pads? I wonder if the Shure SRH-240 pads will fit.

I hope to see more side by side A/B comparisons of these vs something else.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tdockweiler 

Ok...I have to ask..

 

What is the sound clarity like? Crystal clear, clear, or kind of clear?

I'm extremely picky when it comes to this. As you know, my pair lacked sound clarity, but I hope the pair I get on Tuesday will be good.

Like on a scale of 1 to 10, how clear is the sound? 7/10? Comparable to the M50 in this area?

 

On the pads of mine, there was a thick fabric over the driver. This can't help much I imagine. Has anyone tried replacement pads? I wonder if the Shure SRH-240 pads will fit.

 

I hope to see more side by side A/B comparisons of these vs something else.

 

 

I just threw on my Shure SRH440 pads on the kickers. They fit a bit loose but passable.,They stay while you are listening to em... Will throw a pic.. This also affects the sound as well. I think it adds some brightness to the sounds maybe a bit of extra clarity as well.. Hmm  I think you are onto something gonna order some shure SRH840 pads and will see how those sound for the kicker.  I already tried the M50 pads they fit looser than the shures. . The shures are passable.on the kicker.

The clarity is good it aint great but it is good for the overall sound signature..  Vocals,Dub, trance, and hiphop has a great presence on the kickers.. Maybe these will become the newer porta pros. maybe.

Just out of curiosity, there is another headphone on the site - Foldable NC Headphone w/ Detachable Microphone - for only $4 more.

The NC headphones:

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=108&cp_id=10823&cs_id=1082302&p_id=8323&seq=1&format=3#specification

Just a thought if you guys think the Hi-Fi would still produce better sound quality than the NC? The tech guys said the NC ones would produce a better sound but unnoticable to the untrained ear.. I would imagine with batteries the NC would sound better but without it would be negligible?

Also on another note, the specs from the HP541 coming from the actual kicker site have many slight differences which makes me ask if these really have all the internals replicated or JUST the driver? For example, is the magnet on the Monoprice the same metal? Is the frequency/sensitivity etc really different? Here's the kicker site specs on the 541:

Getting those NC phones. why not. If they are like these kicker rebrands. I am in.

Just got my monoprice.. .They are 100% the same.. ! Get your $20 kickers. My worn in kickers sound more clear and tad fuller in the bass but it has the exact sound signature as the kickers.. .These burned in would be the same kickers I have been listening to all day.. Awesome.  I am floored again.

I should have got these instead of the Kickers. Would have been worth it just to NOT have the Kicker name plastered all over the headphone.

I mean, seriously, who puts a logo all over the fabric covering the driver AND on the outside? Well I guess it's better than skulls all over my headphone..

I have some SRH-240, M50 and MDR-V6, M30 pads I'll try out with them. I really hope I like these, but honestly I have my doubts.

Will know more tomorrow.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tdockweiler 

I should have got these instead of the Kickers. Would have been worth it just to NOT have the Kicker name plastered all over the headphone.

I mean, seriously, who puts a logo all over the fabric covering the driver AND on the outside? Well I guess it's better than skulls all over my headphone..

 

I have some SRH-240, M50 and MDR-V6, M30 pads I'll try out with them. I really hope I like these, but honestly I have my doubts.

Will know more tomorrow.

Heya,

Note, the HP541 has decals you can get for $4. There are over 30. They are non-permanent vinyl decals to cover up the Kicker logo. I got some that are a dark wood pattern/color.

The HP541 sounds quite good, if I had to guess at the frequency graph, it's rolled off on the highs making it smooth (I've had no sibilance at all and I was looking for it). Bass is tight, low and responsive. Mids are the most forward and rather lush. Sound stage is average for a closed headphone. Sound is pretty clear, but it's not an analytical headphone at all, it's a musical headphone that is smooth. My only real complain is the materials used are cheaper than those used on similar sounding more expensive headphones (M50 for example). Pads are cheap. Cups are a little small.

I picked up the Monoprice as well. $20 for the same headphone.

I tested them with amplification ranging from nothing more than a Sansa Fuze to a Shciit Lyr (oh, and that `blow up headphones' thing with the Lyr, not true, I just tried since they're cheap hah).

Review/Comparison between the M50/Kicker/Monoprice coming soon to be added here.

Very best,

Quote:

Originally Posted by MalVeauX 

Heya,

 

Note, the HP541 has decals you can get for $4. There are over 30. They are non-permanent vinyl decals to cover up the Kicker logo. I got some that are a dark wood pattern/color.

 

The HP541 sounds quite good, if I had to guess at the frequency graph, it's rolled off on the highs making it smooth (I've had no sibilance at all and I was looking for it). Bass is tight, low and responsive. Mids are the most forward and rather lush. Sound stage is average for a closed headphone. Sound is pretty clear, but it's not an analytical headphone at all, it's a musical headphone that is smooth. My only real complain is the materials used are cheaper than those used on similar sounding more expensive headphones (M50 for example). Pads are cheap. Cups are a little small.

 

I picked up the Monoprice as well. $20 for the same headphone.

 

I tested them with amplification ranging from nothing more than a Sansa Fuze to a Shciit Lyr (oh, and that `blow up headphones' thing with the Lyr, not true, I just tried since they're cheap hah).

 

Review/Comparison between the M50/Kicker/Monoprice coming soon to be added here.

 

Very best,

 

Well, you've given me hope that I MIGHT like these. I sure hope so because I love any headphone (except the ZX700 ) with forward mids. If this new pair sounds great then I'll probably do a comparison of them and the DJ100 (or KNS-6400, but that's a studio monitor!).

What's weird is that you've kind of described it like my favorite DJ100. My DJ100 also has forward mids, decent amount of bass and slightly rolled off highs. It also is a fun headphone but can compete quite well to my KRK when it comes to detail and even sound clarity.

The HP541 will have some seriously tough competition.
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by tdockweiler 

 

Well, you've given me hope that I MIGHT like these. I sure hope so because I love any headphone (except the ZX700 ) with forward mids. If this new pair sounds great then I'll probably do a comparison of them and the DJ100 (or KNS-6400, but that's a studio monitor!).

What's weird is that you've kind of described it like my favorite DJ100. My DJ100 also has forward mids, decent amount of bass and slightly rolled off highs. It also is a fun headphone but can compete quite well to my KRK when it comes to detail and even sound clarity.

The HP541 will have some seriously tough competition.
 

 

Heya,

I need to get the DJ100 & KNS-6400 too. I'm searching a mid-forward, but still bright, and bass capable portable full size headphone. My only issue so far is that most have 90* swivel that face the driver up, instead of down, when you put them around your neck. How do the DJ100 and 6400 swivel?

Very best,

Quote:

Originally Posted by MalVeauX 

Heya,

I need to get the DJ100 & KNS-6400 too. I'm searching a mid-forward, but still bright, and bass capable portable full size headphone. My only issue so far is that most have 90* swivel that face the driver up, instead of down, when you put them around your neck. How do the DJ100 and 6400 swivel?

 

Very best,

 

If you're looking for that signature, the DJ100 is a closer match. It actually is more bass heavy than the KRK for sure and has a lot more bass impact too. The 6400 has good bass extension, but not a ton of bass impact. This improves with the 8400 pads though. The DJ100 is a fun headphone, but some pairs seem to need a lot of burn-in. I wish they didn't and it's an annoyance for me. My last pair sounded very bad out of the box, but it eventually sounded like it should. The price has dropped online by $10. They're usually $80 at Best Buy. It seems only a few Best Buys carry them. Out of the 5 stores in my area, only 2 carry them. If you do try a pair, I have a feeling you may love them for female vocals. At least I hope so. I haven't find a budget headphone that's better for this yet. KRK KNS-6400 is close. It has a lot of similarities to the HD-598, but sounds different. I can't think of any headphone quite like the DJ100. Maybe a combination of the K240 Sextett and something else, but far more clear. Hard to say. I have a fairly good feeling that people who love the SRH-840 or HD-598 MIGHT like the DJ100. Maybe even the K501 fans? Now that would be interesting to know. People who love good mids over anything else, should give the DJ100 a try.

The KNS-6400 doesn't rotate like this and will only lay flat. When you put them around your neck, they will only swivel with the driver up. My DJ100 is out on loan (on the way back) so I can't check that. I'm pretty sure it does rotate any way. They even kind of fold up too. Almost. I'll know soon.

I know you don't own the SRH-940 any more, but I keep hoping someone who has it could give a little comparison of the DJ100 vs the SRH-940. I understand the SRH-940 is a studio monitor, but both should be very very good when it comes to vocals. I hope so. SRH-940 is on my list eventually. SRH-940 probably kills the DJ100 is every area, but maybe not?
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by MalVeauX 

 

I tested them with amplification ranging from nothing more than a Sansa Fuze to a Shciit Lyr (oh, and that `blow up headphones' thing with the Lyr, not true, I just tried since they're cheap hah).

 

Review/Comparison between the M50/Kicker/Monoprice coming soon to be added here.

Uh, you just stole an episode from Mythbusters...

Would love to read that comparison.