Sony XB500's Selling Out Almost Everywhere! - Page 2

How are vocals on the XB500? Are they too warm? How does the XB500 compare to the JVC HAS4x? Some reviews I read claim that the HAS4x is better balanced than the XB500. I saw the frequency response response charts for the XB500, XB700, and V6. I guess what I really want is something midway between the V6 and XB500.

I would recommend both Panasonic HTF600 on the cheap and M-Audio Q40 around $120 which have both better balanced mids/highs than XB500 while still offering plenty of bass, not quite like XB500 but still plenty (I think HTF600 ~10dB and Q40 ~11dB boost vs 15dB boost in XB500).

Alternatively you can EQ the XB500 to sound a lot better with an EQ curve aprox like this:

31: + 0.5 ~ 1dB

62: leave alone

125: leave alone

250: - 0.8~1.2 dB 

500: + 1 ~ 1.5 dB

1k:  + 2.8 ~ 3.2 dB

2k: + ~1 dB

4k: + 2.2 ~ 2.5dB 

8k: + 1.0 ~ 1.5 dB

16k: + 3 ~ 3.5 dB

Like this the midrange doesn't sound too warm/muddy at all and actually very good compared to these other headphones as well but those need barely any EQing to sound great out of box.

I personally preferred the Panasonic HTF600 as a budget basshead headphone compared to the Sony XB500.  The bass isn't as tight, but the overall mids and highs were better and I preferred it even after equalization. 

How about the JVC HAS4x, HAS600, and HAM750? How do these compare to the XB500?

I think the floods in Thailand had effect on some of Sony's camera and headphones units. For example, NEX-7 which has MSRP of $1299 is selling over 3K on ebay couple of days before Christmas.

I use the XB700 with Cowon J3 + BBE Mach3Bass. The bass you get with this setup is incredible. I ordered the XB500 last week and hopefully the bass will be just as impressive but with less sibilance. Can't wait to compare these 2 bass monsters :D