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Auditioned the Sony MDR-XB500 and call me IMPRESSED. Unboxing Video.

post #1 of 25
1/13/12 at 6:20pm
Thread Starter 

XB500 unboxing.

 

 

As you guys know, I have the XB700 & XB1000.  Today was the first time I auditioned the XB500.  I heard them through a Sony top of the line Walkman with full touch screen.  I don't know the model, but it's nice in the hand.  I have to say that I was so impressed by the XB500 I bought it at FULL retail at a Sony Style store.  I am on vacation and will be back next week.  It appears that Sony is having some inventory issues with the XB series.  Looks to be out of stock everywhere online.  Anyone here noticed that?  Perhaps the floods in Thailand is effecting the production.  I hope they are not killing the XB line.
 
If you missed my unboxing of the XB700 & XB1000.
 
 

Edited by DjAmTraX - 1/20/12 at 8:18am
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post #2 of 25
1/13/12 at 6:25pm

 

Quote:
I was so impressed by the XB500

 

Really ? biggrin.gif

 

Its not a bad headphone, but apart from punchy bass and the fact that its a very efficient headphone...

 

Well, i suppose if you are a basshead, XB500 seems to fulfill its primary function.

 

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post #3 of 25
1/13/12 at 6:42pm
Thread Starter 

It may be bass heavy, but it's an exciting sound.

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post #4 of 25
1/13/12 at 6:48pm
Are you looking to buy an xb500? I have a new pair for sale xD
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post #5 of 25
1/13/12 at 6:57pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by GL1TCH3D View Post

Are you looking to buy an xb500? I have a new pair for sale xD

 

I bought a fresh pair at the Sony Style store where I auditioned the Xb500.  I'm sure yours will sell FAST because everyone on the web is out of stock on it.  Those who has it are asking top dollars for it.
 

 

 

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post #6 of 25
1/13/12 at 8:12pm

I also was really impressed with it when I EQed down the bass a LOT. Pretty amazing for the price when listening to some violin music. Think it was in the naqoyqatsi soundtrack. I think I had only paid about $35 for them! It's too bad many people are not willing to EQ them. I personally think they sound extremely muffled and unlistenable without any EQ. Way, way too much bass bleed. It seems this happens with way too many bass heavy headphones.

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post #7 of 25
1/13/12 at 9:12pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by DjAmTraX View Post

 

I bought a fresh pair at the Sony Style store where I auditioned the Xb500.  I'm sure yours will sell FAST because everyone on the web is out of stock on it.  Those who has it are asking top dollars for it.
 

 

 



Why is that? I was recently on the hunt for XB500s or XB700s, but couldn't find them anywhere. I just happened to run into a pair at staples though and payed full price. On the staples website though, they're running for like $150!

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post #8 of 25
1/13/12 at 9:54pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by tseliottt View Post



Why is that? I was recently on the hunt for XB500s or XB700s, but couldn't find them anywhere. I just happened to run into a pair at staples though and payed full price. On the staples website though, they're running for like $150!


went to a best buy today to try them, i was impressed as well. but. none in stock. only the demo. went to two other ones and same scenario.

 

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post #9 of 25
1/14/12 at 2:04am

I think XB500 are impressive once EQ'd as they respond extremely well to EQ changes. Lots of characteristics in it is great for the price it's the frequency response balance which is the weakest link (resolution isn't really that impressive either) which luckily it responds well to when EQing. Out of stock it's nothing special IMO except like previously said, the bass impact & efficiency (these are the loudest easiest driven headphones I've ever heard). For example when paired with a ZO2 amp I have to set source volume to 10% with these and this is just a $100 amp... I could probably hear it outdoors if I turned it up to 100%! xD


Edited by RPGWiZaRD - 1/14/12 at 3:15am
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post #10 of 25
1/14/12 at 1:26pm
Thread Starter 

I am really not a fan of EQing, not saying it's right or wrong.  I like to hear what the headphones were designed to do.  Since there is no ONE perfect headphones, I have different headphones for different genre of music.

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post #11 of 25
1/20/12 at 8:18am
Thread Starter 

MDR-XB500 Unboxing uploaded.  I showed a comparison view between the XB500, XB700 & XB1000.  

 

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post #12 of 25
1/20/12 at 10:32am

BTW you're opening it wrong! Just stick out the plastic clips at the back at the top, you don't have to destroy the package! xD Stop blaming the package if you don't know how to open it. :P

 

I got my XB500 package intact. :)


Edited by RPGWiZaRD - 1/20/12 at 10:34am
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post #13 of 25
1/20/12 at 11:01am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by RPGWiZaRD View Post

BTW you're opening it wrong! Just stick out the plastic clips at the back at the top, you don't have to destroy the package! xD Stop blaming the package if you don't know how to open it. :P

 

I got my XB500 package intact. :)


Now I feel dumb.  Thanks for the tip! 

 

 

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post #14 of 25
1/20/12 at 11:18am
Quote:
Originally Posted by DjAmTraX View Post


Now I feel dumb.  Thanks for the tip! 


Well Sony changes the packages all the time and use different packages for US and europe etc so it doesn't NECESSARILY have to be the same but I think I did spot plastic clips at the top at the back and then you can probably open it up from there I'm guessing. For me it had 4 plastic clips at the back on each edge.

 

EDIT: Yea now I saw it more clearly just as you were pulling the headphones out you can clearly see there that you can open it without destroying it. :)

 


Edited by RPGWiZaRD - 1/20/12 at 11:32am
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post #15 of 25
1/20/12 at 11:19am

For pure low-fi monster bass enjoyment, I've found that the XB500 is much better than the XB700. Cheers.

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