Sony MDR MA 900 (new release from Sony) - Page 32

Could please someone do me a favour and compare the MA900 to the HD800 directly?!

 

Especially in terms of Classical music, but also with other genres.

 

What's the exact difference between both headphones using an solid state amp with zero ohms output?!

 

Since the HD800 are absolutely my favourite headphones (even over SR009 and others), I want to know how MA900 may sound.

 

I like very open sounding headphones very very much.

 

If you can, you're free to compare the MA900 to other good headphones as well (like K1000, Edition 8/9/10, D2000/5000/7000, T1, T5p, LCD-2, SR007(I/II), SR009, HD650/600, DT880/600, (Baby) Orpheus, K701/Q701/K702, W5000, AD2000, etc.), because I know quite some headphones.

 

A comparison with its bass-brother XB1000 would also be useful for me, because I hated them...

 

Dankeschön in advance!

 

I believe the only people who could help you do that is Muppetface and possibly Currawong (I don't remember if he actually bought a pair). I don't think either of them have said it was HD800 reference level, otherwise the MA900 would be the new FOTM haha.

 

I don't think anyone expects a $300 MSRP headphone (which will eventually drop to $200-250 street price, as with most Sony products) to achieve the resolution of a $1500 HD800. But this headphone has more potential to be a giant-killer and FOTM than most other new headphones, simply because of its unusual design and engineering. Some people are already preferring it over headphones which cost double the price, so if you're looking at it from a value standpoint, it's already a winner.

 

At the Toronto meet, the K1000 was by far and away my favorite headphone and that was because of how natural it sounded due to the distant drivers. If the MA900 can achieve even half of that, it'll be a budget king. Remember, the K1000 used to be available for $600 new when it was in production. It wasn't really regarded that well until AKG discontinued it, which (predictably) put it into legendary status. So who knows...

 

If the MA900 delivers the hype, get it while you can... because all signs point to this being a limited-production model. Only a few countries currently have it for sale, and Sony also gave the XB1000, which also had 70mm drivers, a limited run. And Sony is currently hemorrhaging money, so they will most certainly NOT overproduce these.

Edited by colgatetotal - 6/11/12 at 5:18pm

That's quite a dismal thought, IMO. Well it could be true, but still. 

Not a bad train of reasoning, to be honest. Also given that they've been killing older models left and right. Reminds me a lot of SEGA in the 1990s - they were producing so many different products in different markets and it was just a mess. They eventually had to converge everything towards a single product line. (I'm not saying Sony is going down in flames like SEGA, it's just an example).

As far as cult status - I think it's hard to say. The MDR-F1 is relatively unknown and doesn't enjoy extreme popularity, despite being an incredible listen, and the MDR-SA5000, despite even being reviewed as a legitimate challenge for the HD 800 (at half to a fifth the price - $300 was not unheard of) is still relatively obscure. I don't think it's unreasonable to hope for the return of bang-for-buck value offerings either.

To the people who have heard these and the MDR-F1; how do they really stack up? Do they have the PRaT and dynamics of the F1? Or did they ruin it by adding gobs of bass or otherwise shifting the balance?

 

Currently it seems to be the 11th most popular headphone in Japan going by Kakaku, so hopefully it doesn't come to that D:

I'm not sure if selling well in the Japanese market alone will work. The XB1000 also initially sold well IIRC, and look what happened, discontinued after less than a year. The Kakaku list also isn't an indicator of western tastes -- Beats Pro and Studio are 44th and 50th.

 

By the way, look at this ... Sony USA accidentally put the MA900 image on the discontinued V900HD page... dun dun dun~

 

That's the second time they screwed up the image on their website.  I told them about the last one and they fixed it immediately.  They really need to have someone who loves headphones to design the headphones section web page.

 

There is no comparison when it comes to resolution and refinement against the HD800.  However, the HD800 doesn't have the kick ass bass that the MA900 has.  The MA900 is also easier to enjoy for most users.  

Hello. Please compare MA900 and Shure 1840's. Which is better?

Edited by danik97 - 6/12/12 at 9:27am

subscribed

 

Hmm, I wonder if I heard the MA900 which bass presentation I'd consider kick ass.  

I just got back from overseas, I got to hear the MA900.   I wouldn't place it on par with or above the HD650, but its certainly a step below.  This is an excellent set of headphones and Sony just replied to me and said they will be shipping my set out for review tomorrow.  Look out for my review, I'll post a link to it here when I am finished.  I really liked these headphones, my predictions weeks ago about them were spot on.  

Edited by swbf2cheater - 6/12/12 at 5:16pm

Yay they're here!

Super early initial immediate physical impression: these are flabbergastingly comfortable. I've felt weightless before but this is as if all I can feel is the pads on my ears.

 

I can echo statements about build quality: these seem well built enough, but by the nature of the design they just appear insubstantial and flimsy. To be honest even if the whole chassis was made of magnesium I don't know how they would help. They seem well built enough but at the same time everything is so thin and weightless you can pretty much expect this to snap if you abused them. Nonetheless, no plastic squeaks or any other telltale 'cheap' signs. The right earpiece does flop just like in Muppetface's pair, and makes a little zipper noise when doing so. Perhaps this is deliberate?

Edited by a_recording - 6/12/12 at 6:40pm