"Mad Dog" by MrSpeakers, modified Fostex T50RP review - Page 195

Quote:

Originally Posted by fraseyboy 

Okay now I'm having second thoughts. I don't really require closed headphones... Even the SR60? I'd understand the AD700's since they have a pretty wide soundstage, but the SR225 (haven't heard the SR60) had very little soundstage and I didn't like that at all.

I wouldn't take one man's word as gospel here on head-fi (not even the great DavidMahler).  Also keep in mind that soundstage width is certainly not everything.  In your signature, you list the K701 as a previously owned headphone.  How did you find the soundstage on those?  Many people (myself included) find it to be extremely wide but lacking in depth.  

I can't quite remember how I found the K701. I said they were airy and had fantastic placement. Grado's as well don't have much width but placement is top notch imo, so if these are anything like that I'd be okay.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattTCG 

The MD has an impressive soundstage for a closed hp. Regarding the comments on the bass response, I'll agree with that. Their is no coloration on bass, but when you play material that has a deep bass line watch out...the MD's will deliver. 

True. Rage Against the Machine sounds awesome on the MD's. My friends (one of them the owner of the pair I'm using) find the MD's sibilant, but I think its treble is just fine.

Quote:

Originally Posted by fraseyboy 

Okay now I'm having second thoughts. I don't really require closed headphones... Even the SR60? I'd understand the AD700's since they have a pretty wide soundstage, but the SR225 (haven't heard the SR60) had very little soundstage and I didn't like that at all.

If you don't really require closed headphones, you can probably do better at the price (though I'm hard pressed to think of an example --- my open gems cost more).  Closed though, this is a stellar headphone.  It's reallly my only closed phone that I listen to.

Imaging is great on the MDs and instrument separation is truly top-notch, but they really don't sound all that expansive. Going from a Grado to my MD makes me feel cramped.

To be honest, it's hard for me to find satisfaction from listening to other headphones after I own the MD. I did find a lot of good sounding headphones, maybe even better than the MD, but I didn't get the same level of wow factor like I did the first time I listen to the MD. They didn't make me want to buy one. This kinda worries me. But on the other hand, that means I have plenty of time to save my money. 

Think I won't bother then. I might try score some modded T50RP's if they get REALLY cheap but I think I'd just end up missing my beloved HF2's :/

Quote:

Originally Posted by fraseyboy 

Actually I'd definitely agree with you there when it comes to the lower SR series Grado but I find the treble on the HF2's to be absolutely perfect. Open and airy is exactly what I'm looking for, as well as more accurate bass representation. The DT880/600 also impressed me in this regard with some of the tightest and most accurate bass I've heard. Sometimes it felt anemic but when bass was needed they could really put out. It sounds like these Mad Dog's could sound similar to the DT880/600, but without the awfully recessed midrange.

I think measurements of the HF2 indicate otherwise (nearly all Grados have nasty upper mid and treble spikes in measurements, including the HF2), so I'm a bit skeptical. You're welcome to your own personal taste, of course, and I have no problems with that. :) The Mad Dog has great treble, detail, etc., but you should certainly expect a very different presentation compared to the HF2 (and arguably more accurate).

Quote:

Originally Posted by fraseyboy 

Okay now I'm having second thoughts. I don't really require closed headphones... Even the SR60? I'd understand the AD700's since they have a pretty wide soundstage, but the SR225 (haven't heard the SR60) had very little soundstage and I didn't like that at all.

I'm honestly not sure what he/she is talking about. I think the MD has a surprisingly open, wide sound. I haven't heard the SR60 in a long, long time, but the MD should sound less congested than it overall. Not to mention that sometimes a soundstage can be too wide/tall/expansive. 

I believe the Mad Dog has a 15-day money back guarantee, right? Just give them a shot! They're truly excellent headphones with a fairly natural, neutral sound overall, and I think you'll find a lot to love about them. Other modded T50RPs aren't guaranteed to sound "right," though I would recommend checking out BMF's work if you want to go that route.

Quote:

Originally Posted by elwappo99 

 

 

I have a pair of MD and a pair of stax pads sitting around. I'll be home later this week and I'll give them a try and post results. My experience with the stax pads on other headphones is that they generally increase bass control but add a bit of treble. I'll try to actually listen and see what I find. 

Hey elwappo99, if you're still around, do you think you can list some concrete impressions? Haha, I hate to be THAT guy, but my curiosity about these pads is still piqued. Sorry for poking you! 

P.S. And anyone else, of course.

Quote:

Originally Posted by enderbender 

 

True. Rage Against the Machine sounds awesome on the MD's. My friends (one of them the owner of the pair I'm using) find the MD's sibilant, but I think its treble is just fine.

Sibilant?  Seriously?  These are the least sibilant can I've used!  It always amazes and amuzes me how we all hear things os differently - and this is not a slam, enderbender, merely an observation.

To Frazeyboy - the MD's are an excellent headphone, and one of the top closed cans I've heard.  If you don't require a closed can, the field opens up a bit - there are many excellent open headphones in the price range as well.  I love the MD's, but all my cans are closed of necessity and preference.  If closed was not a requirement, I'd still have them, at least until I get bored and move on (always seem to do so - One woman, many headphones - much better).

Quote:

Originally Posted by aamefford 

Sibilant?  Seriously?  These are the least sibilant can I've used!  It always amazes and amuzes me how we all hear things os differently - and this is not a slam, enderbender, merely an observation.

 

To Frazeyboy - the MD's are an excellent headphone, and one of the top closed cans I've heard.  If you don't require a closed can, the field opens up a bit - there are many excellent open headphones in the price range as well.  I love the MD's, but all my cans are closed of necessity and preference.  If closed was not a requirement, I'd still have them, at least until I get bored and move on (always seem to do so - One woman, many headphones - much better).

I"m 100% with Aaron, I can't stand sibilance. If I find something even slightly sibilant I'll regard it as trash in my head and considering the MD's are my favorite headphones, rest assure there are no sibilance! 

I don't find them sibilant at all. Maybe it is his source? I don't know.

I'm very sensitive to sibilance, and Mad Dogs definitely aren't. Either your source or the recording.

Quote:

Originally Posted by vaed 

Hey elwappo99, if you're still around, do you think you can list some concrete impressions? Haha, I hate to be THAT guy, but my curiosity about these pads is still piqued. Sorry for poking you! 

 

P.S. And anyone else, of course.

Ooops! I posted that when I was away and forgot to reply. Ever forget? Happened to me.

More than I'd like to admit. 

Well, I gave it a run through trying my best to jot down ideas as I went. I decided while I was stripping pads off, I might as well try some Brainwavz HM5/Fischer FA-003 pads that I had. I compared them to the MD pads (as a control).

Stax

Love these pads  They're big and fluffy and softer than the MD pads. It's like a big memory foam pillow squeezing down. Not a lot of extra clamping force (I have a big head).

Bass is really great, much more controlled, and a little bit more transparent

Mids are about the same, but they lack the smoothness of the MD pads. 

Highs are much more present to the point of being on the verge of sibilant. Keep in mind the Stax pads have a much looser filter, so I'm not sure how this would affect the sound, but I feel like it would. Treble is much more present, but lacks the smoothness of the MD pads.

Soundstage is wider, but less focused

(Had this same result when I "lifted" the pads on the Denon D7000, would love to know if a denser filter would help :/  )

Brainwavz HM5/Fischer FA-003

Clearer bass, but not as clear as the Stax

Midrange and treble are much more pronounced but still lack the smoothness of the MD pads

Soundstage is wider, not as much as the stax, but still more than the MD pads. Still has a bit of focus loss

MD Pads

Bass less controlled and more in quantity,

midrange and treble recessed, but much smoother

intimate (i.e. closer in) sound, clear focus in the middle, more defined separation

In a somewhat strange note, I really like these pads for their heat distribution. They get warm, but also seem to dissipate it fast enough to not get too warm.