"Mad Dog" by MrSpeakers, modified Fostex T50RP review - Page 197

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattTCG 

Okay guys, I have a friend looking at buying the MD's. He has about $300-$400 for an amp. What the best amp in that price range?

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattTCG 

Sorry, got to get the dac also at that price of $300-$400.

Not to be too focused on my own Schiit, but perhaps the Asgard would be a good buy.  I use an Asgard with a HRT Music Streamer II to power my second pair of Mad Dogs every day at work.  You could also sub out a Modi or ODac for the HRT.

Guys, a little OT but in the 2nd to last picture on this thread(the one showing his portable setup) what is there? I'm going to guess a amp/DAC, but whats the other thing? And the DAP is there.

Quote:

Originally Posted by wolfetan44 

Guys, a little OT but in the 2nd to last picture on this thread(the one showing his portable setup) what is there? I'm going to guess a amp/DAC, but whats the other thing? And the DAP is there.

that's mine and it's an amp, a dac, a battery pack to supply a constant 16V to the amp and a sony recorder I use as a DAP.

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.

True. I don't find it sibilant either.

Is anything out there that would beat MD's in terms of price to performance ratio? Lol.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kskwerl 

Quote:

Originally Posted by wolfetan44 

Guys, a little OT but in the 2nd to last picture on this thread(the one showing his portable setup) what is there? I'm going to guess a amp/DAC, but whats the other thing? And the DAP is there.

that's mine and it's an amp, a dac, a battery pack to supply a constant 16V to the amp and a sony recorder I use as a DAP.

That must be a joy to carry around:P. Thanks for the info!

Gosh, I'm a stalker today, but...

Hey preproman, if you're still there, I saw that you've passed on the HE-400's in the headamp demo thread. I was wondering if you were ready to post your impressions versus the Mad Dogs? Sorry to poke you, too!

Quote:

Originally Posted by enderbender 

True. I don't find it sibilant either.

 

Is anything out there that would beat MD's in terms of price to performance ratio? Lol.

For what it's worth, I'm in the process of selling my Sennheiser HD600s, and one of my friends already sold his HD600s. The HD600 is supposed to be one of the better values in headphones, and retails for $100 more. However, I find the bass quality and detail level to be superior on the Mad Dogs. Other than that, they're fairly similar from a sound perspective.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mechgamer123 

For what it's worth, I'm in the process of selling my Sennheiser HD600s, and one of my friends already sold his HD600s. The HD600 is supposed to be one of the better values in headphones, and retails for $100 more. However, I find the bass quality and detail level to be superior on the Mad Dogs. Other than that, they're fairly similar from a sound perspective.

Haven't tried the HD600.

Also, I have a question: is it okay to compare an open-back, dynamic headphone like the HD650 to a closed-back, ortho headphone like the Mad Dog? They seem like two different animals to me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by enderbender 

Haven't tried the HD600.

 

Also, I have a question: is it okay to compare an open-back, dynamic headphone like the HD650 to a closed-back, ortho headphone like the Mad Dog? They seem like two different animals to me.

Sure, why not compare them? They're both headphones, and can be had new for about the same price if you shop around :)

Just because they use different driver technologies and enclosures does not mean they necessarily portray sound differently. The sound sig is actually fairly similar between the two, although the HD600 has a bit more treble in terms of quantity, the quality is lower IMO.

As far as one of the main differences between open backed and closed back cans (sounstage) they are approximately the same to be perfectly honest. The HD600 probably has a slightly better stage, but not enough to justify keeping.

Quote:

Originally Posted by anoxy 

Well if they produce comparable sound, they must not be completely different animals

Quote:

Originally Posted by mechgamer123 

Sure, why not compare them? They're both headphones, and can be had new for about the same price if you shop around :)

Just because they use different driver technologies and enclosures does not mean they necessarily portray sound differently. The sound sig is actually fairly similar between the two, although the HD600 has a bit more treble in terms of quantity, the quality is lower IMO.

As far as one of the main differences between open backed and closed back cans (sounstage) they are approximately the same to be perfectly honest. The HD600 probably has a slightly better stage, but not enough to justify keeping.

Lol true. Thanks.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattTCG 

Sorry, got to get the dac also at that price of $300-$400.

I recommend the Fostex HP-A3.

It's a all-in-one USB powered DAC/amp with (bonus) S/PDIF in & out (TOSlink). It drives the Mad Dogs perfectly (which makes me think these are not THAT difficult to drive). Simply excellent.

Plus, it matches the MD's style, which is even better :D

One word comes to mind when describing its sound characteristics: faithful. It's the neutrality in the best possible ways with unexpected drive capacities. I simply love that thing!

PS: it also drive the HE-500 more than adequately ;)

http://noblehifi.blogspot.com/2012/12/fostex-hp-a3-review.html

http://www.headfonia.com/fostex-hp-a3/

Nice!! Thanks for all the replies guys. I've picked out a few of the top choices and I'll help my friend sort through those. 

Many thanks...

Quote:

Originally Posted by enderbender 

Is anything out there that would beat MD's in terms of price to performance ratio? Lol.

Properly done DIY modded T50RP. ;)

Quote:

Originally Posted by enderbender 

Also, I have a question: is it okay to compare an open-back, dynamic headphone like the HD650 to a closed-back, ortho headphone like the Mad Dog? They seem like two different animals to me.

In the end, if you can get them to have a similar frequency response, resonance/ringing, harmonic distortion, etc., then they should sound pretty darn similar. I'd have to guess that being open vs. closed has more to do with how easy a headphone is to tune one way or another vs. being different animals. Just a guess, though. Could be wrong.