"Mad Dog" by MrSpeakers, modified Fostex T50RP review - Page 276

 

Yeah, I completely understand your skepticism. I was hard for me to believe what I was hearing also. But you have to call it like you hear it, right? I was on the test panel when the Alpha Pads were beings demoed. We all had lots of long discussion about the sound signature of the new MD's. I wasn't the only one who made comparisons to the he500 and to the lcd2 as well. 

You always give a little ground to a truly open headphone, but the air and sound stage is truly impressive for a closed back hp. The new pads really open them up and you end up with is a great sound stage with awesome isolation. That's quite a trick!!

Initial Impressions:

OK, I've been listening to the Mad Dogs for a while while enjoying an awesome Fresh-Hop Imperial IPA from San Diego's Stone Brewing:

 

 

 

 

I've run through tracks from a few different albums, in different genres, so far:

 

Tuck Andress: Reckless Precision

Jaco Pastorius: Jaco Pastorius

AC DC: Back In Black

Albert Collins: Deluxe Edition

Diana Krall: The Girl In The Other Room

Red Hot Chili Peppers: Californication

 

On each of the tracks I listened to from these albums I switched between the Mad Dogs and the Sony MDR-V600's, which I've had for over 20 years. The overriding difference I notice on just about every track is that the Mad Dogs are more "solid". By that I mean that the sound is more full and substantial. When called for, the bass is plenty solid but not boomy. Based on hearing Diana Krall in both headphones, if I were a single guy, I would definitely be more likely to want the Mad Dog Diana Krall over the Sony version. Her voice was a whole lot more sensual and sultry through the Mad Dogs.

 

Overall, compared to the Mad Dogs, the MDR-V600's were a lot "thinner" sounding in comparison.. Everything seemed to be floating in a cloud. The Sony's are a more efficient headphone so I'm sure that makes a difference as far as perceived loudness goes. The Squeezebox is able to drive the Mad Dogs but just barely. I'm definitely glad that I ordered the Schiit Magni because the Mad Dogs seem to need a decent amount of power.

 

Overall, after about 3 hours of listening, I'm very happy with my decision The sound I'm getting through them is solid and spacious without being "otherworldly". Everything seems to be where it should be in the sound stage. The Mad Dogs are a little bit on the "dark" side as far as sound goes but I'd rather have that than too bright, which is what my old Sony's are/were. Build quality seems great and comfort is, well, comfortable.

 

No complaints so far and I don't expect that to change any time soon. I think I made a good 1st choice in an audiophile quality headphone. Two thumbs-up!

With the Magni amp, things will only improve.

I had a chance to try Stone's February Enjoy By IPA a week after it was bottled in January. Good stuff! Emphasizes just how important freshness is with beer. I'm a hop head, and I have my favorites that I bounce around between depending on what is the freshest.

To me, a tasty beverage is just as important as a good DAC.

Nice impression and thanks for sharing. On your gear that's pretty much exactly how I hear them. BUT, you should hear them on the lyr :-)

 

As was mentioned, they have one of the largest soundstages of a closed headphone. Listening to the Mad Dog vs K702, the K702's soundstage isn't noticeable enough to write home about. It's larger but in the type of music I listen to (rock/metal/electronic/jazz/blues) they sound very similar.

 

 

I find the K702 has more slam than the Mad Dog.  I can feel it more than the MD, and that's what I equate with slam. Take that for what it's worth. It's just IMO. I prefer the MD bass, by a long shot. It's just way more detailed, as MattTCG mentioned.

 

 

 

Props for the Enjoy By IPA. It is quite delicious.

I'm expecting the Magni to make a difference.

 

The bottle I'm enjoying is very tasty, I could only imagine how much "fresher" it was brand new. Like you, fresh beer is a major thing with me. I've almost gotten to the point that I won't buy a beer if it doesn't have a date on the bottle. As far as the Beer vs. DAC thing goes, I think a couple of tasty beers can override the best DAC in the world! 

You're welcome!

 

I'm sure if I did hear the Lyr I'd buy one. That's why I plan on becoming a hermit once I get the Magni!

I did, thus is why I bought the HE400s, but they sound totally different honestly.

Yeah, I'm finding that many music-lovers are also beer lovers, which makes perfect sense. To me, there's nothing quite like enjoying some good music while sipping on a quality brewed beer.

Dang that beverage looks good. 

 

That's a good plan. Never look back...or forward. I you're enjoying what you'd got then that's what it's all about really. I've had some pretty inexpensive setups that I've enjoyed tremendously. 

SQ-aside, it's also probably the most capable as far as core functionality (amplification), lower output impedance than the E9 so it'll play nicer with lower impedance headphones; and more power than any of the others if you've got harder to drive headphones.

Least versatile as far as extra functionality tho, no extra outputs like the E09K or docking functionality for an extra DAC... He doesn't need any of that to run it off his sound card tho.
Edited by Impulse - 3/9/13 at 7:13pm

Tastes even better!

lol Nice writeup!

I think I may end up with a Leckerton portable amp + a Magni when I order my MD... I don't need both but I'd like to test the former against something that's known to drive the MD well. I'm not sure if even my STX is up to the task, but it'd be hard to compare against it in the living room anyway.

The Lecker would be be a lot more versatile and the optical hookup to the DVR would be a plus, but I can live with the Magni out of my AVR's headphone-out if it ends up sounding better (and my wallet would be happier anyway).
Edited by Impulse - 3/9/13 at 7:35pm

Nice review ruleof72, and that was your impressions without the magni amp huh?  And thanx to those who replied to my previous question.  It seems like every headphone I'm looking at has one flaw that makes it a dealbreaker for me, lol.  The HE-400's drop in the upper mids, the HD650's lack of bass extention, and the Mad Dog's being a closed back headphone (probably the less serious flaw out of the three).