Denon DN-HP700 vs Audio Technica ATH-M50 vs Ultrasone HFI-580

Haven't heard the 580. The HP700 is a great value, great sounding. However I like the M50 better in all regards including but not limited to SQ, bass, treble, build and comfort. I would pick both over the Sony's you have pictured in your avatar.

More present on the M50

+1 for m50

I think HP700 wins over M50. M50 has a bit better bass extension but not more punch though but bass put aside HP700 wins easily over M50, there's a night and day difference in soundstage and the mids are a lot more forward and detailed. I concider subjectively M50 to be about 150~$170 worth sound quality and HP700 more like 250~$300 especially for the stunning soundstage and separation.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RPGWiZaRD 

I think HP700 wins over M50. M50 has a bit better bass extension but not more punch though but bass put aside HP700 wins easily over M50, there's a night and day difference in soundstage and the mids are a lot more forward and detailed. I concider subjectively M50 to be about 150~$170 worth sound quality and HP700 more like 250~$300 especially for the stunning soundstage and separation.

We must agree to disagree on this one. The op should probably hear them both to decide.

Here i found this on a web site that compares the two.

http://www.shopping.com/xSBS-Audio-Technica-Audio-Technica-Professional-Monitor-Headphones-Collapsible-Ultrasone-HFI-580~PRDLT-41360058-50422779

Both are worn over the head

Usage of both are professional.

M50s have a stereo sound system while the HFI580s have a Surround system

Frequency range of M50s are from 15hz-28khz.   For HFI508 it's 10hz-22khz

Driver Unit size is 45mm for M50s and 50mm for HFIs

M50s are 38ohm and HFI 32ohm

They both weigh about the same

Quote:

Originally Posted by RPGWiZaRD 

I think HP700 wins over M50. M50 has a bit better bass extension but not more punch though but bass put aside HP700 wins easily over M50, there's a night and day difference in soundstage and the mids are a lot more forward and detailed. I concider subjectively M50 to be about 150~$170 worth sound quality and HP700 more like 250~$300 especially for the stunning soundstage and separation.

I couldn't agree more with this. And if you want more bass on the HP700, just remove some thick foams inside the cups. And theres another very simple mod to get (way) better treble decay, sparkle and instrument separation, which makes them sound superb.

I've had the M50 and the HP700, and think they are about on par with each other. Personally for my tastes I like the M50 better, its sound signature is more exciting without straying too far away from neutral. The M50 has more aggressive sound signature and more bass quantity, though the tightness of the bass is a hint behind the HP700. The mids are also a tad recessed. The M50 is also more easily driven. I think the two headphones are equally detailed. The HP700 is more neutral overall. Vocals on this headphone have an...airiness (best I can describe them) to them that I really like. The soundstage on the HP700 is better, but it didn't wow me by any means. Build quality is about the same on both headphones, pretty solid. However I don't think I'd recommend either one for portable use, if that's a deciding factor.

Theres a mod you can do to the HP700 that will make them as "aggressive" as the M50's. Just remove those thick foams inside the cups and the bass will be twice as much. Replace it with some blu-tack, so that the bass won't get bloated. Then the mod for the highs that does miracles to these phones. Open just 1 hole in the fabric around the driver (outter circumference), using a thin round screwer. The result is a treble with more sparkle, cleaner, better decay, more micro-detail and better instrument separation like the D7000's. I've auditioned the D7000s vs those modded HP700 and the difference is almost unexistant (the HP700 still have more bass).