Hi all. This is my first review posted on the site, and it came about when a fellow poster, elvergun, asked for my opinions on several cans in my collection.
Please don't be too harsh, as I'm only posting this review from the perspective of a basshead. I crave a lot of bass in my headphones, especially mid-bass, and I'm always interested to hear your opinions on various basshead cans.
Thanks to elvergun for urging me to post this review. :)
Note: I wrote my review in direct comparison to the Audio-Technica M50. I think this serves as a good reference point, since the M50 is a hugely popular can on Head-Fi.
AUDIO-TECHNICA M50
They have decent bass quantity that is clear and punchy when called for. Nevertheless, the bass doesn't always present itself unless the track calls for it. As such, the mid-bass levels are relatively low. There is a slight extension of the bass into the sub-bass levels, but it's not very satisfying. There is some punch with the M50s, but they are alas, quite lacking.
The mid-range on the M50s are pretty good for a basshead can. They may be said to be recessed when compared to monitoring cans, but bassheads all know the mid-range is the most sacrificed portion of the sound range. Still, the M50 presents a relatively forward mid-range that allows for an engaging vocal presentation.
The highs are decent, but I found them to be a little sibilant at times. Weird, since I never really thought of them as harsh cans. They have some treble sparkle that is quite pleasing.
The M50 leaks a little sound - they are about average for cans.
AUDIO-TECHNICA WS55
The WS55 has greater bass quantity than the M50, and has quite a lot of impact, especially on EDM tunes. The bass presentation is clear, punchy and has little decay. The mid-bass hump is well extended beyond what the M50 is capable of. In fact, the sub-bass extension is slightly better too. All in all, the bass quality and quantity is superior to the M50.
The mid-range is where it suffers - it is quite recessed relative to the M50. Vocals sound quite distant and rock/pop songs inevitably suffer as the overall presentation sounds a bit lifeless. Soundstaging is slightly poorer off than on the M50.
The highs are pretty decent, with a little bit of treble sparkle present. It is about on par with the M50 in this regard.
Isolation wise, they actually leaked the least sound. This was quite surprising, considering the small cup size.
CREATIVE AURVANA LIVE!
The CAL! is a slightly bassy can that produces a beefier low-end than the M50. The bass presentation has a lot of clarity and doesn't distort at high volumes. The mid-bass and sub-bass quantity is greater than the M50, and is more prevalent when listening to EDM tunes. The mid-bass is quite punchy and engaging.
Mid-range on the CAL! is about on par with the M50. It can handle vocals on pop/rock songs pretty well. Soundstaging is decent and is overall a comparatively good can for most genres of music.
The treble is where it's lacking, as it isn't as well extended as the M50. It is acceptable for those who aren't fans of treble highs.
Isolation on the CAL! is where it falls short. It seems to leak more than the other 5 cans in this list.
DENON DJ HP700
Bass quantity on the HP700 is quite similar to the M50, with just a slight hint of greater bass presence. It is however, very clear and detailed when presenting the low-end, and this makes for a very enjoyable experience, especially if you're a fan of EDM. The mid-bass hump and sub-bass extension are about the same as the M50, with the HP700 beating it by a hair. The beats are a tad punchier on the Denon DJs, though.
The mid-range is a bit more forward than the M50, with slightly better soundstaging. Rock/pop songs sound very fun on the HP700.
The highs are about on par with the M50, but I think the latter have a bit more reach, and as a result, sound a bit more sibilant at times.
Isolation on the Denon DJs are about on par with the M50, but I think it leaks a little bit more.
SENNHEISER HD219
The bass quantity on the HD219 is about average, and doesn't overwhelm t he spectrum. The mid-bass hump is quite modest, with pretty poor sub-bass extension. The bass texture sounds muddy at times, and has the least satisfying bass presentation in this comparison. Punch is present, but is somewhat clouded by the muddy bass that leaks into the mid-range.
The mid-range is the most recessed in this list, and vocals sound quite distant. It doesn't sound very absorbing for most genres of music.
The treble is quite recessed, and lacks that bit of extension that gives tunes/songs that sparkle and clarity.
Isolation is decent on the HD 219, and leaks about as much as the M50.
ULTRASONE HFI 580
The bass quantity on the HFI 580 is greater than the M50, and is probably the bassiest can on this list, along with the WS55. The bass presentation is very clear, and the sound doesn't distort at high volumes. The mid-bass hump is quite assertive and the sub-bass extends pretty well into the lower end. Punch and impact is about on par with the WS55, but its better clarity beats it by a bit.
The mid-range is engaging, and is the most forward of the cans in this comparison. Vocals are presented well on the HFI 580.
The treble is unfortunately, similarly extended on the Utlrasone cans. They can be quite sibilant and harsh, and is the sharpest sounding can here.
Isolation is fair, and leaks about as much as the M50.
I hope to hear your thoughts on my review. Thanks in advance!
Regards.
