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V-moda M-100, ATH-A900X, AKG K550 , Denon AH-D5000/2000, MrSpeakers Mad Dog, Ultrasone...

post #1 of 17
1/16/13 at 8:53pm
Thread Starter 

Hi, last year I owned a pair of V-Moda LPs I purchased for $79 and I loved them. They were stolen a few months ago, and I'm looking to replace them. I realize a similar value may not be had, but I'm looking at replacing them with one of the following 7 (I listen to a variety of music: hip-hop, rock, r&b, reggaeton):

 

(Revised list)

V-Moda M-100

ATH-ESW9

Sony MDR-1R

Philips Fidelio L1/M1/X1 

Denon AH-D5000/2000

MrSpeakers Mad Dog

Ultrasone DJ1/HFI-580


Edited by FreshSounds - 1/17/13 at 6:08pm
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post #2 of 17
1/17/13 at 7:02am
Thread Starter 

Thoughts?

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post #3 of 17
1/17/13 at 9:42am
You'll have to forgive me if this is somewhat inaccurate (as I have no experience with V-Moda products or nomenclature), but aren't the V-Moda LPs like $90 on Amazon right now?

You're talking about this headphone:
http://www.amazon.com/V-MODA-Crossfade-Over-Ear-Noise-Isolating-Headphone/dp/B003BYRGJU/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1358444203&sr=8-4&keywords=v-moda+crossfade+lp

Yes? (so I lied - they're $99 tongue.gif; assuming that's we're talking about redface.gif)

Would that be suitable as a direct replacement? Or are you also looking to upgrade?

Sorry to hear about the theft as well. redface.gif

Anyways, of the group you listed off, I've owned or demo'd everything but the Mad Dog, DJ1, and M100, and would probably be inclined to pick the A900X (because the Denon are discontinued and even if they weren't, they're too fragile/non-isolating for mobile use imho). If money is a concern, the Q40 aren't a bad headphone from what I remember, but I also know I had no desire to own them after a demonstration. Other models I'd turn you onto: in the "expensive" category would include the Audio-Technica ATH-ESW9, and the Kenwood KH-K1000; and in the "less expensive" category the Bose AE2 and a few Koss models (TBSE, MV1, and Ruk50 - they're all quite different). Would be happy to answer detailed questions where I can. smily_headphones1.gif
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post #4 of 17
1/17/13 at 10:37am
Quote:
Originally Posted by obobskivich View Post

You'll have to forgive me if this is somewhat inaccurate (as I have no experience with V-Moda products or nomenclature), but aren't the V-Moda LPs like $90 on Amazon right now?

You're talking about this headphone:
http://www.amazon.com/V-MODA-Crossfade-Over-Ear-Noise-Isolating-Headphone/dp/B003BYRGJU/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1358444203&sr=8-4&keywords=v-moda+crossfade+lp

Yes? (so I lied - they're $99 tongue.gif; assuming that's we're talking about redface.gif)

Would that be suitable as a direct replacement? Or are you also looking to upgrade?

Sorry to hear about the theft as well. redface.gif

Anyways, of the group you listed off, I've owned or demo'd everything but the Mad Dog, DJ1, and M100, and would probably be inclined to pick the A900X (because the Denon are discontinued and even if they weren't, they're too fragile/non-isolating for mobile use imho). If money is a concern, the Q40 aren't a bad headphone from what I remember, but I also know I had no desire to own them after a demonstration. Other models I'd turn you onto: in the "expensive" category would include the Audio-Technica ATH-ESW9, and the Kenwood KH-K1000; and in the "less expensive" category the Bose AE2 and a few Koss models (TBSE, MV1, and Ruk50 - they're all quite different). Would be happy to answer detailed questions where I can. smily_headphones1.gif

I agree with this the ath-esw9 would be great! Your picks of akg 550 and m-audio 40s are great too. These are great for mobile use. 

 

 

cheers

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post #5 of 17
1/17/13 at 10:50am
Quote:
Originally Posted by KCxSmacker View Post

I agree with this the ath-esw9 would be great! Your picks of akg 550 and m-audio 40s are great too. These are great for mobile use. 


cheers

I'd like to clarify that I'm not suggesting the K550 here. redface.gif
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post #6 of 17
1/17/13 at 12:00pm
Thread Starter 

Yes, I'm looking to upgrade to one of the ones I listed. How are the ath-esw9 compared to the ATH-A900X?

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post #7 of 17
1/17/13 at 12:39pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by FreshSounds View Post

Yes, I'm looking to upgrade to one of the ones I listed. How are the ath-esw9 compared to the 
ATH-A900X?

ESW9 have more forward and sweeter mids, more intimate and smaller soundstage, punchier bass; A900X have bigger stage, somewhat honky mid/treble emphasis, probably more leveled out extension/impact relationship. I think isolation is probably a toss-up. A900X are probably more durable (wood headphones can crack where metal/plastic cans may not), ESW9 are probably easier to drive. The A900X have some semblance of "accuracy" or "neutrality" - the ESW9 are very colored.
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post #8 of 17
1/17/13 at 12:48pm

If you need portability, I probably would consider the ESW9 first. The A900X is not very portable, and that is coming from someone where the fit works flawlessly. Even with a great fit (which is VERY hit and miss with the AT "wing" system) taking these headphones out and about would still not be a good option. 

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post #9 of 17
1/17/13 at 12:56pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mani ATH 87 View Post

If you need portability, I probably would consider the ESW9 first. The A900X is not very portable, and that is coming from someone where the fit works flawlessly. Even with a great fit (which is VERY hit and miss with the AT "wing" system) taking these headphones out and about would still not be a good option. 

Fit is a good point too! Should've mentioned that - for me, the A900X will flipflop off my head with very minor movements. Definitely not a head-banging headphone. I've seen some folks mangle their ATs to get the wing system to fit better, and I'm sure that's an option, but I don't like the idea of buying something and knowing I have to chop it up just to use it.
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post #10 of 17
1/17/13 at 12:59pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by FreshSounds View Post

Hi, last year I owned a pair of V-Moda LPs I purchased for $79 and I loved them. They were stolen a few months ago, and I'm looking to replace them. I realize a similar value may not be had, but I'm looking at replacing them with one of the following 7 (I listen to a variety of music: hip-hop, rock, r&b, reaggaeton):

 

 

V-moda M-100

ATH-A900X

AKG K550

Denon AH-D5000/2000

MrSpeakers Mad Dog

Ultrasone DJ1/HFI-580

M-Audio Q40

 

Heya,

 

For cost, and based on what you like:

 

HFI 580 or DJ1 (prices are gouged right now, maybe hunt around or wait a bit)

A900X

 

Very best,

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post #11 of 17
1/17/13 at 1:37pm
Thread Starter 

Am I understanding that the A900x is more balanced than the ESW9, but not as portable? Also, the ATHs have a wider frequency response range than the Ultrasones, so perhaps I can use that to help me narrow the list.

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post #12 of 17
1/17/13 at 1:44pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by FreshSounds View Post

Am I understanding that the A900x is more balanced than the ESW9, but not as portable? Also, the ATHs have a wider frequency response range than the Ultrasones, so perhaps I can use that to help me narrow the list.

 

Heya,

 

The A900X and ESW9A are actually very similar.

 

Don't read frequency ranges from spec lists. They're lies. All these headphones will hit the same high frequencies (you can't hear over 20khz, so anything over that on a list is stupid), and you'll be hard to measure which ones are reliably doing 18hz, 19hz, 20hz, 21hz, without distortion. They basically all do the same range. They just do it at different volumes and with different relationships to the other frequencies. Spec lists are pointless; ignore them. They're only good for knowing what the impedance and sensitivity of a headphone is so that you can at least have an idea of whether they need or will benefit from an amplifier before purchasing.

 

Very best,

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post #13 of 17
1/17/13 at 2:51pm
Thread Starter 

So just for the heck of it I'll throw in Bowers & Wilkins P5/P3 and Sony MDR-1Rs up against my remaining finalists (V-moda M-100, ATH-ESW9). Any thoughts on the P5 and MDRs?

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post #14 of 17
1/17/13 at 3:20pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by FreshSounds View Post

Any thoughts on the P5

Horrific. Just horrific. So much money for such sub-par sound.

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post #15 of 17
1/17/13 at 5:02pm
Thread Starter 

Any comments on Sony MDR-1Rs? What about Philips Fidelio L1/M1/X1? JVC HA-S500? (Still looking at V-Moda M-100 or ATH-ESW9).


Edited by FreshSounds - 1/17/13 at 5:19pm
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Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Headphones (full-size) › V-moda M-100, ATH-A900X, AKG K550 , Denon AH-D5000/2000, MrSpeakers Mad Dog, Ultrasone DJ1/HFI-580, M-Audio Q40