[Solduios]

   
Thank you for the welcome, @NuckinFutz!

The observations are primarily based on listening to music (though my guitar too can sound like music at times 

) via the laptop/THR5A. The experience with the guitar is quite the same, though some notes have comparatively more authority when on the guitar, but that could be to do with how this little THR5A (guitar amp) handles the signal. The amp is brilliant with the guitar signals, but does little for the other sound, which seems to move through a different amp route/process (the guitar section has various sound shaping/modding controls).
 
As of now, that is something I miss - the authority of the notes. Eagerly and patiently waiting for them to be burnt in. I am quite a believer in burn in for most things having mechanical movement (drivers in this case).

While playing guitar, it seems to lack in handling the sound when multiple strings are played quickly. It gets a bit muddied, but I presume that is mainly due to the bass overshadowing the mids, which I expect will clear up. I also remember @grizzlybeast and @Arttt specifically talking about this getting cleared up.
 
I did try them with my Samsung Note 2 (N7100), but nothing really of 'note' to say from that! I am not too impressed with the sound of the Note 2 for music in the little I've tried it on this phone with other stuff. I presume it would work well for the really sensitive low impidence stuff.
 
As far as measurements go, I usually take them only as a broad indicator. From the little I know, most measurements are prone to "manipulation". The conditions and standards in which they are measured are not properly known or stated. This leads to variations. Sensitivity measurements too would vary on how they are measured and in what frequency the sound signal was. I think the standards there are lacking and are not really universal. AFAIK, there are different measurement standards between, say, Japan and Europe. Also, real life music is often quite different from test conditions and vary a lot; probably a bit like how fuel consumption figures are for cars.
 
 
@Solduios Thank you for your suggestions. I will share my thoughts and plan about it below.
 
Which DAC-Amp did you go in for and what kind of changed did you note in sound?

I had a really cheap USB one lying around (identifies itself as C-Media audio on Windows). Dug out the order. It says Syba SM-CM-UAUD USB Stereo Audio Adapter, C-Media Chipset, RoHS. Also tried the phones through this. It makes them sound a bit louder. The midrange seems to have a bit more body, however the frequency range seems a bit diminished and gives a bit of a feeling of compressed sound (this can also add to the perception of louder sound). It becomes less airy as compared to the on-board Realtek HD. More punch, but less satisfying sound.
 

I am trying to see this in another way - to enjoy the changes in sound, as the moving parts of the driver change flexibility on use So, I am simply listening to them. Unlike many people on the forum, I don't change gear too often, so this is viable for me! It is going through some of Beethoven's Symphonies and ample guitar based music, so the drivers would be getting the due "exercise" So, it pretty much matches what you are suggesting, @Arttt
 
Thanks for your tips, folks.

C-Media chips are often found on Asus Sound Cards they are okay what it looks like you have is a usb sound card. There are many good dac/amp usb's out there most people recommend http://schiit.com/products and its $79.00. However I got a http://www.audioquest.com/usb_digital_analog_converter/dragonfly-dac for $150.00 and sounds wonderful.
 
The difference between my onboard which is no slouch and the Dragonfly is night and day better. So much better sepreation, cleaner responce, and all my sibilance issues went away. You also hear much more detail and texture in the music. I can not comment about the Schiit Fulla dac/amp combo but I believe Arttt did recomend it to me. The only reason I went with dragonfly was it was at a local shop and has good reviews. Plus living in California I like supporting local manufacturers like audioquest.
 
Also try setting your on board sound to highest qaulity it can play and see if you change the way this sounds. Set its for 24 bit 96k playback or higher and also check your music player settings for the playback qaulity. This can vastly change how compressed sounding the music will be. It can also help with detail and sepereation ... how ever a good dac/amp for music is still the best way to roll.
 
I would suggest using Foobar2000 or JRiver Media as players they give you much more control and options for audiophile settings. This will give you many settings to dail in EQ, crossfade, and ect... to make it the best play back for your ears.

 

[hEddy]

@heddy

Serial number should be above 12000.
You can find serial number on a white piece of tape under the earpad, i dont remember IF Its on the right or left side, remove earpads on both sides and see ...

Thank you, @Arttt. I really don't have the heart to pull out the earpads of this new phone as yet. Looked around on the box and manual for any stickers which may give a serial number, but without any luck. I guess I'll just wait and see how it sounds over time.

 

[hEddy]

  C-Media chips are often found on Asus Sound Cards they are okay what it looks like you have is a usb sound card. There are many good dac/amp usb's out there most people recommend http://schiit.com/products and its $79.00. However I got a http://www.audioquest.com/usb_digital_analog_converter/dragonfly-dac for $150.00 and sounds wonderful.
 
The difference between my onboard which is no slouch and the Dragonfly is night and day better. So much better sepreation, cleaner responce, and all my sibilance issues went away. You also hear much more detail and texture in the music. I can not comment about the Schiit Fulla dac/amp combo but I believe Arttt did recomend it to me. The only reason I went with dragonfly was it was at a local shop and has good reviews. Plus living in California I like supporting local manufacturers like audioquest.
 
Also try setting your on board sound to highest qaulity it can play and see if you change the way this sounds. Set its for 24 bit 96k playback or higher and also check your music player settings for the playback qaulity. This can vastly change how compressed sounding the music will be. It can also help with detail and sepereation ... how ever a good dac/amp for music is still the best way to roll.
 
I would suggest using Foobar2000 or JRiver Media as players they give you much more control and options for audiophile settings. This will give you many settings to dail in EQ, crossfade, and ect... to make it the best play back for your ears.

Thank you, @Solduios.

I presume this would be a very low end C-media chip since I had spent very very little on it. It is only about USD 8 on Amazon now! If the other DAC-Amps are to sound anywhere close to this one, it would be quite a waste. Also, I would not like to spend on a DAC-amp right away; at least not till a proper burn-in. There is extremely limited availability of DAC-Amps here in India, so that too would be a big constraint (Fiio products are available, however).

I did set it at the 24bit 96k, but it did little to the sound. I presume that is 'cause the source music is not recorded with those parameters. I did try out Foobar, but again, no change. I have been using AIMP which too allows me to change bit depth and sampling rates (quite like this player - give it a try). The soundcard has been set to allow software to take control of it and change settings as well.
 

 

[Lorspeaker]

http://www.petertyson.co.uk/ebuttonz/ebz_product_pages/yamaha_hph-mt220.shtml

There is also a listing in reverb.com for a showroom model..140usd.

 

[RushNerd]

http://www.petertyson.co.uk/ebuttonz/ebz_product_pages/yamaha_hph-mt220.shtml

There is also a listing in reverb.com for a showroom model..140usd.

The revberb.com one is what I picked up; i'll post here when it arrives; what a deal!

 

[Asr]

I have to admit, when I first got these headphones (a few weeks ago) I didn't like them as much as the Audio-Technica MSR7.
 
It's only after some extended listening, not only on my dedicated "Head-Fi" system but also on my computer (even straight out of the headphone jack), that I've realized that the MT220 is actually awesome! Not just great for music, but also really good for watching movies and playing games (they deliver satisfying explosions & gunfire, which is important of course). I love that I can use it for music, movies, & games—definitely makes it a long-term keeper!
 
I feel sorry for anyone who missed out on B&H's $150 price because that's practically the steal of the century! It'd still be a deal at $250 too, but that's the price of the MSR7 which IMO it's eclipsed by in terms of treble and clarity (but not in bass or mid-range balance).

 

[Light - Man]

  I have to admit, when I first got these headphones (a few weeks ago) I didn't like them as much as the Audio-Technica MSR7.
 
It's only after some extended listening, not only on my dedicated "Head-Fi" system but also on my computer (even straight out of the headphone jack), that I've realized that the MT220 is actually awesome! Not just great for music, but also really good for watching movies and playing games (they deliver satisfying explosions & gunfire, which is important of course). I love that I can use it for music, movies, & games—definitely makes it a long-term keeper!
 
I feel sorry for anyone who missed out on B&H's $150 price because that's practically the steal of the century! It'd still be a deal at $250 too, but that's the price of the MSR7 which IMO it's eclipsed by in terms of treble and clarity (but not in bass or mid-range balance).

Any further detailed comparisons between the 2 would be great perhaps including comfort and build quality aspects?

 
I have about 120 hours burn-in on my 220 and they are still improving all the time but sometimes I feel it could be a little more musical and up-beat (being very critical of course), but still early days.

 

[hEddy]

I would suggest using Foobar2000 or JRiver Media as players they give you much more control and options for audiophile settings. This will give you many settings to dail in EQ, crossfade, and ect... to make it the best play back for your ears.

 
 

I did set it at the 24bit 96k, but it did little to the sound. I presume that is 'cause the source music is not recorded with those parameters. I did try out Foobar, but again, no change. I have been using AIMP which too allows me to change bit depth and sampling rates (quite like this player - give it a try). The soundcard has been set to allow software to take control of it and change settings as well.
 

 
Sharing some thoughts and observations about some time I spent comparing the mt220 via different players and settings.

Please take all this with a pinch of salt. It may simply be a placebo effect. Was also difficult to match sound levels, so that too could distort perception.
 
* Players used: Foobar, AIMP, Audacity (really a recording open source software)
* Yamaha Steinberg ASIO (for the THR5A), WASAPI (Event and where the option allowed Windows default), Direct Sound.
* Tried different sampling rates 44.1k to 192k and different bit depths upto 32bit.
* Routed via the on onboard Realted HD soundcard or the Yamaha THR5A
* The players were set to no DSPs and all gain related settings turned off
(Foobar has gain applied as default, I think, which may contribute to it being seen as giving better sound - higher spl adding to a feeling of improved sound).
 
Brief unsure conclusions:

* Felt almost no difference between Foobar and AIMP on WASAPI Event settings. At times, AIMP on WASAPI windows default seemed a bit poorer.
* Via the Yamaha THR5A on WASAPI was pretty much the same.
* Surprisingly, little or no effect felt at higher sampling rates and bit rates higher than 24bit (Onboard soundcard allows up to 196k sampling)


Now the interesting part:

* Initially felt unsure but after hearing multiple times the things did seem noticeably better THR5A on its Steinberg ASIO.
* While there was no real noticeable difference between AIMP and Foobar to my ears, Audacity made things better. Often felt significantly better(onboard soundcard). This was without the ASIO (Audacity does not given an option for ASIO).
 
* The improvement in both cases was in the resolution and imaging of sound. The sound had more body, felt less thin. The Midrange improved a little bit too (felt so more with Audacity). Very slightly more airy with possibly better transitions.
 
Folks might want to try out Audacity, not as a player (not really viable), but simply to see if they can get better sound from their system. Need not get into understanding the software. Simply drag and  drop the file onto it, and play.
 
I am a bit surprised at the improvement felt via Audacity.

Installable version: http://www.softpedia.com/get/Multimedia/Audio/Audio-Editors-Recorders/Audacity.shtml
Portable version: http://www.softpedia.com/get/PORTABLE-SOFTWARE/Multimedia/Audio/Windows-Portable-Applications-Audacity-Portable.shtml

 

[Light - Man]

Gerry Rafferty - Baker Street (UK)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fo6aKnRnBxM

 

[hEddy]

It is interesting to hear how these are changing so much with time. The mids are starting to open up. The treble is not edgy as it was before. Becoming really nice now. Wonder what way they'll go further.

This piece sounds so so good on it. Don't worry about the language; one can feel the emotion in the voice. Enveloping sound. The sound engineer seems to have played interestingly with the soundstage. The texture of the voice is beginning to come out. The decay does not feel abrupt as it used to.

It now sounds a lot better when I monitor the guitar via it.

Anyone who gets this and does not like it right away, should give it some time.

 
 
Indian Ocean playing Badshah in Jail from the OST of Black Friday.



 

 

[RushNerd]

These finally came USPS today from Reverb.com in "interesting" packaging and opened inner box, but the cans themselves are immaculate.
They came right before I went to work so I let the burn in with prodigy before listening to a track. Holy Yammies! I only needed one min to assure me of their comfort and quality and wow.
 
Going to take me a while to make a judgement, but having the HE-400's for the last 5 months, it's really nice going back to a nice pair of dynamics. I was immediately pleased at the low end as I have tried so many headphones over the years that you "just have to get used to the bass" these are great.
They certainly sound right up there with the Denon D2000's to me and the comfort and lightness is possibly even better. I don't feel like I need to keep adjusting these things like I do with many dynamics for a good seal or fit. The stock pads are VERY impressive and soft; I don't think i'll be running out to replace them anytime soon.
 
Handled Prodigy and my Juno reactor tracks just fine now that i'm back home. Listening to Rush now before I drive off to see them Tomorrow in Portland; it's handling them with care but punch at the same time.
 
I have no idea how much (if any) these have been used, but I think some serious burning in is in order. Thanks to you Head-Fi for showing me these gems; it's exactly what I was looking for.

 

[Lorspeaker]

...smell the cups

 

[Light - Man]

  ...smell the cups

Lorspeaker, you are such a tease! lol
 
 
Thanks to hEddy here is another one - Good stuff.
 

Training by Indian Ocean | Black Friday

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yj3rn7FmFp0&feature=youtu.be&list=PLRXilC-WxDpYX-QGfr6x634L8sRbLw51d
 

I estimate 150 hours burn-in hits the sweet spot, more timbre, musical and 3D soundstage.
 
Music is the international language that feeds the soul!

 

[Light - Man]

Stuck In The Middle With You - Stealers Wheel

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DohRa9lsx0Q
 

 

[Nekrosov]

 
These finally came USPS today from Reverb.com in "interesting" packaging and opened inner box, but the cans themselves are immaculate.
They came right before I went to work so I let the burn in with prodigy before listening to a track. Holy Yammies! I only needed one min to assure me of their comfort and quality and wow.
 
Going to take me a while to make a judgement, but having the HE-400's for the last 5 months, it's really nice going back to a nice pair of dynamics. I was immediately pleased at the low end as I have tried so many headphones over the years that you "just have to get used to the bass" these are great.
They certainly sound right up there with the Denon D2000's to me and the comfort and lightness is possibly even better. I don't feel like I need to keep adjusting these things like I do with many dynamics for a good seal or fit. The stock pads are VERY impressive and soft; I don't think i'll be running out to replace them anytime soon.
 
Handled Prodigy and my Juno reactor tracks just fine now that i'm back home. Listening to Rush now before I drive off to see them Tomorrow in Portland; it's handling them with care but punch at the same time.
 
I have no idea how much (if any) these have been used, but I think some serious burning in is in order. Thanks to you Head-Fi for showing me these gems; it's exactly what I was looking for.

Can you make a brief comparison between MT-220 & HE-400 & DT990, please?