Pedro, surprised you sold your HD25s!
I don't think you are going to find something that is going to give you the same engagement of the HD25. That said, both of the headphones (DT770, ath m50x) you've listed are quite good. The M50x will definitely give you more bass presence, but it may not have that punch that you've grown accustomed to.
If you don't need over ear closed I would seriously look at the Fidelio X1 or X2. They are big step up, and if you've only experienced the closed sound from the HD25/Amperior, you'll get a lively experience, still engaging with a much more open sound. Sennheiser HD650 and 600 are also strong recommendations, but the X2 would likely be a better choice given its minimal/no amping requirements and greater bass reproduction. I'm really familiar with the HD25 sound, and the 650 gives you the nice relatively flat mid-range and not overly sharp highs. Yes, they are more laid back than the HD25, but they have an even handed approach that just makes them a workhorse. They are very much of the same generation and professional pedigree from Sennheiser - both classics.
Part of the charm of the HD25 is their presentation as a supra-aural headphone, with its smallish cups and drivers. It changes the presentation. Everything is very intimate. The design of the HD25 works for a number of applications I need them for (DJing, some close monitoring and mixing, working on drum machines) - but side benefit I get portable audiophile audio on the go.
I've just repurchased a refurbished Amperior (for $110 Cdn with shipping!). Insane value. They were sharp initially, but having had them side by side with my older HD25s, they just offered more resolution in the sound. The bass is both fuller, clearer and a bit more controlled. The highs could be sibilant, but it depends on the recording. I still could see the preference for the HD25, as it more evenly balanced. So perhaps if the HD-25 aluminum can achieve everything the Amperior did retain the more neutralish sound signature then it may the best of all. I still think the Amperior is the more 'audiophile'-tuned version of the HD-25 series. Similar to the Sony MDR-EX1000 vs the EX600 (or MDR-7550).
Interestingly, comparing these with my LCD-2s, while the treble is of greater volume on the Amperior, it has nowhere near the LCD-2s detail. I've actually found the LCD-2 to be able to reproduce high-frequency transients better than any headphone I've owned,even though it presents itself as a 'dark headphone'. The Amperiors can seem a bit like ice picks in your ear. So that right there may turn off some.
I toyed around the idea of keeping my HD-25s or just putting the HD25 drivers in the Amperior, but this time around I'm happier with the whole package. I won't even bother recabling them. So my HD25s are on loan again to hopefully introduce someone else into the world of headphone audio.
Pedro, can you audition the M50x or DT770 anywhere?
Hello my dear friend Malfunkt.....
Long time no see... Ita very good to read your coments again.
About the hd25 vs amperior.... Yes i sold both but for different reasons....
I loved and still do love the hd25. They eere in very good condition but they had no box, no purchase papers, no extra velour pads nothing.... Therefore when someone made me an offer for 130 euros for my hd25s and when a brand new pair costs 140 i thought to myself, lets sell, see how much i miss it and if i do miss them that much for only 10 euros more i could get this headphone i aleays loved but this time brande new, with all the provided accessories and 2 years warranty.... It may sound a bit stupid i know.....
The amperior.... I sold them yesterday.... Got them a year ago for 95 euros.... Sold them for 150.....
I never really loved them as much as the hd25s to be honest.... The heavier cups and the velour pads never were close to the amazing fit of the hd25s with the pleatherete pads and overall, IMO , although the sound is harsher on the hd25 and maybe a tiny bit graninier, overall it suited my tastes much more because its extra mids and treble simply made the hd25 a more exciting and engaging experience to my ears. In my opinion they kind of screwd the hd25 sound sig on the amperior.... By smoothing out the mids and highs and by enhancing the bass, in my opinion they made the amperior a slower, sloppier, muddier, sounding headphone than the hd25. To be honest although grainier i still think the hd25 sounds clearer than the amperior. Of course the amperiors were easy to drive and had a tiny bit more fuller sound but i still loved the hd25 sound more from top to bottom. Also the hd25 is much more eq friendly. Has i said earlier i can make the hd25 sound close to the amperior, but i cant do the reverse with the amperior sound sig.
In terms of durability i thimk the amperior is an amazing headphone but i am pretty sure it will be easier and cheaper to mod a hd25 in the future while parts for the amperior and hd25 alu will always be harder to finf and much more expensive.
About the m50x.... I already tied it.... Liked it (pads are much better than the previous m50 without the x) but although a great all rounder i still think the m50 or m50x does not have as good mids as the hd25s (voices sound more upfront and clearer to me on the hd25) and also the treble has a plasticky and not as natural feeling as on the hd25s.
I was thinking of buying the hd25 (140 euros) and buy the m50x (135 euros) because both are very good, i would have a pair of amazing on and over ears and their future is promissing in terms of durability due to easy replacement parts and cables.
I am curious about the new over ear momentum 2.0 but only those cost as much as both the m50x and hd25 together.... Maybe half a year from now who knows.... Maybe the price will drop.... The hd25s and m50x aleays have godd resell value as well so they are always easy sell later.
I never tried a beyer unfortunatelly... I am interested about the 80 ohm one but the 32, 80 and 250ohm version are too expensive nowadays.... They used to sell for 125 and now they are aleays between 148 and 155.
I have a good proposal on a pair of 250ohm ones.... A guy here in portugal is willing to sell me a mint pair with still 1 year warranty for 80 euros but the problem that its a complete shot in the dark since i never tried a beyer ever and also being a 250ohm version i will have to get a amp ASAP. Its hard to understand the reviews.... Overall the 80ohm and 250ohm version seem to sound the same with only slight differneces on the bass (the 80oh, as a tiny bit more bass) and on the mids and treble (the 250ohm one semm to have better but at the same time more agressive mids and highs)..... And the 80ohms are easiier to drive from portables of course.
On one hand i am tempted but on the other i dont know..... I could always get the 3,... The hd25 and m50x are always safe choices.... Now the beyer i dont know.... Being a 250 ohm version i dont know if i will be able to get my 80 euros back,,,,
Funny thing is.... It seems that the 80ohm version is the most beloved version here on head fi.... But when checking stores sales the 250ohm version seems to be the one that always sells more....
Edited by Pedro Oliveira - Today at 4:37 am View History
