Lan647
1000+ Head-Fier
I really didn't find the 1R comparable to the Momentum when I tried side by side. Wanted to like them because the comfort was so nice, but they just weren't up to the challenge.
Comparisons: 36 of the Top Closed/Portable Headphones Around
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- beyerdynamic-tesla-dt-1350 martinlogan-mikros-90-reference-on-ear-headphones kef-m500-hi-fi-on-ear-headphones-aluminum-black sony-mdr-1r bose-quietcomfort-15-acoustic-noise-cancelling-headphones skullcandy-aviator-headphone-black-one-size beats-executive-over-ear-headphones-silver sennheiser-momentum psb-m4u-2-noise-canceling-headphones ultimate-ears-ue9000-noise-cancelling-wireless-headphones beats-studio-by-dr-dre-hi-def-noise-canceling-over-ear-headphones beats-studio-2-0-over-ear-headphone
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Thanks Dave. I didn't really know of any other way to reconcile it down the road.
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Sorry, but that wouldn't be fair. I'm sure sacrifices are made to make portable headphones, well...portable. That and full sized headphones like the HD600s or Q701s don't hit their full stride without a great amp/dac front end. As my comparisons were done with my iPad or iPhone, I didn't think it appropriate. As well, this was a spring/summer long search for a good portable pair of headphones while my main dynamic rig and stax rig were on the shelf so to speak due to some big home renovations. For a fantastic full sized headphone comparison, I'd recommend you check out DavidMahler's incredibly well written thread.
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Not to my ears either.
Thanks Dave. I didn't really know of any other way to reconcile it down the road.
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I agree. Though it would also be helpful if there were some comparisons to full-size headphones too
Sorry, but that wouldn't be fair. I'm sure sacrifices are made to make portable headphones, well...portable. That and full sized headphones like the HD600s or Q701s don't hit their full stride without a great amp/dac front end. As my comparisons were done with my iPad or iPhone, I didn't think it appropriate. As well, this was a spring/summer long search for a good portable pair of headphones while my main dynamic rig and stax rig were on the shelf so to speak due to some big home renovations. For a fantastic full sized headphone comparison, I'd recommend you check out DavidMahler's incredibly well written thread.
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Not to my ears either.
full dp
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Just want to know your reactions about whathifi.com review verdict on the kef M500 qoute:
-"They don’t quite have the timing or dynamics of the class-leaders"
-"Even more affordable headphones such as the excellent AKG K551 cans bring dynamic subtlety, fluidity and a neutrality that the KEF M500s can’t quite match"
any comments on this?
http://www.whathifi.com/review/kef-m500
-"They don’t quite have the timing or dynamics of the class-leaders"
-"Even more affordable headphones such as the excellent AKG K551 cans bring dynamic subtlety, fluidity and a neutrality that the KEF M500s can’t quite match"
any comments on this?
http://www.whathifi.com/review/kef-m500
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Yeah that certainly doesn't look like a particularly insightful or in-depth review.
Where exactly does the reviewer find the neutrality to be lacking compared to the K551? By all means, critique is great but measurements or at least some detailed specifics as to the reviewers observations are required in order to lend it a modicum of respectability. "Subtlety and fluidity"? What exactly does that mean? Attenuated highs and / or elevated mid-bass might make it sound more subtle, but certainly less neutral.
Where exactly does the reviewer find the neutrality to be lacking compared to the K551? By all means, critique is great but measurements or at least some detailed specifics as to the reviewers observations are required in order to lend it a modicum of respectability. "Subtlety and fluidity"? What exactly does that mean? Attenuated highs and / or elevated mid-bass might make it sound more subtle, but certainly less neutral.
Lan647
1000+ Head-Fier
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Didn't find the K550 (same as K551?) to be a great example of neutrality. They seemed slightly thin and bright to me.
Didn't find the K550 (same as K551?) to be a great example of neutrality. They seemed slightly thin and bright to me.
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Quite typical for a What HI-Fi review. Their reviews are short and intended to make a quick judgement so they can move on to the next item. You have to read the words they choose carefully to get the substance behind the impressions. All too often though they do not communicate enough about the traits to reach all readers.
I can say that over the years they tend to be fairly accurate with many of their rankings yet personal preferences will come to bear. It is an art to read between the lines of their and anyone else's reviews to ensure you can filter the stuff that is important to you.
By all means, take the What Hi-Fi and other reviews with a grain of salt because they can all come crashing down when you actually get to hear it. That has happened to me more times than I would like to count, especially from enthusiastic hf reviews.
Quite typical for a What HI-Fi review. Their reviews are short and intended to make a quick judgement so they can move on to the next item. You have to read the words they choose carefully to get the substance behind the impressions. All too often though they do not communicate enough about the traits to reach all readers.
I can say that over the years they tend to be fairly accurate with many of their rankings yet personal preferences will come to bear. It is an art to read between the lines of their and anyone else's reviews to ensure you can filter the stuff that is important to you.
By all means, take the What Hi-Fi and other reviews with a grain of salt because they can all come crashing down when you actually get to hear it. That has happened to me more times than I would like to count, especially from enthusiastic hf reviews.
I really appreciate these types of reviews as it really helps to gain an idea of how the different cans sound.
Of those mentioned here, I had the sony 1r and the dt1350 and m80 and herd the momentums briefly.
Anyway the only portable I find interesting is the newcomer m500.
I have tried many and so far for me I found that Audio Technica is and remains on another level above the rest.
I believe just the ws99 alone would mop the floor with most the above mentioned here.
Then there is the higher "earsuit" line.
Doesn't get much better than that but I'm always looking, as this is a hard habit to break! Lol
Of those mentioned here, I had the sony 1r and the dt1350 and m80 and herd the momentums briefly.
Anyway the only portable I find interesting is the newcomer m500.
I have tried many and so far for me I found that Audio Technica is and remains on another level above the rest.
I believe just the ws99 alone would mop the floor with most the above mentioned here.
Then there is the higher "earsuit" line.
Doesn't get much better than that but I'm always looking, as this is a hard habit to break! Lol
Trunks159
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Yeah, the ws99 is about on the same level as the m500 and m4u IMO. They're very dark.
Peter, great thread. I wonder how I missed it until now? Nice to see Beats finally taking the actual sound quality seriously. Style is fine, but when the posse is gone I want to listen to good sounding HP's. I keep rotating between the HD650's (in the hotel room) the HD25-1 ii's and the DT-1350's. I do not wear glasses so that put's the Beyer's back into play for me. I can balance these cans with my JH16's and T1's when CIEM's are useful. For closed and portable I get really torn between the Senn's and the Beyers. Both have nice sound quality and plenty of quality bass.
BTW, if you get to Milwaukee again we can do a mini meet. That would be fun.
Eric
BTW, if you get to Milwaukee again we can do a mini meet. That would be fun.
Eric
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I wouldn't put much faith in WHAT-HI-FI....they are all over the map with their reviews.....like comparing a full-size headphone with an on-ear portable one
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M500 and M4U are not dark. No way.
I wouldn't put much faith in WHAT-HI-FI....they are all over the map with their reviews.....like comparing a full-size headphone with an on-ear portable one
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M500 and M4U are not dark. No way.
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Yeah, I'm not sure what to make of that thread. The K550/551s are fine headphones, but the tizzy treble kinda killed them for me. I found the M500s more neutral / transparent. YMMV.
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Hey Eric: Thanks! I've got a big customer in your neck of the woods that I visit from time to times. I'll let you know...it would be fun. I can bring a few of my portable headphones too.
Yeah, I'm not sure what to make of that thread. The K550/551s are fine headphones, but the tizzy treble kinda killed them for me. I found the M500s more neutral / transparent. YMMV.
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Hey Eric: Thanks! I've got a big customer in your neck of the woods that I visit from time to times. I'll let you know...it would be fun. I can bring a few of my portable headphones too.
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We could nudge dBel and Tari and see if they are available. Could be fun.
We could nudge dBel and Tari and see if they are available. Could be fun.
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Sure...we'll need to make sure Don brings his Abyss headphones...I'd like to give them a try.
![size]](http://files.head-fi.org/images/smilies/smile.gif[size=13px][/size])
Sure...we'll need to make sure Don brings his Abyss headphones...I'd like to give them a try.
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Seriously..?? Ive actually been enjoying my Amperiors over my Momentums lately... I suppose everyone is different.
Seriously..?? Ive actually been enjoying my Amperiors over my Momentums lately... I suppose everyone is different.
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Yes, everyone is different. I jettisoned the Momentums in favor of the Amperiors as well. Not perfect, but they get the tone right for me on most stuff. That does not preclude me from seeking out another headphone to see if I gel with it in the future.
Yes, everyone is different. I jettisoned the Momentums in favor of the Amperiors as well. Not perfect, but they get the tone right for me on most stuff. That does not preclude me from seeking out another headphone to see if I gel with it in the future.
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