I just returned from a Magnolia design center store out here in LA. I tried a bunch of different headphones.
My Audio Technica M50x with MH5
VMODA M100s
Sennheiser Momentum 2.0
Sony MDR1A
Sony MDRZ7 (for like 30 seconds)--> $700 is well outside my price range
I used them with my iPhone 6, playing Spotify 320kbps, downloaded to my iPhone, not streaming.
This is likely how I will be playing the majority of my music (though streaming at 320kbps as well): I will eventually get an amp (most immediately the FiiO E6 recommended above, then the FiiO E12); and can start EQ'ing as I really dig in and learn from this Head-Fi community and tweak appropriately. I did mess with an EQ built into the Spotify app, however I mostly tested completely FLAT to avoid tainting the test sessions.
I was in there for about 2 hours and listened to the same ~10 or 30 seconds of a song on each, & switched frequently so I could really tell the differences of the phones.
VMODA M100:
Yes, certainly more bass than my M50x, EDM and Hip-Hop songs were more "alive"... however they really really lacked clarity. It was like I was running through a paintball field. They weren't focused and clear.
Sennheiser Momentum 2.0:
I honestly think there was something wrong with them, because the bass would crackle and distort at times when pushed to 95-100% iPhone volume; none of the others did this. I also strongly disliked the sliding metal adjuster for fit. Not worth the $ IMO.
And finally, the
Sony MDR1A:
Easily the biggest surprise: Wow, I loved them. I didn't even pick them up until about 1/2 way through, and boy, am I glad I did. I went back a listened to my test play list again, frequently sub'ing in the M50x, M100s, and Momentum 2.0s until I finally benched the Momentums. They had such GREAT, tight, clear, bass you could FEEL. And most importantly, you could actually hear bass at lower volumes!
I feel like I had to have the M50x at 100% volume on my iPhone6 to even feel some sort of bass; especially with the HM5 cups. The M100s, the bass was there, but it just couldn't catch up with the rest of the song, especially a very busy EDM track. The MDR1As were as every bit as ALIVE as the M100, but just clearer and tighter in every category------> again, to my novice ears.
edit: I forgot to mention how comfortable and LIGHT these things are. I don't think they fold (too bad), but they are so light and relatively small: while the cups still fit entirely around my large-ish ears. A 2nd cable with in-line controls & mic is also included. VERY seriously considering these. $299 on Amazon (and in Magnolia/Best Buy); with an option for $240 on Amazon with no warranty. Thoughts?
How are the MDR-1A's regarded on this forum/community? Am I nuts?
ps, I also listened to some open backed Audeze EL-8s (the sales guy gave them to me). Very comfortable, built like a tank, great cable and easily the best in-line control system I've experienced. The bass was somewhat lacking considering they were open backed---> and expensive. Not a purchase for the time, but really liked the quality/feel of 'em.
