These are two reasonably low cost headphones that I own, and I will now compare them for your reading pleasure! The Sony MDR-7506 is the 'Pro' version of the V6. Which means it has fancier stickers and a gold plug. For the purposes of this review, consider them functionally identical to the Sony V6.
--INTRO--
The Sony MDR-7506 is a closed circumaural/supraaural phone. The one I have has had its pleather pads replaced with the pads for the Beyerdynamic DT250. They are soft and velour. They make the headphones quite comfy! They are a tad heavy, but they grip nicely, and are very adjustable. The cord is 3m long, and coiled up. It comes with a mini jack, and a mini/1/4" adapter, for your adapting pleasure. Visually, they are pretty minimalist. They don't look very fancy or wild. But they are meant to be 'studio headphones' so looks weren't their priority. However, wearing them cultivates an image that you are a pro, so there is a bit of style there.
I'm not sure what its list price is, but they are found around $100.00, and its brother the V6 can be had as cheap as 60$. I bought these for $80, including the beyer pads and shipping from a head-fier.
The Sennheiser HD497 is a supraaural open headphone. It has pleather pads, and a padded headstrap. It has wires going to each ear, instead of coming from only one side like the Sony. The cables are removeable and replaceable, should you feel the need to upgrade, or if the cat eats the original cable. It is terminated with a nickle plated mini, and comes with a mini/1/4" adapter, once again, for your adapting pleasure. They are silver, and have a strange appearance. The two cups are sort of held against your head by a large silver U that presses them toward you. Its odd, but stylish in its own way. The 497s list at $69.99, but I got them for $59 from headroom.com.
--COMFORT--
The Sony's are more comfortable. I'm not sure how they would compare if I wasn't using the nice softy fluffy Beyer pads. The Senns have a bit of a deathgrip squeeze, though its not so bad now that I've had them for a while. The pleather pads on the Senn make my ears a bit sweaty, also. The size of the Senns means they sort of press against my glasses, which is a bit uncomfortable. Anyway, the Sony's w/ beyer pads are more comfy.
The Sennheisers look cheaply built. They are pretty sturdy, honestly, but they don't look it. They feel pretty flimsy. The Sony has metal parts, with screws, and brackets and whatnot. Also, you can flip the earcups around for DJ and monitoring applications. Also, the Sony's fold up, which is nice.
--SOUND-- The good stuff!
As my source, I'm using my computer and my SlimX mp3/cd player. I know they aren't the greatest sources, but thats where these phones are going to be used by me, and by many others who are considering these headphones. My amp is a home built Cmoy, powered by a 9V battery, with integral crossfeed. Crossfeed is bypassed for this review, unless I specifically mention turning it on. I've also done some listening through my NAD 7020, listening to some vinyl through a grado green cartridge, and the integrated phono preamp and headphone amp on the NAD 7020. Both of them are pretty worthy, as far as integrateds go.
To a certain degree, I'm comparing apples and oranges, since once phone is open, and the other is closed. However, since they are in a similar price bracket, I'll compare them anyway.
The Sony's are very 'in your face'. This is probably due in part to the closed aspect. The soundstage is much more narrow than the Sennheisers. The Sony highs are brighter, and the bass is bumpin'er. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, keep in mind. The Sony's have very good bass extension. Their slam and bass really conveys the hip-hop flavor when I listen to some saul williams or amon tobin. I suppose some people might call them analytical, but I find them less detailed than my HD590s, so I don't really feel that 'analytical' is a proper description. They are quite clear though.
Back to the Senns. Wham, the doors open, we aren't in a little room, we are in a big hall. Saul Williams steps back 10 feet. The soundstage is much wider with these open phones. The midrange seems to be a little better on the Senns. The highs are less bright, and the bass is less prominent. It still has pretty low extension, its just not very forward bass. It certainly doesn't have the SLAM of the Sony. This headphone seems much more balanced than the Sony.
Back to the Sony. Vocals are detailed, but not as 'real' as on the Senns. On some jazz, the Sony's seem to sound a tad unbalanced. The lack of soundstage isn't very cool. But, crossfeed helps.
Back to the Senn. They are more 'revealing' of issues with the recording. Hiss and scratches come out more. But on the same token, nuances of the sound also come floating out better.
On the vinyl system, the Sennheiser definately shows its sonic qualities. Everything sounds much more real. More dynamic. Its superiour for things that desire a balanced sound, like classical and jazz. It sounds good with everything, but some things make use of the balanced tone a little better.
Wrap it up, yo!
I'm getting rid of one of these headphones! I'll be keeping the Sony MDR-7506s. I need their closedness for portable use (the 497s were way to loud on the bus, and let in too much bus-noise.) Usually when i'm out and about, i'm listening to things with a little more bump and snap, so the strong bass and bright highs are nice to have. Also, comfort is nice!
However, don't take this as meaning I think the 497s are bad phones! I like them very much, but I don't need them, as I have the HD590s serving the purpose of 'Nice Open Phone'. The 497s aren't great for my portable use, and at home, they don't compare to the 590s, so they are redundant. But thats OK. I'll be giving them to a musician friend of mine, he'll put them to good use!
Peace,
Phidauex
P.S. Jude, that ferrite bead, it does WONDERS for the sound! Just kidding, I can't hear any difference with it on or off.
But its a neat little toy to play with.
They are used, and are already burned in (are they already burned in, Jude?). Anyway, I'm just excited (new phones always make me excited!). I'll post the real review this evening sometime.
