Tom22
Headphoneus Supremus
- Joined
- Sep 3, 2012
- Posts
- 2,303
- Likes
- 941
How do the Vmoda XS compare to the Sennheiser Amperiors? I currently have the Vmoda M80 and looking to upgrade between one of these two thanks in advance!
i previously own the vmoda xs and currently own the amperiors. so i didn't have a chance to a/b them specifically. but here it goes.
in terms of build the xs definitely "feels" more premium> amperiors which is basically all plastic except for the earcups (which is the opposite for the xs (everything is basically metal and fabric except for the earcups)
but both are durable (amperiors uses the same parts as the hd25 which is a dj legend, so it needs to be durable)
comfort the xs takes it, id say almost a landslide. the xs barely clamp so they don't put too much pressure on the ear and it distributes pressure very evenly around the entire ear. but isolation is actually better than expected (usually light clamp= poor isolation). the amperiors although the pads are soft (the velours anyway, i'm getting the pleathers soon so i'll update my impressions later). but it has a very tight clamping force.
however this means the amperiors are far more secure on the head than the xs, which will come loose if you start headbanging to your music.
in terms of sound, i personally prefer the amperiors> the xs. their sound signature is more different than one might thing.
the xs is a much bassier headphone. i think it reaches lower than the amperiors, but its nowhere near as tight and fast sounding. it does carry more weight in the bass. and has more punch
in terms of the bass, the amperiors are much more balenced more nimble and soo incredibly fast, tight and slam that you can throw anything complex on it and it'll reproduce it marvelously. but it does roll of in the deep subbass
the midrange i find the xs is much fuller sounding. both the amperiors and xs have a more forward mids, however the xs reproduces vocals (both male and female) so beautifully, retaining the naturalness, timbre to the voices. the amperiors on the other hand have leaner midrange (its actually more clear, but i still yearn for the mids of the xs). the xs also doesn't make strong female vocals unbearable if they really belt out. the amperiors does it a bit.
in terms of treble, i find its more a preference thing >technicalities. i personally like the amperiors much more. the xs has a smooth treble, very very smooth but rollls of rather quickly, theres no harshness or any aggression in the treble. it really is a sit back and relaxing on your chair at home kinda treble. so it favors smoothness> precision detail and crispness
the amperiors on the other hand is much more aggressive, and exciting its crisp, and snappy, its a driving kinda treble, which does tend to sound bright (at first i found it a bit more brighter than i like) but i've grown to love it, because what it has over the xs is supreme clarity and articulation. the treble is more extended than the xs as well, which rolls of much more quickly > the amperiors.
sound stage the xs is definitely wider, it feels like a small room compare to the amperiors which feels exactly "in your head". but even though the amperiors are more in your head, its placement and separation is better, and more precise than the xs
in short, if you want a smoother more relaxing sound, go for the xs. if you want something really exciting and driving id say the amperiors.
i'm going to do a review on the amperiors very soon (along which a bunch of other gear) on my youtube channel, and i've already done a review on the vmoda xs! check it out on youtube under the username: On A Studentbudget