Supra--like the Toyota + Aural--like the word.

Easy. AD700.

2: AD700 and RX700. No plans to buy more; I've had the AD700 since 01/09 and the RX700 since 03/09.

I'm pretty content. AD700 for primary listening, RX700 for closed listening, and 200v for portability or isolation.

Quote: Originally Posted by Cankin What particular monitor or closed phones they use?? K240 or K271?? Depends on the studio. I'm not nearly as well-versed in monitors, but regarding closed phones, the MDR-V6 has long been a favorite.

Quote: Originally Posted by helicon1 lucky and intoart seem to be the same person and after being here for sometime it seems that the AD700s are the permanent FOTM hp on here. I was gonna buy some for really cheap but I don't think I am going to after having a listen. Hey, suit...

^ Most studios use monitors to mix and master, and closed phones for recording. Marketing aside, the K702 isn't a "pro" headphone anymore than the Macbook Pro is a "pro" laptop.

Quote: Originally Posted by KidJethro Ok, the AD700's showed up. First impressions- Other than color, and the model # printed on them, they are identical to the AD500's in appearance and materials. I can tell by looking at the driver's that they are different. The AD700's looks larger...

On a grad student budget, I'd take an RX700 any day over a Cowon + PX100, and an AD700 over a K601, amped or otherwise.

Quote: Originally Posted by boomana Actually, the ibuds would sound better, since the HE90 is an electrostatic headphone and wouldn't work at all straight from an ipod. In this case, ibuds ftw! Ha! That simplifies things, then.

It's possible there could be dirt or other contaminants on the drivers. Do you hear the distortion out of both ears, and on particular songs, or everywhere?

Quote: Originally Posted by atothex The last sentence is very wrong. HE90 vs ibuds straight from an ipod: which one sounds better? No idea; I've never tried both out of an iPod. However, I suspect lots of people would choose the iBuds, simply because they prefer the sound of them...

Quote: Originally Posted by fjrabon I thought you said the differences between all headphones is purely preference. Sure. Why else would you think I wouldn't be surprised if as many preferred an $80 phone as a $280 phone if they didn't know which they were listening to?

Quote: Originally Posted by intoart Thank you. That is both correct and well put. If I ask "what is a car that performs well at a reasonable price", I don't expect to be told "get a Mercedes SLK for $10,000", because that is simply not realistic. No problem. Your analogy is...

I've also read both phones are virtually alike. Would be fun to do a blind listen between the AD500, 700, and 900. I wouldn't be surprised if the differences could easily be attributed to preference.