tlR - Everything is so very much clearer and nuanced than I'm used to. From stereo presentation, to instrument separation. I can hear all the layers, and I'm hearing things I've never heard before. It's kind of bizarre how much I've been missing. Bass/Mid/Treble are clean and clear with no harshness or exaggeration. I don't know if I paid too much or not, but I'm happy to have really good sound without the wires.
Update - 4/26/16
So, do a bit of an oops I had the opportunity to interact with the Master & Dynamic customer service team through messaging and email. They were great, and went "above and beyond" to help me fix something that was pretty much my fault.
Also, the only negative I would really give the headphones is that the magnets for holding the ear pads on could be a bit stronger, or there could be a couple more of them. And yes, this is totally related to the customer service experience. I'm still super-happy with these headphones.
The first pair of headphones I've used to just sit and listen to music simply because they sound so good to me. I'm going to try them wired with an A3 Fiio Amp tomorrow just to see if I can hear a difference.
Background
I'm not an audiophile, but I'm thinking of joining the club. This is my first-ever headphone review. I've had these headphones for a week, and put about 15 hours of listening in with them. Since I can't find any real owner reviews of these, I thought I would give it a shot.
Previous Headphones owned (of note): Sony MDR-XB500 (former Basshead maybe), Sol Republic V10, Phiaton Chord MS 530.
Listening Style: Pretty much everything except most country music (see Listening Notes for a sampling).
About me: 41yo, male, missing some high-frequencies (over 15-17k) because of aging out, spend 2-3 hours M-F commuting with headphones on.
Material Notes
Yes, they feel amazingly solid in-hand. The switches feel like "real" switches from "back in the day." Not at all plasticky. Ear pads are easy to remove, but not so easy they just fall off. Hinges feel solid. They fit my giant head fine. I do have "detached" ear lobes, and larger ears. If I want a better seal, I have to tuck my lobes into the headphones - no biggy. They look remarkably normal-sized when being worn. I would say they are surprisingly compact for an over-ear headphone. Much smaller-wearing than the Chord MS 530's these are replacing.
They are not delicate. They are not bulky. They are beautiful.
Usage Notes
Bluetooth. I've been pairing these with Galaxy S7 Edge. Initial pairing was quick. If BT is left active on the phone, they will re-pair within 4-5 seconds of powering up. There is a tone/chime for power on, and a little two-note tone to indicate they are connected. There is a little "squelch" noise when powering off. (I'm wondering if anyone else hears this. It is literally the only thing I dislike about the headphones.)
Usage distance. My phone is usually a few feet away or less. However, in listening at home, I have forgotten I was on BT, and left my phone behind while going upstairs or into the kitchen to get some things - no drops, skips, or noise over 30 to 40 feet, even through walls/floors. In motion, walking from work to the subway for my commute, I've had a couple hiccups, but this only happens when my phone is in my front pocket, and has happened with other headphones. I blame the phone and/or my heavy-footed walking style.
I don't like ANC, so I'm not at all disappointed that these headphones don't have it. They do a great job of blocking out "noise" all on their own. With the Phiaton's I would never turn it on, as I didn't like how it "felt," and they sounded terrible with ANC on.
Sound Quality
In one word, Superb (to me). I can hear everything. By that, I mean that I'm hearing nuances in music I've never heard before in songs I've listened to hundreds of times.
Sub-Bass/Bass: Very clean and present. Not muddy or overpowering. Seems to have gotten "warmer" as I've listened more. Not sure if it the headphones or my ears on that one. They aren't weak in bass, just not bass-heavy.
Mids: Very clean and balanced. Very clear. Like being there in person, near the front row, by yourself with the band, and they're singing to just you.
Highs: Also clean, never harsh. High-hats and cymbals sound good, never painful or grating.
Sound stage: Ovular. Wider left to right, than they are deep front to back. (I really think this depends on the recording though.) I prefer closed-back for isolation, and these sound more "open" than other closed headphones I've used.
Listening Notes
I was going to include some listening notes, but I don't think I'm "there" yet with my vocabulary. I spent some time looking for songs for testing headphones, and these have found all the little nuances that folks talk about. "Why So Serious?" sub-bass at 3:30 - yep! "Axel F" original from soundtrack? - that clicky noise is not only there, it actually moves around "the stage" quite a bit. Take Five? Sounds like I'm right there while it is being recorded - great depth and width, almost 3D. Money For Nothing? - The climax of the intro at 1:40ish actually gives me chills.
I think I can actually tell the difference in recording quality now. This is something I've never noticed before. Also, EVERYTHING sounds much more dimensional and layered. I would equate this as going from standard definition to High-definition.
Update - 4/26/16
So, do a bit of an oops I had the opportunity to interact with the Master & Dynamic customer service team through messaging and email. They were great, and went "above and beyond" to help me fix something that was pretty much my fault.
Also, the only negative I would really give the headphones is that the magnets for holding the ear pads on could be a bit stronger, or there could be a couple more of them. And yes, this is totally related to the customer service experience. I'm still super-happy with these headphones.
The first pair of headphones I've used to just sit and listen to music simply because they sound so good to me. I'm going to try them wired with an A3 Fiio Amp tomorrow just to see if I can hear a difference.
Background
I'm not an audiophile, but I'm thinking of joining the club. This is my first-ever headphone review. I've had these headphones for a week, and put about 15 hours of listening in with them. Since I can't find any real owner reviews of these, I thought I would give it a shot.
Previous Headphones owned (of note): Sony MDR-XB500 (former Basshead maybe), Sol Republic V10, Phiaton Chord MS 530.
Listening Style: Pretty much everything except most country music (see Listening Notes for a sampling).
About me: 41yo, male, missing some high-frequencies (over 15-17k) because of aging out, spend 2-3 hours M-F commuting with headphones on.
Material Notes
Yes, they feel amazingly solid in-hand. The switches feel like "real" switches from "back in the day." Not at all plasticky. Ear pads are easy to remove, but not so easy they just fall off. Hinges feel solid. They fit my giant head fine. I do have "detached" ear lobes, and larger ears. If I want a better seal, I have to tuck my lobes into the headphones - no biggy. They look remarkably normal-sized when being worn. I would say they are surprisingly compact for an over-ear headphone. Much smaller-wearing than the Chord MS 530's these are replacing.
They are not delicate. They are not bulky. They are beautiful.
Usage Notes
Bluetooth. I've been pairing these with Galaxy S7 Edge. Initial pairing was quick. If BT is left active on the phone, they will re-pair within 4-5 seconds of powering up. There is a tone/chime for power on, and a little two-note tone to indicate they are connected. There is a little "squelch" noise when powering off. (I'm wondering if anyone else hears this. It is literally the only thing I dislike about the headphones.)
Usage distance. My phone is usually a few feet away or less. However, in listening at home, I have forgotten I was on BT, and left my phone behind while going upstairs or into the kitchen to get some things - no drops, skips, or noise over 30 to 40 feet, even through walls/floors. In motion, walking from work to the subway for my commute, I've had a couple hiccups, but this only happens when my phone is in my front pocket, and has happened with other headphones. I blame the phone and/or my heavy-footed walking style.
I don't like ANC, so I'm not at all disappointed that these headphones don't have it. They do a great job of blocking out "noise" all on their own. With the Phiaton's I would never turn it on, as I didn't like how it "felt," and they sounded terrible with ANC on.
Sound Quality
In one word, Superb (to me). I can hear everything. By that, I mean that I'm hearing nuances in music I've never heard before in songs I've listened to hundreds of times.
Sub-Bass/Bass: Very clean and present. Not muddy or overpowering. Seems to have gotten "warmer" as I've listened more. Not sure if it the headphones or my ears on that one. They aren't weak in bass, just not bass-heavy.
Mids: Very clean and balanced. Very clear. Like being there in person, near the front row, by yourself with the band, and they're singing to just you.
Highs: Also clean, never harsh. High-hats and cymbals sound good, never painful or grating.
Sound stage: Ovular. Wider left to right, than they are deep front to back. (I really think this depends on the recording though.) I prefer closed-back for isolation, and these sound more "open" than other closed headphones I've used.
Listening Notes
I was going to include some listening notes, but I don't think I'm "there" yet with my vocabulary. I spent some time looking for songs for testing headphones, and these have found all the little nuances that folks talk about. "Why So Serious?" sub-bass at 3:30 - yep! "Axel F" original from soundtrack? - that clicky noise is not only there, it actually moves around "the stage" quite a bit. Take Five? Sounds like I'm right there while it is being recorded - great depth and width, almost 3D. Money For Nothing? - The climax of the intro at 1:40ish actually gives me chills.
I think I can actually tell the difference in recording quality now. This is something I've never noticed before. Also, EVERYTHING sounds much more dimensional and layered. I would equate this as going from standard definition to High-definition.