Sony MDR-MA100 Over the Head Style Headphones

Finally the erfect time to write up a review for this favorite can of mine
 
Build: looks flimsy and minimal, but Very durable, mine has went through more than a year and still no problem despite few times fall from bed height, cable caught on something, still come out of it scotch free, the metal cover of the driver doesn't have any visible scratches, velour pads more durable than M40x Pleather, (well of course) and more breatheable, It's also very light, headband even with no cushion rest in between the thicker part, and my head sit perfectly with no comfort problem whatsoever, no complaint from me
 
Sound: It has a warm signature, a bit neutral with not much of emphasis on bass and it always feel natural on any activities I use it with, whether watching movies, playing games, or listening to music.
Bass is Laid back and enough for giving the much needed atmosphere any music needs, for movie or gaming with tons of explosion though, it may need a bit of a Bass Boost (good thing my Q1 has it) and you wont ever demand for more
Mids are taking centre stage but not too intimate to make it feel unnatural, it feels like I am listening to them singing in the same room (albeit quite small one It has better soudntsage than competitors on the same price range, yes, but compared to popular AT's AD 500x,700 etc its around the same in width. 
It has rolled off treble, so if you compare it with SR60e on high notes realism like on "rain" and "applause" sound, the grado take the cake there, but I wouldn't stand watching full season of a series wearing only the Grado, M100, give me 3 and I can finish it in one sitting , It's made for long use comfort, not critical listening with much detail, so I'd gladly accept this,
 
Overall I'm very satisfied with this headphone, for the price I paid it for, anyone can walk in and buy a pair for any use, piano training, watching movies late at night, or whatever, with the comfort and sound it has, I feel this is the Porta Pros of Full size open headphone, though sadly Sony's MA series is discontinued now, I think that people need take attention of it when they find it on garage sale somewhere.

Sony MDR-MA100
Quick Notes
"I feel these are an important staple in the world of "Lower End Headphones". They truly show that price means nothing."
Cons -
"Cans do feel cheap, and sound cheap when you jangle them around in your hands, you can tell they're built cheap."
Pros - 
"Despite suffering a jangling sound from twisting them left and right, and a few slams if dropped."
 
Sound Quality, & What You Get for $20
So, it's fair to assume that a lot of people outside Head-Fi would make the average comment in saying that "$20 is probably crappy quality." 
Thankfully we're Head-Fi, not the General Public!
 
When you get this package, the build of the case it comes in would lead you to think it's sound is poor, and they are just plain cans for a cheapo person.
Beyond looks, and mods, these are pretty interesting.
 
Bass
Some will point the finger and call these Bass Cannons, which is quite false.
They're pumping out a lot of juice to the bass, but I'd take and say that it's pushed more towards Mid, & Upper Bass ends.
 
Highs
I wanna argue that the Highs are colored, but in a manner of making them sound soft, and glistening.
They're pretty, not scarring, and won't tear your ears out.
Tinging isn't accurate, but it's hidden. With a glare effect that gives them an echo sounding shatter after Crash Cymbals, and Rides are hit.
 
Mids
Mids are pumping. 
I mean thrusting, or forward with Upper End Bass.
You get a slight bit of air pushed through the driver with EQ, though I don't recommend EQ'ing these.
But mids are accurate if you can push by the airy thrusts, and bumps, though I think it gives these a characteristic.
 
Lows
Low end is full of the Bass guitar solos, and lines.
It's not an all around important part of the headphone, but it's solid structure makes sure you know they're there.
Unfortunately there's no real detail.
 
My Mods
Turtle Beach Ear Force XL1 Pads to increase comfort, I personally didn't care for the velour on them, so I put them on my M50s'.


Size Cups, & Cans

Paid around 30$ for this little gem
 
it has the MA900's sound signature, but at much better price and less requirements. 
It has angled drivers, which makes for a pretty good stage. it is very light, comfortable, and overall an excellent all-rounder.
the bass is of course elevated more than it should be, but not too much (certainly not for bass-heads)
the mids are the magic here... Ambient is so good with this one.
the treble is rolled off, well, same as the MA900's.
 
While it may be a little bit less refined in comparison to its bigger brother, it is still so good... I rank it as my #1 for TV & Movies purposes.
There wasn't even a need for a burn-in... it sounded great straight out of the box.
 
In short, 
- I didn't imagine i'll get so much for the 30$ (!)

[size=small]Sony MDR MA series are all particularly similar, a series of comfortable, open back headset from Sony which look very simple. I found this MA100 for sale around $25, Have been reading good reviews of the MA900, I figured I as well buy the entry level model as my first purchase in Hi-Fi Audio. I’ve been regularly using it for a week now, so I figured I try giving my review here as there’s none yet.[/size][size=small] [/size]
[size=small]Comfort: Its very Light… sometimes I forgot that I’m wearing it, if not for the Unpadded headrest… It’s an open headphone, so heat doesn’t really linger, the earpads is comfortable enough, it has an angled driver to provide room for the ear (the brother MA300 has swiveling driver that can accommodate various size of ears for enhanced comfort) Definitely the most comfortable headset I possess. [/size]
[size=small]Build: Very flimsy feeling, made from cheap Plastic that creaks when my head moved a bit (like when eating) but the music will mask that. The Fabric Ear pads is very comfortable, not prone to get dirty, and very airy.[/size]
[size=small]Sound Isolation: Is nonexistent.. Feel the same with or without the headset on… Example: I can still hear the sound of my in ear headset with 60% volume from 1M distance[/size]
[size=small]Sound Quality: As you can see, I'm a newcomer in HI-FI audio, so I can't really describe the sound signature of this as I haven’t really tried that many around the ear Headphones (only tried ATH M50x and HD 202 for few minutes each, can't give comparisons) What I can say is that It sound natural and has wide soundstage, (I say I feel like sitting in a 5*4 room).. The widest I've ever heard, as I’ve never tried any other open Headset Before... The bass is there, but not pronounced, the vocal is front, String instruments sound phenomenal... I feel satisfied listening my music collection (Mostly female vocals, pop, and acoustics) with these, especially the acoustic, I can hear what I can’t before and I feel each instruments come from slightly different direction... quite fun. [/size]
[size=small]Mobile Use: This Headset is very flimsy, so I don't really use it for mobile use, and it has 40 ohm impedance, still possible for portable use, but I need to set the volume of the music up to 8-9/10 to reach enjoyable level using my Lumia. The 3M straight cable feel solid enough, only there's no strain relief on the part that enter each left & right earpieces.. Cause of Worry. The part proximal to the divider are quite thin too, prone to get twisted a bit after storage, Cable ended in a Straight-gold plated jack that feels sturdy.[/size]
[size=small]Verdict: I think this Headphone is good for: Movie Lovers, Those looking for open headset with low budget, People tired of bass heavy headphones and doesn’t care about sound isolation. [/size]
[size=small]I feel it’s a great investment for an entry level Open back Headphone, a proper all-rounder. Definitely going to keep it and maybe make a padding for the headrest will be my first mod for this. Will be looking for a nice IEM’s for portable use J[/size]