ATH-AD500 (air) vs. MS-1

[jmrowka]

any thoughts, comparisons?

mostly computer based listening, possibly out of iPod on occasion, will i need a amp for either?

thanks for sharing any opinions...

 

[jmrowka]

^^TTT^^

 

[dj_mocok]

feel sorry for you that no one responded... hehehe...

but mate, all i can help you is doing comparison between MS2 and AD5, would that help ?

but in respond to your thread question, you dont necessarily need an amp for both headphones, especially if your source is basic.

and if you want me to guesstimate,

MS1 will be better in terms of sound (although this is relative to your listening experience and equipment too - if your source is only portable, it wont make so much difference)

However AD500 will beat MS1 in terms of comfortness. MS1 will leak more sound than AD500. if you get MS1, you would be the #485 owners on headfi , if you get AD500, you would be #3 owner ? hehee..

one more thing, you will look weird with AD500 on your head (big) and MS1 looks nicer on your head.
AD500 is too big and bulky to be carried outside, while MS1 will fit easily inside your bag or something.

there. hope it helps.

Oh, if you ask me, personally i would go for MS1, i think for $100 bucks, its THE headphones to get.

 

[jmrowka]

anythign at this point...

 

[dj_mocok]

just edited my post, read it and hope it helps you a bit.

 

[johnjac]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmrowka any thoughts, comparisons? mostly computer based listening, possibly out of iPod on occasion, will i need a amp for either? thanks for sharing any opinions...

Own both headphones and would be hard pressed to say one was "better" than the other. The ms-1 sound is more forward with bright(some say too bright) treble and are quite comfortable once the headband is formed into shape. The A-500s sound a bit more recessed than the ms-1 but have a superior soundstage and are a bit more comfortable on my head

 

[johnjac]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmrowka any thoughts, comparisons? mostly computer based listening, possibly out of iPod on occasion, will i need a amp for either? thanks for sharing any opinions...

Sorry-should have had both eyes open. I own the ATH-500 which may or may not be the closed version of the AD-500 you are inquiring about

 

[Snufkin]

I much prefer the MS-1 to the AD500, the only time the AD500 does a little better is for PC gaming as the MS-1 doesn't do positional audio as well.
I find the overall sound of the MS-1 to be not only more pleasant, but more interesting and exciting. The AD500 tends to sound a little dry and while I'm not a basshead, the AD500 doesn't have enough bass for my tastes.
I actually prefer the AD300 to the AD500

 

[dj_mocok]

snufkin, talking about AD lines, is there any reason why you dont carry AD700 at your shop ?

 

[jmrowka]

snufkin, what is the url of your shop? do you ship to the states?

 

[jmrowka]

how much do the air series actully leak? amp needed for either of these phones?

 

[dj_mocok]

snufkin's shop: headphones.com.au

dont know about ADxxx series, but my AD5 leaks quite a lot of sound, although not as much as grados..

 

[jmrowka]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snufkin I much prefer the MS-1 to the AD500, the only time the AD500 does a little better is for PC gaming as the MS-1 doesn't do positional audio as well. I find the overall sound of the MS-1 to be not only more pleasant, but more interesting and exciting. The AD500 tends to sound a little dry and while I'm not a basshead, the AD500 doesn't have enough bass for my tastes. I actually prefer the AD300 to the AD500

any more details on the difference between ad-500 and 300? the only reason i was askign about 500 is because they are carried by audio cubes.....

 

[kyrie]

Good point, why don't you carry the AD7/700?

It's supposed to be "the" headphone to get within AT's AD line, after all...

 

[Snufkin]

I just haven't got AD700 stock (or W1000 etc)

Sorry guys but I'm not really supposed to answer business related questions, but I'll give my impressions

The AD500 is a fairly flat and balanced sounding headphone, for those of you that know my tastes you'd know that I'm more of a fan of euphonic sound than technical sound. The AD300 isn't without it's flaws - the treble is fairly muffled, the bass is a little forward and the midrange isn't the most detailed but for the price they're very enjoyable (and boy are they comfy) to listen to.
On the other hand I find (and so have some people I've had audition the AD500) the AD500 to be nice and clear and detailed, bass is a little toned down, high end can be a little bright and dry so overall they're a little soulless to my ears, not much fun to listen to despite the extra detail.
The AD400 truly is a combination of both, which I find to be a little.. odd sounding, I'll have to spend more time with it to get a proper idea of where it fits so to speak.
I was pleasantly surprised by the AD300 actually

I wasn't expecting much of it but it's lots of fun.

I find the AT models to be a little hit and miss, the A700 sounds boxy and closed, the A500 is ok, but for a little more the Ultrasone HFI-500DJ1 is HEAPS better sounding (although not nearly as comfy) the A1000 sounds kind of dull, the A900 is fun but for the price I'd expect a more balanced sound etc.
The #1 best thing about AT headphones IMO is their comfort, they really do excel when it comes to this aspect.