Audio-Technica ATH-MSR7 Discussion Thread

[earfonia]

  Thanks for that input. I will put these to the test tomorrow. 
 
Any thoughts on how the MSR7 might match up against the Sennheiser Momentum 2.0 or Bowers and Wilkins P7?

 
Haven't tried Momentum 2.0. B&W P7 is slightly more colored, towards warmer signature. Very nice, I like P7, but I won't recommend P7 for studio monitoring. MSR7 has the 'reference' type of sound signature, balanced tonality with excellent detail and clarity. MSR7 is more natural sounding than P7, less colored, but clearly not for those looking for warm or bassy sound signature. Those looking for accurate sound, at MSR7 price category, not much really, and MSR7 is one of the best. I'm waiting for the chance to compare MSR7 with Yamaha HPH-MT220. Curious which one is more accurate for studio monitoring. In fact, for studio monitoring, I prefer MSR7 over the Audio-Technica M50 and M50x. For music listening, M50 and M50LE are more relaxing and very likeable, and more 'source' friendly. MSR7 shines only with good quality source and amplifier.

 

[LonghornTech]

   
Haven't tried Momentum 2.0. B&W P7 is slightly more colored, towards warmer signature. Very nice, I like P7, but I won't recommend P7 for studio monitoring. MSR7 has the 'reference' type of sound signature, balanced tonality with excellent detail and clarity. MSR7 is more natural sounding than P7, less colored, but clearly not for those looking for warm or bassy sound signature. Those looking for accurate sound, at MSR7 price category, not much really, and MSR7 is one of the best. I'm waiting for the chance to compare MSR7 with Yamaha HPH-MT220. Curious which one is more accurate for studio monitoring. In fact, for studio monitoring, I prefer MSR7 over the Audio-Technica M50 and M50x. For music listening, M50 and M50LE are more relaxing and very likeable, and more 'source' friendly. MSR7 shines only with good quality source and amplifier.

Awesome, thank you for the information. I bought these to use for music on my cell phone and laptop. 
 
I will test them out and then see if I want to keep. If not, I might go with momentum 2.0 or see if I can find an OK deal on P7's. 
 
I don't particularly like how the M50 and M50x look.

 

[LonghornTech]

Just received my ATH-MSR7. Very initial impressions using LG G3 smartphone:
 
Pros:
 
Clarity
 
Natural Sounding
 
Nice bass (it is not "weak" by any means)
 
Looks
 
Build Quality (caveat) 
 
Top notch vocal presentation 
 
3 cables
 
Cons:
Sibilance. Listening to the consecutive S's in Hozier's Take me to Church sounded lispy and staticy 
 
Hotspot on the top of your head is real. It actually went away after about half an hour of wearing
 
Clamping force is also real. It's not terrible. It hasn't given me a headache and I'm pretty sensitive to that (tight hats = instant headache)
 
Earpads are not the most comfortable. They are not memory foam, but also not firm by any means. They should be a TAD deeper. I kept feeling myself wanting to shift my ears to give them more air
 
Sound leakage is "meh" I was playing at about 60% (I know, that's relative) and there was definitely some leakage. Could be worse (QC25s are worse)
 
Sound isolation is close to non existent, voices are muffled but still there
 
creaking in the plastic headband
 
no volume rocker on inline remote
 
no hard case
 
 
 
I will continue to break and burn these guys in. So far impressions are mixed. They could be much more comfortable, the exaggerated treble makes for some slightly fatiguing listening.
 
Feel free to ask any questions.
 
EDIT: Listening to Death Cab for Cutie's No Room in the Frame is very pleasant. The high's do not get in the way. My ears can relax from their constant focus and the guitar really runs right at you. The drum hits are clear, refined. I do not listen to much bass centric music, but I will update when I get a more clear idea of how deep and refined it is.

 

[ArchDragoon]

I have MSR7LTD for one week and today I will change it with MDR-1A because I don't like MSR7's clamping force, Bass impact and quantity is not good enough for rock and heavy metal music 

 

[LonghornTech]

  I have MSR7LTD for one week and today I will change it with MDR-1A because I don't like MSR7's clamping force, Bass impact and quantity is not good enough for rock and heavy metal music 

Yeah the MDR-1A are certainly more comfortable. I got to listen to them at a local store and I felt that the vocals were too overshadowed for my liking. The MSR7 have better clarity, but you are right: not as good for rock or heavy metal where the instruments are so essential.
 
The MSR7's are fantastic for piano based music as well as acoustic (though harsh at high volumes). They do a GOOD job at everything else, but the MDR-1A's are a much "easier" listen, where the rounded vocals step back and soothing and dynamic instruments take center stage.

 

[twister6]

  I have MSR7LTD for one week and today I will change it with MDR-1A because I don't like MSR7's clamping force, Bass impact and quantity is not good enough for rock and heavy metal music 

 
Just like a sound burn in, headband needs a break in time.  About a week or so stretched across a soccer ball or a stack of books and they feel super comfortable.  MSR7 is my go-to pair of cans right now for everything from music listening to music production.  Excellent synergy paired up with Schiit FULLA (using it with laptop now).

 

[LonghornTech]

   
Just like a sound burn in, headband needs a break in time.  About a week or so stretched across a soccer ball or a stack of books and they feel super comfortable.  MSR7 is my go-to pair of cans right now for everything from music listening to music production.  Excellent synergy paired up with Schiit FULLA (using it with laptop now).

Schiit FULLA...must I make the connection?
 
Glad to hear that though. I think I'm going to keep these bad boys and wait for them to break in a little bit. Do yours make a creaking sound (it's not a deal breaker).

 

[twister6]

 

   
Just like a sound burn in, headband needs a break in time.  About a week or so stretched across a soccer ball or a stack of books and they feel super comfortable.  MSR7 is my go-to pair of cans right now for everything from music listening to music production.  Excellent synergy paired up with Schiit FULLA (using it with laptop now).

Schiit FULLA...must I make the connection?
 
Glad to hear that though. I think I'm going to keep these bad boys and wait for them to break in a little bit. Do yours make a creaking sound (it's not a deal breaker).

 
No creaking sound here, though vlenbo mentioned about his pair having it.
 
Oh, and that USB dac/amp is not FULLA Schiit

  It's a real deal http://www.head-fi.org/t/756553/review-of-schiit-audio-fulla-usb-dongle-dac-amp-w-pics

 

[LonghornTech]

   
No creaking sound here, though vlenbo mentioned about his pair having it.
 
Oh, and that USB dac/amp is not FULLA Schiit

  It's a real deal http://www.head-fi.org/t/756553/review-of-schiit-audio-fulla-usb-dongle-dac-amp-w-pics

It sure does sound like it.
 
This might seem like a real amateur questoin, but would the FiiO E6 make this sound a little less harsh (give it more bass?)
 
Would it just be worth shelling out the extra...$50 or so to get the schiit fulla?

 

[twister6]

 

   
No creaking sound here, though vlenbo mentioned about his pair having it.
 
Oh, and that USB dac/amp is not FULLA Schiit

  It's a real deal http://www.head-fi.org/t/756553/review-of-schiit-audio-fulla-usb-dongle-dac-amp-w-pics

It sure does sound like it.
 
This might seem like a real amateur questoin, but would the FiiO E6 make this sound a little less harsh (give it more bass?)
 
Would it just be worth shelling out the extra...$50 or so to get the schiit fulla?

 
FULLA is only good as usb dac/amp dongle connected to your laptop.  E6 is a very basic amp.  If you want to invest into a good portable amp for MSR7 or any IEM or full size, Cayin C5 is an excellent choice.  Also, I like Fiio E12A.  Of course, there are a lot of other choices, but for $160 those two are my top recommendation!

 

[q2klepto]

   
Just like a sound burn in, headband needs a break in time.  About a week or so stretched across a soccer ball or a stack of books and they feel super comfortable.  MSR7 is my go-to pair of cans right now for everything from music listening to music production.  Excellent synergy paired up with Schiit FULLA (using it with laptop now).

 
Tyll's video review shows him bending the band, i did the same thing and now its much much more loose.  Clamping force is a non-issue now, i was afraid of snapping the band - but it can bend quite a bit. 

 

[twister6]

 

   
Just like a sound burn in, headband needs a break in time.  About a week or so stretched across a soccer ball or a stack of books and they feel super comfortable.  MSR7 is my go-to pair of cans right now for everything from music listening to music production.  Excellent synergy paired up with Schiit FULLA (using it with laptop now).

 
Tyll's video review shows him bending the band, i did the same thing and now its much much more loose.  Clamping force is a non-issue now, i was afraid of snapping the band - but it can bend quite a bit. 

 
That's why I try to avoid extreme bending, stretch over time does a better job.  My kids get a kick out of me borrowing their Wilson soccer ball and keeping headphones on for a week, the same with drying baseball hats lol!!!  The curvature of soccer ball or basketball is always great to stretch the headband, but you can also put it across a stack of books.

 

[PAULINK]

So those of you complaining about clamping force, would you say they are worse than the M50X in this regard? Reason why I ask is because I was looking at these pair of headphones for comfort, want to make sure I can use them for long period of time.
 
The last pair of cans I had were the original M50, and I sold them because I could not wear them for too long. Been tempted on getting either the msr7 or the m50x. They say the m50x earpads were improved.
 
The notes about creaking also make me weary of the msr7, as I'm trying to get some for working out as well.

 

[twister6]

  So those of you complaining about clamping force, would you say they are worse than the M50X in this regard? Reason why I ask is because I was looking at these pair of headphones for comfort, want to make sure I can use them for long period of time.
 
The last pair of cans I had were the original M50, and I sold them because I could not wear them for too long. Been tempted on getting either the msr7 or the m50x. They say the m50x earpads were improved.

 
MSR7 clamping force is worse out of the box, but loosens up after a short while.  But even after loosening up, they are still no match for M50/M50x which are generally considered to be very comfortable and designed for extended studio comfort.  If you have problem with M50 clamping force, you will have issues with a lot of headphones, I'm afraid.  M50x earpads are softer, but clamping force was similar to M50.
 
You probably should look into IEMs, no need to worry about clamping force in there   If you like M50x/MSR7, looking into CKR9/CKR10/CKR9LTD is a good option!

 

[PAULINK]

   
MSR7 clamping force is worse out of the box, but loosens up after a short while.  But even after loosening up, they are still no match for M50/M50x which are generally considered to be very comfortable and designed for extended studio comfort.  If you have problem with M50 clamping force, you will have issues with a lot of headphones, I'm afraid.  M50x earpads are softer, but clamping force was similar to M50.
 
You probably should look into IEMs, no need to worry about clamping force in there   If you like M50x/MSR7, looking into CKR9/CKR10/CKR9LTD is a good option!

Thank you very much for the recommendations, I have never actually tried out an IEM type earbud before, nor did I know prices ran that high! Based on the feedback from this thread, I'm actually gravitating back to the M50x. I think if the stock earpads are softer on the m50x, that I could deal with it considering that they were absolutely a contributing factor to my discomfort from the original m50s.
 
The only thing I would be really missing is the little microphone cable (or even remote) that the MSR7 has, AFAIK the M50x don't have an accesory like that.