[Lorthirk]

So,
 
I ordered my ATH-M50 from a store in Italy, which this morning told me they don't have anymore in stock so I cancelled the order. I found the cheapest one to be at 190€ from Germany, so I stopped thinking a minute. I was thinking that maybe, for such that price (ordering in USA is a no-go due to a long shipment plus the risk of customs fee) maybe I could aim for something more, and that such higher recommendation for M50 may be driven by its US low price? These are my first headphone and I like to hear basses, I listen mainly to symphonic and progressive metal and alternative rock and they would go unamped since I don't have any portable or desktop amp, nor I am planning to get one soon.
 
Thanks!

 

[dub Beatz]

I would look for something by Grado with your musical tastes.

 

[Lorthirk]

Some specific model?

 

[socalguy124]

i listened to nightwish for the short time i had the ath-m50 and it sounded pretty bad imo.  the soundstage was too small and the guitar sounded distant.  the m50 did sound good when i played trance or hip hop...i'd recommend them to anyone who listens to those genres. 
 
you made a wise decision canceling your order.  grados would do more justice for your musical taste if you can handle the treble (i can't).  grados also have a small soundstage but they sound good unamped.  i'm not the guy to ask but you should tell us how much you're looking to spend in US dollars...i'm sure you'll get a few others who can steer you in the right direction.

 

[Lorthirk]

Quote:

i listened to nightwish for the short time i had the ath-m50 and it sounded pretty bad imo.  the soundstage was too small and the guitar sounded distant.  the m50 did sound good when i played trance or hip hop...i'd recommend them to anyone who listens to those genres. 
 
you made a wise decision canceling your order.  grados would do more justice for your musical taste if you can handle the treble (i can't).  grados also have a small soundstage but they sound good unamped.  i'm not the guy to ask but you should tell us how much you're looking to spend in US dollars...i'm sure you'll get a few others who can steer you in the right direction.

 
Well, I guess I'm in the $200-$250, but I need to verify Italian availability.
 
I'm trying to look at Grado showcase but the site seems to be unreachable...
 

 

[mp5th]

My first full-size headphones are MS2is (Grado's Lab)... the ATH-M50 is the second.  I found myself liking the M50 more for practicality (it's a closed cans) and portability.  Both performs well connected to iPod/iPhone without any help from amp.  M50 is not the most comfortable but I'd say it's far more comfortable than Grado's.  M50 will do well with all type of music but will not give you the sound of the open cans like Grados.
 

 

[nullstring]

It's hard for Americans to answer questions like that because we have no idea what anything costs over there.
 
With the (possibly wrong) assumption that everything made in USA or Asia will be grossly overpriced, I suggest that you either get some Beyerdynamics or AKG's.
 
I know there is the AKG K240..
and there is a few closed beyerdynamic models that I know little about.. DT150? DT250?
 
Of course, there are higher end models that need an amp.. but you can always get that later
AKG K601, K701, DT770, DT880, DT990
I don't really know the price for these over there.. but 190EUR can buy alot of headphone in America.
 
Another option is to check out the For Sale forum... then everything is open to you =)
 
 
 
Oh, and realize that we buy the ATH-m50's for the equiv of 75EUR..
I doubt they are worth too much more than that

 

[audire]

[size=12pt]Guys,[/size]
[size=12pt] try these links:[/size]
 
[size=12pt]why grammy award-winning music producers and engineers like ATH-M50:[/size]
[size=12pt]http://www.frontendaudio.com/Audio-Technica-ATH-M50-Headphones-p/9999-02031.htm[/size]
[size=12pt] Here is another review regarding M50-SRH840-SRH750DJ:[/size]
[size=12pt]http://www.headfonia.com/closed-cans-shootout-m-50-esw-9-t50p-hd25-1-beats-studio-srh-840-srh-750dj-k181dj-and-dj1pro/[/size]
[size=12pt] http://www.zzounds.com/productreview--AUTATHM50[/size]
[size=12pt] http://www.headphone.com/selection-guide/audio-technica-ath-m50.php[/size]
[size=12pt] http://www.testfreaks.com/headphones-headsets/audio-technica-ath-m50/[/size]

 

[Lorthirk]

Pretty reviews indeed. That's my concern however: how much of that positive comments is influenced by the low price in the US?