Beats by Dr. "K" ? Klipsch M40

[Gilly87]

Yeah I'm not a fan of the M50s either, recessed mids is a deal breaker for me. Still sound better than Beats and Bose though.
 
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I don't really like the M50s though, kinda too bassy and dark sounding for me. Well, Bose is kinda overpriced, paying for only the NC, well, doesn't seem very good, I rather use IEMs. 

 

 

[Jeremypsp]

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Both ANC circuits are modest at best.
 
Beats Pro has slightly better comfort.
 
M40s look far better, and feels solid and sturdy.
 
Bass on both are a mess, but as messy goes, the Pros have more power to it.
 
Mids are shambolic, Pros mids are hidden by the bass and treble while the M40s sound lethargic
 
Treble is sharp and crisp, but very coloured on the Pros, the M40s are slightly harsh and a tad more grainy.
 
 
The Goldring NS1500 sounds better than both, and they're under half the price!!!
 
 
 
 

I thought only the Studios had noise cancelling? The pros don't. And the pros are 2x more expensive as well . I guess the M40s are not exactly worth it... but it seems a lot goes towards that durability, 
 

 

[Jeremypsp]

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Yeah I'm not a fan of the M50s either, recessed mids is a deal breaker for me. Still sound better than Beats and Bose though.
 


 

True, true. 

 

[Gilly87]

Yeah, they seem to be of the Val Kolton philosophy of making things completely effing indestructible...
 
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I thought only the Studios had noise cancelling? The pros don't. And the pros are 2x more expensive as well . I guess the M40s are not exactly worth it... but it seems a lot goes towards that durability, 
 

 

 

[Jeremypsp]

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Yeah, they seem to be of the Val Kolton philosophy of making things completely effing indestructible...
 


 

That itself is innovation!

 

[Gilly87]

I suppose.
 
Let's hope the M40 mkII or M400 or M60 or whatever has better SQ ^_^

 

[Jeremypsp]

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I suppose.
 
Let's hope the M40 mkII or M400 or M60 or whatever has better SQ ^_^

Guess so... the Klipsch Image One weren't bad at all though... 

 

[Alekplay]

Hey! I recently bought these headphones, and I couldn't agree less with you. The sound quality is amazing, both out of the box and even better after a time. Much better than the solo hd, and also way better than the studios. I also think they are better than Bose qc15, not in comfort but sound. The noise cancellation is good, not as good as Bose, but definitely better than on the Beats studio and akg (don't remember the model, but they had a "controller" with battery on the cord). The comfort is good, the Bose is better there as well, but for me, the clamping force is perfect, and if you worry, they do expand a little bit. The pads are also good and soft, and you get used to the "little to hard headband" after a while. Their weight doesn't matter when they are on your head, and I don't know the correct measures, but I think they are lighter (at least spread the weight better around on your head) than the studios. Yes, its a lot of plastic, but they feel solid, much more solid than the studio and solo, and the boses are also just plastic. Justmy opinion, had to say it because a lot of you had gotten the wrong impression of these. The shops models that everybody tries is not as good as they you actually buy I at least think so. Sorry for my writing errors, wrote this on my phone (while listening to the m40s) and English is not my native language

Thanks, Alekplay

 

[dsclaw88]

Quote:

Originally Posted by wilzc 

Quote:

 
Both ANC circuits are modest at best.
 
Beats Pro has slightly better comfort.
 
M40s look far better, and feels solid and sturdy.
 
Bass on both are a mess, but as messy goes, the Pros have more power to it.
 
Mids are shambolic, Pros mids are hidden by the bass and treble while the M40s sound lethargic
 
Treble is sharp and crisp, but very coloured on the Pros, the M40s are slightly harsh and a tad more grainy.
 
 

 
As a owner of both of the headphones in this discussion (mainly because of the style and portability), plus a owner of some more respectable headphones (denon 5k, akg 701, and z1000. QC15). The person I am quoting above could not be more inaccurate, I think he put firecrackers too close to his ears when he was a kid. 
 
The M40s look better and are more then a lot sturdier, the build quality is so significantly better on the M40 you can not fairly compare the two. Although this extra build quality adds to the weight of the headphone. Fortunately, the weight does not effect anything. Depending on your head size the Beats Pro may be more comfortable, if you have a above size head like myself the comfort of the Pro's will be greater if you plan on wearing them for a duration of over several hours (+3 hours). The clamping force of the headphones becomes uncomfortable (although it has loosened a little over my consistent use). However, if you never have the need to wear them for such a duration I would say the Klipsch Mode M40 are slightly more comfortable. To the most important part the sound quality of the headphones and the ANC circuit. The sound quality on the Klipsch Mode M40 is superior to the Beats in everyway but the bass. However, is this really unexpected, the beats are designed to be a bass centric headphone. The strength of the Bass on the Beats is there weakness it destroys the accuracy of the sound as the bass overpowers the rest of the music. This is not the case with the Klipsch, the Klipsch has a very foward sound stage and natural sound response. The mids are significantly more present and detailed probable because they do not get overcompensated for the bass, like their counterpart the Beats. Finally, the treble is where these things shine, the accuracy is overwhelming. In fact I would say its does it as well as some of the best headphones. Finally, looking at the ANC circuit of the headphones. There are several issues with the Beats in this department.  First, the ANC is consistently on with the ANC require the battery to run the headphone, second the ANC is pure garbage on the Beats. The noise cancelation is virtually non existent. I would say the isolation of sound when the ANC of the Beats is on is equivalent to that of the Klipsch without the ANC. With the Klipsch, the ANC does not have to be on for the phones to be powered, a huge benefit when your battery dies. Furthermore, the ANC is significantly better then the Beats and about on level with the QC15. 
 
In conclusion, I bought the Klipsch to be a stylish version of the Beats which I could wear on all my flights. Unfortunately, because of my large head these currently can not be used what I purchased them for as the clamping force makes them good only for my shorter flights.  In fact, I am considering selling them because of this issue (they are currently in the for sale forum on headfi), although the clamping force has gone down a little and I am reconsidering selling these. These headphones are the best noise canceling headphones on the market sound wise. Furthermore, even without considering the noise canceling feature, these 
 
If you have any questions regarding the headphones please feel free to PM me. I will try to give you my honest opinion, and if your interested in trying them without taking the risk of wasting the $350 dollars check out my headfi ad, I am selling them significantly discounted. 

 

[LouisLoh]

Quote:

Hey! I recently bought these headphones, and I couldn't agree less with you. The sound quality is amazing, both out of the box and even better after a time. Much better than the solo hd, and also way better than the studios. I also think they are better than Bose qc15, not in comfort but sound. The noise cancellation is good, not as good as Bose, but definitely better than on the Beats studio and akg (don't remember the model, but they had a "controller" with battery on the cord). The comfort is good, the Bose is better there as well, but for me, the clamping force is perfect, and if you worry, they do expand a little bit. The pads are also good and soft, and you get used to the "little to hard headband" after a while. Their weight doesn't matter when they are on your head, and I don't know the correct measures, but I think they are lighter (at least spread the weight better around on your head) than the studios. Yes, its a lot of plastic, but they feel solid, much more solid than the studio and solo, and the boses are also just plastic. Justmy opinion, had to say it because a lot of you had gotten the wrong impression of these. The shops models that everybody tries is not as good as they you actually buy

I at least think so. Sorry for my writing errors, wrote this on my phone (while listening to the m40s) and English is not my native language

Thanks, Alekplay

Says it all, doesn't it?
 

 

[Jeremypsp]

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Says it all, doesn't it?
 

Maybe, but the one I tried was pretty decent, perhaps they needed burn-in. The Solo HDs I tried were pretty horrible in every way possible, it's just so muddy. The Studio lacked highs, but this has it. 

 

[wilzc]

Quote:

Quote:

Originally Posted by wilzc 

Quote:

 
Both ANC circuits are modest at best.
 
Beats Pro has slightly better comfort.
 
M40s look far better, and feels solid and sturdy.
 
Bass on both are a mess, but as messy goes, the Pros have more power to it.
 
Mids are shambolic, Pros mids are hidden by the bass and treble while the M40s sound lethargic
 
Treble is sharp and crisp, but very coloured on the Pros, the M40s are slightly harsh and a tad more grainy.
 
 

 
As a owner of both of the headphones in this discussion (mainly because of the style and portability), plus a owner of some more respectable headphones (denon 5k, akg 701, and z1000. QC15). The person I am quoting above could not be more inaccurate, I think he put firecrackers too close to his ears when he was a kid. 


In conclusion, I bought the Klipsch to be a stylish version of the Beats which I could wear on all my flights. Unfortunately, because of my large head these currently can not be used what I purchased them for as the clamping force makes them good only for my shorter flights.  In fact, I am considering selling them because of this issue (they are currently in the for sale forum on headfi), although the clamping force has gone down a little and I am reconsidering selling these. These headphones are the best noise canceling headphones on the market sound wise. Furthermore, even without considering the noise canceling feature, these 
 

 
 
Really?? Best NC headphones on the market??  Thats a big big endorsement. I'll stand by my view that the QC15s are the best in the market. But the one I really lust for is the Parrot Zik. Polk's flagship ANC headphone isn't too bad either, as is Able Planet's top offering. But the MM40 is a joke. I'd buy TWO Goldring ANC's for that price...
 
I too owned a myriad of 'respectable' headphones.
 
Learn to accept that individuals have different tastes and opinions instead of giving dudes the firecracker lines.
 
Hell..  you might just be endorsing them so you could sell them off on the FT/S forums.
 
No self respecting..  bona-fide 'head-fier'..  IMHO will take the Klipsch Mode 40 seriously due to its sound signature.
 
This view is shared in all honesty by several friends of mine who own headphone retail outlets across Australia.

 

[wilzc]

I've also found a comparative review made by the very respectable Tyll Hertsens who..
 
ALSO put them at the very bottom of his ANC headphones list...
 
http://www.innerfidelity.com/content/comparative-review-high-end-noise-canceling-headphones-page-2

 

[18xx]

Hi, DS #88
 
 
I'm interested in buying your klipsch m40s
 
I have a smallish head 7 or so maybe 6 7/8?
 
is there only one model of the m40s?
 
 
please be in touch.
 
Daniel

 

[mister skinner]

Quote:

I've also found a comparative review made by the very respectable Tyll Hertsens who..
 
ALSO put them at the very bottom of his ANC headphones list...
 
http://www.innerfidelity.com/content/comparative-review-high-end-noise-canceling-headphones-page-2

I think he was pretty harsh on them honestly, especially considering that he said they were ugly and the beats weren't. I have a pair and I think the sound signature makes certain recordings sound great but sometimes they sound pretty bad too.