[Jonasklam]

No TMA-1 love?

 

[a_recording]

The TMA-1 certainly looks intriguing and has received some good reviews, but I think everyone seems a bit burned because everything AiAiAi has made previously has been less than stellar apparently.
 
I have the B&W P5's, and even though I haven't heard the HD25 I would probably suggest it over the P5's based on reviews. The P5's are certainly nice to listen to (I got them for free) with a smooth, mid heavy, yet detailed sound, and they have a wonderful luxury feel to them - but the price tag is a bit high. They also don't sound bright at all.  The New Zealand leather feels and smells fantastic (hehe) but the whole package is quite literally a bit rich. I'd say $200 dollars was a fair price for them.
 
If you do need something with an iPhone cable/music/voice control though, they are fantastic!

 

[soviet911]

I will have to advise HD25-1 they are very light, not bulky when compared to other headphones and sound great, as well as indestructable. 

 

[Trysaeder]

I didn't like any of the T50p, P5 and HD25, but the HD25 did the least things wrong. They are not very big; they are supra aural which means the cups don't surround your ears, making them hurt after a while.

 

[Jonasklam]

Yea I agree, it is kinda odd that AiAiAi suddenly starts making high-end portable headphones compared to the rest of their product line. But most people agree that the sound quality of the TMA-1 is on par with HD 25 or even surpasses it.
 
 
Quote:

The TMA-1 certainly looks intriguing and has received some good reviews, but I think everyone seems a bit burned because everything AiAiAi has made previously has been less than stellar apparently.
 
I have the B&W P5's, and even though I haven't heard the HD25 I would probably suggest it over the P5's based on reviews. The P5's are certainly nice to listen to (I got them for free) with a smooth, mid heavy, yet detailed sound, and they have a wonderful luxury feel to them - but the price tag is a bit high. They also don't sound bright at all.  The New Zealand leather feels and smells fantastic (hehe) but the whole package is quite literally a bit rich. I'd say $200 dollars was a fair price for them.
 
If you do need something with an iPhone cable/music/voice control though, they are fantastic!

 

[The Larch]

I love my TMA-1. Sound nice, very good build, and a looker. Never heard the HD25 so I can't compare sound,

 

[mythless]

I still wouldn't pass the T50P (personal preference of course, when I try to thin my headphone herd I can't seem to put the T50P on the chopping block) but I do admit the aiaiai do sound interesting.

 

[decur]

Audio technica esw9 is the best portable I have seen new just under 300

 

[swbf2cheater]

headroom has a b stock esw9 for 199$ right now

 

[jahson]

Does anyone have an opinion on the ATH-ES55? How do they sound compare to Head-fi favorites HD25-1 and ESW9 or others like Beyerdynamic T50p and B&W P5's. 

 

[mikop]

I don't know about es55, but I will vote for esw9 also.   I love the sound and a great looking phone only surpass by esw10jpn.  Never heard the HD25-1, but for portable gear, I just need to factor style into the equation... vain.. but, if you can cover both bases with 1 phone, why not?

 

[decur]

Does anyone have an opinion on the ATH-ES55? How do they sound compare to Head-fi favorites HD25-1 and ESW9 or others like Beyerdynamic T50p and B&W P5's. 

I found the t50p to be too bright sounding

 

[jahson]

I tried the P5's today and I have to agree they don't sound $300. They do sound good but i think they sound their best with jazz and classical music. Not that great for pop and r&b. The design is superb, the sound not enough for me. Too laid back and warm for my taste. I wonder how they compare in sound with the also great design, Beyedynamic T50p and the Senn HD25-1.

 

[Yggdrassilious]

First thing you should do with your $300, when you say you care about sound quality, is to get away from the iPod Touch. Regardless of which gen, they all sound terrible. This is a case in which you will see negative returns on investments into high end headphones. The more money you spend, the crappier the sound is going to get. ipod touch is designed with using bass heavy icraps like skullcandy and beats, using any other kind will yield catastrophic results. 
 
Anyway, X2 on the ESW9. Though you should be careful with the fit and headband durability. 

 

[Rndmness]

I vote for the ESW9's too. They are the best portables IMO, only surpassed by the ESW10 in both looks and sound. But then again, YMMV. ESW9's are coloured and mid centric.