Chinese / Asian Brand Info Thread (On or Over Ear Headphones)
Feb 15, 2019 at 9:33 AM Post #5,236 of 7,153
CAL is probably the best headhone ive tried in 30-60€ price range. Im also planning to get Status Audio CB-1 or ISK MDH9000 to see how they compare.
CAL is definitely good headphones for their price but IMO not the best option. Bluedio T3 with reduced bass level (by Slater mode or by EQ settings) sounds at the same level, while ISK is better in every component (bass extension, details, etc).

Hmm, MDH9000 is 20€ cheaper than CB-1 and supposedly build better so they might be better choice. Which one is more comfortable?
MDH9000 were a bit tight for me at first time. They are not so comfortable for me as Takstar 82 pro and CAL, but overall ok.
 
Feb 15, 2019 at 10:17 AM Post #5,238 of 7,153
CAL is definitely good headphones for their price but IMO not the best option. Bluedio T3 with reduced bass level (by Slater mode or by EQ settings) sounds at the same level, while ISK is better in every component (bass extension, details, etc).

Hmm, i might have to give MDH9000 a try. I have already a boatful of basscans but those seem to be an essential chi-fi-headphone so why not. :D
 
Feb 15, 2019 at 10:54 AM Post #5,240 of 7,153
How does the sound between MDH9000 and Takstar Pro 82 compare, if you ever compared them?
These two headphones have absolutely different sound signature. I would say they are complement to each other. Takstars are bright, transparent and good for atmospheric genres, while ISK MDH9000 is all about bass and hence perfect for rhythmic music. I mean ISK and its clones have decent mids and highs for bass cans but the main reason to buy them is “fun” on the low end. Takstar 82 pro is much more neutral and analytical (IMO even a bit too hot on trebles) and definitely not as punchy.
 
Feb 15, 2019 at 11:00 AM Post #5,241 of 7,153
I placed an order for MDH9000. Lets see if the hype is real. :p
 
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Feb 15, 2019 at 2:45 PM Post #5,243 of 7,153
Takstar pro82 in red, isk mdh9000 in purple. As you can see pro82 has better extended bass but ISK is a lot bassier compared to midrange. (Edit: I think isk's have more bass than the measurements show) Both have quite a dip at 2khz-5khz area, so both lack some upper midrange resolution. That is the reason why I don't like pro82 much. Like @ftoss said pro82 is a lot brigher. I concur what he said. Mdh9000 is fun, bassy headphone with big (big for any closed headphone regardless of price) and pro82 is more neutral. Even though MDH9000 does not have the best subbass extension it is a basshead can done right. Miles better than Bosshifi B7 for example. Two very different headphones, so pick your poison :)


upload_2019-2-15_21-26-0.jpeg


If one is not sensitive to sibilance (4-5khz peak on the graph) I definately recommend Msur N550 over both. Allthough bright N550 is very clean so the highs sound pronounced but not particularly harsh or grainy. Superlux hd681, takstar pro80 and hi2050 all suffer from too much brightness, buf it's the lack of grain that sets msur apart from the competition. It can't match the bass extension of pro82 nor does it have jamming bass and big soundstage like mdh9000. However N550 sounds so transparent, clear and detailed that it is the only budget headphone I've heard that I would call an actual giant killer. Yes, theyre bright and mids could use more body but the sheer lack of "veil" puts them in a league way above its price range.
upload_2019-2-15_21-32-49.jpeg


all three in the same graph

upload_2019-2-15_21-43-30.jpeg
 
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Feb 15, 2019 at 3:08 PM Post #5,244 of 7,153
We are waiting for your impressions. It would be interesting to compare them with N650.

I will write them here. I dont still honestly think that they have a chance against N650 though. :p
 
Feb 15, 2019 at 4:12 PM Post #5,245 of 7,153
I got a request for Msur N350 graph so here it is. Unfortunately measurin on ear headphones is bit tricky so this measurement is to be taken with a heavy grain of salt. I would not make any assumptions of n350 based just on this graph.
upload_2019-2-15_23-11-30.jpeg
 
Feb 15, 2019 at 6:13 PM Post #5,246 of 7,153
I decided to pick up N650 from the shelf, imo these sound better than they have any right to sound under 100€. Funny thing is that i have probably used these more than lets say D2000... these have just certain charm that D2K dont have (which is of course a great can on its own). How they managed to make these so warm and smooth but so sparkly and detailed at the same is beyond understanding to me. Bass is present but never too much. I really hope that we will see more offerings more Msur (or whoever is making these), i want more :triportsad:

37XUcfY.jpg
 
Feb 15, 2019 at 6:40 PM Post #5,247 of 7,153
As n550 and n650 have same drivers I'm not surprised you sometimes prefer n650 over d2000. To me n550's easily best headphones double it's price such as beyedynamic dt770, audio technica m50 and brainwavz hm100. I prefer them to some headphones that cost WAY more. 1st gen beyerdynamic t5p and ultrasone signature pro were seriously overpriced at their original msrp of $1500. I prefer n550 over both of them.

I'm not saying n550 sounds like average $1500 headphone, no. But it does sound as good or better than a bad $1500 headphone.

IMG_20190113_141951.jpg
 
Feb 15, 2019 at 11:44 PM Post #5,248 of 7,153
Takstar pro82 in red, isk mdh9000 in purple. As you can see pro82 has better extended bass but ISK is a lot bassier compared to midrange. (Edit: I think isk's have more bass than the measurements show) Both have quite a dip at 2khz-5khz area, so both lack some upper midrange resolution. That is the reason why I don't like pro82 much. Like @ftoss said pro82 is a lot brigher. I concur what he said. Mdh9000 is fun, bassy headphone with big (big for any closed headphone regardless of price) and pro82 is more neutral. Even though MDH9000 does not have the best subbass extension it is a basshead can done right. Miles better than Bosshifi B7 for example. Two very different headphones, so pick your poison :)




If one is not sensitive to sibilance (4-5khz peak on the graph) I definately recommend Msur N550 over both. Allthough bright N550 is very clean so the highs sound pronounced but not particularly harsh or grainy. Superlux hd681, takstar pro80 and hi2050 all suffer from too much brightness, buf it's the lack of grain that sets msur apart from the competition. It can't match the bass extension of pro82 nor does it have jamming bass and big soundstage like mdh9000. However N550 sounds so transparent, clear and detailed that it is the only budget headphone I've heard that I would call an actual giant killer. Yes, theyre bright and mids could use more body but the sheer lack of "veil" puts them in a league way above its price range.

all three in the same graph


I don’t even see a Msur N550 on Aliexpress. I see a N350 and a N650.

Is it an older model, or known under a different brand name (like BossHifi)?
 
Feb 16, 2019 at 3:32 AM Post #5,250 of 7,153
I don’t even see a Msur N550 on Aliexpress. I see a N350 and a N650.

Is it an older model, or known under a different brand name (like BossHifi)?
Then I guess your best bet is n650. Bosshifi b6 has wrong drivers. Magnet is different. B7 and b8 drivers look the same but have different specs and B7 does sound like crap.

For diy one could get n350+cheapest n550 look alike. Then replace n550 copycat drivers with n350 drivers. Then put some good drivers in n350. You get n550+cool portable headphones :)
 

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