Shane D
"I collect sound signatures"
I am surprised reading your comparison. Although I have never compared them head to head, I tried out the PS500e and really didn't care for them. Of course that was in a one time session of less than an hour. I remember them as being dark and kind of flat compared to my SR325e's. At the time I was looking to avoid the brightness of the 325's, but I thought these went way too far in the opposite direction. Kind of like Beyer T5.2 to T5.3.To me, the sounds emanating from the GH-2 and the PS500e have quite a few similarities: luscious not exaggerated bass, well sculpted midrange with body, extended and airy treble without etch. The overall tonal balance from each is very similar. I hear slightly broader soundstage with the GH-2 and slightly more focused imaging with PS500e. I also hear a bit more natural decay of notes with the GH-2 versus a somewhat sharper onset of notes (transients) with the PS500e. For this reason, for music dominated by vocals I prefer the GH-2. Let me be clear, both are eminently capable in this regard. So….with my jazz, R&B, blues, funk, disco, some rock library…. I will definitely keep both GH-2 and PS500e.
I am very biased to the GH2's as they are my oldest 'phones.
Always interesting reading your thoughts.