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Originally Posted by Pianist /img/forum/go_quote.gif
I own both the M-Audio Q40 and ATH-M50s. For now, I listen to both unamped - my MiniBox amp broke and I am still waiting for the replacement to arrive. I am not sure what you mean by acoustics, but the M50s do have better imaging and a somewhat deeper soundstage. They also sound fuller and more airy than the Q40s, especially in the midrange. Overall, ATH-M50s are definitely flatter and better suited for studio monitoring. However, for music enjoyment I usually prefer the Q40s, because they have a pleasant coloration in the midbass/lower mids and upper mids/low highs that really brings some music to life IMO. M50s sound cold and boring by comparison with recessed upper mids and midbass. The detail resolution on both cans is roughly the same (it's very good), but the M50s may seem more detailed because their bass is less prominent.
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I own both as well. I actually think they are both fun phones and not flat. M50s, to my ears have 2 recessions exactly as noted by the pianist, but to my ears there is also a midrange boost. The sound is more airy than the Q40, for sure. I'm not sure I would say fuller. It has more soundstage, but it's presentation is a bit odd. It's airy, but at the same time it puts high frequency further back in the soundstage, and it moves the vocals up front. The Q40 puts the vocals further back, and you're sitting right on top of the bassist and drummer.
Aside from the soundstage, the tonality is quite different, as also mentioned by the pianist. The M50 has boosts and dips. The Q40 seems to have boosts, and not dips. The lower frequencies are boosted differently. The M50 has a dip there to give it some coldness to the midrange, but at the same time having bass. The Q40 does not and is more lush and warm. The high frequency boosts are different, and the Q40 is a bit rolled off. The Q40 boosts, I would guess, lower treble areas. If you listen to rock, the tonality difference is quite apparent in the percussion instruments.
My personal flavor leans more towards the ATH-M50, as I like the air, and the bass. The mids are bit too prominent (vocal soundstage), though, but otherwise fine for me.
For reference, my favorite headphones are the DT990/250 as it presents what I want to hear, and not so much after the audiophile approach. I don't want to invest in the DT990/600, but I do use a 120-ohm cable with my DT990/250. I would really need to audition the DT990/600 for an extensive period of time before deciding to custom order from Beyer.
I also would like to add that I really enjoy piano and string instruments (including guitar) through the Q40. The warmth of body resonation seems more real, at least to me. It does need more high frequency help though. This is exactly as warrior05 noted it. I do, however, find the Q40, more bass heavy than my DT990/250 (warrior05 has DT990/600). I am more and more tempted to get the DT990/600 some day.
The "coldness" of the M50 won't disappear, ever. It's not really that cold. I have heard headphones that are more so. I would prefer it to not have the midrange boost, though.
