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I would compare them to those headphones because I think they're comparable to them (HD650, Symphones Magnum, LCD3) in quality.
I had briefly used a DT1350 and a Senn HD25-1-II and the Mad Dogs are significantly better than them in my experience. it's not even a fair fight, really. They're not as portable or easy to drive, but the SQ is much better. sound is more open, less congested, frequency response is more natural.
Listened to the MD's a whole evening, about 4-5 albums straight with a Linn DS player feeding a Little Dot I+ with Sylvania 408A's. That session did not change my perception of them. Again, very effortless presentation overall. Balance to the warm side and non-fatiguing.
But mentally it was very fatiguing: bass-notes still a blur. I got my girlfriend to listen to them and that was the first thing she said without me even having mentioned anything. She's doing her thesis at a school which is basically going to be a gospel/funk big band performance with many vocalists. A big part of that is tabbing notes from certain pieces for the whole band that's playing with her. Needless to say, those musical genres are melodically and rhythmically quite rich. Anyway, these headphones did make the process very difficult for her, especially for tabbing bass. She's a trumpet player so I asked what she thought of the reproduction there: basically no problem and very clean presentation with no fatigue. Big plus. I thought personally that when playing at moderate volumes, the highest of the highest notes (represented pitch) are not as distinct as on a bit brighter headphones.
I also noticed that I kept pushing the volume to above normal listening levels to escape the bass, so to speak. Maybe my hearing isn't as good in higher registers...
Anyway, my point being that it really was a fair fight. For instance, the DT1350 bass-performance is better I think. And I'm not talking about signature preferences, but discerning musical detail. Also the relatively poor and steeply recessed bass (on paper!) of the K272HD was much better. No, it didn't go that low. Few headphones go as low as clean as the MD, but those lowest notes don't hold much musical detail and 95% of the music I listen to doesn't offer much down there anyway.
Edit: I also have to add, that I think the MD's did not necessarily bring anything to the table the DT1350 hadn't already done, detail wise. Obviously quite different, but overall I could find myself more merged into the music with the little Beyers. Maybe the balance for the slight high-lighting of the mid to top mid and treble suits me better as well, without wobbly bass to distract me from the music.
Well, just so this doesn't turn into a fanatic appreciation thread, I thought I'd offer some criticism. I think it's only fair for those thinking of getting these. For the price they do some things very well. But for a man of musicality, he should look elsewhere.
Can't comment on sound stage, since I don't really listen to it, unless it contributes to effortless distinction of instruments and notes. But I've found it necessarily doesn't at least above other elements of music reproduction.
