[Mad Lust Envy]

There is something special about it's imaging. I may be selling it short giving it a 9 for competitive. Might just be a 9.5. If it weren't so wonderfully balanced and they focuses on treble, it'd be a perfect 10 for competitive use. But I'm glad it's not. I prefer it's musicality over the dryness and detail whoring headphones like the old K701.


Chico, I specifically would like a comparison to the Q701. It's been awhile, but I think it's a valid comparison. I think the Annie might be too full bodied and warm to compare, though it's also worth mentioning.

Also, let's just say that I haven't missed the X1 since using the MA900.

 

[Fegefeuer]

How is the bass extension and detail?

 

[Mad Lust Envy]

Hmm, well, the sub bass rolls off a bit earlier than the X1. So the MA900 basically starts at the mid bass, but transitions into the mids well. The mid balance is one of the best I've heard. If the soundstage wasn't as big as it was, I'd say the MA900 would probably mimic the HD650 in mid bass to mids transitioning...

The bass isn't bloated or overly emphasized. It's really well balanced and in line with the mids, moreso than the X1.

The speed/decay I'd say is about medium. Not as fast and well textured as the Q701, but faster than the HD650.

 

[ilGaspa]

If I may ask one last question before deciding... o How's the bass on the MA900 compared to the DT990? 

 

[Mad Lust Envy]

The 990 is very bass heavy. The MA900 is well balanced. I'd say it's more fair to compare the bass to the 880. What you lose in bass, you gain in much better mids, and way less treble fatigue.

The MA900 is still a very fun headphone. It also responds well to bass boosting. It sounded like magic with the E12's bass boost.

I MADE MYSELF TURN THE BASS BOOST OFF. I thought the MA900 with the E12's bass boost was better to me than X1's bass at default.

I frown at bass boosting because it spoils what i expect out of a headphone when using them from other amps that don't have bass boosts. So instead, I let myself adjust to a headphone's own sound signature without a bass boost. I'm quite happy with the MA900's bass. There are times I feel the X1 has just a bit too much bass for some music. The MA900 has the right amount of bass for basically all purposes. Never too little, never too much.

Of course, I wish it had better sub bass (also wish the same out of the 990, X1, and others), but sub bass isn't a thing open dynamics can truly achieve.

 

[Fegefeuer]

Stax are ultraexpensive in Germany, they are the most interesting headphones I would try for gaming. I'll pass on the T1, I don't think it'll be that much better than a T90. What's left? 
 
Of course I have to evaluate the Fostex more now that we have much less heat (I avoided headphones for several weeks).

 

[Mad Lust Envy]

Just remember that Goldenears graphs a bit different from Headroom and Innerfidelity. Even so, you can still see how linear the MA900 is in comparison to the also quite impressive X1. You can also see how the sub bass rolls off a bit faster on the MA900.


MA900


X1



990 Pro (a bit older graph)

 

[Fegefeuer]

MLE's possible next project: http://www.thesubpac.com/  

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[theOmni]

****, lol I bought.the q701 two days ago. should I have gone the ma900??


also, I have the ultrasone pro 750 and I'm really curious to see where it fits on this list. would I be able to loan it to you, MLE, for a week some time in mid October? how does this usually work? I can pay for shippiing one way, but if you prefer I can do it both ways.

 

[Mad Lust Envy]

You can send it to me, and I'd send it back. Hit me up via pm whenever you want.

If you dont have a good amp for the Q701, the MA900 will be better suited. The MA900 isnt as clear or resolving as the Q701, but its more fun on the low end. Mids are equally good, and I prefer the less fatiguing upper mids on the MA900. Both have excellent treble balance.

Overall, I think the Q701 is a better technical headphone, able to scale better. The MA900 is just really solid for it's price.

 

[theOmni]

I just ordered the Fiio E11 yesterday. Do you think that will be sufficient? I can't spend too much money right now but I will have to make due with that for another year or so.
 
Also, regarding send yout he 750 Pro, I'll have to ask you again sometime in mid october. There's too much moving around due to school/work so either I'm not in one place for too long or I don't get enough time in the day. Sometime after the first week of october it should calm down a bit more.

 

[novadragon849]

Quote:

Nah, it's cool. The DT990 couldn't compare to the AD700 or K701, but it did gaming well enough for me to not NEED the extreme edge the AD700 and K701 gave me.
 
I case of the M50.... it just doesn't do it for me. I tried it again 2 days ago with CoD4 (which to me has the best audio for the CoD games in terms of clarity and accuracy), and I just didn't find anything good about them...for gaming at least.

Hi Mad Lust Envy
 
I want to get a Astro Mixamp 2013 paired up with the Denon AH-D600.
 
I was wondering do you feel that the D600's are any good? I was going to go for the HD598's but people said the bass on the D600 will make gaming a lot more fun as the 598 isn't very bass orientated.
 
What is your take on the D600 for gaming? Are they confortable and do they give good gaming experiences?

 

[Mad Lust Envy]

I've briefly demoed them at Best Buy, and I felt it to be very v shaped. Lots of bass and treble, recessed mids. I didn't hate them, but they're not as good as the old Denons. They honestly sound like something Beats would make. Not sure they'll be well suited for gaming.

 

[davidsh]

Can only agree with envy on that one..

 

[novadragon849]

Quote:

I've briefly demoed them at Best Buy, and I felt it to be very v shaped. Lots of bass and treble, recessed mids. I didn't hate them, but they're not as good as the old Denons. They honestly sound like something Beats would make. Not sure they'll be well suited for gaming.

 
Thanks for this! I decided finally and I'm going for the Philips Fidelio (only because you make them sound so good!) and there is a deal locally for them right now.
 
Just a quick question though, how come when I search online for the fidelio x1 they seem to have two models or something? One of them is the fidelio x1/00 and the other is fidelio x1/28 what is the difference and which one do I want?
 
Also I'm kinda worried about one of the main issues you stated and that is replacing the ear pads. How long do they generally last if I use them with care? What are you guys going to do when it comes to replacing them as I looked around the forum and people said changing them causes irreversible damage which is quite worrying and slightly off putting..
 
Thanks