[insomniac]

I realize it's difficult to disassociate a pair of headphones from its price and bang for the buck. But I'd like to know whether people prefer the Sennheiser MX500 or the Sony MDR-E888, disregarding price. In terms of sound quality AND comfort. I've done some searches on this forum and most opinions convery something like "for the money, the MX500's rock". Or "don't spend $80 on the E888 when you can get the MX500's for $15".

But I'd like to know which are the better buds, completely disregarding price. Thanks.

 

[Mike Scarpitti]

Quote:

Originally posted by insomniac I realize it's difficult to disassociate a pair of headphones from its price and bang for the buck. But I'd like to know whether people prefer the Sennheiser MX500 or the Sony MDR-E888, disregarding price. In terms of sound quality AND comfort. I've done some searches on this forum and most opinions convery something like "for the money, the MX500's rock". Or "don't spend $80 on the E888 when you can get the MX500's for $15". But I'd like to know which are the better buds, completely disregarding price. Thanks.

Though my answer is not based on experience with the Sennheiser, I really like the 888's, and have no reservations about recommending them. If you want another alternative, try to find an MDR-e565. I doubt that you can match the refined quality and high sensitivity of the 888 at a lower price, but again I do not have experience with the Sennheiser.

 

[Guyferd]

I don't see why anyone would want to purchase the e888
the mx500 sounds nicer to me.. has real bass kick, more realism. The e888 is a little shrill and harsh in the upper end area especially, and they are quite bass shy too..
Furthermore, they are abit flimsy.

 

[Mike Scarpitti]

Quote:

Originally posted by Guyferd I don't see why anyone would want to purchase the e888 the mx500 sounds nicer to me.. has real bass kick, more realism. The e888 is a little shrill and harsh in the upper end area especially, and they are quite bass shy too.. Furthermore, they are abit flimsy.

I would say there must be a 'mating' problem if you think the 888's are shrill and bass-shy. Not my experience at all. (Very) smooth high end and good bass. Extremely clear sound overall. Don't have experience with Sennheiser.

 

[Eagle_Driver]

In my experience, the Sennheiser MX500 doesn't fit my ears at all, even without foam pads - it's just too big. Moreover, my pair has almost no bass whatsoever, and harsh shrill highs even after 100 hours of burn-in. The cheaper MX400 behaves very similarly, to my ears.

The Sony MDR-E888LP fits my ears much better, and delivers at least some bass punch (but it's mostly mid-bass; there's little if any low-end extension), and somewhat recessed highs and slightly warm mids. Too bad it's discontinued in the US, and hasn't been replaced with a newer equivalent model as of yet.

 

[skagen]

I had the opposite expereince with the MX-500. I do think that they're a tad big for my ears and that they could use a little "flange" to help them stick in your ears more firmly.

But sound-wise they were pehenomenal for a tiny earbud - bass was there nice and full, mids were there, highs were good.

Plus its hard to get away from it: when one earphone is $15 and the other is $80 and we STILL spend so much time comparing them - something is seriously wrong...

 

[MacDEF]

Quote:

Originally posted by insomniac I realize it's difficult to disassociate a pair of headphones from its price and bang for the buck. But I'd like to know whether people prefer the Sennheiser MX500 or the Sony MDR-E888, disregarding price. In terms of sound quality AND comfort.

There are actually many responses to this question available via the search function. It's been debated many times.

Personally, I prefer the MX 500 to the E888. The MX 500 are more balanced overall. The E888 has better midrange, but the highs and bass aren't very good.

The only problem with the MX 500 is that they're bigger than a lot of other earbuds, so some people with smaller ears have problems getting them to fit.

 

[Sugano-san]

Quote:

Originally posted by MacDEF The only problem with the MX 500 is that they're bigger than a lot of other earbuds, so some people with smaller ears have problems getting them to fit.

True.

 

[insomniac]

Thanks for all the responses.

I'm getting some conflicting reports regarding one issue: the bass. Which buds have the better bass?

 

[swalker]

It's a well known fact that E888s have a rather short life span. They do vocals really well but in order to maintain that sound quality you might have to keep buying a new pair every 2 years or even more frequently if you listen at a loud volume level. They tend to become dark, mirky mid-range monsters after that glorious period. If you do search the forum you'll find more about it.

 

[MacDEF]

Quote:

Originally posted by insomniac Thanks for all the responses. I'm getting some conflicting reports regarding one issue: the bass. Which buds have the better bass?

Only one person in this thread has said the 888 have good bass, and he hasn't heard the MX 500.

The MX 500 clearly have better bass; I've never heard anyone who has listened to both say otherwise.

 

[Guyferd]

mx500 definately
e888's bass is only mid bass.. that's not good enough.. it also lacks the extension severely

 

[MadDog]

I found mx500 to be rather muddy and lacks the open-ness. Defintely lacks clarity but muffled-up distant sound, sort of down grade from KSC35, but much worse..But then I am comparing it to E5. It's a good low-end earbud but I wouldn't depend too much on it.

Oh boy it's my 36th post!! :

 

[KR...]

The MX500 are a high-quality pair of ear buds! When I substituted substandard regular pads with the RS ones, they improved the sound quite a lot.

 

[Jasper994]

I just got a pair of MX 500's and they sound really great for ear buds. The bass is very good, but it will depend on your source

I like bass, but I'm not a bass head, but I tried them plugged into my panasonic pcdp and turned on the bass boost and all I could say was WOW! I never heard a pair of earbuds put out that much bass before and still maintain clarity! They have just become my new work headphone, I tried taking my HD 590's in a few times, but was always worried when stepping away from my desk... plus (after having them on my head for 12 hours a day for a week or so) they started to hurt my head. Now I can really enjoy the 590's when I get home and relax with them while still getting great sound quality at work. I just wish the MX 500's could create the soundstage that the 590's put out...

...that'll be the day!!!