thug behram
Previously known as canuckavelli
- Joined
- Jan 5, 2014
- Posts
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Bought a pair of ATH-M50's a few months ago to use on my commute driven from my iPod Classic, and it isn't cutting it. Other headphones I own are TDK EB750, Sony MDR-V150, Monoprice 8323. The last two are not used frequently.
The headphones should be portable as I don't want to carry around an amp. 40 ohm impedance or lower should be good. They should match the iPod Classic sound-wise. The latest Classic's chip is sub-par and the sound is very bright and tinny. Very "electronic" sound as opposed to natural. 80% of the time the iPod will be the source, the other times it'll be an laptop or my audio system connected to my TV. Music is 90% hip-hop/rap so obviously mids/vocals and bass is very important. I have a small head as well, I've tried cans which were too loose even on the tightest setting. The m50's fit me perfectly on the tightest setting. I use them in public so obviously should be closed.
OK so the ATH-M50's.
I like:
- They are very easy to drive
- Very portable, like they way they fold
- Build quality decent
- Cheap, doesn't break the bank
- Fairly accurate flat sound
- Very nice dynamics and detail
I dislike:
- Sorta uncomfortable. This is largely due to the pleather pads I think and I will switch to velour if I end up keeping these
- Kinda cheap/bland feeling/looking, want something that feels and looks nice (although this isn't that important). Something more luxurious looking.
- Poor soundstage. I swear my MDR-V150's had a better soundstage than these. The sound feels like its in your head as opposed to around you. Also games and movies aren't that immersive.
- The treble is sooooo harsh and metallic. It may be because the bright iPod is matched with these bright cans.
- Mids are kinda recessed. Not that bad I guess but could be better
- Mid/Upper Bass is OK, could be louder
- Sub Bass too quiet. Hip-hop producers use many low frequencies and I cannot hear half of them in these cans. I can in my home and car setups just fine.
Overall they sound kind of boring tbh. I mean, they're good but I'm just being greedy and want more. The main issues are the harsh trebles and quite sub-bass. The rest I can live with.
Budget is flexible but I'd like to keep it below $250. I live in Canada so prices are higher. I bought the ATH-M50's for $140 taxes and shipping in. If I replace them, I will prob sell them for close to the same price.
Models I've looked into:
- Beyerdynamic dt 770 Pro 32 ohm. I know they are not as bassy as the 80 ohm model so I wonder if it'll be enough bass for me. Also despite being 32 ohms I heard they are hard to drive. I doubt the 80 ohm model will go loud enough with my iPod.
- Logitech UE6000. don't care about noise cancelling but they come on sale often.
- Beyerdynamic Custom One Pros. The bass port intrigues me.
- V-Moda m-80 and m-100. I love the industrial look and feel. I know the V100's are expensive but they've been on sale on Amazon Canada for $190 before. Should've grabbed em then.
- Bowers and Wilkins P5/P7. Pricey and not a fan of the look but they've been recommended.
- Sennheiser Momentum. Again, pricey but I've heard great things.
- Mad Dogs. Haven't learned much about these but they've been mentioned a lot.
- Beats Studio, older gen. They're pretty cheap now. The sound is decent, good bass.
I'd love some advice, insight, recommendations. etc.
Thanks
The headphones should be portable as I don't want to carry around an amp. 40 ohm impedance or lower should be good. They should match the iPod Classic sound-wise. The latest Classic's chip is sub-par and the sound is very bright and tinny. Very "electronic" sound as opposed to natural. 80% of the time the iPod will be the source, the other times it'll be an laptop or my audio system connected to my TV. Music is 90% hip-hop/rap so obviously mids/vocals and bass is very important. I have a small head as well, I've tried cans which were too loose even on the tightest setting. The m50's fit me perfectly on the tightest setting. I use them in public so obviously should be closed.
OK so the ATH-M50's.
I like:
- They are very easy to drive
- Very portable, like they way they fold
- Build quality decent
- Cheap, doesn't break the bank
- Fairly accurate flat sound
- Very nice dynamics and detail
I dislike:
- Sorta uncomfortable. This is largely due to the pleather pads I think and I will switch to velour if I end up keeping these
- Kinda cheap/bland feeling/looking, want something that feels and looks nice (although this isn't that important). Something more luxurious looking.
- Poor soundstage. I swear my MDR-V150's had a better soundstage than these. The sound feels like its in your head as opposed to around you. Also games and movies aren't that immersive.
- The treble is sooooo harsh and metallic. It may be because the bright iPod is matched with these bright cans.
- Mids are kinda recessed. Not that bad I guess but could be better
- Mid/Upper Bass is OK, could be louder
- Sub Bass too quiet. Hip-hop producers use many low frequencies and I cannot hear half of them in these cans. I can in my home and car setups just fine.
Overall they sound kind of boring tbh. I mean, they're good but I'm just being greedy and want more. The main issues are the harsh trebles and quite sub-bass. The rest I can live with.
Budget is flexible but I'd like to keep it below $250. I live in Canada so prices are higher. I bought the ATH-M50's for $140 taxes and shipping in. If I replace them, I will prob sell them for close to the same price.
Models I've looked into:
- Beyerdynamic dt 770 Pro 32 ohm. I know they are not as bassy as the 80 ohm model so I wonder if it'll be enough bass for me. Also despite being 32 ohms I heard they are hard to drive. I doubt the 80 ohm model will go loud enough with my iPod.
- Logitech UE6000. don't care about noise cancelling but they come on sale often.
- Beyerdynamic Custom One Pros. The bass port intrigues me.
- V-Moda m-80 and m-100. I love the industrial look and feel. I know the V100's are expensive but they've been on sale on Amazon Canada for $190 before. Should've grabbed em then.
- Bowers and Wilkins P5/P7. Pricey and not a fan of the look but they've been recommended.
- Sennheiser Momentum. Again, pricey but I've heard great things.
- Mad Dogs. Haven't learned much about these but they've been mentioned a lot.
- Beats Studio, older gen. They're pretty cheap now. The sound is decent, good bass.
I'd love some advice, insight, recommendations. etc.
Thanks
