[sevan1028]

Hi,
 
So I am thinking of buying either the sony XB300 or sony XB500.
 
Bass is not a huge concern of mine, I'm sure the 300 packs enough of a punch for me, in fact, I'm sure I'll end up EQing down the bass when I get them. What I am actually concerned about is the mids and highs, as I listen to a variety of genres. The reason I want these hps is because they look ridiculously comfortable and are more portable than some of the other phones ive seen. So do the 300s have an approved midrange, or should I shell out the extra 20 dollars for the 500s? Or, is there a better option (I've looked at the superlux, but it doesn't appear to be easy to find...)?
 
Thanks in advance!

 

[jetsfool]

i havent tried the xb500 but i have the xb300's. and they are a nice portable hp. they actually are pretty comfortable but get uncomfortable after about 1-2 hours of listening. but for an extra $20, id go for the xb500, since they get good reviews, and alot of people prefer them over the 300's. 

 

[wind016]

If you will end up EQing the bass down, you can try going for the Ultrasone HFI 580 instead.

 

[RPGWiZaRD]

Quote:

If you will end up EQing the bass down, you can try going for the Ultrasone HFI 580 instead.

He wanted comfort though and HFI-580 is nowhere similar in terms of comfort.
 
I'd just boost the mids and highs and perhaps lower the upper bass a bit on XB500, haven't tested XB300 so can't say about that one. Here's a few screens as I don't know what EQ you'd use of my preferred XB500 EQ curve:
 
Using my soundcard's hardware EQ (best result)

 
Using iTunes:

 
using foobar2000:

 
 
 
 
 
 

 

[crinacle]

 
Quote:

He wanted comfort though and HFI-580 is nowhere similar in terms of comfort.

I don't think comfort was his MAIN priority in this post... HFI 580 + 1

 

[RPGWiZaRD]

Quote:

I don't think comfort was his MAIN priority in this post... HFI 580 + 1

 
Well also HFI-580 is like $150 though, if he's wondering wheter he's gonna spend $30 on XB300 or $50 on XB500 I don't think $150 is within his planned budget.
 
 

 

[crinacle]

 
Quote:

Well also HFI-580 is like $150 though, if he's wondering wheter he's gonna spend $30 on XB300 or $50 on XB500 I don't think $150 is within his planned budget.
 
 

Didn't see that coming...
 
I guess the XB500 would be a better choice then.
 

 

[sevan1028]

Thanks for your replies! And thanks RPGWizard for those EQ's.
 
I should have been more specific with my budget (around 50 dollars). It looks like I'm gonna go with the xb500s.

 

[sevan1028]

Before I order them, can anyone speak on the isolation and leakage of these phones?

 

[MrMichael]

I own the entire XB line and I think the XB300's are garbage. The XB500's are vastly superior. Isolation on the 500's is decent but they leak like crazy. That's something you're gonna have to consider before buying them.