bcasey25raptor
Aka: Brycon Casey
aka mental patient
aka Enter Darkness
aka Shurefan
aka reaperofaudio
aka everyone knows
aka very funny
- Joined
- Dec 28, 2010
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As you guys may be aware I own 3 decent pairs of headphones now. I recently ordered the alessandro ms1 and received it today. Now that I own 3 pairs of decent headphones I will do a review and comparison between the 3.
I will give it a 1, 2, or 3 for a rating scale. 1 means it wins in the category, 2 means it comes in second, and 3 means it comes in last (Quite Simple).
Now that that is over with let's start the review.
I will start with my Pioneer SE M390 (Not well known around here)
Pioneer SE M390
Durability/Design
The Pioneer SE M390 is a budget closed back headphone with an MSRP of $60. This remains as my first venture into higher end audio. Being 1.5 years old you would expect some wear and tear and probably broken headphones at this price. But alas it has survived being thrown around, dropped, even a car crash(I wasn't driving). The only wear i see is that there is some chips in the plastic above the driver where the 2 arches arch over the headphones. Also it has a piece of fabric that keeps the headphones in place which is all crumpled up and has pieces falling out. Worst yet it has become hard making it slightly uncomfortable. Finally the jack has had some shredding issues but it's not in any way that prohibits usage. A little electricians tape fixed it.
For durability it ranks number 2.
Comfort
These are comfortable but are very loose. Be prepared to constantly be adjusting these. I also found that the velour pads became itchy over time.
Sound Quality
Yes here we go. your all wondering what these sound like aren't you? Well now you find out. If I were to give you an example of a pair of headphones that sound like these I will say Beats Studios with more bass. Yes I said it, $60 for a similar sound signature to the Beats Studios with more bass. Then again it's not really more bass but bass that reaches lower into sub bass regions. Beats Studios don't do that.
Mids: The mids are masked by the massive bass of these headphones. It can make vocals and guitars hard to hear or make out.
Highs: The highs are recessed and laid back. not up front or enjoyable at all.
Bass: If you want bass look no further. I give you bass champions under $60 (The Sony XB500 may have more bass but I haven't tried them).
Speed: These are slow bloated bass monsters
Accuracy: These are not very accurate but are perfect for masking out bad sounding recordings. Anything will most likely sound good with these.
Amped Performance
I found when you amp these They gain a bit of a bass boast. I still don't know weather this is good or bad. It depends on who you are. But overall are very efficient.
I used both a Fiio E7 and Fiio E5 to test this.
Final Thoughts
If you want very bassy headphones under $60 these are a safe bet. They won't dazzle you with details but they are definitely fun. But they will only work with slow bassy genres like Hip hop and electronic.
Alessandro MS1
Durability/Design
Ah yes. The famous Grado headphones. Everyone knows them. Some swear by them, some hate them. Design wise I personally think they are nothing special. They have a hipster look to it though. Kind of like your trying to stick out for being different. I like the retro design but is it practical? Durability on these with my first impression is of so/so quality. The cable under the Y-Splitter is very robust and durable but at the Y-splitter the cable feels cheap and hand made (Well then again Grado is made by a family company in Brooklyn USA). The headphones are made of plastic and feel pretty sturdy actually. But the cord really itches at my worry bone. Better be extra careful. They are open design so they aren't very portable.
Though out of this comparison I have to give it 3rd spot for durability.
Comfort
These are Comfortable but only for a certain periods of time. Pre quarter mod I found them really comfortable but post mod I found them to get close to my ears and the hard plastic just tended to touch the tip of my ear causing pain. I have gotten used to it though and hardly notice anymore.
Sound Quality
When I first received these and opened the box my first response was to try them on and listen to my music (Isn't that everyone's response). At first listen I was amazed. Brilliant sound. It brought a tear to my eyes. The clarity and speed made my music come to life. This is what heavy metal was supposed to sound like is what I was thinking. Unfortunately it didn't last. As I got used to the sound I lost the same appreciation I had when I first tried them on. This doesn't mean it is bad. It is still my favorite can for metal or at home use. But I realized that they are less accurate then my Shure SRH840 (To be expected when those are $200). But what these excel at is speed and enjoyment. They are also less honest to badly recorded music.
Edit: After extensive burn in and the quarter mod the bass has decreased. It has settled on a more balanced pleasant sound. I continue to be immensely shocked at how incredible these sound.
Mids: Very fun, accurate, and are very forward sounding.
Highs: Not very harsh but very forward and fast.
Lows: These seem to have quite a bit of bass. People who think these are bass light like to much bass. I personally think these might have to much bass for me. but they are so fast i won't complain.
Speed: So fast. These make electric guitars sound phenomenal.
Accuracy: Accurate but still colored. More accurate can probably be found at this price. These are more for enjoyment then critical listening.
Amp Performance
I find when these are Amped they get more aggressive and gain a bit of lower bass. But overall these don't need to be amp to get the most out of them. They are very efficient and can be run from any portable source.
I used both a Fiio E7 and Fiio E5 to test this.
Final Thoughts
These are great for Heavy Metal, Rock, and other fast paced instrumental music.
Shure SRH840
Durability/Design
Design wise these are closed back so you shouldn't have any issues with noise leakage. They are really big so portability might not be a viable option. They come with a detachable coiled cable and replacement earpads which seem to have memory foam. Durability wise these things are built like a tank. The headband can be stretched this way and that and it will just keep going. Rubber enforced with metal keeps it together well. Detachable cable makes replacement easy. and they are really comfortable. My only concern is the cables jutting out the side. But having owned them for a long while they are actually much more durable then I give them credit for.
They earn 1st spot for durability hands down.
Comfort
The most comfortable of the bunch. They have very comfortable memory foam pads, and a slightly padded headband. They are very heavy though so some people will find it uncomfortable. I find that if you have hair you should have no comfort issues. But if you do listen for many hours you might feel it weighing down on you which could cause discomfort for some people.
Sound Quality
These are really accurate, seemingly slow, and analytical. Not to be a first choice for just enjoying your music.
Mids: Amazingly clear, forward but not intrusive.
Highs: Better then the pioneer SE M390 but I feel they are recessed after 10khz. On the bright side they are not harsh.
Lows: Mid bass hump, and recessed sub bass.
Speed: Slow, not good for Rock or Heavy Metal.
Accuracy: Very accurate, these excel at details.
Amped Performance
When I amp these I noticed a slight improvement in the highs and a gain in the bass department. But overall these gain slightly little from amping.
I used both a Fiio E7 and Fiio E5 to test this.
Final Thoughts
These are my go to cans most of the time. They work with every genre of music but do light music best. Something like Jazz or Classical will sound impressive with these.
Winners/Preferences
After writing this I should give my opinion on which wins.
Winners
Best overall is the Shure SRH840
Second best is the Alessandro MS1
And last is the Pioneer SE M390
Personal Preference (Enjoyment)
Alessandro MS1 is the most fun
Shure SRH840 comes in second for enjoyment and accuracy in 1
Third is the Pioneer SE M390
Amp Requirements
Overall I found all 3 cans are easy to drive and benefit little from amping.
I used both a Fiio E7 and Fiio E5 to test this.
I hope you enjoyed this Review/Comparison.
I will give it a 1, 2, or 3 for a rating scale. 1 means it wins in the category, 2 means it comes in second, and 3 means it comes in last (Quite Simple).
Feature | SE M390 | Shure SRH840 | Alessandro MS1 |
Speed | 3 | 2 | 1 |
Bass | 1 | 3 | 2 |
Highs | 3 | 2 | 1 |
Mids | 3 | 1 | 2 |
Accuracy | 3 | 1 | 2 |
Enjoyment | 2 | 3 | 1 |
Durability | 2 | 1 | 3 |
Value | 3 | 2 | 1 |
Overall | 3 | 1 | 2 |
Now that that is over with let's start the review.
I will start with my Pioneer SE M390 (Not well known around here)
Pioneer SE M390
Durability/Design
The Pioneer SE M390 is a budget closed back headphone with an MSRP of $60. This remains as my first venture into higher end audio. Being 1.5 years old you would expect some wear and tear and probably broken headphones at this price. But alas it has survived being thrown around, dropped, even a car crash(I wasn't driving). The only wear i see is that there is some chips in the plastic above the driver where the 2 arches arch over the headphones. Also it has a piece of fabric that keeps the headphones in place which is all crumpled up and has pieces falling out. Worst yet it has become hard making it slightly uncomfortable. Finally the jack has had some shredding issues but it's not in any way that prohibits usage. A little electricians tape fixed it.
For durability it ranks number 2.
Comfort
These are comfortable but are very loose. Be prepared to constantly be adjusting these. I also found that the velour pads became itchy over time.
Sound Quality
Yes here we go. your all wondering what these sound like aren't you? Well now you find out. If I were to give you an example of a pair of headphones that sound like these I will say Beats Studios with more bass. Yes I said it, $60 for a similar sound signature to the Beats Studios with more bass. Then again it's not really more bass but bass that reaches lower into sub bass regions. Beats Studios don't do that.
Mids: The mids are masked by the massive bass of these headphones. It can make vocals and guitars hard to hear or make out.
Highs: The highs are recessed and laid back. not up front or enjoyable at all.
Bass: If you want bass look no further. I give you bass champions under $60 (The Sony XB500 may have more bass but I haven't tried them).
Speed: These are slow bloated bass monsters
Accuracy: These are not very accurate but are perfect for masking out bad sounding recordings. Anything will most likely sound good with these.
Amped Performance
I found when you amp these They gain a bit of a bass boast. I still don't know weather this is good or bad. It depends on who you are. But overall are very efficient.
I used both a Fiio E7 and Fiio E5 to test this.
Final Thoughts
If you want very bassy headphones under $60 these are a safe bet. They won't dazzle you with details but they are definitely fun. But they will only work with slow bassy genres like Hip hop and electronic.
Alessandro MS1
Durability/Design
Ah yes. The famous Grado headphones. Everyone knows them. Some swear by them, some hate them. Design wise I personally think they are nothing special. They have a hipster look to it though. Kind of like your trying to stick out for being different. I like the retro design but is it practical? Durability on these with my first impression is of so/so quality. The cable under the Y-Splitter is very robust and durable but at the Y-splitter the cable feels cheap and hand made (Well then again Grado is made by a family company in Brooklyn USA). The headphones are made of plastic and feel pretty sturdy actually. But the cord really itches at my worry bone. Better be extra careful. They are open design so they aren't very portable.
Though out of this comparison I have to give it 3rd spot for durability.
Comfort
These are Comfortable but only for a certain periods of time. Pre quarter mod I found them really comfortable but post mod I found them to get close to my ears and the hard plastic just tended to touch the tip of my ear causing pain. I have gotten used to it though and hardly notice anymore.
Sound Quality
When I first received these and opened the box my first response was to try them on and listen to my music (Isn't that everyone's response). At first listen I was amazed. Brilliant sound. It brought a tear to my eyes. The clarity and speed made my music come to life. This is what heavy metal was supposed to sound like is what I was thinking. Unfortunately it didn't last. As I got used to the sound I lost the same appreciation I had when I first tried them on. This doesn't mean it is bad. It is still my favorite can for metal or at home use. But I realized that they are less accurate then my Shure SRH840 (To be expected when those are $200). But what these excel at is speed and enjoyment. They are also less honest to badly recorded music.
Edit: After extensive burn in and the quarter mod the bass has decreased. It has settled on a more balanced pleasant sound. I continue to be immensely shocked at how incredible these sound.
Mids: Very fun, accurate, and are very forward sounding.
Highs: Not very harsh but very forward and fast.
Lows: These seem to have quite a bit of bass. People who think these are bass light like to much bass. I personally think these might have to much bass for me. but they are so fast i won't complain.
Speed: So fast. These make electric guitars sound phenomenal.
Accuracy: Accurate but still colored. More accurate can probably be found at this price. These are more for enjoyment then critical listening.
Amp Performance
I find when these are Amped they get more aggressive and gain a bit of lower bass. But overall these don't need to be amp to get the most out of them. They are very efficient and can be run from any portable source.
I used both a Fiio E7 and Fiio E5 to test this.
Final Thoughts
These are great for Heavy Metal, Rock, and other fast paced instrumental music.
Shure SRH840
Durability/Design
Design wise these are closed back so you shouldn't have any issues with noise leakage. They are really big so portability might not be a viable option. They come with a detachable coiled cable and replacement earpads which seem to have memory foam. Durability wise these things are built like a tank. The headband can be stretched this way and that and it will just keep going. Rubber enforced with metal keeps it together well. Detachable cable makes replacement easy. and they are really comfortable. My only concern is the cables jutting out the side. But having owned them for a long while they are actually much more durable then I give them credit for.
They earn 1st spot for durability hands down.
Comfort
The most comfortable of the bunch. They have very comfortable memory foam pads, and a slightly padded headband. They are very heavy though so some people will find it uncomfortable. I find that if you have hair you should have no comfort issues. But if you do listen for many hours you might feel it weighing down on you which could cause discomfort for some people.
Sound Quality
These are really accurate, seemingly slow, and analytical. Not to be a first choice for just enjoying your music.
Mids: Amazingly clear, forward but not intrusive.
Highs: Better then the pioneer SE M390 but I feel they are recessed after 10khz. On the bright side they are not harsh.
Lows: Mid bass hump, and recessed sub bass.
Speed: Slow, not good for Rock or Heavy Metal.
Accuracy: Very accurate, these excel at details.
Amped Performance
When I amp these I noticed a slight improvement in the highs and a gain in the bass department. But overall these gain slightly little from amping.
I used both a Fiio E7 and Fiio E5 to test this.
Final Thoughts
These are my go to cans most of the time. They work with every genre of music but do light music best. Something like Jazz or Classical will sound impressive with these.
Winners/Preferences
After writing this I should give my opinion on which wins.
Winners
Best overall is the Shure SRH840
Second best is the Alessandro MS1
And last is the Pioneer SE M390
Personal Preference (Enjoyment)
Alessandro MS1 is the most fun
Shure SRH840 comes in second for enjoyment and accuracy in 1
Third is the Pioneer SE M390
Amp Requirements
Overall I found all 3 cans are easy to drive and benefit little from amping.
I used both a Fiio E7 and Fiio E5 to test this.
I hope you enjoyed this Review/Comparison.