[davewave]

This is phenomenal listening, analysis, and writing. Bravo!

Everyone is asking about omissions. For my part I would have liked to see the TMA-1 and Beyer T50p. Did these not meet your inclusion criteria or did you just not have them available?

Thanks again for the outstanding contribution! 

 

[loremipsum]

Why are we considering the XB700 a portable headphone? I saw somebody wearing them once and they're huge

 

[grokit]

For me anything that folds flat, comes with a travel case, and has a 1/8" termination is a portable headphone that I could at least throw into a suitcase.

 

[Jcvalenz]

Couldn't agree more with the quality of the hd25s to always sound good compared to other cans, even full sized ones. Not necessarily better but still good... very easy to drive too. For me, they replaced a set of UM2 iems. No regrets at all, not even on isolation.

 

[Jcvalenz]

By the way, thanks a lot for a very interesting review ljokerl.

 

[ljokerl]

Quote:

Another great comparative review from |joker|, thanks again! The FA-002/3, ESW-9, PS 500, Beats Pro, the TMA-1, the venerable SRH840 and ATH-M50S, and a mid-tier Ultrasone like the Pro 650 would have rounded out this list of headphones considerably. But with the expense involved I wonder if it's even possible to do a more thorough review considering how often this product category changes. 

I've had some experience with the FA-003 and it's really not something I can see myself wearing outside. The ESW9 has been reviewed already in my portable shootout thread and I don't have it anymore. The PRO650 I do have  and will review eventually but it's not something I even bring  outside, either, thought it fits my criteria for inclusion in the long portable thread.
 

Quote:

I know you have no intention of reviewing any more phones in this thread and I really loved the work you put in but if I had to think through a contender in the "consumer driven fashionable phone" category I think I may have desired a Bose appearance - either the AE2 or the On Ear.

I have a Bose on-ear though I think it's of the previous generation and needs a new cord. One of these days I'll get around to fixing it and maybe then it'll be included (though not in this review).
 

Quote:

This is phenomenal listening, analysis, and writing. Bravo!

Everyone is asking about omissions. For my part I would have liked to see the TMA-1 and Beyer T50p. Did these not meet your inclusion criteria or did you just not have them available?

Thanks again for the outstanding contribution!  

The TMA-1 and T50P are two sets I'd like to have reviewed myself but purchasing two more high-end cans for review wasn't something I could justify. I have (many) other reasonably-priced portables such as the AKG Q460 and Philips O'Neill 'The Stretch' but I didn't feel those belonged as one is not exactly mainstream and the other is not exactly hi-fi.
 

Quote:

Why are we considering the XB700 a portable headphone? I saw somebody wearing them once and they're huge

I've seen quite a few of them around my college campus and that's good enough for me. As far as I'm concerned, for inclusion in the long portable headphone review a headphone must meet at least one of the following criteria:
 
1. Supraaural ear coupling (e.g. HD25-1, Beyer DT235, etc)
2. Flat-folding or collapsible form factor (e.g. Grados, most DJ cans, etc)
3. Cable designed for portable use - <5 ft in length and terminated with a 1/8 jack (Sony XB series, V-Moda Crossfade, Denon D1001k, etc)
 
 
Quote:

Couldn't agree more with the quality of the hd25s to always sound good compared to other cans, even full sized ones. Not necessarily better but still good... very easy to drive too. For me, they replaced a set of UM2 iems. No regrets at all, not even on isolation.

Well, I'm more of an IEM person (boo... hiss...) but being used to the isolation of my customs I could still use the HD25 and B&W P5 comfortably on the go. The rest are just too unwieldy and not isolating enough compared to what I'm used to with IEMs so I know exactly what you mean.

 

[129207]

Thanks for this beautiful write up! Nice, clear and informative with an attractive layout. I wish Head-Fi could sticky threads like this one. 
 
I own the HD25-1 II and agree on all your findings. I do however have even less love for the Monster than you. I enjoy my XB700 much more. Hell, I even enjoy my $15, modded KSC75 (opened up the foam pads, attached the drivers to the Portapro headband) more. And I am not kidding. 

 
I am very curious how you would rate the TMA-1 compared to these headphones. I have A/B'ed them against my HD25-1 II and didn't have much good to say about them. Much too warm, I would go as far to describe them as veiled, and they lack sparkle and clarity. Only thing they have going for them compared to the Sennheiser is the boom. Maybe some electronic music lovers might enjoy their mids more as well. They do look spectacular though (in my opinion) and the coiled cable around the drivers is a nice touch. They're more comfortable than my HD25 as well. But that's probably because I have pretty big ears. 

 
Anyway, thanks for the write up! Much appreciated! 

 

[Severanth]

Just wanted to say a thank you.
 
Appreciate the effort and work put in to help newcomers like myself get a clearer foundation in what these headphones do and don't have to offer.  

 

[Mochan]

I have the TMA-1, but the HD25s continue to intrigue me... I might get them next...

 


To note, although the two look almost like twins lost at birth, the TMA doesn't sound like the HD25 at all. It's funny but I often say that the TMA-1 is what the HD25 would have been if Sennheiser made it... And before you say anything yes I know the Hd25 was made by Senn. It just doesn't sound like it was: it's forward sound is a bit of a departure from the typical Senn consumer house sound.

By the way I winder why the HD25 is included in this lineup, it is neither Particularly bassy nor a fashionista phone by any stretch.

 

[Mochan]

My wife has a pair of the Beats Solo HD in red. They are very nice looking and they sound pretty good actually. I think they clamp my head a little too hard but after a bit that feeling seems to go away and it does make them fairly isolating for an on ear. While I like them and don't think she was ripped off as she bought the refurbs during the Christmas deal for $79, I actually prefer the JVC HA-S700 which cost me less than $30. They are much more comfortable, isolate well, and the sound signature isn't all that different.


 


I know you have no intention of reviewing any more phones in this thread and I really loved the work you put in but if I had to think through a contender in the "consumer driven fashionable phone" category I think I may have desired a Bose appearance - either the AE2 or the On Ear.

 



I found the HAS doesn't sound quite the same as the Solo HD Red. The HAS is less congested-sounding but doesn't have near the level of bass the HDs do. The HAS also has a brighter, and more metallic tone to it compared to the Solos which have an earthier tone. However the Solo does have this weird plasticky tone to it which is really my only complaint with the set.

 

[Mochan]

AThis is phenomenal listening, analysis, and writing. Bravo!

Everyone is asking about omissions. For my part I would have liked to see the TMA-1 and Beyer T50p. Did these not meet your inclusion criteria or did you just not have them available?

Thanks again for the outstanding contribution! 

 


The t50p would have been a great can to review against, I absolutely love these. They are far better than the TMA-1 in my opinion and also far better than the HD25-1ii. They have absolutely the sweetest treble I have ever heard outside of flagship can level (or anything above $500) and hey they do better than some if those as well.

Very very smooth, relaxing sound. A little bass-lit for my typical bass head sensibilities but nonetheless they sound awesome. They are also quite portable although the inability to fold means you carry them in the largish carry-case. My major ding with them is the double-sided entry cable. Wish they were single-entry.

 

[bubsdaddy]

 
Quote:

I found the HAS doesn't sound quite the same as the Solo HD Red. The HAS is less congested-sounding but doesn't have near the level of bass the HDs do. The HAS also has a brighter, and more metallic tone to it compared to the Solos which have an earthier tone. However the Solo does have this weird plasticky tone to it which is really my only complaint with the set.

 
 
 
OK...this caused me to A/B the two a bit. Turns out you are right. The Solo HD Red has much better bass in quantity and quality. Also, I noticed the metallic sound you referred to when listening to piano music.

 

[swbf2cheater]

If phiaton ever releases a set of portables exactly like the ms400 but with a better soundstage and clarity, I Would never buy another portable set again ( unless I design my own hehe )

 

[RPGWiZaRD]

Wow, the best headphone review I've ever read, your review is detailed to the maximum and very easy to grasp for a head-fier (but probably more difficult so for newcomers ). I fully agree on all your points about XB500 vs XB700 (this guy really knows what he's talking about) which you also provided a very extended and detailed comparision, I still prefer XB500 (whit some EQing for better clarity) though because I like the added warmth especially to the mids that seem less recessed and the punchier bass. Hmm I didn't expect that MS400 was such a warm sounding headphone.

 

[Armaegis]

Quote:

If phiaton ever releases a set of portables exactly like the ms400 but with a better soundstage and clarity, I Would never buy another portable set again ( unless I design my own hehe )

I wonder if they'll ever design an open headphone...