Enter the Fatal 3 Way Comparison: Shure SRH840, Audio Technica ATH-M50 vs Ortofon O-One
Hrmm 3 post in a row, guess no one is really interested in the O-One. But, I hope this next post will change people's perspective on it.
In today market, generally the SRH840 and the M50 are highly recommended, if someone wanted something more balanced people recommended the 840, if people wanted something with more bass bite and depth the M50 took it's place as the top user choice. However, the O-Ones were never looked at as a proper contender in the market of "portable" headphones, until now. I had the generous opportunity to compare these headphones all together using my own portable gear: Sansa Fuze, Fiio L6 LOD and my Pico Slim, since these headphones can be considered "portable." And, that I always have the Pico Slim latched to the Fuze. I know this isn't the longest comparison but I hope everyone enjoys it.
Songs of Choice all FLAC files:
Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No.2 in C minor Op.18 first movement
Airbourne - Too Much Too Young Too Fast
Talib Kweli - Hot Thang
Classical, Rock, Hip Hop are generally the type of music a large amount of people listen too. That's why I chose these 3 specifically, and that I likes these songs.
For myself, when listening to the three I found these headphones to be quite similar, besides their sound signatures which will be their determining factor (and a more personal factor when choosing which headphone is for you). I had to carefully and critically listen to nitpick at the slight differences between the three. But, in the end I am sure the sound signature will be what most people are looking for.
Shure SRH840
It's tonal balance works great with all genre, the RE0 of headphones, but like the RE0 it doesn't really excel or engages the listener to the music. It's is very detailed, with very good music separation, clarity. It lacks nothing, but lacks everything is how I see the 840. It does everything so well but it's so neutral, and laid back (compared to the other two) that it's says "Hey, I'm here." and that's it, just a simple wave to be acknowledged.
Piano Concerto: very natural, great separation, bass depth and punch, but lacks the engagement into the music, I am always wanting more out of the 840s, I want to hear and feel the resonance and vibrations (at a comfortable listening level) but it doesn't give me what I want. I want to feel excited in the height of the movement and be enticed by the piano but I can't. The soundstage is a now what I could and now place it as "average." Overall, the 840 does well for classical pieces.
Airbourne: Great separation, detail, punchy bass and does everything well. Sounds natural, but like the piano concerto I don't have this "wow" factor. As I stated, it sounds as if I am listening to my RE0.
Talib Kweli: Bass user: It does not lack bass at all, even the impact I wouldn't call light. It's not heavy but it does go deep, but it will leave you wanting more.
Overall: SRH840 does everything well, neutral, balanced with great clarity, detail.
Audio Technica ATH-M50
If the 840s were right in the middle, (between light and heaviness) I would lean the M50 towards the heaviness. It has great low end resonance, and I can understand why it 's recommended over the 840 for hiphop/rap or bass heavy music. However, it is no slouch when it comes to the midgrade and treble. It's not as detailed or as clear (due to the heaviness - maybe more veiled be more appropriate term?) than the 840s but you can hear every single note, instrumental separation and decay. It's like being punched to be acknowledged instead of a simple wave.
Piano Concerto: When the low end comes you feel it and it feels great! It engages you to listen, but I find the slight heaviness takes away from the treble and leaves the violins wanting to be pushed further. But, again it is no slouch. It does everything very well, especially the bass. But, you do lose the clarity and detail when compared with the 840. I would say the soundstage between the M50 and 840 are similar, I wouldn't be able to tell you which one was bigger or smaller.
Airbourne: It also has good instrumental separation, and the bass is quite good, it can be punchy but it's not as punchy as the 840. But, if you really want to hear the guitars and cords to their full extent the M50 may sound a tad heavy.
Talib Kweli: Absolutely the best, very engaging. It out pulls and punches over the 840 like a heavy weight over a featherweight.
Overall: Heavier notes and bass but without sacrificing too much treble or detail.
Ortofon O-One
The underdog of the three. No one had information regarding the O-Ones and no one took any interest in it, until now. Truly an over looked headphone and I personally think underestimated. Granted it's the most expensive one ($200USD) but, it offers something truly special (for some) that the other 2 can never achieve, tonal resonance throughout the treble, mid and bass, all thanks to the S-Logic - this was the "wow" factor for me. Ortofon you guys have truly have something special to offer in this particular range of headphones, and you should be quite pleased with your product because I am. Whatever driver you guys chose, they're great! At first, I thought about trading them or even selling them for something similar for it's price range. But, after this comparison I've decided to keep them as long as I can. I've just never heard anything like it, granted I also never heard any Ultrasone so take my words as a grain of salt, and throw it into people's eyes! (and feel the irritation, muhahah).
Alright, let's get serious now. If the 840 were in the middle, the M50 were to the right (heaviness) then what of the O-One. They are actually quite light on their notes, and hence be to the left. Yes, it does not have the bass presence of the M50, but it does have the punchy-ness of the 840s and the resonance of the M50s but presence does not last as long, if that makes any sense. It goes deep but it doesn't continue because it's not as heavy? lol...err guess I'll stick with that description for now. I've already discussed about how clear and detailed these headphones are so let's move into the music.
Piano Concerto: Due to the lightness, I hear it as being the largest soundstage of the three. Everything is great, the O-One have great harmonics for this piece, everything goes so well from the piano, to bass to violin. Absolutely a treat to listen, especially for an IEM guy. I can hear the crispness of the notes, the extension of the bass and it so good to listen too. Everything sounds clean, natural, detailed, and engages the listener.
Airbourne: Absolutely the best of the three. I can even hear the slight resonance of the guitar, it's quite cool, the bass is punchy and resonates and you can feel the vibrations. One of the best closed rock cans I've heard so far. Haha, even though I haven't heard that many. I do love hearing the electric guitar resonate.
Talib Kweli: Sadly, I find it is the weakest when it comes to hip hop. For me it sounds too airy, but it does this genre decently well. But, it's not it's strongest. Everything is clear, vocal are great but again, the when the bass resonates it sounds way to airy, it's not heavy at all.
Overall: this underdog has some bite, it can play with the big boys without the fear of being pushed back.
Conclusion:
Which one is better? All depends on personal preference. None are really better than the other or worse, its all in what you want. Therefore, I will not do any ranking. But, I think people should give the O-Ones a shot! However, in terms of headphone bendability and flexibility and DJing-driver turning ability I would say the M50 is first, then O-Ones then the 840. All three are great phones, and I don't think anyone would have any qualms in owning any of them if they actually read review on them and understand their sound signatures.
