[vitoid]

Just wondering if when the noiseguard is switched to OFF on the PXC 250 if the sound is identical to the PX200? For those of you who own both these headphones, which do you prefer when NOT using the noiseguard feature? If you had to choose one, what is your preference? Thanks in advance.

 

[Leeco]

PX250 have impedance of 300 Ohm, meaning that if you use it with a portable, you have a chance that they will not power them enough. That being said, my old 10mW PCDP did a great job with them however.
I have never heard PX200, but some people here claimed that PX250 have a better sound due to the increased impedance.

 

[djgustashaw]

Quote:

I have never heard PX200, but some people here claimed that PX250 have a better sound due to the increased impedance.

yes, but remember that they will ONLY have better sound if you have a source strong enough to power 300 ohms. if you plan on using these cans with portable cd players (pcdp) or mp3 players, you're DEFINITELY going to be needing an amp. the reason you would need an amp is because the PXC250's require so much power; if you try to plug them straight into a pcdp, the max volume will be very low because they don't have enough power available.

the PX200's impedance is 32 ohms, which means that they are MUCH easier to drive out of small, portable audio devices like a pcdp or mp3 players. so if you don't want to spend more money on an amp, my opinion would be that your only choice is the PX200. 300 ohms requires a LOT of power-- you normally only see a number that big when you're looking at the specs of high-end, reference grade, home headphones as opposed to portable cans like the PXC250.

that said, the PXC250 should sound better in theorey if they have enough power. i have the PX200 and love them. never heard the 250 though. the sonic qualities of the PX200's can be summed up in this: very neutral with an emphasized midrange. they may seem to be lacking in bass when you first listen to them, but after you get acclimated to them they sound quite good. and the isolation is good for such small earcups; they dont completely block sounds, but they do muffle them.

if you decide to get the PXC250's, go to www.headphone.com and check out their line of amps; their two most portable models are the airhead and the total airhead. or, you could have someone here at head-fi build you an amp, such as a CMOY or META42. the built amps will probably be a better value, but if you don't want the hassle you can just order one of the airheads from headroom which will still suit your needs quite well.

hope this helps, did i miss anything?

 

[MacDEF]

I own both -- the PX 200 are better than the PXC 250, IMO, but not by a huge margin. (This is out of amps that can adequately power them both.)

But the noise-canceling circuitry is pretty good on the PXC 250. They're the best NC 'phones on the market, IMO.

 

[bangraman]

I thought the uncancelled sound was virtually identical, but this involves speculation to a certain extent because the PX200 fitted me less well than the PXC250 (the PX200 is quite a bit shorter in the headband area). I never use the PXC250 uncancelled, that's how much I like the sound when it's off