Sony h.ear on MDR-100AAP - $199 'Hi-Res Audio' Over-Ear Headphones

[Kabonfaiba]

I really don't trust Trusted Reviews when it comes to headphones. I used to gather insight from it, but the author's taste seems to change, as and when it's required to accommodate a point, when just the opposite is true in another review. Basically, there's no consistency, marking is often unexplained - seems to reflect personal taste rather than facts, and few remarks about dynamics, and comfort don't seem to line up with what I've found in reality.
 
But anyway, talking about the 100-AAP review; I expected higher than 8 stars. Why? The author favours balanced, flat signatures as being the best and most "Hi-Fi", so then why didn't it score higher than the 1A?
 
Apparently the 100-AAP also lacks the dynamism and excitement found in the M2 and ATH-M50x - these are two completely different sounding headphones. And the 100-AAP isn't as exciting as either?! The M2 does NOT do bass punch, the M50x is mid recessed... so where does the 100AAP scale in this comparison? Worse than both apparently.

 

[goodyfresh]

  I really don't trust Trusted Reviews when it comes to headphones. I used to gather insight from it, but the author's taste seems to change, as and when it's required to accommodate a point, when just the opposite is true in another review. Basically, there's no consistency, marking is often unexplained - seems to reflect personal taste rather than facts, and few remarks about dynamics, and comfort don't seem to line up with what I've found in reality.
 
But anyway, talking about the 100-AAP review; I expected higher than 8 stars. Why? The author favours balanced, flat signatures as being the best and most "Hi-Fi", so then why didn't it score higher than the 1A?
 
Apparently the 100-AAP also lacks the dynamism and excitement found in the M2 and ATH-M50x - these are two completely different sounding headphones. And the 100-AAP isn't as exciting as either?! The M2 does NOT do bass punch, the M50x is mid recessed... so where does the 100AAP scale in this comparison? Worse than both apparently.

LMAO calling the 100AAP inferior to the M50x in ANY way is absolute bullcrap.

 

[dweaver]

He actually says the 100AAP is more natural than the M50X but says the M50X and MSR7 have more dynamics due to their more aggressive signature.

Personally I can understand why he would say that if he is used to more aggressive signatures. But for me I will take the Sony approach every time. In this case I suspect this is where personal taste is biasing the review.

The same can be said when he compares the 100AAP to the Momentum 2. In regards to the PM3 I do give that headphone the nod In regards to be a bit better technically (more detail anyway) but it also has a completely different signature so bias comes in to play again. Not to mention both headphones are considerably more expensive...

 

[goodyfresh]

He actually says the 100AAP is more natural than the M50X but says the M50X and MSR7 have more dynamics due to their more aggressive signature.

Personally I can understand why he would say that if he is used to more aggressive signatures. But for me I will take the Sony approach every time. In this case I suspect this is where personal taste is biasing the review.

The same can be said when he compares the 100AAP to the Momentum 2. In regards to the PM3 I do give that headphone the nod In regards to be a bit better technically (more detail anyway) but it also has a completely different signature so bias comes in to play again. Not to mention both headphones are considerably more expensive...

Yeah, the Momentum 2.0 and the PM3 are both TWICE the cost of the 100AAP, so a comparison to them isn't exactly "fair" so-to-speak.

 

[Mickice]

Only fair if the MDR-100AAP crushes them
I love how these are getting called balanced and neutral,
Bass, mids and highs all have impact that is equal to each other.

 

[waynes world]

SO, my black 100aap's just got delivered (via amazon.es from the UK to Canada in 6 days - pretty good). No extra customs charges - yay!
 
The build quality is great imo, and I really like how they look. They seem very comfortable even while wearing glasses. My ears easily fit in the pads. Nice. I'm not sure if they will isolate well enough for the gym, but we will see.
 
I've only been listening to them for a few minutes, but there is no doubt that they are winners on the SQ front.

 

[nick n]

Pics to tempt people further perhaps?

 

[Mickice]

If the Gym has other music playing you might still hear it. 

there is no doubt that they are winners on the SQ front.

Our praise came from legit euphoric enjoyment.

Pics to tempt people further perhaps?

Spoiler

 

[waynes world]

  Pics to tempt people further perhaps?

 

 
MDR-100AAP, MDR-V7, MDR-CD777

 

[waynes world]

The 100aap sound great off of my dap (Xeulin 770), but unfortunately it doesn't like 4 pole connectors very much, and I'm forced to pull the connector out a bit from the dap to get the proper sound. It then doesn't take much to jiggle it out of position, and that makes me mad 

 
Any good and relatively inexpensive cable replacement solutions? All of the cables I have lying around won't fit into the 100aap's.
 
Or adapters?
 
Thanks

 

[fish1050]

I was in the same plaza as my local Best Buy so I decided to stop in and check out the MDR100AAP's, I even had my A17 with to do a demo only to find they were not available to audition or even on the store shelves.  This despite the fact the Best Buy website said they were in stock at this location.  I asked the supposed salesman for the department to find out what the deal was.  Some clueless kid of course had no idea what I was talking about.
 
This is becoming an all to common experience at Best Buy recently. I am beginning to think they should change their name to Worst Buy or even Why Buy.

 

[nick n]

Why Buy... haha
Annoying that sort of thing. Worst is when they ask if you want help then you start "talking shop" and they give you the "whut" stare...
 
waynesworld that picture seems better than most for getting an impression of the fit and finish. Thanks.
 
Excellent collection. With it's Titanium and Sapphire evaporated brothers. Those other two look new also!

 

[dweaver]

When Best Buy is the last bastion in electronics in Canada it will be a sad day. Between them and Visions Electronics it's no wonder retail is dying.

 

[329161]

LMAO calling the 100AAP inferior to the M50x in ANY way is absolute bullcrap.

That's your opinion. His review was his.

 

[Mickice]

I agree with that opinion too, M50 heyday is long over.

MDR-100AAP's sound a few grades better.