[StudioSound]

Not from what I have heard on older Denon or Beyer closed cans as they certainly have a wider stage.   That then puts a lot of open backs outside the norm for me then if that's the case.  It's never been a huge issue for me as I've been used to iem's for many years which can sound like that otherwise I would of got shot of them a long time ago if it bugged me but it was an area that was lacking a bit although I understand why given its physical size is a lot more compact to normal closed back cans.

 
I should have been more clear. I would say the 7520 soundstage is fairly typical for closed headphones. It is outside of the norm for other closed headphones to have a much wider soundstage than that.
It doesn't mean that you can't have a wider soundstage with a closed headphone, just that it is not typical in my experience.
You can certainly expect open headphones to have a wider soundstage by default. It's a trade-off you have to make.

I will try the Redline monitor but can I use it as an app with an Android? as could be a bit strange getting used to it using it on the PC and then with my Walkman would then notice the difference it would then be more noticeable it would then obviously bug me.  I would say it might not be all down to the 7520 as since recently acquiring the Chord Hugo has helped breath a bit more space and speaker like width and I have listened to too many good top end desktop/ portable amp/ dacs to mention with my 7520's in the past two years that have not recreated what the Hugo does.

 
It's a VST plugin, so you would need an application which supports those. (I use JRiver as my media player)
I'm sure there are Android players which, while not supporting VST plugins, have crossfeed implementations.
I can't comment on the quality of any of these however, Redline Monitor is my "reference" for that sort of processing.
But I don't like any closed/isolating headphones/IEMs without crossfeed now. Once you have heard it done well, it's difficult to go back in my opinion.

 

[OMGLadyGaga]

Count me in with those that say the Sonys have a narrow stage, even for closed headphone standards. But they make up for it with truly excellent separation and layering, tonal balance is of course also excellent. I wore them on a 7 hr plane ride to visit fam for Xmas and zero complaints so comfort I'd say is great too.

 

[Kierkes]

The correlation between soundstage and imaging is surprisingly loose. I'm with everyone on the narrow soundstage of the 7520. Yet, the imaging is excellent. Similar experience with my occasional trysts with the Sennheiser HD600/650's. Contrast that with the enormous soundstage of the AKG/AT open-backs, but I've never liked the imaging (felt like the cans were flinging things off into the distance that didn't need flinging).

 

[FortisFlyer75]

 

  Not from what I have heard on older Denon or Beyer closed cans as they certainly have a wider stage.   That then puts a lot of open backs outside the norm for me then if that's the case.  It's never been a huge issue for me as I've been used to iem's for many years which can sound like that otherwise I would of got shot of them a long time ago if it bugged me but it was an area that was lacking a bit although I understand why given its physical size is a lot more compact to normal closed back cans.
 

 
I should have been more clear. I would say the 7520 soundstage is fairly typical for closed headphones. It is outside of the norm for other closed headphones to have a much wider soundstage than that.
It doesn't mean that you can't have a wider soundstage with a closed headphone, just that it is not typical in my experience.
You can certainly expect open headphones to have a wider soundstage by default. It's a trade-off you have to make.
 

  I will try the Redline monitor but can I use it as an app with an Android? as could be a bit strange getting used to it using it on the PC and then with my Walkman would then notice the difference it would then be more noticeable it would then obviously bug me.  I would say it might not be all down to the 7520 as since recently acquiring the Chord Hugo has helped breath a bit more space and speaker like width and I have listened to too many good top end desktop/ portable amp/ dacs to mention with my 7520's in the past two years that have not recreated what the Hugo does.

 
It's a VST plugin, so you would need an application which supports those. (I use JRiver as my media player)
I'm sure there are Android players which, while not supporting VST plugins, have crossfeed implementations.
I can't comment on the quality of any of these however, Redline Monitor is my "reference" for that sort of processing.
But I don't like any closed/isolating headphones/IEMs without crossfeed now. Once you have heard it done well, it's difficult to go back in my opinion.

The ratio is probably higher for closed cans sounding typically not that wide in the soundstage field but there are some out there that are a stand out when you hear them, still not quite up there with the open backs but you certainly notice them when you come across them.  I have heard many closed cans sound like the Sony so would agree they are no worse than many closed cans out there but it has not really bothered me too much when they are capable of doing what OMGLadyGaga pointed out below with the separation and layering is what helps the 7520's shine really well although the caveat there (always looking on the negative angle) with heavy rock/metal they can struggle to cope and things can get a bit messy although this area is a lot better than the sister Z1000 was with this area.  
 
Seems if I get the time will investigate the crossfeed thing as it sounds interesting and a little involved but if it does it without loss or degradiation to SQ then I'm all ears!

Count me in with those that say the Sonys have a narrow stage, even for closed headphone standards. But they make up for it with truly excellent separation and layering, tonal balance is of course also excellent. I wore them on a 7 hr plane ride to visit fam for Xmas and zero complaints so comfort I'd say is great too.

On board there with the separation & layering but the tonal balance is what makes the 7520's pleasant to listen to as it feels like it is not sounding false in it's presentation. 
Must of made the 7 hour flight feel a bit more quicker and bearable anyway..
 

  The correlation between soundstage and imaging is surprisingly loose. I'm with everyone on the narrow soundstage of the 7520. Yet, the imaging is excellent. Similar experience with my occasional trysts with the Sennheiser HD600/650's. Contrast that with the enormous soundstage of the AKG/AT open-backs, but I've never liked the imaging (felt like the cans were flinging things off into the distance that didn't need flinging).

I felt that with the HD800's, really felt like I was listening to a pair of 5.1 headphones with stuff coming from all angles and even behind which felt strange although intriguing.  I did not mind it but not to the point I could live with it every day for familiar headphone presentation as with most headphones.  

 

[zazex]

  Beyer pads are velour, so maybe not as hot in the summer. But they're also a bit smaller, so if you have large ears (like me), you won't like them. The opening for your ears is smaller than on the stock Sony pads.
 
How are you liking the 840 pads by the way? I've been using them for over a year now and still really love them for what they are. Very comfortable. They change the sound signature a bit, mostly in the bass area, but I can live with it and am used to it by now.

 
So the 840 pads are a reasonably easy install on the 7520's?

 

[groovyd]

yes

 

[wdreamsmaycome]

anybody using the 7520 by any chance ever tried the old MDR-CD1700? I am looking for a replacement for those (which have great bass, and are super comfortable) and was wondering about these

 

[t3knology]

I apoligize for this post, I am trying to figure out how to delete it.

 

[t3knology]

  My apologies.  The SL1793 is suppose to be warmer than the SL9018.  I only question how "warm" a DAC chip can get.  For half price, you can't go wrong.  You can always sell it later and probably make a few bucks.  Good luck.

Could you send me an e-mail please fishyee?

 

[StudioSound]

Any 7520 owners interested in selling their original cable?
Mine needs replaced and I'd prefer an original one with the locking connector... though I suppose it might not need replacing if it were not for that.

I know that a lot of people don't like the coiled cable and replace it with a straight cable right away.

 

[Sappy]

I currently have a pair of 7520 up for sale where the right cup has problems with bass and it is not as loud. selling them as broken for a (in my opinion) very good price. coiled cable and an 6,3mm adapter are included. maybe this offering is interesting for you if you are from Europe.
 
edit: a very nice member just told me that it might be just the connecting cable from the left to the right cup which might be loose. so I am trying to go for a repair as it really breaks my heart to sell them this cheap when a very simple act could save them. so sorry but this offer is not valid for the moment.

Any 7520 owners interested in selling their original cable?
Mine needs replaced and I'd prefer an original one with the locking connector... though I suppose it might not need replacing if it were not for that.

I know that a lot of people don't like the coiled cable and replace it with a straight cable right away.

 

[dabotsonline]

  I haven't noticed too much difference in the bass actually. The change, on the whole, is very subtle. The [Pearstone] pads are roughly the same size as stock, but deeper. They do have a thicker rim, so there might be some taco-ing with really large ears. I have relatively big ears, though, and it's not an issue with me.

 
It seems that the 'Pearstone Deluxe Replacement Earpads' (9081860) have been replaced by the 'Auray Deluxe Velour Earpads' (EPD-MDR7506 / EPDMDR7506356) ( http://www.aurayaudio.com/detail?sku=886945 / http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/886945-REG/Auray_epd_mdr7506_Deluxe_Velour_Earpads_Pair.html / https://istockonline.com/auray-deluxe-velour-earpads-pair.html / http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005GC7YJ2 / http://www.head-fi.org/products/pearstone-deluxe-earpads-pair / http://www.head-fi.org/t/642984/mdr-7506-velour-pads-who-sells-them-anymore ), if I'm not mistaken?
 
It also seems that the Shure SRH940 replacements are also highly regarded, like the Beyerdynamic DT250, if I'm following correctly?

 

[starfly]

   
It seems that the 'Pearstone Deluxe Replacement Earpads' (9081860) have been replaced by the 'Auray Deluxe Velour Earpads' (EPD-MDR7506 / EPDMDR7506356) ( http://www.aurayaudio.com/detail?sku=886945 / http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/886945-REG/Auray_epd_mdr7506_Deluxe_Velour_Earpads_Pair.html / https://istockonline.com/auray-deluxe-velour-earpads-pair.html / http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005GC7YJ2 / http://www.head-fi.org/products/pearstone-deluxe-earpads-pair / http://www.head-fi.org/t/642984/mdr-7506-velour-pads-who-sells-them-anymore ), if I'm not mistaken?
 
It also seems that the Shure SRH940 replacements are also highly regarded, like the Beyerdynamic DT250, if I'm following correctly?

The 940 bads take away all the bass, the DT250 don't. But the DT250 is a bit on the small side so if you have large ears they might not be as comfortable as the stock Sony pads or the 840 pads from Shure (which are not velour, but pleather).

 

[groovyd]

The DT250 is the clear winner in the 7520 aftermarket pad space.  No need to experiment around... I've wasted a ton of cash doing that already so the rest of you don't have to  just get these and be happy.

 

[starfly]

The DT250 is the clear winner in the 7520 aftermarket pad space.  No need to experiment around... I've wasted a ton of cash doing that already so the rest of you don't have to  just get these and be happy.

Only if they fit your ears