Sony MDR-XB700/500/300 - Any good?

[WehageDK]

I'm really a newbie at the whole sound department, so please be gentle. ^^

I have had the Denon AH-P372 for a while now, and I really, really love them. But just yesterday they broke (ohnoes!), and I'm going to purchase some new ones. Now the Denon I had were good, but I'm looking for something better, but still some that won't be annoying to wear while, say, bicycling. Now I've looked at the Sony XB series, and I just love the look. Also the "Booming Bass" slogan they've got going on intrigues me. Now I really like the look of the 700 model, with the brushed metal look on the sides, but the 500 and 300 models don't have that. BUT, they're way more portable.

I'd like to know this. What's the difference between these three headphones?

The two headphones shown here are the MDR-XB500 and 700. (From the left)

Here's a picture showing the specifications of each of the headphones.

I'd like to have some knowledge dropped on what the different terms mean, like "Impedance" and "Sensitivity", and why it's important.

ALSO, if you from experience can tell if any of these headphones are any good.

PS: I welcome any other suggestions on headphones, but I'm not willing to pay more than $200. Also, I care a lot about the style, so please no pink headphones, or wooden designs.

I know I have a lot of demands, but this seems like a board with A LOT of sound enthusiasts, so I thought I would give it a try. Please bear with me.

Any help is greatly appreciated!

 

[1Time]

Welcome.

So you can better hear what is going on around you, headphones used for bicycling should not block external sounds very well. That should rule out all three of these headphones. Or, are you not so much concerned with your safety while bicycling?

 

[Tiemen]

These threads could be of some help:
http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f4/son...eviews-395231/
http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f4/hea...-xb700-417226/

 

[WehageDK]

1Time > No no, I'm very aware of my surroundings, even when not being able to hear. It's kind of a sixth sense. Joke aside. The city I live in isn't exactly what would remind you of New York. Very quiet town. Not a lot of traffic. Also, both my parents are completely deaf, but that doesn't mean they are unable to drive. They both have driver's licenses and are safe drivers. Why would I not be able to as well?

Tiemen > Thank you, I will check them out.

 

[1Time]

Quote:

Originally Posted by WehageDK /img/forum/go_quote.gif 1Time > No no, I'm very aware of my surroundings, even when not being able to hear. It's kind of a sixth sense. Joke aside. The city I live in isn't exactly what would remind you of New York. Very quiet town. Not a lot of traffic. Also, both my parents are completely deaf, but that doesn't mean they are unable to drive. They both have driver's licenses and are safe drivers. Why would I not be able to as well?

Your parents would be less likely to be in an accident if they could hear. And you would be more likely to be in an accident if you could not. Right?

 

[helicon1]

if you do buy them, get the xb700, the others are not worth. I got mine for $76 shipped and have a hard time taking them off. Extremely comfy and just beautiful sounding. I'm waiting on my D10 amp to see if it improves them even more. One thing tho, you better have a flac library cuz 192 and even 256 sounds muddled and generally garbage like so consider yourself warned. Otherwise best of luck and you can check out the Denon D2000 and the ATH AD700 if these don't work out. Try going to a sony store with your source and checking out the sound. The bass is not bloated, its tight and controlled but not as over the top as sony suggests.