[Ehab]

Kindly I need help choosing between the Sony MDR-XB700 & Sony MDR-XB500.
 
I'm confused because some people say that the XB500 has more powerful & "punchy" bass than the XB700 but if this is true, then why is the XB700 more expensive?
 
Now I can buy both for around the same price which one should I choose regarding the powerful bass?
 
Currently I'm using the Sennheiser HD-202 which when applying proper EQ settings I get an awesome deep bass and crisp highs with no distortion at all.
 
Will the XB700 or the XB500 give me such powerful bass or should I stay with the Sennheiser noting that I'm using the realtek sound card (Gigabyte motherboard built-in).
 
Appreciating any feedback from anyone who had tried these.
 
Thanks in advance

 

[Ohnoitztotoro]

If bass is your number one priority (or only priority ) I'd recommend the XB500 over the XB700. The XB700 creates a more rounded sound which causes the bass to seem less prominent (in comparison to the XB500, not other headphones). They are both bassy headphones for sure especially compared to other headphones but XB500 definitely has the stronger of the two in my opinion. So much that sometimes it can spills into the mids. However, if you don't mind playing with your EQ settings you can fix it quite well.You can search the forums and find several EQ threads on the XB500.   
 
I like the XB500 as a guilty pleasure headphone (far from producing accurate sound but very, very fun to listen to), especially when traveling. They won't have any issues playing music when connecting it straight to your computer. If you have no way to listen to both and decide, I would recommend the XB500. It has some head exploding bass

 

[Ehab]

Comparing the MDR-XB500 to the Sennheiser HD-202.. is there big difference in sound quality (esp. the bass) as I'm currently using the HD-202 and I get awesome bass when applying eq without any distortion.

 

[Ehab]

Anyone tried both MDR-XB500 & Sennheiser HD-202 can compare them together?

 

[Tsujigiri]

I thought the XB500's sounded much muddier than the XB700's. And after getting into better headphones, the XB700's were far too muddy for me. Are you sure you can get them for the same price? The cheap XB700's on ebay all come from China, and are probably fakes. I sold mine recently and was surprised at how high they were bid up.

 

[Ehab]

I was considering buying the XB700 but I found many people say the XB500 are better (esp the punchy bass) and yes the XB700 are now around 45$ on e-bay while the XB500 are 79$ which makes it obvious that XB500 are better
Another thing to consider is the XB700 are HUGE and will make look stupid !!
But did you listen to the Sennheiser HD-202?
Is there big difference between them and the XB500?

 

[MongolCupcake]

Quote:

Anyone tried both MDR-XB500 & Sennheiser HD-202 can compare them together?

I have both ... and  the xb500 is much, much cloudier and muddier and I greatly prefer the HD-202 ... which has really a punchy base without losing the rest of the spectrum ... at least to my ears  ... and metal sounds great on them. I had the xb700s and really liked them but they are long gone ... like two years ago ... but I never liked the XB500s  marshmallow basey sound.

 

[Ehab]

Quote:

I have both ... and  the xb500 is much, much cloudier and muddier and I greatly prefer the HD-202 ... which has really a punchy base without losing the rest of the spectrum ... at least to my ears  ... and metal sounds great on them. I had the xb700s and really liked them but they are long gone ... like two years ago ... but I never liked the XB500s  marshmallow basey sound.

 
You really confused me as many people said that the XB500 has better (punchy) bass than the XB700 and yes I found that the cheap XB700 on e-bay come from China which made me decide to go for the XB500
 
I finally ordered a new pair from amazon for 75$ and after customs in Egypt will be around 110$.
 
I'll be very sorry if the Sennheiser HD-202 sounds like the XB500 as many people adivced to get the XB500 cause they're discontinued and sounds similar to the beats and also better than the new XB line from Sony.

 

[Ehab]

Quote:

I have both ... and  the xb500 is much, much cloudier and muddier and I greatly prefer the HD-202 ... which has really a punchy base without losing the rest of the spectrum ... at least to my ears  ... and metal sounds great on them. I had the xb700s and really liked them but they are long gone ... like two years ago ... but I never liked the XB500s  marshmallow basey sound.

 

I agree with you too as I ordered the XB-500 and I tried them today. I'm sure that all people saying that the XB-500 has AMAZING and overpowering bass didn't try the Sennheiser HD-202 which is less than half price and has much much much more "punchy" ,very deep bass with very clear and crisp highs and mids.
 
I know that many of you guys won't believe me but try those HD-202 and you'll find it true.
To be honest, the ONLY pro for the XB-500 is the comfy cushions but otherwise, HD-202 wins. Even for isolation and sound leakage, there is no way to compare these two pairs!!
I'm really disappointed that I paid 110$ (including shipping and customs) for those XB-500; they are not even worth the 50$ I paid for the Sennheiser's

 

[Ehab]

I wonder if you guys say the XB-500 sounds better than the new XB line from Sony (XB-600 & XB-800)... how would they sound like since the XB-500 sounds muddier and less bassy from the Sennheiser HD-202!!!
Guys please don't advice others to buy these XB-500 as they don't have that AMAZING sound quality and awesome bass you claim.

 

[SmOgER]

XB500 for portability 
XB700 for sub-bass, tiny bit more clarity.
XB500 for mid-bass 
 
IF you are planning to use EQ anyway, then without doubt get XB500

 

[SmOgER]

Quote:

 XB-500 sounds muddier and less bassy from the Sennheiser HD-202!!!
 

I don't know the reasons for your statement, but regardless of them it's not true and very misleading. 
I have HD228, JVC S600 and DT770 PRO 80, and I'am familiar with HD202
 
Bass wise: 
 S600>DT770>HD228=HD202 
 
As XB500 has more bass quantity than S600, so it eats HD202s for breakfast.

 

[Ehab]

Quote:

XB500 for portability 
XB700 for sub-bass, tiny bit more clarity.
XB500 for mid-bass 
 
IF you are planning to use EQ anyway, then without doubt get XB500

Yes I use EQ and I've already got the XB500 but I regret buying them as I discovered that my Sennheiser's HD-202 sounds much much better than these.
Please try the Sennheiser's before judging the XB500 as you'll be disappointed like me.

 

[SmOgER]

HD202 has better mids and highs, but it doesn't even come close when things go around bass. 
 
I bet you are the first person on earth stating otherwise. 

 

[Ehab]

Quote:

HD202 has better mids and highs, but it doesn't even come close when things go around bass. 
 
I bet you are the first person on earth stating otherwise. 

Just try using EQ with the HD-202 and boost up the bass & you'll get that amazing undistorted crisal clear thumping bass more than the XB-500