Steve999s obsessive second-rate full-sized headphone collection showdown

[Steve999]

I am very neurotic. I was wondering if there were any surprises in my big junky pile of full-sized headphones, accumulated over a period of 20 years or so. An overall rating of 10 for a headphone is compelling and a rating of 6 is the minimum truly enjoyable rating. [Edit -- the bass and treble ratings correspond to quantity, not quality!!!] A 10 means a compelling sound with no glaring weakness. I also gave relative bass and treble ratings. I threw the KSC-35, my best portable phone, in the mix for reference purposes. I A/Bd these phones obsessively, to come to the following conclusions.

Overall
Bass Treble Rating

Sony MDR V6 +2 +2 10
Grado SR 60s -1 +2 10
Sennheiser HD 497 +2 +1 10
Sony MDR-85 0 0 10
AKG 240M -1 -1 8
Koss KSC-35 +2 +1 8
Sony MDR-CD180 +2 -1 6
Sony MDR-CD580 -1 +3 6
Sony MDR-605 0 -2 5

The big surprise was the Sony MDR-85. I bought this headphone maybe 7 or 8 years ago for maybe $50. On extensive A/Bing, it seemed to me to have the smoothest, most balanced sound of any of the headphones. Trying it out for a while on its own, it was the least fatiguing to listen to and the most comfortable. Not exciting, but beautiful, smooth and musical sound on extended listening. A huge surprise. Go figure!

This was, by the way, my idea of fun.

 

[jpelg]

Sennheiser HD497's had the same Bass rating (+2) as the Sony V6? And a full three notches above the Grado SR60's?
I don't think so.

Glad you had fun anyway!

 

[Steve999]

The HD 497s don't have the strong low bass, but have stronger low-middle bass... the sound of the bass (strong and low V6s versus punchy HD 497s) is quite different but I thought the overall volume of bass was in the same ballpark.

The V6s and the HD 497s both have bass that sounded to me very pronounced side by side with the Grados.

I feel so defensive.

Quote:

Originally posted by jpelg Sennheiser HD497's had the same Bass rating (+2) as the Sony V6? And a full three notches above the Grado SR60's? I don't think so. Glad you had fun anyway!

 

[kerelybonto]

I haven't heard the SR60, but I've taken some flak for saying I like the SR80's bass better than the V6's. Sometimes I think people just don't understand Grados. ...

kerely

 

[Steve999]

I like the bass of the Grado SR60s, I love my SR60s. I think it's high quality bass. Just next to most of these other headphones, it sounded a touch lighter. But it seemed more even and smooth than the bass on most of the other phones.

Quote:

Originally posted by kerelybonto I haven't heard the SR60, but I've taken some flak for saying I like the SR80's bass better than the V6's. Sometimes I think people just don't understand Grados. ... kerely

 

[Mallow005]

don't see why people even recommend the V6s. I'd even take the KSC-35s over them, so unbalanced... sooo unbalanced.

 

[Duncan]

Quote:

Originally posted by Mallow005 don't see why people even recommend the V6s. I'd even take the KSC-35s over them, so unbalanced... sooo unbalanced.

...whereas, the KSC-35s brothers... the 50s, to ME sound really dull, flat, and lifeless in comparison to my other 'phones...

By no means am I saying that you're wrong Mallow... just saying that everyones ears are different

Steve999...

Considering that people have been asking if the MDR-605 is like the MDR-F1, and you've marked them as having a very reduced treble... thats not so good... hopefully not too many people have rushed out to get the MDR-F1 wannabes

 

[Mallow005]

Quote:

Originally posted by Duncan ...whereas, the KSC-35s brothers... the 50s, to ME sound really dull, flat, and lifeless in comparison to my other 'phones... By no means am I saying that you're wrong Mallow... just saying that everyones ears are different Steve999... Considering that people have been asking if the MDR-605 is like the MDR-F1, and you've marked them as having a very reduced treble... thats not so good... hopefully not too many people have rushed out to get the MDR-F1 wannabes

Oh I completely agree, the KSC-50s are exactly as you describe them. There is also a significant difference between the 50s and 35s, they aren't as similiar as some people say. But that still doesn't change the fact that the 35s are a better choice than the V6s, unless you really want the attributes of the V6s.

 

[Davie]

My 2 cents:

I love the Koss 35's the Koss 50's and the Sony V6's!!

KSC 35: Quite clear sounding, pleasantly warm, a bit too much upper bass and little deep bass.

KSC 50: Similar to 35's but more restrained upper bass, a bit more laid back (some would say flat or dull, but I don't hear it that way).

Sony V6's: Extremely clear and vivid presentation with excellent reach at both the bottom and top of the spectrum. I feel like I'm hearing *everything* with these, which is not the case with the Koss's. However, the V6's are a bit on the harsh side and lacking in mid-range.


Steve999:

Why the 6 for the Sony 580's? I thought you were way into these. Now you're rating them the same as the 180's.

 

[Eagle_Driver]

Let me guess:

The MDR-CD580 lost points for being over-bright.

 

[Steve999]

Thanks for your interest in this thread!

I thought it would sink like a rock.

BTW, a six means I DO like it, it's a worthwhile headphone, but obviously flawed. A five means I don't.

The V6s do what they do SO well.... if someone doesn't like the sound, what can you say? The highs and lows are emphasized and there's a price for that, but it's beautifully done. If you wanted a phone to do what the V6 does, I just don't know if you could make something that does it better.

The KSC 35 wins major points from me for its tonal balance. IMHO, the bass is a bit limited and the midrange is a little too rough for top honors, though. But a marvelous sounding phone overall. Everything else I've heard in that driver is an obvious step down. I've not heard the portapros for a very long time so I'd refrain from giving an opinion on those.

Duncan, The MDR 605s I bought for $25 from an office-mate who didn't like them. IMHO, they are cold and dull and lifeless. The lack of treble is quite obvious with A/Bing against any of the other phones. I prefer sony stock portable phones to these! It's almost unbelieveable. The CD180s are obviously even more flawed, but are also obviously more enjoyable. The MDr 605s are absolutely not to be confused with the MDR-F1s, even though they look the same (though I haven't heard the F1s). The 605s are supremely comfortable, as I suspect the F1s are.

I must admit the Sony CD580s took my breath away at first... they're very seductive on first listen... they are the most detailed midrange phones I have by quite a distance. But man do those things sizzle! I mean they clearly outsizzle the V6s and the SR60s, it's monstrously obvious, and with some CDs it sounds incredible, with others it's unlistenable. The sizzle takes that beautiful warm detailed midrange and magnifies the detail. If you have acoustic jazz with lots of drum work, though, the high hats, cymbals, etc., are so pronounced as to detract from all alse. If you have a piano or a female voice or saxophone without much going on in the highest frequencies.... mmmmmmmm..... nice. Also, these are my easiest-to-drive headhpones, comfort is absolute to-notch, and taking down the treble one notch on my minidisc portable makes a world of difference... they become quite good

If you can get over the sizzle, the bass is well-done too. These can sound like a "10" at times, they really can, and the quality of sound is in a different class than the CD180s... but the high end is SO pronounced, it can absolutely completely ruin your enjoyment of certain recordings. The sizzle is a giant flaw.

Quote:

Originally posted by Davie My 2 cents: Steve999: Why the 6 for the Sony 580's? I thought you were way into these. Now you're rating them the same as the 180's.

 

[Steve999]

Click here for URL=http://partner.consumerreview.com/reviews/showproduct.asp?partner=Excite&SiteID=2&CategoryID =1307&ProductID=5667&partnerproduct=]Sony MDR-85 Reviews[/URL]

BTW, my wife made me some home-made pads for my MDR-85s many years ago, because I didn't like the pads that came with them. Since I'm all excited about them, she made me a new pair tonight.

 

[Steve999]

I've had my Sennheiser HD 580s for a week now, and need to revise and update my obsessive second-rate full sized headphone reviews. Since the Sennheiser 580s will likely in the end cost me a net of $105 ($120 + $5 shipping - $20 rebate), they qualify to compete in the second-rate headphone competition.

The Sennheiser HD 580s and Hirsch's Ultra-Fabulous Nov. 17th Head-Fi Meet definitely have given me a new perspective.

So here we go.

As I said before, I am very neurotic. I was wondering if there were any surprises in my big junky pile of full-sized headphones, accumulated over a period of 20 years or so. An overall rating of 10 for a headphone is compelling and a rating of 6 is the minimum truly enjoyable rating. A 10 means a compelling sound with no glaring weakness. I also gave relative bass and treble ratings, to give some idea of the sound of the headphone without prattling on endlessly. The bass and treble ratings correspond to quantity, not quality!!! I threw the KSC-35, my best portable phone, in the mix for reference purposes.

My two-year-old son emulated me by grabbing various of these headphones out of the pile and putting them on and then ripping them off of his head as quickly as possible.

I A/Bd these phones obsessively, to come to the following conclusions:


Bass Treble Rating

Sennheiser HD 580 +2 +1 10
Grado SR 60 -1 +2 9
Sony MDR-85 0 0 9
Sony MDR-V6 +2 +2 8
Sennheiser HD 497 +2 +1 8
Koss KSC-35 +2 +1 8
AKG 240M -1 -1 7
Sony MDR-CD580 -1 +3 7
Sony MDR-CD180 +2 -1 6
Sony MDR-605 0 -2 5

Because of how the HD 580 has compressed the scale between 9 and 6, an 8 is still a wonderfully entertaining headphone.

The Sennheiser HD 580s have been praised to the hills by legions and I won't add to it here. The Sony MDR-CD580s have moved up slightly because at Hirsch's I heard some pretty bright phones that were well thought of... they are not bright beyond the pale as I thought they were. The SR 60s held their own the best against the Sennheiser HD 580s... the SR60s are the only thing I can throw on after the HD 580s and say, "hey, that's a nice change." The MDR-85s continue to be my most comfortable, least fatiguing and most neutral phones, IMHO, though they can be a little dull if I'm looking for a quick fix or with the wrong music... the tonal balance of the MDR-85s I found similar to Hirsch's Sony R10s, though the R10s were superior for bass extension and extended highs, and had superior clarity.

 

[Duncan]

The HD580 treble, when well driven is truly a wierd creature... it is supremely open... WAY beyond any other 'phone I own, yet not sharp or fatuiging in the slightest... perfect

 

[dinosauract]

Duncan -

I agree completely with you on your point about the 580's treble. I find it very open, detailed and extended but never harsh. Every ounce of detail is there but its very well-resolved, airy and yet smooth. Even my $5000 Dynaudio speakers with the extremely well-regarded Esotar tweeter can't match it. I sometimes think people aren't used to the lack of glare and misread it as the headphone being dull.

The 497's treble is a little more elevated. It also has excellent detail but has just a touch of "shininess". It does reach out and grab you a little more but it really isn't as accurate.