[dstarr3]

I agree, for having such mammoth drivers, I feel like the XB1000 doesn't hit as hard as it's really capable of, and I think that's down to the earpads. They're super comfy (and they look hilarious, I love them), but I feel like they absorb just too much of the hit.

I have a 3D printer and some modeling skills, so I'm going to take it upon myself to try to design some kind of adapters for the original XB phones so we can start experimenting with pad rolling on these. Right now I'm just trying to source a cheap XB500 to practice on.

 

[JoaquinBenabentos]

I bought the HD 650 from sennheiser and I have to admit that the bass is really present for an open back headphone. Also they anwser very well to eq, with a boost in all the bass region only 2db the bass hits hard and you can also enjoy the rest of the spectrum with big clarity. My two cents.

 

[dstarr3]

I bought the HD 650 from sennheiser and I have to admit that the bass is really present for an open back headphone. Also they anwser very well to eq, with a boost in all the bass region only 2db the bass hits hard and you can also enjoy the rest of the spectrum with big clarity. My two cents.

I would definitely say the Senn 6-series has quality of bass in spades, no doubt. But in terms of quantity, well... Once you hear cans like the XB700/XB1000 or SZ1000/2000 with +15db in the sub-bass, then you know what hard-hitting bass really feels and sounds like, lol.

If you're patient, you can nab a nice Sony XB700 off eBay for around $100. If you're curious, give it a shot. It's a really fun headphone, and if you wait for a reasonable price like that, they're also actually really good value. And they're discontinued, so they're not really going to lose value anytime soon. If you don't like it, you can just flip it for what you paid or more. No one's going to sweat one more previous owner being added to the list now that new isn't an option.

 

[Angel III]

In my opinion Sony MDR-1AM2 is the best compromise between reality in the interpretation of musical instruments and power in the bass (not confusing). I have been using equalizers for years, the 1AM2 when it is equalized on a track, the improvement made you will hear it on all the songs of your musical park.
With other headphones I've tried, when they are well balanced on one piece of music, they become ugly on others. It is perceived that Sony has highly skilled audio designers.

 

[dstarr3]

So I've had the XB700 and XB1000 for a while now. But this weekend I managed to score an XB300 and XB500 for $30 and $50 respectively. Couple days for shipping and I'll have the complete set! Fun!

 

[xingfei]

So I've had the XB700 and XB1000 for a while now. But this weekend I managed to score an XB300 and XB500 for $30 and $50 respectively. Couple days for shipping and I'll have the complete set! Fun!

Welcome to the club.

 

[dstarr3]

The gang's all here!

Left to right, Sony XB300, XB500, XB700, XB1000. Ready to move the earth with all this bass.

 

[StarTreker]

The gang's all here!




Left to right, Sony XB300, XB500, XB700, XB1000. Ready to move the earth with all this bass.

That wall better be shaken with all that base hehe

 

[Daniel Gur]

I am planning on getting a pair of some bass headphones in the next couple of months, any suggestion on which headphones I should buy?
The XB1000's look great but I am still unsure on if I should get them or the sz2000's or the KANNON's.
If it matters much I currently own the FX-Audio DAC-X6, and driving an hifiman HE-400's on daily basis.
Thanks a lot
Edit: Any other suggestions are also welcome

 

[dstarr3]

I have both the XB1000 and the SZ2000, and it's real hard for me to choose between the two. I feel like if I could only keep one, I'd keep the SZ2000 solely because you can pad swap them and really make them positively brutal with bass. To swap the pads on the XB1000 would require some kind of adapter that doesn't yet exist, and I feel like until someone designs such an adapter and we can start experimenting with different pads, we're never really going to unlock the full potential of the XB1000.

 

[Daniel Gur]

I have both the XB1000 and the SZ2000, and it's real hard for me to choose between the two. I feel like if I could only keep one, I'd keep the SZ2000 solely because you can pad swap them and really make them positively brutal with bass. To swap the pads on the XB1000 would require some kind of adapter that doesn't yet exist, and I feel like until someone designs such an adapter and we can start experimenting with different pads, we're never really going to unlock the full potential of the XB1000.

You cant swap the pads on the XB1000's? If the pads wear down you cant just buy replacement pads?
Also, lets say both of the headphones are stock, no mods, no different pads, would you pick the XB1000's?

 

[dstarr3]

You can get replacement XB1000 pads on eBay, but to fit them requires some plastic rings from the original pads that aren't available to buy anywhere separately if they break or are missing. Not a problem if you buy a complete XB1000, but it is a problem if you want to experiment with aftermarket pads, and it'll especially be a problem once replacement pads are no longer available.

But if we're comparing the XB1000 to the SZ2000, both with stock pads, I'd pick the XB1000 without hesitation. The stock pads on the SZ2000 are positively dreadful. Whereas the stock XB1000 pads are perfectly comfortable and listenable, I just have a hunch that they absorb a little bit of the punch the drivers are capable of. It's still an outrageous bass monster, but after how the SZ2000 transforms with different pads, I can't help but think the XB1000 could also be transformed quite a lot.

 

[dstarr3]

There's actually a nice XB1000 on eBay right now for a reasonable price:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/154583639266?epid=114455614

Normally I say wait for a good example to pop up on eBay and don't spend more than $300. But this one looks like a particularly good example, the pads on this one look fine, so not also needing to get new pads saves some money. And if you simply must purchase one right now, $350 is a lot better than the $450 and $500 they're usually on eBay for. Could also try making an offer for something more like $300.

 

[Lobarkaine]

In regards to comfort of the ATH M50X, they cups/pads based of pictures don't look that comfortable. How comfortable are they to the likes of X2HR, Beyers, Senns, Hifiman? how much clamp do they have?

Hi Playstation,
I find the ATH M50X very confortabile for long listenig, maybe equal or better than H2HR or Beyers DT 770.
The pads are soft but....sinthetic, so they could be a little hotter then velours pads.
Imo.

 

[slowpickr]

You can get replacement XB1000 pads on eBay, but to fit them requires some plastic rings from the original pads that aren't available to buy anywhere separately if they break or are missing. Not a problem if you buy a complete XB1000, but it is a problem if you want to experiment with aftermarket pads, and it'll especially be a problem once replacement pads are no longer available.

But if we're comparing the XB1000 to the SZ2000, both with stock pads, I'd pick the XB1000 without hesitation. The stock pads on the SZ2000 are positively dreadful. Whereas the stock XB1000 pads are perfectly comfortable and listenable, I just have a hunch that they absorb a little bit of the punch the drivers are capable of. It's still an outrageous bass monster, but after how the SZ2000 transforms with different pads, I can't help but think the XB1000 could also be transformed quite a lot.

So is the XB1000 the clear winner out of your "XB" collection?