Well, I took the plunge, and you are correct in every way. These are a significant move from the ATH-M50, and I am very pleased with them. The signature and SQ are on par with my HD-650's, and I do not feel like I am giving anything up when I want to be isolated from external "noise".
I heard the 650's again last weekend at the SF Bay area meet - I agree. If you like one or the other's signature and SQ, then they are a very complimentary open/closed pair. I'll eventually add the 650's. I love them every time I hear them.
This is the review that brought my attention to these headphones. Ordered soon after and now I'm a proud owner of the Mad Dogs with Alpha Pads and couldn't be happier. Like 'em more than my last two purchases, the Philips Fidelio L1 and Sennheiser Amperior. Best closed-back headphone I've had the pleasure of hearing.
If you are USA it was $45 upgrade upon release, I think. Worth it at $60 as far as my ears are concerned. Better sound and comfort to my ears and head.
I am running them with the E17 currently. Subtle difference whether you amp it or not (but I feel the same way with practically all headphones below 300 ohms). That said, yes they are great even without an amp. Some argue that an amp with more current input would make a difference but again, I've tried such amps on various headphones and heard no difference. Important to mention that this was all observations under a blind test, where someone helped me out.
For their comfort and noise-isolation alone, the Mad Dogs are well worth the money.
This is the review that brought my attention to these headphones. Ordered soon after and now I'm a proud owner of the Mad Dogs with Alpha Pads and couldn't be happier. Like 'em more than my last two purchases, the Philips Fidelio L1 and Sennheiser Amperior. Best closed-back headphone I've had the pleasure of hearing.
Just saw this thread. Thought I'd x-post my statement of 'appreciation' I posted in the review thread here too...
I figured out why everyone loves their new Mad Dogs so much .. and it's not the sound ... they have a NEW CAR SMELL! And who doesn't love a new car?! We're trained over decades to love it after all . ;^D
Have you ever smelled a headphone? No... certainly, No ... I haven't either. But I picked a set up yesterday @ the NYC Audio Show and more than a few times, on the bus ride home & at home with them I thought I smelled "new car". Of course it's the leather pads, and I put it to my nose just to get a good whiff. But it's not only a 'leather' I got, I smelled "new car" signature in there. Too bad the smell is subsiding. I bought a new car in 1999 and then just in 2008, so I'm not due for another new car for a 1/2 decade. -haha
Aside from the sound that endless others have written about much better than I can, another thing I appreciate about them is the dampening. I'd been buying closed headphone after closed headphone lately trying to find something that I could crank in close proximity to my wife, and her not hear it. But it's become a joke here that every one I get seems louder to anyone around me than the next. But w/these MadDogs there's finally hardly any sound bleeding out of them to the environment around me (unless I "go to 11"). Hurray. Putting your finger on the housing explains why quickly. With all the dampening added by Sir Speaker, there's hardly any vibration making it to and thru the housing.
Thank You Mr.Speakers! It was a pleasure to meet you @ the show and I look forward to speaking more @ the NYC meet if there aren't too many vying for your attention ... and if you're still healthy and up for another long trip.
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But whatever. I'm still quite excited about this.
Too bad the smell is subsiding. I bought a new car in 1999 and then just in 2008, so I'm not due for another new car for a 1/2 decade. -haha
