I just got my Paradox back from a long road of repair. Thanks Luis. Since then I also got my Mad Dogs re tuned and the Dog Pads added. I also got the BMF’s re tuned as well. The BMF’s are what I call a living mod. Keith and crew are always finding new and interesting things to do with the BMFs. So the current version I have is the 8.1 or DBV #3 or something?? I can’t keep up.
It’s been a very long time since I heard the Paradox; I need to get use to them all over again. So this is going to be like a first impression.
I’m using my 4 channels Fully Balanced βeta-22 for that amp with my PWD mkII for the DAC. This is the first time I’m able to hear all of these on my βeta-22 at the same time. Very exciting.
The test tracks are as follows:
Bye Bye Blackbird by Rachelle Ferrell
Indigo Children “JLE Dub Mix” by Puscifer
Love Me Like A Man by Diana Krall
Uninvited (Live) by Alanis Morissette
Soldier of Love by Sade
These impressions are all IMO.
Neutralness:
The paradox is certainly one the most neutral headphones I've heard. The detail, timbre, neutrality & accuracy are very good. To me it sounds like they have an extremely flat response compared to the others. Only the BMFs seem to be in the same ballpark when it comes to being neutral. It seems to me the MDs have a tad bit of coloration going on, not much at all and it’s in a good way, a very good way. I really enjoy that about the MDs.
Midrange:
The mids on the Paradox are very present; I haven’t noticed any midrange suck out at all. I noticed the mids on the MDs a tad bit warmer when compared to the other two. The mids on the BMFs are silky smooth, lush and effortless. The vocals and particularly female voices are natural and very enjoyable more so on the BMFs than the Paradox.
Soundstage:
None of these has HD800 or AKG soundstage but relatively speaking the soundstage on the Paradox is pretty good, both the width & depth is fantastic. However, I would say it’s second to the BFFs. The BMFs sound surprisingly open, airy and spacious for a closed headphone. The MD does sound staging well nothing to write home about it’s just good.
Highs:
The treble and highs are pretty flat (might have just a very slight peak) on the Paradox when compared to the other two, no spikes or treble emphases that I can hear. They seem to do this with very little effort. The highs on the BMFs have a bit of sparkle when compared to the other two. Not in a bad way, but if your sensitive to sparkly treble then you would notice this right off the bat. I for one like a tab bit of sparkle in the highs. The treble on the MDs are a tad bit warmer than the others - again, not in a bad way. Warm to me doe not mean recessed. None of these headphones are what I would call bright. All do a very good job controlling the treble.
Bass:
If you like bass quantity or added bass the paradox are not for you. If you like all out flat bass with great extension and true to the track then the Paradox is for you. The Paradox is not bass shy, or bass heavy. What ever the track calls for the Paradox will give it to you. When compared to the Mad Dogs, the MDs brings out the “FUN FACTOR”. The bass is more deep and refined or should I say more appealing to the bass lovers. It's not LCD-2.2 bass but it has punch and it attacks very well. The bass on the BMF is like right in the middle of the others. Just a tab bit more emphases than flat or neutral but at the same time not bass heavy at all. In fact it’s very tight and accurate. Same with the MDs, it’s just more of it by an inch.
What can I say; the Paradox is very well behaved headphone. There’s no treble emphasis, No bass emphases either way, no spikes, peaks, humps, bumps or otherwise. The Overall tonal balance is top notch; they’re not dry or clinical by no means. The paradox may seem boring to some, but after a little time with them you begin to appreciate it for what it does so well.
So it all boils down to what type of sound signature you like?
In Short:
Paradox:
Neutral, Flat, Accurate, detailed, Not bass heavy or bass light,
(BMF) Blue Monkey Flyer:
Smooth, lush mids, really close to neutral, just a tab bit tilted towards to bass and treble, accurate, detailed.
Mad Dogs:
FUN FACTOR bass wise, just a tab bit warm in the highs, and mids, accurate.
My choices comes down to this:
Best Technically:
Paradox
BMF
Mad Dogs
More fun or enjoyable:
Mad Dogs
BMF
Paradox
BTW, which headphone do you prefer - Paradox or HE-500? Just curious, I have them both too and by now I prefer Paradox in every aspect except comfort (my ears sweat hard in leather pads 
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