typhoon838
Head-Fier
- Joined
- Jan 20, 2014
- Posts
- 89
- Likes
- 27
So. Here's my issue.
I've got the ATH-PRO700 MKII. I replaced the stock pads with ATH M50 pads, like many people have, to improve the comfort, which it did.
Here's what I like about it.
Bass quantity and texture. Self explanatory. I'm kind of a basshead.
Highs aren't piercing at all at high volumes like they are with other headphones I've tried.
Detachable cable. This is a must.
They isolate moderately well. I need closed headphones.
Durability. They look and feel like they could withstand anything.
Portability. Size, rotation, and folding are nice.
However, I'm still wanting for more. Here are my desires, in decreasing order of importance.
The bass feels muddy, and I wish the instrument separation was better. I just wish the bass was sharper, more impactful, more clearly defined, with the same amount of bass. This might be impossible to replicate, but I had an experience where I was at a small concert, and in between bands they played radio rock music from some speakers that were installed at the venue. And oh my god did it sound amazing. You could tell each individual hit from the kick drum. It was sharp, not like the wall of muddy bass I too often hear. There was so much bass but it felt almost totally separate from the other frequencies, which were all there and sounded very good too. Now, I realize that this was probably accomplished through the use of dedicated subwoofers, but if a similar effect can be accomplished in closed headphones that would be awesome.
Similar to that is my desire for a larger soundstage. I realize this is a closed headphone, but other closed headphones are much better in this regard. Everything feels very cramped. I'm not looking for anything huge, just better than this.
More comfort would be nice. They clamp kind of tightly. But I can live with it.
Less leakage would be nice too, but again, I can live with the leakage of these cans.
Highs that are a little more lively would improve the sound, but I do realize that's hard to get without it being piercing and sibilant. I'd rather not have bright sounding headphones, unless it's not piercing and has a ton of tight, punchy bass.
I've had:
ATH-M50x - I really liked them when I had them but wanted much more bass and less piercing highs. When I compared side by side with the Pro700, I couldn't even stand the M50. This was what I felt like high end headphones should sound like though. Honestly, I'm not sure if it's separation or soundstage, but what I mean is that I can hear everything distinctly, there's a very nice reverb on drums, and even though the bass is a little light on more crowded songs, it's prominent than it otherwise would be because it's so distinct from the mids. But neither these nor the Pro700s that I'm currently comparing to sounded as good with crowded rock songs that had a lot going on at once as I'd have liked them to.
NAD VISO HP50 - Very comfortable, very clean sound, but a little too balanced. Too laid back and relaxed of a sound. Also felt very bright compared to the Pro700, but most cans would. Also pricey.
Ultrasone Pro 750 - I liked the sound signature but just wasn't wowed in general. I didn't try them out for long though, so I would be willing to give them another shot. I remember thinking they were harsh in the high end though. Also rather expensive.
Sony MDR-7520 - Same as HP50
Ultrasone HFI-580 - pretty much fell short to the ATH-M50 in all regards, and didn't have a removable cable.
V-Moda Crossfade LP / M100. I pretty much hated these. Muddy muddy muddy. Uncomfortable until I used the XL pads too. Good bass impact but didn't feel separate from the rest of the frequencies. Too expensive for the quality of sound they delivered.
I've never used an amp. I'm definitely willing to try a portable one, up to as expensive as a Fiio e12, as long as the headphones themselves aren't above $250.
If what I'm searching for doesn't exist I'm willing to buy two headphones - one closed for on the go use, and one open to accomplish what I'm looking for.
Let me know what you guys think. Thanks for your time.
I've got the ATH-PRO700 MKII. I replaced the stock pads with ATH M50 pads, like many people have, to improve the comfort, which it did.
Here's what I like about it.
Bass quantity and texture. Self explanatory. I'm kind of a basshead.
Highs aren't piercing at all at high volumes like they are with other headphones I've tried.
Detachable cable. This is a must.
They isolate moderately well. I need closed headphones.
Durability. They look and feel like they could withstand anything.
Portability. Size, rotation, and folding are nice.
However, I'm still wanting for more. Here are my desires, in decreasing order of importance.
The bass feels muddy, and I wish the instrument separation was better. I just wish the bass was sharper, more impactful, more clearly defined, with the same amount of bass. This might be impossible to replicate, but I had an experience where I was at a small concert, and in between bands they played radio rock music from some speakers that were installed at the venue. And oh my god did it sound amazing. You could tell each individual hit from the kick drum. It was sharp, not like the wall of muddy bass I too often hear. There was so much bass but it felt almost totally separate from the other frequencies, which were all there and sounded very good too. Now, I realize that this was probably accomplished through the use of dedicated subwoofers, but if a similar effect can be accomplished in closed headphones that would be awesome.
Similar to that is my desire for a larger soundstage. I realize this is a closed headphone, but other closed headphones are much better in this regard. Everything feels very cramped. I'm not looking for anything huge, just better than this.
More comfort would be nice. They clamp kind of tightly. But I can live with it.
Less leakage would be nice too, but again, I can live with the leakage of these cans.
Highs that are a little more lively would improve the sound, but I do realize that's hard to get without it being piercing and sibilant. I'd rather not have bright sounding headphones, unless it's not piercing and has a ton of tight, punchy bass.
I've had:
ATH-M50x - I really liked them when I had them but wanted much more bass and less piercing highs. When I compared side by side with the Pro700, I couldn't even stand the M50. This was what I felt like high end headphones should sound like though. Honestly, I'm not sure if it's separation or soundstage, but what I mean is that I can hear everything distinctly, there's a very nice reverb on drums, and even though the bass is a little light on more crowded songs, it's prominent than it otherwise would be because it's so distinct from the mids. But neither these nor the Pro700s that I'm currently comparing to sounded as good with crowded rock songs that had a lot going on at once as I'd have liked them to.
NAD VISO HP50 - Very comfortable, very clean sound, but a little too balanced. Too laid back and relaxed of a sound. Also felt very bright compared to the Pro700, but most cans would. Also pricey.
Ultrasone Pro 750 - I liked the sound signature but just wasn't wowed in general. I didn't try them out for long though, so I would be willing to give them another shot. I remember thinking they were harsh in the high end though. Also rather expensive.
Sony MDR-7520 - Same as HP50
Ultrasone HFI-580 - pretty much fell short to the ATH-M50 in all regards, and didn't have a removable cable.
V-Moda Crossfade LP / M100. I pretty much hated these. Muddy muddy muddy. Uncomfortable until I used the XL pads too. Good bass impact but didn't feel separate from the rest of the frequencies. Too expensive for the quality of sound they delivered.
I've never used an amp. I'm definitely willing to try a portable one, up to as expensive as a Fiio e12, as long as the headphones themselves aren't above $250.
If what I'm searching for doesn't exist I'm willing to buy two headphones - one closed for on the go use, and one open to accomplish what I'm looking for.
Let me know what you guys think. Thanks for your time.
