Well, this is just my opinion, and i could be way off of what other people are hearing, and even from what I determine tomorrow when I plan to hit up some outlet stores and hunt down a pair of es55 real cheap if i get lucky.
But, my amateur analysis of a few cans:
I focused on these:
ath sj55
ath ws55
ath es55
ath pro5mk2
stumbled across the ath fc707
Shure 550DJ-out of my price range
Beats solo, just for fun
and listened to a bunch of others.
wanted to do the mj751 but never found any on display to test
listened briefly to the mj541
[size=10pt]So, basically, the first thing I did was listen to the sj11 and then the sj55. holy cow. Forge the sj11. Not worth saving any pennies for the difference. They so[/size][size=10pt]u[/size][size=10pt]nd totally flat and lifeless next to the sj55. This was the single biggest jump in quality I found, even when compared to the esw9, etc. Thus, I would say that per dollar your best value is sj55. You can get a decent sound on the cheap-about 2,700 yen. If budget is the primary concern, def. this one, and no lower.[/size]
[size=10pt][/size]
[size=10pt]Then I tested the esw9 just to give me a baseline and to really be able to identify the range of audio performance. A clear improvement in all areas, though the base was less slamming than the sj55, everything sounded better, and I suspect the bass would slam all the same if you wanted to make it do so.[/size]
[size=10pt][/size]
[size=10pt]Then I tested the ws55 in close comparison to the ath pro5km2. A noticeably different sound, but I had a really hard time deciding wh[/size][size=10pt]i[/size][size=10pt]ch one I preferred more. Overall it was kin of like a fruit forward ws55 to the more laid back pro5mk2. They were very similar, but the pro5mk2 had more of an open sound, a wider stage-probably due to the larger cup sizes and true around the ears rather than just barely around the ears o the ws55. I think I prefe[/size][size=10pt]r[/size][size=10pt]red the pro5mk2 sound more, but want to give it another go. [/size]
[size=10pt]From there i tested the es55, a very different flavor, must more balanced and much much closer in sound to the esw9. Everything was well balanced and I could follow instruments and vocals more clearly. Though the difference was not nearly as great as between the sj11 and sj55, the es55 is clearly a superior set of cans to the ws55 and pro5mk2[/size][size=10pt], which are both clearly superior to the sj55. Solid pricing ath[/size][size=10pt]. I tested the pro500mk2, but tried to avoid it as they are the ones I really want, but cant afford (ath with removable cable.[/size][size=10pt] [/size][size=10pt]i also realized i could have removed the cable at the best denki and walked out, but,[/size][size=10pt] [/size][size=10pt]with some regret, screwed it back on and left it for the next customer) I did prefer the es55 to them too, though[/size][size=10pt], in terms of sq, but not enough to win me over[/size][size=10pt]. [/size]
[size=10pt]A major, major flaw in the es55-imo-is the cable. Holding it up to the ws55 it is visibly half the thickness, and feels far more fragile. What a shame for ath to make such a great headphone, and equip it with such garbage. I mean, who wants to have great portable cans hat work perfectly fine and sound great, but a freaking 15 dollar or less cable throws them in the trash? Just an insult, and may be enough to make me walk away from ath entirely. But, I digress.[/size]
[size=10pt][/size]
[size=10pt]The biggest twist in the evening was the FC707. I ruled it out early, based on bad reviews of the fc700-that used a different driver-but what I found was that the fc707 seemed to perform a little better, imo, than the ws55. The bass had more impact, but at the same time the vocals were clearer and the instruments were just as easy, if not easier to follow. However, I need to do another test, as I started te[/size][size=10pt]s[/size][size=10pt]ting these late, and didnt give them the love and patience I did the others.[/size]
[size=10pt][/size]
[size=10pt]My favorite, however was the shure550dj-however, this is not a fair comparison as it is a solid 8,000 yen, and was in a separate section of the store playing different music. With the ath models I could hold several in my hands and swap quickly, listening to the same runs of music playing (i tried to hook up my touchpad, but there was a lot of interference or something...didnt work correctly) [/size]
[size=10pt][/size]
[size=10pt]Just for fun a I tried on a couple of Beats by Dre-compared directly to the Shure550DJ-same area and music-and instantly could tell what everyone complains about. Very flat, some of the models-not all-sounded like the sj11 with bass. Not worth much to me-when my closest comparison is 1/10th the cost. However, they were the most comfortable and sleekest feelng-with metal hinges no less-of all the phones I put on today. So, there is that. Mos[/size][size=10pt]t[/size][size=10pt] of the ath had a plastic squeak in the ears[/size][size=10pt] ws55 and sj55 and fc707[/size][size=10pt], and all of them-even the esw9, had plastic hinges. So, dre nailed one aspect of the phones, if not the most important.[/size]
[size=10pt][/size]
[size=10pt]Just bef[/size][size=10pt]o[/size][size=10pt]re leaving I tried on the mj541. I would, based on my quick comparison, but it on par with the ws55, maybe? It was a quick listen though, but def superior to the sj55. [/size]
[size=10pt][/size]
[size=10pt]So, given all of that, I regret not picking up the MJ751 when it was 6,000 two days ago. I dont know if I can stomach 79 solid bucks[/size][size=10pt] at the current price[/size][size=10pt], especially not having put them on. The fc707 has a thick cable and is cheap-in white anyway-at the moment. So...maybe? Not sure, but hopefully i can decide tomorrow. [/size]
[size=10pt][/size]
[size=10pt]=========[/size]
[size=10pt][/size]
[size=10pt]Message to ATH-I [/size][size=10pt]may well[/size][size=10pt] pick the pioneer, even though I am an audio technica fan. Just because you dont have a detacable cable. Even on fairly expensive portable cans, just thin weak wires. wth man? I feel that it is disrespectful, and makes a ha[/size][size=10pt]r[/size][size=10pt]d sell to a family man wth little kids looking for some decent headphones. But thats just my opinion.[/size]