[crewcut]

I had the msr7b for a while,but sold it on as the treble was just too much for me.Tried a few mods suggested in the msr7b thread,but still couldn't get along with the treble.
Owned the mt8 for about 6 months.Great headphones with lots of detail maybe too much as I found they tired me after a couple of hours.
I now have the dt 700 x pros,and like them alot.No treble issues and the mids and bass is nice.
The beyer dt250s are also good but the pads are a bit tight and there can be balance issues due to the way the cable is connected(although there are a couple of mods that can solve the problem).
I have tried alot of closed backs under the 250 euro price ,and the only other headphones that might be of interest are the senn hd300 pro and v Moda m100 master.
Just my opinion though.

 

[kopczas]

Is MT8`s cup bigger then MT5`s?
Or even simpler question : will earpads from 8 fit 5?

 

[Dr.Aural]

...yes same size, they fit fine. The padding is softer and thinner with the 8 pads, so the drivers will sit closer to your ears - maybe too much bass then from the 5's?

 

[kopczas]

Actually I`m looking after pads for 5`s, but for some reason there are more interesting pads for 8`s rather then 5`s.

 

[bequietjk]

Whats up gang. Jumping in to say I have a pair of these purchased about a year ago, tried selling them to get another pair of cans, no buyers so stashed them away.
Now that I've begun to start listening to them again I'm really starting to appreciate them.
In terms of the way the music is presented, to me its a bit smeary to the likes of what the AKG K712 does. Where the imaging is just kind of smeared and not super precise. However, the articulation and isolation are fantastic, detail is decent and the tonality... the tonality is wicked.
I was wondering, too, if anyone has had good results with pad swapping? Especially without sacrificing bass performance.

 

[colonelwatts]

I wonder if the new ATH-MSR7b might be worth a try? - anyone else out there with views about this?
The MT8's are now my daily driver, though I often wish I could have just a bit more open soundstage to the sound, and perhaps less shouty at higher volumes. The thing is, overall the MT8's give me more of what I want than any other headphone, and less of what I don't want. I just would like to reduce the 'want I don't want' a bit further!

Quite the turn around from what you were saying on the previous page!

I'm potentially looking at getting some new headphones, currently checking/refining mixes with DT770 which I do like tbh but would perhaps like to have something to compliment them. I currently have some Sony MDR-7506 headphones too, after reading Andrew Scheps raving on about them.. I don't like them tbh, too harsh and cheap sounding, although they can be useful at times - I find I have to completely reset my ears after using them though cos everything else sounds dull AF by comparison.

You were completely selling me on the MT5's but then now it seems like you've bailed on them! lol I still might get a set tbf, they're cheap enough.

I get the impression from reading your previous posts that you think the AT A990Z are the best sounding, but just hate the headband? I wouldn't be using for extended periods as its more a thing of just checking mixes for panning and refining some levels, so perhaps the headband thing wouldn't be that traumatic for me..

 

[Bernard23]

Quite the turn around from what you were saying on the previous page!

I'm potentially looking at getting some new headphones, currently checking/refining mixes with DT770 which I do like tbh but would perhaps like to have something to compliment them. I currently have some Sony MDR-7506 headphones too, after reading Andrew Scheps raving on about them.. I don't like them tbh, too harsh and cheap sounding, although they can be useful at times - I find I have to completely reset my ears after using them though cos everything else sounds dull AF by comparison.

You were completely selling me on the MT5's but then now it seems like you've bailed on them! lol I still might get a set tbf, they're cheap enough.

I get the impression from reading your previous posts that you think the AT A990Z are the best sounding, but just hate the headband? I wouldn't be using for extended periods as its more a thing of just checking mixes for panning and refining some levels, so perhaps the headband thing wouldn't be that traumatic for me..

I've owned the MT5 for a whole now, I rarely use them largely because they're uncomfortable after 30 minutes. Most of my listening is done with dunu EST 112 or truthear zero Reds. The Yamahas are very good, punch way above their price point, but the bass is too strong around 80-120Hz with little below 50. They thump hard, but ultimately it's unsatisfying. They're not the most detailed either, but I only paid £40 for mine. I'm seriously considering the mt8 gain for travel as I struggle with iems for a good seal after I got an ear infection a while ago, I can easily EQ out any unwanted treble lift though I've got ageing ears that stop at 13k anyway.

 

[Dr.Aural]

Quite the turn around from what you were saying on the previous page!

I'm potentially looking at getting some new headphones, currently checking/refining mixes with DT770 which I do like tbh but would perhaps like to have something to compliment them. I currently have some Sony MDR-7506 headphones too, after reading Andrew Scheps raving on about them.. I don't like them tbh, too harsh and cheap sounding, although they can be useful at times - I find I have to completely reset my ears after using them though cos everything else sounds dull AF by comparison.

You were completely selling me on the MT5's but then now it seems like you've bailed on them! lol I still might get a set tbf, they're cheap enough.

I get the impression from reading your previous posts that you think the AT A990Z are the best sounding, but just hate the headband? I wouldn't be using for extended periods as its more a thing of just checking mixes for panning and refining some levels, so perhaps the headband thing wouldn't be that traumatic for me..

Guess what?!! - the headphone I use most days is still the MT-5. they just give me the best rendition I need to create, mix and master. I wouldn't rely on them for mastering, but all in all they still are closest to my monitor speakers - of all the other headphones I've tried. Indeed I wouldn't rely on my Neuman monitor speakers for mastering, I'd still want to use the MT-5 just as much (and proably also a check on the MT-8, for hiss etc). For low end checks a sub with monitors seems essential, very low end on headphones is triscky to trust, so that the MT5's don't do powerful sub freqs is not an issue to me, I'd rather that than floppy buzzy distorting bass. Ok the MT5 might not be the most detailed but they are the tightest sounding headphones I've come across, especially in the low range, very clearly defined low freqs, all separated and not a hint of distortion at higher volumes (I'd say 50% of other pro headphones I have, distort in the low range, BeyerDynamic DT-770 and DT-1990 are bad in this regard).

The MT-8 just gave too much high-end and a wavy freq response, but are very detailed. Whatever the weaknesses of the MT-5 are (and why people might say no to them), all in all they are just the most reliable to me. The weaknesses of other headphones are worse. When I put the MT-5's on, and listen, I feel at home with the sound, I'm there with it, I know it. I still would like to try the Neumann headphones though...

The AT A990Z are just a bit too loose (in terms of sound) for me, I need something more controlled.

 

[Bernard23]

I do wonder if the issue with the MT8 is that the drivers sit too close to the ear; the pads are quite thin and compressible. I've found a seller on ebay that makes custom pads in different materials and thicknesses, there's also one on Amazon that make a much thicker replacement pad, so pushing the driver further away from the ear. If my experience of pad rolling with the Grado Hemp, this might reduce the in your head sound stage and some of the shoutiness. My MT5 are definitely not my preferred phones, both my Dunu and Truthear IEMs are a more enjoyable listen, less dark midband, less thumpy but deeper bass.
I'm undecided still on whether to take a chance on the MT8s with some aftermarket pads, or just go with DT770 or 700 X Pro and be done.

 

[Dr.Aural]

I do wonder if the issue with the MT8 is that the drivers sit too close to the ear; the pads are quite thin and compressible. I've found a seller on ebay that makes custom pads in different materials and thicknesses, there's also one on Amazon that make a much thicker replacement pad, so pushing the driver further away from the ear. If my experience of pad rolling with the Grado Hemp, this might reduce the in your head sound stage and some of the shoutiness. My MT5 are definitely not my preferred phones, both my Dunu and Truthear IEMs are a more enjoyable listen, less dark midband, less thumpy but deeper bass.
I'm undecided still on whether to take a chance on the MT8s with some aftermarket pads, or just go with DT770 or 700 X Pro and be done.

The MT8 use completely different drivers and sound **completely** different to the MT5's, in fact the MT8's sound the most different to all the headphones I own. The MT8's almost raise the pitch of audio, their mid-bass is light and their mid upper and uppers are pronounced. The detail is excellent and the subs very good. They are specialist tools for certain mastering jobs - hiss monitoring, they can't be used for most other studio tasks do to their 'raised pitch' effect. Thicker pads will only reduce the mid-bass and make them thinner, that said the MT8 pads are very soft which does provide a very good seal - which is in their favour, but they are too thin (soft but just a bit thicker would be ideal - not a lot thicker); I prefer the MT5 pads.

The only other headphone that I can trust is the Beyer DT-1990 - though they're rather 'hard' on the ears. My Beyer DT-770 are way off - mids nearly totally absent, useless for the studio or even general listening, maybe ok when monitoring voice - to watch out for sibilance, oh and their bass distorts and is quite soggy (MT5's again show their superiority here). Actually even the DT-1990 bass can distort, but is passable. The Sen HD280's are pretty good if you don't mind them being uncomfortable (sonically they are better then the DT-770). The DT-700 X, I've never tried, but by all accounts it might be the best all-round HP Beyer have produced, smoother than the DT-1990?

I'm looking forward to tuning-in again, and finding out what you got!

 

[Bernard23]

You know, I just like Japanese engineering, so will probably take a punt on the mt8. I still think deeper pads will improve the tonal response, in any case I always eq my phones so that's really a non issue. However you can't EQ more detail or transient response

 

[Dr.Aural]

You know, I just like Japanese engineering, so will probably take a punt on the mt8. I still think deeper pads will improve the tonal response, in any case I always eq my phones so that's really a non issue. However you can't EQ more detail or transient response

Just pulled my MT8's out, found the mid-highs resonant, confused and quite clangy; then-on down - to lower freqs, quite light. Put the MT5's back on, and all good. The MT5's are not perfect but they are the best I've got. I'll order a pair of the Neumann's closed-backs in the new year, they possibly might be better - I know they'll be more open and detailed but they need to have the same presence and tightness to beat the MT5's. The MT8's have lost all love from me. HD 280 Pro's are firmly now my 2nd best to the MT5's (HD 280 Pro's more open), the 'new/revised' HD 280 Pro's while Sennheiser, are in fact designed by Neumann using Sennheiser bits - and why they have something special I think - yet the clamping force is beyond!

Anyway if you get the MT8's I'd still like to hear your honest opinion. I found EQ'ing headphones not to work for me, I used SonarWorks, yes it levelled the EQ - but it killed the dynamic of the headphones - I am critical though. I prefer a headphone near-enough, than a super-detailed headphone knocked down grey.

 

[Bernard23]

I wish I could share your love of the 5. I bought mine off the back of this review, and whilst they're undoubtedly good, they sound too V shaped for me. I guess that's HRTF in action right there! The tonal balance of the Truthear reds is almost perfect for me, I don't need any EQ, and they were designed to be flat etc. I'm just struggling with IEMs at the moment as I have a problem with an infection in one ear, and I can't seal them properly.

 

[Dr.Aural]

I wish I could share your love of the 5. I bought mine off the back of this review, and whilst they're undoubtedly good, they sound too V shaped for me. I guess that's HRTF in action right there! The tonal balance of the Truthear reds is almost perfect for me, I don't need any EQ, and they were designed to be flat etc. I'm just struggling with IEMs at the moment as I have a problem with an infection in one ear, and I can't seal them properly.

It is well acknowledged that the MT5 have a slightly forward mid-range, and the freq-graphs show this. Vocals sound very clear and present. Compare tracks with clear male vocals, even more in a talking style, and you’ll find other headphones will drop vocals away - that is a sign of V shape response (which annoyingly 90% of headphones have). The MT5 are more ‘n’ shaped, which to me is uniquely good, but for sure not the V shaped norm that most people have got used to.

The issue with the n shape response is relatively either side of the centre forward n, is a dip, so low and upper mid drop back a bit. This is of course relative, and not actually an absence. Then there’s a rise to the lower and upper freqs, then they both drop off a bit too quick. All in all the response is a bit wavy due to the forward mids, this not at all V shaped.

I think that peoples’ uniqueness of their outer ear design, moulds sound very differently, there isn’t a perfect headphone for everyone!

For a flat response with some juice the Shure 440 are very good, for an even more flat response the Shure 840’s, have you considered them? I’d try to keep steering you away from the Yam MT8’s though, as they’re response is way too pushed up from the upper mids, overall thin and harsh.

If you like V shaped the DT770 80ohm will bring a smile to your face (they do most people’s) and they are wide and enticing - but for my purposes the freq response is all wrong and they are too loose in their transient response, also they bear zero relation to my Neumann monitor speakers. The MT5’s are the closest. But I will be trying the Neumann closed-backs in the new year…

 

[Bernard23]

I've added the AT M50x onto my list on neutrals. I'm not doing anything in a hurry, I'm not even convinced it's worth investing in, given how and where I'll be using them