3 ms·

Yep! Headphone nerd Marco Arment hates them for some reason, but you see tons of actual professional musicians using the MDR-7506 in the recording studio. Not j

by TillE 10y ago

Yep! Headphone nerd Marco Arment hates them for some reason, but you see tons of actual professional musicians using the MDR-7506 in the recording studio. Not just radio/broadcast people. I don't think there's anything that comes close for ~$100 in terms of sound quality and comfort; you'd have to spend at least $300 for a real upgrade. And even then, there's an element of subjectivity.

jsmthrowaway 10y ago
They shoot for flat when they make them and they're indeed flat enough for sleeves-up radio work, but I have heard folks say (somewhat correctly) that they're a bit bright up high and don't have enough gas down low. I can understand Marco's opinion in the context of being an audio nerd, because they're flat, but potentially not flat enough for some kinds of listening. But yeah, couldn't agree more. Price point.
- dsr_ 10y ago
  And they last ten years, then you change the pads for $10 and they go another ten years...
timc3 10y ago
I think they are good enough for the application they are designed for and somewhat of a bargain at the price point. Having listened to most and owning/owned for both studio and personal listening use some of the headphones that Marco reviews I can’t help but wonder if there is some bias going on with the music he reviews with or whether he actually does have very skewed hearing. Having been used to fine equipment and rooms whilst working in mastering suites, recording studios and I have picked up a preference for probably a certain type of sound but when auditioning and getting used to audio equipment I often test with a wide variety of sources that includes some music I don’t personally like but know quite well (such as country and western) as a reference to understand capabilities across the board. Whatever ones thoughts it highlights the importance of auditioning oneself and getting to know something well (goes for speakers, rooms and headphones). It’s possible to do produce a good result using MDR-7506 or NS10s if you are comfortable with them and have the skill to do so.

by TillE 10y ago

jsmthrowaway 10y ago

They shoot for flat when they make them and they're indeed flat enough for sleeves-up radio work, but I have heard folks say (somewhat correctly) that they're a bit bright up high and don't have enough gas down low. I can understand Marco's opinion in the context of being an audio nerd, because they're flat, but potentially not flat enough for some kinds of listening. But yeah, couldn't agree more. Price point.

dsr_ 10y ago
And they last ten years, then you change the pads for $10 and they go another ten years...

timc3 10y ago

I think they are good enough for the application they are designed for and somewhat of a bargain at the price point. Having listened to most and owning/owned for both studio and personal listening use some of the headphones that Marco reviews I can’t help but wonder if there is some bias going on with the music he reviews with or whether he actually does have very skewed hearing. Having been used to fine equipment and rooms whilst working in mastering suites, recording studios and I have picked up a preference for probably a certain type of sound but when auditioning and getting used to audio equipment I often test with a wide variety of sources that includes some music I don’t personally like but know quite well (such as country and western) as a reference to understand capabilities across the board. Whatever ones thoughts it highlights the importance of auditioning oneself and getting to know something well (goes for speakers, rooms and headphones). It’s possible to do produce a good result using MDR-7506 or NS10s if you are comfortable with them and have the skill to do so.