Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Apr 14, 2016 5:56:55 GMT
That's the thing with bluetooth. It's such a compromise. Just a convenience thing really.
I'd like to hear the AKG one but wouldn't pay that kind of money for anything wireless.
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jello
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Post by jello on Apr 14, 2016 11:24:43 GMT
That's really the thing putting me off. I don't mind sacrificing some sound quality but it sounds like you really need to compromise for the convenience of wireless.
Whilst that might be acceptable on a cheaper headphone when you are paying a premium it's much harder to accept. I mean the M2 wireless rrp is US $500 / £379 (around 35% more than the wired model) and if you read Tyll's review it's not exactly positive, unless compared to other BT / ANC models. Wired SQ that's bettered by the original Momentum? Wireless that drops things markedly more? No thanks!!
The only one that I see somewhat positive comments about the SQ is actually the MDR1 ABT. It sounds like there is still a drop off but not as bad as some. It offers something called LDAC which I believe is a proprietary Sony BT codec with a better data rate etc. The problem is that not many sources support LDAC...and yup you guessed it they're all made by Sony. I'm not sure if you get some of the benefits of LDAC just by having the headphones or if it is an all or nothing deal.
No ANC on the Sony though which for some may be a good or bad thing depending on your opinion of ANC.
I'd have likely taken a punt at the £140 Amazon were selling them off at but £200+ is harder to justify and I've also heard that Sony have applied that volume limiting nonsense to some territories (inevitably the EU) which could be problematic with some sources or recordings.
The conclusion I'm rapidly coming to is it's better to just put up with the inconvenience of a wire until wireless technology has a few more generational leaps.
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Apr 14, 2016 13:45:34 GMT
You definitely have to lower your standards for bluetooth, Mark.
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jello
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Post by jello on Apr 15, 2016 10:04:36 GMT
In terms of sound quality how do you feel the MDR-1A compares to the original Momentum over ear Ian? Roughly comparable or would you say one is markedly 'better' to your ears?
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Apr 15, 2016 12:10:00 GMT
Because of the price difference, I'm tempted to say Momentum, but I'm not sure tbh. I'll do some more listening/comparing over the weekend.
I think the Sony bass is kind of 'looser' sounding and believe it or not, the Momentum treble seems a bit 'colder,. So probably, the Momentum IS a better headphone, but I am drawn more to the Sony.
Comfort wise, no competition. Sony is way better. I like the Sony treble quality but a touch less bass wouldn't go amiss.
I'd say swings and roundabouts actually, but there is quite a price difference.
I'll compare directly over the weekend.
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jello
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Post by jello on Apr 15, 2016 15:15:14 GMT
Thanks Ian! No need for an in-depth comparison but appreciate the offer. I was really just hoping to know if you felt SQ on both was roughly comparable and it sounds like it is, possibly with the Mo edging it. Which is good news I've seen the Mo for £100 new Comfort wasn't a problem for me but imagine the Sony is better in that regard. Although a bit bigger as a result. Cheers.
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Apr 15, 2016 15:22:21 GMT
That's a good price if it's the 'over ear', Mark. The Momentum 'on ear' is significantly more bassy than the 'over ear'. I have both and prefer the 'over ear'.
The strange thing is that Frans measured the V1 over ear and reckoned that it was probably better than the V2, but I actually prefer the V2. Better for comfort as well.
I haven't really compared them except I do remember switching over to the Mo 2 when I once came indoors and noticed that it seemed to sound 'cooler' than the Sony, particularly in the treble which didn't sizzle as much and made cymbals sound as though they were made out of thicker metal!!
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jello
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Post by jello on Apr 15, 2016 15:34:06 GMT
Yes it's the (almost) over ear model. Ivory which wouldn't be my preference but it doesn't look bad in the flesh. Maplin of all places and £30 less than the on-ear! www.maplin.co.uk/search?text=ivory+momentum&x=0&y=0 Have auditioned the on-ear in the past but really didn't rate it. Bass just far too boosted, a bit rough up top and leaked sound like a sieve. I didn't really warm to the V2 over / around ear either but did like the V1. Again my gripes with the V2 were the bass and treble which didn't seem quite right for some reason (no idea why) and to my ears the V1 had smoother more pleasing presentation. Comfort is definitely better on the V2 though!
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Apr 20, 2016 19:29:51 GMT
Mr Angry (Z Reviews) really rates the Sony.
I still ise mine a lot mobile. Very good sound; even up against the Focal Spirit and the Momentum.
Just a warning .... Mr Angry tends to swear a lot so if it offends, best not to watch.....
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jello
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Post by jello on Apr 22, 2016 9:40:16 GMT
That's a very good review. Doesn't get bogged down in audiophile jargon and Z gives a very good overview of the 1A in his own unique style....so do you agree they are like a bathtub full of leather jackets Ian? Is the sub bass as good as he says? Surprised him comparing it to the DT770 in quantity! I've watched a few of his reviews before and on the whole they're very well done and quite refreshing. The Pandora one was just a mess though....he fixated about silly stuff (a mixture of positive and negative but none especially noteworthy). Hardly mentioned the sound at all aside from saying there was nothing to fault and nothing really stood out (is that bad?). That surprises me because the pads he had fitted are the ones I find sound dreadful. Daft thing is he had the much better (according to most owners) sounding pads sitting right in front of him and I don't think he even tried them...but then again I doubt he'd have appreciated the resultant lack of comfort so perhaps for the best! ps am I the only one who thinks he sounds a lot like Jack Black both in terms of how he sounds and his use of words?
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Apr 22, 2016 12:45:38 GMT
He does sound like Black Jack!!! His reviews are a bit odd. He doesn't prepare anything and just goes by gut reaction. He really rated the t50 with alcantara pads as well. The sub-bass thing isn't quite on the ball imo. I think more of a bass hump than really deep bass. It does sound low and powerful though, but Sony may have gone just a bit too far in comparison to the original mdr1r. That lacked bass, but the 1a has a lot. Funny that I don't get that lift with mens' voices though as much as I would have thought guven the amount of bass that you get. Stereo spacing is great on the Sony. It's the one I've been using more than anything else portable actually. I don't have the noise issue that he pointed out on the joint either. He did say in all fairness though, that it might just be his. In comparison to quite a lot of other closed headphones, it does hold its own. I like it and it's also extremely comfortable. It holds up against the Momentum and the Focal Spitit Pro. The Spirit pro has a better controlled bass and is more hifi i sound. Just a pity about the earcups which become very painful. The Momentum has less bass and sounds a little bit more 'steely' in the treble. Also not as comfortable. So I tend to use the Sonys quite a lot. Mine are like soft, worn and pliant leather with a touch of velvet thrown in. No wool at all.
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jello
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Post by jello on Apr 22, 2016 13:35:29 GMT
Cool, thanks Ian. I have some Amazon vouchers to use so thinking I may take a punt on the 1A. I like the look of the black myself although the brown/silver is quite dapper looking too. I'm enjoying the Momentum 1.0 a lot if I'm honest. Much more than the 2.0 for some reason and I don't find comfort too bad as luckily my ears seem to fit into the pads okay or at least I think they do. Either way I get a good seal and they very much require that to sound at their best. That said it's sometimes nice to have a headphone that is ridiculously comfy to hand for longer sessions and that's where I see the 1A coming in. That's the one area where Focal dropped the ball with the Spirit Pro and Classic. Had those headphones been comfortable I'm not sure there would have been much out there better (talking portable here of course) because sound wise both are excellent. The only thing putting me off is that I didn't detect much whiff of fine italian leather jackets coming from your post I like the spontaneous nature of Z's reviews (I can't watch these reviews without mentally picturing Jack Black's impish face now). I think he has a rough plan about what he wants to cover and then just ad libs around them and that helps keep the reviews fresh and interesting. You get what you need from them but not in the staid, formulaic, and almost infomercial like way that many reviewers seem to do theirs. That 1a video is a prime example where you get plenty of good info on the design, comfort and sound but then he starts using bullets to measure earcups (only in America!) and then goes off on a wee voyage of discovery to see what's down that hole in the top of the cups. When in doubt stick a headphone jack in and see what happens
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Post by Rabbit on Apr 22, 2016 15:20:06 GMT
No, he doesn't get that technical, although I think he might work in the business, ans so uses them for some purpose. I think he gave something away on a review somewhere.
The spraying if the hd600 had my toes curling. He has a bright yellow headphone!!!
He also doesn't bother to measure anything so it's all gut reaction and iff the cuff.
I did a comparison with the Momentum II over ears. I'm finding the mids better on the Momentum and it becomes very clear that the Sony is more 'u' shaped in frequency response. Bass is bigger on the Sony and the treble 'seems' more refined, but the Momentum is perhaps a little more natural sounding and better balanced. The bass on the Sony seems deeper but also looser.
Because of the mids being slightly recessed in comparison to the Sennheiser, you feel that they Sony needs more volume. Voices are a tad more distant on the Sony.
Trouble is, the Sony stands up remarkably well to the Momentum, which I find to be a great portable headphone and it is half the price!!
The Momentum II on ear is a bit more u shaled in frequency response and you know, it has a crisper bass than the Sony which is definitely looser than both Momentums.
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jello
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Post by jello on Apr 23, 2016 22:16:33 GMT
What did we do before Prime? Ordered a pair of 1A's at teatime yesterday and picked up at the local newsagent today. It's too late (and to early) for sensible impressions but I think it's safe to say I'm going to enjoy this headphone a lot. And in terms of comfort they get an instant A+ (pads warm up slightly but that's a bonus here most days)
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Post by Rabbit on Apr 24, 2016 7:36:45 GMT
Have you ordered one again Mark? I do think it's a good listen and in a way, fits Frans description a couple of days ago of a 'fun' headphone.
Its bass does seem 'deeper' than my Momentums. Among the 'grown up' headphones its sound is reminiscent of the d2000 sound with the bass and top being more emphasised. In terms of comfort, its way ahead of the Senns.
There is a damping mod for them in order to bring the bass down which in turn makes the mids seem more prominent but I don't think I'll bother since I will have a Superlux here soon. Sometimes, modding can make the headphone less sensitive so that by bringing the bass down, it might be necessary to surn the volume up a bit and with ipods, its the sensitivity that is most important if tou want to 'go light' and not carry an amp.....
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