Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Dec 22, 2016 9:27:38 GMT
My friend lent me his MSR7 for Christmas so I could see if I could live with them long term.
From what I remember of the fake one, these are most definitely smoother in the top although they are still quite bright. I compared them with the over ear Momentum II briefly and both are extremely good but in different ways.
The Momentum shows it's warm tilt much more by comparison and slightly rolled away too end. The MSR7 has more in the top, and bass kind of matches in slam but doesn't linger as long as the Momentum so it sounds cooler. It's nowhere near as cold as the fake one though.
So it's kind of 'swings and roundabouts'. The warmth of the Senns or the more etched Audio Technica. I like both and can live with both types of sound quite happily.
I think harsh recordings would show more on the MSR7.
Many go on about the grip of the MSR7. While it is tighter than the Momentum, the cups are slightly bigger so the grip isn't really much of an issue for me. I find the MSR7 perhaps a bit more comfortable than the Momentum. There's also a better choice of leads with the AT.
Don't know really. Both are very good but the MSR7 is not as awful as I originally felt at all and once you get the bottom end in, the top isn't quite so glaring as some make out. It's not what I'd call an 'extended' treble, but raised and then a quick drop away. The Senn also doesn't extend up top really either.
Hard choice between the two in all honesty.
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ATH-MSR7
Dec 26, 2016 7:46:41 GMT
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Post by vampula on Dec 26, 2016 7:46:41 GMT
My friend lent me his MSR7 for Christmas so I could see if I could live with them long term. From what I remember of the fake one, these are most definitely smoother in the top although they are still quite bright. I compared them with the over ear Momentum II briefly and both are extremely good but in different ways. The Momentum shows it's warm tilt much more by comparison and slightly rolled away too end. The MSR7 has more in the top, and bass kind of matches in slam but doesn't linger as long as the Momentum so it sounds cooler. It's nowhere near as cold as the fake one though. So it's kind of 'swings and roundabouts'. The warmth of the Senns or the more etched Audio Technica. I like both and can live with both types of sound quite happily. I think harsh recordings would show more on the MSR7. Many go on about the grip of the MSR7. While it is tighter than the Momentum, the cups are slightly bigger so the grip isn't really much of an issue for me. I find the MSR7 perhaps a bit more comfortable than the Momentum. There's also a better choice of leads with the AT. Don't know really. Both are very good but the MSR7 is not as awful as I originally felt at all and once you get the bottom end in, the top isn't quite so glaring as some make out. It's not what I'd call an 'extended' treble, but raised and then a quick drop away. The Senn also doesn't extend up top really either. Hard choice between the two in all honesty. Theres the mod for treble smoothing: open the cups, and get off that felt rings from the drivers, that should help. Also it rises bass a bit.
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Dec 26, 2016 8:27:23 GMT
Take felt off and that smooth's the treble? Not put felt in?
I've been using my friend's MSR7 over the past few days and it has shown itself to be a a pretty good headphone. More etched than the Momentum. Very clean bass attack. Potential to be sibilant/harsh but I also think that recordings have a lot to do with this. They seem to notice compression more than many headphones.
Due to the nature of its sound, I compared it directly to two others with similar descriptions by others... the Sony V6 and AKG K553. Now that was really interesting.
The Sony is way harsher than the msr7. Thin and edgy with a rougher sounding treble. Some call it 'grain' but for me it just sounds cruder in the treble.
The k553 comparison was really interesting. I liked the k553 but the Sony has pointed out something really glaring in the lower treble of the k553. The Sony has more body of sound in that area and to my ears sounds more natural with the k553 sounding kind of 'fake' in the detail department. It has a very clear and etched out top end by comparison but is also slightly more glassy sounding than the msr7.
Whether my k553 has a fault or not, I'm not sure, but also the central image is way more solid on the msr7.
So on reflection, I think the msr7 is probably one of the better portable headphones around after all my fighting with a fake one which sounded awful!!! I can definitely live with the sound of this one and maybe will get one of my own when this one goes back.
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ATH-MSR7
Dec 26, 2016 9:15:42 GMT
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Post by vampula on Dec 26, 2016 9:15:42 GMT
Take felt off and that smoothies the treble? Not put felt in? I've been using my friend's MSR7 over the past few days and it has shown itself to be a a pretty good headphone. More etched than the Momentum. Very clean bass attack. Potential to be sibilant/harsh but I also think that recordings have a lot to do with this. They seem to notice compression more than many headphones. Due to the nature of its sound, I compared it directly to two others with similar descriptions by others... the Sony V6 and AKG K553. Now that was really interesting. The Sony is way harsher than the msr7. Thin and edgy with a rougher sounding treble. Some call it 'grain' but for me it just sounds cruder in the treble. The k553 comparison was really interesting. I liked the k553 but the Sony has pointed out something really glaring in the lower treble of the k553. The Sony has more body of sound in that area and to my ears sounds more natural with the k553 sounding kind of 'fake' in the detail department. It has a very clear and etched out top end by comparison but is also slightly more glassy sounding than the msr7. Whether my k553 has a fault or not, I'm not sure, but also the central image is way more solid on the msr7. So on reflection, I think the msr7 is probably one of the better portable headphones around after all my fighting with a fake one which sounded awful!!! I can definitely live with the sound of this one and maybe will get one of my own when this one goes back. This "felt-off mod" is must-do on m50/50x, for msr7 I advise this mod if you really bored from stock sound or super treble sensetive. It also adds some soundstage, but not a lot due mostly close enclosure construction.
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Dec 26, 2016 20:19:10 GMT
Vampula, is that felt off mod shown on HF somewhere?
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ATH-MSR7
Dec 27, 2016 5:25:58 GMT
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Post by vampula on Dec 27, 2016 5:25:58 GMT
Vampula, is that felt off mod shown on HF somewhere? Dont know really, I think ive seen only removable cable mod pics, and one awesome "open back" mod, which included that felt ring extraction(http://www.head-fi.org/t/542218/ath-m50-open-mod). And I also tried to take off felt on my brother's m50, well... he liked the result. You can change this felt with more breathable material, it will still controll the bass, but will provide more soundstage and mids.
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ATH-MSR7
Dec 27, 2016 5:52:26 GMT
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Post by vampula on Dec 27, 2016 5:52:26 GMT
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Dec 29, 2016 11:30:02 GMT
I'll be getting an MSR7 of my own at the end of January. They are very good tbh. I prefer them to the k553 but will have to attenuate them coming from my Polaris. On low gain, the Polaris is ok but I'd like a bit more control and I'm not keen to lower the input since the noise floor would be raised. It matches really nicely with the AT so that it has a pretty big sound when amped. The AT does seem to notice that an amp is attached and seeing that it also comes with a long lead, it can easily double up at home when there's noise around.
I'm still very surprised at just how good looking that fake one was and the problem is that it kind of matches what people say about the msr7 on the internet. Following that experience, I'm now wondering just how many people have been describing fake headphones because I really couldn't live with their sound. There aren't that many that I really can't stand tbh. I can normally adapt, but these ones definitely had something odd about their sound.
The real MSR7 is less sharp and smoother in the top. Better bass weight so that it sounds more extended both ways.
The one I get will have to come from a kosher place, but how on earth would you know? Unless Audio Technica will sell direct? I am nervous of it happening again.
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jello
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Post by jello on Dec 29, 2016 15:30:45 GMT
Amazon or one of AT's UK authorised dealers (who presumably receive stock direct) would seem your safest bet. Imagine the risk of getting a knock off would be slim to non-existent.
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Dec 29, 2016 16:43:46 GMT
Amazon have been known to put out fakes via linked dealers I think. One thing though .... I'd recognise a fake quite readily now!!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 29, 2016 20:13:17 GMT
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Dec 29, 2016 20:24:14 GMT
I think I'll get one Gordon. In actual fact, I think they give a better bass than the Sony mdr1. The Sony sounds a bit too fat by comparison, where the msr7 is quicker. It's also really good from the Polaris. I'm still thinking about an attenuator for it, although the impedance goes up just a little bit. It might warm it a bit I suppose.
They're quite expensive but sound great in all honesty. I've tried so many small closed headphones and found most difficult to put up with long term, but I still like these!!
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Post by Deleted on Dec 29, 2016 21:08:55 GMT
I tried them on in a shop in Avignon and really liked them comfort-wise. I do really like the finish, something AT have always been pretty good at. They are expensive though and although I haven't heard them I'd be surprised if they were any better than the Superlux's I'm using right now.
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Dec 29, 2016 21:23:35 GMT
The Superlux sound thicker by comparison and the bass goes lower I think. There's more focus on the top, although the AT bass is very fast. The ones I've borrowed are brown. Build is superb too.
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oldson
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Post by oldson on Dec 29, 2016 21:33:09 GMT
wow i kind of ignored this thread following initial comments. it appears i should have stayed "in touch".
i am still considering a closed headphone even though i have a d2000 filtered now. for some reason they just dont seem to hit the spot for me! still considering the beyer 1770 and now these AT's (again)
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