CHANGSTAR: Audiophile Headphone Reviews and Early 90s Style BBS
Lobby => Headphone Measurements => Topic started by: Marvey on December 23, 2014, 06:14:41 AM
Title: Changstar Cheap Headphone Comparo Extravaganza!
Post by: Marvey on December 23, 2014, 06:14:41 AM
Going to post the measurements for the cheap headphone comparo here. As of December 22, 2014, we have these headphones in our possession. A big thanks to Greed, Ultrabike, and wnmnkh for sourcing these headphones. As time rolls by, we'll try to snag a few more in the comparison. (http://www.changstar.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2008.0;attach=8285;image)
Monoprice (will get model # later)
Audio Technica ATH-M50X
NVX XPT100
Sennheiser HD558
Sennheiser HD439
Takstar Pro80
Subjective measurements and comments below here in binaural glory:
Give me a few days to post all measurements.
Title: Re: Cheap Headphone Comparo
Post by: Marvey on December 23, 2014, 06:14:52 AM
First up are the Monoprice heapdhones. I believe it was pretty much agreed among everyone that these headphones were the most craptastic of the bunch so far. They just kind of sounded crappy and low-fi despite distortion numbers being pretty darn good.
OJ: feel free to provide additional written comments.
Quote from: OJneg
These were quite poor. I'd rather live with the earbuds that came with my smart phone and eat sand for a week to save up for something better. Enclosure issues were of major concern, possible mod candidate. But other than that, the Tascam TH02 is just as cheap and sounds better stock than this thing. And probably has more modding potential.
Title: Re: Cheap Headphone Comparo
Post by: Marvey on December 23, 2014, 06:15:00 AM
Reactions to this headphone were ho-hum. It's good - OK. Better than old M50. Note that we've dropped this headphone on the new leaderboard. At least I would hope we did. They are on the pricey end of the spectrum for this comparo: $169 at Amazon.
That's it for Dec 22, 2014. Going back to my temple of GAIN A-D recordings.
Quote from: OJneg
My biggest issue with these sonically is that they tend to have a compressed bass sound. They don't render low notes naturally and with gusto; poor bass decay characteristics? Some others noted a bit of shoutiness in the vocal range. Other than that these are pretty well balanced all-arounders. They have pretty good punch and snap which a lot of people who are new to hi-fi might like. If I only got to use cheap headphones these would be my go-to for electronic music. Value is poor though; I remember seeing the original M50 go on Amazon for $100 all the time. That'd be a more appropriate price.
Title: Re: Cheap Headphone Comparo
Post by: Marvey on December 23, 2014, 06:15:10 AM
Sennheiser HD439 (http://en-us.sennheiser.com/images/1504/all/square/3811/square_louped_hd_439_01_sq_music_portable_sennheiser.png) I know the others didn't care for it. I kind of liked this one because I thought it sounded cleaner than the HD558, but with the downside of a cupped hands coloration. It's a closed-back headphone, but with some semi-permeable vents on the baffle. Might be a good mod candidate since eliminating this coloration is easy with acoustic fiber in the cavity. But mods are not the point of this comparo.
I've seen this from $40 to $80.
Quote from: OJneg
I thought these were quite poor, 2nd to last in front of the shit Monoprice ones. Lo-fi sounding. Readily apparent grain. Decent tonal balance; no matter how bad it is technically speaking, it's still a Sennheiser.
Title: Re: Cheap Headphone Comparo
Post by: Marvey on December 23, 2014, 06:40:33 AM
Sennheiser HD 558 (http://en-us.sennheiser.com/images/713/all/square/6008/square_louped_hd_558_01_sq_sennheiser.png) I believe this headphone was received quite favorably by the panel.
Quote from: OJneg
My favorite of this comparison. Most natural and most detailed. Without fake detail. Seemed to have the smoothest, most correct treble quality. Bass distortion did rear it's head in my listening though. Think scaled-down, lower-fi HD600. For the price it's a champ. But before you buy this, check to see how much more the HD598 is.
Title: Re: Cheap Headphone Comparo
Post by: Marvey on December 23, 2014, 06:46:00 AM
NVX XPT100 (http://cdn3.bigcommerce.com/s-hmx9r8du/product_images/uploaded_images/skylar-grey.jpg) (http://cdn.head-fi.org/a/ac/350x700px-LL-acbf81d6_FA-003_large1.jpeg) Also comes in Brainwavz and Fisher iterations. One of the best of the bunch. It would have been my favorite had the treble not had that spike. BTW, the 8kHz null is not a null. It's a peak with ringing (see CSD.) I've seen happen from time to time with both speaker and headphone measurements where a sharp null turns into a ridge in the CSD.
Quote from: OJneg
2nd from the top behind the HD558 (in my book). While it gains a +1 for better bass, it's a -2 for tonal deviations elsewhere in the spectrum. I would describe this as a studio monitor with aspirations of neutrality. But it got lost somewhere along the way. Still excellent an buy, especially considering build quality, fit and finish, accessories, intangibles. I could definitely live with these headphones as a semi-portable secondary rig and that says a lot.
Title: Re: Cheap Headphone Comparo
Post by: Marvey on December 23, 2014, 06:46:09 AM
Takstar Pro80 (http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41GiPHrKmjL.jpg) These are pretty decent - good. Definitely bassy. The guys liked these quite a bit. Yes, it comes with a case. Even if you don't like the headphones, you end up with a case that can fit many of the other headphones in this comparo.
Quote from: OJneg
I wasn't crazy for these like some others were. Bass just too far north of neutral for my sensibilities. Other than that these are competent. These are easily a Beats killer.
Title: Re: Cheap Headphone Comparo
Post by: Marvey on December 23, 2014, 06:46:16 AM
reserved
Title: Re: Cheap Headphone Comparo
Post by: Marvey on December 23, 2014, 06:46:36 AM
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Title: Re: Cheap Headphone Comparo
Post by: Marvey on December 23, 2014, 06:46:43 AM
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Title: Re: Cheap Headphone Comparo
Post by: Marvey on December 23, 2014, 06:46:49 AM
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Title: Re: Cheap Headphone Comparo
Post by: Marvey on December 23, 2014, 06:53:42 AM
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Title: Re: Changstar Cheap Headphone Comparo Extravaganza!
Post by: altrunox on December 23, 2014, 10:58:23 PM
LOL, I`m glad foy buying the Pro 80 after listening this review headbang Will be looking forward to some Grado "e" series review, most of them are too divergent (is divergent the right word or conflicted? :-Z)
I`m so impressed about the M50X, they`re the most expensive from this group and almost no praise to them?! I listened twice just to make sure I didn`t miss something in the first time :-00
Nice recording and thanks for the review!
Title: Re: Changstar Cheap Headphone Comparo Extravaganza!
Post by: LFF on December 23, 2014, 11:22:58 PM
LOL, I`m glad foy buying the Pro 80 after listening this review headbang Will be looking forward to some Grado "e" series review, most of them are too divergent (is divergent the right word or conflicted? :-Z)
I`m so impressed about the M50X, they`re the most expensive from this group and almost no praise to them?! I listened twice just to make sure I didn`t miss something in the first time :-00
Nice recording and thanks for the review!
If you're looking for great sound from a Grado, get either a vintage RS-1 or a Joe Grado HP-1000. Otherwise, your money is better spent on something else.
Title: Re: Changstar Cheap Headphone Comparo Extravaganza!
Post by: MuppetFace on December 24, 2014, 01:08:13 AM
The M50X is a good headphone. Just not necessarily a good $180 headphone. It's an old stalwart that has earned its respect IMO, but even with a sonic refresh, there are more and more compelling options in the market. Still: there are certainly worse headphones for more money out there.
Title: Re: Changstar Cheap Headphone Comparo Extravaganza!
Post by: Armaegis on December 24, 2014, 02:02:33 AM
It'll be interesting to see if the price drops into the $110-130 range like the non-x version did.
Title: Re: Changstar Cheap Headphone Comparo Extravaganza!
Post by: Marvey on December 24, 2014, 06:29:28 AM
Added Sennheiser HD439 measurements.
Title: Re: Changstar Cheap Headphone Comparo Extravaganza!
Post by: ultrabike on December 24, 2014, 07:11:04 PM
Awesome Marv! I gave them a listen some time ago and very much liked what I heard for the price. I thought they were reasonably comfy too.
Title: Re: Changstar Cheap Headphone Comparo Extravaganza!
Post by: Bill-p on December 24, 2014, 10:09:02 PM
I`m so impressed about the M50X, they`re the most expensive from this group and almost no praise to them?! I listened twice just to make sure I didn`t miss something in the first time :-00
I think I may know why: out of the ones that were in the comparison, the M50X's distortion graph looks the most like dinosaur teeth...
When something measures like that, I can't help but think someone in engineering is not trolling us.
Title: Re: Changstar Cheap Headphone Comparo Extravaganza!
Post by: Anaxilus on December 24, 2014, 10:16:39 PM
I think I may know why: out of the ones that were in the comparison, the M50X's distortion graph looks the most like dinosaur teeth...
When something measures like that, I can't help but think someone in engineering is not trolling us.
I think my description for the mids and strings was like a cartoon character getting punched in the face and seeing stars. I'm more susceptible to distortion in this area than most like with the HE400.
Title: Re: Changstar Cheap Headphone Comparo Extravaganza!
Post by: Bill-p on December 24, 2014, 10:52:36 PM
I think my description for the mids and strings was like a cartoon character getting punched in the face and seeing stars. I'm more susceptible to distortion in this area than most like with the HE400.
When I owned the M50, and subsequent Audio Technica headphones, I never did manage to identify those problem spots.
But after going to the HE-560, the spots now stand out like a sore thumb.
So I guess it really depends on your frame of reference. But yeah, I guess a cartoon character getting punched in the face and seeing stars is pretty accurate. Every time I hear this now with any headphone, I'd get ringing for hours, and that never happened before (or maybe it did and I didn't notice).
Title: Re: Changstar Cheap Headphone Comparo Extravaganza!
Post by: Hands on December 25, 2014, 02:00:50 AM
I had one of the HD4x9 headphones, and I don't think they're great for mods because the driver itself is held in its own small enclosure inside the cup enclosure and might be adhered shut, IIRC. But one of those models, not the lowest end, can often be found for around $40, so you could do worse.
Title: Re: Changstar Cheap Headphone Comparo Extravaganza!
Post by: Marvey on December 25, 2014, 04:24:57 AM
Posted HD558 and XPT100.
Title: Re: Changstar Cheap Headphone Comparo Extravaganza!
Post by: Marvey on December 25, 2014, 04:53:50 AM
Takstar Pro80 posted.
. . .
That's it for now. Merry X-mas! Kind of late for a cheap headphone shootout for X-mas, but at least when you return the presents you don't want back to Amazon, you may have a better idea what to item to get in exchange. I may try crowdsourcing the next few headphones to measure: Grado, AT, I think a few others on the voted list.
Title: Re: Changstar Cheap Headphone Comparo Extravaganza!
Post by: firev1 on December 25, 2014, 02:50:01 PM
Nice work Marv! I kinda agree with the Fischer/Brainwavz impressions, their treble leaves something to be desired. As for the M50X, a lot of friends I recommended the headphone to work in tough conditions or out and about and the M50X swivels like a boss with a sound signature that is pretty darn decent. Amazingly I have yet to hear either Senn headphones.
Title: Re: Changstar Cheap Headphone Comparo Extravaganza!
Post by: Deep Funk on December 26, 2014, 08:47:17 AM
These are the follow up of the HD438. If any owner of a HD438 and HD439 can vouch for it, it would be nice.
For me the HD438 nailed a fun yet "open enough" sound. I can listen to Metal with a HD438-like headphone and be fine, no complaints. It will not the best headphone, but its sound signature is more pleasant than I expected.
I had a stock HD428 and a Mogami dual entry re-cabled HD428. The drivers in the HD4x8/9-series can do more than their specifications suggest.
Title: Re: Changstar Cheap Headphone Comparo Extravaganza!
Post by: Armaegis on December 26, 2014, 07:21:54 PM
These are the follow up of the HD438. If any owner of a HD438 and HD439 can vouch for it, it would be nice.
For me the HD438 nailed a fun yet "open enough" sound. I can listen to Metal with a HD438-like headphone and be fine, no complaints. It will not the best headphone, but its sound signature is more pleasant than I expected.
I had an HD438 briefly and my impressions match yours. Fun and kinda bassy, obviously closed but not too "cupped" sounding. I think sale/used prices were around $30-40 at the time, so not a bad recommendation to go with. I felt the 438 was a better value than the 448 (if you were looking at a 448, the 555 was only a smidge more at the time).
Title: Re: Changstar Cheap Headphone Comparo Extravaganza!
Post by: Hands on December 27, 2014, 03:37:04 AM
I dunno if it's just the HM5, just my pair, or just me (mostly likely), but I really didn't care for it. I think the biggest thing for me was that 300Hz dip and some odd treble characteristics. But clearly it was well received by others, so don't listen to me. :)
Title: Re: Changstar Cheap Headphone Comparo Extravaganza!
Post by: Sholay on January 19, 2015, 12:39:05 AM
So based on this shootout and that Sennheiser is easily available in India, i recommended HD439 to one of my office mates. He likes it but to me the resolution is really low. Slow,distorted and the bass has this strange blub blub effect...kinda double bass sounding . The only good thing is comfort.
Chang Pod is really really awesome. First time i've heard a binaural. Wish most music had the same quality.
Title: Re: Changstar Cheap Headphone Comparo Extravaganza!
Post by: OJneg on January 19, 2015, 01:44:27 AM
So based on this shootout and that Sennheiser is easily available in India, i recommended HD439 to one of my office mates. He likes it but to me the resolution is really low. Slow,distorted and the bass has this strange blub blub effect...kinda double bass sounding . The only good thing is comfort.
Chang Pod is really really awesome. First time i've heard a binaural. Wish most music had the same quality.
Blame Marv, he's the one who liked it :P
Title: Re: Changstar Cheap Headphone Comparo Extravaganza!
Post by: gelocks on January 19, 2015, 02:10:18 AM
Marv is right that they improve with some acoustic fiber modding though. I did that to a pair of HD439's that I picked up cheap last year and it significantly improved the cupped hand coloration and helped somewhat with the muddled bass. (My wife uses them now as her office headphones.)
But yeah, really low resolution. If detailed headphones see plankton or krill then the HD439 is Buster Bluth without his glasses. "I know she's a brownish area...with points!"
Title: Re: Changstar Cheap Headphone Comparo Extravaganza!
Post by: OJneg on January 23, 2015, 09:18:36 PM
Comments appended to each 'phone.
I'll be at NAMM this weekend so I'll try to get a chance to listen to any headphones lying around. New ATs I suppose?
Title: Re: Changstar Cheap Headphone Comparo Extravaganza!
Post by: Deep Funk on January 24, 2015, 11:15:25 PM
Marv is right that they improve with some acoustic fiber modding though. I did that to a pair of HD439's that I picked up cheap last year and it significantly improved the cupped hand coloration and helped somewhat with the muddled bass. (My wife uses them now as her office headphones.)
But yeah, really low resolution. If detailed headphones see plankton or krill then the HD439 is Buster Bluth without his glasses. "I know she's a brownish area...with points!"
Consider yourself lucky she does not have the Solo HD, version one. There is lack of detail and resolution and there are bass farts to add more shit to a shitty sounding headphone.
Title: Re: Changstar Cheap Headphone Comparo Extravaganza!
Post by: takato14 on February 22, 2015, 01:11:38 AM
Any updates for this, cap'n?
Title: Re: Changstar Cheap Headphone Comparo Extravaganza!
Post by: donunus on February 27, 2015, 08:34:04 AM
Any plans on adding some old budget classics like the creative aurvana live ( old version with the foster drivers)
Title: Re: Changstar Cheap Headphone Comparo Extravaganza!
Post by: Anaxilus on February 27, 2015, 04:55:44 PM
Creative Aurvana Live in the house. More to follow! This could be promising...
:)p5
Title: Re: Changstar Cheap Headphone Comparo Extravaganza!
Post by: takato14 on June 12, 2015, 08:32:02 PM
so this appears to be sufficiently dead
Title: Re: Changstar Cheap Headphone Comparo Extravaganza!
Post by: Anaxilus on June 13, 2015, 02:44:48 AM
Oh, looks like I only ever said something about the CALs in the shoutbox. OJ and ultra have had the CALs in house too. I'll cobble something together.
Title: Re: Changstar Cheap Headphone Comparo Extravaganza!
Post by: Type35 on June 22, 2015, 08:24:33 PM
Looking forward to your thoughts on the CAL. It often sells for $60 on Amazon. At that price, I would think it would be a strong contender for the leaderboard.
Title: Re: Changstar Cheap Headphone Comparo Extravaganza!
Post by: frankh on June 23, 2015, 12:54:43 AM
Does the new AKG K181 DJ UE qualify to be in this thread? If it is then it'll be good to see some head to head comparison here.
Title: Re: Changstar Cheap Headphone Comparo Extravaganza!
Post by: OJneg on June 23, 2015, 01:07:12 AM
Looking forward to your thoughts on the CAL. It often sells for $60 on Amazon. At that price, I would think it would be a strong contender for the leaderboard.
At that price you can't complain, but I still like the TH02 as the ultra-cheapie champ
Title: Re: Changstar Cheap Headphone Comparo Extravaganza!
Post by: Marvey on June 23, 2015, 01:22:52 AM
Does the new AKG K181 DJ UE qualify to be in this thread? If it is then it'll be good to see some head to head comparison here.
We'll do another comparison. Throwing all the shit into a box and sending them down to OJ / Ultrabike who are lower level audiophiles.
Title: Re: Changstar Cheap Headphone Comparo Extravaganza!
Post by: donunus on June 23, 2015, 02:26:44 AM
Low level audiophiles? LOL I guess I am in that position as well being so frugal and all :)p13
Title: Re: Changstar Cheap Headphone Comparo Extravaganza!
Post by: frankh on June 23, 2015, 12:38:26 PM
Quote (selected)
We'll do another comparison. Throwing all the shit into a box and sending them down to OJ / Ultrabike who are lower level audiophiles.
Lol.....I think I'm a lower level audiophile too :P
Title: Re: Changstar Cheap Headphone Comparo Extravaganza!
Post by: Hands on June 23, 2015, 11:35:41 PM
Tyll seemed pretty fond of the Meelectronics Air-Fi Matrix2 AF62. Weird name, but his thoughts, measurements, and the price looked promising. I'm also curious about the on-ear Noontec Zoro HD II.
Title: Re: Changstar Cheap Headphone Comparo Extravaganza!
Post by: Marvey on June 24, 2015, 06:44:21 AM
Low level audiophiles? LOL I guess I am in that position as well being so frugal and all :)p13
We should send all the shit we don't want to you too.
Title: Re: Changstar Cheap Headphone Comparo Extravaganza!
Post by: donunus on June 25, 2015, 09:01:17 AM
hahaha yeah give them to me. The shipping is more expensive though since I am in the Philippines
Title: Re: Changstar Cheap Headphone Comparo Extravaganza!
Post by: Marvey on August 19, 2015, 05:38:41 AM
All boxed up with extra crappy headphones to be delivered to Ultrabike. Maybe we can send to Keanex, Donunus, and god-forsaken lands.
The Cheap Headphone Comparo continues!
Title: Re: Changstar Cheap Headphone Comparo Extravaganza!
Post by: metal571 on August 25, 2015, 02:30:06 AM
keanex and I both live in a god-forsaken land :D
In other news, I was really impressed by the Takstar Pro 80 I reviewed recently. Haven't heard the original Monoprice cans or the 558 yet, or that Sony.
Title: Re: Changstar Cheap Headphone Comparo Extravaganza!
Post by: ultrabike on September 22, 2015, 04:41:01 AM
I'm going through these. Will post my comparative impressions when done. NVX are a bit of a surprise. They are strident, but this is not obvious from the measurements. Possible that notch does some interesting things due to phase inversion in the 7-8 kHz range.
Title: Re: Changstar Cheap Headphone Comparo Extravaganza!
Post by: Anaxilus on September 22, 2015, 04:43:46 AM
I'm going through these. Will post my comparative impressions when done. NVX are a bit of a surprise. They are strident, but this is not obvious from the measurements. Possible that notch does some interesting things due to phase inversion in the 7-8 kHz range.
We need to meet up and maybe swap CAL for 400S.
Title: Re: Changstar Cheap Headphone Comparo Extravaganza!
Post by: ultrabike on September 22, 2015, 04:46:12 AM
Wed 23 works (day after tomorrow) for me Mike. Can drop by after work if you like.
Title: Re: Changstar Cheap Headphone Comparo Extravaganza!
Post by: Anaxilus on September 22, 2015, 04:51:50 AM
u got it bro.
Title: Re: Changstar Cheap Headphone Comparo Extravaganza!
Post by: Darsus on September 27, 2015, 04:19:25 PM
How did I miss this thread?! I asked questions about most of these headphones on the advacie thread, but no responses or redirecting me to this one. Glad I found it.
I don't know about m50x, but I've listened to m50, and I'm glad that finally someone expressed what I heard. Bass is really present, but it's so compressed. Sound overall was very compressed IMO, and I didn't like it at all. It was also not clear to me how people use them to mix, because of compressed sound they seem very hard to balance things on them, but I would have to hear them again tho. Also, drums were sounding more natural and punchy on KSC75 imo, even tho is a way cheaper headphone.
When it comes to NVX XPT100 it's a shame they have a hole in 300hz area, where the warmness is.
Title: Re: Changstar Cheap Headphone Comparo Extravaganza!
Post by: donunus on September 28, 2015, 03:14:23 AM
I forgot if any kind of modded cheap cans are allowed but electrical tape modded L-Cush bowls on Grado SR60es are amazing. I would rather listen to them over q701s for example.