Best bass headset? Sony MDR-XB500 vs MDR-XB700 vs Skullcandy Skullcrushers

Okay, so atm I have the Razer headphones in my sig below... they're really great just not enough bass for my liking, Ive always had a liking towards Sony headphones and I've narrowed my choices down to these two Sony headphones and Ive just been recommended the skullcandy headphones today and starting to like them as well and now I need help deciding. I listen to a wide variety of music from RnB, rap, pop, classical, intrumental, a bit of everything except for like heavy rock or heavy metal but more hip hop and dubstep type of music. Im also considering MDR-V700DJ due to being closed ear and allowing less sound leakage out just hating that silverish colour

I know the skullcandy headphones would be best choice due to the built in battery powered amp, but I was wondering how both of the sonys compare to it, as I was leaning more towards sony before esp due to they sofisticated look as well compared to skullcandy but that isnt really a problem.

just a few things to let you guys know, I was going for the Sony as i heard really good things about these headphones specifically, since Ill be listening to classical and intrumental music as well, I would like good mids and treble if not great, which I know the skullcandy's are fairly okay in that region but nothing to jump up and down about so i want fair views on the sony before i head for the skullcandy's. Im also looking for comfort and portability, I was be able to just throw them in my bag without worrying about them getting ruined or messed up, but not mandatory, I can keep them seperate if needed

and for those audiophiles who want the tech specs here you go.
MDR-XB500

Dynamic Type:YES
Closed Type:YES
Capacity (W):1.5
Driver unit (mm)40
DiaphragmET
Frequency (Hz):4 - 24,000
Sensitivity (dB/mW)104
Magnet: Neodymium
Impedance (Ohm): 40
Earpads:Luxury soft touch
Wearing style:Circum aural
Cord type: TPC both sided
Cord length (m)1.2
Plug
L shaped stereo mini plug (Gold)
Weight (g)
Approx. 185 (without Cord)



MDR XB-700

Dynamic Type: YES
Closed Type:YES
Capacity (W):3
Driver unit (mm):50
DiaphragmET
Frequency (Hz): 3 - 28,000
Sensitivity (dB/mW): 106
Magnet
Neodymium (360kJ/m³)

Impedance (Ohm): 24
Earpads: Luxury soft touch

Wearing style: Circum aural

Cord type: TPC both sided
Cord length (m)1.2
Plug
L shaped stereo mini plug (Gold)
Weight (g)
Approx. 295 (without Cord)

Skullcrushers

Type: Over ear headphones

Driver Unit: 30mm

Impedance: 32ohm

Frequency Range: 20Hz-20KHz

Connecting plug: 3.5mm gold plated plug with a 6.3mm adapter to a 1.5m cable

EDIT: I forgot to add, Ill be selling my current cans or if possibly trading them for the one I pick, so Im hoping to get around £40-50 hoping to find a good deal somewhere online within this price range, or ill just add on and extra £10-15 if i can. And please note Ill be buying these from UK unless it would cost me less to buy it in the EU or imported from the US, so if you guys have any other recommendations just keep this in mind.

EDIT#2: one more thing that is important to me is sound leakage, I usually sit in a quiet enviroment for the most part of the day and I rather keep my music to my self rather than sharing it with the rest of the room, If there is around 10% leakage meaning you can hear tiny bits of music but cant makeout the lyrics or cant hear it properly at around 50-60% volume then its perfect, since I will be keeping it around 50-60% when around other people, just need enough sound coverage that no one else can really hear what Im listening to.

 

The MDR-XB700's.

Also look into the venerable MDR-V6's. Same sensitivity but 2hz up from the low. Not that you would notice. But with a 40mm driver instead of 50mm.

I've had a pair of these for about 20 years. They are among the best out there. And being studio monitors, the sound leakage is very minimal.

 

will look into these thanks, how are they with bass heavy music??

 

Superb. I listen to trance, new jazz, lounge, etc with them. Bass is tight and right. Overall sound is amazing. I also used them in post production mix downs with percussive bass (hits, explosions, etc.). The MDR-V600 are pretty good also. They just don't have the exact detail. I use those for keyboard work. They add just the right amount of "sweet."

The ones you listed above initially have somewhat better bass. But since that is their mission, that is what they specialize in at the cost of the total spectrum of sound. So after a while, your ears get fatigued. Bass is best felt from your feet up.

The soundstage of the MDR-V6's gives you just the right amount of "distance" from the bass. So it simulates say, what you would hear at a club, though not what you would feel in your chest. No headphone can do that.

There are also some Sennheisers you should look into depending on your budget. Such as the HD 380 Pro. Though the bass on those is a little sweet instead of natural. But it is deep with a very good sound stage. They fit a little better than the MDR-V6s for some people. Especially if you have big lobes.

 

I had the skullcrushers and I didn't like them at all. They have good bass...but thats all they have. The sound quality is horrible, very tinny. Even the bass isnt that good IMO, I mean its loud, but not very deep. Im a big fan of skullcandy in-ear buds, but the skullcrushers are not something I want to use..at all..I would stick with the Sony. Although personally I think in-ear buds produce a much deeper bass since nothing escapes, while over-ear may have more bass, they probably wont be as deep

 

Skullcandy shouldn't even be compared to those two. The Skullcrushers can't even hold a candle to any PROPER dynamic headphone.

 

QFTMFT! Skullcandy makes next to worthless headphones.

I also vote for the XB-700's. I've used a pair and I loved them. I regret not buying them, instead of me buying the Bose Triports. The Triports are good in their own right, but they don't hold a candle to the build quality of the better Sony headphones, like the XB-700's.

 

I vote for the MDR XB-700, never owned them but the specs make them better then the 500s, and the skullcandy ones are overpriced since you are buying the name.
Never buy skullcandy, bose, or monster(Dr. Dre beats)
they are always overpriced
PS
I <3 dubstep

 

Dang you 2.0, after looking into them, the Sony MDR-V6's are now on my short list of things to buy next semester.

I currently have some Sennheiser HD 238s that don't cut out the library noise enough, need something that fully encircles my ear.

Funny you guys mention Dre and Bose. A couple of my classmates were debating if Bose or Dre were better in the $200 price range and I was like, have you guys even heard of Sennheiser or looked at Sony's monitor line? They looked at me like I've never stepped foot inside of a Best Buy...

 

yeah Im more of an in-ear headphones kinda guy, but I have this weird feeling in my left ear as if something is crawling in my ear or that irritation feeling when someone lightly touches you with a feather, ive tried several different buds, but nothing worked so Im venturing out to over-the-ear headphones and Im kinda new to all of this plus after wearing in ear headphones after a looooong time they start to feel irritating a little bit.

I was wondering if you were able to check the sound leakage? since im leaning more towards the XB700 if I find a good deal otherwise Ill head over to the XB500.

no matter what bose product Ive tried or used every single one amazed me, so nothing can really put me off of Bose (and Shure) but yeah they are overpriced

@ 2.0: I've tried searching for the MDR-V6's and they are around or just a bit more than the XB700 so are they worth getting them over the XB700 if they are similar priced?

Now since Ive chosen to go for the Sony's I just need to know which one is better at handling sound leakage including the V700DJ
I guess there's less sound leakage when the cup is covering your enture ear instead of resting ON your ear, this is the last thing that is stopping me from finalizing on the XB700, extra inputs are more than welcome and thanks to everyone who helped me out so far

 

Skullcandy is garbage.

Doesn't it seem odd that they are trying to sell you headphones based on how they look, rather than how they sound?

 

yeah I'm really leaning towards better sound right now
its just that I need really good treble & mids as well, and I'm a kind-of-all-sony-products-enthusiast but Ive been recommended the Skullcandy's so I thought it might be worth a try

 

If you want a really excellent setup, get the MDR-V6s and then get Beyerdynamic ear pads/cups EDT 250V for them. Best in class soundstage and leakage minimization. I can listen to an iPod at max and there's no outward or external sound leakage. Mind you, the original pads that come with it are excellent, but these are a recommended step up. Plus they are velour so you can wear them very comfortably for extended periods. The original, like all head sets that use vinyl/leatherette, will deteriorate over time due to body oils.

The MDR-V6's are of better quality than the XB700s which are marketed to a different segment that values bass over total sound reproduction. The oxygen free copper used on the V6s cable ensures that they never lose their fidelity from the inevitable verdigris that occurs with regular copper cables. I can attest since my 20+ year old MDR-V6s sound as good as the new V6's I bought 3 years ago. I only had to replace the ear cups twice in that total length of ownership. Once was for the exact cups. The last time which was 9 years ago was with the Beyerdynamics.

 

If you really want better sound, you should start looking at headphones described as "rich" and "well-rounded". The Shure SE115's and Klipsch Image S4's are good headphones for that. Nice, balanced sound with full, rich bass.

When you ask about headphones and emphasize the importance of bass, you will typically get headphones that emphasize bass too much. The bass is overwhelming, muddy, and distorted at the expense of mid and high frequencies. If you're looking for so much bass that you get a headache, then those kinds of headphones are the ones for you. But if you're actually looking for decent sound quality, you want to look for headphones described as "rich", "balanced", or "well-rounded."

 

yeah, but these are both in ear headphones, Im looking around for over-ear headphones. and If im going to get Shure, I have my eyes set on the Shure SE315's but for overear headphones, Im really new to them all, and my first pair are the ones in my sig but I want MORE bass than what my current cans can offer. I already have balanced in ear headphones so that area is covered, I have Vmoda's right now but looking out for the Sony EX500 for my regular use until I get the Shure ones, but I also saw the Sennheiser IE6 and the new Bose IE2 on sale here thought I might check 'em out when I get a bit more cash but atm whatever my current headphones sell for thats all the money Ill have to buy new ones

 

Ah, my mistake on the in-ear / over-the-ear headphones. Have you considered Grado SR-60's? They have fantastic in-your-face sound, often described by audiophiles as the sound experience of being on-stage with the band, rather than in the audience sitting back and listening to music. Grado headphones are ugly as sin, but are for your ears.

 

they seem to be going for around £80-100+ here, Ill see if I can find a cheap deal somewhere but im looking for around £~40-50
but thanks for the suggestion Ill check 'em out

 

Rofl sounds so true. I told some of my friends I'm getting some dope new headphones (UE Triplefi 10) and they all assumed I was talking about Dre's.

I would just say check out Head-Fi and see if they have any reviews up and stuff like that.

 

oh yeahhh I forgot about head-fi thanks for reminding me

 

Thanks 2.0, I really appreciate you taking the time to refer these to me I've started searching for them but they still seem a bit high let alone adding on an extra pair or pads , hopefully if I find a good pair on a great deal then its unlikely right now that I can buy the whole set-up
I found the pads to be around £13-15 and Im looking for around £60 for a total set-up since thats how much I'm aiming to sell my current headphones for. I'm thinking It might be cheaper to get them shipping to the UK from the US and I have more of a budget to work with since it works out to be around $90.....decisions decisions..........
If they are current model's I'm thinking of popping into my local SonyStyle centre and seeing if they'd let me try them out.

 

okay, so I havent been able to sell my headphones >_< but Ive been looking around for different headphones and ones that surprised me in sound where Sennheiser HD428 and the HD205 (i think?), they sounded reall good, but I also saw the HD 438 which said for bass on the box, but they didnt have them on display to try at the store i went to, anyone have any experience in these? Also if someone could recommend a good amp, under $60-70 since my brother's going to usa in a few months so ill order everything from back in the to get everything I want for less (compared to UK) Thanks

 

I have used the Sony MDR-XB700s for a while now. They have amazing bass, and the trebles and mids are great too. They are very comfortable. The only problem I have with them is the short cord, but an extension lead from eBay (very cheap) fixes that. I would say definitely go for them over the 500s, the 700s are the newer improved version and aren't much more expensive.

 

only thing for me is that I need good isolation, since I usually sit among others in an office environment,

EDIT: Since my OP, my priorities have changed from bass heavy music headphones to sound editing headphones-I've currently been looking into getting Beyerdynamic DT 770 80ohm since they offer really good isolation plus I dont need to have an amp to power them, but if I dont get one in the future it will definitely but a boost

 

I would not get anything by skullcandy, at first they sound good but then a week later you will notice them cracked/broken for no reason at all, most people i know who fall into the trap of skullcandy usually go through about 3-4 pairs...

I would go with the Sony MDR-XB700 well worth the cost and the quality is their for a sub 100 pair of headphones

 

Did you ever consider the ATH-M50?

 

I havent until now, my main points im looking in my next pair of headphones are
-Sound Isolation
-Audio editing use ( Class and audio lecture editing)
that's my work use out of the way, now for my personal music usage:

I need it to have really good thumping bass, but not something thats overshadowing the highs and mids TOO much, now my only problem is that the money I had saved for the Beyerdynamics, got used in an emergency and I'm left with the same amount I had before, which is $50(£35) or so. I just need to start searching again for headphones in this price range

 

I wouldn't touch Skullcandy at all.

If they break, you have to send them in to Utah, pay the shipping there and wait 5 weeks to get a new pair. They have the worst warranty service. Sony is a much better company to deal with.

 

yeah Skullcandy's are out of the question right now. I've had experience with Sony's before and even though I bought stuff overseas they usually repair it here at my local Sony Centre or give me a replacement whatever is really needed for it.
Im deciding to save up for the Beyerdynamic DT 770 80ohm as they seem the best choice and an investment for me right now. They are one of the only cans that Ive read about so far that offer excellent sound isolation which gets it a 5/5 in my books

 

Well Sony have just launched the mdr xb-1000 which will no doubt give pumping bass at a decent bang for buck (or should I say boom for buck). Of course Beyer Dynamic will be amazing but if I was short on cash, the MDR's are the way forward.

 

Just buy the Sony MDR-V6 already. I don't think you can do better than buying the V6's
I have been using a pair of V6's about a year now, and all I can say is they are the best all around headphones you can buy (that would be the best un-amplified headphones. there are tons of headphones for lots of $$$ that sound marginally better than the V6's, but they have to be powered by a good amplifier). Sound quality is simply stunning and truly beyond compare; and for the price you should just buy them already and enjoy the hell out of them!!
They are very very very comfortable and don't leak much of any sound, they fold up and can then be moved around easily, the construction is better than rock solid (even the folding mechanisms are rock solid), have a great cord, and just buy them already, lol



I also recently bought a pair of XB700's (not for myself, for my little brother), they are "fun" to listen to, and they sound pretty decent, even compared to the V6's. They have a TON of bass, but the rest of the sound spectrum sounds so-so to terrible (and sometimes the bass is all there is -it overwhelms the rest of the sound spectrum)

So, to recap. Shut up about other headphones, stop worrying about other headphones, buy the V6's, and enjoy the hell out of them; you won't regret it

 

The reason I'm hanging on to the Beyerdynamic DT770 is because of this video
YouTube - Beyerdynamic DT-770 Pro sound pollution test

If I can get this type of sound isolation from the V6 then Ill look into buying them real soon, otherwise my only other choice is saving up for these^

As Ive stated before only 3 things matter to me right now, In this order
-Sound Isolation - Enviroment I work in all the time is really quite and needs to stay that way.
-Sound Editing - I'm thinking any headphone should be fine for this, since its just regular audio recording done from a laptop
-great bass output - Personal Music listening and my choice in music is mostly bass oriented but I do however still listen to a variety of all types of genre's

 

Well, do you plan on using the V6's (if you were to get them) with the Beyedynamic velour pads, or with the standard pads? I ask because the standard pads are better at noise isolating than the velour pads are.

The V6's get quite loud if you crank up the volume all the way (but turning it down to ~90% or less, I don't think you will have to worry about sound leak. listening at 90-100% volume for more than 2-3 songs WILL make your ears hurt, they are LOUD headphones!!)

They have really nice (clear, deep, and punchy) bass, it does not overwhelm anything, and the entire sound spectrum sounds great. Many people do sound editing on the V6's (and their twins the 7506's) because of their great/ accurate sound spectrum and great bass, as well as comfort (the ones that do it as a hobby; not so much for true professional work as they choose super expensive headsets, but thats a whole different story) They can be plugged into even a ipod, and they still sound great (ipods are pretty underpowered devices), for not needing an amp, the V6's are -without doubt- one of the 2 or 3 headphones that are this good


The V6's will excel at everything you want a pair of headphones for

 

I dont know how other headphones are, but the jvc ha-rx700 am using now is very very nice, great bass and nice clarity..

 

Well, I've seen most people who go for heavy heavy bass go for the Dre Beats
maybe its your thing maybe its not.

 

Do yourself a favor and stay away from the skullcandies... they have to be the worst way to loose money on the market. They have a nothing-above-average sound and they use the cheapest material for its construction. Trust me.

 

yeah, I have my eyes on the Beats studio as well as the DT770 if I could how well they do with sound leakage I might seriously consider them.

yeah dont worry I'm staying away from skullcandy headphones

If anyone has any other suggestions to other brands that fit my needs/requirements that would be great since I have no clue on audio brands and different headphones they offer.

 

Stay far far away from Skullcandy's, Monster's (the Beats by Dre), and Bose's headphones; they are the crappiest crap you can buy (unless you just HAVE to buy into the stupid status symbol they are, and have a crappy product on your hands)


Dude, just buy the Sony MDR-V6, you really can't buy a better sounding/ more comfortable, super durable (metal framework, with a nice leatherette headband, comfortable ear cushions, ect...), or quieter (to another person, as long as you don't have volume at 100%, but your ears will hurt if you use them at 100% for an extended period of time) pair of headphones... just buy it and you will enjoy them non stop -there are really no flaws to it.

 

I never said there were any flaws but If I'm going to be buying a headset for all my needs I rather just buy one good one, hence aiming a bit higher for the DT770, only reason I considered the Beats Studio was becuase most people dont think it worth the price hike it has over other headphones, but I can get it for around 80-110 so I thought I might take it into consideration. I know there are several audiophiles on this forum as well, and just wanted to know if there were any heaphones from other brands that have yet to be mentions such as Audio Technica, Grados, Sennheiser, Denon, B & W, and other brands that fit my requirements. Thanks for all the input and suggestions so far, I really appreciate all the help.

 

The DT770 would be your best bet. An alternative would be the ATH-A700 which sounds natural but slightly weak in the mids. The bass is just perfect for me though.

I've tried out the Beats, and the bass was too heavy for my tastes. I also don't trust noise canceling technology as you lose some frequencies at times. I had a friend who owns the Beats try out my ATH-ES7 and they preferred what I had XD

All-in-all it's best to try them out in person to find which suits your needs/tastes. Also, brand new cans don't sound the same to well used ones, so you might have to burn them in to get your optimal sound.

The Grados are open superaural cans, so not great if you need sound isolation. Great for rock though. Too bad I sold my SR-80 to obtain my ATH-A700. Also, there's less bass on open cans, compared to closed cans.

Hope this helps you decide

 

If thats the case. Take a look at Audio Technica M50s

 

beats are actually okay if you like overpowered bass. i tried them once, bass was too strong for my taste but it didn't completely drown out everything else like i expected.
it's an okay option, little over priced compared to more balanced phones, but that's what you pay if you opt for very coloured phones.

 

Yeah, thast why I noted that they're an option cause I have the option of getting them at a lower price

Thing is I dunno where about to try headphones, I saw the Beats Studio at HMV but non working, but I have no idea of a retail store where I can check out listen and buy audiophile-grade headphones or maybe I havent been around properly to know where to check.

the Audio Technica's ATH-A700 have been added to my list thanks for the suggestion I definitely like the look better than the DT770 but Ill check around and see if I can find someone who has both and what their thoughts are on between the two. I was readingn around and saw that quite a few people were saying the pads arent the greatest for sound isolation and sound leakage. Ill have to check into that later.

So far I have, Beyerdynamic DT770 80ohm, Audio Technica ATH-A700, and Beats Studio anything else
EDIT: I'll look into the M50s as well, dont know much about them but thanks for the suggestions as well.

 

This seems like a good thread to jump in with a fresh question. If I value fidelity (flat frequency response) over everything else what are my top choices under each of the following sub-categories?

1) No cost consideration...best on market.
2) Best value.
3) Your personal pick if not covered in 1 and 2.

 

@RayStar Assuming you're in London, Tottenham Court Road is a great place to try out a few, especially Audio Technica and Grado. Haven't found anywhere to test the Beyerdynamics yet. Though some of the retailers won't open the box for you to test them if they're sealed. Just a reminder, brand new doesn't sound anything like a burned-in pair.

 

Yeah, I'm from Croydon but work in Southbank, I'll try to find time to visit Tottenham Court, any shops in particular I should be on the look-out for? Well considering what you've said about being able to try a few they should be burned in if they have the ones I'm looking for on display. I would love to find a place to try the Beyerdynamics I'll be buying whatever I want from the US since my dads going next month but Ill have to check out headfi.org to see if I can find a kind enough member to meet-up and let me try their pair.

EDIT: since you own a pair of the A700 could you tell me how your headphones compare to the DT770's in this video in reference to sound leakage
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jsg3qHgE-ds
As long as I can find headphones to keep the sound in with minimal sound leakage then its on my list
I dont know if you've had the chance to try out the M50s but from what I've read people prefer those over the A700? I've also read the M50s have a better soundstage and have better bass compared to the A700, I dont know how much truth there is in that or if their sound choice differ's than what I like it makes a huge difference from person to person

 

I never have my default laptop volume higher than 40% via headphones. When listening to music I have it set to 30% and in iTunes/foobar2000 less than 80%. There's quite minimal sound leakage at those volumes. I'm using the Creative X-Fi Xtreme Audio Notebook Sound Card as well, but all at flat settings. I don't mind meeting up anywhere in Zone 1 on the weekend or after uni lectures/classes if you want to test them out though. I also have the ATH ES-7 which are closed superaural.

 

Yh, I dont always keep my volume over 50% unless needed (read: cheap earphones) but even then when I'm in the mood to blast my music then Ill raise the volume higher especially with the type of music I listen to.

Do you only use your headphones with your laptop or do you have an other devices that use it with as well? I use my iPod Touch as well to listen to music. I would love to try both PM me so we can sort something out.

 

I use them with my iPhone 3GS as well. Sometimes with the FiiO E5 for the extra boost. Kinda looking at the iBasso DAC/amps at the moment. And for my PS3 directly from my LCD monitor.

 

ahh okay so you must use the Fiio L1/3 iPhone adapter then, correct? At the moment I want to settle for some headphones first then Ill look into saving up for a portable amp btw, what's your prefered type of music that you listen to if you dont mind me asking.
----
This is for those who would like to chip in and suggest or recommend some headphones that fit my criteria. The reason I need headphones that have good sound isolation and minimum sound leakage is because I'm usually in a quiet office type of enviroment where I'm surrounded by quite a few other people with almost 95% of them not keen on the type of music I listen to or feel irritated by any kind of noise for that matter mostly due to more than half of them being quite old. so to keep myself out of trouble and enjoy myself with my music or concentrate on work I need closed headphones that offer great isolation.

 

Nah. I just use the standard 3.5mm jack. I had the FiiO before I ever got my iPhone.

I listen to rock, metal, some ballads, but mostly anime and game soundtracks, as well as Vocaloid music.