Topic: Ath M40x or Sony mdr7506

Hi!,

I’ve been trying to find a nice pair of headphones for my setup, i’m only interested in practicing, not mixing or recording. I have a Yamaha CLP 470, MacBook Air and Pianoteq 6, i send the audio from Pianoteq back to the clp through the headphone output of the MacBook but i think the obtained Sound from the clp speakers is not the best i can get from Pianoteq. Buying monitors can be really difficult and expensive, so i’ve decided to get headphones.

With a budget of no more than $150, i reduced the search to the Sony MDR7506 and the Audio technica M40x. The reviews of both models are really good, the Sony’s have a better score than the M40x (very small difference).

Which one is the best option if I want the best piano sound possible (in budget)?

Thanks

Re: Ath M40x or Sony mdr7506

I’d encourage you to check out the Sennheiser, Beyerdynamic and AKG headphones in that price range - I think you’ll get a better experience for Pianoteq. Not a fan of the Audio-Technica headphones, don’t like the sound (personal choice). I ended up with the AKG K240 Studios at the lower end of your price range, but at around US$150 I would have gone with the Beyerdynamic DT 770.

I’ve owned Sony 7506s for years. In Pianoteq, they force me to play carefully because mistakes become very prominent - almost jarring. If I’m really trying to perfect a piece, I’ll use the 7506s. My main problem with them, they are tight on my big head and the closed back earphones with high mids really fatigue my ears after about an hour of playing.

I much preferred the AKG, Sennheiser and Beyerdynamics for everyday playing. I only play about 25% of the time with headphones so I ended up with the AKG K240 Studio semi-open back headphones (around US$70). They cause very little ear fatigue, I can wear them for 3-4 hours, no problem. If I practiced more with headphones (50% or more of the time), I would have considered the more expensive Sennheiser or Beyerdynamics, with the Beyerdynamic DT 770 being the standout for me both in sound, comfort and lack of ear fatigue.

Worth mentioning are Samson SR850 Studio Reference headphones for around US$30. These are a ridiculously great bang-for-the-buck headphones. I got a pair for my main work computer, just because they’re so great for the price. If my AKGs were lost/damaged, I could happily practice with the SR850 (they have almost the same type of design). And at 32 ohms the SR850s work well with consumer electronics - like the headphone jack of the MacBook Air. I usually have the AKG K240 Studios and Sony 7506S at around 50-70% volume. But the SR850s are comfortably loud at around 30-50% volume. One note - compared to the larger and open feel and sound of the AKG K240 Studios the SR850s sound slightly more closed, and also tighter on my head, with the Sony 7506s sounding and feeling very, very closed and tight on my head.

FWIW
- I used the MacBook Air headphone jack when I was testing headphones at different stores, so I couldn’t test headphones that require over 100+ ohms.

- In my home studio, I use the Mackie MDB-USB Stereo Direct Box (DAC). Comparing headphones on the external Mackie DAC to the MacBook Air headphone jack - I honestly cannot detect a difference in audio quality. It only makes a difference when I route the audio to large powered speakers (QSC 8.2s) then the Mackie DAC makes a difference.

Last edited by Groove On (30-07-2018 04:32)

Re: Ath M40x or Sony mdr7506

If by any chance you're based in the US, there's an ongoing sale on massdrop.com for Sennheiser HD58x Jubilee for 150$. These should supposedly be better than all of the discussed models. I got them and I'm very happy with them (after some very easy to do, completely reversible modding). I didn't have the chance to compare them to the HD598 or 599 though.

All of the models above are open, so you will hear sounds from the exterior and people around you will hear sounds from the headphones, but this makes for a more natural sound for you and they're more comfortable to wear and listen to for long periods of time.

I also have the SR850 and it's indeed crazy good for it's price, if you don't want to spend too much. It's not as good as the Senn, but it's more than worth the money and I enjoyed it for a very long time.

Re: Ath M40x or Sony mdr7506

I like the sound of my Grado SR80i. As always with particular headphones, you like them or not. I use them with Focusrite 2i4. Got better sound than direct from Mac mini headphone output. If you try them, don’t exclude Grado SR80 because of lack of sub bass and retro look. I chose them because of open-back and the sound. When I can here people when playing, I know the volym is not too high for me, I can hear if the phone rings if it requires my attention. Sound that leaks out don’t bother people in same room. And for me, they sound quite flat, which i need when modifying sound. The foam earpads is nice to my ears.
     And, as I have been told, they have stereo speakers and deliver sound from independent channels on both left and right sides, creating a richer sound and a better experience. If you want crisp and detailed output, these could be the one. Use good quality audio files, and they shine. It is tough to find a headphone that balances price and sound quality. These don’t blow a  hole in budget and do the job good enough.
Well, that’s what I think about it, based of course, subjectively, on my personal feelings.

Re: Ath M40x or Sony mdr7506

I'm very satisfied with my sony mdr7506 for 25 years now, they have a very direct and detailed sound with no fat low sounds bullshit. But this is all extremely and fundamentally subjective, so you have to just try. Also don't underestimate the habituation effect.

Re: Ath M40x or Sony mdr7506

I have Audio technica ath-m40x. Close back, detachable cable, good quality, excellent sound. No complaints for that money. I have also Grado sr80i, Yamaha hph-200p. All of this are good, but if I must choose then ath-m40x no doubt.

Last edited by slobajudge (04-08-2018 20:53)