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Monoprice and Audio Technica

imral3

imral3

Enjoy the musics!!
Being kind of new to the headphone game, and really even so to actually caring about headphone SQ, I wanted to get something better than my current cans. I've been using Scosche RH1056md for a few years. However, Arriving Wednesday is Monoprice 8323 and arriving Friday is Audio Technica ATH-50x. Bit of a margin in cost, but both have had great reviews. I wanted to see what the performance difference may be between different price points. For now I'll be listening straight from my Note 8's headphone output. The future may include a dedicated HP amp. Is it Wednesday and Friday yet?
 
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Well, the Monoprice 8323 cans just arrived:
monoprice 8323 cans.jpg
After a quick 5 minute listen, to snippets of the usual test tracks, these sound much better than the Scosche I've been using. More bass (first impression it's a tad muddy) and clearer midrange and highs. Will give them a thorough workout later tonight after the NBA game - at least 2 or 3 albums. I will report back later. Build quality seems a little flimsy. But, hey for less than 24 clams including shipping (caught a sale) I like 'em so far! Now to focus on the new amplifiers I received via UPS... :naughty:
 
Listening to Kansas' Leftoverture before the game. Again, the Monoprice 8323 sounds good. Clear, good mid-range, well defined treble but maybe just a tad dull way up there. Still deliberating on the bass. No, not the fish. These are lightweight and comfortable, so far. Just the right amount of head squeeze. Definitely good for those on a budget. :thumbsup::thumbsup:
 
I started my journey with those Monoprice cans. Now I never, ever play them, but they're okay for the price. The ATH-50x were miles better. I've since found many that are even better than those.
Stop at the 50s if you like them, I still use nubs at work. They'll do you fine, but know that there are a lot of other sounds out there.
 
@TerryB123 Yeah, I wanted jump right in with the Monolith M1060c and a headphone amp. But, for now I still prefer speakers when I'm listening. If I'm going to be tied to one spot I'll choose my humble little system over headphones. Maybe after I upgrade my system I will concentrate on more serious headphonery. Thanks for your reply!
 
A good heaphone setup is nice. I find I have a cycle where I listen with speakers for a bit and then use my headphones either because I want to or I need to (have some volume constraints where I am). When I do, I remember how much I enjoy listening with headphones and listen with headphones for awhile.... until I decide to try speakers again and then remember how much I enjoy the speakers. And back and forth I go.
 
judsonw said:
A good heaphone setup is nice. I find I have a cycle where I listen with speakers for a bit and then use my headphones either because I want to or I need to (have some volume constraints where I am). When I do, I remember how much I enjoy listening with headphones and listen with headphones for awhile.... until I decide to try speakers again and then remember how much I enjoy the speakers. And back and forth I go.
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Sounds like a pattern I'd easily fall into. Lol. A new living arrangement, within the next couple months, may change my need for a more headphone focused setup. Maybe a proper, and separate from system, headphone setup will be in order. :idea:
 
imral3 said:
Sounds like a pattern I'd easily fall into. Lol. A new living arrangement, within the next couple months, may change my need for a more headphone focused setup. Maybe a proper, and separate from system, headphone setup will be in order. :idea:
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For my system I use an old Realistic Tape Control Center that can take up to four inputs and up to four outputs. It does mean I have to get up and switch if I want change sources, but I generally stay either on vinyl or digital for my listening. It also means I can sent the signal to the integrated amp or my headphone amp with just a couple switches.

It could be better, and I have plans to someday make a better switch box (this one has common grounds for both channels and results in some bleed of audio that I would rather not have).
 
I'm 100% digital. My system is currently at my PC. However, I already have both Plex and Subsonic for remote streaming on my phone, FireTV, etc. Maybe a tablet with a Schiit DAC/headphone amp combo. Someday. Lol.
 
Well, well, well... what a nice surprise. The Audio Technica ATH-M50x arrived a day early.
aud tech cans.jpg
Again, a few minutes flipping through the usual test tracks and holy geez these things sound amazing! First impression is there's maybe a little less bass than the Monoprice 8323. Although, I bet that can be attributed to there being better controlled and well defined bass. Plus, I'm sure the incredibly clear and airy mids and crystal clear highs add to that perception. Much more sizzle and sparkle than the Monoprice cans. I am hooked! More headphone listening to be done later tonight. Now, back to enjoying the main system.
 
I'm really enjoying these Audio-Technica cans! However, I found them a little thin sounding being driven straight from my Note 8. Grabbed my Fiio A3 portable headphone amp and voila! Much fuller sound with the extra push from the Fiio!
 
Nice. I am glad to hear you are enjoying them. The Audio Technica ATH-M series has been on my radar for awhile to fill the closed back niche for me (Presently have Sennheiser HD600s which I love and Etymotic HF5 which are great for work and travel). I am tempted to save up for the ATH-M70x even though some of their reviews are not as good.
 
The M50x and M70x are very close in specs. Not so much in price. I'd like to hear the difference, if any. :dunno:
 
Most reviews seem to say that the M70x are either more lacking in bass or more neutral. Which is probably a matter of perspective. I have done some sound stuff before and a friend asked me to do sound for his band, so good neutral mixing headphones could be good.
 
Interesting to read your comparisons @imral3 - breaking in my new M50x as well - my first serious headphones ever. Will be interested to know if you perceive any changes as you put more hours on yours.
 
honestly if you want an incredible pair of audio technicas, for reasonable try out the ath-msr7. im listening to a pair now
 
Johnny_Law said:
Interesting to read your comparisons @imral3 - breaking in my new M50x as well - my first serious headphones ever. Will be interested to know if you perceive any changes as you put more hours on yours.
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My first "real" cans, also. I'd say I have between 20 and 30 hours already. Still amazed by them.
 
imral3 said:
Well, the Monoprice 8323 cans just arrived:
View attachment 1528340
After a quick 5 minute listen, to snippets of the usual test tracks, these sound much better than the Scosche I've been using. More bass (first impression it's a tad muddy) and clearer midrange and highs. Will give them a thorough workout later tonight after the NBA game - at least 2 or 3 albums. I will report back later. Build quality seems a little flimsy. But, hey for less than 24 clams including shipping (caught a sale) I like 'em so far! Now to focus on the new amplifiers I received via UPS... :naughty:
Click to expand...
I have the predecessor to these. Best $23 headphones I ever bought!:banana:
 
MCS3233 said:
I have the predecessor to these. Best $23 headphones I ever bought!:banana:
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Agreed! Nothing compared to the A-T's, and I'm sure many other more expensive, serious cans. I think I'm gonna make these my travlin'-out-the-house headphones driven by just my phone.
 
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