Headphones for computer/portable usage. Sony MDR-V6 vs. Sennheiser HD-497

[subxeon]

Well my sony headphones died, so now i'm in the market for new ones. I want a great pair for using on my klipsch 2.1 headphone jack and my slimx mp3 player, From what I've read, these two choices are great for non-amped usage.

Does anybody have any personal experience with the Sony MDR-V6 (which is now Sony MDR-7506 I guess) and the Sennheiser HD-497? I am lookin for comfortable and durable headphones with great highs, mids, and bass.


Prices
Best I could find.
HD-497: $49 shipped
MDR-V6: ~$70 Shipped
MDR-7506: like 90 or something, lot more expensive than the v6, but can someone verifty they are exactly the same? I'd like to get the 7506 since Sony doesn't make V6 anymore. Possible warrenty would be nice.

P.S. I question the construction quality of the sennheiser 497's. If any of you can provide maybe a better model or something, i am open to all input , thank you for your time.

sorry if this is in the wrong section, it seems as though it would fit for i will be using this for computers also.

 

[brinstar117]

www.etronics.com carries the Sony V-6 for $59.99 plus a nominal shipping fee. However as I post this, it doesn't appear that they are in stock.

I have purchased from them and received them in a timely fashion.

Although I don't have any Sennheiser cans I can wholeheartedly recommend the V-6's. Though I prefer the sound quality of my Grado SR-80's a great deal more, they aren't constructed well enough to be thrown around in a bag, nor do they fold up like the V-6's do which makes them easy to tote around.

The 7506's are nearly the same as the V-6's. The only minor differences are that the drivers are slightly better matched (very slightly), and that the jack is gold plated. I don't believe that it's worth the price difference. I've heard reports that there are 7506's that have come with V-6 drivers, so that probably means the specs are close enough to not warrant paying more for the 7506's.

 

[subxeon]

Thank you for your reply, very helpful.

I'm not sure about the Grado's, their appearance is not too pleasing. Also I've heard the comfort is bad with them.

Now my decision, i'm looking for good sound quality, and semi-good looks.. teh grados' are just too cheap looking. Can anyone find me a good quality sound/semi good looking pair of headphones. The sennheisers look good, and are uncomfortable, but thats ok, if they sound real good, thats what I'd purchase.

 

[sylvangale]

Koss Portapro headphones are nice and the KSC-35s look good. I'm expecting the Koss KSC-35s really soon. They're more portable/convenient (clip on ear style) with same driver as the portapro.

Here's a link to Headphone.com's review on the KSC-35 KSC opinion . If you scroll to the bottom you can get to the portapro review easily under "substitute products".

 

[Fulcrum]

I have MDR-V6. They sound about as good to me as my old Grado SR60(which sound great for the price). I've never been able to compare directly though as I bought the MDR-V6 to replace the SR60 after it died. The MDR-V6 is much more comfortable than the SR60 and seem very durable. I think you'll be happy with the MDR-V6. Want more options? Visit Headroom.

 

[IKeelU]

Headrooom seemed to like the HD-497s quite a bit. I was going to get them until I saw how cheap etronics was selling the HD280 Pros. For comfort you can't beat Senns IMO, and both of these are sealed too.

btw thanks for the link brinstar. I didn't think I would ever find a store that had Canadian prices this good.

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: subxeon
Thank you for your reply, very helpful.

I'm not sure about the Grado's, their appearance is not too pleasing. Also I've heard the comfort is bad with them.

Now my decision, i'm looking for good sound quality, and semi-good looks.. teh grados' are just too cheap looking. Can anyone find me a good quality sound/semi good looking pair of headphones. The sennheisers look good, and are uncomfortable, but thats ok, if they sound real good, thats what I'd purchase.

If you're going for looks . . . you are no audiophile. Perhaps you should look into Bose(o) Headphones.


The Grados have the best 'sound' in an open design with no need for a headphone amp. Plus they lie flat. The SR60s are considered the best-bang-for-the-buck in the audiophile world (where music is the compelling criteria).

The people complaining about comfort haven't discovered that bending the headband (outward) makes them less tight.

 

[subxeon]

Well I have decided i'll get the MDR-V6 by sony... haven't heard too much negative about them, teh durability, the sound, the price, the looks.. all good things .. hehe

thanks for your participation in this dicussion all..

 

[apoppin]

You are making a good choice. The Sonys appear highly regarded by AT Forum members.

 

[mobogasm]

I have the Sony MDR-V700 and like them a lot, only thing abouto them is that they seem a little uncomfortable when wearing them for extended periods of time.

 

[TripperJoe]

I live and die by my V6's. They even go with me on the airplane so I can actually hear dialogue during in-flight movies.

I have small ears, so I'm fine with the sorta earmuff effect. Some of my friends have complained that they squish their ears painfully after awhile.

I'll wear them for 5hrs though without trouble. Guess it's YMMV for your ears.

 

[ChoppedBroccoli]

I personally like the Grado SR-80's I just purchased (i went throught the same process a few weeks ago). They are a bit more expensive ($85-$95) however and are not very portable. They do sound great though!

I say go for the Senn. HD-497's. They are a great deal for under $50. They look good, sound good, are comfortabel and are portable. Moreover, they have a relatively low impedance (i think its 32ohm) and if i remember correctly the sony mdr v-6's are 4 times that (correct me if I am wrong). Your iRiver will be able to drive the Senn's much better most likely.

Anyway, it looks like you decided on the Sony's, which are a nice pair too. I personally didn't like the fact that they demanded so much power nor did i like the fact that the Sony's added to much extra 'color' to the music (the Senn's do this to...the Grados however DO NOT!). Anyway, my opinion isn't really what matters...MAKE SURE YOU go to a local store and listen to the Senn's (Best Buy, Circuit City, etc?) and the Sony's (Fry's, Best Buy, etc?) and see for yourself. If you are going to invest $50+ in headphones, make sure you like them first!

 

[iluvdeal]

Anyway, it looks like you decided on the Sony's, which are a nice pair too. I personally didn't like the fact that they demanded so much power nor did i like the fact that the Sony's added to much extra 'color' to the music

Sony V6 will have no trouble being driven by SlimX. They are known as very accurate cans, if anything they bring out all the flaws in your source material. That's a big reason the V6's are popular among DJs.

 

[flood]

Flood gives the V6's a big thumbs up!

V6 = very flat response with little to no coloration, and can be driven off very little power

sony v6 vs grado sr80 = v6 0wn j00!

 

[Magicthyse]

The 7506 is a decent phone - I haven't too much experience with it, but it struck me as decent and comfortable.
The HD497 is open - so you might have a problem if you work in high-noise areas. Superb sounding phone tho for the home - especially for the money.
Another Senn worth looking into (and stunningly cheap for what it is) is the closed HD 212 Pro. Although sound is not as good as the 497, you'll be able to hear more in all environments. Styling similar to 497.
Alternatively the Beyerdynamic DT 231 is a balanced, low-cost closed phone with good characteristics for portable equipment.

Others worth looking into:
Sennheiser HD280 Pro - strictly studio monitors (very accurate, very flat - could be rather boring to listen to), awesome isolation, collapsible, built really well (but rather plasticky), will work from your SlimX. Pity they can be uncomfortable due to a design oversight, and make you look like a dork.
Koss KSC-55 - Dirt cheap, 'street style' open phone. Doesn't look too bad. Sound quality on a par with many open phones with higher price tags.
It's also said that the closed Beyerdynamic DT250-80 can be driven by portable equipment. I'm looking into it and I'm not entirely sure about that - but another one worth looking into.

I have the SR60 and SR225 from Grado, and I would not say that these are phones to use with the SlimX if you're out and about. They are too open and the phones will sound like junk outside. I prefer the bowl pads for comfort (I have small ears and they can sit within the bowl if I tweak them) but many people seem to find the foamies comfortable for extended listening.

Alternatively, run over to www.audiocubes.com where you can choose from a host of exotic Japanese phones. I've got the Audio-Technica ATH-A9X on order.

 

[Adul]

i prefer the senss here myself

 

[QwErTyBk]

Just bought the sennheiser HD 497's and they sound great. Very happy with my purchase.

 

[aswedc]

Originally posted by: QwErTyBk
Just bought the sennheiser HD 497's and they sound great. Very happy with my purchase.

Getting mine tomorrow and I can't wait. The Sony StreetStyle ones that came with my CD player are annoying with glasses....