Damage Reviews: Sony MDR-XD400

[Damage]

Copy and pasted from my initial review on Head-Fi. Expect a comprehensive review on these later today or this week. Hopefully

---

Big thumbs up here, post 24 hour burn-in:

Procedurals

For the burn-ins, I run a various high-bitrate MP3s on a random CD, connect the cans of choice to either D-NE1 or D-NE900 (I find the two sound fairly interchangable), and chuck the entire setup for couple of days or so in a drawer. About couple of days later, you have a well burned in phone.

For this quickie, the equipment are as follows:

D-NE1 -> RM-MC33EL -> MDR-XD400 (Remotes are necessary to control this unit more or less).

MZ-NH1 -> MDR-XD300 (for some hours, no more than 5 to 10 hours burn in)

No Digital Megabass applied.

MP3s include:

Outrun2 soundtrack (Jazz vocals, Easy Rock instrumental)

Cowboy Bebop soundtrack, vols 1-3 (Jazz vocals, jazz tracks, world tracks)

FLCL OST 1 (J-Rock)

Random assortments of JPOP, Hard Rock instrumentals, and Electronica.

Bass

They can drive a quite a bit of bass if necessary. Even with the Digital MegaBass setting at 2, i tpumps out all the bass and retains quite a bit of bass details without being flabby or messy. At these high bass boost levels, it becomes almost as if you're strapping a very small subwoofer on your ears, and I can almost feel the bass through my body. Amazing.

Not to say that these are total bass-head set of cans, the bass isn't overwhelming at default (no EQ) settings under MUSIC mode, it might be infact somewhat muted for bass lovers. MOVIE mode adds a bit of mid-bass to the sound, somewhat similar to the CD580s, but nothing too overpowering.

I left mine on at MUSIC setting.

Vocals

Other than its staging slightly towards behind (maybe recessed is a better word?) and initial nasalness, there's nothing to really complain about. The nasalness that I really didn't like with XD300 is still somewhat present with the XD400, but I'm uncertain at this point whether it's truly nasal or just bright at the female vocal tracks.

As for XD300, the vocals (male and female) suffers from a bout of sinal infection, or Barbara Streisanditis. Perhaps my unit was a dud, but even with a bit of burn-in (about 5-6 odd hours or so) didn't clear it up, not one bit. I didn't like it. You might, however.

Trebles

XD300 sounds like there's a veil over the entire treble range, and be it sibilance, brightness, or detail, but quite a bit of that brightness is lost. It makes everything sound a bit dull.

XD400, on the other hand, lifts the vail right out, and rounds out the entire package. It could be contrived as bright, almost sibilant to some, but I find the touch of that brightness adds to the overall SQ of the XD400. The final sound of the 400s sounds energetic and overall complete vs. the XD300s.

Ergonomics

Very light and comfortable, but traps heat much like some other closed cans. The Pleather pad also picks up sweat and oil like there's no business though (the CD580's cloth padding was very comfy vs. the pleathers). It's essentially designed for extended listening for Music or Movie, though if you're on the sweaty side, something to consider.

So far

Great cans, but the nasal vocals I need to investigate more, i.e. more burn-in time. I wonder if the mids' are far brighter than I first thought (thus the nasalness of the vocals in the 300 and perhaps in the 400)? I'll listen to more sources in the next few upcoming days to round out my opinion, but chances are, they won't change much, I think.

Having said that, I'd totally avoid the XD300s, considering that the XD200s are half the price, and the 400s can be had for $20-40 extra vs. the XD300s depending on the retailer.

--

Afterwards, I noted this in the same thread:

I've yet to hear the XD200s (I did see them near by, or so I thought), but I'll get my hands on those and do a full comparison with the 200s and the 400s. But I would hesistate to recommend XD300s, maybe I just had a bum unit, maybe its something else entirely different, but given the choice, I'd stick with 400s.

Did I mention how insane the bass can be pumped through these cans? I'd say they are perfect for watching action movies while keeping the room quiet and vibrationless (from all the explosions and such).

The bass on these cans are amazing!!

You can set the XD400 to give you what is probably a great listening experience no matter the device or the situation (as well as a $100 set of can give). Considering the audience, I'd suspect a lot of us would be happy with these as a final set of headphones.

My later impressions on these, including the huge bass these can offer:

They can drive quite a bit of bass, but depending on the source, the MUSIC mode's bass is neither boomy nor bloated. Given the proper equalization and source, however, and they can get boomy, bloated, thumping, and any various combination that you want or hate.

I will note that with my D-NE1 at Digital MegaMEGABass (setting 2) and in Movie mode, the bass becomes boomy and bloated and to a point where you can feel the bass in your body. That's perfect for late night solitary movie watching.

On a slightly more interesting note, I did manage to recreate somewhat the sound that I found with the XD300 by fiddling around with the Parametric Equalizer on the D-NE900, primairly by recessing the high-mids quite a bit. Doing that makes the vocals more nasal, and veils the trebles likewise. That might suit some listeners who may not prefer a bright sound. To me, though, it sort of flattens out the overall sound into something not quite... whole, I suppose.

And yes, these are honking huge. Be prepared to be stared at if you go out in public with these.

Very Equalizable.

Finally:

Some 50 hours in, my impression remains unchanged from before, except the MOVIE mode isn't all that great for Music listening. For example the bass line in Van Halen's "Right Now" gets muddied up nicely.

Nasalness is very much reduced, much more than before. Natalie Merchant no longer sounds like Babs, but more like herself. I'm currently listening to 10,000 Maniacs Unplugged through my NH1, and while the general bass is stronger than what I can recall, it still sounds mighty fine to my tonedeaf ears.

Initially, I was underwhelmed with these as a Gaming phone, but that I'd suspect is more due to the onboard sound vs. anything else (Nforce2 SoundStorm for the curious). There was a lot of clipping and noise, but at the same time, the environmental effects and the spacial abilites of these phones were quite satisfactory. On console gaming, set at MOVIE mode, it works fairly well and is rather enjoyable. As for TV and Movie/DVD watching? I still need to work on these, as I got these primairly for music purposes. They are very versatile however in anything you throw at it.

I'll no doubt have more to write on this, the initial nasalness of the vocals will turn off some people. Size is rather too big for portable use, and the upper-mids/vocals seems brighter than most phones, though not harsh. Trebles will probably seem harsh to some people who prefer more mellow, darker sounds, but I have no problems with it. Finally, all plastic construction makes this fragile feeling, though the two steel bars will help with its durability.

As it stands, this seems like a $100 set of phones that could be easily charged more and still be satisfactory to most listeners. The MOVIE mode is somewhat of a gimmick (and a dud to me), but the option is nice for those who like bigger bass.

Finally, because the XD400s are so easily driven and equalizable, I'm retracting my harsh stance on the XD300s for the moment. Properly equalized, I think the XD300s could very well be perfect for those of us who can't shell out the $100 MSRP but still have a quality set of headphones.

As soon as I get my grubby hands on a pair of XD200s, I intend to break it in and test them out as much in the same way as the XD400s (the 200s I intend to use for general PC usage and occassional gaming). The XD200s lack the auto headband adjustment and uses 40mm drivers vs 50mm on the XD400s. B(h)angraman already gave great review on his blog (the comparisons of good $30 budget can and the End of the World is not to be missed). But I suspect someone here will want a comparison between the two, and this is another excuse to get one.

Keep here for more details.

[atrain]

damage. i would like to thank you for the detailed & consistent aproach to informing peeps, including me.

any IRL pics?

[Damage]

Pics will be coming with more comprehensive review. Stay tuned.

Speaking of which, I intend to use several artists to get a feel for these cans. I'll list them below, feel free to add your suggestions, but unless there is something incredibly huge missing (other than R&B/Rap, as I'm not quite versed in that area other than an odd album here or there), I'll go few tracks from these albums.

U2 - How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb (Modern Rock)

The Pillows - FLCL OST 1 - (J-Rock/Alt. Rock)

Vivaldi - The Four Seasons - (Baroque)

Outrun 2 OST - (Game/Easy Rock/Instrumental)

REM - Eponymous - (Alt. Rock)

Scorpions - (Hard Rock)

Midnight Club 2 Sampler - (Trance/Electronica)

[Ishiyoshi]

How about:

1) Beethoven: Piano Sonata No.15 in D, Op.28 "Pastorale": Andante [Classical era]

2) Charles Mingus: Moanin' [Classic Jazz]

[ozpeter]

My "standard" test CD is by the Jacques Loussier Trio - "Bach to the Future/Reflections of Bach" on the "Start" label, SCD2 - but I suspect not easy to find now.

[Damage]

Because I'm lazy (and work has been murderous lately) I haven't had the chance to do a full review of these. Instead, I give you a nice comparison with the XD200s I did briefly last night, posted on head-fi. Again, since I am a lazy person, I'll just cut and paste:

Target (Brick and Mortar stores) in So. Cal (West Covina) has one pair left, used to have two before I got there tonight.

I'm doing a brief testing them vs. the XD400s, and thus far, the XD400s do trump these in every area, but then again, the XD400s are 3x the costs of the XD200s, so something like this is to be expected.

I have to say that the XD200s are not cheaper version of XD400s. Read on!

Vocals are not as sinus nor nasal as the XD300s, but as much as XD400s before burn-in. Out of the blisterpack, the mid-range sounds slightly more balanced than 400s, but that's out of the blisterpack. The vocals did resolve much nicely for the most part after about 50 odd hours of burn in for the XD400, so I'd expect the same for XD200s.

These cans are much harder to drive than the XD400s. These may perform admirably with a stronger source than a Walkman or an amp. I don't have one in my collection, so I can't say for certain.

XD200s have a bit of a smaller soundstage vs. XD400s, but I've noticed that the XD400s has a strange presentation in their soundstaging, especially with regards to cymbols and the like (they sound as if they're being played right over my head!). Overall, not too bad in this regard.

I'd say they sound softer and maybe darker than XD400s, with a touch of sibilience for the time being (guitars, cymbols, the like). I hope with a bit of burning in, that gets taken care of.

Movie-Music mode has more impact with these vs. the XD400s. They also share the same visceral, head-shaking bass impact(!!!), but I think they are more flabbier and sloppier with extra super duper bass applied. On that note, they are easily equalized to whatever flavor you like.

Well worth the $30, but at the moment, I wish I still had the XD300s to do a bit of testing with those. These will serve as a backup unit, computer unit, or wherever where critical listening isn't required. Much like the XD400s, I say these performs best of Jazz, Classical, and Acoustic sets vs. Rock or Hip Hop.

XD200 vs. Philips SBC HS900

Both retail for about $30 in many a brick and mortar, these are more portable and smaller than the XD200.

HS900 has less bass, but is sibilant with its trebles. Not detailed mind you, but the hissy, shrilly sibilant. Mids sounds really recessed on the HS900, but XD200s sounds nasal, especially with female tracks, so it's a give and take. XD200s has more controlled bass vs. HS900 with super duper mega ultra bass applied. With no bass, it's about same I'd wager. XD200s has more visceral impact with its bass. By visceral, I mean head shaking, feel it through your body type.

Comfort, it's a give and take. Both the HS900 and the XD200's plastic headband end up touching my crown, so you're aware that you've got headphones on. The HS900, with its narrower padding, feels like a pair of vice though. XD200 may lack padding on the front (rather, the sloped driver makes it feel as if it has less padding on the front), but it's more comfortable other than the earmuff effect.

XD200 is probably better in most aspects over HS900 save size, maybe trebles, maybe comfort, and lack of nasal vocals.

(Testing was done with D-NE520->iSpitter->XD200/400 and XD200/HS900. Spiderman just killed the Hobgoblin on my TV.)

[Ishiyoshi]

Thanks for the thorough comparative review.

[Damage]

I still need to do a comprehensive review for these and XD200, but briefly (or not), here's my rundown of these vs. the CD580s and V6s (similarily priced cans from Sony, the CD580s being replaced by the XD line). Here's the original post from Head-Fi, reposted here for your convenience, troll free:

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These are bare basics of my impressions of putting the two side by side. I've been using until recently, the CD580s as my main home-lounging cans. They serve that purpose well, but compared to XD400s, I think the 580s are outclassed by the 400s. In certain areas, the 580s does a better job (most notably the vocals, where the XD400s butcher things I think).

Unless otherwise noted, my samples are tested in the following config:

MZ-RH910 (both MP3 and ATRAC3plus Files) -> Monster Cable iSplitter -> XD400 & CD580 or V6. For the testing purposes (quick and dirty), XD400s remain in MUSIC mode.

XD400 vs. CD580

Having a splitter means that I can go back and forth and come to a conclusion on phones rather quickly, spot differences and such. I'll note the usual, with SQ being the last:

Comfort: Both are rather comfortable, each having its own way of auto-adjusting the headband. While both are light and comfortable, the XD400s are noticably lighter. The CD580 takes the cake here because of its cloth/faux-velour padding vs. XD400s odd angled drivers and pleather padding.

Should be noted that both 580s and 400s have angled drivers, but the CD580's padding makes the whole affair much more comfortable than 400.

Handling: XD400s are by far easier to drive and will not require any sort of amp for even the wimpiest portables. CD580s on the other hand, are noticably hard to drive, and may require an amp for best results.

SQ:

Overall: I think I like the overall presentation from XD400s, though the CD580s are a good set, with better vocals on the CD580s over the XD400s. On the other hand, the XD400s does pretty much everything else better, and does more to envelop users in a more musical experience vs. the CD580s.

Bass: The bass impact on the XD400s are much more cleaner and tighter on the XD400s vs the CD580s. CD580s bass is less impactful, less detailed, less controlled, and possibly flabbier... Hard to put it in words, but XD400s does a better job, I think.

Vocals/midrange: Vocals do suffer greatly vs. the CD580s. I did get used to the nasalness of the XD400s vocals, but switching one from another, I noticed that it's still there. Instrument details are better presented in the XD400s, whereas I think the CD580s are fudging things just a little bit...

Trebles: Again, the XD400s present more detail here, to a point where some may consider them overly bright. Feels like there's more detail to the 400s, whereas the 580s are presenting things on a bit of a darker (maybe colder is better word for it) basis, with some of the "details" masked.

Soundstaging: XD400s sounds much more wide open, but there's some problems with certain instruments. Cymbols and such present themselves right above my head, which becomes at times, very disconcerting. Vocals are slightly more forward on the CD580s vs. the XD400s, where it's presented slightly behind the head of the listener.

Despite these odd soundstaging, XD400s does a better job enveloping the listener in the overall music presentation.

----

So, here's part two of the cage match, the XD400 has thus far performed very well vs. the CD580s in most areas.

To recap, the CD580s has more natural, less nasal vocals whereas the XD400 has that twinge or touch of the nasal vocals. However, the XD400s has better bass impact, mroe detailed (brighter) trebles, and wider soundstage. That said, the XD400s has some trouble presenting certain instruments in odd places. Overall, I thought that the CD580s has been supplanted by the XD400s in teh same price range.

Couple of notes and pieces. The XD200s reminds me a lot of CD580s. I wonder if the drivers used in the XD200s are similar to those of CD580s in a cheaper packaging? If so, you got a great bargain on your hands, or Sony's got a stockpile of those CD580 drivers. Either way, the XD200s are a great sub $30.

Now, then, here's the venerable V6s, some people like (me to a point a while back) swore by these as one of the best sub $100. Quite a few professional places uses these as monitors during vocal recording (see my avatar). And they do double duty as a pretty decent set of home cans. Now, let's see how these two match up.

Since you know what I think of XD400s by now, I'll focus on V6s and their major differences vs. the V6s. The setup remains the same as the last time:

MZ-RH910->Monster iSplitter->V6/XD400. I know the splitter changes things ultimately, but for these kinds of compare and contrast, they are very handy. No Equalizer applied, XD400 remains in MUSIC mode. Various MP3s have been used, ranging from Japanese Pop to Movie Soundtracks. Like last time, SQ comparison comes last, after we cover the basics, such as Comfort, seal and isolation. Unamped, so the V6s are probably at a disadvantage here.

Ah, regarding isolation, both XD400 and CD580s don't provide a great deal of isolation. However, the V6s offer a great deal more. The cups do clamp against your ears, so a quite a bit of noise gets blocked out. However, I can still hear my keyboard clicking and clacking. TV background noise, PC fan noise, etc are blocked out well enough. V6s work well when you need some moment of silence, but they're no IEMs or NC phones. By Contrast, the XD400s uses more of a "nuclear option" to noise blocking with volume. At a loud volume, most noises will be blocked by the sound from the drivers. At same volume levels, the XD400s do worse job in letting in noise from the background, somuch so that it almost sounds like a set of open cans... Which they're not. V6 wins in isolation.

Comfort

Both uses the same pleather padding, so it attracts sweat, oil, dirt like a magnet. V6s has a bit of a grip or clamping action against your ears, and will probably hurt those of us with larger lobes. Thankfully, mine fits inside perfectly. The biggest things about V6s though, you're aware that they are there all the time, the headband does force down on your scalp more so than the XD400s or even the cheaper XD200s.

V6s are much heavier than XD400s, from the cord to the cans itself. And the twisted cords on the V6s can not be easily managed vs. straight cord on the XD400s. Both trap heat, so they're not good for summer usage or those of us with hot ears. Overall, the XD400s are much better on comfort.

Handling

Like a broken record, the XD400s win on this level.

Sound Quality

Bass: Both represent bass in the recording well. Having said that, the V6's bass does lack the visceral impact on the XD400s, but may represent bass more tighter and cleaner vs. the XD400s. In fact, I think the XD400s has less control on the bass here compared to the V6. Looser and more impactful vs. Controlled and tighter, but lacking quite a bit of the impact. Fun vs. Techinical if you want me to boil it down. It's a push here.

Vocals: V6s are much more forward on the vocals, more proper, and correct on its representation. Much less nasal, but grainier in some places, and as some have noted, easy to pick out poor recording or recording errors. Again, I think it boils down to Fun vs. Techinical. Vocals are much more forward soundstage and presentation wise. However, the XD's are at their weakest in vocal presentation (nasaly, odd placement). I can live with that, but I do prefer the V6s or CD580s' vocal abilities.

Trebles: V6s has been accused of being bassy, boomy, one-note wonder, and bright and shrilly. The first three accusations may have some leg to stand on, but my V6s (well into several hundreds of hours of use now) are not bright. The XD400s are brighter than my V6s, that much I'm sure of. That said, there's less separation of instrumentation, and slight less detail, but now that I've had the chance to sample different cans vs. the XD400s, I think it boils down to something entirely different. I'll repeat the theme here, the V6s are your workman phones compared to the XD400. I think it's a push, but XD400 sounds lush and detailed vs. the matter of fact like presentation of the V6.

Soundstaging: Again, like the last time, XD400s are much more open in its presentation than the two dimensional V6. I think that has more to do with XD400s being more enjoyable to listen to vs. the other cans. V6s sound fairly linear (like Techincs RP-DJ1200, it sounds like everything is presented on a 2D plane or a line right thorough your ear whereas the XD400s sounds wide open as if on a stage. Not sure if I'd consider that natural, but it's closer to what you'd expect on a actual performance.

XD400s are very sublime on live performances pieces, especially classical or instrumental pieces. V6s loses out terribly here, and makes everything sound flat and dull.

Overall, the V6s are the workman, matter-of-fact phones vs. the more open and laid back XD400s. Both has their place, and are worthy of your time. However, I think most would prefer the open and detailed presentation of XD400s--especially on classical, instrumental, and live pieces.

Sony's definitely headed in the right direction. The next obvious comparison are the SA1000s vs. XD400. I'd be interested in how the two sounds against one another.

[sony_man]

nice review man! i was planning on getting these, but thought i might need to see a review first. thanks!

[Ishiyoshi]

I just picked the XD400 from eBay for a mere $16.00!!! [like-new open-box condition] I don’t really need the XD400 since I just acquired the SA3000 recently. But your brilliant review gave me another reason to do so. Regardless, can't wait to burn them in.

By the way, can we use the CD580's cloth/faux-velour padding for the XD400?

Thanks Damage!

[Damage]

Officially, no. But, it certainly doesn't stop anyone from trying. Besides, if I got the XD400 for $16, I'm willing to mangle it up to see what happens. ;-)

That is a great deal.

[Ishiyoshi]

I will try the XD400 for a bit and will decide accordingly if I need the CD580's cloth/faux-velour padding. I believe Sony DAPC stocks them for $35 dollars per piece.

Here's to more headphones.

[Damage]

Well, IIRC (the XD400s are packed up in anticipation of me moving), the paddings is ala V-series, not the CD-Series. The shape doesn't match up; the XD's a long oval whereas the CD's are more triangular oval. I'd imagine you could put the velour cover over the pleather padding with some effort and that would make the XD's much more comfortable.

Once the move is done and my CD580s unpacked, I can try this. It's already comfortable sans velour padding as is, though it traps heat as expected.

[MZ-NH1]

I am looking for some new headphones, and the very 1st review looks really good thanks Damage!

I live in Australia, and on the Sony web site, I can only see the MDRXD100 and the MDRXD200, but nowhere has it said the 400... :|

I would be using these headphones on my MZ-NH1 and PC, for all kinds of music, rock, brass band, classical, vocal, jazz... basically everything

Do you think the MDRXD200 would do the job? Or would you suggest the 400's? On the other hand, would you recommend a completely different brand of headphones?

Max budget is $100 AUS, which is about $77US dollars...

[atrain]

are you gonna wear out side the house, walking around, or just sitting?

[MZ-NH1]

Well they are pretty big ey ... so I dunno if I would wear something as big as the MDRXD200's...

Are there any other brands that are really good quality wise? But not too big/cumberson?

And just to make sure.. theses are the ones we're talking about right?[attachmentid=363]

[Ishiyoshi]

Yes, that's indeed the XD200.

--> this is the the XD400, which I just acquired... thanks to Damage's brilliant review.

[MZ-NH1]

They look awesome!

I looked all over ebay Australia and US, and couldn't find anything! :|

Would you recommend these headphones for every kind of music listening?

Are there any smaller pairs of headphones which are just as good? As I don't think I'd be taking these to school Bit too obvious!

And the 400's arn't even in Australia I think!

[Ishiyoshi]

Would you recommend these headphones for every kind of music listening?

Are there any smaller pairs of headphones which are just as good?  As I don't think I'd be taking these to school Bit too obvious!

And the 400's arn't even in Australia I think!

←

As Damage stated in his review, B(h)angraman gave great reviews for the XD200 - read here. So, go for it since you can't locate the XD400 in Australia.

The XD200 is indeed too big for school use; but hey, you will be "out" there should you wear it to lectures.

[MZ-NH1]

Ahaha yeh thanks mate!

I will have to go to Sony and have a look at what they have, and what they suggest.

[MZ-NH1]

In all the headphone threads I have read in these forums, most of them talk about 'burning in' the headphones, if they are new.

Is it necessary to do this to new headphones? If you say yes, then how would 1 go about it?

Do you just play lost of different music through the headphones?

[Ishiyoshi]

In all the headphone threads I have read in these forums, most of them talk about 'burning in' the headphones, if they are new.

Is it necessary to do this to new headphones?  If you say yes, then how would 1 go about it?

Do you just play lost of different music through the headphones?

←

Read this Head-fi Headphone 'Burn In' FAQ for further details.

[MZ-NH1]

Thanks very much. Going out in 5 mins to a Sony shop

[atrain]

test it out at the sony shop. buy online.

www.bluetin.com

&

www.minidisc.com.au

are good & will save you money in a big way. a lot of stores in australia don't let you demo headphones or portables though. bastards.

[MZ-NH1]

Yeh went to Sony. They didn't have any of those series of headphones on display, so I wasn't able to try any! When I do go back, I will take my MD, to use as a music source, should I listen to a variety of music in the headphones to get a feel? Or just 1 song kind of thing?

They had both 200 and 400 series... 200 was $80 and 400 were $150...

I must say the 400 looked pretty huge... and $150... bit too much for headphones I recon

I would most prob get the 200, but I then went into the city and found the 100's for $45...

The 200's have 10-22,000 frequency, while the 100's have 12-22,000 frequency..

Would you recommend the 200 over the 100? $100 is my limit, so the 200 are financially fine for me...

What do you all think?

To atrain - I am a Sony member, so get 5% off... would you still recommend going to those web sites to have z look?

[atrain]

yeah 5% not that great given sony's high prices.

honestly, for portable use i'd grab either

Audio Technica ATH-FC7 for $48

or

Sennheiser PX100 $63

both from bluetin

+10ish shipping

or maybe some portpros by koss

[MZ-NH1]

Had at look at AudioCubes, Mdr-xd200 are $63 AUS$$, which is 20 cheaper than Sony...

Thanks every very much for all your help!

Much appreciated!

I more question

Is it better to have a lower or higher Sensitivity?? Sony xd200's have 102 (dB/mW), others like the Sennheiser PX100 have 114 dB(SPL)...?

Thanks guys!

[MZ-NH1]

Many people have said thee 200's arn't very loud...

I was told that through an e-mail from Sony as well "be aware that headphones like this aren't made for portable devices. They will not be very loud."

Wouldn't I overcome this by turning up the volume?

[atrain]

i'd seriously look at the phones i put up in a previous post. both actually portable, fold up & drive easily from all portables, even weak md amps.

turning up the volume won't always help if the phones aren't efficient enough.

have you ever tried to drive up a steep hill in a high gear? flooring the accelerator won't help, you need to find the right gear for the circustances.

[MZ-NH1]

i'd seriously look at the phones i put up in a previous post. both actually portable, fold up & drive easily from all portables, even weak md amps.

turning up the volume won't always help if the phones aren't efficient enough.

←

Yeh thanks. I have been having a good look at the PX100's as well... need to try both out.

The PX100's just look like they'd fall off a moving head...

Other thing is the px100's don't have the lowest sounding frequency... 15-27,000...

Sony's is 10-22,000

[atrain]

most frequency responses are for shit. like battery life times, you will be able to audition the px100s at walkman hut, they have them at jb but 1/ they're $120 & 2/ the don't let you trial headphones. bastards. the fc7s you can't try out in aus as far as i know but bowerbru[sp?] just got a pair & wrote a review on the tstation iirc.

[Ishiyoshi]

Finally.... the $16 XD400 catch from eBay is here.

Initial impressions: I am currently listening to Charlie Parker with the D-777 and I have to say that I am pleasantly amazed. The XD400 certainly handled the saxophone in a balanced, detailed manner - no murkiness so to speak.

I shall drive the headphone further and post a pictorial accordingly. Damage... thanks for the thorough review once again! I thought I was just a MD collector... now my headphones collection is growing as well.

[MZ-NH1]

Finally.... the $16 XD400 catch from eBay is here.

Initial impressions: I am currently listening to Charlie Parker with the D-777 and I have to say that I am pleasantly amazed. The XD400 certainly handled the saxophone in a balanced, detailed manner - no murkiness so to speak.

I shall drive the headphone further and post a pictorial accordingly.  Damage... thanks for the thorough review once again! I thought I was just a MD collector... now my headphones collection is growing as well.

←

Could you please post a link of the $16!!!!!

We have to pay $150 AUS, which is at least 60 american!!!!

[atrain]

just trawl ebay, ishi got lucky.

[Ishiyoshi]

Update: For those interested, click here for the MDR-XD400 pictorial.

[heyjas0n]

Does anyone know how the xd400's would compare to a pair of Sennheiser hd 570s or Sennheiser hd 580s?

[Anonymouse]

I hope this thread isn't dead and someone can please help me. I am seriously considering mdr xd400's but I have a few questions for happy owners. Does anyone wear glasses and spend long hours with your xd400's? Is it comfortable with glasses on after a few hours use? Also, do your ears get warm/waxy/sweaty? Finally, I'm concerned about the lack of manual size adjustment, is the headband oppressive (especially for large-headed people)? Thank you.

Edit: Also, I intend to use them with my PC, without amplifier. Does that mean that they will sound weak? Thank you.

Edited August 26, 2005 by Anonymouse

[Damage]

1. Comfy with glasses on or off. There's plenty of padding.

2. It gets warm, but my ears gets warm with any closed set of headphones. It's a tradeoff, you live and learn to deal with it.

3. No, headband auto adjusts with its springs. It might be slightly tight for really ginormous heads, but I find it rather comfortable.

[MZ-NH1]

Agree with Damage.

I wear galsses for computer work, and wear the MD200's (the headphones down from the 400's) and the padding is very comfortable all the time.

Ears get a little hot if I turn up the volume of a really energetic piece.

Love my 200's. There awesome!

[Anonymouse]

Thanks for the replies. Since my ears sweat so much, I guess I can't get these. Do you know of some good quality open ear or closed ear with ventilation headphones for ~$80 (US) that are durable and don't have excessive bass? Thanks.

Edit: I am reading up on senn HD 485's, they seem closed but people say the ventilation is good?

Edited August 26, 2005 by Anonymouse