Sony MDR-7506/1 Professional Headphones, any good for music?

Space Monkey

Space Monkey

Space Monkey

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Hey guys,

I'm trying to find a decent set of closed backed cans primarily for music from my PC via the Creative AE-5 soundcard, and I've seen these at a reasonable price:

Sony MDR-7506/1 Professional Headphones

Does anyone have any experience with these, any good for music?

I'm also considering the DT770 Pros but I'm a little concerned that they are too bright (if that's the correct term?) at the top end from what I'm reading?

Feel free to offer other suggestions and feedback as well.

Thanks :)
 
I have owned the DT770 as well as the AKG K550, which I much preferred. The K371 are the new replacement to the K550. The only other one to consider in the price range is the Audio Technica ATH M50X. Not heard them myself, but they have some kind of superstar status online.

If it was my money I would get the K371. I like the AKG sound and the reviews are excellent.
 
PapaLazaru said:
I have owned the DT770 as well as the AKG K550, which I much preferred. The K371 are the new replacement to the K550. The only other one to consider in the price range is the Audio Technica ATH M50X. Not heard them myself, but they have some kind of superstar status online.

If it was my money I would get the K371. I like the AKG sound and the reviews are excellent.
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How's the highs on the AKG, comfortable listening? Did you notice the problem with the highs on the DT770?
 
PapaLazaru said:
I found the DT770 too boomy but neither they or the AKG's were too bright at the top. You could always EQ it down a touch if you do.
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I was always intrigued with the DT770s but went the K550 route (all revs) due to the boomy (only read about it) but glad you preferred the K550s they are a solid pair of closed back cans the K371s are meant to sound similar if not better but skipped it and gone for the Audio technica MSr7bs after a few days of testing my K550s are boxed and ready for sale :)
 
I haven't tried those exact MDRs that I can recall but I've a couple of pairs of other models (10 and 1) and used some of the others in the MDR series - the sound quality is pretty decent and fairly well balanced for music but I find for gaming the lower end has enough presence it tends to add some congestion into the soundscape where you really need it to be clear (EDIT: I think that is somewhat the lack of open back though).

You might find it sounds a bit too clinical and uninvolved with the music when paired up with the AE5 though (both tend to have that slightly cool almost brittle "high res" sound and in combination it is a bit much).
 
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If you do consider AKG K371s which are getting quite a bit of hype/reviews and that title of best closed cans under 99 right now, bear in mind there are some build and quality control issues. There is a massive thread on headfi here:

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/akg-k371.916764/

You don't need to read 17+ pages on it but the jist is some guys had to replace it 2-3 times to get a good sounding pair, on Ytube there is a vid on the quality control issues also, this is what put me off it.

K371s, K550s, DT770s, ATH-MSR7Bs tend to be top performers in the closed headphones group, the ATH MSR7Bs are the most pricey @ £170 but sometimes you can bag them for £145-160 id say they are the best out of the bunch but the price tag is highest.

Keep an eye on rainforest used pair, sometimes you can save heaps or try fleabay I saw a pair of K550s go for £35 the other week.
 
I seem to recall Sony 7506 were well regarded headphones. Whether that is still the case, I'm not sure. Depends who you speak to I guess. Some people still really like them.

I think they have elevated mid range and treble, which by the sounds of it, is not something the OP is looking for; elevated treble at east.

Just looking on Head-Fi and someone who owns DT770 and MDR-V6, said he found the V6's treble more abrasive than the DT770. V6 and 7506 are very similar, with the 7506 coming later. According to Wikipedia, the 7506 accentuated the V6's treble. Going by all of that, doesn't sound like the 7506 is a good headphone choice for those who aren't keen on sparkly treble.
 
Marsman said:
Just looking on Head-Fi and someone who owns DT770 and MDR-V6, said he found the V6's treble more abrasive than the DT770. V6 and 7506 are very similar, with the 7506 coming later. According to Wikipedia, the 7506 accentuated the V6's treble. Going by all of that, doesn't sound like the 7506 is a good headphone choice for those who aren't keen on sparkly treble.
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I've definitely used the V6s I can't remember on the 7506 but most of these Sony MDRs have a similar approach to sound - they have this "high res" presentation probably from slightly accentuating the treble but it is still fairly balanced overall not bright and sparkly like some - though if you are expressly trying to avoid bright and sparkly it probably wouldn't be high on the list either.

Going by my MDRs and having the AE-5 the combination of both have a bit of a cool, crisp presentation which is kind of sterile/clinical - not sure I can really describe it well - it makes for an expansive sound with movies, etc. but for really enjoying music it is a bit uninvolved and possibly fatiguing.
 
The_Arbiter said:
Do you have any experience/owned/ borrowed/demo'd/whatever, with any headphones?

I'd rule out the Audio Technica M50 already, based on music preference only.
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I've owned and used the Sony MDR-V55, Philips X2HR & Sennheiser HD 579, though the last 2 are open back.

I liked the sound signature of the Sony's :)
 
Space Monkey said:
It's to do with necessity, it disturbs my wife if I use open headphones.
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That's a good reason as any :P

I had a read up on that soundcard (for my own curiosity also), it does seem there's a consistent view on them as with what people mentioned here about the analytical style. But the direct through setting appeared favourable. Anyway, i guess it comes down to if you're a gambling man. Everyone knows the MDR range are fun, and the AKG 550 is also a good headphone. I'd likely go between those 2, but the DT770 is a great headphone, i just have no idea what it would sound like with that soundcard. There are other options out there, such as the Shure 840, but built design lacks a bit, but that is another concern with the AKG 550 imo. I've always found more conventional brands (lack of a better word), such as Sony or Bose offer better designs. But if it's of any relevance to you, Beyer make their headphones in Germany if that floats your boat btw.
 
AE-5 soundcard is pretty clear and detailed, its probably matching quite a few mid/high level headphone amps (from what I have read). I used to use Direct Stereo mode on with my AE5 and with my AKG K550s and it was a very nice combo.

Another pair of K550s went for 45 quid yesterday on flebay, otherwise amazon are pretty good in case you need to return it just get it direct from them though no 3rd party providers. I have read sonys signature is quite addictive and pleasing for music but never experienced it but I will consider the XM4s down the road.

I have been researching closed cans around £100-200 for many years since I prefer privacy and music/movie @ early hours in the morning, am glad to say the MSR7bs can't be at all heard by family members standing 1.5metres away and this is with not a low volume but enjoyable levels (just slightly above low volume)
 
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