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Topic: Sony MDR-XB700 Extra Bass—should I encode MP3 at higher rate to match? (Read 3335 times) previous topic - next topic
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Sony MDR-XB700 Extra Bass—should I encode MP3 at higher rate to match?

Hi, I'm planning on purchasing a pair of MDR-XB700 Extra Bass Headphones soon: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/5948...ass_Stereo.html or http://bhpho.to/JlW021

And my question is, is the quality of this model enough that I should be ripping my lame mp3's (VBR) at a higher rate? I tend to rip almost everything at V2 ~192 VBR lame 3.99.5 at the moment, I realize I'd need to do an ABX test (is that the right acronym?) but I just was curious of people's experience with these headphones and also if music that doesn't have a lot of bass to the music would sound decent too (like Classical for example)

I was also thinking of getting Sony V6 headphones too

Currently I use Sennheiser HD429's but I wanted some new cans with more bass...

Thanks for any input in advance

Sony MDR-XB700 Extra Bass—should I encode MP3 at higher rate to match?

Reply #1 –
I've listened to XB300, and found that they don't have highs at all. I've tried adjusting the headphones on my head, considering the eaprieces construction, thinking that I misaligned them, but no. The highs were so attenuated I couldn't listen to them. Even my cheap Sennheiser 201 sound bright compared to them.
If XB700 are anything like those, and I can't help noticing that they might be even worse seeing the size of ear cushins, I would strongly suggest listening to them first, because you might as well encode in 64 kbps and not noticing hihats at all.

If you need more bass, go for Sennheiser HD212 Pro.

And no, V2 is just fine. If you are unsure about that, do an ABX test.
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Sony MDR-XB700 Extra Bass—should I encode MP3 at higher rate to match?

Reply #2 –
Looks like XB700s shouldn't be as high-free as XB300s:

They sure are having a lot of bass though, while the rest of the spectrum isn't looking too refined. Consumer cans...

Sony MDR-XB700 Extra Bass—should I encode MP3 at higher rate to match?

Reply #3 –
Compare XB700 to Ultrasone HFI 580

If you want bass then I would rather recommend Ultrasone HFI 580. The sound is a bit more balanced while still giving you the bass.
Sony V6 is nice if you like a flat/cold sounding signature. I like them flat. An other alternative to the Sony V6 is the Sennheiser HD280 PRO. The HD280 PRO sounds nearly the same than the Sony V6 but has a bit more low bass.

Quote
And my question is, is the quality of this model enough that I should be ripping my lame mp3's (VBR) at a higher rate? I tend to rip almost everything at V2 ~192 VBR lame 3.99.5 at the moment, I realize I'd need to do an ABX test (is that the right acronym?) but I just was curious of people's experience with these headphones and also if music that doesn't have a lot of bass to the music would sound decent too (like Classical for example)


I think you should be fine. If they don't sound right then ABX a few samples then if you can notice a difference re-rip at a higher rate.

Sony MDR-XB700 Extra Bass—should I encode MP3 at higher rate to match?

Reply #4 –
I did some research on the Ultrasone 580s that you recommended and I see that Cnet doesn't recommend them for use with ipod/mp3 players http://reviews.cnet.com/headphones/ultraso...7-32983712.html
why on earth would that make a difference? do they mean not to use them outdoors or do those cans use up too much power on an ipod? Anyway from the sound reviews I've read about them I'm really interested in them, I'd be using them with my PC and also my Sony E-465 Walkman  also saw a pair of Beyerdynamic that looked promising, but the Ultrasone method of sound I like

(from Wikipedia " A feature of many Ultrasone headphones is a proprietary surround-sound simulacrum technology called S-Logic.[1] The process uses decentralized transducer positioning to spread sound over the outer ear in an attempt to mimic sound heard over speakers.[1] Many people over-interpret the "virtual surround" thing and believe that it's some kind of fake surround, but the only thing it means, is that it makes the sound come a little more from the front of you so that the outer ear is involved in catching the sound, similar to when you use loudspeakers. Traditional headphones shoot the sound directly into the ear."

from reading that I think I am sold! But just to clarify things, do you think the 580s would be ok with my Walkman?