Ath sr9, Ath m50x, Shure SRH840A, Sennheiser HD300PRO, Yamaha HPH MT5 WH or Rode NTH-100?

Discussion in 'Advice Threads' started by Coty009, Mar 31, 2025.

  1. Coty009

    Coty009 New

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    It is time to get rid of my old ATH-M40x.
    While searching in my very expensive country (Uruguay), I found a pair of ATH-SR9 discounted to USD 300. However, I can't find reviews that help me determine if they are a good purchase, as some say they are good while others say they are bad.
    The others options I have are the ATH-M50x for USD 225, Rode NTH-100 for USD 284, SHURE SRH840A for USD 300, Yamaha HPH MT5 WH for USD 210 or Sennheiser HD300PRO for USD 249.
    I want to use them for amateur music production and for music listening, considering that I mainly listen to 90s British rock.
    Another important detail is that I always use equalization when listening to music. I mention this because I have read that one of the issues with the ATH-SR9 is their high frequencies, but if this can be fixed with an equalizer, I do not see it as a problem.
    Unfortunately, I have to ask you to refrain from recommending other headphone models, since there is no greater variety available where I am, and importing is not an option.

    (I don't speak very good English so please excuse me if there are any mistakes in my text)

    *Edit: I found as another option some Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro 80 ohm limited edition for about USD 285.
     
    Last edited: Apr 1, 2025
  2. Armaegis

    Armaegis Friend

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    Honestly, for the local prices you are able to get them at the M50x is your best bet. It's one of your cheaper options, and with those extra bucks if you're able to get some nicer pads that will improve the M50x comfort (the Shure 840 pads work just fine if you can order those separately).
     
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  3. dubiousmike

    dubiousmike Friend

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    Is buying on ebay not an option in Uruguay? If not, I agree with Armaegis and would get m50x.

    If you could buy on ebay, in that same vein and price point, ath-es10's can still be picked up for $250 new from Japanese sellers, and they are my absolute favs for rock - probably getting more head time than my hd650, hd800 sdr, and th-x00's combined.

    e.g.

    https://www.ebay.com/itm/3759958451...HIEAxT2t8loMv6tANyd2pKA8c=|tkp:Bk9SR5SBo_e9ZQ
     
  4. Wilewarer

    Wilewarer Almost "Made"

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    The SR9 has more issues than treble, the FR plot is really wacky all over. You probably can't fix it well with just equalizing, might need physical mods from a mad headphone doctor. Sometimes AT headphones sound good despite having a weird FR, but the few knowledgeable reviews I've seen of it are extremely negative.

    The most damning thing is probably the silence, though. They were purportedly a successor/improvement to the MSR7, a popular enough headphone that it was apparently widely counterfeited (to the point where a lot of negative impressions of them seem to be describing how the fakes would sound). My point being that it's a headphone that would've had a receptive target audience if it actually sounded good, made by a large company that's capable of marketing things... and yet, no buzz. That usually doesn't imply good things.

    I guess I would want to ask why you need to get rid of the m40x. If it's broken or you don't like the way it sounds, sure. If it's just that the pads are worn out or something, I might prefer trying to scrounge for replacement parts over... uh, buying -any- of those headphones at those prices.
     
  5. Lyander

    Lyander Official SBAF Equitable Empathizer

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    My 0.02c is that while the Rode NTH-100 seems to sound nice enough, it's got a bad reputation as far as build quality goes— the hinges relatively have a tendency of randomly disintegrating, and I'd not be too keen on having that happen to me too often, even if Rode seems gung ho about mailing replacement units in
     
  6. Coty009

    Coty009 New

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    We add one vote to the m50x.
    I found some Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro 80 ohm limited edition used but in perfect condition for USD 285, which I can make sound without problems with those 80 ohm.
    Between the DT 770 and the m50x which one do you recommend?
     
  7. Coty009

    Coty009 New

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    Technically I can shop anywhere in the world, but with the taxes for purchases abroad nothing is worth it. The prices would be adding 60% of the price of the product plus management services which would be approximately USD50.
     
  8. Coty009

    Coty009 New

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    The m40x have done their duty, it's time for them to come off.
    The hinges are broken, the connector fails and the top pillow is quite worn out.

    https://prnt.sc/Cwc8LhpKFM2k
    [​IMG]
     
  9. Lyander

    Lyander Official SBAF Equitable Empathizer

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    Is the DT880 an option? It's not fully sealed like the 770 is but sound leakage isn't too much of a problem because of how heavily damped the internals are, it's just barely a semi-open headphone haha. Also, while it's also got a bit of that steely Beyerdynamic treble, it's the most normal sounding of the three classic Beyers. Some might prefer the 990, and I do think it's a more fun v-shaped response, but the treble has always been a bit much for me.
     
  10. joch

    joch Friend

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    I’d agree with the 880 and prob would think a higher impedance model…but that’s not in your list of options. And you’ll need an amp that will drive that.

    Maybe just wait till something better pops up?

    Can you at least try before buying to see which would suit you?
     
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  11. Armaegis

    Armaegis Friend

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    At $225 for the M50x and $285 for the DT770, I still say the M50x is the safer bet, particularly if you liked the M40 sound.

    M40 is neutral-ish with mild emphasis on the low and high end. M50 will be similar but with better bass extension. DT770 boosts the lows and highs even more, the bass is fun, the treble can be a bit tizzy, but the cups are very easy to open up and toss some felt or other random filler in there to tame the sound.

    Best isolation comes from the DT770 if that is important.

    Portability easily goes to the M50 because it can fold up. The Beyer does not.

    Gotta give this man props. That is a well worn and loved M40 :punk:
     
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  12. Coty009

    Coty009 New

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    Technically the DT880s are an option, but they cost USD 480 :p
     
  13. Coty009

    Coty009 New

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    I could wait for more options to appear, but in the last three years nothing new has appeared on the market here.
    And yes I could try them, but all the options are from different vendors and I would have to go around a lot.
     
  14. SofaSamuraiX

    SofaSamuraiX Almost "Made"

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    Sounds like fun to me!
     
  15. Coty009

    Coty009 New

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    New option, the Sennheiser Hd280.
    From now on I will not look for more options because otherwise I will never come to a conclusion.
     
  16. Coty009

    Coty009 New

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    I would be with time, but I don't have it. I am pursuing a college degree and it takes up my day.
     
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  17. Armaegis

    Armaegis Friend

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    The Sennheiser HD280 is only good if you enjoy a hard clamp and need high isolation and it comes in significantly cheaper than the M50x.

    Are you able to bargain the used DT770 down a bit? The price is a bit high for used (at least compared to prices up here). The Beyer shells are more mod friendly overall and the build quality is the best out of your list so they'll have longer longevity which may be important, but again they are not portable unless you want something big around your neck or eating up space in your bag.

    You can reduce bass by breaking the seal either along the earpads or if you're brave you can experiment with holes in the cups (that can be resealed with tape or putty).

    Perhaps an important question is do you want neutral sound? do you want bassy? do you need isolation?
     
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    Last edited: Apr 2, 2025
  18. Ti_Leo

    Ti_Leo Almost "Made"

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    Sorry I know nothing about these headphones (DT880 is ok, but the price...), but how about Fiio FT1? How is the price or is that even available?
     
  19. Coty009

    Coty009 New

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    I can haggle on the price of the DT770.

    And about what I'm looking for... I'm not really sure.
    I think I'm looking for something that has “high definition”, that allows me to hear the different textures of the sounds and that is sensitive to changes when producing.
    When producing I use the Sonarworks SoundID Reference which automatically equalizes to get the most neutral sound possible.
    When listening to music on my ath m40x I tend to equalize in a similar way to the typical “V” curve. But I go a little bit more towards the mids and very little towards the bass.


    https://prnt.sc/dF87MXH291vU
     
  20. Coty009

    Coty009 New

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    I can haggle pa my country does not arrive any Fiio product. And if I import it the price would be ridiculously high.
     

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