Sony MDR-XB500
Short: The large, pillow-like pads of the XB500, the middle headphone in Sony ‘extra Bass’ line, appear like fitting vessels for the smooth and bassy sound signature imparted on the listener using those mild giants.
MSRP: $seventy nine.ninety-nine (discontinued)
Build excellent (7.5/10): The layout of the XB500 is ruled using the humongous pads but the headphones themselves appearance quite tame and elegant. The headband and silver cups are plastic, but the forks are manufactured from anodized aluminum and feel very strong. There are no cracks or rattles inside the structure after months of use.
The pads are extraordinarily smooth and included in very nice leather that has a piece of a hand-sewn look to it. The XB500 is likewise top notch for the ribbon-like flat cables, which sense instead sturdy and don’t tangle. Certainly, flat cables make a good deal experience to me on a headphone than on an in-car display. The pressure reliefs on housing access seem poorly integrated but are some distance from weak and the three.5mm L-plug is compact and properly-relieved.
Comfort (nine/10): via virtue of the large and impossibly smooth pads, the XB500 is one of the most relaxed circumaurals rounds. Although the inner diameter of the pads is smaller than with larger phones just like the innovative Aurvana stay, the pads encapsulate average-sized ears completely.
The bottom of the plastic headband is also nicely-padded with a cloth-like mesh cushion. Clamping pressure is mild and makes the XB500 very cozy in shape, however, is distributed exceedingly correctly with the aid of the giant pads and causes no pain. The simplest disadvantage of the fit of the XB500 is that the pads do get squished down and swathe pretty a significant vicinity of pores and skin in sweat-invoking pleather.
Isolation (6.5/10): The XB500 isn’t in particular nicely-setting apart for a headphone of its length, however, fares better than average due to the large and well-sealing pads. Leakage is minimum at affordable volumes, however, blasting those in a library isn't a top-notch concept – in spite of being marketed as closed headphones, there are vents at the back that always leak at excessive volumes.
Sound (6.25/10): as if the fact that they arrive from Sony “extra Bass” audio line isn't enough of an indicator, the ridiculous four Hz figure on the decrease give up of the XB500’s Frequency response spec betrays the bass-centered nature of these headphones. The sound of the XB500 is undoubtedly bass-pushed, with a low end that (realistically) extends beneath 30 Hz and contains masses of electricity. The bass is pretty clean and very ahead. It may be distracting on some tracks but in no way sounds downright muddy or washed-out.
The effect is gentle and barely stupid, but there’s lots of it – bass fans can be inspired. Unlike heavily-textured bass-heavy telephones with the sharper result (e.g., the M-Audio Q40), the XB500s don’t provide me bass headaches. They do, however, be afflicted by minimal bass bleed and have a reasonably recessed midrange. The mids are barely heated however sound quite full and rich while not overshadowed through the low cease.
Clarity is set on par with the Sennheiser PX100 and Koss PortaPros however now not entirely as appropriate because of the Beyer DT 235 or Sony’s personal MDR-Q68 clip-on. The treble transition is rather easy however the high stop seems even more recessed than the midrange in comparison to the low give up and rolls off earlier than expected.
The treble does have a few chews however lacks any real sparkle. At the upside, harshness and sibilance are absent. In phrases of presentation, the Sony's sound relatively large and 3-dimensional however require actual air and width.
Their soundstage has relatively clean outer limits, at the least when in comparison to something like the Senn HD 238, that can throw positional cues at remarkable distances. Usual I found the Sonys pretty fun in heat and gentle form of way. They're a fun listen, but I never controlled to overlook that I was wearing reasonably-priced headphones.
It ought to be noted that the 40 Ω impedance of the XB500 helps them reduce down on his thoroughly with noisy transportable gamers or even great headphone amps. On a related word, the headphones do sound extraordinarily stupid at the bottom volumes due to the ahead bass. To get any quality element and texture out of them, higher quantity degrees are without a doubt encouraged.
The bass is strong and smooth and commonly stays quite competent regardless of being barely dull. The recessed midrange and treble can from time to time be beaten however an equalizer may be used to make amends for the lack of stability. At the very least the Sonys are never harsh or grating.
The headphones are also well constructed and extremely relaxed apart from the fact that they heat up faster than many earmuffs. The ones searching for fairly able closed basshead cans that can be worn for hours on give up (ideally in bloodless climates) and don’t price a fortune are possible to find their
dream set in the XB500.
Producer specs:
- Frequency reaction: four – 24,000 Hz
- Impedance: forty Ω
- Sensitivity: 104 dB SPL/1mW
- Cord: three.9ft (1.2m); Angled Plug
- space-Saving Mechanism: N/A
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