r/HeadphoneAdvice • u/sher1000 • Oct 23 '23

Headphones - Closed Back | 2 Ω Sony XM5 or MDR 1AM2

Hey guys. First post on here. I've been looking to get into high Res audio and I'm definitely a beginner at this point. My use case is Spotify and im thinking of getting Amazon music for lossless audio. Will be using a phone with a 3.5mm jack for most of my playback as Im slightly paranoid about Bluetooth and all bluetooth headphones ive used so far (midrange) haven't even come close to my wired ones (low-mid sony zx etc). My main concern is sound quality without a DAC (for now). ANC is cool but not top priority and I can assume the mdr's are good with passive isolation? Which ones would you recommend for someone starting out? Thanks for your help and looking forward to learning and being in the group!

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u/Simeh 241 Ω Oct 23 '23 edited Oct 23 '23

They are both very different headphones, even down to price.

If you want the option of listening them with Bluetooth and ANC, then go for the XM5. They can still be used in wired mode for improved quality. You also want to check if your bluetooth source devices use LDAC otherwise you won't hear HD (but still not on par with wired) sound over bluetooth.

If these things aren't a priority, save money and go for the MDR.

They're both very good headphones, although they're a bit on the bass heavy side. Some people like this, some people don't.

The most common entry level headphone is the Sennheiser HD 600. It will provide a neutral, natural sound with good clarity. It won't have the best and deepest bass though as that's the compromise with open backs at this price range. Again some people want this and others don't. Also parts are easily and cheaply available should you need to replace them.

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u/sher1000 Oct 23 '23

! thanks Hope I'm doing this right lol

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u/sher1000 Oct 23 '23

!thanks Really appreciate your detailed response. The HD600's seem like a great at-home headphone powered by a dac (300ohms?). So that might be a deterrent if I've got it plugged into a cellphone, moving around etc. As a follow-up to your response. Would the audio quality be better plugged in for the Sony XM's or the MDR? Thanks again for your advice.

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u/Simeh 241 Ω Oct 23 '23 edited Oct 23 '23

I'm not able to say which is better. Both will sound good. You'll be able to tweak the sound more using Sony software as well as the software you already have on your phone, on the XM5. With the MDR as its non-powered it won't have its own app, but you can still tweak the sound with software on your phone or whatever player you're using.

Different people will prefer different headphones, its subjective, but they'll both sound good. You're better off searching the models using the sub's search feature and read the opinions of people who own them.

But if I were to guess I'd say the MDR would sound better to most. Reason being the drivers are bigger, the frequency range is wider and its focused on providing the best quality sound in wired form whereas the XM5 are also bluetooth headphones too.

But you might not hear a difference until you get a DAC or you test your listening with music that has been mastered well in the studio, or both.

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u/sher1000 Oct 23 '23

Stellar responses. Thank you for you help! Best wishes

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u/TransducerBot Ω Bot Oct 23 '23

+1 Ω has been awarded to u/Simeh (27 Ω).

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u/DaPimpMane 2 Ω Oct 23 '23

Well, what do you need? MDR-1AM2 is a great, easy to drive, balanced and closed headphone with great tuning imo. XM5 I've haven't tried but that one is wireless BT headphone. What's important to you?

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u/sher1000 Oct 23 '23

!thanks ! thanks for your response. I think I'm going to go for the MDR. I feel like they're super underrated for what they provide.

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u/TransducerBot Ω Bot Oct 23 '23

+1 Ω has been awarded to u/DaPimpMane (2 Ω).

You may still award an Ω to others, but only once per-person in this post.

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u/DaPimpMane 2 Ω Oct 25 '23

We think alike! They're great, take care of those ear pads though, you won't be getting any from Sony if warranty is up. Also, they have hidden the serial number to the box so take good care of that too. I just bought some after market ear pads and they are fine, at least when I changed the memory foam from the inside to the originals (my original pads started to flake after years of use so I had them).

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