Audio Technica ATH-A500 unavailable - any other options for a 5k budget ?

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Crazy_Eddy

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A friend is looking for on-ear headphones for about 5k.

Thought the A500 might fit that budget, but its unavailable. The AD500 is available for ~5.2k. However he prefers closed back headphones. Any other options?

His listening material is acoustic guitar, blues and audio books.

Thanks in advance! :)
 
ATH-M50 is ~7k-ish. Under 5k the options to be considered are ATH-M35 (neutral sound), ATH-T500 (warm/ more musical), JVC RX-700/900 (heavy bass,slightly uncomfortable). Sennheiser HD238/428/515 etc(not really value for money, IMO ).
 
Yeah I was thinking of the M35 too, but its supra-aural not circumaural.

The T500 looks like a new model, how does it compare?

Is the JVC available locally?
 
I found the T500 to be pretty much on par with M35 in terms of detailing . Just that T500 had slightly more bass .
 
^ Thanks! Think I'll tell him to check out the T500 :)

A few last queries :ashamed: :

- How portable is the T500?

- How far behind the AD500 is it?
 
FaH33m said:
I found the T500 to be pretty much on par with M35 in terms of detailing . Just that T500 had slightly more bass .
Are you sure ? AFAIK T500 is supposed to be the one with slightly less bass compared to the M35.

@Crazy_Eddy - You want to wear this on the road ? :S

Its a bit big (T500) though not very heavy for a circumaural headphone. About how far behind it is compared to the AD500 I have no idea as I have never heard the AD500.
 
Sorry for the delay, was checking with my friend since I was a bit confused about what he wanted as well.

By portable use he meant like using it in the bus, at office, etc.

I thought maybe he should go with IEMs but I guess he's not too happy with IEMs since he has an EP-630 and says it doesnt fit his ears.

He has listened to my HD555 though and liked it and is leaning to it. But its not closed ear, and as people mention the Audio Technica seems a bit more VFM.
 
Office ? Sure ! Bus ? Ok i suppose if he doesn't mind people staring at him. :P

The sound signature is mostly neutral so I doubt anyone will hate it though people might like another sound signature better. (Like forward mids or enhanced bass).
 
SunnyBoi said:
I used to travel in MRTs and Buses wearing a AD700 :P
Yeah ! Seen that snap of yours with the AD700 on the head & an old man in the MRT staring at you :rofl: .

Sent from my iPhone4 using Tapatalk
 
I actually tried out the T500 recently.

Compared to the M35, the T500 has a wider "closed" soundstage.

Comfort wise I found the T500 to be better.

M35 is unbeatable bass-wise. :)

I used to travel in MRTs and Buses wearing a AD700

:O
 
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