Perhaps, I will not poke my heart, if I say that the headphones of the middle price range always attract the greatest interest. These are not tops that are inaccessible to most people, and not budget models in which manufacturers save on everything. The middle segment allows you to do everything on a level, but remain accessible to the majority. Especially interesting is that if the headphones in this range represents a well-deserved company, as it became with the model MSR7 from Audio-Technica.
On the account of Audio-Technica a lot of merit, ranging from ultra-expensive limited models in the tree and ending with the "popular" headphones ATH-M50. The latter, incidentally, not so long ago, once again "refreshed" in design and sound, I recommend that they draw attention to fans of LF. But MSR7 in some way are the antipodes of the M50, which makes them even more interesting.
In MSR7, the company decided to show its achievements to the maximum, beginning with the improved 45 millimeter emitters and ending with a cunning system of damping and ventilation, which provides an optimal airflow. To this, it is worth adding resonance-resistant cups of aluminum-magnesium alloy, and it becomes clear how in Audio-Technica we achieved very low harmonic distortion for this model. By the way, on the official site there is an interesting video demonstrating the work of the technologies used in these headphones.
The headphones are out of the ordinary, and the materials used are not bad, so it would seem logical to expect the top prices from them, but the manufacturer decided to position them in the middle segment, so the price for them at the time of writing the review is on average 15,600 rubles, which for such solutions very well.
Specifications
- Emitter: dynamic, 45 mm
- Frequency range: 5 Hz - 40 kHz
- Maximum input power: 2 W
- Sensitivity: 100 dB / mW
- Impedance: 35Ω
- Weight: 290 g
- Cable: interchangeable, complete 3 m, 1.2 m, 1.2 with headset
- Plug: 3.5 mm
- Microphone: condenser, 50 Hz - 4000 Hz
Packing and delivery kit
For this item, everything is very good for this price. The box of dense cardboard is framed in low-key blue-black tones, inside are headphones, under them - a box with accessories.
In a set of headphones, following the current trends, put three cables, a long, short and with a headset, which allows you to use headphones with both a hospital and a portable. Complement the delivery kit is a good pouch of eco-leather to store headphones.
In general, it is decent, there are no special revelations in the set, but everything expected in the set was put.
Design and comfort
On this point Audio-Technica is also given more than you expect from them. Despite some similarity of design with younger models of Sony MDR, these headphones are pleased with the quality of performance and the greater use of metal in the design. The appearance of the headphones is low-key, they are available in two colors, black-blue and silver-brown, for the Asian market also released a limited version in the "rich" red and gold design. Photos in other colors can be viewed on the company's website.
The design pleases with reliability, a lot of metal is used, everything is adjusted and assembled simply superbly. The basic elements subject to wear and tear (ear cushions and cable) are easily replaced, so buying MSR7 can well be considered a long-term investment.
The cups of headphones rotate around two axes, if necessary they can be turned "flat" for comfortable wearing around the neck. The similar design reminds the same Oppo PM-3 and makes you regret that you did not put the same comfortable cover in the kit, but looking at the almost two-fold difference in price, you understand the reason for this decision.
Developers tried to work on comfort, the headband and ear cushions are made of high-quality soft eco-skin filled with material with a memory effect. The ear pads are large enough and deep, so they are suitable for almost all ears. Not without it, however, without problems, in an attempt to provide good sound insulation, the developers slightly overdid with the clamping force, so the owners of the head more than average MSR7 can slightly press. Fortunately, this can be corrected, gently (I emphasize, neatly) bending the headband, it has a steel plate inside it, so this focus gives good results. After the "fit", the headphones are comfortable enough, although the ears in them are still overheating, and occasionally it's worth taking breaks in the listening, letting the ears rest.
Sound insulation is above average, in most cases it is enough. Perhaps, only in the subway or airplane you will hear a little noise outside, but only the headphones with active noise can eliminate.
The headphone cable is replaceable, to connect to the headphones using a regular 3.5-mm jack. On standard wires to connect to sound sources, for some reason, a very large angle plug is used, which can be inconvenient with some players. Fortunately, if necessary, replace the cable with something more suitable the problem will not be.
Sound
The following equipment was used for listening:
- Apple MacBook Pro Retina 2013 as a source
- Yulong DA8 and Accurate Audio V800 as DACs
- Yulong A28 and Accurate Audio V200 Amplifier Role
- Fidelia as a player
- High Definition Records in Lossless-formats (Dr. Chesky The Ultimate Headphone Demonstration Disc and others)
Before listening to the headphones were warmed for 72 hours.
What can you expect from the closed headphones of the middle price segment? Traditionally colored sound with an emphasis on low and high frequencies, listening to which you constantly think: "Okay, but soundproofing is good." One example of such an approach is the Denon D600, although more expensive closed models sometimes suffer similar. It was with such thoughts that I started listening to MSR7, and what was my pleasant surprise when I did not hear anything like it.
The sound of these headphones is surprisingly analytical, light, with excellent resolution and very low distortion. This is definitely not a model for everyone, in some ways it acts as an antipode to "mass" headphones, since it is aimed at connoisseurs of honest and not embellished sound. Perhaps, this is the best solution in an inexpensive segment for those who want to hear just audiophile sound without the influence of headphones. I can say that this is a sound to which you have to "grow", in order to understand what exactly you need it.
The MSR7 bass is pleased with its speed characteristics, its biting and resolution, it is quite capable of competing with many expensive models, the only thing it lacks is the amounts, quite a bit, literally 3-4 dB in plus would be enough already. In this case, I think it's worth talking about the deliberate decision of the developers, they deliberately weakened the bass quantitatively, so that its quality was more evident. You can compensate for this by picking up a source with a darkened feed or just getting used to the fact that bass is not always blows to the skull. If you draw an analogy, then it's like starting to eat good steaks without ketchup, at first it seems that something is not enough, but then you begin to understand that the true taste of meat is much deeper and more interesting if you do not slice it with tomato with spices.
Medium frequencies are good unconditionally. A low level of distortion made it possible to achieve a very clean and accurate feed, which can even be compared with good isodines of the entry level. Emotionality, the study of images, the transfer of the nature of instruments - all these data headphones can do just fine. The imaginary scene pleases and width (for a closed model, of course), and depth. The development of multifaceted music is generally a strong side of MSR7. The only downside is that, due to a lack of bass, the sound of the headphones is light and at a very high volume the sound can be sharp, but I personally had to unscrew the volume for a sharp sound to a level somewhere two times higher than comfortable for me.
The upper frequencies are also well-designed, they are detailed and at normal volume levels are good quantitatively. For this model, you need to select a well-controlled RF source, this is the price for the level that these headphones offer. Continuing the analogy - for a sports car you need to buy high-quality gasoline, otherwise it will not give out everything you can.
Please, do not think that I did not like these headphones, usually I'm much less critical of the models of this price range, just MSR7 are very good for their price, and I involuntarily compare them to much more expensive headphones. In general, MSR7 is an adult sound for moderate money, it is not universal, but very good.
Compatibility
Despite the fact that the kit includes a cable with a headset, I certainly would not use this model with tablets and smartphones, and listening on the street is not very suitable for them. This is a very serious model for home use, which is quite worthy not of the most budgetary "CAPS" or the player of the top segment. One of the applications of these headphones I see using them as a "complement" to some darker headphones in the home setup for listening to serious genres.
First of all, I would recommend music styles for jazz, classics, good concert recordings, live music according to music styles. Slightly less they are suitable for heavy metal and electronics, but then the question is more likely in the preferred pitch, if you like the analytical sound, then it will be good. The quality of the tracks MSR7 is very sensitive, I would say, somewhere on 9 points out of 10. With them, it really is worth the trouble to find good remasters and tracks in lossless.
Traditionally, several tracks in the role of example.
Marvin Gaye - Flyin 'High (in the Friendly Sky). Naturally, vocals are the hobby of this model, and the best album of the king of blues is exactly what allows MSR7 to reveal itself to the fullest. Marvin has a great voice, and these headphones perfectly convey this.
Göteborgs Symfoniker - Polovtsian Dances. One of the most famous works of Borodin, of course, is suitable for headphones material. To play the parties of the symphony orchestra in all its diversity - exactly what they get very well.
Rush - YYZ. That case, when one trio is quite capable of replacing an orchestra with itself, is so multifaceted and complex their music. This track shows that the talented group has even three letters "Morsean" ways to serve as an impetus to create an interesting instrument. MSR7, in turn, is very trying to transmit this track exactly the way it should, and, perhaps, they do it.
conclusions
As I wrote above, Audio-Technica has got an interesting, though not universal, model. The experience of the company allowed them to create headphones with excellent resolution, neutral and analytical, while a reasonable price and a closed for acoustic models that are rare for such models make them a very tempting option for fans of monitor audio.
The ATH-MSR7 page on Audio-Technica website.
The article is based on materials .
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