So im about to get some new cans, and i think ive narrowed it down to the TMA-1 or the A&H Xone XD-53…
i have a fairly large cranium (see brain case) and the gripe i notice most among this tier(200usd) of headphone is fit. im guessing sound quality will be similar between these two, but what im shooting into the dark here on is this:
does there happen to be anyone here with a head on the larger side ( i wear a 7 3/4 size fitted cap, so my head isnt huge like sputnik , but i dont have a pin head either) that has happened to try both cans, that would reccomend one pair over the other?
any other comparison would be valued as well, but im pretty certain i want one of these pairs so please dont mention other phones unless you truely believe them to be better for some reason.
XD-53s and TMA1s are two different things, you’re comparing over ear to on ear which is very different.
I hate on ear so I naturally prefer XD-53s, and usualy the only gripe people have with the XD-53s is they are kind of big so if you have a small head they don’t fit well, but in your case that’s just more reason to get them. They have the biggest drivers of any dj headphone and sound great and are very rugged. On ear headphones sound wimpy to me regardless of if they supposedly have better isolation.
My close buddy has the Xone 53’s. I had the TMA-1’s. In a direct comparison of the two, here’s my two cents:
I have a large cranium. Both of them fit well. Really, I’ve dealt with some smaller headphones and didn’t like them that much. But the fit on both of these is solid IMO. (I also have a 7 3/4 hat lol. So honestly, with both of these you won’t have an issue). Actually, my buddy who owns the Xone’s complains about them being too large sometimes as he has a smaller skull.
What it really comes down to is if you like ON ear or OVER ear better. To be honest, I liked the feel of the Xone’s better. I just prefer over ear can’s I guess. But that’s completely personal preference. Both are quite comfortable pad wise and all that.
The bass response on the Xone’s is a lot heavier. Take that as you will. I think both set of cans sound great. The TMA’s are a lot more crisp and balanced, while the Xone’s are crisp, but have a much more distinctive emphasis on the low end response.
The TMA’s had a bit better isolation. But as they are on-ear, it’s not really that surprising. Even having the volume pumped up pretty loud, if they were on my head, you would barely have sound bleed. I’m not really sure about this with the Xones tbh.
Other that, they are both really good cans. I’d entirely base any future decision on buying them on if you like on ear or over ear. Given they are similar price, that’s my opinion at least.
I have the Xone 53’s and agree with everyone’s comments that it’s big. It bothersome at times, but the sound as everyone pointed out on the low end is great…
Well you already made your purchase so this info is irrelevant but I thought I’d post anyway since I’ve used both in loud clubs and compared them side by side (though not in a club). They both sound amazing, and they sound different. Xones have more low end as has been pointed out, but TMAs sound more well rounded to me. But they both sound extremely clean - you’re not getting muddy sound out of either no matter what. They’re also both sturdy and well-built.
For me the TMAs outshine the Xones when it comes to club use. I’ve actually had trouble hearing the Xones in a loud club before thanks to the poor sound isolation (on my head at least). As people pointed out, everyone’s head is different, so for some an over-ear design might provide better isolation, but for me the TMAs are awesome when it comes to isolation - a clean seal on the ear keeps the sound in so you don’t have to crank it too loud.
oh yeah one advantage to the Xones is their portability; I like that you can fold them up, which you can’t do with the TMAs.
Only had experience with the TMA-1’s. Heard before that they’re more suitable for bigger heads (slipping off if you move too violently with a smaller head) but they’re great on me (7 5/8 cap).
just called mine… no luck.. i was just starting to picture having them on today too.