Sorry for constantly babbling about my new headphones. Read more of these in the coming weeks though. I can't help it. It's been almost 2 weeks of usage and I still can't get the sound I want from it. See, I like my music raw, crisp, smooth, and clean. Don't get me wrong. My HD448 is still sounding pretty decent with very pronounced mid's. I don't mind about the lacking bass because I am a very versatile listener. But it's really getting on my nerves. I was listening to Norah Jones awhile ago and there was the unwanted sound again. Dafuq. I'm not even listening to hiphop/house this time. I can't really explain how it goes but it's really something my meticulous ears can distinctly pinpoint. I get distracted whenever a song reaches its climax because that is when the headphones really beat the crap out of my chorda tympani! It is like the sound of plastic wrapper getting crumpled, it's so annoying and very disturbing. Also, I hate the fact that whenever a song relies on bass and the bass kicks in, it destroys the whole song. It makes everything sound fuzzy and just blatantly disappointing.

I'm emotionally deranged because of this headphone woe. I was hoping to at least revive my classic sound with this can. I have read good loads of reviews about it before I purchased it, and no, the unit itself is sealed and can't be auditioned in any retail stores that sell it so I basicaly relied on faith that it would actually make listening a pleasant experience after all.

I'm giving it a month of more burn-in and let's see if it can deliver better. I'm coupling it with a headphone amp to see if I can get it sounding better (less annoying!) or if it can deliver better sounds if boosted more than 32 ohms.

Now on that audio techinca M50. I auditioned a unit (black one, not the LE) awhile ago at SM north after I hit the gym. Straight out of the box, the headphones was pretty sturdy. Well at least compared to most headphones I've demoed including my current HD448. Just by the solid build, retractable (or should I say collapsible?) cups, gold-plated jack, and not to mention the fancy leather pouch, I was impressed. My heart was pounding pretty fast when the SA hooked it to their audition station of some sort. I wore it around my ears and the lady started jamming the volume up. The next thing I knew, I was in a state of trance, which happens to me when I hear music at its pristine and finest. Mother of mercy I thank thee. Apollo and Hephaistos must have crossed paths to produce such a brilliant product that touches the inner soul and the heart. It was actually a moment of truth for me, because I have always read about the headphones over the internet and I've been meaning to experience it (yes, experience) for the longest time now.

Honestly, I can't quite be specific with the sound that the M50 gave out. It was a reflection of good balance between high's and mid's. The bass was absolutely stunning. Again, speaking from someone who has a headphone with terrible bass, the bass sounded a tad subtle to me yet was there. Something I consider really enough for my usual bass liking. The songs I auditioned came from different genres and styles yet the M50 managed to make every song distinct-sounding, as in you cannot categorize the M50 with limited genres as it's very versatile. One thing I am not quit sure of is if the unit presented to me was already adequately burned-in or relatively new. Oh God I can only imagine how it would sound if paired with an amplifier. It would be pure bliss. Although, it may not be necessary for some. Nevertheless, I don't have an audio technica M50 but listening to music using it was the most beautiful thing that happened to me since my auditory nerve started sending signals to my brain. Of course I have to admit though that the succession of music they played over at the retail store were perfectly mastered and nothing really close to digital-sounding or computer generated music. That alone actually gave me the idea and the overall experience of the M50's fullest potential.

In the near future, I see myself burrying my HD448 if the time comes when it will just give up on me and wear out. and I see myself holding my very own pair of M50's. I can see it being a companion to me in boring long-rides, idle moments in school, while making beats, and while staring blankly into space.

 For the mean time, I'm going to enjoy my current cans to it's maximum life. I'm still new to the head-fi world anyway. If only I have money, then I'd be willing to spend roughly about 15,000 pesos for the cans. That is what you call and expect "getting what you paid for." But turned out that the retail price plays between 8,999 to about 9,500 pesos. Pretty sweet huh? And if I did have money, I'd buy two. One for myself and another I would gladly reserve for someone else. He/she may not be a hi-fi addict like my self-proclaimed self but I'd like to give someone the opportunity of using the blessing of being able to listen to sound the way it's meant to be heard. Or probably to someone who's willing to shove his/her beats pro down a lion's throat. Kidding!

This is a rare-case scenario wherein I would just once decline to the saying "money can't buy you happiness" not unless someone would give me my own pair. Sometimes, we can't deny the fact that experiencing life in the raw involves extra help that dissimulation in the aforementioned statement cannot, in any way, provide for us.