Sony MDR-CD900st vs AT ath-msr7b (comparison)
I have listened a ton of hours on the cd900st by now, even though its a recent purchase I want to review them with a comparison against the msr7b, as I think its too early for me to review them as is. I’m writing this for fun, to share my appreciation and like always, yours may vary.
These two headphones are remarkable closed backs around the $200 price tag, for my taste I would pick both over meze 99 classics.
I’m using both A/B testing and impressions from longer listening sessions.
Chain used:
Tidal > ifi Zen Dac > Little Dot II mk2 preamp (voskhod tubes) > Schiit Magnius
Both headphones sound very good from any source I tried, they are not amp picky at all but they do scale.
I run the cd900st on the SE out and the msr7b on the balanced out, my cd900st pads are rolled with yaxi stpad 1, they sound very similar to stock, just a tad smoother on the treble and much more comfortable.
Build:
They both feature good isolation and comfort (great after pad rolling), linear clamp and good seal with moderately thin frame glasses on. Sony’s headband has way more padding than what it looks like on pictures.
Overview
The cd900st feature a fairly linear frequency response, but they have a rich and warm tonality thanks to their great dynamics, instrument separation and depth (incredible performance for a $200 closed back).
Their presentation never gets very laidback nor forward, I would call it relaxed, the staging feels very true to source in its small soundstage.
The msr7b are slightly v-shaped and bright, they have the characteristic Audio Technica recession on the lower mids, very addicting for female vocals and string instruments.
It doesn’t perform technically on the same level as the sonys but its close, they sound more engaging and fun oriented with a bigger stage.
Song face off
I’ll be highlighting the sound and feeling of some instruments, the songs are for reference.
SNAP! - Exterminate (Endzeit 7) feat. Niki Haris
Early 90’s house, this genre favors the msr7b which pair amazingly well with this song, but it also lets the cd900st show some of their prowess.
msr7b puts the vocals, synths and even some of the detail forward, which results in a more impactful presentation.
cd900st takes a more clinical, layered approach, positioning the instruments voices to the sides, letting the groove of the drums shine in the center before dropping the lead synth.
msr7b emphasizes the drums, making them large and bloomy but they gradually fade down in the mix as more instruments are revealed and take the lead. The flute and guitar have a very very good tone, hi-hats have more air than cd900st.
cd900st keeps the bassline in the background however its more punchy and textured. There is an arpeggiated rhytmic synth which is heavily textured (like trebley shockwaves), it sounds amazing, the msr7b just can’t produce this level of texture (it does have some though).
Cowgirl Clue - A Figure 8
Hyperpop song with a bright mix. No sibilance on either headphone but the ATs can be perceived as shouty, I get a similar amount of fatigue with both headphones if I listen to this song’s full album as its brightness gradually takes a toll.
Msr7b brighter tonality and slightly boosted bass again synergize very well with the genre and song. There’s a fast click sound, its very clicky and satisfying, I also like the forwardness of the vocals. I prefer Msr7b’s bloomier bassline here with the way this song was mixed.
cd900st sounds more wet here, smoother. You can tell the overall timbre is a bit deeper than neutral, kinda like the hd650. I guess its a matter of preference, if you don’t like a sound signature as bright or forward then sony has your number.
Some people find cd900st’s sound sig. boring or not impressive at all. I don’t; I think they add a genious twist to the typical “studio” sound with their relaxed balance and impressive dynamics.
Midori - Rhytm
Jazz fusion with hardcore punk. Very fast song with calm passages.
cd900st shine trough on very busy songs like this one, I really think their instrument separation and overall clarity is superior for a closed back of this price. I don’t have much else to say really, and there’s a good chance this song was recorded (and mixed) with these headphones.
msr7b sound like a mess here, the drums are bloated, which may actually be a good thing to some but I pick clean every single time.
As much as I like msr7b’s forward vocals (and I’m an AT vocals stan) I also have to give props to cd900st’s, they are buttery, not as much as the hd6** line of headphones but close. The electric guitar is very crunchy and the piano has weight.
Closing thoughts
The songs were picked kinda randomly from my library so that’s that, I don’t think the genres matter as much as how the song was mixed for picking a headphone over the other, at the end of the day it all comes down to preference and I absolutely love both headphones, but I do think the sonys are better sounding on most songs.
Compared to cheaper options like dt770, ath-m40x, k361, etc. the cd900st are clearly one tier above in sound. Yaxis are likely a must and cable is attached, so there’s also that to consider.
Compared to similarly priced open back options, they sound very closed (duh), but they take their closed back perks to the limit, If you want a taste of higher end closed backs I think this is the entry point, great dynamics, actual depth, texture and the sweet reverb presentation typical of good closed backs.
On the technical level I think these share a spot with hd6** line (in very different aspects), which is an absolute feat considering those are open and still price representative.
Compared to pricier closed backs, their ease of use, tonal balance and japanese heritage make them a good audiophile pick anyway. I think they have a lot in common with focal elegias, but those would be respectively on the tier above, being a little better in almost everything, specially soundstage.
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