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Greetings mate and Welcome aboard! Stuart Charles here, HomeStudioBasics.com helping YOU make sound decisions, so…
This is part of my “Budget Kings” Series, which takes a look at some of the best options for under $100. Check out:
- Budget King #1: The semi-open back Koss KPH30i Review!
- Budget King #2: The open back Philips SHP9500 Review!
- Budget King #3: The closed back Sony MDR-7506 Review!
- Budget King #4: The closed back Creative Aurvana Live! Review
- Budget King #5: The semi-open AKG K240 Studio Review!
- Budget King #6: This review
Is the CB-1 still relevant?
Absolutely. Let’s dive in.
Why did I place this sixth?
The CB-1 has a fantastic Soundstage, great instrument separation, and excellent comfort. What is Soundstage?
It can sound a little too feathery/light at times, hence why it doesn’t achieve top honors.
The cable can also be a bit of a minor annoyance (more on that later).
Despite some quirks, they remain an excellent buy at roughly $60 because what they do well outshines what they don’t in my opinion.
The build is also pretty good, as they aren’t quite as flimsy as something like an HD558.
Overall, the inclusion of two detachable cables (a coiled and straight), some metal, a great Soundstage, fantastic instrument separation/detail, great bass response, an extremely sturdy 3.5mm termination at the business end, and excellent resolution make the CB-1 a slam dunk purchase at under $100.
With that, let’s get into specifics.
Design & Build
The Status Audio CB-1 is a closed-back, circumaural headphone with a build and style that borrows certain elements from the M50x and M40x.
The cylindrical pieces and overall mechanism used to hold the ear cup (above) mimic the original 40x and 50x, but the CB-1 is made almost entirely of plastic; headband included.
Fortunately for us, you can actually hold both cups and twist the headphones until it feels like they’re going to break in half, but they somehow come out unscathed.
I wouldn’t recommend doing this regularly (as there’s no real reason to) but it’s a testament to their almost extreme durability.
If you’ll recall, the 40x and 50x contained a metal headband, but only the CB-1 has numbered adjustments.
Also, strangely enough, there’s not a hint of branding on the CB-1 which I thought was interesting.
The CB-1’s earcups feel much nicer, as they are made of a protein leather/memory foam combo rather than the much cheaper and thinner faux leather of the V6 and M40x; both of which tend to crack, peel, flake, and harden over time.
The cups are also much deeper and give ample room for your ears.
The outside of the cups are encased in genuine metal too, which is welcome at this price.
The trade-off is that the headphones are about twice the size of your melon upon mirror inspection, which makes you look like a complete doofus outside of the studio. 😛
That said,
out of the 3, the 40x feels the most solid in your hand, followed by the V6 and then the CB-1.
The CB-1 doesn’t feel quite as cheap as something like an AKG K240 Studio, but not quite as heavy/durable as a 40x.
It kind of inhabits that middle ground and feels about as good as the price would indicate.
What I also found interesting is the 3.5mm jack; it’s nearly identical to the jack used on the original M50.
This is perhaps the greatest compliment Status Audio could make, as the M50’s jack was the best one I’ve personally ever come across, and holds up remarkably well over time.
I’m fully convinced that all headphones should employ it.
Detachable?
What I don’t like about the CB-1 is although it has a detachable cable, it could have been designed better.
I don’t mind the fact that you have to twist it first and then pull, but it’s cumbersome to get out regardless as it kind of fights you.
By contrast, the 40x and 50x cables are much smoother and designed extremely well. They too have a twist/lock mechanism but are incredibly fluid by contrast.
So imagine the feeling of trying to pull the cable out after it’s been superglued and you’ll get a good idea of how stubborn it is.
Now your mileage may vary on this, I’m just sharing my personal experience.
What I do like about the coiled version of the CB-1’s cable is that the coil is more manageable than both the V6/7506 and the 40x.
The V6’s coil goes on for days and will become tangled quite easily over a span of about 2 years. The same is true for the 7506.
The M40x’s coil is a bit shorter, and the CB-1’s is the shortest.
Ultimately, the build of the CB-1 is very good and ranks second out of the 5, with the M50x coming in as the most durable.
Build rank
- M50x
- CB-1
- V6/7506
- M40x
Comfort
This is where the CB-1 wins out pretty… comfortably.
I’ll see myself out.
Given the ear cups are an incredibly plush protein leather/memory foam (discussed earlier) they are supremely comfortable to the point of astonishment.
As it turns out, the lightweight build and open cups really come in handy and make these feel close-ish to ‘air.’
They’re not going to be as comfy as something like a Beyerdynamic or Sennheiser, but they do an admirable job all things considered; especially for the price.
The cups are also thick enough for the driver to stay away from your ears, and the clamping force is excellent. They may dig a little into the top of your head, but for the most part, you’ll be fine.
The overall weight is the main culprit here and is as close to perfect as you can realistically expect, working incredibly well for extended listening and mixing sessions and mostly “disappearing” on your melon.
Both the 40x/50x’s and 7506/V6’s clamp force are tighter than the CB-1, with the 40x clamping the tightest.
Comfort rank
- CB-1
- V6/7506
- 40x/50x
Sound
The sound is great, but there are a few small nitpicks.
One is the mid-bass. There’s something a bit strange going on, and it comes across as a little bloated and forced.
This also affects parts of the mid-range, as it seems a bit sucked out in spots, or pushed back (recessed).
The third issue is that because of this weird mid-range, the treble can be metallic sounding at times, resulting in an essy character that’s a bit problematic.
There are times when the CB-1 sounds flat-out awful, with a treble that’s not as piercing as it is just simply “Crumpled”, and yes, a bit sibilant as well.
- Related: What does Sibilant mean?
These aren’t bass light, but they’re also not for bass heads.
Even despite the nitpicks mentioned above, the CB-1 sounds mostly correct in that music is given room to be exactly what it is, good or bad.
This is a huge asset in music production, and precisely why the CB-1 is hands down one of the best headphones for mixing.
Because of its extremely open nature, the resolution is much better than you’d expect at this price and even punches above its weight class in terms of clarity and micro detail.
In other words, this does not in any way shape or form sound like a closed-back, thus why I’ve always given it such high praise and kept it on this list; despite loads of new headphones coming out in recent years.
Soundstage is also quite remarkable, pound for pound almost matching the K702’s lovely stage. This is astounding when you consider that there are almost no headphones that have a Soundstage quite like the K702.
The fact that a CB-1, a closed back of all things, could even approach the vicinity really speaks to their open nature and revelatory quality.
Please, for the love of God ignore any article saying these have no Soundstage. It couldn’t be more wrong and it makes me wonder what planet they’re on. Because it ain’t Earth.
While all of that may make you a bit damp (and it should) it isn’t all flowers and rainbows.
There is a papery-like quality to the CB-1, with a sometimes overly feathery character. It’s light, wispy, and very clean, but sometimes to its detriment.
Think dry, a bit soulless at times. Not a dealbreaker by any means, but something to consider.
Overall,
I still prefer the sound of the CB-1 over the rest because of how resolving it is at the price point, and because it’s a closed-back headphone that has no business sounding as good as it does for the measly price tag of $60.
- Related: Closed Back vs. Open Back Headphones
What Status achieved here should never be forgotten in this new age of endless products that are put on the market almost hourly.
Sound rank
- CB-1
- V6/7506
- M40x/M50x
Video Shootout/Comparison to the 40x
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M40x/50x comparison
No contest.
CB-1 wins easily over the trashy 40x, and also slightly over the 50x. I’m a huge 50x fan, but I think the CB-1 is better from a purely neutral perspective and also has better Soundstage and resolution.
The 40x is a mid-bass heavy mess and sounds awful. It’s metallic sounding, artificial, and hollow.
As mentioned above, the CB-1 does have some minor issues and is in no way a perfect headphone, but it runs circles around the 40x.
V6/7506 comparison
These 2 are cleaner and more sterile sounding, but definitely brighter and more in your face.
The V6/7506 are both reference go-to headphones and have been for decades, but I think the CB-1 outshines here with regard to resolution because it tends to space things out better.
I was hearing a lot more going on in the mix with the CB-1 than I have with most other headphones, including my beloved V6 and 7506.
The CB-1 also doesn’t lack slam, but it generates impact where it should and thankfully cuts the bloat/mud regions at 200-300Hz. This is an issue I’ve been harping on for what seems like forever, as so many companies screw it up.
Status does not screw it up, thank heavens. I thought I was going mad.
Headphones like the A10, Meze 99 Neo, Black Hole, Nighthawk, SHP9600, the list goes on. All of these plus more are examples of what NOT to do when tuning headphones; specifically the bass.
The CB-1? It’s certainly a breath of fresh air and will always be.
Amp/DAC Requirements
You won’t necessarily need one given the low impedance and fairly efficient Sensitivity of 97dB, but I used mine with an Oppo HA-2.
- Recommended: How to Choose a Headphone Amp [Complete Guide]
I definitely wouldn’t drop a bunch of money on an expensive amp here as you simply won’t need it.
Because these are built for mixing, mastering, and production, I would simply plan to use your Audio Interface (something like the Volt 2)
If you’re more of a casual listener and don’t plan on using them for production, something in the $100 range like an ATOM is perfectly feasible and provides way more than enough power.
I would say they will do well with most genres, and I listened to them with Hip-Hop/Rap, Indie, Pop, Rock, Jazz, Classical, Ambient, Folk/Acoustic, and more. They’re a great jack of all trades and will sound good with almost anything you enjoy listening to.
Thoughts from Stu’s notepad
The CB-1 would be a perfect headphone if not for a few somewhat minor quibbles.
Treble
I kept thinking that the treble is good but will become kind of raspy, scratchy/metallic and it really holds them back from being the best budget closed-back headphones ever.
Because the Soundstage is so magnificent, some of the other quirks are kind of a disappointment.
Still, this headphone is so cheap that it kind of becomes null and void, and I can overlook it for the price.
Mid-Range & Source Dependent
The mid-range can sound sucked out at times and does seem a bit distant in certain songs.
It seems as though the CB-1 is very source-dependent.
With certain recordings, these sound almost flawless.
With others, you may wonder what the engineers were thinking.
Cable, Box, & Jack
The detachable cable, as mentioned earlier, is a small nuisance, but not a dealbreaker.
The box that they come in looks and feels nice, but the shell inside is cheap plastic.
I was kind of expecting more given how cool the box looked, but I suppose you can’t expect too much more at this price point.
The 3.5mm jack is almost identical to the original M50 and is a welcome addition given that it’s pretty much indestructible.
Closing Thoughts
The CB-1 was certainly one of the more memorable experiences I had listening to headphones, and for that, they will always be relevant to me.
For all of its faults, it’s a headphone that gets a whole heck of a lot right: Price, Comfort, Soundstage, Resolution, and Overall Sound are all very good to excellent.
The inclusion of two detachable cables plus a beefy 1/4″ adapter is much appreciated as well.
The treble does tend to sizzle a bit too much, and the mid-range can be problematic at times.
Even so, this is an easy recommendation at this price point and certainly one of the best headphones for mixing and mastering to ever come out of the entry-level category.
Status Audio CB-1
Price: Check Amazon! | Check eBay!
Specifications
- Type: Closed-back, dynamic.
- Fit: Circumaural.
- Driver Size: 50mm.
- Frequency Response: 15 Hz – 30 kHz.
- Impedance: 32 Ohm.
- Sensitivity: 97dB/mW.
- Cable Length: 3m. Comes with a Coiled and Straight version.
- 1/4 adapter: Yes.
- Cable Detachable: Yes.
- Fold-able. Yes.
- Case included: No.
- Weight: 8.9 Oz. (263g)
Well, that’s about it for today my friend! I hope you’ve enjoyed this Status Audio CB-1 over-ear headphones review.
Questions? Comments? Requests? Did I miss the mark on something? Please leave them down below or Contact me!!
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What do you think about these bad boys? Do they still deserve a spot on the Budget Kings list? I would love to hear from you. Until next time…
All the best and God bless,
-Stu
14 comments
Thanks for writing such in-depth review. But I’m a bit confused for the sound quality of CB-1. In this review, you ranked CB-1 below M40X. But in the Audio Technica M40X vs Status Audio CB-1 vs Sony MDR-7506 shootout, CB-1 ranked the first. Can you explain a bit? Thanks in advanced
Hey man!
No worries and thank you for the love. I will have to modify that. I actually used to have the M40x in the Budget Kings and removed it in favor of the Creative Aurvana Live! The CB-1’s sound signature is definitely better than the 40x’s; it’s smoother, more detailed, and not metallic sounding like the 40x. It also has infinitely better Soundstage – something that closed back headphones generally aren’t known for. While the M40x was marketed as a reference headphone, it’s really anything but. The CB-1 is fantastic for such a purpose. It’s just a better headphone all around and more comfortable too. That article was a newer shootout and definitely more reflective of my thoughts. When you change rankings around, sometimes you miss stuff in the articles that needs to be edited. This is such a case. What will you be using the CB-1’s for primarily? They’re great for basically everything and are really hard to beat for the price.
I guess I will buy a CB-1 as most of my usage will be producing and mixing. Thanks a lot for your helpful review!
No worries mate! If you purchase through a link of mine I do get a small kick back and it really does help me and the site out! Also keep me posted on your impressions of the CB-1!!
Just adding for anyone looking:
the newer CB-1 version and the overall bundle quality plummet to the lowest of the low, both detachable cable are less durable and come without the anti-twisting support, ear pads are thinner and the box case come also without any specification or mark and also miss the holographic glyph. The older version SM-CB1 reached 15HZ the newer SACB1-SM double that on the wrong direction. Sound separation is non-existent.
Hmm that’s a shame man! I had not heard about it. Where did you purchase? Is it possible you might have gotten a fake?
I got the headphone delivered by Amazon and the order placed on the Status Audio Headphones shop.
Asked the support about the changes and they said the product match the current “refinements” nevertheless I quickly returned after hearing the frequency fail.
I still have mine older CB-1 version which I m gonna repair!
Yikes! Why would they change an otherwise great sound signature and headphone? Makes no sense. Do you have an official link to the new product?
Just received mine. Confirm the pads & cables have changed as SACB1-SM noted in July. Not had earlier versions so can only go by reviews & conclusion is they have dropped in sound quality, big sound, need more amplifying than expected, muddy & vague, not much soundstage. For the price they’re usable but should have paid a bit more to get something more reliable.
That is so disappointing! I had heard the new model was pretty bad. This review is of the older one obviously. Why would they screw it all up? I don’t get it at all. The original CB-1 is amazing.
Hi, Stu. I asked you a question in another post. I want you to tell me if i play music at a high-very high percentage then will the person who will be in the same room with me(1 meter distance between us) be able to hear what i hear? I want to buy the original model from ebay. Thanks.
Hey man! If in the case of the CB-1? Maybe, but probably not. If they hear anything it will be pretty faint at high volumes.
The cable has a slight turn and lock mechanism. It’s not a defect, its a feature so the cable doesn’t come out while using them.
I’m aware. It’s still not designed that well and a pain to use. I’ve used other twist and lock mechanisms that were built much better.