Sony SA5000 or AKG K701? - Head-Fi: Covering Headphones, Earphones and Portable Audio

drarthurwells · 01-30-2006, 09:23 PM

I need some help from qualified posters (as I define below).

I think the Sony SA5000 is perhaps the best headphone you can get (possibly excluding the Sony Qualia 010 and UE 10 pro) in terms of reproducing natural and realistic sound.

I think many complaints of the SA5000 from others have to do with problems in their signal path (components, cables, etc.) that they are unaware of.

Will I be as happy with the AKG K701, I ordered over 6 weeks ago, when they arrive, as I am with the SA5000?

I listen mainly to classical which places many hard demands on the signal path (components, cables, etc.) as far as natural and realistic reproduction.

I am asking those who have listened to both the SA5000 and the AKG K701, for at least a week of intensive listening with the same components and cables, to reply in this thread. The weak bass of the AKG 701 is not that important to me - natural timbre of voice and instrument is important.

Please do not post here unless you are such a person. If your experience with either of these headphones is limited to less than a week with each ( as in auditions at meets), please do not reply.

spacemanspliff · 01-30-2006, 09:59 PM

Hmmm. Had the Sa5000 and yes it did very well indeed for classical. Never heard the 701 but did have the 501 and currently enjoy the hell out of my K1000.

The only issue I had with the Sa5000 is they lacked warmth and did not seem like they had an honest natural tone to them. I loved them for trance, ambient music but not so much for voices.

IMO K1000 all day long. If you spent 6-700 on two cans I would honestly get rid of both and just use the

It's just better. When you get them set up properly they have all the speed, power and soundstage you could ever want.

raisin · 01-31-2006, 12:54 AM

Dohh, you gave it a shot, Art! Reading comprehension isn't what it used to be.

AdamWill · 01-31-2006, 01:36 AM

Just wait for them to arrive, listen to them, and make up your own mind. The fact that no-one else loves the SA5000 as much as you do rather suggests no-one else here has the same ears as you anyway, so I suspect others' opinions would be even more meaningless than is usually the case.

drarthurwells · 01-31-2006, 01:56 AM

Originally Posted by AdamWill

Just wait for them to arrive, listen to them, and make up your own mind. The fact that no-one else loves the SA5000 as much as you do rather suggests no-one else here has the same ears as you anyway, so I suspect others' opinions would be even more meaningless than is usually the case.

Well you must have missed the recent German magazine review posted on this forum which rated the Sony SA 5000 as tops, rating the SA5000 above both the Sennheiser HD650 and the AKG K701. Duh!

You should change your statement from

"no-one else loves the SA5000 as much as you do"

to

"only critics with access to all quality headphones available love the SA5000
as much as you do as the best available headphone for the money".

And yes, Raisin, reading comprehension is often lacking here.

chris719 · 01-31-2006, 02:34 AM

Who cares what magazines think? Do you borrow their ears before you listen every night? If there is one thing I have found out from reading head-fi, it is that people have wildly different opinions on things I thought were pretty cut and dry. I'm sure I could find at least a few people here who will tell me the K501 has better bass than the HD650, and the whole argument depends on their definition of "better bass".

spacemanspliff · 01-31-2006, 02:52 AM

meh. i read fine. just don't think it's worth trying either. If the K1000 is AKGs best why muddle about with this? B/c it's a matter of preference. Sorry I just don't see the point in trying anymore. I have what I like and am trying to decrease the confusion at the pricepoint you are currently at. If I wasn't so paranoid about shipping I would gladly loan you mine for a week or two. Never the less I will now stfu and watch.

donunus · 01-31-2006, 02:55 AM

Yep the 501s have cleaner bass than the 650, of course... as in they cleaned the bass out of it

Sorry DrArthurWells for posting, I just couldn't resist..

Hey People, The Man sounds serious, do not sabotage this thread with other remarks anymore. I am also looking forward to the impressions of headfiers who have heard both the k701 and the sa5k extensively

drarthurwells · 01-31-2006, 05:23 AM

My AKG K701 should arrive soon.

I have seen some posters that I respect, who have use both SA5000 and the K701, state that the SA5000 was superior.

I have seen the German report put the SA5000 at the top rating of 90, with lesser scores for the HD650 and K701.

I know the SA5000 is superior to the HD650 is reproducing the most natural and realistic sound.

It is not too late to cancel my K 701 order.

So far no one with extensive experience with both headphones have posted.

Looking forward to experienced opinions.

mysticaldodo · 01-31-2006, 05:27 AM

No one can give you a definite answer, only your ears can tell you that.

You can give me your AKG 701 if you don't like it