[virometal]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Azure I thought that mainstream headphones like Sony/Panasonic/Pioneer/etc. ones tend to be bad and not very high end? They are also under "casual" headphones on audiocubes and not "audiophile" like the others.

If that is a valid concern for you don't consider them. Can't change the Sony name or what it stands for.

Quote:

Also, with what amp does it synergize the best <$350)?

If you are serious about the Sony, post this question in the amp forum.

Or better yet, do a search. There are a couple of threads convering that topic there. Even though many of the amps may be out of your price range it will still give you an idea.

Quote:

Also, what's with the headband? It looks like clear plastic with a thin padding on top; not very comfortable looking.

The headband is actually metal with a fabric weave. It is the most comfortable headphone I have worn. Though some with large heads have complained.

Oh and the SA5K is NOT closed.

 

[virometal]

Quote:

Originally Posted by skullguise including the bass. It IS deep to my ears, but it doesn't do a midbass hump like many speakers, and like some other phones. IE, it's pretty neutral to my ears.

I find this interesting. Is the powerful midbass of HD650's and my 325i's an euphoric feature? I have considered the lack? neutral quality? of midbass in the SA5K a fault, but through further consideration, maybe it aids to the exacting spacious sound.

 

[gevorg]

Can SA1000s introduce to the sound of SA5000s?

 

[Iron_Dreamer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gevorg Can SA1000s introduce to the sound of SA5000s?

They can give you an idea, but they are quite lacking in the bass, and overall speed/detail by comparison. For their price though, they are excellent.

 

[Azure]

What's with these cans being so expensive in Japan? $770 on audiocubes and $560 on Amazon Japan. What gives?

 

[D.Holmes]

I got mine, in Japan, new for about $410. You just have to know where to look.

Yes they are great, they are a great upgrade to my eggos. I particularly like the way the way SA5000 handle electric guitars. They kind of squeal (in a good way) at you and come "alive". Guitars sound kind of dead on my other cans.

 

[Jazper]

Quote:

Originally Posted by D.Holmes I got mine, in Japan, new for about $410. You just have to know where to look. Yes they are great, they are a great upgrade to my eggos. I particularly like the way the way SA5000 handle electric guitars. They kind of squeal (in a good way) at you and come "alive". Guitars sound kind of dead on my other cans.

I have to agree... they have an "edge" to them that makes them close to grados.. but a lot more comfortable..

 

[fogia.4]

Like I said in my review, thats probably due to the metallic parts in the cup. I noticed my sr325 and sr325i have the same characteristic, and all other cans I've tried lose that edge.

 

[chrisfromalbany]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Azure So, the SA5k's are classified as "closed" but don't do the best job? Oh well, I guess I'll just have to make sure I don't listen to my music near anybody else (Sound leaks a lot with my A500s, so I'm guessing it'd be much worse with the SA5k's). Also, I don't mean to be offensive in any manner, but I thought that mainstream headphones like Sony/Panasonic/Pioneer/etc. ones tend to be bad and not very high end? They are also under "casual" headphones on audiocubes and not "audiophile" like the others. Anybody have more pictures of the SA5k's (Headphone alone, stand, box, etc.)? Also, with what amp does it synergize the best <$350)? Also, what's with the headband? It looks like clear plastic with a thin padding on top; not very comfortable looking.

I like the SMv3 for this application. It has the bass boost that I use on certain songs that I want the bass to be more present on.

As for them being a high end headphone. I think that are. I listen to HD650/Zu and that listen to SA5000. Each having there own strong suit but definitly wouldn't say the SA5000 are the lesser. I have a larger head, so the SA5000 don't fit as well as the HD650 do. But the detail of the SA5000 is why I like the headphones so much. Listening to the Grunge from Tool or Lateralus. You get this quick attack with force and decays quickly for the next attack. HD650 just don't have that quickness nor do that have the same force. The difference is small but at this level is large. If that makes any sense. I am also thinking about getting my SA5000 recabled.

 

[fogia.4]

Hehe we should do a recable SA5k group buy and try to get a discount

 

[Azure]

What are the possible recables with the SA5k's (And where can you have them done?)? I'm guessing you don't have nearly as much variety as you do with the HD600/650s?

 

[chrisfromalbany]

Well a fellow member here was going to do it for $60 dollars. I am not sure that I am going to give the name out but that was the deal that I had worked.

virometal how did your recabling go? 4.0 tennis player nice.

 

[fogia.4]

as far as I know, Larry from headphile can do a whole recable in BlackMax cable balanced with an XLR to 1/4" adapter (all including hq neutrik plugs) for around 400USD. Drew from moon-audio can do the same job with basic plugs and his Blue Dragon 2 cable for around 200USD, but he hasnt seen the cans yet and that price is not definite. So far I only know for those two.

 

[D.Holmes]

Speaking of recabling, is anyone running their SA5000 balanced from a DAC1? I wonder if it would be worth doing?

 

[Azure]

So, there's no clear plastic or anything in the space where the arrow points:

Wouldn't that leave a lot more room for the chance that the headband would get bent in that area? Right now my main concern is how ridiculously cheap the headband looks; the fabric that's supposed to cushion your head looks VERY thin (Thus not very comforting) and cheaply made. How thick is the top headband (It looks like it is barely 1/8" thick)?