Sony MDR-R10 versus L3000, W5000, etc. (photo) - Page 3

Yes, the R10 has excellent space and air, better than the W5000.

My impression so far is that details are close between the R10 and W5000.

The R10 seems to have many strengths and few weaknesses. It has great details, imaging, soundstage coherency, soundstage size (width + depth), natural and realistic tonality (best I've heard, IMO), superb tonal balance, sense of space, air and separation, and vibrancy, smoothness and liquidity.

The one thing it might lack is the sense of energy and vividness of the L3000. The L3000 has a fullness and body behind it that makes it very powerful-sounding. Combined with its refinement and effortlessness, the L3000 can be a uniquely engaging listening experience.

The R10 matches or even exceeds the L3000's refinement, but it is more reserved and seems to always be holding back. The R10 is like a beautiful, sophisticated, elegant woman with her hair coiffed and ballroom dancing, vs. the L3000's beautiful, sophisticated, athletic woman with her hair flying and club dancing.

I will try.

I usually listen for a long time before reaching conclusions. I listen to a wide variety of music (including hard rock and metal) and each headphone has to go through several songs of each genre repeatedly, so it takes me a long time.

If you're interested, search for past threads about the R10, L3000 and W5000. I remember many threads with a lot of info about these headphones. There are not many threads about them recently.

Doesn't anyone think that the QCK+ pad works well as a headphone pad? I considered it was one of my better ideas.

Soundstage, imaging and details are priorities for me, hence my preference for the W5000 over the L3000 most of the time. I think the W5000's soundstaging and details are better than the L3000's and imaging is close.

The R10 is superb, probably the best I've heard, in these three areas.

The K701 and K1000 are also strong here. The AD2000 and SA5000 are also good, but their soundstaging can't match the others.

For fullness of body, solidity and a unique sense of vividness to the music, the L3000 would be my choice.

I use the HA5000 with the L3000. I think it gives the L3000 more air and spaciousness.

Ummmm, er, ah... hey, there are people who have more headphones than I do, and many have electrostats.

I don't consider myself a collector, though there are headphones I don't use much. I'm the unfortunate type who likes almost everything he hears (except Ultrasone 2500 ). And I tell myself that headphones are relatively easy to sell.

I'll still keep listening to other headphones. The R10, L3000 and W5000 are great, but I also like listening to the HD650, K701, RS-1, SA5000, etc. They each have a unique sound and their own strengths and weaknesses. Even the R10 doesn't do everything best in my current system. Maybe with better amplification, and a better source, and...

As good as the R10 and L3000 are, I think the W5000, AD2000 and some other current-production headphones are also good. There's also the GS1000 and Edition 9.

Discontinued headphones are hyped and not worth the time, money and hassle of finding them. They're used, for goodness sake! Used headphones are dirty, smelly and who knows what else (hello nikongod). Forget about them and go for a new Omega II.

I agree fit is an issue with the W5000.

Its headbands are flexible and I've bent them the topmost part to increase clamping force. Without this bending they fit very loosely on my head with large gaps at the earpads and could slide off easily.

The L3000 case works well stored in a closet shelf. I like its relative compact form factor, especially vs. the R10's case which is even bigger than the W2002's. I do worry about the velvet cover getting dirty.

This R10 is in the 850's, which should be the early version.

I think I would like a bit more more bass impact and quantity, but wouldn't like to give up any soundstage or air.

My R10 is SN 856.

Ah, so I think the "bassier" version should be a bit more bassy, and there are R10's in existence with a larger soundstage and more air?

Apparently I want more bass and would also like a larger soundstage and air, which can only mean =>

1. Better amp
2. Better source
3. Better power, cables
4. Balanced R10
5. Or switch to a K1000 rig

Aaargh, did I mention I hate Head-Fi?