MDR-SA5000?

opinions? they are even harsher sounding than K701's, have a comparable soundstage to GS1000's, and their headband hurts like hell

I probably could not disagree more. The 701's I found to be harsher, especially with female vocals. The SA5000 was forward, somewhat bright, but not fatiguing (unlike the K701). They are almost amongst the most comfortable headphones I have had the pleasure of owning. Their midband and upper mids are quite prominent and light-weight relative to Sennheisers of Denons, but the soundstage - whilst not small - is not overly expansive. The result is an open presentation which plenty of air and separation between instruments/vocals; sans congestion but also sans the sparse, somewhat hollow/cavernous presentation of the K701.

Think etys with huge soundstage

perhaps the comfort has something to do with my enormous head?

still, i'm amazed you could consider the SA5000's less fatiguing than the K701's. what did you amp them with?

SA5000 has V-shape sound signature with very harsh sound.

K701s are also fatiguing, but not much as SA5000s do.

Let me add some mandatory provisos to my comments:
1. was amping them with a tube amp (with a warmish tube character - the WA2); I did not like it through the SS amps I tried
2. both the ones I owned were recabled with APS V3 cable

Possibly, yes . I have a narrow dome and to me they are very comfortable.

In my system, the SA5000 is my best phone. Never harsh in the highs, great lows, and mids, and you hear all the details of the instruments, transients, imaging, and pluck of strings. They are one of the dynamics to have almost stat speed. I also own the K701s and 21 others phones. Currently 2nd day testing the D7000.

Go back and do a search on the SA5000. Many consider them hi-end since they share similar tech as the 010. You do have to have the equipment to bring them to their best.

Happy listening!

Offtopic, but what does obobskivich mean?

I haven't heard them, but the SA5000 definiltely one of the most unique and coolest looking cans discussed on Head-Fi. For sure at least a few engineers/designers at Sennheiser like their look also

I would say that the K701 has a larger soundstage than the SA5000 spatial wise. However the Sony's have here more focused details than the 701. Where some don't think the 701 has enough bass impact, the Sony's have plenty of bass impact quality and quantity when the music calls for it. Bass quantity is less than the D7000, but not too much, but more than the 701.

I don't do many reviews on this site (use to do some) because Head-fi is not what it use to be anymore. Plus my time is not what it use to be. So others who love to post a lot can chime in.

M-Audio 5.1 (about the same as their Audiophile 192 or the ESI Juli@), into an Aphex HeadPod 454, with a 1000 mA supply that can run any headphone from 8-1000 Ohms. (I am more of a speaker/studio guy in spare time). It has a single input or can be used balanced input, with 4 individual headphone outs. Or I use my vintage JVC/Victor (1978) JA-S77 TriDC Integrated Amplifier.

Bench test from Pro Audio Review:
Bench Test

Bench Measurement Data

(Unless otherwise specified, all tests reflect signals applied to the balanced input and taken from output #1, with outputs 1 and 3 loaded on both channels, measurement bandwidth of 22 Hz to 30 kHz, or <10 Hz->500 kHz, and worst-case results.)

Input Impedance (1 kHz)
Bal: 21kø; unbal: 10 kø

Output Impedance
10ø approx.

Output Polarity
Non-inverting

Max. Input (1 kHz) into
8ø (28 dBu), 150ø (28 dBu), 600ø (28 dBu)

Max. Output (1 kHz) into
8ø (750mW), 150ø (540 mW), 600ø (152 mW)

Frequency Response
Fig. 1: Frequency response at 10 mW into 600 ohms
20 Hz-20 kHz +0.1, -0.2 dB;
10 Hz-100 kHz +0, -0.6 dB

THD+noise (20 Hz–20 kHz)
<0.03% at 1mW into 8ø, or 10 mW into 600ø

S/N (A-wtd.)
92.8 dB re: 10 mW into 8ø
90.3 dB re: 1 mW into 600ø

Crosstalk
>71 dB, 10 Hz to 20 kHz

Happy listening!

For the record, I don't find either the K701 nor the SA5000 harsh.

Happy listening!