MDR-SA5000... Can they be bettered? - Page 13

Any idea if the w1000x would be even better? I am edging closer to the w5000, but its the bass quantity that has me a little worried. From what I understand the w1000x has more bass, but I haven't read if it retains the sound-stage and detail/speed... so I am waiting on more info between those two at this point.

I read you are getting the T1 in april IIRC. I look forward to reading your impressions then and see if there is any competition or not. 300$ worth of competition will be tough to decided haha.

Thanks for the input clarinetman (oohhh and now a link!)! I will be sure to check the AD2000 out. I think it was mentioned earlier too.

I have never heard a DT 880, or any beyer in my life. I am interested in them because I am a headphone addict haha, but I will get one of audiogon or something when they are a steal. Based on some really me-specific feedback I have gotten, they are not that different from baselines I know. I could be wrong though.

While some say the soundstage is fine in the SA5K, in my personal experience it is not overly limited, like grado, but leaves a bit to be desired. The detail and speed are very exceptional. They are a bit of a magnifying glass. If you had an issue with congestion with the DT 880, you may have an issue with the SA5K, albeit a different kind.

To elaborate, congestion due to speed and smudging is NOT AT ALL a characteristic of th SA5K, it is a strength. IMO I find because there is such a wealth of detail I tend to listen to one or few instruments at a time, and find it hard to listen to everything. I tend to have to make a conscious effort to absorb everything. I don't know if I am wierd here, but thats just my two cents.

If you can get over that issue (which may or may not be a case study haha) they will present you with all the detail and clarity you need. I paid 450 for mine with taxes, import duties, and shipping to Canada, and I consider them to be a bargain.

I did recently find however, that once I solved the ground loop in my audio system and started using it (Asus Xonar STX -> LD MKV amp) All of my headphones advanced overall, but none as pronounced as the SA5K. Bass greatly improved, and detail is striking. Before i was using a NAD cd player with the same amp.

So, my impressions may differ from others because I was / am using inferior equipment.

Consider selling those DT 880 if you weren't impressed and save up!
Based on the headphones in your sig, it should be quite a step in terms of detail and speed... think the detail that the SR325i has where it excels... but everywhere!

Just read the thread you posted above... Thanks a lot haha. It had a lot of questions I wanted answered... seems it is the exact opposite of what I wanted hahaha.... Oh boy, will impressions ever cease to be so different?

Closer, smaller sound stage/ less separation - xxxxx NOES!!!
Slightly less bright - check
slower - x

Maybe AT is not what I want... Unless the w5000 is significantly different... apparently it is even brighter according to that guy. Looks like W1000x verdicts will be needed until I can put them in the no list.... They are so damned sexy though... sigh. 500+ glam without the substance I want is simply not within my budget hahaha.

very helpful find, I am very grateful!

Very good point. Based on the amount of info here and other threads I could see how you are confident making that assumption.

About AT, I have a pair of ESW9 I bought for my GF for valentines day (very long story, and I have rigged it to be romantic regardless of how nerdy it may seem... especially to a girl). Yep, I opened them up to burn them in... great excuse to listen to them if you ask me!! hahaha. Anyways, They do have a very pleasant sound, especially for such a small and closed headphone.

I will listen to them more before I give them to her and try and get some info because I haven't had time lately and have actually been just letting them play.

On another note, the ATH-A900ti, which is a limited edition A900 is apparently leaps and bounds better than the standard A900. It also employs a lot of what the AT flagship series have specs wise. DDS and 53 phi drivers and all that jazz... check them out.. I may as well too as they are a good 2-3 hundred less than a W5000 or W1000x.

I first read about them in this thread http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f4/bes...-400-a-471112/

Check it out.

I have already decided I am most certainly getting the pro 900. I need to wait until I have enough cash, as I want to do some serious A/B ing so I am 100% certain of my purchase. Problem is no cash up front for them, so I need to save up.

I'm quite sure Ultrasone has a fan in me the same way they do in you. Very rich, I like the detail -I find it unique but detailed nonetheless, and the soundstage while somewhat closed, is very 3D at the same time... They are indeed very special. I cannot stress enough how I find these headphones bring out macro detail in a song. Really gives a clear image of how the song as a whole sounds.

If the 750 is an almost 900, then I am unsure if you would like the SA5K. The SA5K is extremely dry/cold and crisp when compared to the pro 750. As a duo, they are quite complementary... but as far as a replacement to the ultrasones, I am unsure if any headphone is cable of doing that completely. The bass simply doesn't have the mass that the ultrasones do. The bass is phenomenal and detailed, but to the extent you have to actively try to listen to it, it is not nearly as effortless and natural as the pro 750. I would argue that the trade off is in favor of the ultrasones in the bass region for most people.

The SA5K are almost ethereal in their clarity and detail. They do lack soundstage... musicality a bit I suppose and just... they lack weight in the lower frequencies.

You have heard the K702, they are quite similar to the SA5K, except the SA5K walks all over it in every regard, save soundstage. The extension in all frequencies is much greater and doesn't give you that... stretching sensation the 702 can at times(low bass content for seemingly infinite mids and highs). Tonality, speed and attack are all incredibly convincing on the SA5K. The SA5K while very clinical, don't sound sterile and boring like the k702. Soundstage is significantly smaller, but I am no longer sure the K702 have that as a strength. It may not be just that the SS is smaller, there is also no unnatural amount of airiness, but crystal clarity.

It will probably be a month+ before I can afford the pro 900 but I will be sure to post impressions here, and then in a thread on its own.

BTW how does the goldpoint pair with the Pro 900? I want to upgrade my amp in the summer to either goldpoint or a burson 160.

You are selling the pro 900 to potentially pay for the SA5000/W5000/D5000 o_0?

Thats a pretty big risk since, except for the denons, they have VERY different bass style and presentation...