Welp, though I was looking to save up for some top-tier (high-end or extreme-fi, but not ultra-fi) IEM's to synergise with my
T+A Solitaire T hybrid wireless/wired headphones sonically (neutral and natural sonic voicing), I never expected to have an, admittedly slightly older yet still competitive, $1000.00 for
$159.99!!!!
This next section is just me writing out what is in my head to resolve specific use cases, and my current method in getting these IEM's, as this helps me in working out solutions whilst also potentially being useful to others, but you certainly do not need to read further ha ha!
I have only placed the order today, and will update on the progress until they are (successfully) delivered in the near future.
One final note; though I have four core hobbies and multiple side-hobbies, I do have, technically, a fifth core one: absurd massive, intensive research in anything I am interested in.
I am extremely quick in doing this, absorb a lot of information, and either augment what I know, familiarise or relearn previous knowledge, or learn brand new information.
Though I knew of the AKG N5005 from years ago, as part of considering to and eventually placing an order for the IEM, I did huge amount of research throughout. The following is a portion of that, which was all performed today (within some hours).
Yes, I am a
nerd 
I was super happy to see a genuine pair of high-end/extreme-fi IEM's at such a low price!
However, unfortunately, I live in the UK, and there are no stockists for this nor in Europe
I struggled to find an equivalent deal via eBay or other places, and though both AKG's and Harmon Kardon's US webpages offer the IEM, they only deliver to US residences. With many hours spent this morning trying to find any other ways to obtain the N5005, I eventually restored to utilising a postal forwarding service for the first time in my life (I thoroughly researched and checked over what service would be good, and will update if there are any issues). This itself has it's own concerns, and I expect overall shipping to be expensive, but if these do get delivered to the UK well, the saving would be worth it.
Frustratingly, AKG.com's and Harmon Kardon's US websites have awful shop fronts, with neither accepting ways to pay even with the postal forward address itself accepted. However, I found a workaround via
Harmon Kardon's eBay shopfront, where I was able to purchase the N5005 officially via
this eBay listing from the manufacturer (using the postal forwarding address), and still retain full eBay and PayPal protections!
Warranty might be a small issue, but I am hoping that I will receive my IEM's in good-working-order, with good durability and long-term use.
I do expect to be hit with HMRC VAT as normal, but the shipping cost from the postal forwarding service will be the next hurdle first...
Moving on, it has been a while since I used IEM's, but my hope is that I will have a terrific pair of alternative, high-end/extreme-fi headphones alongside my Solitaire T headphones, especially as both can be run passively in balanced mode.
The aim of the N5005 is to be a more practical portable audio system to my existing over-the-ear T+A Solitaire T for everyday use, but not a replacement. On occasion where I cannot carry my messenger bag or I am travelling light, then I do not want to use my Solitaire T. Here is where I see the N5005 coming into play, as a nice but high-end portable solution, but in a wireless capacity.
This may mean I may lose out on using the N5005 at its maximum capability without using a powerful DAC/amp dongle (such as
FiiO KA17 or
Cayin RU7) or Bluetooth DAC/amps (such as
FiiO BTR7) with a 2.5mm TRRS to 4.4mm TRRS connector. However, the overall sonic benefit should still be worthwhile, and I can always switch to using my desktop solution with the N5005.
I should also make clear that I am not considering to carrying a dongle nor separate DAC/amp for
minimal portable use, as I dislike anything draining the battery of my smartphones, especially my Z Fold5 (despite carrying elegant powerbank's), and I am looking for practical convenience without extra wires wherever possible. Home or office is different, and I have solutions for wired playback for both, including using the N5005. This also means no carrying of a separate DAP. For clarification, my
FiiO M17 is a digital transportable player, and I would
never consider using it as a daily driver in my pocket, as I'll likely get arrested for carrying a weapon (have you even
seen the size and felt the weight of that monstrous DAP?!), never mind the impracticality of using it
Thus, here is how I am looking to run my audio playback systems going forward:
- Home desktop:
a. T+A Solitaire T in passive balanced mode > FiiO M17 in DC mode via external battery power bank
b. AKG K N5005 in balanced mode > 2.5mm to 4.4mm adapter > FiiO M17 in medium gain (either in DC mode with external battery power bank, or just the M17 as is)
- Commuting or office with messenger bag:
a. Commuting #1: T+A Solitaire T in either Bluetooth HQ or ANC modes > Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5
b. Commuting #2: AKG N5005 > ? > Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5
c. In the office: T+A Solitaire T passive balanced > FiiO M17 in DC mode via external battery power bank
- Portable travel (minimal carry items and no bag):
AKG N5005 > ? > Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5
The latter, as well as alternative office commuting, is what I wanted to address.
My last TWS IEM, the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 1, broke over a year ago, and though I was looking at getting a new set of TWS (such as
Technics EAH-AZ80), I was also waiting on any new updates to TWS for 2024.
THEN I saw the recent price drop for the AKG N5005, which won't be a complete solution to current TWS options, but I would get a superior IEM experience sonically. To make it into TWS is where I am working out what are my best solutions.
For starters, if I were to make the N5005 into a modern fully wireless or TWS solution, I require a specialised adapter designed for IEM's with recessed MMCX connectors (such as
Easy Dock Lab MMCX Adapter via Amazon UK, designed for the AKG N5005 and also the Sennheiser IE 100 - 900 Pro series).
I will only purchase the adapter once the N5005 is delivered safely first.
Then I can consider
TWS solutions.
My first choice is the
iFi GO Pod system. These are more expensive than what I was considering, yet are the most feature rich solution I can find. Though I would be power limiting the N5005, as the GO Pod only supplies 120mW into 32 ohms, for wireless playback it should be sufficient, and allows me to use LDAC on my Z Fold5 (I understand that, in noisy communication rich environments, LDAC will jump between three quality levels: 330/660/990 kbps).
Or, wait patiently for whenever FiiO releases their UTWS15 system (or an update to their
UTWS5 without corrosion issues). Another solution is
Shure True Wireless Secure Fit Adapter Gen 2, though I believe the FiiO UTWS5 is superior except its out-of-production status. Both FiiO and and Sure have limited codec support to my Z Fold5, with lack of LDAC, but otherwise are competitive.
Or, and certainly the smartest solution, I can stick with the the
AKG N05BC wireless BT cable that's included with my purchase of the AKG N5005; there is no spec data for it, not even power output, and it uses older Bluetooth codecs (Bluetooth 4.1). Even so, it should still service well for portable wireless playback (even though there will be some bulk due to the tethering nature of this cable), and at home my FiiO M17 is more than powerful to use with the N5005!
In some ways, if I really insist on being economical, I do not need to purchase anything further (well, maybe a 2.5mm TRRS to 4.4mm TRRS adapter), as the AKG N5005 with N05BC should be fine, just not great. In the office or at home, I can then use my FiiO M17 for ultimate playback for these IEM's.
So that is my current thought process on how I wish to get the best out of the AKG N5005 for my two dual purposes; desktop use (sorted), and portable use.
I have also looked at recommendations for ear tips too, but I won't consider anything until I test the included Spinfit options from AKG first, and then go from there.
I will continue to read multiple past discussions from this thread, but any further advice or observations you may have are most welcome.
Now, I need to calm my nerves as I hope my order is fulfilled successfully over the next few weeks...
