Beyerdynamic T5 (3rd Generation)

[CTR640]

Funny, that was the other contender for my $ this month - several clearance deals were offered, but then I saw complaints about Focal not servicing owners of the Elegia that had their headband break - apparently it does it even if careful to not do it.

I'd been watching several headphones from Focal for a while, but the more I dug in I found drivers failing - some getting a few replacements, on their 3rd. So, I've backed off desiring Focal for a while, until I see them make good with the head-fi'er's with broken headbands and fix them. Focal won't even fix it if you offer to pay, that kind of did it for me.

No matter how good a Focal headphone sounds I'm not equipped to replace the band myself even if I could get parts. I finally responded to one plea for help and tried to alert @FocalOfficial, but no response yet:
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/focal-elegia-what-do-you-think.890031/post-15827986
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/focal-elegia-what-do-you-think.890031/post-15828096

I ended up getting Beyerdynamic Amiron Wireless Copper headphones instead, so glad I did, the new T5 and T1 look awesome too... or maybe the Amiron Home will get a next-gen treatment?...

Do you own the Amiron Home too? What do you mean with next-gen treatment?

The T5 and T1 indeed look awesome, it's still kinda hard which one to pick if that time ever comes. However, will the purchase be justified? It's not really cheap but Beyerdynamic surely damn knows how to headphone! I do own the T5p.2 and love it too. I haven't used it for months but the clarity is so good and now am using them all 3 depending on the mood and content but the AWC is the most beauty!

I'm glad I didn't buy any of the Focal. But had no idea their service is abysmal.

 

[Malevolent]

Any chance of a comparison to Focal Elegia?

I have the Elegia, and I am almost convinced that I want the T5 (3rd Generation). So, if I follow through with the purchase, I'd be happy to compare the 2 for you.

 

[hmscott]

Do you own the Amiron Home too? What do you mean with next-gen treatment?

The T5 and T1 indeed look awesome, it's still kinda hard which one to pick if that time ever comes. However, will the purchase be justified? It's not really cheap but Beyerdynamic surely damn knows how to headphone! I do own the T5p.2 and love it too. I haven't used it for months but the clarity is so good and now am using them all 3 depending on the mood and content but the AWC is the most beauty!

I'm glad I didn't buy any of the Focal. But had no idea their service is abysmal.

Ha, yeah, I've got no special info, but if BD is upgrading the T1/T5 and the Amiron Wireless(es) and Home are being discounted heavily I would expect at some point there will be a next-gen for the Amiron lineup as well, or maybe even a complete replacement for that category.

 

[CTR640]

Ha, yeah, I've got no special info, but if BD is upgrading the T1/T5 and the Amiron Wireless(es) and Home are being discounted heavily I would expect at some point there will be a next-gen for the Amiron lineup as well, or maybe even a complete replacement for that category.

Not sure if BD will ever upgrade the Amiron Wireless and Home. I just hope there will be Amiron Home Copper! Not sure why the AW is the only one having the Black/Copper colorscheme But I'll be ready if there will be next-gen Amiron lineup!

Currently enjoying my Amirons and T5p.2 big time so have no idea wether I'll go for T5.3 or nah. The T5.3 looks much nicer and slick than T5p.2. All them endlessly grey is getting bored quickly.

 

[MakubexGB]

I spent nearly 3 hours listening to these 2 headphones, with a slice of the Dan Clark Audio AEON 2 Closed thrown in, for good measure.

So, let's get on, shall we?

Firstly, the lows. You'll still get a healthy boost in the mid-bass, so that's something nice to start with. However, it appears that the sub-bass region has been given a shot in the arm, as it rumbles a little more, with a tad better extension. Moreover, the lingering decay of the T5p (2nd Gen) has been fixed in this version; beats are tighter, with greater attack and slam.

The midrange is also the happy recipient of an overall positive correction. For starters, mids are more forward on the T5 (3rd Gen), if ever so slightly. To add the proverbial cherry on top, vocals have more presence and weight, with better texture throughout. The outgoing model has decent vocal capabilities, but they can sound hollow at the worst of times.

On to the treble, and this is where things start to get contentious. Gone are the infamous treble peaks that caused the T5p (2nd Gen) to, at times, appear overly harsh and sibilant. The highs are a lot smoother now; it has good control and a dash of brilliance. However, the airy presentation of the previous model has been axed in favor of a relatively subdued region. For those who enjoy the treble delivery of the T5p (2nd Gen), you won't enjoy the 3rd Gen's take.

Thankfully, the T5 (3rd Gen) retains the outgoing model's imaging chops, but the soundstage has been reduced for a more intimate sound. The lack of air in the higher registers is probably a major culprit. Whilst the 2nd Gen model has a wide and deep stage with excellent layering, the revised model has a narrower, and a slightly-cramped presentation. Tonally, the new model retains a good level of warmth, but reduces the bloom that results in a more distinct and clearer sound.

Ultimately, the new T5 distinguishes itself from its predecessor in more ways that one. It's quite a leap from the previous model, but not always in ways that are good. From a subjective viewpoint, this new incarnation sounds more pleasant to my ears than the old. However, it might not appeal to fans of the older version, since the new kid on the block sacrifices a few crucial factors to achieve a signature that I'd describe as a 'quality consumer-friendly sound' - the treble brilliance of the 2nd Gen is lost, so out the window goes that airy sound, and soundstage size has been reduced in all 3 dimensions, resulting in a more intimate and cramped presentation.

Personally, I greatly enjoyed my time with the T5; I was this close to pulling the trigger at the store earlier. With that said, I'll probably be selling the T5p (2nd Gen) very soon, though.

Source: Chord Hugo 2

How would you compare the AEON 2 Closed to the T5?

 

[Malevolent]

How would you compare the AEON 2 Closed to the T5?

They actually sounded rather similar to my ears - at least, they were closer in signature than the T5 (3rd Gen) to the T5p (2nd Gen). It appears that this particular tuning is a fan favorite amongst consumers willing to drop a $1,000 on an "endgame" headphone.

The 3rd Gen T5 has a punchier bass profile and a treble section that has a little less sparkle. Otherwise, they both have a warm, bass-slanted tuning that doesn't sacrifice much in the way of overall balance.

 

[MakubexGB]

They actually sounded rather similar to my ears - at least, they were closer in signature than the T5 (3rd Gen) to the T5p (2nd Gen). It appears that this particular tuning is a fan favorite amongst consumers willing to drop a $1,000 on an "endgame" headphone.

The 3rd Gen T5 has a punchier bass profile and a treble section that has a little less sparkle. Otherwise, they both have a warm, bass-slanted tuning that doesn't sacrifice much in the way of overall balance.

Sounds perfect for me. I should be receiving my T5 before the end of the week. Looking forward to it.

 

[hmscott]

Here's a combined 3rd gen T5 / T1 review:

Wear Luxury! Beyerdynamic T1 & T5 (3rd Gen) headphones ($999 each)

 

[obsidyen]

Measurement by Crinacle

 

[MakubexGB]

They actually sounded rather similar to my ears - at least, they were closer in signature than the T5 (3rd Gen) to the T5p (2nd Gen). It appears that this particular tuning is a fan favorite amongst consumers willing to drop a $1,000 on an "endgame" headphone.

The 3rd Gen T5 has a punchier bass profile and a treble section that has a little less sparkle. Otherwise, they both have a warm, bass-slanted tuning that doesn't sacrifice much in the way of overall balance.

Btw, did you notice a significant difference in sound stage?

 

[MakubexGB]

The first impressions I get are, I like the sound signature and they are light and comfortable, which I value, but in spite of being mostly comfortable, they don't quite fit around the ear completely. I don't even have particularly big ears. They pinch the bottom of my earlobe. Not too bad but it gets annoying. I might end up returning them because of this. Which is too bad. I wish the pads were a tad bigger.

 

[Terriero]

they don't quite fit around the ear completely. I don't even have particularly big ears. They pinch the bottom of my earlobe. Not too bad but it gets annoying. I might end up returning them because of this. Which is too bad. I wish the pads were a tad bigger.

The same thing happens to me with Beyerdynamic T1 rev 3

 

[Malevolent]

The first impressions I get are, I like the sound signature and they are light and comfortable, which I value, but in spite of being mostly comfortable, they don't quite fit around the ear completely. I don't even have particularly big ears. They pinch the bottom of my earlobe. Not too bad but it gets annoying. I might end up returning them because of this. Which is too bad. I wish the pads were a tad bigger.

Sadly, this was also a problem on the Gen 2 T5p. The cups and thus, the pads, are a little too small. For a full-sized headphone, the T5 (and T1) are on the compact end of the scale. I'm all for portability and a reduction in size (whenever necessary), but not at the expense of comfort. I didn't have a major issue with the fit on either of the 2 latest T5 models, but like you, I've always wanted a bigger cup (and pad) That way, my ears will be enveloped by the inner circumference of the pads, as opposed to a semi-on-ear result, where parts of the extreme ends of my ears end up being squashed by the pads.

 

[Malevolent]

Btw, did you notice a significant difference in sound stage?

The AEON 2 Closed has a more intimate presentation; the T5 has a noticeably wider stage with better imaging.

 

[Mhog55]

Sadly, this was also a problem on the Gen 2 T5p. The cups and thus, the pads, are a little too small. For a full-sized headphone, the T5 (and T1) are on the compact end of the scale. I'm all for portability and a reduction in size (whenever necessary), but not at the expense of comfort. I didn't have a major issue with the fit on either of the 2 latest T5 models, but like you, I've always wanted a bigger cup (and pad) That way, my ears will be enveloped by the inner circumference of the pads, as opposed to a semi-on-ear result, where parts of the extreme ends of my ears end up being squashed by the pads.

Seems they can't decide if they want the T5 series to really be portable or not. Smallish pads on a moderately heavy headphone. Not sure what to make of it. The wp900 pads are near perfect for a can that can most certainly be used on the go, plus it's quite a bit lighter. Maybe Beyerdynamic wants it to go both ways, but most headphones are one or the other. Hopefully there will be an earpad solution discovered.