Enjoying the SA5000, what will the CD3000 improve on?

[J-Pak]

I've been using a SA5000 + maxed M3 for the past month and I'm really enjoying this combination. Unfortunatly the SA5000 isn't mine, but I'm trying to decide weather I want to buy an SA5000 or get a CD3000.

Qualities I enjoy about the SA5000 are that it's very detailed and it's quick transient response. Instrument positioning is also done well. What could be improved is the soundstaging, and bass. It certainly has impact, but a bit more bass quantity would be nice.

This setup would be mostly for industrial rock and some metal. Also I intend to upgrade to a PPX3-slam a few months after getting either headphone.

So I'd like to hear some opinions from members that have heard both or own both. Thanks

 

[Iron_Dreamer]

The CD3000 will have a wider soundstage but not quite as precise imaging. It will have more bass quantity, but not as good extension. Bass impact is questionably different, since the CD3000 has MORE bass, but the SA5000 has tighter, quicker bass. The highs of the SA5000 are a bit cleaner sounding with more detail due to less grain. To me, the biggest subjective difference is that the CD3000 sounds a bit artificial, in that it makes everything it plays sound large and cavernous, with slightly exaggerated bass, whereas the SA5000 is a bit more true to the recording, though perhaps not quite as initially wowing. That said, they're both very enjoyable, just a bit different.

 

[acs236]

Well put...

The only thing I want to add is that I think the midrange of the CD3000 is a little bit better, a tad fuller, more lush. As to soundstage, that is probably the biggest difference. The CD3000 do soundstage and headstage in a way that few headphones do. And while it may be unrealistic, it is unique, and I find it to be enjoyable.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iron_Dreamer The CD3000 will have a wider soundstage but not quite as precise imaging. It will have more bass quantity, but not as good extension. Bass impact is questionably different, since the CD3000 has MORE bass, but the SA5000 has tighter, quicker bass. The highs of the SA5000 are a bit cleaner sounding with more detail due to less grain. To me, the biggest subjective difference is that the CD3000 sounds a bit artificial, in that it makes everything it plays sound large and cavernous, with slightly exaggerated bass, whereas the SA5000 is a bit more true to the recording, though perhaps not quite as initially wowing. That said, they're both very enjoyable, just a bit different.

 

[Iron_Dreamer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by acs236 Well put... The only thing I want to add is that I think the midrange of the CD3000 is a little bit better, a tad fuller, more lush. As to soundstage, that is probably the biggest difference. The CD3000 do soundstage and headstage in a way that few headphones do. And while it may be unrealistic, it is unique, and I find it to be enjoyable.

Oh yeah, I did forget about the midrange, another difference likely mostly due to the quicker nature of the SA5000's drivers, the CD3000 sounds a bit more decay-oriented and thus is a bit fuller as you mention. I agree that the CD3000 soundstage is quite interesting and enjoyable, especially for live rock, it gives very much a stadium-like feel.

 

[J-Pak]

Hmm it seems like I'll have to listen to a CD3000 to make this decision. Please keep the opinions coming.

Thanks for the feedback Irondreamer and acs


edit: I've read the R10 has a very speaker-like sound, can the same be said about the CD3000? Also is the CD3000 tonally similar to the SA5000?

 

[Iron_Dreamer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by J-Pak edit: I've read the R10 has a very speaker-like sound, can the same be said about the CD3000? Also is the CD3000 tonally similar to the SA5000?

Speaker-like is pretty non-descriptive. Many people call the HD6x0 "speaker-like." I am not quite sure what your interpertation of that phrase is. The CD3000 sounds pretty similar to the R10, it's just got more (but not as tight) bass, and a less refined/detailed overall sound that makes it not quite as realistic and well-imaged, though it is still better imaged than most headphones. They both have a wide soundstage as far as headphones are concerned.

 

[J-Pak]

Thanks again irondreamer

By speaker-like I meant projecting a headstage thats very front to back (or at least sides) instead of just side to side.

After reading the full length reviews (and reviews on headphonereviews.org) with comparisons to the HD600 (which I'm familiar with) I think I'm going to buy them blind. Resale on them is very good, so I shouldn't have any problems if I don't like them.