HD-650/Zu vs. ATH-W5000

[gevorg]

Well, this is another battle in this endless headphone world

What are the the major sonic differences between the two?
 

 

[manchau]

I think Iron_Dreamer's review can help you to understand it's sound... Have a look immidiately before a layman allowed to show his no reason hatered and give them 3-3 points in whole bass department and make them comparable with $20 phones.

http://www.headphonereviews.org/head...eadphoneId=177

 

[Carl]

Nice review.


I certainly find the W5000s to be closer to the Sony school of design than the Sennheiser one. In terms of temperament the ATs are closer to the smooth legato of Sennheisers than the short sharp kick to the cojones you might get from a Sony or a Grado. If you're after the speed and detail of the Sonys without the agression or flat headstage then they're a good pick.

 

[Mr.Shadow]

I have had my eye on the W5000 for now, but my purpose is for Rock/Metal Listening, do you think they will be good for that ?

 

[Carl]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr.Shadow I have had my eye on the W5000 for now, but my purpose is for Rock/Metal Listening, do you think they will be good for that ?

W5000s are just about the only headphone in its price range which doesn't break up into white noise when you feed it metal (well, IMO). Whether or not that's a good thing or a bad thing is up to you.

 

[Mr.Shadow]

Sorry Carl, but I really dont have a clue what u just said mean.
If you care for al little different/wider explantion, I will appreciate it.
thanks.

 

[Iron_Dreamer]

The only regard I can think of in which the HD650 betters the W5K is in soundstage width. If you drive the HD650 balanced, it has a punchier bass than the W5K. Other than that, the W5K has the non-veiled, highly detailed, sound I loved the SA5K for, along with a more realistic, enveloping midrange and imaging performance. It is not genre specific that I prefer the W5K, its advanatges shine through on rock, metal, vocals, orchestal, and electronica.

 

[nmculbreth]

I've owned both the HD-650 > Zu combination and the W5000 and in my experience the W5000 was superior in most regards. The HD-650 has a larger soundstage but the instrument placement with the W5000 is much more precise. Also the HD-650 had more bass impact and quantity but I think the W5000's bass has more texture. The forward presentation of the W5000 does a much better job with vocals, which was my biggest complaint with the HD-650. In general the W5000 is much more lively and inviting and by comparison the HD-650 sounded kind of boring.

As always YMMV.

 

[electrathecat]

I have to agree almost verbatim with nmculbreth. I've had the 650/zu for two years and the W5000 for only about a week and the (not-even-burned-in-yet) W5000 already sounds more pleasing overall. Once you resolve the W5000's fit issues (just bend the metal

), it is a terrific headphone with fantastic placement and fuller sound -- especially good for the higher end. And frankly, though not a sonic issue per se, the W5000 is much more comfortable (if a bit loose) and less fatiguing -- I rarely use my 650/zu any more.

 

[kin0kin]

imho, the W5k has only 2 sonic flaws.

1) soundstage tad smaller than I'd call ideal
2) coloration on mid range makes certain female vocals sounds a little wierd

other than these two aspects, the W5k has the sound that I like. However, people who prefer the warm sound signture would definitely have different thing to say about them

 

[gevorg]

Damn, this is so tempting.

Thanks for all the feedback!

Do the W5000s are more musical than HD-650s or SA5000s? Which of three gives the most fun factor?
What difference do tube amps (like PPX) bring to W5000s, in contrast to solid state amps?

Iron_Dreamer,
Does your Lavry headamp drives W5000s right?

Quote:

Originally Posted by kin0kin However, people who prefer the warm sound signture would definitely have different thing to say about them

Why?

 

[Cyrilix]

Just to confirm with you guys, the W5000 is just as good at preventing other people on the outside from hearing your music as the DT770s, A900s, etc, right? I've heard that they don't isolate you (the headphone listener) as much, but I hope they do an awesome job at keeping your coworkers from hearing your music.

 

[Iron_Dreamer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gevorg Do the W5000s are more musical than HD-650s or SA5000s? Which of three gives the most fun factor? Iron_Dreamer, Does your Lavry headamp drives W5000s right?

I think the W5000 is the most "musical" of the three you listed, because it has a more engaging and realistic midrange than the other two. Upgrading from the HD650/Zu, the SA5000 made those headphones sonically obsolete for me. Now the W5K has done the same for the SA5K. So that should say a thing or two about my perspective on the fun factor.

The Lavry drives them very well, in fact, to the point that the Dynahi makes little, if any difference.

 

[Carl]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr.Shadow Sorry Carl, but I really dont have a clue what u just said mean. If you care for al little different/wider explantion, I will appreciate it. thanks.

How should I put it... With most headphones in the price range, the combination of the treble energy and lack of resolving power of the headphones results in a non too musical presentation of metal. You can use slower, darker phones to try and smooth over the noise, but if you want to hear it all the W5k is the only non-electrostatic I heard that can give you all the music without it sounding like your being attacked by a wave of noise.

Well, of course you might not find metal sounds like that through headphones as our sound perception might be quite different on this, but that is my observations at least.

 

[Iron_Dreamer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carl How should I put it... With most headphones in the price range, the combination of the treble energy and lack of resolving power of the headphones results in a non too musical presentation of metal. You can use slower, darker phones to try and smooth over the noise, but if you want to hear it all the W5k is the only non-electrostatic I heard that can give you all the music without it sounding like your being attacked by a wave of noise.

I agree with the general idea you're getting at, that most headphones need either roll-off or smooth over the high end or they risk sounding harsh with metal, since they are not coherent enough to keep up with everything that is going on. I've only very rarely felt attacked by a wall of noise though, that takes a really agressive can and mediocre source (think SR60+iPod).