New Beyerdynamic T5p 2nd generation

[esm87]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xk7-rht-VQU



Great video/review

commented a few times on that video with people

 

[gab840]

  In the mid 90s I had a pair of Beyer DT431 and eventually sold them to get Sennheiser HD525... then the HD25 and ultimately HD598. I was missing the clarity of the Beyers so a few months ago I bought the T1 v2 for home usage driven by a Fostex HP-A8C headphone amp. I enjoy them so much that I also recently bought the T5p v2 as a more "portable" solution.
 
Build quality of both T5p v2 and T1 v2 are first rate. Both very comfortable. The T5p sunds darker, less bright and a bit more forgiving than the T1. Soundstage is smaller than T1 due to closed design but is very good. I find the T5p not offering that much isolation for a closed design but for my needs its perfect. I had a pair of Momentum and I felt it was too closed. Bass is a bit deeper on the T5p but I feel the T1 is tighter, faster and more precise.
 
Having to only keep one pair I would probably keep the T5p for its better all around capability and is much easier to drive. The T5p is easy to drive and could play quite loud with an iPhone. But it sounds a bit shy straight from a phone, it sounds much better and punchy with an amp.... even a small portable one like the Camrbridge DAC Magic XS does really help the T5p shine.
 
If you have desktop amp and only listen to music at home and mainly good recordings then I suggest the T1 v2. The T1 v2 is clearer, more details have a wider soundstage.  The T1 v2 soundstage is so good that it sounds like listening to speakers while the T5p sounds like headphones. Both very good products.

Also I feel that T5p gen2 are more holographic in presentation than T1 gen2 from my exp. based on Canjam SG, and the driving capapbilities of T5p gen2 directly from your phone n all is just Great !!

 

[obsidyen]

Guys, do you enjoy listening to EDM/top 40 music with these headphones?..
 
Also, how would you describe the upper mids? I'm fine with somewhat boosted treble but I just can't take harsh upper mid peaks. Sibilance is caused by this area and it makes me very uncomfortable.

 

[MacedonianHero]

  Also I feel that T5p gen2 are more holographic in presentation than T1 gen2 from my exp. based on Canjam SG, and the driving capapbilities of T5p gen2 directly from your phone n all is just Great !!

Certainly not my experiences having them at home for a few weeks. They are certainly voiced very similarly and the familial resemblance is there (sonically). But the T1 Gen 2s just image better and have a more refined treble (than the T5p Gen 2). But as you noted, the T5p's can be driven quite well out of an iPhone; the T1s...not so much.

 

[h8dk97]

I couldn't resist any more so here we go
 

 
Next is balanced cable.

 

[gab840]

  Certainly not my experiences having them at home for a few weeks. They are certainly voiced very similarly and the familial resemblance is there (sonically). But the T1 Gen 2s just image better and have a more refined treble (than the T5p Gen 2). But as you noted, the T5p's can be driven quite well out of an iPhone; the T1s...not so much.

It must be due to the Gears used, I listened to T1 Gen 2 via A20 amp & T5p gen 2 directly via Mobile via PowerAmp player. As T1s bring the most characterstics of your amp and change accordingly . T5p Gen2 were great even without any headphone amp.

 

[obsidyen]

  Certainly not my experiences having them at home for a few weeks. They are certainly voiced very similarly and the familial resemblance is there (sonically). But the T1 Gen 2s just image better and have a more refined treble (than the T5p Gen 2). But as you noted, the T5p's can be driven quite well out of an iPhone; the T1s...not so much.

Would you prefer T5P 2nd gen or Hifiman Edition X for EDM/contemporary music?.. I see you reviewed HEX. 

 
 
I like lively headphones with slightly U-shaped response (though not overdone like TH900). Or maybe I should wait for TH610... 

 

[TimeLord]

I couldn't resist any more so here we go





Next is balanced cable.

That's a good looking setup. How do you like the DP-X1? Are you able to navigate music by folder?

 

[MacedonianHero]

  It must be due to the Gears used, I listened to T1 Gen 2 via A20 amp & T5p gen 2 directly via Mobile via PowerAmp player. As T1s bring the most characterstics of your amp and change accordingly . T5p Gen2 were great even without any headphone amp.

 
It would most definitely depend on upfront gear. The T1s are harder to drive and out of a portable product, no doubt the T5p could sound "better" (as it was designed with that in mind). But get them on a really good setup (mine was a Hugo TT --> GS-X Mk2) and the T1s pull ahead noticeably. Very similar to the HE1000 vs. HE-X in that way.

  Would you prefer T5P 2nd gen or Hifiman Edition X for EDM/contemporary music?.. I see you reviewed HEX. 

 
 
I like lively headphones with slightly U-shaped response (though not overdone like TH900). Or maybe I should wait for TH610... 

Personally, I'd go HE-X...no doubt to my ears. The TH900's had too much of "U" and I agree with you there. Plus the right side of that U was just too tizzy and fatiguing for me.

 

[obsidyen]

   
It would most definitely depend on upfront gear. The T1s are harder to drive and out of a portable product, no doubt the T5p could sound "better" (as it was designed with that in mind). But get them on a really good setup (mine was a Hugo TT --> GS-X Mk2) and the T1s pull ahead noticeably. Very similar to the HE1000 vs. HE-X in that way.
Personally, I'd go HE-X...no doubt to my ears. The TH900's had too much of "U" and I agree with you there. Plus the right side of that U was just too tizzy and fatiguing for me.

 
Yes, it was too tizzy indeed. Earsonics Velvet (an IEM) has a similar U-shaped response but the treble side is so smooth even though it's very energetic. TH900 treble is rough.

 

[h8dk97]

That's a good looking setup. How do you like the DP-X1? Are you able to navigate music by folder?

 
yep, folder navigation was added in one of the recent firmware updates. I don't have many things to compare it to, this is my first dap. I do hear improvements compared to my sony tablet but that was to be expected.
 
BTW
I've been using T5p at work for the last couple of days and haven't had any complaints about sound leakage. I normally listen with volume set to 110 on my dp-x1.

 

[TimeLord]

yep, folder navigation was added in one of the recent firmware updates. I don't have many things to compare it to, this is my first dap. I do hear improvements compared to my sony tablet but that was to be expected.

BTW
I've been using T5p at work for the last couple of days and haven't had any complaints about sound leakage. I normally listen with volume set to 110 on my dp-x1.

That's awesome. Folder navigation is high on my list of wants. With unlimited storage via micro SD, the DP-X1 is looking like the perfect DAP. I just wish I can play around with it for a bit, before buying it.

I'm glad to hear the T5p is working well in the office. Those two look like a killer combo.

 

[h8dk97]

That's awesome. Folder navigation is high on my list of wants. With unlimited storage via micro SD, the DP-X1 is looking like the perfect DAP. I just wish I can play around with it for a bit, before buying it.

I'm glad to hear the T5p is working well in the office. Those two look like a killer combo.

 
I must say, when I first put on T5p.2 it didn't have a "wow" effect but I didn't immediatelly dislike them like it was with DT1770. The more I listen the more I like these cans. Can't wait to get my balanced cable now.

 

[Peridot]

 
BTW
I've been using T5p at work for the last couple of days and haven't had any complaints about sound leakage. I normally listen with volume set to 110 on my dp-x1.

 
Are your colleagues the type that would complain straight away, or sit in irritated silence? 

 
I haven't identified any alternative that I like better than the T5p so I'm inclined to take the plunge and just turn down the volume a bit if leakage is an issue.
 
I also have the DP-X1 although I haven't had the opportunity to try it with a pair of T5p. I'd imagine 110 is fairly loud?
 
You will be well rewarded by the investment in the balanced cable. Out of interest where are you getting it from?

 

[h8dk97]

   
Are your colleagues the type that would complain straight away, or sit in irritated silence? 

 
I haven't identified any alternative that I like better than the T5p so I'm inclined to take the plunge and just turn down the volume a bit if leakage is an issue.
 
I also have the DP-X1 although I haven't had the opportunity to try it with a pair of T5p. I'd imagine 110 is fairly loud?
 
You will be well rewarded by the investment in the balanced cable. Out of interest where are you getting it from?

 
110 is loud enough for me with most tracks, sometimes I crank up the volume to 125 with quieter recordings. I just asked my neighbour and he tells me he couldn't hear anything. We do have a bit of background noise though, it's an open office area. I've also been listening on the train and didn't get any irritated looks. I will ask my wife to put the headphones on tonight and will have a listen myself just to be sure. I'm getting pretty good seal with these so perhaps that also makes a difference.
 
I ordered silverguard s from Norne, Trevor told me first week of May, so few weeks from now.
 
BTW
I bought t5p from Thomann, they have 30 days return policy, so I only had the shipping cost to warry about in case I didn't like the sound