THE CX 5.00G
The Sennheiser CX 5.00 retails for $89.95 here in the U.S. and is available in both iOS(CX 5.00i) and Galaxy(CX 5.00G) versions. The CX 5.00 comes in either black or white color schemes. http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-CX-5-00G-Black-Headset/dp/B00NQ17SZA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1424206101&sr=8-1&keywords=sennheiser+CX5.00g
SPECS
Freq. Resp. 16 - 22,000Hz
SPL 118dB
Impedance 18 Ohm
Plug Low Profile L-shape 3.5mm
Cable 1.2m elliptical, tangle free with remote
PACKAGING
The CX 5.00G come in a small ( ~ 5" X 4" X 1.5" ) cardboard box with a foam insert. In the insert is an apple-like white and clear plastic snap together case with a removable holder/cable winding spool. The includes items are the CX 5.00G earphones, the case, 4 pairs of tips from XS - L sizes, and manual/safety guide insert pamphlets.
BUILD
The CX 5.00G build is very similar to the CX 3.00. Strong plastic housings, Y , and plug. In this case the housings do have a higher quality finish and feel than the less pricey CX 3.00. The sound tubes are also made of metal. The cable is the same oval/elliptical shape and inspires confidence in its thickness and feel. The issue with the sheathing material is that it does stiffen in very low temperatures.
The remote unit is quite nicely done. About 1.5 inches long with raised buttons that have a solid press. The buttons are textured and shaped to be able to tell each apart by feel. Having no G devices I only tested for music control and it works as it should. Quiet buttons that control tracks as they should registering presses completely accurately.
FIT/COMFORT/ISOLATION
The new CX 5.00G should be very comfortable in most ears like it's smaller brother. The small cylindrical housings with a 15 degree tube angle is still there but the housings are a bit longer and have a long arm coming off the housings as opposed to the smaller CX 3.00 reliefs. This may make the 5.00G easier for some to grasp when inserting and removing but may also get in the way more with hoods, hats, or other situations than with the CX 3.00. Over the ear wearing style is nowhere near as easily achieved. Isolation can be very good depending on the size of tip used and the depth one's ear can accommodate the CX3.00. These may vary amongst individual users but most will find above average canalphone isolation. A similar agreeable, comfortable fit as with the CX 3.00. Only a little more weight to the housings and on one side due to the mic/remote.
SOUND
To quote my CX 3.00 review...
"Tested on my various sources in stock configuration(Stock tip, stock diaphragm guards) the CX3.00 is an "enhanced bass" phone like the product description on the box. Yet it has some detail, an open 3D-ish sound with nice air and separation. Easy to pick things out as they have there own space. The sound balance is a bit bass forward and tilted with a bit of thickness. The mids are not buried nor overwhelmed by the bass. The bass is fairly tight and pretty lively yet still a bit dark and hefty of note. Bass has good low extension and has a satisfying good punch/impact. The mids are improved as has been the trend in the CX series. More upfront and emotive and detail than previous lower numbered CX model earphones. The treble is quite apparent but not sparkly nor sibilant in any way. The treble does have a bit of a SHH-SHH-SHH kind of tone to it probably due to the foam guards used in the tubes. Some detail and liveliness to the treble but the decay is a bit exaggerated. Nothing offensive on the high end but more towards a consumer-ish fun sound than a natural or accurate tone to the treble. The CX3.00 is fun and may just have a bit of something for everyone to enjoy. I do prefer the CX3.00 with a brighter source to even them out more.
The main draw I hear for the CX3.00 is that it tries nicely to sound like a headphone. It does sound larger than a small in-ear. Nice cohesion, good stage/depth with some airiness, nice note weight throughout and a good solid, satisfying thump down low. Certainly something people will like if they like the sound of some of the Senn portable cans of recent vintage."
Well, more of the same applies to the CX 5.00G. Hearing both side by side and from the specs, it is clear the same driver is used. Tweaked some for the 5.00G, the clarity is better with the 5.00G. The longer housing comes into play and gives a bit more depth and distance to the presentation. The SHH-SHH-SHH tone is a bit more refined/less exaggeration on the treble decay. A bit more detail shines through and the bass slant is lessened a bit towards having more treble amount.
IMO, the line consists of CX1.00, 2.00, 3.00, and 5.00. The jump in SQ to my ears is about 10%. Less than the jump from 3.00 to 5.00 might suggest. 4.00 sounds about right. Still better but a relatively small step.
CONCLUSION
A nearly $35 price jump gets you a bit less ergonomics, the same accessories and packaging, a remote/mic, nicer housings, and relatively small jump in overall SQ with slightly better balance. A better phone than the CX3.00 in some ways but not as good a value. The folks at Senn may have shortchanged the CX5.00 in favor of the slightly pricier Momentum in-ear. Will the middle child CX5.00 get a bit lost or overlooked???
Thanks for reading
!
