So, SA5000s have arrived, and....................

[kramer5150]

Quote:

Originally Posted by wnmnkh /img/forum/go_quote.gif ..........................K701s destroy them so badly that it is not funny at all. I mean, no contest; K701s, while give me more natural sound than SA5000, they have more smooth bass, very nice mids, comparable highs, superior clarity and detail (yes, compare to K701s, SA5000s tend to hide detail) and superior sound stages.

I disagree, the SA5k is more detail revealing than the K701...In fact, without the right source the SA5K is downright brutal to listen to. part of that is the treble boost of the SA5k... which tend to thrust high frequencies out of the mix.

 

[Ahriman4891]

jjcha

thanks for your post. Now I feel that I just don't have enough experience with high-end cans, so I'll shut up till I hear a couple more

Just a question (again, to get a better feel of what you are saying). Do you talk about transients in the electrical/systems engineering sense? Or musical sense? It seems to me the 2 would be somewhat different.

 

[cotdt]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ahriman4891 /img/forum/go_quote.gif jjcha thanks for your post. Now I feel that I just don't have enough experience with high-end cans, so I'll shut up till I hear a couple more Just a question (again, to get a better feel of what you are saying). Do you talk about transients in the electrical/systems engineering sense? Or musical sense? It seems to me the 2 would be somewhat different.

i'm sure he means in a musical sense. sharp transients refer to a tight and fast sound, and the opposite of this is the softer, rounder sound. the k701, for example, would be the latter example of soft transients, because there is a time smear. it uses very soft rubbery diaphragm, so the sound wave produced by the center arrives slightly quicker than that from the surrounding area, so that the edges of the notes are no longer sharp. however, for higher frequencies the center decouples and becomes the sole producer of the sound wave and you get a much sharper faster sound at high frequencies. i like it this way, because it is detailed and laid back and forgiving at the same time, without sacrificing resolution.

 

[unclebull]

I like this discussion. I currently have the 701 and the sa5k will arrive in a couple of days and I am sure they both have their strengths and weaknesses, at the end of the day it is pretty much going to be a matter of personal tastes. Could someone tell me how best to, ampwise, get the best out of these cans.

 

[DJShadow]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjcha /img/forum/go_quote.gif All in all though, I don't quite see why there is so much discussion/debate about these mid-level cans (SA5k, K 701). They're all enjoyable but not really all that impressive when you really have a chance to listen to many things. Put on a good K 1000 rig or SR-Lambda Pro setup or HP1000 even, much less a good Omega 2 or 010 setup, or even a HE90, and it's just that there are more interesting and impressive headphones to talk about, at least from a resolution/detail standpoint. Best regards, -Jason

Not everyone will have the means (or mental/financial allowance) to hear a pair of the really high-end headphones you've mentioned, thus explaining why there is active discussion on mid-level headphones like the k701 and sa5000. I'll go out on a limb and say that the majority of head-fiers (regular posters or not) can easily acquire a pair of <$350 headphones whereas >$1000 is perhaps getting unfeasible. Theres no doubt that I reckon (probably others as well) the K1000 and the Senn electrostatics are better than the aforementioned 'phones but they are beyond acquirability. Another point is that if no one has a reference point that is better than what they have, then won't have experienced what is superior. Case in point is folks who have only ever listened to earbuds their entire life and then move up to proper headphones (e.g HD 595). Myself, the SA5000 is the best I've ever heard.

I for one would like to see such discussions continue as its certainly better than threads on which earbuds are the best.

 

[kool bubba ice]

Quote:

Originally Posted by unclebull /img/forum/go_quote.gif I like this discussion. I currently have the 701 and the sa5k will arrive in a couple of days and I am sure they both have their strengths and weaknesses, at the end of the day it is pretty much going to be a matter of personal tastes. Could someone tell me how best to, ampwise, get the best out of these cans.

SA5000 need tube love..

 

[xenithon]

A little OT, but I'd like to throw the ATH-AD2000 into the fray and ask your thoughts in it in comparison to the Sony and/or AKG. It seems those three headphones are in heavy competition for mid-level budgets focusing on midrange clarity, detail, and balance.

 

[sghound]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kool bubba ice /img/forum/go_quote.gif SA5000 need tube love..

and so does the 701.