TonyTripleA
500+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Feb 24, 2004
- Posts
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- 138
Okay, the Sony SA5000 arrived today. Thanks to JJCha's (Jason's) efforts with his head-fi group purchase (double thanks actually), I am probably the first Aussie with these cans. Not that that matters... what does matter is the instant impressions which bear little significance to expert comments I know. But I thought I'd share that "first moment" that my headphones and I had when we first got aquainted.
You know when you first see each other there is some chemical attraction. Well, it hit me upon seeing the SA5000s, even before my SA5000s noticed me. They look stunning. And the headphone stand speaks "class". And after providing some electrical stimulation these baby's did respond... and how.
My initial feeling was... and I hate to admit it, "another headphone". Then without realising it the upper treble struck me. I turned the volume down and the first impression was "wow, the detail is still there". I turned the volume back up and "wow, the bass is not bad at all". I was playing Dire Straits, HDCD, and the sound was sweet.
Deciding I should leave some personal space after a favourable first encounter, I retreated to dinner with my number one baby (wife that is) and decided to sneak back after a couple of hours burn in. And did this set of cans wanna see me again... she was starting to really come on. First I decided some direct comparisions with my MS-pros would be in order. Sure these are early comparisions so take them with a grain of salt. Oh, I should also state that I thought the MS-pros were a dissappointment in the first hour of listening, now I would say they are a complete joy and worth every cent... fantastic all round sound and very hard cans to beat.
First up the Sonys. I changed the music to Julia Fordham, concrete love. A great album to test music with - deep low bass, great treble and a female voice to challenge the best cans. Hey, wait a minute... the MS-pros never had music quite as "separated". Is this soundstage, maybe... as a "grado fan" I'm not sure I've heard it before (except when auditioning Puzzle's DT880s and some sen HD650s). Impressive. Maybe something others take for granted but nice if you're not used to it.
Okay, time to switch back to MS-pros. Wow, these cans can hit the bass notes hard, really hard. But, hold the phone, where did the upper treble go??? Hmmm, without noticing it the Sony's were giving me something I now miss. Really miss. Maybe cannot live without?
Back to the Sony's - ahhh, its like a veil is lifted (no comparision with Sennheiser intended). A clarity is now present that was not as apparent with the MS-pros. I could get very used to this sound. Its very nice to hear such detail, resolution and transparency.
Real diffinitive impressions will have to wait till I've heard many, many more hours of music. Both burn in and musical variety need to be considered. But already I can say I am not dissappointed with the SA5000s.
First impressions I'd like to reflect on:
1. comfort: the high clamping pressure I first felt initially is not uncomfortable for me after over an hour. A signficant comment because at first I thought the pressure was excessive. Should I stretch the headband?
2. microphonics are present in the cable. Not huge but certainly the cloth/fibre sheathed cable is sensitive to movement.
3. treble extension is superb, or better. Clarity and resolution are obviously right up there too. Sonic characteristics at low volume are the best I have heard (well etymotics are also great but the Sony's have some soundstage and a more rounded and fuller sound to my ears).
4. bass is plentiful but I don't expect the same level of "slam" that the MS-pros are cabable of. This is both a good and a bad thing. I have been listening to music with the MS-pros where the bass slam had so much impact it almost hurt I know, turn down the volume but then the high treble become less present (or peceivable to me at least).
5. Now take this comment as a foolish first thought but... these cans make me feel I'm listening to live music more than anything else I've experienced. Fast, responsive, and clear. Okay, too early to really back this impression up, but its my first comparative feeling for what its worth.
These cans are looking like keepers...
I'll report further as I get educated.
And Jason, did I say "THANKS!!!!!!!"
Cheers,
TonyAAA
You know when you first see each other there is some chemical attraction. Well, it hit me upon seeing the SA5000s, even before my SA5000s noticed me. They look stunning. And the headphone stand speaks "class". And after providing some electrical stimulation these baby's did respond... and how.
My initial feeling was... and I hate to admit it, "another headphone". Then without realising it the upper treble struck me. I turned the volume down and the first impression was "wow, the detail is still there". I turned the volume back up and "wow, the bass is not bad at all". I was playing Dire Straits, HDCD, and the sound was sweet.
Deciding I should leave some personal space after a favourable first encounter, I retreated to dinner with my number one baby (wife that is) and decided to sneak back after a couple of hours burn in. And did this set of cans wanna see me again... she was starting to really come on. First I decided some direct comparisions with my MS-pros would be in order. Sure these are early comparisions so take them with a grain of salt. Oh, I should also state that I thought the MS-pros were a dissappointment in the first hour of listening, now I would say they are a complete joy and worth every cent... fantastic all round sound and very hard cans to beat.
First up the Sonys. I changed the music to Julia Fordham, concrete love. A great album to test music with - deep low bass, great treble and a female voice to challenge the best cans. Hey, wait a minute... the MS-pros never had music quite as "separated". Is this soundstage, maybe... as a "grado fan" I'm not sure I've heard it before (except when auditioning Puzzle's DT880s and some sen HD650s). Impressive. Maybe something others take for granted but nice if you're not used to it.
Okay, time to switch back to MS-pros. Wow, these cans can hit the bass notes hard, really hard. But, hold the phone, where did the upper treble go??? Hmmm, without noticing it the Sony's were giving me something I now miss. Really miss. Maybe cannot live without?
Back to the Sony's - ahhh, its like a veil is lifted (no comparision with Sennheiser intended). A clarity is now present that was not as apparent with the MS-pros. I could get very used to this sound. Its very nice to hear such detail, resolution and transparency.
Real diffinitive impressions will have to wait till I've heard many, many more hours of music. Both burn in and musical variety need to be considered. But already I can say I am not dissappointed with the SA5000s.
First impressions I'd like to reflect on:
1. comfort: the high clamping pressure I first felt initially is not uncomfortable for me after over an hour. A signficant comment because at first I thought the pressure was excessive. Should I stretch the headband?
2. microphonics are present in the cable. Not huge but certainly the cloth/fibre sheathed cable is sensitive to movement.
3. treble extension is superb, or better. Clarity and resolution are obviously right up there too. Sonic characteristics at low volume are the best I have heard (well etymotics are also great but the Sony's have some soundstage and a more rounded and fuller sound to my ears).
4. bass is plentiful but I don't expect the same level of "slam" that the MS-pros are cabable of. This is both a good and a bad thing. I have been listening to music with the MS-pros where the bass slam had so much impact it almost hurt I know, turn down the volume but then the high treble become less present (or peceivable to me at least).
5. Now take this comment as a foolish first thought but... these cans make me feel I'm listening to live music more than anything else I've experienced. Fast, responsive, and clear. Okay, too early to really back this impression up, but its my first comparative feeling for what its worth.
These cans are looking like keepers...
I'll report further as I get educated.
And Jason, did I say "THANKS!!!!!!!"
Cheers,
TonyAAA
