[silverrain]

Okay -- I've spent the past 3 days reading and re-reading all the posts on here (back to 01-2005) and I mostly like what is said about these cans, BUT, I see much controversy regarding the BASS on these cans.

I want to buy them for their celebrated details, but would NOT want a "bass-less" can, which is just as important as the highs and mids to me.

So, can anyone that has heard the SA5000, and ANY of the cans on the following list of fairly popular cans, please tell me which one (if any) the SA5000 BASS sounds closest (or similar) to?

PRO 750/2500
HFI-780
JVC DX1000
HD580
Sony V6
Kenwood K1000
DT990/250 (05)
DT880/250 (05)
RS-1
SR-325i
Denon D2000/D5000

Thanks in advance!

P.S. -- I ordered these twice in the last two days, and then canceled the order each time, due to wondering whether the bass would be disappointing -- or not!

 

[xenithon]

Nearest from the list is, IMO the RS-1....in terms of how clean and dynamic it was. With the right source and amplification, the Sony has amongst the most taut and clean bass I have heard in a headphone. Granted, not HD650 nor DX1000 level (in terms of output) but superior in terms of accuracy, attack and tonality. Relative to the RS-1 it is quicker but not as punchy

I was in a similar situation, wanting the details, openness and transparency but did not want a thin sounding headphones....the SA5000 filled that to my ears. Nearest is probably the ATH-AD2000, though that has stronger midbass output and a slight warm coloration (SA5000 dead neutral). Bear in mind though, that I have only heard an APS V3 recabled SA5000, which may play a part in what I heard.

 

[MoodySteve]

I'm an avid listener of electronica, which often contains a lot of bass, and I think that everything I listen to sounds great in the SA5000s. Granted, real bass-heavy stuff isn't as meaty on the SA5ks as, say, the HD650s, but as far as these cans being 'bass-less', I can assure you that they're not, to my ears.

Hope this helps.

 

[ecclesand]

I owned a Black Dragon recabled SA5000 for a while and I typically used the built in Foobar equalizer with them. I bumped the 55 Hz up by 2 db and the 77 Hz up by 1 db. It certainly helped, but it didn't give the bass enough impact for my taste. To give you an idea of my preferences, I really enjoy the bass of the D2000 and the Ultrasones.

Don't get me wrong...I REALLY liked the Sonys for many reasons, but after a while just got bored with them. Of course, ymmv.

 

[silverrain]

I guess no one else is going to chime in, here, so thanks to all that did.

 

[cantsleep]

its bass is good enough for rock/metal, i would say..
hip hop/rnb/movies/gaming, ehh... not so great..

 

[Andrew_WOT]

Quote:

Originally Posted by cantsleep /img/forum/go_quote.gif its bass is good enough for rock/metal, i would say.. hip hop/rnb/movies/gaming, ehh... not so great..

About ATH-AD2000 level, above DT880/250, slightly under or on par with DT880/600.

 

[Faust2D]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew_WOT /img/forum/go_quote.gif About ATH-AD2000 level, above DT880/250, slightly under or on par with DT880/600.

Are you saying that SA5000 have better and more bass than DT880 250 ohm (05)?

 

[silverrain]

Yay! The thread is alive again!
More posts!
Keep them coming, guys -- I'm really, really looking for an excuse to get a set of these puppies!

(signed)
Typical Head-Fi addict *sigh*

 

[Andrew_WOT]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Faust2D /img/forum/go_quote.gif Are you saying that SA5000 have better and more bass than DT880 250 ohm (05)?

Yep, this is what I hear out of GS-1. 600Ohm version is on par or better than Sony.

 

[jpelg]

The only one on that list that comes close to the bass of the SA5000's is the DT880/250. But the Sony lacks the nice midrange of the Beyers.

The rest on that list have bass far beyond the Sony's or Beyer's, in both quantity & quality, imo)

 

[Andrew_WOT]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpelg /img/forum/go_quote.gif The only one on that list that comes close to the bass of the SA5000's is the DT880/250. But the Sony lacks the nice midrange of the Beyers. The rest on that list have bass far beyond the Sony's or Beyer's, in both quantity & quality, imo)

Nice midrange of Beyers?

Even evened out midrange of 600Ohm version is on the verge of being recesed, Sony is actually on par there.

 

[Uncle Erik]

I'd say the SA5000 bass is pretty similar to the DT880. The RS-1 sounds like it has more, but it isn't as deep and fast. The Sennheiser HD-580/600/650 will give you deep, fast bass, but not without a significant investment in an amp. But the SA5000 has good bass - I like it for electronica - and more detail than the DT880. The mids are leaner and tighter than the DT880, and it doesn't warm up with tubes the way a DT880 turns to liquid gold in the right setup.

 

[cantsleep]

eh? actually sa5000's midrange is better than 880's, on my setup.

 

[bergman2]

ditto cantsleeps thoughts....as for the bass lean qualities some have complained about---i never really thought of them as being bass lean...they have incredible balance across the spectrum but seem not to go way down low...therefore the only bass lean-ness is in the low-low end of the spectrum...mid-bass and high-bass are all there and supple, balanced and tight...i have also found that with a sufficiently dynamic hp amp the extension migrates lower and lower....as for your reluctance to buy on this point, it is nothing to worry about and should not hinder your decision in the least...the only thing you should be prepared for is the finickiness of component matching---the sa-5000's are an uncomprmising beast and will bite and scratch if you dont have the right synergy with your kit