While someone in the SEM5 thread has posted his impression on the Pioneer, i've spend the whole day to listen to them and make a comparison with my D9200.
It was a pleasure and an ear opening happening.
Here are my thoughts:
Oh ah, and excuse the somewhat long phrasing with my stumbling english. ^^
After a brief listening there's on thing i can say definitely:
The SEM5 is a bit shouty in the mid-mids (^^) and very demanding for power, thou doesn't need much to be driven.
Tested them on the Mojo and on my R28.
(Surface Pro 7 using Tidal over usb, R28 in OS8 mode)
Need to raise the volume on the Mojo few steps (7-8) compared to the D9200.
Level 60 out of 99 on the R28 (SEM5) and 57 (D9200)(level matched with an app), which means around 10% power (super exponential volume characteristic of the R28 ).
I've to say, my benchmark headphone is my Era-1, which i've level match at 69 out of 99 on the volume dail.
All further impressions are coming from listening with the R28.
I don't listen at high volume on headphones.
Puuh. What should i say.
Listen to
Justin Timberlake - Say something, the SEM5 didn't show his capabilities on the Mojo, on the R28 you'll get a sense of.
The bass, impact and quality, on the R28 is better to that from the Mojo, which mirrors the massive power the R28 has.
Never expect that this way before.
The presentation of the sound is more like being on a concert(SEM5) than in a club (D9200) while listen to
Frozen Crown - Fail no more from The Fallen King.
None of the instruments nor the voices were pronounced over the others on SEM5, while the mids on the D9200 are a bit emphasized.
Some may like that, some don't.
I think the SEM5 will benefit from a slightly increases eq at around 2k by 2 or 3 db to bring the voices a bit in front, what i prefer.
But on the whole sound presentation (out of the R28) there's nothing more to add, imo.
It is not in your face like the D9200, who isn't, compared to other closed back headphones.
In that regard, i like both sound presentations for different reasons and purposes.
Listening to
Unleash the Archers - Northwest Passage, i find the "laid back" presentation on vocals more pleasant on the SEM5.
Playing
Kamelot - Forever live from the 013, the D9200 is really engaging while the SEM5 has a more natural performance for that Live show.
Nonetheless, i like both for its own.
Continue with
Tom Day - Who we wants to Be, what stands out was the sound of the xylophone, which sounds more natural and pleasant from the SEM5.
On the D9200, it reaches some piercing tones and a somewhat overemphasized metallic scheme.
The percussion, starts at 1:52, sounds more distant on the D9200, which imo isn't right in this track. (Crosstested with the Era-1.)
Next one is
Krewella - Love outta me.
The quality of the bass is there on both headphones, while the impact on the D9200 is better, the kickbass sounds better on the SEM5.
Really strange to me.
Details on the D9200 are outstanding thou.
The Era-1 has more low bass and goes deeper than the other 2.
Really exciting.
After a little break to acclimate my hearing i was listening to
Alex Clare - You'll be fine from Tails of Lions.
A smooth track with nice details, great voice and good layering.
SEM5 shows deeper lows and better control than D9200 on this track.
Separation and layering are a strength of the D9200, but SEM5, despite his more mellowed presentation, is really close.
D9200 presents more clarity, imo.
Next round, i'd throw in
Tingvall Trio - Hamnen from the Album "Beat".
Uuh, this is a really tough one.
Can't decide which one i'd prefer on this track.
The stage is broader on the D9200, but my thoughts are a bit confused with both headphones.
With the SEM5 it seems that i'd be closer to the double bass than the piano, which is exactly the opposite on the D9200. ^^
The piano sounds great on both, but the D9200 hasn't as much dynamic as the SEM5 in its presentation.
Listen to
Sarah Jarosz - Greenlights from Undercurrent is somewhat different on them, but i like both.
Again, the double bass is more prominent on the SEM5 with a lot more body to it and sometimes a bit to much, imo.
On the D9200 it's more balanced, i'd say.
The guitars are better layered on the SEM5 with a more holographic imaging' downside is that the higher tones of the guitars could be a bit peaky, not so on the D9200. Stage on the D9200 is more compressed in comparison to the SEM5.
One song i've to listen to many times back and forth is
Creation of Earth from Thomas Bergersen's Album "Sun", and right from the start i got shivers all over my body.
The SEM5 is a great performer here with a very "natural" presentation of the mood.
On this track, the D9200 is a bit too much forward in comparison to the Pioneer, but someone may say that the Pioneer is a bit shouty in this part, which leads me to look at a large auditorium with the SEM5 rather than with D9200 being in front of the stage.
Clarity and imaging is great on both, but the D9200 excels in that regard.
The SEM5 delivers a smoother presentation here.
Great example for their diversity is the track
Hunting high and low from Stratovarius' Album "Infinite".
While the D9200 is playing this track like you're in the studio yourself, the SEM5 will bring you to a live concert.
The Denon on this track is, well, very "hunting" and forward.
Another song which is fixed in my listening to various headphones is
Hold Mig Fast from Medina's Album "Grim".
The lows in this track in combination with here amazing voice are somewhat stirring.
Both headphones show great rumble down low, with the D9200 in front by a bit (both make use of their large cellulose nano fiber drivers at its best) with more weight to the very deep notes.
I've to say, none of them has the impact the Era-1 brings to the table, but they've this lovely smooth reverberation, only a good dynamic driver is capable of.
I've to stop here bc i'm in the mood to write a book about, i guess. Haha.
You've to give the SEM5 some time and listening to acclimate with its nature, i'd say.
It's a great headphone that stands side by side to such high-end closed backs like the D9200.
The comfort is really good. Despite the weight, it distributes it pretty well and after some time it tends to disappear bc of the big soft and plush earpads.
The Pioneer Monitor 5 is meant to be driven properly and shows a mellow mid presentation with well extended bass down low and good detail retrieval, imo.
Acoustic music and classical are my preferred genres with, but it plays very well on pop too, where it is showing a relaxed character.
The D9200 is a great allrounder and stands on his own, i'd say.
Easily driven and with a bit emphasized mids, it goes down to the really lows without any effort, though not overbearing like its little brother, the D7200.
My preferred genre for is metal, edm, aaah forget about, just throw all you have in your arsenal at. ^^
Oh, and it's a great headphone for listening at low volume levels.
Still 2 keepers in my small collection.
Have a great day and keep listening to good music.
Chris
