I find the CD3000's treble to be rather piercing (strictly) at high volume, even after the 20 year lifespan I'm sure these cans have had, as they are the original black jack version. I don't find the SA5ks to be very harsh on my ears at all. Interesting though, you got your CD3k after the SA5ks too, which is how it went for me as well. What year did you purchase yours?
Is your CD3k black jack as well, or silver? If you managed to get the headphones NOS for $180, I am incredibly jealous! I forget what I paid for mine, but it was around that price, however, in terrible condition! I have missed two recent deals for CD3000s under $100, and it has been rather upsetting. How many more times can people keep selling things they do not understand the value of? Especially online, it's very doubtful. I do not think any local shops here would have them, but I should try looking. I'd love a second (or third) pair of CD3ks.
I would be very very wary to take steam to the CD3k's drivers to try and tame the treble, especially after your own horror story with the CD1ks, I just can't imagine the condensation being a very good thing for the drivers, especially not the voice coil. One would imagine after 20 years and heavy use for the past 5-6 years (they were broken for almost two years before I modified the cable) years, the headphones' drivers would have already softened up considerably. Maybe if you had protected the glue with a waterproof film, the drivers would have lived? If that's viable, I MIGHT try it, but it seems VERY risky in my eyes. You certainly know more about the sonic qualities of headphones than I do. I still consider myself an amateur, yet appreciative audiophile, though I have a deep passion for DIY, albeit more cosmetic and only lightly acoustic, in making my ear pads and working with dampening material, but I have no exact knowledge of it, only general knowledge.
It's very interesting to consider the SA5000's drivers as successors and developments on the biocellulose design; I have heard that the organic nature of the biocellulose makes them very sensitive to environmental factors like mold and aging/rot. I have not yet heard of any of them breaking down from natural degradation, but a lot of people seem to voice concern about this.
I am also interested in owning the CD1000s, myself. I'm quite charmed by the CD series of headphones, and eventually would like to collect most if not all of them. I love Sony's headphone design from around that time. I also love the much older classics from the early 80s before the V6, too, but I'm not quite ready to go exploring there yet. It's kind of interesting how ridiculously similar the first generation CD series headphones all appear to each other. The 850 looks very much like the 1000, but smaller, the 1000 looks very similar to the 3k but slightly different in dimensions and with a different cup design, but when I first saw them, I was awestruck by how similar they looked (and thought they were just black plastic version of the CD3k). They all look like giant eggo headphones.
Are you from Japan, CDSA? As far as I know, the more studio reference (V6-inspired) CD series headphones were/are Japan exclusives and quite rare outside of that country. The CD999s are very cool and I'd love to own a pair (along with the CD900ST) eventually.
Yes, I know how there is quite a weight difference between the two. The "floating" nature of the CD3ks, even with a tighter headband, still make them almost disappear on my head. They are very warm, especially with leather ear pads, though my ears tend to not sweat very much at all with headphones, so it's no big deal for me to wear them in summer either. I certainly agree with you that Sony has taken steps away from their innovation and more into catering to mainstream taste and appeal. I stopped following their products very closely after the SA5ks.
I think for a future project, I'd like to take a 1mm sheet of magnesium alloy and create a new headband for the SA5000s. I'd rather not spend $200 on the part from Parts list. My headband is okay, but just in case, I'd like another. I have to admit, I think the minimalism of the SA5ks, while very elegant (and good for DIY!) really cut costs for Sony. The headband is very simple (yet they sell it for $200+?
). All it'd take is some careful setting into shape and making the cut outs for the mesh band and you'd have a good as new headband for the SA5k.
Hey, if you ever find a good deal on CD3ks, let me know!
If I can manage to get another pair of SA5ks (hopefully for not too much), I'll most definitely try the vinyl flooring "closed" mod I've heard about. Yes, the size of the cups does help determine soundstage wideness, no? The CD3ks have giant cups, so I can't imagine the SA5ks, even with a closed mod, sounding as wide. I have heard some remark that CD900ST is similar to the CD3k. Makes me wonder if it's then similar to the SA5k with the closed mod installed.
Take care!
You know, I actually feel that the CD3k has more piercing/ear bleeding highs than the SA5000, of which I have never really felt any pain or need to turn down the volume. The impedance is higher on the 5ks, so that MIGHT be a reason, but I don't think so. My SA5000s are from 2005-2006, so I'd imagine they are one of the first models, but they're still running strong! Being the careless teenager I was, I did everything with them. I tossed them (not literally tossed, but left them) on the ground, STEPPED on them (by accident!), and they were still okay! Bent the headband, which isn't too noticeable. Well, until my OCD kicked in and I snapped the headband trying to bend it back, but I've made due with a repair that's not very noticeable. I also restored the disappointing pleather half of the leather earpads that flaked away. I'll likely make a new pair entirely out of leather once my lambskin and memory foam shipment comes in as I'll have more than enough to work with.
