spaceconvoy
1000+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Aug 30, 2005
- Posts
- 1,016
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- 15
I just received my new SA1000, which I'll probably return (bought them just to get the flavor of the SA5000 w/o spending $400). Here's what I like about them that makes me think I'll like the SA5000:
I love the presentation - I read one review that described them as having no soundstage. Yes, that's true, but they have an amazing headstage. I like the sound of all the clearly defined instruments coming from different areas of space, but all still within my head. It's very engaging and exciting.
General frequency response - to me it seems very flat. Some people say it's bright, but to me it sounds clear.
The details!! - I've read some complaints that it's too unnaturally detailed, but who cares, to me it sounds amazing! Some people say it's too analytical and unmusical, but I completely disagree. The SA1000 is musical to my ears because it lets me hear everything - the sound of a guitar players fingers moving up the strings, the people coughing in the audience. All that detail is there for me to soak up and enjoy.
And here's what I don't like:
Thin, slightly recessed mids - some have complained that they're too dry, but I don't think so. They sound very clear and realistic to me, just sort of lifeless and a little too distant.
Treble energy - some people have said they're too bright, but that's not the problem. It's that with songs with a lot of higher frequencies, I can feel physical pressure on my eardrums. It's like the treble has a physical weight that really makes my ears hurt after about a half hour. I think this is called treble energy.
Ok, so I've read a few comparisons that suggest the SA5000 will be a big improvement over the 1K in these last two areas. Can anyone else reassure me? This will be my first major headphone purchase (not only headphones, but planning on building an M^3 and getting an Echo Indigo to go along with them). The SA1000 seems closer than any other headphone to getting the exact sound I'm looking for, but with two major, glaring defects. Will the 5K be that much of an improvement?
I love the presentation - I read one review that described them as having no soundstage. Yes, that's true, but they have an amazing headstage. I like the sound of all the clearly defined instruments coming from different areas of space, but all still within my head. It's very engaging and exciting.
General frequency response - to me it seems very flat. Some people say it's bright, but to me it sounds clear.
The details!! - I've read some complaints that it's too unnaturally detailed, but who cares, to me it sounds amazing! Some people say it's too analytical and unmusical, but I completely disagree. The SA1000 is musical to my ears because it lets me hear everything - the sound of a guitar players fingers moving up the strings, the people coughing in the audience. All that detail is there for me to soak up and enjoy.
And here's what I don't like:
Thin, slightly recessed mids - some have complained that they're too dry, but I don't think so. They sound very clear and realistic to me, just sort of lifeless and a little too distant.
Treble energy - some people have said they're too bright, but that's not the problem. It's that with songs with a lot of higher frequencies, I can feel physical pressure on my eardrums. It's like the treble has a physical weight that really makes my ears hurt after about a half hour. I think this is called treble energy.
Ok, so I've read a few comparisons that suggest the SA5000 will be a big improvement over the 1K in these last two areas. Can anyone else reassure me? This will be my first major headphone purchase (not only headphones, but planning on building an M^3 and getting an Echo Indigo to go along with them). The SA1000 seems closer than any other headphone to getting the exact sound I'm looking for, but with two major, glaring defects. Will the 5K be that much of an improvement?
