MDR-SA5000 | Super Audio Stereo Headphone
Primary Source: DVP-S9000ES
Portable Source: MZ-EH1 + XIN SuperMacro-III
Overview
The very first impression I had of the MDR-SA5000 is that this thing is a beast! But at the same time I was so drawn to its industrial design. The build quality overall is superb! The SA5000 is made of magnesium and employs a pair of very soft natural leather ear pads. The combination of the two aforementioned materials leads to one of the most comfortable headphones I have worn thus far – extremely light weight (I dare say almost as light as the Eggo series) and no significant pressure to any part of the head.
Of all the headphones I have listened to, the MDR-SA5000 in my opinion is a very “neutral” headphone. By neutral, I mean its sound signature is extremely well balanced and providing great details and dynamics – it is very accurate, very clean. As a result, both instruments and vocal sounds are very crisp and realistic. Of course, the recording needs to be of high quality. Otherwise, one will certainly hear immediate discrepancy within a sub par recording.
Some users of the SA5000 have noted that it does not have a wide soundstage (perhaps, the only significant shortcoming of the SA5000 for some users). Since, I have not experience a whole lot of headphones of the same tier, I can only say from my observations that the SA5000 does offer very accurate and lifelike soundstage – so accurate that I feel I was next to Yo-Yo Ma with his cello playing Bach’s Suite for solo cello No. 1 in G major, BWV 1007. As I mentioned in the preceding paragraph, the SA5000 offers great details and dynamics. This is evident as I listen to the “Silk Road Journeys: Beyond the Horizon” with the SA5000. True joy indeed! Bass quality is very well-balanced – tight and not bloated. The mid-range is just right, very true to how the recording was originally intended and the high-range is just so detailed.
Conclusion
Highly recommended! If you are looking for a neutral headphone that presents recording as it was originally intended, then this is it. The MDR-SA5000 guarantees complete bliss with no artificial or rather enhanced sound.
SUMMARY
The Good:
- Very neutral
- The SA5000 offers superb true soundstage
- Extremely detailed with clean and crisp sounds
- Excellent vocal detail
- Excellent comfort level
- Excellent build quality
- Bundled with useful metal headphone stand
- Soundstage may not be wide enough for certain users
- Its neutrality could be an issue for some
Type: Circumaural Open-Back Dynamic Stereo Headphones
Driver Unit: 50mm diameter, dome type
Diaphragm: Nano composite HD
Magnet: Neodymium (360kJ/m3)
Headband: Structure Magnesium Frame; and Wire frame with self adjusting mechanism
Earpads: Natural Leather
Frequency Range: 5 Hz - 110 kHz
Impedance: 70 Ohms @ 1kHz
Sensitivity: 100dB/mW
Maximum Input Power: 1500 mW
Connectors: 1 x 1/4" Stereo Phone
Cable Length: 11.5' (3.5 m)
Weight: 9 oz (255 g)
Enjoy the pictorial.
