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DENON AH-D5000
MSRP $699.00
DISCONTINUED / SOLD-OUT. A very impressive performer in the realm of high-end sealed headphones, the DENON AH-D5000 expresses a warm and lush-toned sound with deeply extended low bass, liquid midranges and nuanced, articulate highs. Featuring sustainable real mahogany wood earcups, the D5000 are full-sized closed-back headphones delivering mild environmental isolation, but just enough to tamp down the din of typical home or office chatter. Build quality, design styling and wearing comfort are top-notch as usual from venerable 100-year Japanese hi-fi audio specialists.
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Product Features:
- Lush and liquid presentation with outstanding detail and extension
- Superb styling, wearing comfort and build quality with Japanese design
- Excellent low-end response rates amongst best in sealed headphones
- Real (non-endangered!) mahogany wood earcups
- 1 year USA manufacturer's warranty from DENON
What's In The Box:
- screw-on 1/4" (6.3 mm) adapter
- DENON cleaning cloth
- DENON owner's manual
Applications:
The DENON AH-D5000 are 'reference-grade' sealed-earcup (closed-back) headphones capable of audio performance on par with many of the best open-back cans in the industry. The scientific audio lab measurements don't lie: the results we've seen in every category for the AH-D5000 rival that of many top open audiophile headphones that have entered our HeadRoom testing facility. Of course it's not just the stunning specs that have us grinning like kids as we exchange hi-fives and fist bumps, it's the actual sound that is the real ultimate test for demanding audiophiles. And, boy, what a sound. Lush, inviting, and focused musical detail in every part of the frequency spectrum with a seamless tonal quality that brings subtle nuances of the recording into clear relief. The overall timbral presentation is certainly a bit 'warmer' and fuller in the D5000 versus its punchy little brother, the AH-D2000; we'd say the D5000 offers a lovely tube-like smoothness against the more 'forward-sounding' and lively tonal presence of the D2000. The soundstage image of the DENON AH-D5000 extends to the edges of the recording space with a depth of field and precise dimensional expansiveness that even most open-back headphones can't muster. The AH-D5000 cost also remains significantly cheaper versus some of the uber-pricey 'master level' ($1,000+) headphones out there. Looks like we have yet another wonderful 'sealed/closed' dynamic headphone from DENON!
Despite the DENON AH-D5000 seemingly efficient impedance rating of only 25 Ohms, it's not a particularly sensitive headphone so it begs for a top headphone amp in order to hear its full musical capabilities -- otherwise it may sound flat, flabby, and even dynamically lifeless especially from portable audio sources like iPod, iPad or computers. But once the AH-D5000 are correctly powered into their best sonic operating zone via a quality headphone amp, expect truly fluid, highly dynamic, and spacious reference sound quality. Gee, words like these aren't frequently associated with the category of 'sealed-back' headphones. Kudos, DENON!
The DENON AH-D5000 are good-looking, well-designed headphones. The lightweight magnesium headband frame supports full-size circumaural mahogany wood earcups that cover the entire earlobe and provide respectable ambient noise attenuation while minimizing headphone sound "leakage" to the outside world. The rich mahogany wood lustre of the D5000 is impressive -- as appropiate for an upscale headphone -- and the deep-well earcups are padded in comfortable glove-soft black pleather. (One caveat: careful with overhandling the D5000 earcups since the gold-toned DENON logo could wear prematurely!). Headband sizing adjustments are easy via a solid slider mechanism that is a joy to use and secure once set. The AH-D5000 headband clamping force remains very light and comfy on the head as typical for DENON cans; some smaller listeners may feel the full-size headphones almost a bit loose on their noggin. However, that loose headband fit also contributes mightily to their comfort during extra-long listening sessions. We recommend allowing a minimum of +200hrs of 'burn-in' time for the headphone to acoustically perform at its very best. The AH-D5000 headphone cord is a non-detachable 3 meter "Y" type OFC cable terminating to a 3.5mm [1/8"] 'mini' plug and covered in an abrasion-resistant material that provides great flexibility and durability. A full-size stereo 1/4" screw-on plug adapter is handily provided. The 1-year DENON-USA manufacturer's warranty remains standard on their entire headphone line with your HeadRoom 'authorized DENON-USA dealer' purchase receipt.
HeadRoom is a 100% DENON-Authorized Headphone Dealer for North America. Your Complete Manufacturer's Warranty Coverage Remains Intact With DENON HeadRoom Purchases. Always Purchase Your DENON Headphones from verified DENON-Factory Authorized Dealers!
Specifications:
- Sensitivity: 106 dB/mW
- Manufacturer Warranty: 1 year
- Isolation: -8dB ~ 12dB
- Headphone Type: Full Size
- Connector Type: 1/8
- Impedance @ 1kHz: 25 Ohms
- Detachable Cable: No
- Coupler Size: Large
- Cord Length: 10 ft. (3 m)
- Ear Coupler Type: Full-Size
- Cord Type: Straight Y
- Driver Type: Dynamic
- Acoustic Seal: Closed
Additional Resources:
- Manufacturer's Website
- Denon Headphones
- Product Info
- Product Spec PDF
- DENON Press Release
- Product Reviews
- CNET Nate Lanxon, Sept 07
- The New York Times John Biggs Feb 07
- Crunch Gear Doug Aamoth Aug 08
- Techradar.com, Richard Black
- Playback, Tom Martin
Average Rating
Posted by Whole Hearted Productions from Manhattan, KS on 2012-04-21
Recommend Product: Yes
Pros: Accurate, Precise, Great Low end
Cons: Not great isolation, earcup connection issue
One thing I was looking for was a pair of headphones that was just accurate... especially in the bass. I want to know that what I am listening to is exactly what I am listening to... complete with its imperfections. My guess about some of the music types people did not like to listen to with these headphones were mastered for people that don't have high fi systems with which to listen to their music (a lot of rap and electronica in which the bottom end is trying to sound good in iPod earbuds for example--or just straight up really loud!). So I would propose that what you might not like about these headphones is that they will separate good masters from the not as good masters.
I have been listening to these using my laptop jack (which I am sure is not the best quality in the world), but I am looking forward to trying them with my new RME FireFace UFX as I am guessing there will be a pleasant difference with a better headphone amp (although it is hard to imagine how much better they CAN sound. These do not have the normal bass bump at 80 Hz that is common in a lot of professional headphones. What they do have is the ability to reproduce lows to below the threshold of hearing. It is like listening to a flat monitor system with a good sub. When mastering, this helps you know that what you hear is what will be reproduced later (with a decent system). These get pretty close to recreating a mastering environment. And the space of the sound field is amazing! I would say that if you don't like the way music sounds through these headphones, it is very likely to be the music's fault rather than the headphone. These things do not lie. If the mastering is poor, these headphones will let you know about it! If you hear distortion, it is much more likely to be your audio source than it is to be these headphones.
As far as volume goes, I set my computer audio out to 50% with audio program feeds at 100% and that seems to be a perfect listening volume on average. Obviously, this will change on every device, but it is good to know that there is still some headroom.
One issue I have had with these is that the screw and nut and nut cover that hold one of the earcups to the headband sometimes works it's way loose and falls apart. I might add that the little nut and washer are pretty small and I am grateful to God that I have not lost them yet! As the system is spring loaded, it is a bit tricky to reassemble, but it can be done without any tools. I should find some of the sticky lubricant that it looks like it was originally made with, but I have not done so yet. They do not fall apart very often, (once every few months maybe), and I think I could extend that by some time with some sort of grease.
Last thing is that although these are closed back, do NOT expect them to have better than average isolation. This will affect your mixing and mastering (if you are in a noisy environment, especially consistent noise such as an air conditioner). Also you may take pause before giving them for the vocalist while recording vocals as bleed from the headphones is likely to be picked up.
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful. Did you?
Posted by burningstar4 from WI on 2010-05-12
Recommend Product: Yes
Pros: Excellent sound quality, comfortable
Cons: Little isolation
I've heard a lot of gripes about these headphones, that the bass is too big, the build quality sub-par. I would have to disagree emphatically. I have not heard anything even close to, as one review I read said, a giant whoopee cushion deflating in your ear. I mean, these are premium headphones. I don't think something like that could even pass internal review at Denon. It's silly to even think of it. But, nonetheless, I had some misgivings when I read that, but actually hearing these headphones has erased all doubt in my mind. They seem very well-constructed and sound absolutely amazing.
As far as comfort goes, I found that they don't clamp as tight as I thought they might, but I have a somewhat small head. And anyways, It's not a big deal at all. Since I wear glasses, it's actually kind of nice not having them pressed up against my temples by the headphone earpads. Otherwise, they look and feel great. I really like the wood cups, they add a very pretty, sort of retro touch. Gives them a unique flavor.
For closed-back headphones, these offer surprisingly little isolation, sound leaks both in and out quite a bit. But for me, that's a pretty minor detail in the grand scheme of things.
Overall, I would recommend these headphones to just about anyone. They're simply wonderful, and I could easily see these being the last pair of headphones I buy--they're just that good all-around.
14 out of 15 people found this review helpful. Did you?
Posted by Mal from Texas on 2010-02-06
Recommend Product: Yes
Pros: Comfortable, Stylish, Great sound quality
Cons: Possible cord issues.
I can't quite say if I am getting everything these headphones can deliver because they are being powered by a total bithead amp, which may not be enough for them. This being said I am still satisfied with my purchase.
The look and feel of these headphones is superb, nothing else can be said about that.
As for the cord issues mentioned in the cons: The first pair I received had a kink in the cord after it separates into two cords leading to the cans, because it came after the separation there was no way for me to remove the knot that had built up. I contacted Denon and they basically told me too bad; luckily I was able to get an exchange from the reseller.
10 out of 11 people found this review helpful. Did you?
