- Joined
- Aug 13, 2022
- Messages
- 97
- Likes
- 894
Welcome to Cuckoo Studio's review. I am Anzol. You will be watching this headphone review from the perspective of a mixing engineer. I've received the AKG N5005 from Fouxie, appreciate his support.
Below is the text and image content. If you prefer video version:
The AKG N5005 comes in a luxurious and sturdy semi-arm length package.
Upon opening it, you can see the N5005 itself, a numbered headphone case, and interchangeable tuning style earphone filters.
The accessory configuration on the back is also very luxurious. AKG has equipped the N5005 with several ear tips, a headphone cleaning tool, an airplane jack adapter, cables in 3.5mm and 2.5mm sizes, and a Bluetooth adapter. This allows you to either get the maximum sound quality with a traditional wired connection on the N5005, or enjoy a more convenient experience as Bluetooth IEM.
The headphone body is made of high-gloss ceramic material with a good texture, but it is prone to fingerprints. The ear-fitting side is made of a skin-like layer and is marked with the 5005 logo.
At 5.5g each, these IEMs have a moderate weight that won't weigh down your ears. Is very convenient to change the earphone filters, as you can simply twist them off with your hands.
Now let's take a look at its sound performance. The frequency response shows that changing the filters has a huge impact on the sound style of the N5005. As shown, the Bass Boost filter has more bass below 100Hz compared to the harman 2018, which is more in line with the preferences of 2019. There is a roughly 6dB attenuation at 3KHz and 6KHz. Overall, it has a warmer sound. The REFERENCE-MIDHIGH BOOST-HIGH BOOST sounds are almost a step-by-step overall high frequency shelf boost from 2KHz,which provides a wide range of sound adjustment for headphone users. However, each filter has a high frequency peak around 8KHz, This will bring a certain level of excitement,but may not be suitable for people with high frequency sensitive hearing.
Distortion: The cleanest distortion data is from Bass Boost filters. Except for slightly higher third harmonics at a normal music SPL level of 86dB, the mid-high frequencies remain relatively clean. When the volume is increased, in addition to the increase in low frequency distortion, there is only a slight increase in distortion at 5kHz in the mid-high frequencies.
However, when switching to the other three filters besides Bass Boost, the situation changes. For example, using the REFERENCE filter, the low frequency distortion changes in the same way as Bass Boost, but the third harmonic distortion at 86dB is even larger than Bass Boost at a very loud level of 104dB.
Comparing at the same volume level, it can be seen that the REFERENCE, MIDHIGH, and HIGH BOOST filters have similar distortion levels. At this time, the mid-high frequency distortion of BASS BOOST is relatively lower.
Perhaps this is because it has a relatively lower mid-high frequency volume? But even if we continue to increase it to the same mid-high frequency volume level as the other three filters, we can still see relatively less distortion.
Let's enter the Cuckoo Studio mixing space. Due to the large changes in the filter's effect on frequency response, the sense of sound space of the N5005 will also change significantly. Under Bass Boost filter, the bass is heavier, There is no major problem with the mid-frequency volume. The bright parts of the instruments are slightly reduced.
but as you get closer to filters with more high frequency gain like HIGH BOOST, combined with the 8KHz high frequency peak, percussions, breathing and sibilence will feel obviously excessive for most people. The frequency response difference between the two units of the N5005 is small. Its almost symmetrical characteristic can bring a solid center imaging.
But the high distortion will bring some coloring to music playback, making the mid-low frequency scattered and feeling a little compressed at high volume. This seems a little awkward for a pair of flagship positioned IEMs
In the current audio market, we can obtain many low-priced high-quality products. If the N5005 maintains its original price of 1000 USD, it seems to lack sincerity in this market environment. However, due to its plunge to a price of 199 USD, the luxurious packaging, highly playable filter replacement, and the Bluetooth adapter it comes with, is it worth considering the price to quality+quantity ratio at this time?Each person may have a different answer. You can judge for yourself based on the above information.
This is Cuckoo Studio review. I will continue to explore the secret of headphones with you.
Below is the text and image content. If you prefer video version:
The AKG N5005 comes in a luxurious and sturdy semi-arm length package.
Upon opening it, you can see the N5005 itself, a numbered headphone case, and interchangeable tuning style earphone filters.
The accessory configuration on the back is also very luxurious. AKG has equipped the N5005 with several ear tips, a headphone cleaning tool, an airplane jack adapter, cables in 3.5mm and 2.5mm sizes, and a Bluetooth adapter. This allows you to either get the maximum sound quality with a traditional wired connection on the N5005, or enjoy a more convenient experience as Bluetooth IEM.
The headphone body is made of high-gloss ceramic material with a good texture, but it is prone to fingerprints. The ear-fitting side is made of a skin-like layer and is marked with the 5005 logo.
At 5.5g each, these IEMs have a moderate weight that won't weigh down your ears. Is very convenient to change the earphone filters, as you can simply twist them off with your hands.
Now let's take a look at its sound performance. The frequency response shows that changing the filters has a huge impact on the sound style of the N5005. As shown, the Bass Boost filter has more bass below 100Hz compared to the harman 2018, which is more in line with the preferences of 2019. There is a roughly 6dB attenuation at 3KHz and 6KHz. Overall, it has a warmer sound. The REFERENCE-MIDHIGH BOOST-HIGH BOOST sounds are almost a step-by-step overall high frequency shelf boost from 2KHz,which provides a wide range of sound adjustment for headphone users. However, each filter has a high frequency peak around 8KHz, This will bring a certain level of excitement,but may not be suitable for people with high frequency sensitive hearing.
Distortion: The cleanest distortion data is from Bass Boost filters. Except for slightly higher third harmonics at a normal music SPL level of 86dB, the mid-high frequencies remain relatively clean. When the volume is increased, in addition to the increase in low frequency distortion, there is only a slight increase in distortion at 5kHz in the mid-high frequencies.
However, when switching to the other three filters besides Bass Boost, the situation changes. For example, using the REFERENCE filter, the low frequency distortion changes in the same way as Bass Boost, but the third harmonic distortion at 86dB is even larger than Bass Boost at a very loud level of 104dB.
Comparing at the same volume level, it can be seen that the REFERENCE, MIDHIGH, and HIGH BOOST filters have similar distortion levels. At this time, the mid-high frequency distortion of BASS BOOST is relatively lower.
Perhaps this is because it has a relatively lower mid-high frequency volume? But even if we continue to increase it to the same mid-high frequency volume level as the other three filters, we can still see relatively less distortion.
Let's enter the Cuckoo Studio mixing space. Due to the large changes in the filter's effect on frequency response, the sense of sound space of the N5005 will also change significantly. Under Bass Boost filter, the bass is heavier, There is no major problem with the mid-frequency volume. The bright parts of the instruments are slightly reduced.
but as you get closer to filters with more high frequency gain like HIGH BOOST, combined with the 8KHz high frequency peak, percussions, breathing and sibilence will feel obviously excessive for most people. The frequency response difference between the two units of the N5005 is small. Its almost symmetrical characteristic can bring a solid center imaging.
But the high distortion will bring some coloring to music playback, making the mid-low frequency scattered and feeling a little compressed at high volume. This seems a little awkward for a pair of flagship positioned IEMs
In the current audio market, we can obtain many low-priced high-quality products. If the N5005 maintains its original price of 1000 USD, it seems to lack sincerity in this market environment. However, due to its plunge to a price of 199 USD, the luxurious packaging, highly playable filter replacement, and the Bluetooth adapter it comes with, is it worth considering the price to quality+quantity ratio at this time?Each person may have a different answer. You can judge for yourself based on the above information.
This is Cuckoo Studio review. I will continue to explore the secret of headphones with you.
Last edited: