amazon AKG N5005 reviews
PACKING AND ACCESSORIES
Nothing shiny and flashy here. Only luxury and bunkers. The AKG N5005 box is the largest IEM box I’ve ever had.
These internal arrangements are indeed glossy and flashy. Glossy black housing emerges on a black sponge background. The series engraved metal plates were shiny and the filter plate was also glossy black. Seeing it with your own eyes makes you feel like opening a treasure chest.
We have 3 different types of conductor. A standard 3.5mm cord comes with a microphone for use with the phone. A 2.5mm Balanced cord for use with professional music players. A Bluetooth cord has 2 MMCX connectors available to turn the N5005 into a wireless headset.
Also we have a Micro USB charging cable for the Bluetooth cord, 1 airplane plug, 1 earphone, 4 pairs of standard tips (1 pair fitted in the ear) and 3 pairs of premium tips of Spinfit made specifically for AKG N5005.
TECHNOLOGY AND DESIGN
The AKG N5005 remains in the same housing shape featured on its N-series. Although the AKG N5005 contains up to 5 different drivers, it is still very compact compared to most IEMs that have 5 drivers on the market.
The internal configuration includes 2 BA drivers for the mid range, 2 BA drivers for the high range and 1 Dynamic driver with a diameter of 9.2mm for the bass range.
The main frame of the housing seems to be still made of plastic, only the faceplate snap on the outside is made of ceramic. According to AKG’s introduction, this ceramic architecture eliminates housing vibrations, ensuring distortion and noise when the drivers work.
The interesting thing about AKG’s N-series is the ability to replace audio filters. There are 4 filters tuned according to different sound styles: Bass Boost, Reference, Semi-High Boost and High-Boost. You can customize the sound on the AKG N5005 itself by replacing these filters on the top of the headset’s exhaust pipe.
AKG N5005 remains loyal to the MMCX connector. A special feature of this headset is that it has a built-in Bluetooth cable, which very few companies ever do on hi-end products.
The two wires attached seem to use the same material. Both are very solid when made from 8 small threads. The company did not announce the internal material of these two wires, but this is not too important, it is important how the sound they make.
It seems that AKG does not like to flaunt the technology the way current sound firm do to advertise their products. Therefore we will not said too much in this section but will go straight to the experience to see, AKG N5005 is really a blockbuster or not.
EXPERIENCE
No problem with the housing of AKG N5005, it is really very light and comfortable to wear. The exhaust pipe is quite long so there is no difficulty in fit for the average ear like me. However, not everyone is.
For people with larger ears, they may have trouble because the earhook part on the default cord cannot be bent. They are made in a fixed mold. If you want to use AKG N5005, it is better to upgrade the conductor with better earhook.
Accessories included with AKG N5005 have many different eartips. I feel the most comfortable wearing a pair of size M Spinfit, it’s deep in the ear and a little softer than the usual black tips.
The microphonic phenomenon on the wire is almost nonexistent because the cord is very soft and the earhook part is fixed so it eliminates most of the vibrations of the wire transmitted to the housing.
where can you get a AKG N5005 online
AKG N5005 Reference Class 5-driver Configuration In-Ear Headphones with Customizable Sound (US Version), Black – GP-N505HAHHAAA: Buy it now
SOUND QUALITY
Regarding the sound quality of AKG N5005, there are currently 2 opinions on the internet. The first, It is bass is weak, lacking the most is sub-bass, not deep and feeling flat. The second, it is the opposite. I had to verify for myself which is the right source of ideas and realized one thing. Those are both true ideas.
Pay attention to the specs of this headset, the impedance is only 18 Ohm and the sensitivity is as high as 116 SPL / V @ 1kHz. Nobody thinks they will need Amplifiers to pull. For ordinary people, plugging into popular sources, the first opinion stream is right. I was a bit disappointed when a thousand-dollar headset from one of the world’s most famous audio brands was so catastrophic.
The story is different from a good source. I used my friend’s Topping NX4DSD to pair with AKG N5005. Now the second opinion is completely correct. Finally, I will decide to review the feeling of what AKG N5005 shows on a good source to show you it true strength.
Bass range
On both balanced or unbalanced strings, the bass has the same color, only different in volume. The bass range is quite linear graph. The bass is deep but the volume is not too much and does not pull the tail. Bass bounces and melts quite quickly, the speed is above average. Testing on the Death Core shows that the bass is not stuck together but still separate, showing a fast tempo but a moderate level of strength. Perhaps the AKG N5005 will have to burn longer to have a more explosive bass.
For tracks with softer bass, the AKG N5005 will deliver a great experience due to its extremely well controlled bass range. There is separation and floating mass of each drum beat.
If the bass rating of AKG N5005 is flat, it is too unfair.
Mid range
Usually on AKG headphones, this is always the most expensive sound strip. Especially with the IEMs, they provide a very relaxing and pleasant vocals experience and fortunately, this is not lost on the AKG N5005.
For AKG N5005, vocals are still very gentle and melodious. With this tone, I think the AKG N5005 will not suit jazz songs that require thicker and more dusty. According to AKG tradition, its headphones always require a long burn-in time to make the mid range thicker. The details of this tonal range are also very good. The sound of the instruments clearly separates from the singer’s voice. Nor did any sibilant note on the AKG N5005. This shows that the sound of the mid range is kept very balanced and natural.
When installing Mid High Boost filter, the high mid band was pushed up to make the singer’s overall voice more advanced than the background music. However, it makes the bass strip reduce the depth a bit. Maybe I’ll stay with the Reference Sound filter.
High range
The treble sound on the AKG N5005 is a bit thin but very balanced and detailed like the way AKG does with most of its hi-end headphones. Even when installing the High Boost filter, the treble sound is still very clear without being harsh.
The jingle sounded clear, clear in the air. It can be said that the treble strip is the negative band that AKG N5005 does best.
Soundstage and Sound
Naturally at this price range, the AKG N5005 cannot be a headphone with poor imaging and poor stage space. However, from what I see, the AKG N5005 has a wider soundstage horizontally than depth. The soundstage is spacious and the depth is sufficient, so the AKG N5005 creates a very relaxing feeling when listening to classical music or ballads.
Absolutely accurate image is also not much to debate on this IEM Flagship.
The last thing I almost forgot was the included Bluetooth cord. It seems that the investment in this cord is not commensurate with what AKG does with the N5005. The feeling does not exude a high-end look and the sound quality is only acceptable. It will far outweigh the wired connection, but when combined with the N5005, it will still be the top IEMs Bluetooth headset with sound on the market today.
CONCLUDE
AKG N5005 deserves its flagship IEM headset. The sound quality is very good but it only works when it has a good source. AKG-like sound with the midrange and treble is hard to beat for those who prefer a balanced, gentle and holy sound. The bass is also not inferior with good response speed and to be deep. Comes with the kit is equipped for every need of the user and filters to change the sound color for the headset. There are still a few shortcomings that need to be upgraded, but the AKG N5005 is still a worthwhile headset.