The Denon AH-D5000, Grado Labs GS-1000, Edition 9 and ultrasound are all above the ear "circumaural" headphones, mainly for domestic use, but do not let me plug in my iPod.
With its lightweight magnesium frame, mahogany ear cups real and so soft leather cushions, the Denon AH-D5000 is a true charm. It is the most comfortable headsets I’ve used, and its low mass microfiber diaphragms deliver lightning-fast, detailed sound. Audiophile mavens who crave visceral mojo go ga-ga over the AH-D5000. This headset is very low. It is also performed with music and home theater.
For home theater I have seen in Test Flight of the Phoenix DVD, and the plane crash scene fully exploited headphones dynamic prowess. The AH-D5000 detailed and airy treble kept my attention glued to the screen action.
Connected to an iPod Nano 4GB rock was acceptable, but lacks the conviction on the Denon Nano. Even the more expensive AH-D7000 was not available when I wrote this review, hoping to get my hands on it soon.
John Grade and the last couple of headsets is a break from their latest designs. The retro, World War II "can" look is gone. The GS-1000 is still clearly Grade, but with more contemporary style, hand-made of mahogany, with a higher ear cups foam pads. The head is covered in real leather.
As much as I love the sound of Grado, I’ve found previous generations Grado headphones’ comfort level was below par. The GS-1000 is a great improvement; increased pressure from the ear pad is low and feels the light of the headphones on my head.
Excuse me while running on the GS-1000 clarifies live recordings. The sound seems to surround me with a rare ability to solve in-depth as you would in a concert hall. Ditto for the way this headset reveals rhythmic foundations in rock and jazz CD. Grades have always been exciting, classical music now sounds more refined. Bass is deep, but more controlled and precise than ever.
The GS-1000 he worked his magic attached to the Nano. Sure, cavernous sound was particularly impressive in the Miles Davis / Gil Evans big band albums, but the nano when it ran out of juice cranked Led Zeppelin.
9 is a closed issue new design with soft Ethiopian sheep leather pads that effectively block outside noise from interfering in their joy of music. And since the headphones do not "leak" sound with the outside world can use the 9 edition to bed and listen to a fairly high level without disturbing your partner.
The most brilliant brass chrome ear cups triumphantly announcing the German edition of 9 attractive designs, but the design are understated. One nitpicks: I felt (literally) put the pads a little too much pressure in my ears, although probably ease the pressure after a few months of use.
The enormous weight of the sound advice of the tonal balance, but the midrange and treble are crisp and clear. Led Zeppelin in the first two albums ignition 9th edition of the heavy metal powers. Jimmy Page’s guitar thrash was amazing, the spectacle of Robert Plant lung emerging voice loomed large, and John Bonham thudding percussion kicks harder than I have heard over headphones.
Finally, 9 editions are easy to drive, so it really clicked with the Nano, with all kinds of music.