Bass should be terrific, but is actually absent. It seems that the lower sound spectrum has been cut off. Sounds like a cheap portable radio from the 60s. Is it defect? Anyway my much cheaper 6 year old Sennheiser hd600 (specifications from 12 Hz in stead of the Sony specifications from 5 Hz)scores much higher on the bass perfomance.

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After living with the MDR-SA5000 for a couple of weeks, I'm confident that Sony has fielded a winner. This is a bright, fast headphone that will appeal to the audiophile. Sound definition is sharply defined. You hear the space between the notes. The midrange is clean and neutral. Slightly overshadowed by the brilliance of the upper register. Bass comes as a surprise. It's very tight and obviously present as part of the musical mix. What catches you off-guard is the impact, the slam, the Sony bass can deliver. Overall, the Sony sound is balanced and neutral, with an exciting presence. The SA5000 mellows with break-in, but it remains a compelling listen. Build quality and comfort are excellent. The metal/plastic construction and the fit and finish inspire confidence. The headphone is good for extended listening with its leather earpads and light weight. The SA5000 is larger than it looks, but not bulky. It benefits from an amp but doesn't require one, and it works with all varieties of music.

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