Mark Levinson No 5909 "Probably" BEST Bluetooth Headphones 2022
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- Опубліковано 26 лип 2024
- This is my review of the Mark Levinson No.5909 Bluetooth Wireless headphones. These are awesome and the best of their kind of headphones I have experienced to date.
- To buy the No.5909 from. Crutchfield in the US link here howl.me/ciuETxNnzz2
- The other headphones I mention in this video are the
Focal Bathys - link to Crtuchfield howl.me/ciuEVllfQQm
Bowers and Wlkins PX8 howl.me/ciuEWtrdYUr
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Chapters
0:00 Intro
3:13 Sound Quality
10:40 App
13:53 Comfort
16:27 Final Thoughts
Can't wait to hear more reviews and comparison vs px8 and Bathys... Thanks!
I bought these after this review - they are the best headphones full stop - superb sound - a bit big - but you wouldn’t take these to the gym,,! I bought from Germany and got £200 off - traded in my b and w ox’s - I have rediscovered my music collection - superb
THANKS TERRY,MUCH APPRECIATED AND PROVING TO BE THE BEST TIME TO BE AN AUDIOPHILE 🤗😎💚💚💚
I like the criteria you managed for usability. I think when considering a wireless device, access/ convenience would be my main concern, especially when there are so many great passive headphones for less money. I also thought your standard for sound quality & the ability to hone sound quality was important. A comprehensive evaluation.
Very interesting, thanks for the info 👍
Jim 🏴🙂
I love the leather when it comes to ear cup pads but I have a problem that doesn't effect most people. The problem is the oils in my skin quickly deteriorate the leather and it starts to peal away. It happens with headphones, watch bands and even the leather on my recliners. I now look for cloth, preferably polyester bases for replacement ear pads.
Had the opportunity to A/B the 5909 against the new £1200 T&A Solitaire T.
5909 all day sound wise. Fit and Comfort T&A on my head and ears but I do like the larger ear cups on the 5909 I just found myself adjusting them quite often compared to the T&A.
Both Time very well but the T&A are rather sibilant and have weird Bass, like cheap home cinema Subwoofer Bass and very little body to the Treble. They may have slightly more Midrange detail but blow it with the Hiss n Tiss edges.
The Mark Levinsons are pretty impressive as a one box solution 👍
interesting @MrGutterbunny , may i ask what equipment you used with and did the hq mode or wired mode improve the t + a?
Wireless headphones 🎧 have been around for over 50 years! Pretty sure that I had one of the first. It was a set from Radio Shack that had a built-in AM/FM radio. I may still have them packed away somewhere. Battery operated…..😉
Thank you PPS
Very good review. Especially with the Apple iPhone perspective… I have been looking for a great passive headphone for my mojo2 setup at work but when I tested a pair of ndh-20s, to my horror, I found they amplified the sound of the industrial ac vents whirring above me, which is why I’m looking for a good anc headphone at the moment. Think the 5909 might be it.
Ordered a pair of max & they were kaput after 10 days! Replacement pair lasted 2 weeks! Called it a day after this. Condensation in the cups was my main concern with apple max. Since used Sony xm5 & have purchased the Levison.
Thanks for review. Would love to her your comparison of the levinson with beoplay h95?
I own the airpod max very nice headphones and u can get aftermarket earpads too with leather
I'm not surprised there is now a market emerging for more expensive wireless headphones. Back in 2018 I compared the then current gen wireless noise cancelling headphones from B&W, Sony and Bose against the wired Campfire Audio Cascade in a headphone store in Japan. The Cascade are closed full sized headphones costing $799, and I drove them straight from the headphone jack off a iPhone SE. Even with a comparatively weak source like the headphone jack on the SE, also using music in AAC 256, the Cascade blew the wireless headphones out of the water. If I remember correctly the models I listened to were the B&W PX, Sony WH-1000XM2, and Bose QC 35. They were all roughly on par with each other, providing a similar tier of quality, but balanced differently. They were good for what they were, but had a benign and unexciting sound. In direct comparison the Cascade were simply on another level, completely justifying their price in terms of sound quality alone. I haven't heard any of these newer more expensive wireless headphones, but if these get close to what I heard with the Cascades, I can understand the enthusiasm.
Just a great shame that Campfire Audio has stopped producing the Cascade, hopefully they may bring out another video.
Hey Terry, terrific review. I'm planning to get one after hearing this review. However, I was just wondering if I connected the 5909 to a windows computer via usb connection, will I be able to adjust left right balance, may you please check for me in windows settings? I understand that most headphones when connected to windows should have this in the sound setting, but I just want to make sure. Any help is appreciated!
Great review as always Terry! IMO, none of the options are going to be perfect for almost anyone.
For those who are curious about these vs. Bathys…
After hearing and spending some time w/the 5909 and Bathys, I kept the Bathys.
The 5909 is impressive but do sound lean to my ears. I love the materials and the passive mode was good too (Bathys doesn’t have a fully passive mode) but that’s not my use case preference for an ANC HP.
The Bathys to me is just a more “fun” and engaging sound w/a lightweight ish build. The 5909 is definitely a faster HP than the Bathys but this really only shows up in the most complex of musical passages.
The 5909 took more care to ensure a top notch accessory array so you feel like you have something special.
The Bathys falls short w/the case and included cables but overall they lined up nicely w/my needs.
To me both the 5909 and Bathys wipe the floor with Apple, B&W, Bose, and Sony current models.
Both 5909 and Bathys do better than average ANC, call quality, and have high quality Blu-tooth connectivity w/updates in firmware incoming
so there is some future growth to benefit from.
Neither are perfect but none are at this point in time.
Preference is everything so search for a great deal as many are buying, deciding, and returning…
This is very useful. Did you try the ML with LDAC? I think it pulls ahead of the Bathys with that, but still needs EQ'ing down that treble...
I was very keen on the Bathys but the smaller earpads compared to the Stellia and the tighter clamping also compared to the Stellia and Utopia made them feel a little uncomfortable which was very disappointing. They did sound great but now my search begins again for some good wireless ANC headphones.
The biggest issue (as you say) is losing data from your device en route to the headphones; I think there's a point where spending a fortune on wireless gets tricky. My Focal Clear attached to an iFi iDSD Black Label is hard to beat wirelessly imv.
Nice job. Would want to demo them for myself. As for expense, 1k is a lot, but compared to high quality headphones on the market that not a lot.
I think in the next 2 years there will start to be a lot more expensive models on the market as these prove the sound quality can be there to justify it
Px8 and focal bathys are the best got both
I’m kinda stuck between the 5909 and PX8 (leaning 5909), but I believe the PX8 are BT5.2 and 5909 are 5.1. What exactly is the difference between the two Bluetooth firmwares, would it affect my experience?
Edit: Would the app be able update the BT?
Hi ! Is it good for movies too ?
Thanks
LDAC is capable of losslessly transmitting the CD-tier of all of the streaming services that report bit-rate (none of whom exceed 850kbps). Whether or not this happens exactly like this (due to signal strength, quality, etc.) in most cases is another matter. Android needs resetting to high-quality every fresh session, but a lot of DAPs can be locked to this setting.
The Hi-Res 96kbps is, however, always lossy, although LDAC is capable of losslessly transmitting some 24/48 tracks, hence the Hi-Res Wireless certification.
I feel like I'm having to bump up the volume more when I play the 5909s on Bluetooth. But they sound freaking fantastic. This is my end-game headphones
yes I speak about that in the review, the set back type of sound presentation means you push the volume for more excitement, but you can do that as they stay composed so its ok
Just ordered me one right away because of this review and comment, to pair with my SP2000T, I can’t wait!! Cheers guys! This hobby of ours is one fun hobby 😊
Great video Terry,
Do you know who the U.K. dealer or distributor is? I just managed to pick up a Beoplay H95 in their sale for £549 and their Portal for my XBox at half price.
I was surprised I didn’t see you at Canjam London, was looking forward to the Ascot show until it unfortunately got cancelled, roll on Bristol.
Hope you are keeping well.
Anthony.
Good choice with the H95’s
For anyone that doesn’t want to spend a $1000 on the ML 5909’s, the Master & Dynamic MW75, minus a few bells and whistles like LDAC, is pretty much the same headphone as the ML 5909.
The FCC filings show the drivers to be identical and filed at the same time. Both headphones are made in the same factory (original equipment design manufacturer). Just look closely at the headband and the design of the ear cups on both units. Other than small cosmetic differences, they are almost identical. The apps used for both are basically the same and the user manuals read almost verbatim.
In addition, to that, the M&D MW75’s are truly passive when using a cable like the 5909’s. Even the cases and accessories are pretty much identical. Once I discovered this, I was willing to give up LDAC and the other CODEC’s on the 5909’s to save $400.00
Better than the bathys?
NuraTrue Pro are the first wireless earbuds with lossless audio. You need Snapdragon 8+ gen1 for it to work tho.
yeah full data rate is coming but it wont mean anything if all we get is it built into more affordable in ears. We need the tech in high quality over ears I believe like these Levinson or better to make it count. Its coming though and this is all the start of it I feel
How is the sound if you wear glasses? - great review!
Great question, I am sorry I dont know
Terry have just subscribed. I am thinking of getting these and selling my Focal Bathys. Heard so much positive on the 5909. The only negative I have heard is that they don't get very loud. Do you think that is the case also? The price has come down in the UK. I found the Bathys to be a really good headphone, but are cheap looking and unnecessary logo that lights up. Great review.
I also read that, but on an iPhone 14 they get ear bleeding loud, no possible way to listen to anything with max volume. So I think the loudness issue is a specific source/configuration issue for those few with that complaint. They sound fantastic, but the Bathys have a different sound apparently.
Thank you that’s good to know. Hope to get them soon.
для полноценной оценки наушников их необходимо "прогреть" пару-тройку недель.....и только после этого они раскрывают свои истинные возможности....но сам по себе обзор интересен....благодарю....
Great review: do you think the 5909 is better than the Bathys?
Nop way. I have the focal, also got the px8 and I tried the 5909. In my experience i can say that focal and px8 are the best so far. Sometimes I’m inclined to the px8 because of the fullness of the sound. But then i want to listen to the focal when I’m on a jazzy mood
Terry when is the next vinyl video coming out, what cartridge did you go for.
Come on get to the good stuff.
I have got a Goldring E3 here now but it needed running in which takes me some time :)
Goldring E3 is it an upgrade over what you already have, the carbon and E3 are both budget cartridges.
At best the E 3 will just be sounding different. How are you going to show the limitations of the tonearm up.
You need more cartridge. Goldring 1012.
one step at a time, I have access to some great arms now but thats to come probably next years given everythingI have on right now
is this good for movies
Do these not have the option for a wired lossless connection? I know that's not the general idea when traveling etc but would be great when you're home or on
a long haul flight.
Hi Martyn yes you can use them with an included cable and that disables the active circuitry and they behave the same as passive headphones. I had about 5 more minutes of.video about this but the video run time was already high so I will document this in the written review on my website that should go up this week at some point.
Ok great, thanks Terry. Great review as always 👍🏼
Would be great for you to test the Bathys and Px8 too.
Friend, tell me some headphones or a hi-fi player with physical keys to rewind tracks 10 seconds forward or backward. and not just switching tracks forward back, do such things even exist?
Many talking about the new gaming headphones that are supposedly awesome for music listening- Audeze Maxwell… thoughts?
They re wireless.
my AirPods max after a year are having connectivity issues ...so I am already thinking of getting another headphones
Funny enough my airpods max are exactly the same, I wonder if its something to do with newer apple ios rather than the heapdhones themself? I have had to reset them many times to get them to work right
Fantastic headphones, quality materials, and sound no par. The problem with most headphones and my head. They are too small, and my head is too big. I extended the 5909 to the max, and the pressure was so uneven and intense that I felt dizzy and nauseous. Initially, I thought it was noise reduction, so I canceled it. No, it was the headphones. The band is too short and does not fit on my head. Uncomfortable. I had the Focal Bathys same issues, and they went back too. The high brands are trying to save money on the headphones' size. I saw in the video they looked big on his head. They look like toys in mine. I know it is my problem (sort of), but if they make something that should work for all sizes, they fall short. So, I requested a return.
Man I thought I had a big head but yeah they fit me easy so maybe its just normal size :)
@@PursuitPerfectSystem , I think I found a workaround. I am trying to make them work. When I put them on, I feel pressure on the top of my ears. I grab the band at each end of the leather (left and right), open it, and let them close on top of my ears really slowly. It distributes the pressure and feels more gentle (I can feel the force of the headband around my ears. It is strong but distributed). I don't know if you have tried the Momentum4. They fit my head and ear size very comfortably. The workaround does not make it like the Momentum4
The B&W PX8 McLaren I got, were simply bad bad bad all around. Expecting great sounding music, but where are the Mids? nothing there at all. Bass (lovely) and treble only. Also the EQ App did'nt deliver. You can only adjust the hits and lows, but no mids. so to me the most important parts in music are simply lost and not there. Will try the Levinson's now and hope they deliver in that price range.
😂😂😂
Are those headband arms made of plastic?
I am pretty sure the arms you mean and the frame is all aluminium or a similar material not plastic
@@PursuitPerfectSystem yeah i think they are called yoke? Good to know they’re not plastic.
My story is I bought Mark Levinson 5909 headphones. Very careful home use 1-2 times during the week. After 6 months, the leather parts around the head came off. The glue is bad. Now I have to look for a solution to this problem. Hey guys from Mark Levinson, how do you like this quality of headphones for over 1000 USD. The headphones sound great. The quality of the construction is terrible. I do not recommend it.
Build quality?......alluminium earcup?🤔
The frame is all aluminium I think, the ear cups feel made from a resin material that is very inert when you tap it. It doesnt feel aluminium to me
Buy the Airpods, at £599 they're a no brainer. Oh, hang on a sec. New earpads at £70? Have to buy a new case that actually covers and protects them? Oh, and a connector because Apple won't provide you with any. And then there is the investment in the whole Apple environment with their over-priced phones and laptops. Suddenly £999 doesn't look so ridiculous for a headphone that is just on another level in terms of build, comfort and pure sound quality.
*** Since originally writing this, the price for the 5909s has now dropped to £849. The logic is now even clearer! ***
And TERRY you should know better by now , You can't improve bass performance by enhancing or turning up bass performance on any headphones or loudspeakers, without muddying sound quality without adding extra low distortions with poor quality low frequency definition to low frequencies .
I dont think that is true, it depends on how things are designed for the driver the enclosure and the dsp and also the method of using dsp to increase the bass.
I bought, excellent sound except that the product is full of faults: Crackling when no sound in bluetooth. Problem with sound cutting in aptx HD if the environment is not free of any interference. Headphone head detection function malfunctions, headphones close randomly.If you connect it to two Bluetooth devices, in my case they connect almost at the same time and when the music start, an unpleasant sound occurs and the headphones close. Finally, the headphones are heavy to wear over a long period of time. Customer and tecnical service is not very good. So invest your $1000 on another more successful product!!!!
That sounds like a faulty pair to me, my pair also had an issue I mentioned in the video but not these.
Really don't like the design. They look like gaming headphones