Pioneer has launched the SE-MONITOR 5. Their new closed-back, on-ear headphone makes extensive use of trickle-down technology from its flagship SE-MASTER 1 headphone.

The SE-MONITOR 5 boasts genuine Hi-Res audio performance.

Additionally, they support balanced and unbalanced audio right out the box.

I do believe that I may have had an early ears-on with these back in March. Perhaps.

Pioneer SE-MONITOR 5

Pioneer’s engineers turned to that most traditional of materials – wood – when developing the new headphone’s custom-built 50mm, full-range drive unit.

Wood drivers

Cellulose Nano-Fibre, formed from highly refined organic wood pulp, is used to form a unique driver profile that minimises undesirable resonances.

This, with a crossover-free design, is the key to the design’s wideband 5Hz–85 kHz frequency response.

Furthermore, the SE-MONITOR 5 promises the ability to reproduce a level of ambient detail more commonly associated with open-backed headphones.

Full basket

The patented Double Headphone Chamber arrangement, for instance, comprises a main chamber augmented with ported sub-chambers (to ensure a tight bass). There is also a magnesium alloy ‘Full Basket’ system (using screws, not glue) that’s used to firmly secure the drive unit to the headphone base.

Duralumin

Like the high-end SE-MASTER 1, the lightweight, highly rigid duralumin alloy is utilised. You’ll find it in the hangers used to hold the floating headphone base assembly in place. Here, rubber insulators are fitted at the points of contact to provide further sonic isolation.

Wearable

Comfort is all when it comes to headphones. Pioneer knows this and knew there was only one choice for earpad material.

The same sculpted 3D memory-foam used for the SE-MASTER 1’s earpads is employed here too. You get two sets of easily changeable pads – one covered in a velour cloth, the other in a leather-type material – supplied as standard.

Cables

The SE-MONITOR 5 comes with three sets of detachable audio cables. There’s the 1.6m and 3m leads for conventional unbalanced audio outputs (using 3-pole, 3.5mm connectors).

Additionally, you’ll find a 1.6m version in the bundle. This is specifically for balanced audio (using a four-pole, 2.5mm connector).

All the cables (constructed with OFC Litz wire) are carefully braided to resist electromagnetic interference.

The balanced version offers the potential for enhanced channel-separation, headroom and clarity.

Source-y

Finally, with a sensitivity of 99dB and impedance of 40 ohms, the SE-MONITOR 5 will prove an easy load for the majority of sources.

This ability will make the very most of the sound quality available from the latest high-resolution Digital Audio Players.

Monitor 5 price and availability

The Pioneer SE-MONITOR 5 will be available in June 2017.

The cans will cost £999.99.