Pioneer SE-Monitor5

£999.99, pioneer-audiovisual.eu Nice cans. What’s the story here?

The SE-Monitor5 is Pioneer’s new fully enclosed, dynamic stereo, on-ear headphones. It delivers high-res audio performance and is packaged with three sets of detachable audio cables – both balanced and unbalanced. Pioneer reckons these headphones will “convey music’s emotional intent for a listening experience that moves mind and soul”. Deep stuff.

Indeed, but we’re talking nearly a grand for headphones.

You get what you pay for, and the SE-Monitor5 is modelled after Pioneer’s flagship SE-Master1 reference-grade headphones. Pioneer also explored new materials for the SE-Monitor5’s 50mm, full-range drive unit, creating a unique driver profile from Cellulose Nano-Fibres (formed from refined organic wood pulp) to minimise unwanted resonance.

Reckon they’ll sound good?

Yep. The SE-Monitor5 has a patented Double Headphone Chamber arrangement, consisting of a main chamber augmented with ported sub-chambers to deliver extra-tight bass. There’s also a magnesium alloy Full Basket System to promote what Pioneer calls an “energetic sound reproduction”, with rubber insulators providing further sonic isolation.

Yes, yes, but are they comfortable to wear?

They’re designed for long listening sessions, with comfy 3D-sculpted memory-foam material on the earpads, as used on the SEMaster1. The headphones come with two sets of interchangeable pads, too, one covered in softtouch velour, the other in a leather-esque material.

Cool. When is this coming out?

Pioneer’s SE-Monitor5 headphones are available to buy now.