Lately, I’ve been exploring more portable and wireless headphones, both over-ear and in-ear models. It seems we’re reaching a point where compact devices no longer compromise on performance and sound quality, making them increasingly convenient for daily use.
I remember the days of lugging around my hefty Shanling M8 DAP paired with Meze Liric or even the Focal Stellia. While those setups still outperform in terms of audio quality, life changes, including becoming a parent, have shifted my priorities towards a balance of sound quality, portability, and ease of use.
So here we are, at last testing the Mark Levinson 5909, one of the most acclaimed audiophile portable headphones currently available.
Check out the video review here:
Specs and Details
You can find all the details on the product page.
Highlights
- Hi-Res Audio certified:
- LDAC audio codec
- Digital circuitry compatible with 24-bit/96kHz processing
- Acoustic response up to 40kHz
- Expertly tuned 40 mm Beryllium coated drivers acoustically optimized to the HARMAN Curve
- Bluetooth 5.1 with LDAC, AAC and aptXâ„¢ Adaptive technologies
- Adaptive Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) with three modes
- Ambient Aware mode for situational awareness while on the go
- Four-microphone voice array with Smart Wind Adaption
- Available colors include Pearl Black, Ice Pewter, Radiant Red
Materials
- Premium leather headband and replaceable leather ear cushions
- Anodized aluminum frame
- Automotive-grade metallic painted ear cups
Battery
- Up to 34 hours battery life; 30 hours playtime with ANC enabled
- Up to 6 hours playtime with 15-minute quick charge
So far I can’t say I have seen anything out of the ordinary, with the exception of the Beryllium coated drivers which peaked my interest. The specs are solid and in line with most of the competition. The build quality and feel are undeniably premium, surpassing even the Focal Bathys in this regard.
The price is not small and from what I know it is the most expensive portable wireless headphone on the market. The next in line would be Focal Bathys. Luckily I own a pair and I will talk a bit about how they compare to each other.
Measurements
I measured the headphones using Fiio BTR30 and REW on my desktop PC. Previously I have set the headphones on “Neutral” from the Mark Levinson Android App. Not sure it kept the settings, but I presume it did. It took a bit fiddling around to get the right position to properly test the headphones with minidsp Ears, because the mini dsp does not have the best size to get a perfect seal. I would say that for closed portable headphones with ANC on, the results are not bad at all.
Yes the presence of sub bass and mid bass is felt, but in a fun way, not taking away from detail or cleanliness of the bass, as you can also see in the distortion measurements. The lower midrange has a bit of a lower presence and that is also notable in the sound, but overall the midrange is well presented without big dips or peaks and that helps the rendition of the midrange a lot. The treble does not present any peaks but has a good presence, and linearity beyond 6 khz.
Listening Impressions and tests
Most of the tests were done using Tidal from a S23 Ultra with the LDAC option on for the 5909 headphones.
The saxophone truly shone, delivering a sound that was clean, richly textured, and brimming with emotion. In general, this exceptional quality isn’t limited to the sax; all woodwind instruments resonate with a clarity and joy that made listening through these headphones a sheer delight. What really caught my attention was the unexpectedly expansive soundstage, creating a sense of spaciousness largely attributed to the precise placement of instruments and a holographic listening experience. The details flowed effortlessly, free from any harshness or disturbances. The bass reached deep, adding impact and intricacy to the music. The Mark Levinson 5909 made this listening experience something to cherish.
Earth Melodies by Ekaterina Shelehova
“Earth Melodies” by Ekaterina Shelehova captivates with its raw, unfiltered emotion. When a sound system can fully reveal the depth of feeling in a piece like this, it’s a testament to its quality. The Mark Levinson 5909 stepped up to the challenge, beautifully rendering the vocals with an ease, grace, and power that enveloped me, pulling me into the song’s emotional depths. If I could ask for more, it would be for a touch more warmth in the lower midrange to balance the vocals, which leaned slightly towards the higher midrange. Despite this, the listening experience was deeply satisfying.
“Polyphia – Playing God” is a burst of energy, clean lines, and sheer enjoyment. The guitar plucks stand out with their lively, sparkling clarity, feeling almost tangible. The bass packs a punch, maintaining both cleanliness and precision throughout. The 5909 handles this track with finesse, making the entire listening experience incredibly enjoyable and engaging.
The Man Comes Around – Johnny Cash
“The Man Comes Around” by Johnny Cash was another showcase of the 5909’s ability to deliver a clean, engaging listening experience. The sound presentation was immaculate, with each detail sharply defined and every element drawing you in. The tactile nature of the guitar plucks was a highlight, and Johnny Cash’s iconic voice was clear and seamlessly woven into the musical landscape. While a bit more warmth in the lower midrange would have added depth to the vocals, the overall presentation was thoroughly enjoyable.
The rendition of Nielsen’s Symphonies No. 1 & 3 through the 5909 took me by pleasant surprise. The headphones offered a rich tapestry of details from every angle, matched with brisk responsiveness. The soundstage was nothing short of holographic, paired with stellar imaging that brought the symphonies to life. The treble region was particularly impressive, airy and detailed without ever becoming overbearing, instead integrating smoothly into the overall sound in a way that was both enjoyable and, frankly, addictive. The entire listening experience was captivating – truly a delight!
The Gojira Drum Solo truly showcased the remarkable capabilities of these headphones when it comes to bass. The depth and detail were astounding, with each note controlled yet powerfully punchy, making for an incredibly fun and engaging experience. Even with this intense bass, the sound remained clean, with minimal distortion, highlighting the precision engineering behind these headphones.
Summary
Bass:
The Mark Levinson 5909 excels in delivering a bass that’s both clean and meticulously controlled, diving deep into the low-end frequencies with remarkable clarity and punch. This ensures every bass note is not just heard but felt, making for an immersive and dynamic listening experience.
Midrange:
The midrange stands out for its clarity, detail, and texture. Despite an interval with a bit lower presence in the lower midrange, the overall presentation is commendably balanced, avoiding any significant peaks or dips. The seamless integration with both bass and treble contributes to a cohesive sound profile.
Treble:
Treble in the 5909 is airy and smooth, with no hint of harshness, yet it doesn’t compromise on detail. It has the ability to be crisp and engaging when the music demands, adding an addictive quality to the listening experience.
Vocals:
Vocals shine through with pristine clarity, perfectly placed within the mix for a holographic effect. While a touch more warmth in the lower midrange would enhance this further, the vocal rendition remains impressively clear and lifelike.
Energy/Transients:
The dynamic energy these headphones bring to the table is invigorating. From the impactful bass to the precise decay of guitar plucks and other instruments, the fast, energetic response keeps the music lively and engaging.
Details:
Detail retrieval is another strong suit, with the 5909 presenting nuances in a clean, vibrant, and natural manner. This level of detail enhances the overall texture and realism of the sound.
Soundstage:
Despite the compact size of the drivers, the 5909 creates a surprisingly expansive soundstage, giving a sense of openness and airiness that rivals larger, non-portable headphones. This holographic soundstage adds depth and dimension to the listening experience.
Comparison to Focal Bathys
This comparison between the Mark Levinson 5909 and Focal Bathys is fascinating and likely boils down to personal preference for many. Before diving into the sound characteristics, it’s worth noting a significant technical difference: the Focal Bathys relies on aptX Adaptive with a maximum bitrate of 420kb/s, whereas the Mark Levinson 5909 supports LDAC, boasting a higher bitrate of 990kb/s. At this price range, the lack of advanced Bluetooth codecs in the Bathys feels like a missed opportunity from Focal, leaving one to wonder why they didn’t embrace the latest in Bluetooth technology.
Turning our attention to the mobile apps, Focal takes the lead with a more versatile application that offers extensive sound customization for the Bathys. They’ve even introduced a “personalized sound” feature based on an interactive hearing test, which is a great addition and enhances the sound tuning experience. Despite this, it doesn’t fully resolve some frequency response (FR) issues I’ve encountered.
Comparing the two head-on, the Bathys’ performance across the frequency spectrum, particularly between 500 Hz and 4.5 kHz, isn’t as smooth or linear as I’d prefer, marked by several noticeable dips and peaks. This inconsistency slightly detracts from the midrange purity and overall sound fidelity. Additionally, there’s a pronounced peak in the treble region around 8-9 kHz in the Bathys, which, while not overly bothersome, does affect the smoothness of the treble, resulting in a somewhat sharper sound compared to the more even-keeled presentation of the 5909.
Regarding distortion, both headphones excel, offering a pristine sound experience that’s hard to fault. The Focal Bathys may have the edge in the bass department, delivering a slightly cleaner low-end, but the Mark Levinson 5909 boasts a lower distortion profile across frequencies above 400 kHz. While the practical impact of this difference might be minimal for most listeners, it’s worth noting.
The perceived purity of sound with the Mark Levinson 5909 could be attributed to its more linear response in the midrange and treble, leading to a smoother and more cohesive listening experience. Ultimately, both sets of headphones stand out for their audio quality, each excelling in its own right and catering to the nuanced preferences of audiophiles and music enthusiasts alike.
Bass: Both models excel in delivering a rich bass experience. The Focal Bathys might edge out with slightly more punch and control, while the Mark Levinson 5909 shines with its profound lower bass presence and more substantial impact. Both are thrilling in this aspect, making it tough to declare a clear winner.
Midrange: The midrange is where the 5909 truly distinguishes itself, offering a cleaner, more refined, and linear sound profile. In contrast, the Bathys exhibit more variability with noticeable dips and spikes starting from 500Hz. The 5909 enhances the presence, extension, and texture of woodwind instruments and integrates vocals more seamlessly into the mix.
Treble: The 5909 also takes the lead in treble performance, providing a smoother, more consistent, and detailed response. Its treble has an engaging quality that’s hard to resist, whereas the Bathys’ treble can sometimes feel a bit harsh.
Tonality: The tonal balance of the 5909 stands out for its consistency, linearity, and naturalness, offering a listening experience that feels more authentic and immersive.
Transparency: The 5909 offers superior clarity and transparency, making for a purer sound experience. This clarity likely stems from its smoother frequency response in the midrange and treble, devoid of significant peaks or dips.
Speed/Dynamics: Both headphones perform admirably in terms of speed and dynamics, ensuring an energetic and engaging listening session. The Bathys may have a slight advantage in bass speed and punch, but the 5909 offers a more tactile feel, especially in the midrange and treble.
Soundstage: The Mark Levinson 5909 presents a more natural and expansive soundstage, creating a holographic effect that places the listener squarely within a multidimensional auditory space. This quality enhances the immersion, particularly with complex classical pieces, elevating the overall listening experience.
Comparison Conclusions
In summary, my preference leans towards the Mark Levinson 5909 when compared to the Focal Bathys, for the reasons discussed. The 5909 delivers a sound that is not only cleaner and purer but also boasts a more consistent and natural tonality. This, combined with its engaging, detailed presentation, makes the listening experience with the 5909 incredibly enjoyable and immersive.
Conclusion
Mark Levinson 5909 stands among the priciest options in the realm of portable wireless audiophile headphones. The question of their worth is met with a resounding yes from my end, as they encapsulate the epitome of what one seeks in high-end portable headphones: impeccable build quality, unparalleled sound quality, and a suite of features that cater to the discerning audiophile.
In my view, they reign supreme as the finest portable wireless headphones currently available, especially when judging by sound quality. Engaging with them becomes a habit, a delightful addiction, thanks to their pristine, detailed, and dynamic output, all the while maintaining a natural and consistent tonal balance.
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