[rev_slider alias=”kawai-sh-9″]
4.5/5
Kawai SH-9
Headphones for digital pianos
Divide:
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Basically, it’s a pretty obvious thing that a digital piano specialist like Kawai also includes headphones in its program that are explicitly aimed at buyers of an electric piano. After all, electric pianists are not infrequently more interested in instruments than technology and are happy to be able to buy everything from a single source. And of course, such an ear pickup can be used not only in combination with Kawai instruments, but with any electric sound source. The fact that Kawai has teamed up with the headphone professionals from Audio-Technica for this is yet another reason for us to put the receiver to the test.
The Kawai SH-9 is a dynamic, semi-open headphone with 40-millimeter drivers. It delivers a frequency response of 20 Hz to 20 kHz, at a sound pressure level of 91.5 dB per milliwatt of current applied, and competes against the amplifier with 47 ohms (manufacturer’s specifications in each case).
Appearances
Visually, the SH-9s are unspectacular: You hold a simple industry-standard design in your hands, whose plastic parts are kept in black throughout. Only the headband is made of metal. Although manufactured in cooperation with Audio-Technica, the SH-9 does not resemble any of the current models, as one would expect. Much more surprising, on the other hand, is a certain resemblance to the Phonon SMB-02, a boutique headphone three times more expensive. The similarities concern many details, such as dimensions, shape and material of the headband, typography of the left/right markings, cutouts in various plastic parts, up to the connector plug (mini-jack and screwable jack plug).
Coincidence, intention – we don’t know. In any case, the foam core of the SH-9’s padding is covered with a soft velour. This provides a very comfortable wearing feeling, also and especially in conjunction with the semi-open design, which does not completely prevent sweaty ears, but at least counteracts the heat buildup a little bit. I would almost call the two meter long connection cable a bit oversized, because usually the distance that has to be bridged between the digital piano’s headphone jack and the player’s head is smaller. The length is good again when it comes to pure music enjoyment in the armchair.
Sound
The sound staging delivered by the Kawai SH-9s is convincing right away: They deliver a balanced sound image with robust, almost bulky bass reproduction that is neatly defined and does not show any tendency towards boomy. The trebles are a bit more discreet in comparison, but convey more than enough information to draw a nicely unfolded, deep stereo image.
But whether practicing on the digital piano or listening to music normally, the Kawai SH-9s are a real joy to listen to at work. Even in longer listening sessions, they maintain a wonderful balance of unobtrusiveness paired with a precise reproduction that doesn’t seem clinical, but is thoroughly enjoyable – top! Interesting detail in this context: the listeners do not come from China, but from neighboring Taiwan, which is often an indication of relatively high material and manufacturing quality (since Taiwan itself likes to outsource the production of “cheap products” to China).
Rating
Rating: 4.88
5/5
Sound
4.5/5
Handling
4.25/5
Price-performance
5/5
Function
5/5
Technical data
- Design
Over-ear - Construction
semi-open - Transducer principle
dynamic - Audio transmission range (earpiece)
20 – 20.000 Hz - Impedance
47 Ohm - Sound pressure level (SPL)
91.5 dB - Weight with cable
370 g - Cable length
200 cm
Scope of delivery
- Adapter to 6.35 mm
Brand
Sennheiser test Kawai (1)
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Your Top 10 in January
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t the beginning of each month, we regularly present the most read headphone reviews of the previous month.You can find your most popular reviews of January here.
12 months ago by Numinos
Rating: 4.88
5/5
Sound
4.5/5
Handling
4.25/5
Price/Performance
5/5
Function
5/5
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FAQ
The Kawai SH-9 are excellent headphones, which are almost too good to be used as a pure practice aid on the digital piano due to their balanced, even noble sound. With their semi-open design, they can be worn comfortably for a long time, not only when playing etudes, but also when purely enjoying music on the hi-fi system. Against this backdrop, the price of one hundred Euros is absolutely reasonable and even leads me to recommend a purchase.
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Catchwords
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