As a reviewer, I’m constantly on the lookout for prosuperstitionducts that stand out and push the boundaries of what’s possible. It’s not often that I come across something truly special, something that marks a paradigm shift in the tech world, especially in the competitive closed-back headphone space. But then, I stumbled upon the SJY Horizon Closed Carbon headphones. This model made by a solo creator caught my attention, and I believe every company in the closed-back headphone market should pay close attention to what SJY is doing. Let’s dive into the details of these remarkable headphones.
Table of Contents
The Design: Unique and Purposeful
The first thing you’ll notice about the SJY Horizon headphones is their unique design. The overall shape of the chassis is square, which might seem unusual at first glance, but there’s a solid reasoning behind it. Inside the square are oval, angled forged carbon cups. The slight angle is intentional the top is slightly wider while the bottom is closer together. From the outside, the design appears symmetrical, but if you look closer at the tuning paper, you’ll notice a bit of directionality.
Interestingly, this square design serves a practical function: it acts as its own headphone stand. The headphones can sit upright on any surface without the fear of toppling over. It’s a surprisingly stable design choice, even if the cups shift position. This feature is a bonus, turning the headphone stand concept into a built-in perk.
The headband of the Horizon might look familiar, as it is designed by Jeff, the owner of SJY, who also designs headbands for the Omega Project. While the design is unique, there are a couple of minor complaints: the clamp force feels just a tad light, and the extension rods would have looked better in a more fitting color to match the overall aesthetic. However, these minor issues don’t detract from the overall build quality, which grows on you after extended use.
Performance: A Closed-Back Headphone Revolution
The performance of the SJY Horizon is where it really shines. It takes full advantage of being a closed-back headphone while eliminating many of the typical drawbacks associated with this design. The sound quality is incredible, particularly the bass, which stands out as one of the best I’ve heard from any headphone open-back or closed-back.
Bass Performance: The Best You’ll Ever Hear
Let’s talk bass. The SJY Horizon delivers bass that I confidently say is unattainable by any open-back headphone. Not even the best open-back models such as the LCD4 or the AB1266 come close to achieving this level of bass quality. What’s remarkable is how the bass is both powerful and clear, with no distortion. It is deep yet subtle, with excellent transient handling that ensures no bleeding into other regions of the sound. This bass is so well-tuned that it might just be the best I’ve ever heard on any headphone. The mid-bass is well-balanced, ensuring there is no excess or muddiness.
The sub-bass is equally impressive, maintaining its clarity without compromising the rest of the frequency spectrum. The sound is just beautifully balanced, with no need for any equalization or special amplification to achieve this level of performance. I used it with a neutral Topping DX9, and it sounded phenomenal, proving the strength of its tuning and performance.
Balanced Sound Across the Frequencies
While the bass is extraordinary, the Horizon doesn’t neglect the mid-range or treble. Every region bass, mid-range, and treble is distinct and well-proportioned. The soundstage, for a closed-back headphone, is particularly impressive. While it may not have the wide soundstage of some open-back models, it offers a more complete frequency response, free from the unnatural echoes or chamber effects found in some other closed-back headphones.
The sound is clear and dynamic across all frequencies, thanks to the design of the angled cups. These cups not only affect soundstaging but also enhance detail and fidelity across the bass, mids, and treble. The result is a headphone that delivers detailed, clean sound without any reflective noise or reverb a hallmark of this design.
The Power Requirement: Be Prepared for a Heavy Load
One area that you need to consider with the SJY Horizon is its power requirement. The headphones have an efficiency rating of 90 dB, which means they are quite inefficient compared to other closed-back headphones. These headphones need a substantial amount of power to drive properly. They are not the type of headphones you’ll be able to use with just a phone or laptop a high-quality amplifier is essential.
For optimal performance, consider amplifiers like the A90D, Yotenheim, or DX9. A powerful amplifier will unlock the true potential of the Horizon, allowing it to perform at its best. Without the right amplification, you’ll struggle to achieve even normal listening levels, so be sure to prepare accordingly.
Article Summary
The SJY Horizon Closed Carbon headphones are a game-changer in the closed-back headphone market. Their design is unique, practical, and sturdy, and the sound quality is exceptional. With the best bass performance I’ve ever heard on a closed-back headphone, coupled with a well-balanced sound across all frequencies, the Horizon is a headphone that punches well above its weight. While it may require a hefty amplifier to reach its full potential, the performance is undeniably worth the price.
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