Pioneer unveils MS5Ts, 'the world's most affordable' hi-res headphones

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Pioneer claims its SE-MS5-T headphones are the most affordable hi-res certified over-ears in the world

The rules are quite clear: if a pair of headphones is going to carry the official Hi-Res Audio logo, they must respond up to a bandwidth of at least 40kHz. Ignore for a moment the fact that's way above the threshold of human hearing - rules are rules.

The latest pair to earn this badge of honour come courtesy of Pioneer and its new SE-MS5-T over-ears.

MORE: What are hi-res headphones? Do they sound better?

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They're a lightweight, faux-leather and metal-look plastic design, with a 3.5mm jack and 6.3mm adaptor. They're available in a range of colours - silver, brown, black and red - and there's an in-line one-button remote on the 1.2m cable for smartphone operation. They weigh a very managable 230g.

They're on sale in the UK right now, priced at just £50. So we're not holding our breath for an even more affordable pair to arrive any time soon.

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Simon Lucas

Simon Lucas is a technology journalist, with a strong emphasis on the audio/video side of consumer electronics and home entertainment, and has been since 2003. He worked for more than 14 years at What Hi-Fi?, the last six of which were spent as the editor of the magazine and website. Since then he's written for Wired, The Guardian, TechRadar, Stuff, GQ and many more besides. 

In the course of his career he's developed a pretty deep understanding of the way both the publishing and the electronics industries function, as well as the sort of intimate knowledge of audio products (both specific and general) that can make people very wary of him at parties.