Saucy Dog Shinya Ishihara X MOMENTUM 5 Wireless
Shinya Ishihara, vocalist and guitarist of the three-piece rock band Saucy Dog, is widely supported for his relatable lyrics and emotional voice. Currently on a break ahead of their upcoming tour, he has been immersing himself in a wide range of music genres, including K pop, Western music, and alternative. We spoke with him about his impressions of MOMENTUM 5, including its sense of depth, immersion, and his passion for great sound.
Profile : Saucy Dog – Shinya Ishihara
The core appeal of Saucy Dog lies in Ishihara’s words, melodies, and voice as the band’s vocalist. With strong support across a wide audience, especially among younger listeners, the band has surpassed 3 billion total streams with hit songs such as “Itsuka,” “Yui,” and “Cinderella Boy.”
In December 2022, they made their first appearance on NHK’s prestigious “Kohaku Uta Gassen.” On December 17, 2025, they released their 9th mini album “Curry Rice.”
In addition to the success of large-scale arena tours and major rock festivals, the band continues to be highly active in live performances. On January 4, 2026, they successfully held their first-ever solo dome concert in Osaka, the band’s hometown. They will also embark on the “Saucy Dog ARENA TOUR 2026–2027 NEW GAME+” starting in September 2026.
What kind of activities are you currently focusing on?
Right now, I’m taking a short break from live performances and focusing on creating music. While staying true to the essence of Saucy Dog, I also want to challenge myself with new ideas and sounds.
Are there any new challenges or areas you are exploring recently ?
Compared to before, I listen to a wider variety of genres now—K-pop, Western music, alternative, and more. I want to draw inspiration from all of these influences.
What inspired you to start listening to a wider variety of music genres?
Recently, I’ve been listening to a lot of K-pop. Friends around me love it, and visiting Korea has also sparked my interest. I’ve also started listening to more healing music.
Is there any music you are particularly into lately?
Recently, I’ve been listening to quite a lot of K-pop. A lot of people around me are into K-pop and Korean dramas, and I’ve also started visiting Korea more often, which sparked my interest. I’ve also found myself listening to more healing music lately.
Could you tell us about your approach to music production?
We value creating music that can be reproduced live as a three-piece band. We aim to avoid anything that feels ordinary and instead create something that truly represents who we are.
What role does music play in your daily life?
Music itself doesn’t judge or affirm—it simply exists. Since it’s also my profession, I experience both struggles and excitement with it. I hope to maintain a healthy relationship with music.
Do you listen to the same kind of music when working and when relaxing, or do they differ?
It might be completely different now. Whether I was listening at home or watching live performances, I used to approach music almost like it was part of the job—thinking, “I should study this.” Because of that, to be honest, there were times when I didn’t really feel like listening to music at all. It was like I couldn’t fully enjoy it for what it is. Now, I’ve created a bit of distance between myself and music, and I think that’s actually helped me enjoy it again in a more natural way.
How would you describe your overall perspective or relationship with music?
Since music is my profession, whether I go to live shows or listen at home, my attention naturally shifts in that direction. I find myself thinking things like, “Maybe this could be done better,” or “That’s an interesting approach,” so I’ve been listening more from a learning perspective.
But recently, I’ve taken a bit of distance from music and started spending more time on other forms of input. That’s allowed me to spend time on things I didn’t have the chance to before, which has given me more mental space. As a result, I feel like I’m now able to engage with music in a more balanced and natural way.
How often do you listen to music in your everyday life?
To be honest, there are probably more times when I’m not listening to music at all. Of course, I could keep listening to it all the time—even at home—but I don’t really want music to blend into everyday background noise. For me, music is something I want to play when I consciously decide, “I’m going to listen to music now.”
Could you share your preferences or philosophy when it comes to audio quality ?
To be honest, I’ve never been overly particular about it, but I don’t like a thin, flat sound. At the same time, I don’t like something too muddy either—so it’s about finding a balance somewhere in between, with a bit of punch in the low end. What really matters to me is whether each sound is clearly separated. I want to be able to hear exactly what the bass is playing, or even if the guitar is heavily distorted and the chords are hard to make out, I still want to understand what’s being played. That kind of clarity is important to me.
Do you have any preferences when it comes to the design of audio equipment?
I care quite a lot about design. I really like fashion, so it has to match what I’m wearing. That’s why I pay close attention to the design. I want something that feels well-made—something stylish is always a plus.
What kind of impression have you had of the Sennheiser brand?
Sennheiser is a name I’ve heard for as long as I can remember—it’s one of those brands where you almost wonder, “When did I first hear about it?” I’ve known it for such a long time. I’ve actually used their microphones in live shows as well—E945, I think. In the studio, I usually use either the E945 or the E935, so I have a great deal of trust in Sennheiser.
What are your impressions after listening to music with MOMENTUM 5?
At first, the sound felt crisp and slightly dry, but with the Smart Control app, I can customize it to my preference. Adjusting bass, strings, and percussion allows me to create my ideal sound. Now it feels perfect for my ears.
How would you rate the sound quality of MOMENTUM 5 ?
The sound has excellent clarity and a strong signal-to-noise ratio. Across genres—from hard rock to K-pop and hip-hop—it delivers depth and a wide soundstage. It feels like the music spreads out beyond your ears, almost like you can see the space with your eyes closed.
We hear you’ve been using MOMENTUM 4—how does it compare?
Compared to MOMENTUM 4, the fit is just as good, and it matches well with fashion. The noise canceling has also improved noticeably.
How do you find the features and functionality?
I feel like the sound is definitely better when noise cancelling is on compared to when transparency mode is enabled—it just sounds a bit thinner with ambient sound on. I think that’s because the highs feel more pronounced when transparency mode is active. With noise cancelling, it really shuts out the surrounding noise, so you can focus on the music much more, which I think is great.
How was your experience listening to your own music in high - resolution audio?
With high-resolution audio, you can hear exactly how the sound was recorded. The wide dynamic range lets you experience everything from subtle details to powerful moments.
What do you think about the design?
The black version has a sleek, premium look with a fabric-textured headband and metallic ear cups. The white version works with a variety of styles and feels more playful while still refined.
How did you find the comfort and fit?
The ear pads are soft and comfortable, making them easy to wear for long periods. They also seem durable and resistant to wear.
What are your thoughts on the battery performance?
The battery life is impressive—up to 57 hours. In reality, you’ll likely recharge before that, but it offers great peace of mind.
Who would you recommend these headphones to?
I’d recommend these to anyone who loves music, especially commuters. Sound leakage is minimal—even at high volume—which makes them ideal for public spaces.
Do you think these headphones could change the way people enjoy music?
These headphones are stylish, lightweight, and easy to use. They can make more people connect with music—even those who aren’t deeply into it yet. It’s a great product that can inspire people to enjoy music more.
