Member Reviews: Audio-Technica ATH-AD2000

When a headphone manufacturer releases a flagship, one would expect uncompromising sound quality, exceptional design and extreme comfort. As Audio Technica's current open circumaural top of the range model, the AD2000 comes off as a mixed bag. But it does have a big redeeming feature that has earned it a number of fans, and for this owner, it has charmed him enough to keep it together with the HD800.   It is the midrange which strikes the listener the most, it is a lush, forward midrange that suits female vocals to a T. Whether alto or soprano, Diana Krall or Kiri Te Kanawa, the AD2000 presents female vocals in a very intimate, soul-stirring manner. Female vocalists are not relegated to...

I have these, driven by a Ratoc mid-fi DAC/Amp (50.000 Yen), listening to FLAC 24/96 or upscaled 12/44.   I can compare them to the W1000X which I also purchased recently, to the AD900 and to the AD700. Most of my impressions AD900 are the review for those cans.    I can say that the AD2000 are by far the best headphones I have listened to so far. They are not nearly as airy and whispery sounding as the AD900/AD700 but are very forward, aggressive and fast. As far as I can tell they are also superior in almost any aspect to the W1000X. It could be the strong clamp (which can be alleviated by bending them a bit, no harm done) but they just sound unbelievably tight,...