I have typed up this review @audio-technica.com a few months back and I thought I should also put it here.
First, I would like to apologize for my very vague description of the sound (and "flowery" language) and also please don't kill me with your potential comments of hate. Thanks!
I guess I should also mention that this is my first review of a headphone product excluding the review I made for the IE800 knock offs I bought from Aliexpress. I clearly did not say that those sounded better than the Etymotic HF5, but hey if that's what the seller thought I said then so be it.
Also, I'll try to add some pictures later.
Also failed to mention that I got these from Best Buy. IN 2014! These were an open box pair that was in mint condition except for the box which was extremely beat up; almost didn't believe the headphones themselves were mint until I opened them up at home. All I know is that this is one of my better purchases. Maybe with a slight buyer's remorse but anywho.
Funny story about my ESW9 @ Best Buy:
I saw these hanging in a box that has probably been mauled by a honey badger on a little hanger thing around the corner of the headphones section and I had to walk back and forth past it to make sure I was actually seeing a pair of ESW9 in person. And at this time, I didn't have a smartphone to look up anything about them so I ran to their laptop section and looked up on some reviews on Head-Fi. I skimmed through maybe 2 or 3 reviews and made an internal "HNNNNNNNNNNNNG" hesitation noise but ended up with the ESW9 in a plastic Best Buy bag and my wallet 200 dollars lighter. Twas a very thought out researching process of purchasing headphones. Anywho, onto the intro.
______________________________________________________________
Intro:
I don't have much to say about myself except that I love headphones and am not an audiophile (which is pretty much a cliche now but I'll say it anyway), and so I'll get right to the review.
______________________________________________________________
Accessories:
Very minimal, comes with just a soft pouch to protect scratches. I would've like to see at least a hard-shell case. especially the given price-point.
______________________________________________________________
Build/Design:
The wooden earcups are quite a beauty and along with the low profile, it is a winner in my book. Though I can't say the same about the build. I have used these for about 8 months now and though no major issues have occurred yet, there is a bit of creaking when twisting the earcups to fold flat. The cable also seems to very thin, which at first I thought them to be practical because almost no cable noise occurred, but after getting them caught on a few things, it worries me.
Head-Fi Additional Note: If you don't like how these wooden cups look, you're obviously lying behind your 300 dollar Beats 'cause let's face it: These are sexy.
More pictures in spoilers:
______________________________________________________________
Isolation/Fit:
It fits my big head quite nicely. The top of the headband is very plush and easy on the head. The earpads however hurt my ears after about 30 minutes of listening; this can be easily fixed by twisting the earcups a bit outwards but also lets in more noise. Going onto isolation, the isolation is decent at higher volumes. These will not totally block out noise if you're in a busy commute, but for those who want to hear their surroundings just a bit might find this nice.
______________________________________________________________
Sound:
If I had to describe a picture for the sound, it would be like laying on a couch with a blanket and sitting by the fireplace in the winter. I don't know how someone else might take that but the sound was very unique and excellent to my ears.
The bass is warm with a nice body and punch to them (Head-Fi Edit: Maybe a few notches down from having bombastic bass; or to put it simply: DAYUM DAT BASS IS NICE).
The mids stand out a little more but rarely ever gets harsh. It's very addictive and lush. Some say that it sounds "creamy" though I don't really know what that means (Head-Fi Edit: DAYUM DEM MIDS THO). A bit too nasal for male vocals, but perfect for female vocals.
The treble is slightly behind all of the action, though it never sounded very congested or narrow in soundstage. So, the headphones are not harsh in the treble region. Perfect for those who are sensitive to sibilance (Head-Fi Edit: PURTY GOOD TREBLE, BRUH in the way how it's not harsh, but it does lose out on detail on cymbal crashes).
______________________________________________________________
Overall:
I really like these for its very addictive sound signature and for its low profile yet dashing looks. It gives off a very "gentleman" kind of look. I only wished it came with possibly extra earpads and maybe removable cables.
Head-Fi Additional Note:
Source: Xperia Z3V, Fiio Andes E07K
Files: Flac, MP3s
Music Genres (Mainly of the following): Original Soundtracks, J-Rock, J-Pop, Pop, Hip-Hop
Songs I quickly listened for a quick impression:
I feel the best song played through my ESW9 is the track "Extraterrestrial Biological Entities" by EGOIST. It's a Japanese pop song (or at least I think it's pop), and it just sounds extremely emotional, especially when the singer hits the high notes @1:15 in the song in the spoilers below. Totally teared up on my first ever listen with that track.
Others songs:
Kendrick Lamar - King Kunta (320kbps mp3) (Hip-hop): Bass hits very low, his voice sounds a bit overshadowed by the bass and congested, micro-details are quite hard to hear unless if you really listen for them
Noisycell - Innocence (Flac) (J-Pop/Rpck): Definitely not the ESW9's strongsuit, male vocals sound very congested, micro-details almost non-existent, guitars could sound a little more crisp
Chiaki Ishikawa - Uninstall (Flac) (J-Pop): Female vocals sound beautiful, electric guitar (or some guitar that plays on the left side) doesn't sound very detailed but it's enough to make you go, "Oh hey, that's nice and smooth", love to just lay down and listen to this with eyes closed
Aimer - Starringchild (Flac) (J-Pop) (One of my all time favorite songs): Could sound a little more spacious; Again, female vocals are intimate and just amazing; details hard to make out as the vocals are really brought forward during the chorus; not my favorite track to listen with the ESW9; BUT FROM 2:45 TO 3:07 - VOCALS SOUND VERY INTIMATE AND JUST TEAR-JERKING WORTHY OR SOMETHING
ONE OK ROCK - Memories (Flac) (Rock): Once again, not open enough for my tastes, this time the male vocals sound a bit distant and nasal, and pushed back a bit by the low notes from the guitars, guitars sound a bit sloppy as in not detailed
ONE OK ROCK - Heartache (Flac) (Acoustic-rock-slow-something): Male vocals sound congested/nasal, but since this song is a lot slower than "Memories", high notes sound very nice and bare-able but only in those few seconds, micro-details hard to make out
Journey - Don't Stop Believing (Flac) (Pop?): I got the remastered version and so there is just enough spaciousness to get a feel for the stereo-ness.. thing, bass drums sound full, vocals sound nice - as the male singer's voice is higher-pitched than the usual male voice, electric guitars near the end sound nice - again it isn't amazing but it's like a plus or extra credit (horrible description :L)
Adele - Rolling in the Deep (Flac) (Pop; I think): Drums have a nice kick and almost like air resonating between each hit, Adele just sound amazing (NO OTHER WORDS), Head-bobbing initiates at high volumes (That's all I can say)
Kiyoura Natsumi - Tabi no Tochuu (Flac) (J-Pop) - Extremely sibilant track (could be because of horrible mastering but I have no idea) BUT the ESW9 saves this track, Her voice is something else - it's just something you have to hear to know what it sounds like - just fantastic, bass could be toned down a little though, didn't notice micro-details such as the sounds of climbing wooden steps when I could in other headphones
Masuda Toshio - Hihamu Kage (320kbps) (Soundtrack): Amazing mastering, Sounds very full when the meat of the song kicks in, the gong could sound more detailed, BUT STILL BOBBING MY HEAD
Take these impressions with a grain of salt 'cause who knows, maybe you'll like the ESW9 with fast paced rock with screaming guitars.
In conclusion: Great for slow female vocals, pop, certain soundtracks, and that one song: Extraterrestrial Biological Entities
If these headphones were made for one song, they would be made for the song Extraterrestrial Biological Entities.
First, I would like to apologize for my very vague description of the sound (and "flowery" language) and also please don't kill me with your potential comments of hate. Thanks!
I guess I should also mention that this is my first review of a headphone product excluding the review I made for the IE800 knock offs I bought from Aliexpress. I clearly did not say that those sounded better than the Etymotic HF5, but hey if that's what the seller thought I said then so be it.
Also, I'll try to add some pictures later.
Also failed to mention that I got these from Best Buy. IN 2014! These were an open box pair that was in mint condition except for the box which was extremely beat up; almost didn't believe the headphones themselves were mint until I opened them up at home. All I know is that this is one of my better purchases. Maybe with a slight buyer's remorse but anywho.
Funny story about my ESW9 @ Best Buy:
I saw these hanging in a box that has probably been mauled by a honey badger on a little hanger thing around the corner of the headphones section and I had to walk back and forth past it to make sure I was actually seeing a pair of ESW9 in person. And at this time, I didn't have a smartphone to look up anything about them so I ran to their laptop section and looked up on some reviews on Head-Fi. I skimmed through maybe 2 or 3 reviews and made an internal "HNNNNNNNNNNNNG" hesitation noise but ended up with the ESW9 in a plastic Best Buy bag and my wallet 200 dollars lighter. Twas a very thought out researching process of purchasing headphones. Anywho, onto the intro.
______________________________________________________________
Intro:
I don't have much to say about myself except that I love headphones and am not an audiophile (which is pretty much a cliche now but I'll say it anyway), and so I'll get right to the review.
______________________________________________________________
Accessories:
Very minimal, comes with just a soft pouch to protect scratches. I would've like to see at least a hard-shell case. especially the given price-point.
______________________________________________________________
Build/Design:
The wooden earcups are quite a beauty and along with the low profile, it is a winner in my book. Though I can't say the same about the build. I have used these for about 8 months now and though no major issues have occurred yet, there is a bit of creaking when twisting the earcups to fold flat. The cable also seems to very thin, which at first I thought them to be practical because almost no cable noise occurred, but after getting them caught on a few things, it worries me.
Head-Fi Additional Note: If you don't like how these wooden cups look, you're obviously lying behind your 300 dollar Beats 'cause let's face it: These are sexy.
More pictures in spoilers:
______________________________________________________________
Isolation/Fit:
It fits my big head quite nicely. The top of the headband is very plush and easy on the head. The earpads however hurt my ears after about 30 minutes of listening; this can be easily fixed by twisting the earcups a bit outwards but also lets in more noise. Going onto isolation, the isolation is decent at higher volumes. These will not totally block out noise if you're in a busy commute, but for those who want to hear their surroundings just a bit might find this nice.
______________________________________________________________
Sound:
If I had to describe a picture for the sound, it would be like laying on a couch with a blanket and sitting by the fireplace in the winter. I don't know how someone else might take that but the sound was very unique and excellent to my ears.
The bass is warm with a nice body and punch to them (Head-Fi Edit: Maybe a few notches down from having bombastic bass; or to put it simply: DAYUM DAT BASS IS NICE).
The mids stand out a little more but rarely ever gets harsh. It's very addictive and lush. Some say that it sounds "creamy" though I don't really know what that means (Head-Fi Edit: DAYUM DEM MIDS THO). A bit too nasal for male vocals, but perfect for female vocals.
The treble is slightly behind all of the action, though it never sounded very congested or narrow in soundstage. So, the headphones are not harsh in the treble region. Perfect for those who are sensitive to sibilance (Head-Fi Edit: PURTY GOOD TREBLE, BRUH in the way how it's not harsh, but it does lose out on detail on cymbal crashes).
______________________________________________________________
Overall:
I really like these for its very addictive sound signature and for its low profile yet dashing looks. It gives off a very "gentleman" kind of look. I only wished it came with possibly extra earpads and maybe removable cables.
Head-Fi Additional Note:
Source: Xperia Z3V, Fiio Andes E07K
Files: Flac, MP3s
Music Genres (Mainly of the following): Original Soundtracks, J-Rock, J-Pop, Pop, Hip-Hop
Songs I quickly listened for a quick impression:
I feel the best song played through my ESW9 is the track "Extraterrestrial Biological Entities" by EGOIST. It's a Japanese pop song (or at least I think it's pop), and it just sounds extremely emotional, especially when the singer hits the high notes @1:15 in the song in the spoilers below. Totally teared up on my first ever listen with that track.
Kendrick Lamar - King Kunta (320kbps mp3) (Hip-hop): Bass hits very low, his voice sounds a bit overshadowed by the bass and congested, micro-details are quite hard to hear unless if you really listen for them
Noisycell - Innocence (Flac) (J-Pop/Rpck): Definitely not the ESW9's strongsuit, male vocals sound very congested, micro-details almost non-existent, guitars could sound a little more crisp
Chiaki Ishikawa - Uninstall (Flac) (J-Pop): Female vocals sound beautiful, electric guitar (or some guitar that plays on the left side) doesn't sound very detailed but it's enough to make you go, "Oh hey, that's nice and smooth", love to just lay down and listen to this with eyes closed
Aimer - Starringchild (Flac) (J-Pop) (One of my all time favorite songs): Could sound a little more spacious; Again, female vocals are intimate and just amazing; details hard to make out as the vocals are really brought forward during the chorus; not my favorite track to listen with the ESW9; BUT FROM 2:45 TO 3:07 - VOCALS SOUND VERY INTIMATE AND JUST TEAR-JERKING WORTHY OR SOMETHING
ONE OK ROCK - Memories (Flac) (Rock): Once again, not open enough for my tastes, this time the male vocals sound a bit distant and nasal, and pushed back a bit by the low notes from the guitars, guitars sound a bit sloppy as in not detailed
ONE OK ROCK - Heartache (Flac) (Acoustic-rock-slow-something): Male vocals sound congested/nasal, but since this song is a lot slower than "Memories", high notes sound very nice and bare-able but only in those few seconds, micro-details hard to make out
Journey - Don't Stop Believing (Flac) (Pop?): I got the remastered version and so there is just enough spaciousness to get a feel for the stereo-ness.. thing, bass drums sound full, vocals sound nice - as the male singer's voice is higher-pitched than the usual male voice, electric guitars near the end sound nice - again it isn't amazing but it's like a plus or extra credit (horrible description :L)
Adele - Rolling in the Deep (Flac) (Pop; I think): Drums have a nice kick and almost like air resonating between each hit, Adele just sound amazing (NO OTHER WORDS), Head-bobbing initiates at high volumes (That's all I can say)
Kiyoura Natsumi - Tabi no Tochuu (Flac) (J-Pop) - Extremely sibilant track (could be because of horrible mastering but I have no idea) BUT the ESW9 saves this track, Her voice is something else - it's just something you have to hear to know what it sounds like - just fantastic, bass could be toned down a little though, didn't notice micro-details such as the sounds of climbing wooden steps when I could in other headphones
Masuda Toshio - Hihamu Kage (320kbps) (Soundtrack): Amazing mastering, Sounds very full when the meat of the song kicks in, the gong could sound more detailed, BUT STILL BOBBING MY HEAD
Take these impressions with a grain of salt 'cause who knows, maybe you'll like the ESW9 with fast paced rock with screaming guitars.
In conclusion: Great for slow female vocals, pop, certain soundtracks, and that one song: Extraterrestrial Biological Entities
If these headphones were made for one song, they would be made for the song Extraterrestrial Biological Entities.