Audio-Technica W/L series hierarchy

W5000 if you want something in production and easily attainable.

In the beginning, there was the W10VTG. And it was good. And God said, Let there be light", and there was the W10LTD. It was light (a lighter shade of wood). And it was different. Its sound was thinner. And for more than a few, it wasn't so good.

Then God said, "Let me return to the goodness of the W10VTG, but make it better." And then there was the W11JPN. And it was good. Very good. God was pleased.

And God said, "Let there be a rounder shape of wood", and there was the W100. And for many who liked the thinner sound of the W10LTD, but didn't like it, the W100 was good (though for some, only the ones later in the production run sounded good.)

But God got forgetful and said again, "Let there be Light" (while looking at his earlier W11JPN), and there was the W11R. And it was not so good. God had created the "red-headed stepsister of the family".

Then God said, "Let there be beautiful", and there was the W2002. But God is a merciless God. At least to those without HA2002 or Sugden HeadMasters.

Then God said, "Let there be beautiful for the masses", and there was the W1000. I'll stop saying anything about this W1000, because the original poster owns one.

Then God said looked at his past creations and curried up his knowledge and his skill and said, "Let there be my ultimate", and there was the L3000. And it was good. It had everything that was good in all of prior creation and was good.

Then God said, "Let me finally get the W10LTD, W100, W2002, W1000 done right", and there was the W5000. And finally, it was good.

And so God rested, until the 50th anniversary of his creation.

All in my honest opinion.

Best regards,

-Jason

Beautiful.

Very nice, but where does the L3000G come in?

When God said "Let there be golf"

^ jjcha's history on the AT-W series of cans about sums it up. I actually liked the sound of the W10LTD and would agree that it doesn't sound as full or warm as the W10VTG. The sound of the W10LTD sounded more foward than the W10VTG while still retaining an excellent level of detail and soundstage. The link below provides pics and a time line of the AT-W series of cans from the W10VTG up to the W1000:

http://www.audio-technica.co.jp/atj/...eup/index.html

Yeah, I agree with this. I actually liked the W10LTD as well, though I can see why many others wouldn't. I guess my enthusiasm for the can has been tempered a bit by a few friends of mine who aren't big fans of the W10LTD....

I think that's true of most of the woodies - each has its fans and each has its critics. This is due to preferences, but is also due to quite a bit of sample variance out there. I've heard W10VTGs (one of my favorite underdog headphones) sound not so good, and it's just gotta be to different units sounding different from others.

If I had to say whether there are those that rise above the others and generate some general acceptance as being good... well, there's the W11JPN and the L3000, as well as the W2002 out of the HeadMaster or HA2002. And most people seem to really like the W5000, especially out of synergistic amps. I still think the W5000 and HA5000 is a headphone rig worth retiring to, and one that stands up to just about every other headphone rig out there.

Anyway, as to the original poster, it is a lot of fun exploring all the woodies. There are different sounds, and each woody, each and every single one of them, is interesting and worth owning (at least as a collector).

I certainly do agree tho that the W5000 is a great place to go if you're enjoying the W1000's sound.

Best regards,

-Jason

GOD is Good

GOD is Benevolent

GOD is Great

and then....there's FITZ!

GOD musta talked to Fitz in his sleep coz F5005 rules....

jjcha...that's a beautiful write up. I almost want to posted on my wall

scottiebabie, hey...you beat me to it! I was going to say that too..hehe

Yes, FITZ is definitely God's AT prophet to the masses

And then God said let there be air, and there was the AD2000. And it was good air, and it was cheaper than all of the woodies, and it was better than all of them except the L3000 and (arguably) the W5000.

Are the W5000s limited in terms of how long more they will be in production?

No, or at least not to my knowledege.

The Gospel of JJCha! Great summary and history! I finally have a good understanding of the evolution (?) of the AT woodies and how they relate to one another.

Excellent, plenty of time to save then