AD900 Review

ATH AD900 Review

This is a quick review based on my first impressions of the AD900. Out of the box (and very nicely boxed they were) the build quality and finish of the AD900 is first class. The cups of the Audio-Technica are huge, but the fon is as light as a feather. The single sided cord has excellent tactile qualities, which results in the fact that it doesn’t tangle or kink and there is no audible reverberation from it. These headphones are VERY comfortable due to their light weight and the design of the wing system which puts as little pressure as possible on the top of your head, while the large velour ear pads press softly against the side of your head. The AD900s seem like they might fall off, but they are in actual fact quite secure (on my head) although I would not recommend them for head banging, or any brisk movement for that matter. Their sheer size and the fact that they are open fons means they are designed for home listening. The large cups extend to my lower jaw, but because the clamping is minimal (non existent) this doesn’t cause me any issue. Overall, a great design (bloody huge though) and a very comfortable headphone.

Sound
The AD900 has a very airy sound, not thin and distant, it is simply spacious, although still quite forward in general. They lean towards bright, with a mid/treble emphasis, although they are not sibilant or harsh. They have some Gradoish (Alessandroish) sound traits, however less aggressive, less in your face/front row, and with a large sound stage and a warmer overall presentation. They have plenty of PRaT and punch.

Trebble
The upper mid tones and highs are the real strengths of this headphone. Upper end and treble is fast, energetic and detailed without being harsh or sibilant. The highs extend, with plenty of upper end detail WITHOUT the harsh edge. Highs are exceptional, smooth but with a good "snap" to them, especially snare drum hits, where there is significant impact. You can feel the hit of the drumstick, and it really adds to the live sound I think these headphones project. Cymbals have just the right amount of crisp sizzle without being overly sibilant, harsh or metallic (not overly tish tish). TheAD900s are not tiresome or fatiguing at all.

Midrange
The AD900 has a sweet, sweet midrange, detailed and silky and there aren't any dips or peaks. Vocals are excellent, clear, precise, and realistic, with a “live” sound to them. The mid range is rich and slightly warm, with a lovely, smooth texture. Acoustic guitar rock, and female vocals sound simply amazing, full of emotion.

Bass
The lows do extend, but don’t give the impression of extending terribly deep. You don't get the rumble and weight of the lowest bass. The lowest end isn't a very powerful or impactful part of the AD900 sound, and sone might miss the super-low slam of more bass-heavy 'phones. However, mid bass is fast and tight, with good impact, detailed and not boomy at all. It integrates very nicely into the total sound. Bass notes have good speed, accuracy and definition to them. Overall the bass adds to the extremely punchy, tight, and fast sound signature.

Overall
Overall sound is very cohesive, no individual frequency or characteristic leaps out. The AD900 has a fairly wide soundstage and exquisite detail and separation. The power and positioning of the individual instruments is superb; you can hear positions of instruments clearly. Instruments flow from one to the other with a delightful layering effect that creates an immersive and full sound. Overall, these headphones are excellent, and it would seem hard to find a more detailed, non-fatiguing un-amplified (no need for an external amp) headphone. They do nothing wrong, and the spacious, fast, smooth and punchy sound, means they get a lot right.

From rock ballads through traditional rock and even metal and electronic house/trance (unless you crave thumping deep bass) these headphones should be high on your list particularly if you don’t want to purchase an amp.

Who said AD900s are only good for classical? Who said Grado is king of rock?

Edited by Kernmac - 12/9/10 at 3:17am

Hi REB.

The AD900 are great headphones. This is another fon that gets very little coverage here, and I can't understand why. Grados are well respected by many as great rock cans that perform well from unamped sources (dedicated amps) and the AD900s are right up there. I think they are better than the MS2i, and of course they are very comfortable as well, which many Grado lovers struggle with. They are also warmer than the Grado signature but not as warm/dark or laid back as most Sens. They have the wide sound stage (AKG, Beyerdynamic), again without the need for external amplification. Great fons, very under rated IMO.

Hi fraseyboy,

No lack of bass with the AD900s nice and punchy, as punchy as my MS2i(they do lack the lowest bass as my review mentions).

Mids certainly aren't recessed.

Build is as solid as a rock, no creaking here.

Pads don't make me itch, however I belive they are the same pads as the AD700, so I guess it would make no difference to you.

So, based on my experience, the AD900 does fix the flaws of the AD700 that you mention (except maybe the itchy pads).

Cheers
Kernmac

Hi zyxwvutsr,

Improvements in Headphones from one model to the next will always be subjective in regards to cost. Considering diminishing returns, only each individual can make the judgement about which is best value or worth the extra coin. Mind you if the AD700s do creak and they have recessed mids then my answer is yes, the AD900s are worth the extra. My point is not just that the AD900s are under rated/overlooked, I would say so are the AD700s. The MS1 and Sr60, HD555 etc get plenty of coverage but the Audio Technicas don't (I mean AD700 in this company), and I think Headfiers shouldn't overlook them, because based on the AD900 they are missing out big time.

Hi yepyep,

I'm not going to recommend a better source/amp, I'm not here to try and convince anyone of anything. For the record, I use a Sony DAP (quite a warm signature) and a porta Corda III, so not exactly a super source set up. And I agree with you, each headphone will have its own sound signature, and some will like it and some won't. You describe the AD900 as lacking bass impact and sounding thin and boring, it sounds like you are describing a different set of fons to my AD900. The AT AD900 easily matches my MS2i for bass impact. It lacks bass depth, and rumble, but there is plenty of punch.
Any way each to there own, otherwise we would all have the same set of fons.