Audio-Technica ATH-AD2000 Discussion (and Appreciation) Thread! - Page 5

I've not heard the AD2000s, but you will find some very well reviewed threads if you search here. The reviews made me want the AD2000 very much so.

I've been immensely curious for the sound of the AD2000 ever since I got my AD900 some years ago. How will they compare? Sure, everything is better; I read that a lot. But how much better are we talking about? Because my AD900 is already a darn good headphone, especially for the price. What am I missing by not upgrading to the AD2000? Put into percentages, how far do you guys think the AD900 gets you when compared to what the AD2000 can do? Not that I'm thinking of upgrading right now, but as I said I'm immensely curious.

The AD2000 is not an evolution of the AD900. it's a totally different headphone. Whereas the AD900 had a large spacious sounstage, the AD2000 is much more in-your-face, much faster, and has more resolution. You might be disappointed if you're expecting a much improved AD900.

Quote:

Originally Posted by idletime1213 

The AD2000 is not an evolution of the AD900. it's a totally different headphone. Whereas the AD900 had a large spacious sounstage, the AD2000 is much more in-your-face, much faster, and has more resolution. You might be disappointed if you're expecting a much improved AD900.

Thanks idletime - this would seem to mirror the experience of those who migrated from the RS1 to the GS1K expecting a 'better RS1'. I'm not suggesting that the AD900 is on the same level as the RS1, just trying to draw a parallel.

Quote:

Originally Posted by estreeter 

Thanks for the impressions, matthewh33  - I guess the AD900 is more popular in Oz than in the US, where I'm told they are inexplicably scarce. Americans seem to go straight from the AD700 to one of the flagships cans.

and @ Bengt77

Everyone loved them at a recent meet I went to. If you love the typical Audio Technica sound of the AD900s. but want something a little more refined with better bass, the AD2000 is a great choice. It keeps that airy, detailed sound of the AD900 but refines it and adds more bass. The soundstage is smaller and more in-your-face, but IMO this is a good thing as the AD900 sometimes sound a bit artificial in that regard. That being said, the sound stage is still quite large compared to a lot of other cans I've listened to.

In terms of percentage of improvement, that's hard. Basically I loved the presentation of the AD900s, but I had an issue with the lack of bass.  The AD2000s gave me that extra refinement and bass that I want from a headphone I plan on keeping for a while.

I actually enjoy the tight bass on the AD900s, but then I am one of the few on this forum who enjoys the tight bass on the K501. Some here even complain that Grados are lacking in the bass department - might be a generational thing. Dont miss my DJ1s one bit :)

Maybe I won't get the AD2000 then, after all. For more bass and a slightly less airy sound I have my ATH-A900Ti. It's everything the AD900 is not when listening to dance-oriented music. The AD900 is for when I'm listening to mostly vocal and more 'natural' music.

How much bass do these have? My only experience with AT headphones are the AD700 and I sold those mostly due to lack of bass. I wouldn't call myself a bass head but I do want better quality than the AD700 and a bit more quantity. The sound stage was a bit too large and artificial so these might be close to what I would want.

As for the AD900 popularity I don't think they were really sold until recently. I saw them FS on amazon yesterday which was pretty surprising.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rawrster 

How much bass do these have? My only experience with AT headphones are the AD700 and I sold those mostly due to lack of bass. I wouldn't call myself a bass head but I do want better quality than the AD700 and a bit more quantity. The sound stage was a bit too large and artificial so these might be close to what I would want.

 

 

As for the AD900 popularity I don't think they were really sold until recently. I saw them FS on amazon yesterday which was pretty surprising.

The bass is much, much better. The AD700 and AD900 have rolled off bass, it's not at the level it should be. The AD2000s IMO have just the right amount of bass. It doesn't add it or roll it off. It's punchy, accurate and never flabby.

Aw crap, now I am getting interested in the AD2000 again. This sure is a slippery slope. And here I thought I was done for a long time. Well, except for maybe a nice combined DAC/amp soon, that is. Speaking of which. What combos work well with the Audio-Technica's AD-line? I'm quite liking the Matrix Mini-i. Is it a good pairing? I would want something that has the potential to take the ever so slight 'edge' off of the sound.

EDIT: I do think the AD900 has wonderful bass, by the way. I have never heard either the AD700 or the AD2000, so I can't compare the bass between the three. I can compare the bass of the AD900 with that of the A900Ti, though. It definitely has less punchy bass than the closed A900Ti, but the amount and especially the quality are not lacking in any way. They go deep (though not as deep as the A900Ti) and the bass is textured and detailed. If the AD2000's bass sounds even better, then that would be awesome.

I wouldn't expect to get good AD2000 bass from your current stuff. IMO and IME, you need a really good source 1st, then a lot of current and low output impedance amp.

Quote:

Originally Posted by atothex 

I wouldn't expect to get good AD2000 bass from your current stuff. IMO and IME, you need a really good source 1st, then a lot of current and low output impedance amp.

I'm not sure if you are speaking to me but as of right now my gear is towards transportable and on the go use so my gear isn't the greatest but that will change once I decide on some open headphones to get.

I was tempted to get the AD900 since they are only $200 shipped from Amazon which is much better than the $700 they have for the AD2000 but that's a bit overpriced. I see that the AD2000 are going for $100 less on Accessory Jack but are there any other places to buy them from? I'll have to do some research first however.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bengt77 

Aw fuck, now I am getting interested in the AD2000 again. This sure is a slippery slope. And here I thought I was done for a long time. Well, except for maybe a nice combined DAC/amp soon, that is. Speaking of which. What combos work well with the Audio-Technica's AD-line? I'm quite liking the Matrix Mini-i. Is it a good pairing? I would want something that has the potential to take the ever so slight 'edge' off of the sound.

 

EDIT: I do think the AD900 has wonderful bass, by the way. I have never heard either the AD700 or the AD2000, so I can't compare the bass between the three. I can compare the bass of the AD900 with that of the A900Ti, though. It definitely has less punchy bass than the closed A900Ti, but the amount and especially the quality are not lacking in any way. They go deep (though not as deep as the A900Ti) and the bass is textured and detailed. If the AD2000's bass sounds even better, then that would be awesome.

I currently have the Burson HA-160. I have on it's way to me (hopefully shoudl arrive today) both the AD2000 and the Audio-GD FUN. I will be able to tell you how the FUN goes with the AD2000 as a combo if you like. I am planning to use it solely as a DAC then the HA-160 to amp.

I tried the AD2000s again briefly with my iPod and Pico Slim in a store the other day, and I'm thinking of getting a pair now.  Previously I found them too mid-forward for my tastes, but having used Grados and the LCD-2s for a while, I'm more used to this.

I've said it before in another thread and I'll say it here again: no one has heard the AD2K until they've heard it on a Dynalo. No one.

I've had my AD2K a long time now (since June 2006) and have listened to it on countless amps over the years. IMO, there's only one low-cost amp for it worth buying - the Dynalo. No other amps really need apply.

Also, music with kettle drums, snare drum, or tom-toms (or other fast drums) tends to really show off the AD2K's capabilities. Three tracks in particular that I recommend for really hearing what the AD2K can do with drums: Megadeth's "Sweating Bullets" (the MFSL version), Helloween's "Where The Sinners Go", and Massive Attack's "Pray for Rain".

And to anyone who might complain about drums sounding too fast on the AD2K: would you prefer if the drums were purposefully slow? It's all about speed, man!