[TontonJoK]

The foam ring is around the inside of the hifiman leather pad

 

[Makiah S]

I'd say the 900X is the better all-rounder, while the W1000X is more restrained in terms of genres...
I'd probably pick the 900X for classical.

Another thing to consider is that the W1000X was significantly more comfortable because the wing system was more firm and tighter... But YMMV.
At 150-200$ the 900X is a good bargain, at 400-500$ the W1000X is not terribly bad but you pay a lot for the cosmetics and the sound is different, not necessarily better IMO.

not sure what the prices now but I paid about 330 for my w 1000 X stock used

and 4 300 it is one of my favorites and I think a lot of the give you 1000 X owners sell their can so quickly because they wanted to upgrade

additionally I'm not finding a whole lot out about what an upgrade could be some see the alpha dog as a side grade 2 a modded W 1000 X

some like dr. Cosmo feel the LCD Xc is to shouty

others have tried the w5000 and just didn't like it as much

so I've had mine fully balanced now and I intend to keep them until I can find a suitable upgrade... but it should be mentioned at the w 1000 X is a little picky with its source and amp I love mine with my HM 801 n pb2 but not a big fan of it with my audio Gd... so ymmv

 

[Retrias]

The foam ring is around the inside of the hifiman leather pad

thanks i will try it again , the stock pad is aweful

 

[SunTanScanMan]

Currently using the hifhiman velours. More comfortable than the original pads, but it can get itchy after some prolonged use. Tempted to try out the pleather version. 

 

[Bill-P]

not sure what the prices now but I paid about 330 for my w 1000 X stock used

and 4 300 it is one of my favorites and I think a lot of the give you 1000 X owners sell their can so quickly because they wanted to upgrade

additionally I'm not finding a whole lot out about what an upgrade could be some see the alpha dog as a side grade 2 a modded W 1000 X

some like dr. Cosmo feel the LCD Xc is to shouty

others have tried the w5000 and just didn't like it as much

so I've had mine fully balanced now and I intend to keep them until I can find a suitable upgrade... but it should be mentioned at the w 1000 X is a little picky with its source and amp I love mine with my HM 801 n pb2 but not a big fan of it with my audio Gd... so ymmv

 
The original non-X W1000 is a definite upgrade.
 
As for how much of an upgrade it is... I guess it depends on how far you are willing to mod it. Mwahahaha!
 
I don't want to sound conceited so I'm holding back from making comparisons, but the W1000 non-X with the right modifications and right amp sounds very very nice. I was right to choose it as my end-game.

 

[Makiah S]

   
The original non-X W1000 is a definite upgrade.
 
As for how much of an upgrade it is... I guess it depends on how far you are willing to mod it. Mwahahaha!
 
I don't want to sound conceited so I'm holding back from making comparisons, but the W1000 non-X with the right modifications and right amp sounds very very nice. I was right to choose it as my end-game.

Now you just need to Find a Non X w1000 and then pay you god knows how much to mod it >.>
 
still I doubt even your Modded W1000 can touch the HE 4 out of my AUdio GD nfb10ES2 :3
 
but for a portable end game headphone >.> I'm hoping I can find something better than the D2k and W1000x that I own now! Still wanting to hear an LCD XC :/ or JVC DX 1000 or Modded D7000... a nice hand ful of Wood back upgrades.... I just wonder which I'll end up with! [I have my doubts about the TH900 having the mids I want] 

 

[SunTanScanMan]

Any you guys know anywhere that might be selling L3000 earpads still? Or have I missed the boat by a longshot? I thought I saw audiocubes site selling it about a month or two ago, but no more it seems...

 

[Bill-P]

Haha, you would be surprised. I tell ya, those who heard it were quite surprised.

To me, it can easily outpace both the stock W1000 (non-X) and the W3000ANV in clarity and soundstaging. Especially soundstaging.

It really makes me wonder why Audio Technica didn't tune it that way to begin with.

I really don't want to make comparisons to other headphones, but if you would like an idea, there was a HD800 + Zana Deux setup at the meet...

 

[Fearless1]

 
 
still I doubt even your Modded W1000 can touch the HE 4 out of my AUdio GD nfb10ES2 :3
 

Apples to oranges, open planar to a dynamic closed. 

 

[Makiah S]

hifiman implimented jergs ePad mods into their newest line up. there I dont c why Audio Technica doesnt impliment our local modders ideas... Ath needs to step it up

 

[walfredo]

So... I don't think that the original W1000 stock is an upgrade to the W1000X stock.
 
But I did have the pleasure to listen to Bill-P's modded W1000 and it is indeed amazing.  I do wonder, however, how a W1000X modded in the same way would sound like... 
 
So, I'll share the simple part of Bill-P's mod.  I thought me at the mini-meet.  I tried on my W1000X and was awesome!
 
Just hold the wires with both hand and open up the headphone.  In the end, your W1000X will look like:
 

 
(Notice how far apart the cups are.)
 
This opens up the sound stage big time.  It also adds clarity and make wearing the 'phones more comfortable.
 
But, beware!!  This does not appear to be reversible!!  It is not clear either that it will work for all head sizes.  (FWIW, I have a large head.)
 
Love,
Walfredo

 

[Makiah S]

  So... I don't think that the original W1000 stock is an upgrade to the W1000X stock.
 
But I did have the pleasure to listen to Bill-P's modded W1000 and it is indeed amazing.  I do wonder, however, how a W1000X modded in the same way would sound like... 
 
So, I'll share the simple part of Bill-P's mod.  I thought me at the mini-meet.  I tried on my W1000X and was awesome!
 
Just hold the wires with both hand and open up the headphone.  In the end, your W1000X will look like:
 

 
(Notice how far apart the cups are.)
 
This opens up the sound stage big time.  It also adds clarity and make wearing the 'phones more comfortable.
 
But, beware!!  This does not appear to be reversible!!  It is not clear either that it will work for all head sizes.  (FWIW, I have a large head.)
 
Love,
Walfredo

WHOAAAAA
 
That was the issue I had with the orignal W1000x, it was too big and didn't grip my head very well! It slid around to much so I warped mine the other Direction, none the less, I did Purrins mods with mine and I very much enjoy! I just had her equipped with a balanced cable too
 
but honestly I'm happy with how my w1000x sounds, I like the bass response [minus the sub bass roll off] as well as the mids and highs!  Best of all Its got a fast signiture to it [at least mine doesn, seeing as I killed a good bit of the decay] and when paired with the hm801 it's pretty glorious! lets hope though it does metal as good as teh D2k is right now >.> 

 

[Bill-P]

You can bend the headband back to achieve a tighter clamp, so it is reversible. Just... harder to bend it back that way than to "uncompress" it.
 
My modded W1000X was nice as well, but I don't think it ever got as nice as the W1000.
 
The thing is... Audio Technica drivers have always been tuned to have more bass slam rather than bass rumble, so you really can't expect much there.
 
If you wanted more sub-bass, Beyerdynamic drivers or Fostex would do a better job. On that note, though... my modded DT770 would probably be the headphone that you're looking for if you like the W1000X.
 
It's too bad I broke the drivers and thus couldn't let you listen to it at the meet.
 
Bass response is far more linear with Beyerdynamic drivers, and when I cleaned up the resonance and decay without taking away the actual impact or sound signature? It was... sublime.
 
I won't use words like "visceral impact" or anything of the sort, but just so you have an idea: it was the only headphone in my inventory that could please... everyone who put it on. There was not a single soul who listened to that DT770 who didn't like it. It didn't matter what music they put it through, it simply took everything.
 
Ah well, maybe next time. I'll probably purchase another pair to bring back to Vietnam and use it as reference to design an amplifier. When I get back in the States, I'll try to pull together another mini meet, and you'll probably get a chance to listen to it then.
 
Only reason why that DT770 isn't my end-game is because... I still want to do more work to it, to make it look better, and sound even better. But prior to me breaking the drivers, it was still one level above my W1000, and walfredo can probably attest to how nice my W1000 sounds.
 

 

[Makiah S]

  You can bend the headband back to achieve a tighter clamp, so it is reversible. Just... harder to bend it back that way than to "uncompress" it.
 
My modded W1000X was nice as well, but I don't think it ever got as nice as the W1000.
 
The thing is... Audio Technica drivers have always been tuned to have more bass slam rather than bass rumble, so you really can't expect much there.
 
If you wanted more sub-bass, Beyerdynamic drivers or Fostex would do a better job. On that note, though... my modded DT770 would probably be the headphone that you're looking for if you like the W1000X.
 
It's too bad I broke the drivers and thus couldn't let you listen to it at the meet.
 
Bass response is far more linear with Beyerdynamic drivers, and when I cleaned up the resonance and decay without taking away the actual impact or sound signature? It was... sublime.
 
I won't use words like "visceral impact" or anything of the sort, but just so you have an idea: it was the only headphone in my inventory that could please... everyone who put it on. There was not a single soul who listened to that DT770 who didn't like it. It didn't matter what music they put it through, it simply took everything.
 
Ah well, maybe next time. I'll probably purchase another pair to bring back to Vietnam and use it as reference to design an amplifier. When I get back in the States, I'll try to pull together another mini meet, and you'll probably get a chance to listen to it then.
 
Only reason why that DT770 isn't my end-game is because... I still want to do more work to it, to make it look better, and sound even better. But prior to me breaking the drivers, it was still one level above my W1000, and walfredo can probably attest to how nice my W1000 sounds.
 

Seriously you pyschotic nut job... SELL THOSE THINGS. If your DT 770 was as EPIC as you say it is I wonder if you could sell it like Dan does the Mr Speakers headphones? Either way BRING THESE AMAZING HEADPHONES to the public
 
On the note of OMG SUB BASS, my D2k [heaviliy modded at this point] is pretty stankin epic! I just wish it had the Mids of the W1000x then It'd be perfect :/ but alas it doesnt... I haven't found anything that quiete has the W1000xs Sound Signiture and unique sound stage 

 

[karmanfamily]

In the closed back section in the W1000X price range, there is NONE that are as easy to listen to for a very long time as the W1000X.
I tried the 3 Denons (D2000, 5000 and 7000, modded and stock) and the bass got real tiring after half hour. The AKG K550 that I love lack the emotion, it sounds too clean. The modded and now closed back HD650 are good, but they sound claustrophobic. For a little while I had the W5000 and they are good, but not worth the extra $, they aren't THAT much better (if at all).
Comparing an open back to a closed back is like comparing an orange with an egg. Both food, but 2 completely different worlds.