I've owned nearly every piece of audio equipment imaginable and have begun to need a closed portable headphone as of late. I read some complimentary reviews of the ESW9 and picked these up on the off-chance that they would change my mind regarding closed supra-aural portable headphones, a sub-group that I have largely regarded as a clear underperformer. The most I could lose is 220 USD on an esteemed audio-technica product, right?
ATH-ESW9 sound fantastic right out of the box with an iphone, surpassing any other closed headphone I can think of in this price range. Quite frankly I think it competes with other open lovelies such as the RS1, AKG701, and DT880, with the added advantage of not requiring amplification.
I can't think of any shortcomings except perhaps for the discomfort issues which are sometimes associated with supra-aurals, obviously a personal problem.
I'm surprised I don't see more written about these headphones in the forums. Perhaps it's a by-product of purported fakes?
Matt
