[kurosaki123]

The specifications look almost exactly like the old A####X series, with minor weight and impedance adjustments, even the drivers details. etc. Hopefully they improve the drivers and not only refresh the 3D wing system to the r70x variant.

 

[Ra97oR]

Written specs bears nearly no relation to real world performance. Take it with a grain of salt.

 

[James Shoegazer]

Has anyone laid their hands on them yet? Anxiously awaiting reviews...

 

[doco]

so does this mean their air dynamic series has a chance of getting a refresh too?
 
also geebus @ those prices for the high end art headphones. i could buy a W1000z for a lower price than that!

 

[Michael T]

The A2000Z is an excellent phone, similar to the A2000X but it doesn't have the piercing treble of the A2000X. I just love the accuracy of this phone and while it stops on a dime, it doesn't draw you into the music like a woody. Not sure if that matters too much as you're sort of gob-smacked at it's ability. My only issue is the cost, here in Tokyo it's around 80,000 yen or USD $650. The older A2000X available for half the price. I will also say the A2000X feels lighter and the cups seem smaller than the A2000Z, no measurements just an impression. 

 

[Michael T]

  I hope I will get my hand on the new A2000Z to compare it with my a2000x next month, 
From the first look, i guess they change the pads on the a2000z, the pad on my a2000x already worn out after a year.
To be honest, i hope they won't change the a2000z the same way they did with the w1000z;to me the w1000z is kinda a big disappoinment.
From what we already have, I guess it will have the "/" shaped  XD. DADS structure was already out sine 2003 with the w5000 so most likely will lack the punch, and the quantity in bass. The pepemendur driver with the metal cup will have the good old sparkly treble of the old a2000x,w5000.
The thing I wonder about is their mid-range will they have old "traditional" ATH midrange( to keanex i freaking love the ad2000) or the new "dry and neutral" of the w1000z,r70x...  or may be it will just be the same "thin and bright" midrange of w5000 and a2000x.
 
Just my $0.02 but i will most likely buy it unless it's a big disappoinment like the w1000z

Yeah I agree the W1000Z just doesn't sound right, it lacks the sweet mid range of the W1000.
 
Would love to get my hands on a W1000X, if you have any thoughts it would be appreciated. 

 

[James Shoegazer]

The A2000Z is an excellent phone, similar to the A2000X but it doesn't have the piercing treble of the A2000X. I just love the accuracy of this phone and while it stops on a dime, it doesn't draw you into the music like a woody. Not sure if that matters too much as you're sort of gob-smacked at it's ability. My only issue is the cost, here in Tokyo it's around 80,000 yen or USD $650. The older A2000X available for half the price. I will also say the A2000X feels lighter and the cups seem smaller than the A2000Z, no measurements just an impression. 

Does the 2000z share the same neutrality and clarity with the 2000x or does it sound more refined?
I personally don't think that staggering price tag is justifiable since the 2000x can
be found dirt cheap http://page19.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/x427063058

 

[keanex]

Does the 2000z share the same neutrality and clarity with the 2000x or does it sound more refined?
I personally don't think that staggering price tag is justifiable since the 2000x can
be found dirt cheap http://page19.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/x427063058

Wow. According to Bing, that's $120. 

 

[Michael T]

Does the 2000z share the same neutrality and clarity with the 2000x or does it sound more refined?
I personally don't think that staggering price tag is justifiable since the 2000x can
be found dirt cheap http://page19.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/x427063058

 
I went for another listening session with both headphones, the A2000z is more neutral and refined though probably concedes to the A2000x in clarity. 

 

[James Shoegazer]

I went for another listening session with both headphones, the A2000z is more neutral and refined though probably concedes to the A2000x in clarity. 

That's good news then.
What do you think of the bass?
Are the mids less forward than 2000x?
Thanks.

 

[crossfire]

Any more impressions or comparisons with the A2000z? Thinking of grabbing a pair but after reading reviews and impressions on the A2000x, I hope they fixed most of the issues people were having with the 2000x.

 

[abuchino]

 
Yeah I agree the W1000Z just doesn't sound right, it lacks the sweet mid range of the W1000.
 
Would love to get my hands on a W1000X, if you have any thoughts it would be appreciated. 

 
Welp it has been non ath-fan favorite ath cans so far. The fact that it is considered the "first" w,a,ad that sound "Dark" compared to the others and their mids are just too dry. Tbh i can't stand listening to w1000z for 50s 

  Shouldn't the w1000x be around tokyo are about 40000yen iirc, i think the problem with w1000x are they miss the whistle and breathiness high mids of W1000, which made a little bit off for me.
  I'm still making up my minds whether to get a new w5000 ( i bet they will refresh it next year ) or a2000z both at 80k yen 

 

P/s if you are having problem with the forward mids of the a2000x, using some velour pad or a thicker pad (like hifiman old pad or brainwavz)  they will sound a little bit distant and bassier 

 

[erics75]

as a proud owner of the ath a900x, it's definitely a mid-centric headphone. that's why I love it so...

 

[erics75]

Come on AT! Put some detachable cables on these already!

 

[James Shoegazer]

I'll just translate what I understand from this Chinese website on the impressions of A2000Z:
 
Soundstage of the A2000Z is wide, vertical soundstage is narrow, vocals placement is near, beside the ears.
Soundstage is "traditional" and does not perform well in conveying the naturalness and intricacy of larger ensembles, however for a flagship product, instrument placement and separation isn't an issue.To date, the analytical capabilities of the A2000Z is the best Audio Technica has ever achieved. It has very high quality thus I speculate it is the result of the newer production units. 
 
The A2000Z is not as warm as the W3000 & A900XLTD but colder, with clarity outshining its performance. It does not have the piercing highs and messier details of the A2000X. Very good treble extension, smooth and transparent, without sibilance. Compared to the W1000Z, the highs are more extended and concentrated. IMO it performs best in midrange. Simply put, it has thickness and concentration. Vocals on the A2000Z is bright and highly concentrated, not flavorful like the AD2000X but has qualities more similar to AD1000. Bass quantity is light, non intrusive, deep and tight. It can be said that its bass quantity sounds balanced out like its predecessor.
 
Overall it performs excellently on Japanese female vocals and smaller ensembles. The A2000z is a classic piece of Japanese headphone, smooth and elegant, not energetic like the Sennheisers, colored like the Beyerdynamics.