I'd agree on that recessed mid-range assessment. Are not the T1 and HD 800s originators of the auricle-focused asymmetrical angled chamber, with all the attendant psycho-acoustic soundstage gimmicks that inspired subsequent TOTL HPs? ...DT 48s they are not. I'd like to point out that it's...

I auditioned the Arya as an upgrade to the Ananda & T1, but, just the same, I didn't bite. Likewise, I agree on ATH; I've purchased many after the Ananda. Also, the Ananda was another pad-swap candidate. When replaced with velours, the resolution issues 'resolved' and bandwidth flattened (the...

You can call A-T UK to ask for the driver, but they may likely ask for you to send it in for repair only. US A-T Parts has sold them in the past.

The Ananda is another hp I'd insist is in the same class. The review consensus is that the HD800 has the largest stage, but the Ananda is right there and more extensively images behind my head; it is the go-to for live concert realism in stage and tone for me. However, if the dude dropped the...

Looks amazing on paper, and DSD oversampling is the sauce for a natural sound in my current opinion. However, looks like a Japan-only release.

I am on a years-long journey trying to answer that one. beyerdynamic has complex pads with at least a couple deviations for foam type, foam thickness, material, and the pads are tuned with hole perforations in the inner vinyl ring. Dekoni is comfortable in velour, which I've tried on a Hifiman...

That active Kef should be noticeably more coherent than the Swan with that detail you have an ear for. As for the 800, it is every bit in the same class as a t1 or 5000--a side grade, as they say. With that said, you'd most likely love an 800 and not regret it at all.

I'm reporting in on a chain that's really singing for me: 1st revision HD 800 w/ Cardas Clear at the end of a Debut III with an OM5e amplfied by the Mani and a Class A, discrete zero feedback solid state. I have not tested without the leash, but I'd bet it doesn't matter much, nor do the...

IIRC i saw that comparison once on an East Asian website in reference to pad swapping (or it was the 990 because pads are identical). I cannot conjure that up, but I'll see what I've saved. The original has a least one silent revision. T1s are meant to be voiced with 100R output impedance, so...

A year ago I got a quote for those output transformers alone, and then it was $2295ea!

Yes, I'm referring to joint connecting the cups and the 3-D band support; the cups turn only by hand. So, on the W1000 the cups swivel freely and conform to the head. On the W5000 they can only be pre-adjusted by hand to the head and will rest whatever cockeyed way you adjust them. Which one is...

Question: the yoke's cup swivel joints on my w5000ex are stiff: only apposable, unlike those on my w1000 that move freely-- is everyone's like that? can that be adjusted? would be much easier on the ears if so...

I'm feeling much better vibes about the Sonova acquisition, now. I'd agree that new products are less important when the manufacturing in Ireland can be perfected (the HD 700 was a true stunner in build and material, already). The rise in quality and reliability would be better than new...

Update: Audio Technology Switzerland has released an updated Nagra headphone: a private-label Audeze LCD-XC. beyerdynamic continues to have nothing offered with Nagra standard certification. Ultimately, has Nagra or beyerdynamic lost credibility in the professional world? The planar technology...

Has anyone connected the Venus to an all-Ag system? It seems to beg for an 300B amp w/ 16R output with that low sensitivity.

To my understanding, the ATH-W2022 is not a flagship HP, but an ultimate material extravagance item with what's likely an A-T niche tuning. A-T has led the sticker-shock luxury market since 2003's ATH-L3000 Connelly Leather wrapper, after Sony gave up the spot. Sound-wise, if it gets near the...

You'd be looking for the uncommon L-5000 on the used market. Otherwise, the W5000 rolls off ~40Hz. If you are looking for emphasis on natural bass instruments, the W1000x may bloom for you: owners need to chime in. The AWAS appears to challenge the W5000 bandwidth, so I suggest experimenting...

From what I gather, all are midrange-centric. The Raffinato is quite flat in response; IIRC, either the original Leatherhead or the reboot is considered to have the most authoritative bass.

Now, that alone could get me to show up...

Incidentally, I use the Zen for the DSD oversampling since it performs quite agile at its max bitrate & does not get too grumpy being fed a live resampling from a file or stream. The T1 is controlled nicely out of the pentaconn with Power Match; great for the PC desk. Additionally, it's...

Do we know what composes the diaphragms on all or any of the W models? I assume all are transparent, except for the DLC coated AWAS. Early Audio-Technica was very proud of their materials, but I do not recall anything about the diaphragm material in the specs :thinking:

Here's a funny story: I just received my T1s- previously modded by an unknown hacker- placed them on my head backwards due to the said modification (reversing the tilt from L/R is not something I've ever heard of :triportsad:) and proceeded to spin Ravi Shankar- The Living Room Sessions Part 2...

The big brown Bluetooth monster has been announced: ATH-WB2022. Maybe, I'll forget about OFC8N, PCOCC, Ag and Class A amplifiers altogether? Also, it looks like the pads don't rest on top the ears anymore. If those batteries are serviceable, it could replace an entire system and has OFC USB...

An observation on the portable-like build: the cups appear to be of less material (more shallow, less circumference) and no mention of the DADS chamber, too (from the US site). However, you can't get much more analog than a birch tree wrapped in deerskin. Though, the cherry blossom side begs...

ATH-W2022 is revealed as promised... get ready for sticker shock & a throwback to those promo only show woodies