A bit about me. I am not a reviewer but just another fellow audiophile sharing my thoughts on gear. I always buy my gear and therefore there are no “favours”, affiliations or any other influence to my reviews. the sound I am looking after and like is on the warm side. Engineering is a series of compromises and as such I can live without x-ray detail but I can’t live without bottom end in my music. I like different headphones for different reasons. The ZMF Aeolus for their chocolate like feeling, the Audeze MX-4 for their visceral impact and the HD800S for their space and transparency with well recorded acoustic instruments.
So where the Audio Technica ATH-WP900 fits in? I was looking for a closed back, portable headphone that I can take with me anywhere. From commute to holidays. A headphone which will be easy to live with, efficient and with sound that will be enjoyable for long listening periods. Considering that sound quality being of course top priority for me, then we can discard all Bluetooth headphones. I haven’t found yet a half decent bluetooth headphone. Let me know if you have. Therefore, another requirement is that the headphones are wired with 4.4 balanced termination. I am using the Sony WM1A which is not popular for its power but paired with the right headphones and is a fantastic player. One you buy and keep for life.
To be honest I was never a fun of Audio Technica headphones. I found them all to be bright and piercing sounding headphones. So, when the ATH-WP900 came to the discussion I was sceptical to say the least. Took them for a trial and used them with my Sony and Astell and Kern Kann Alpha. In terms of power the Sony had no problem driving the headphones. The AnK going without saying since it is like a portable desktop amplifier. Plugged them in to my Sony using the stock 4.4 balanced cable. The cable is fine but a bit microphonic. played a number of songs from pop to jazz and from rock to country, Americana, metal, classical and the lists goes on.
This is a slightly V shape sounding headphone. The bass is there, full and extended. Is not Campfife cascade level of bass but is faster, articulate and more precise in comparison. The vocals are beautifully separated by the bass and there is no bleed whatsoever. The bass has very nice texture with decay. That gives the headphone substance and a nice characteristic when you want to take headphones outside. Regarding the highs is where things are very interesting. These are very clear headphones which will surprise non audiophiles. This is a good thing because are headphones that can bring more people to the hobby. Are clear, transparent but yet not fatiguing at all. That’s a first for Audio Technica. I just want to listen to music with these and when I start listening I just go from album to album and at the end that’s what matters the most. Even my girlfriend like the sound of these and that’s and achievement. So, all in all we have a very well made, beautiful, light, efficient headphone with great fit, enjoyable bass, textured minds and sparkled highs that will be a fantastic companion if you are looking for a closed back portable headphone. the only limitation I can see is that that the is not very open sounding or with a wide soundstage but then again are closed back and portable. I also purchased a separate case which I think should have been included instead of the pouch. As far as I am concerned these are the greatest headphones they’ve made in Audio Technica team and I don’t really know why there are no reviews out there.
let’s open up the discussion and share your experiences.
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Thanks for reading
AA
I have disassembled them and they were as detailed without the cups, he said they had sense of detail due to resonances with the titanium cups lol.
The headphone is detailed because it has a very good driver, significantly better than ad900x driver for example.
With my Setup they give a very good and special experience,the treble is awesome with my setup