[GU1DO]

Bass response on both AWKT & ADX5000 is the same. Right in the middle. Definitely not forward, but it's there when you need it. It certainly can hit hard enough when called for in the music. It should satisfy most people on both sides of the fence.

The AWKT is tuned similar to the ADX5000, but brighter and ever so slightly harsher in the treble. Over over a couple of weeks having these side by side my pick is definitely the ADX5000. I have the opportunity now of a ex demo AH5050H to see just what they are capable of over and above the Hugo 2?

interesting , i though the the AWKT would have more bass and smother treble ,, thanks for your input and feedback.

 

[Steve160k]

I had both the AWKT Kokutan & ADX5000 for two weeks on home demo. I gave a brief rundown without technical jargon a few pages back on the comparison. Bass response is the same on both headphones. Smoother treble definetly is with the ADX5000, without a doubt. Smooth is the key word for the ADX5000, with TOTL transparency. You can listen to these for hours and forget you have them on. In my opinion they are a level above the AWKT in most respects. You really have to listen to both for yourself if at all possible to decide as YMMV.

 

[pataburd]

Ordered the Brainwaves XL sheepskin replacement pads to try with the ADX5000.
Amazon sent the XL faux leather perforated ones instead. They are oversized, as you can see with the overhang around the edge.
Will note, too, that I am now running the headphones balanced, and driving them with the ecp DSHA-3F [ss] amplifier.
Overall, a more liquid and integrated/coherent presentation, a sweeter tonality, an enhanced sense of scale [everything sounds bigger], and maybe a tiny bit of bass emphasis [but without loss of definition].
[Earpad effect is confounded with balanced cable and amplifier effects.]
This is the best they have sounded so far.

Smooth . . . yes . . . and sublime! A worthy dynamic compliment/counterpart to the Utopia

 

[pataburd]

The [$1999] ATH-ADX5000 give the [$3999] Focal Utopia a SERIOUS run for the money.
Am preferring the Audio-Technica for vocals, which sound more open, transparent and natural with the ADX5000.
A significantly more expansive soundstage doesn't hurt, either! : )

 

[adeadcrab]

I haven't tried it but I want to believe that the La Figaro 339 would work well

I am thinking seriously about the AD-X5000 + LF339i combo.

 

[pataburd]

Am expecting the ecp [design]/Beezar [build] Audio T4 [tube hybrid] amplifier to arrive sometime next week. Am looking forward to pairing this amp with the ADX5000.

 

[pataburd]

Am enjoying the ADX5000 with a heavily upgraded [by Fitz] Bada PH-12 hybrid amplifier [3x 6SN7 input: 1x Hytron 6SN7GTB + 2x Sylvania 6SN7GTB--> Toshiba 2SK1529 MOS-FET output]. The Brainwavz round XL sheepskin earpads have arrived, but the perforated faux leather will stay on this evening.

 

[pataburd]

FYI, I preferred the ecp DSHA-3F over the Beezar T4 for getting the best from the ADX5000.

 

[Nettlesomeness]

You are right.
ADX5000 was cheapest in Indonesia followed by Singapore in Jan'19.
I got my unit from Zeppelin Singapore and it was priced almost same as hd800s.
I preferred the signature/comfort/fit of adx5k over every other dynamic paired with hpa4/tube amp.

Is that pricing still the same or am I too late?

 

[pataburd]

The cheapest I see them stateside is at Crutchfield, Moon Audio, Guitar Center, etc. for $1999 list.

 

[Nettlesomeness]

The cheapest I see them stateside is at Crutchfield, Moon Audio, Guitar Center, etc. for $1999 list.

Yep that's true, even when drop released it people were complaining about the pricing which is around 1$ cheaper but including balanced cable.

 

[pataburd]

The balanced cable was a worthwhile "extra" to come with the DROP deal.

 

[ToTo Man]

I had the A-T balanced cable on demo but didn't like it from a practical perspective. It sounded fine but the main section of cable is far too thick and heavy IMO and you therefore need to be very careful with its placement to avoid it tugging at the ear cups for example when you stand up. I also found it very microphonic, same as the single-ended cable. I much prefer headphone cables with rubber/neoprene jackets as they don't 'rustle' when you touch them.

I ended up having an aftermarket balanced cable made by Periapt. The A2DC connectors I ordered from China work ok but don't 'snap' into place quite as nicely as the A-T ones. I'm not convinced my aftermarket balanced cable sounds any better than the A-T single-ended cable, however I can't be bothered swapping between them for extensive A/B tests (I also don't want to risk damaging the sockets on a $2k headphone!)

 

[adeadcrab]

Dreaming of the ADX5000 + the La Figaro 339i tube amp - tube amp makes my Elex sound slightly muddy, I imagine the ADX5000 is the perfect headphone for tube....

 

[gooeyrich]

https://www.headphones.com/blogs/news/audio-technica-adx5000-review