3 New Audio-Technica Phones, including a Baby Metal W2002
Oct 15, 2002 at 9:21 PM Thread Starter Post #1 of 19

j-curve

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Three new A-T "ART Monitor" phones are due for release next week - the ATH-A500, A700 and A900:-
a500.jpg

a700.jpg

a900.jpg


Interestingly, all three feature the D.A.D.S. (Double Air Damping System) which was developed for the W2002. This consists of a ported chamber within a sealed enclosure.

Despite appearances, the "super metallic lacquered" A700 is probably plastic, weighing 290 grams as does the A500. The A900 features a "high strength aluminium housing" and weighs in at 350g.

The A500 and A700 are 64 ohm CCAW voice coil units. According to the specs, the A700 should have a touch more sensitivity (102dB/mW vs. 100) and high end (5-35kHz vs. 5-30k) than the A500. The A900 is 40 ohms with a bobbin-wrapped OFC voice coil (101dB/mW, 5-40kHz).

All feature a 3-metre cloth sheathed OFC cable and share identical earpads.

a700_kouzou.gif

As you can see, A-T's new 3D-style technical drawings aren't as easy to analyse as the older ones but based on these and the specifications I'm calling the drive units as follows:-
A500: Type C (19mm voice coil), possibly identical to the AD5
A700: Type C (19mm voice coil), possibly identical to the AD9
A900: Type A (25mm voice coil), same type as the W2002, A100Ti and AD10

Hmmm, looks like A900 is to W2002 as MDR-CD3000 is to...
smily_headphones1.gif


Pricing is open but one website was suggesting 10,000, 15,000 and 20,000 yen for the trio. Sounds too good to be true, but long overdue! Anyway I'll post some hard numbers later.

Expect a new woody in the near future too.
 
Oct 16, 2002 at 12:06 AM Post #3 of 19
Heyyyyyy... No more buns!

Those look much more squared off.

I'll bite once Audiocubes gets them.
 
Oct 16, 2002 at 1:04 AM Post #4 of 19
Wow! I'd be most interested in the "baby W2002," although I would guess that they nonetheless sound very different, the W2002 and the metal look-alike that is. Next question . . . price?
 
Oct 16, 2002 at 1:57 AM Post #5 of 19
Nice find, can't wait for people to start reviewing them!
 
Oct 16, 2002 at 2:02 AM Post #6 of 19
I have a feeling this thread already induced a couple of new woodies.

I'm disappointed that the black model is the lowest model. Ah well.
 
Oct 16, 2002 at 2:46 AM Post #7 of 19
First, Thanks so much im looking for new headphones right now (probably etys) but these look too good to really pass up. What is the equivalent cost USD? and when are they supposed to come out?
 
Oct 16, 2002 at 4:35 AM Post #9 of 19
Cost in USD according to XE.com's Univeral Currency Converter:
10,000 Yen = $80.19
15,000 Yen = $120.28
20,000 Yen = $160.37

This is cool, more mid-low range headphones to choose from are always nice...and they dont break my wallet!
 
Oct 16, 2002 at 8:17 AM Post #11 of 19
Quote:

Originally posted by j-curve
Expect a new woody in the near future too.


The three new ART monitors look great. Thanks, j-curve! This is the Japanese AT site with some more information about them. j-curve, do you have any inside information about new wooden models? It looks like their next wood headphone would have the DADS enclosure design as well. Do you know anything about this?
 
Oct 16, 2002 at 2:02 PM Post #12 of 19
I knew I shouldn't have put those prices in. ian, XE.com's Univeral Currency Converter obviously doesn't add the international headphone extortion factor (which works in both directions). Pain and misery may result from those kinds of direct currency conversions.

Tomcat, I have no inside info, but if we're taking bets on the next woody I'd put my money on a revamped W11 or a W12 without DADS, ie: an upmarket W100. Would be nice if they stuck a mini plug on a wooden phone but I guess that's never going to happen.
 
Oct 16, 2002 at 7:51 PM Post #13 of 19
Quote:

Originally posted by andrzejpw
Very nice find! So, who's going to bite?


I'll bite...(looks over at his lawyer/wallet...covers microphone...has small private discussion...) I'm sorry, what was the question again? I'm afraid my lawyer/wallet has recommended that I refrain from answering that question...
 

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