Advice Please: ATH-W1000X ($399) vs. HE-400 ($399)

[YEGGBOT]

I realize you don't want to support it, but if the search engines don't pick up the site's name, more people like me may blunder into a group buy.
 
For example, I live rather remotely, and did not even know what a "group buy" was before I saw that unmentionable site's sale. I read the site's explanation of the sale, and it seemed legit. Made sense. Mshenay said make sure you get a warranty, and three different employees at that site were eager to back up their products by matching the manufacturer's warranty. Again seemed legit.
 
Didn't even think they could be counterfeit. If I would have read people's personal encounters with that site in these forums, I would have thought differently. They are not mentioned on the Audio Technica's list of unauthorized vendors (sites Audio Technica specifically advises that you do not purchase from) so I went ahead with the buy. Now only hoping it was not a mistake.
 
Still, if you were serious about curbing this kind of thing, why not a buyer's beware section where people can gripe about specific transactions from specific sites?

 

[manbear]

  I realize you don't want to support it, but if the search engines don't pick up the site's name, more people like me may blunder into a group buy.
 
For example, I live rather remotely, and did not even know what a "group buy" was before I saw that unmentionable site's sale. I read the site's explanation of the sale, and it seemed legit. Made sense. Mshenay said make sure you get a warranty, and three different employees at that site were eager to back up their products by matching the manufacturer's warranty. Again seemed legit.
 
Didn't even think they could be counterfeit. If I would have read people's personal encounters with that site in these forums, I would have thought differently. They are not mentioned on the Audio Technica's list of unauthorized vendors (sites Audio Technica specifically advises that you do not purchase from) so I went ahead with the buy. No only hoping it was not a mistake.
 
Still, if you were serious about curbing this kind of thing, why not a buyer's beware section where people can gripe about specific transactions from specific sites?

There is a page in the FAQ section that explains why group buys aren't supported, but they don't mention particular sites. I wouldn't worry too much though. Obviously buyer beware and all that, but "not authorized" doesn't mean "guaranteed counterfeit." It could maybe mean B-stock passed off as A-stock. Or it could mean A-stock with no factory warranty. Who knows. Just have a good look at the headphones when you get them and compare them to pictures online. An expensive, niche headphone with nice wood cups doesn't seem like the best target for counterfeiters, but anything is possible. 

 

[Rayvolution]

Razor Dog Audio has the HE-400's for $299

 

[YEGGBOT]

lol, this has already ruined these headphones for me. I'm going to put them on and they're going to sound fake. Too neurotic I guess. Should have went with Razor Dog, not the site-that-shall-not-be-named.

 

[YEGGBOT]

Audio Technica's service rep says "We do not show [site name deleted] as an authorized Audio Technica dealer and we are not selling the ATH-W1000X through [site name deleted] as a promotion."
 
I guess this would be good evidence to not use the site-that-shall-not-be-named.

 

[YEGGBOT]

Thanks for everyone's response and for the heads up regarding group buys, and sorry for being such an oaf about the whole thing.
 
I doubt the purchase would have been counterfeit, but without the origins of the headphones unavailable, I'm not willing to take the risk.
 
Thanks everybody, I'm going to go weep in the shower  =(
 
P.S. Razor Dog's rebate doesn't apply to Hifiman  =(

 

[Rayvolution]

   
P.S. Razor Dog's rebate doesn't apply to Hifiman  =(

Oh I assumed it did to all purchases. I wasn't aware there were exceptions. Good to know. Sorry for your misfortune though

 

[Makiah S]

  Thanks for everyone's response and for the heads up regarding group buys, and sorry for being such an oaf about the whole thing.
 
I doubt the purchase would have been counterfeit, but without the origins of the headphones unavailable, I'm not willing to take the risk.
 
Thanks everybody, I'm going to go weep in the shower  =(
 
P.S. Razor Dog's rebate doesn't apply to Hifiman  =(

Still a chance you might get the real thing. Some one might have a ton of refurbished they as passing off as New...
 
either way you never know,
 
And I think we are allowed to discourge ppl from buying. As in, if Jack says I'm GOING TO GET A HEADPHONE from *BLANK* we can tell him Oh JACK *BLANK* is banned from head fi, click here and find out why! 
 
That might have been the best way to go about this, sadly though your not alone... a few ppl on the W1000x Fan Thread seemed to have also stumbled upon the *blank* as well and are getting some w1000x from said site... let's hope they are real 

 

[manbear]

If you paid with a credit card, you can always get them with a chargeback if you're not satisfied and they won't take a return. 

 

[PanamaHat]

Just want to chime in about (selfedit). I've ordered several headphones (Beyer COP & Fidelio X1) from them and even an amp (Matrix m-stage). None of what I bought was b-stock; everything was brand new with seals intact. Given my past success and satisfaction with them I put down for the w1000x. OP, not sure if you bought or not, but if you did there's no need to stress imo.

 

[Makiah S]

  Just want to chime in about (selfedit). I've ordered several headphones (Beyer COP & Fidelio X1) from them and even an amp (Matrix m-stage). None of what I bought was b-stock; everything was brand new with seals intact. Given my past success and satisfaction with them I put down for the w1000x. OP, not sure if you bought or not, but if you did there's no need to stress imo.

True and Panma is an old member her how ever, in the future do NOT BUY from group buy sites! There are risks invovled and Head Fi and it's members are not allowed to have any part of said group buy dealings! 
 
Also inb4currashutsdownthethread <3 
 

 

[PanamaHat]

Msheney you just made me realize it's been two years since my join date haha

&ya lol. Please don't ban mee >.<

 

[Makiah S]

Msheney you just made me realize it's been two years since my join date haha

&ya lol. Please don't ban mee >.<

yea... and I'm... almost to 2 years my self! Thanks for makeing me feel old too <.< 

 

[mvrk10256]

   
 
First Question: I've heard the HE-400 build quality is poor, and since I live in the middle of nowhere I want a pair of headphones that will last a long time. HE-400s are made in China. ATH-W1000X Japan. Any durability issues with either phone?
 
I have owned the 400 and audiotioned the W1000 - The HE400 is solid. The quality it completely on point with price and rivals the my experiance with VMODA and Beyer. I wont say the ATH are worse since I only auditioned them, but they certainly are not better. However these are luxury items. If you play on say white water rafting in them its a bad idea. The thing is to get the most out of the HE-400 you need a quite place as they do not isolate very well, so you probably not doing anything crazy anyway. 
 
The last time I was in civilization, I listened to some mid-grade Grados (RS-2i, RS-1i), and absolutely hated them. They sounded all congested and nasty. Since the ATH-W1000X is also a "woodie" will it too sound congested and nasty?
 
Grado's are grados. I share you opinion in that they suck. Neither headphone here sounds like them. Even remotely. 
 
I've heard of the AT house mids, but I'm hoping they will compliment the details, not bury them alive. I hear it works well for classical/acoustic/vocals--and I love all of those things--fingers squeaking over guitar strings, breathy, female vocals, a fiddler running wild--Yes!
 
But how complicated a sound can the ATH-W1000X handle? For example, would a band like Vampire Weekend be too layered, and come out muddled? If there's an orgy of vocals/keyboards/guitars/strings, are we in the land of the planar-magnetic?
 
when it comes to detail and clarity I would say the 400s win. However they are darker if you want true clarity look into the various T50RP variants. 
 
The source (at least for the near future) will be an Asus Xonar Essence STX. I don't have tube amp yet, but I'll be looking forward to one eventually. Seems like the ATH-1000X would be easier to drive than the HE-400, though I've heard someone comment that the HE-400 wasn't all that bad coming straight from the STX.
 
I'm imagining the ATH-1000X will add some warmth to the otherwise neutral STX sound? Has anyone listened to either straight from the STX? I also have a Cowon X9 and I'm hoping it would have enough juice for the ATH-1000X, if not the HE-400.
 
the HE-400s do not sound good with a tube amp unless its a low impedance affair (think Lyr not Bottlehead Crack). I prefered them off my Matrix or other solid stage amps. They are however very sensitive and can be driven ok by a basic ipod or sansa. 
 
The last thing is the closed vs open nature. Back when I was in civilization, I also heard a Sennheiser HD 600, and thought it was far more tolerable than those Grados. Is this just because one was open and one was closed? Is the Grado sound truly quarantined to the Grado brand, or do all closed headphones have the same disease?
 
Despite my love of acoustical music (think Iron & Wine), female vocals (Feist), and listening to music without disturbing my wife, I would almost go with the HE-400 if it saves me from that dreaded Grado-itis.
The HE-400s are like speakers. anyone in the room with you will be listening to music with you. Open vs closed is a long debate, but you need to understand one thing. Grado's sound like grados. they are one of the most unique sound signatures out there. 
 
Thanks for reading. Any and all advice welcome!
 
 
I have to make up my mind in the next 3 days.
 
Finally if you decide on the hifiman speak to Bryan at Razordog. His customer service is above and beyond. 

 
 
hope this helps. 

 

[Makiah S]

   
 
hope this helps. 

A little late w1000x has been purchased already :3 thanks though