[8140david]

Hi AudioTechnica lovers!

How do the ATH A-900 and ATH W-1000 compare, soundwise?
I've searched the forum, but didn't find much about the ATH W-1000 (it appeared in one review), and no comparison with the A-900.
Is the ATH W-1000 more balanced?
I like music where vocals are important, folk, classical music, easy jazz, and less rock...

I read that the A-900 does not necessitate a dedicated amp (though benefits of it, of course).
What about the W-1000?
I am considering buying the W-1000 first, and an amp only in a second stage, moneywise...

Also, I saw the post of a W-5000 owner, who finds that sound leaks too much out of these closed cans. How does it compare to cans like the DT-880? If these (and other) closed cans leak, why not go open?

Thanks!

David

 

[Little J040]

I cant speak for the W1000's but i just bought a pair of A900's solely for the $$ difference.. I was contemplating the W1000s as well, but went with the cheaper route.

 

[slwiser]

Let me introduce something which may be controversial.

I have had the W1000 and the ATH-A900LTD and if you want to attempt to save a little money try out the ATH-EW9s. They lack the bass of the A900s but they have much of what I enjoy in the ATH house sound. They fit me very well. They are open clip-ons. You can find them around the internet for about 140$. I think the EW9 has enough bass though.

Just a suggestion. I now use the EW9s for my portable system with an Apple Shuffle and I love the combination. I am setting here using them instead of my W5000 system. I guess I am burning it in for the long run now.

I love the sound from them.

If you do get them get yourself a refurbished Shuffle for 30 dollars and see what I am talking about. You can see this combination here:

http://www6.head-fi.org/forums/showp...&postcount=222

I have also owned the DT880 and they are much more open (sound leakage) than any of these noted in this thread. Any headphone which has an open outside frame will leak more than anyothers. Note that the EW9 is closed but since it clips on it has much more leakage than either the A900 or W1000 but I have been using it in my cubicle farm at work.

 

[kin0kin]

If i had to choose between the W1000 and A900(ltd), I'd pick the W1000. They both have the AT flavour albeit slightly different. The W1000, imho, is more natural sounding....relatively speaking.

 

[warubozu]

I own both W1000 and A900, the W1000 sounded to my ears a little be more detailed than the A900s. The difference in the level detail between the two wasn't a night and day difference. The W1000's to me also has a slightly larger soundstage than the A900s. Vocals may not be a strong point for both cans (some find them to have recessed mids) but it does intruments quite well. The A900s has a bass with more slam than the W1000s. At times the W1000s can come off sounding thin and bright to my ears with certain types of music. The W1000 being light in the bass department doesn't help either.

To me the W1000's need an amp to sound good where as the A900's didn't need an amp. For the types of music you have listed, I recommend that you get the A900's over the W1000's and save a few bucks. For the price you pay for the W1000's, to my ears they didn't sound any better or more balanced than the A900's.

I also own a pair of A900LTD which has been discontinued. The A900LTD would be my choice over the A900 and W1000 as they sounded the most balanced to me. They have the soundstage and level of detail as the W1000 without it's brightness. They also have the bass as the A900 and sounded a bit warmer.

 

[8140david]

Thanks, folks!

I am looking for closed cans both to protect my girlfriend from unwanted sounds, and to protect me from her piano in the room next door on the week-end!

I will use these cans primarily with my regular ampli Cambridge 640Av2 and Cd-reader Cambridge 640Cv2, and secondarily with my Ipod or laptop (since not all my music is on CDs

). I can of course plug Ipod or laptop on my ampli Cambridge.
(Only in a second stage, perhaps, will I buy a dedicated amp.)

Will my Cambridge be enough to drive the W-1000 satisfactorily?

From what I read, and given my musical tastes, another option would be the Beyer DT-660, but the AT-900 seems to be better favored than it, no?

Any advice?

 

[W.T.]

Personally i have owned the w1000 and i A-B'ed the a900 with them. They both are weak bass and bright. Sound quality? Yes i would pick the w1000's. Would i spend the extra $$ on them? Looking back now - no. My suggestion?

Get the w100's not the w1000's. They are way better than the w1000's in all aspects and blows the a900s away. I never regretted getting my w100s

 

[warubozu]

Yes, another option would be to hunt down vintage AT woodies such as the W100's. All of the vintage AT woodies that I currently own including the W100's sounded better than the W1000 or A900. Only problem is that they are a little harder to find (being that all of them were discontinued a few years back) and in some cases can be quite expensive.

 

[8140david]

Thanks!
Only, I don't know where to get the W100.
For the A-900 or W-1000, they are sold by AudioCubes in Japan (and in English).
But where can I find the W100?
Precision: I leave in France...

 

[warubozu]

Keep your eyes on the FS forum as every once in a while a pair will appear in there.

 

[Little J040]

good luck finding W100s... people that have them keep them

. I wanted to get those as well, after people pointed me to that direction, but i figured id try out the A900s for now, maybe if some pop up in the F\S forum ill try to grab them

 

[slwiser]

The best option between those here that I have heard would be the ATH-A900LTD that has been modified with the Fitz modification that SE138 performed on his. This pushes the A900LTD past the W1000 in my book for sure.

 

[8140david]

And where can the ATH 900LTD be bought?

 

[warubozu]

As mentioned earlier, the because the A900LTD's were limited edition and now discontinued the FS forum would be the place. A pair had appeared there about a week ago.

 

[8140david]

Thanks!

What is the Fitz modification that SE138 performed on his?