ATH-A1000 or ATH-W1000 ?

[easypeasy]

I've seen very good comments about the A1000, how does this compare to the wooden W1000? These is only about 15% price difference between them. And the woodies sure look better...

Can I drive them with an iPod?

How are they amped/unamped?

Thank

 

[Franchot]

I own both. If you're using an iPod (which I don't own), go with the A1000s because the W1000s really need an amp to drive them well and make them sound good. (Yeah, they look nice, but...)

Are you going to be walking around outside with these headphones when you're using it with your iPod? Then, the W1000s are a no-no. The A1000s are rather big so you might reconsider on them, also. My Rio Karma can drive the A1000s and I get good sound out of them. Then again, an iPod isn't a Rio Karma

.

EDIT: Whoops. Just realized you asked about the A1000s and not the AD1000s which I own. Not really sure how well the iPod will drive the A1000s, but I'll let my response about the W1000s stand.

 

[gerG]

These are two veeeeery different headphones! The A1000 tends toward neutral and analytical, and the W1000 is more warm and fuzzy. Not to imply defficincies, that is just the way that they are tuned. Personally I liked the A1000, and could not stand the W1000.

Another factor was the finish. The W1000 are glossy laquer over gradient dark stain. To me they look like cheap furniture. The A1000 have a flat grey metallic finish, and a fragile pivot mechanism. Both are rather large.


gerG

 

[easypeasy]

Thanks! I think I'll tend towards the A1000's analytical slant. Warm and fuzzy is nice but not very good at decifering piano passages

Will I walk around with them? I'll see. Who cares what anyone else thinks. I cant hear anything else with the Etymotics on anyway