ATH-A900 VS ATH-W1000

[El Condor]

Hello guys,

I'm looking at the Audio-Technica stuff and I'm wondering what the big difference (other than price) is between the A900 and the W1000. I'm sure somebody knows on the forum. I love the sound of my RS-1s

, but I was thinking of getting a pair of closed cans since I'll be traveling to Europe for work in a few and my RS-1s certainly won't do

.

 

[El Condor]

bump

 

[Jigglybootch]

I own the A900 and have heard the W1000, and honestly, I wasn't impressed by the W1000. I felt that for the price they should have been better. I would just go with the A900.

 

[captainzoli]

You might also want to consider the a950ltds.

 

[R_burke]

I owned the 900s and still own the 1000s. They are essentially the same sound, but the 1000s are a bit mellower and warmer to my ears.

I may be convincing myself because of the cost difference, but I believe that the wood does have a slight affect on the sound. I do love the look of wood on headphones

I also own a pair of heavily modified 580s (Blue Dragon cable and woodies) and in comparison I like the 1000s a bit more.

The only problem I had with the 900s and it's the same with the 1000s is that they get hot after a while, but I think this is true of any closed set of phones.

 

[warubozu]

I also currently own the A900 and W1000, to my ears the W1000 has a sharper level of detail than the A900. Highs out of the W1000 also sounds bit more crisp over the A900. The soundstage size between the two cans seems about the same to me except that the W1000 had a slightly better level of seperation. The one thing that the A900 has over the W1000 to me was the level of bass extension. The A900 has a deeper level of bass with a little more punch while the bass out of the W1000 doesn't go as deep and at times seems lacking.

For the price of a W1000, I too would suggest that you try and see if you can get your hands on a set of A900LTD or A950LTD. Both of the LTD cans are a refined version of the A900. Both LTDs has warmer and smoother sound over the A900 while retaining the A900's level of detail and bass extension. Only problem is the A900LTD and A950LTD cans are limited edition and may be a little difficult to come by.

 

[JensL]

I currently own the A900LTD and W1000.

If I had to choose one, I'd pick the W1000, with no hesitation.
The A900LTD isn't bad, the W1000 just got more smooth details and midrange energy.
Also the W1000 got a larger soundstage which I think makes it a more comfortable listen. There's more space between the sounds.

Ok, the A900LTD got more bass, but that's not enough for me to pick it over the W1000.

I'm probably in a minority here, though.

Amps used: Corda Opera and MAD Ear++ (tubes).
I haven't heard the A900 or A950LTD.

 

[El Condor]

Right on!

Thanks a lot guys. I think I have enough information to decide. I'll probably end up going for the ATH-A900 if the diminishing return isn't sufficiently in favor (to my liking) of the ATH-W1000. Given that the LTD models are a bit harder to find, I think I'll just make it easy on myself and go with good old Audiocubes and A900

.

Thanks again everybody for the answer.