ATH-W2002: Another Owner, Another View

[KR...]

You should get some binaural recordings of earthquakes

 

[markl]

He he. Ya, the thing is, you wouldn't at all think that you'd like the effect based on a description. If I've made it sound like a silly trick, or a lame "special effect", I'm sorry. It works, though. I approve anyway. Its a credible attempt at solving one of the formerly inherent "problems" with headphones.

markl

 

[Audio-Me]

If there's ever a Boston head-fi meeting, I'll be there! Bring your W2002s everybody! =) Oh and as many amps as possible.

 

[joelongwood]

Quote:

Originally posted by Ross I have the CD3000 and an Earmax Pro, and they sound okay together, but still not as good as the Senn 600.

I prefer both the musical presentation and sonic characteristics of the CD3000s to that of the HD600s. And that is proof positive of the very subjective nature of this hobby. I wouldn't call one better..........................just different.

 

[Ross]

Joe, I couldn't agree more.

Ross

 

[Spad]

Quote:

Originally posted by markl Spad, Here are my thoughts on the bass from another thread. I'd be curious to get your take: "I've just had an epiphany about the the bass response of these headphones. I think I've reacted so positively to the w2002's bass not because it goes so incredibly low, although it is as low as any other good headphone I've heard, but because of the way my ears react to the actual physical feeling of the bass. The W2002 provides a sort of "ear massage" with the ultra smooth and effortless, yet energetic bass. The way it resonates is very stimulating and pleasing to the ear. All this has made me speculate about the true purpose and function of the DADS system. So, its basically an enclosure behind the diaphragm. I suspect this enclosure is trapping air in some manner and releasing it in a very specific way to create the feeling of impact. This is my theory at least. This adds to the "stimulation" of the ears *as if* they were reacting to *real* low bass sound waves in the open air.

I wholeheartedly agree with your findings concerning the bass. Do you also find it odd that our two "identical" phones sounded so differently out of the box, yet apparently sound much the same 24 hours later?

I know an ancient little man does the lacquerwork, but it makes me wonder if another papa-san doesn't do the drivers.

If I had heard the W2002s in an audio shop they wouldn't have stood a chance, although I would have been impressed with their looks. Hearing them now, I couldn't have left without them. Odd stuff, these ATs.

I'm listening to Bach's "Italian Concerto" as I write this. The sound is totally arresting.

I hope my wife doesn't see the lacquer on my lips.

 

[Spad]

Quote:

Originally posted by Audio&Me If there's ever a Boston head-fi meeting, I'll be there! Bring your W2002s everybody! =) Oh and as many amps as possible.

If you're seriously interested in the Ats, perhaps you should check out the W100 threads. They are considerably cheaper and likely have very similar sound. The reviews make them sound very similar. If Ross hadn't sold me the W2002s, I would have promptly ordered the W100s myself. In fact, I had already written the Singapore AT rep asking that he do a final check for one more W2002 and to send the W100s if none turned up.

Thank heavens for Ross! I'll have more to say about this gentleman as soon as I shake off my house guests. I think it was Ben Franklin who said, "Guests always bring joy, if not in their arrival then certainly in their departure."

 

[Audio-Me]

Using babelfish, I checked the AT page, and they seem to have similar specs. Except the W100 is ugly!

Where does one order the W100 in the US?

How does the ATH-W11R compare?

 

[Spad]

Quote:

Originally posted by Audio&Me Using babelfish, I checked the AT page, and they seem to have similar specs. Except the W100 is ugly! Where does one order the W100 in the US? $300?

I believe the delivered price is $330 from Singapore. Import duties would probably add another $20 or so.

 

[M Rael]

Quote:

Originally posted by Spad The bass . . . ah, the bass. It's simply the best I've heard on a 'phone. It extends as low as the Ety 4s, but with a visceral impact that I didn't think possible in a headphone. This feature alone is almost enough to move the W2002s to the head of their class--and I'm no bass nut. The overall sound, the combination of clarity, tonal balance, speed, and the ability to resolve complex textures, rivals and may even exceed, that of the Etymotics. I'm a dyed-in-the-wool Ety fan, but I sincerely believe I'm not exaggerating.

These W2002's sound like they have potential.

 

[JML]

Ugly!?!?! They're just about identical twins on the outside, with the only differences being the shape of the wooden enclosure and the depth of the lacquer.

Let's just say ATH-W100 projects a bit more in certain places than her friend. And the ATH-W100 plus Corda HA-1 is about the same price as the ATH-W2002.

And she has a voice that you have to hear to believe ...

Excuse me, she's calling ...

Go hang out with that poorly-built babe from Brooklyn. Or that Germanic pretender from Ireland...

Quote:

Originally posted by Audio&Me Using babelfish, I checked the AT page, and they seem to have similar specs. Except the W100 is ugly! Where does one order the W100 in the US? How does the ATH-W11R compare?

 

[Spad]

Quote:

Originally posted by M Rael These W2002's sound like they have potential.

They certainly do. And thanks to your enthusiasm for them, I'm a delighted owner of a pair.

I wonder how many made it to the States. For that matter, I wonder what the final count for Head-Fi might be. Got a guess?

 

[M Rael]

Quote:

Originally posted by Spad I wonder how many made it to the States.

I feel pretty sure that the ones that were bought were either from Vincent or through Uvak. Maybe a couple were purchased by people in the west who never heard of Head-Fi or Headwize, but I dont think thats such a strong probability. Its possible of course, but I dont think the numbers in that case would equal more than 2 or 3 at most. There is at least one person who bought them through Uvak who didnt post his serial number, so I know I dont have every single western W2002 listed on my site.
We can only guess the amount left unsold in Japan. Its probably a couple or a few hundred at least. But those would be units sitting on a store shelf somewhere. Its my understanding that audio-technica themselves dont have any left to ship.

 

[dhwilkin]

Quote:

Audio&Me said... How does the ATH-W11R compare?

Bzzt, wrong again! That's a moot question, as the W11R was also a limited-edition model, and is not available anymore.

And BTW, Mr. Chan at AT is sending out my W2002 today, so add me to the list. We'll see what these things can do out of a Max!

 

[joelongwood]

Quote:

Originally posted by JML Go hang out with that poorly-built babe from Brooklyn.

Well, that poorly-built babe you refer to, has an older sister that is built like the proverbial brick sh%@ house! And her voice is as seductive as they come.