[norseman8485]

Recently, I got to notice these 3 AT cans and listened to the A900 for a while. I wasn't too familiar with the AT line-up, but the A900 sounded like a fair competitor to the DT770. That got me curious about the next 2 models up on the lineup. I've heard the A950LTD for a short time a few months back and back then it sounded a bit off to me. Maybe its time to try it again.

I'd like to ask the AT experts here the merits of these 3 cans and whether they're worth the price difference. I know the 1st two are closed cans and the A1000 is an open one.

On what level do these cans fall compared to the other brands like beyers or AKG?

 

[yvfed1]

Actually, A1000 (ART ATH-A1000 is what's on the phones) is a closed can. It was limited, 3000 pieces, production. I have a pair; it's a superb phone; I woudn't really compare it to A-900, as it was twice as much money. to give you an idea, current W1000 sounds very similar, to my ears.

 

[003]

A700, A900, A900LTD, A1000 all sound very, very similar. not sure about the A950LTD, but I am guessing the same.

And I do not highly regard the A900 at all.

 

[norseman8485]

How would one describe the AT sound signature, since these cans all some similar? If they do sound close, what's the point of getting the A1000 at twice the price of the A900?
Sorry I mistook the A1000 for an open can. I had a cursory glance at the box and seemed to recall a maroon grill.
I remembered there was an A950LTD thread around here somewhere, time to dig it out then...
AT doesn't seem to be as popular as the other brands here, except maybe the top models like the W5000 and the L3000...

 

[003]

The sound signature of the cans I mentioned would be on the dry and cold side, extremely LOOSE bass with hardly any slam, wide soundstage & decent imaging, plastic sounding highs and horridly recessed midrange.

However, the AD (AD2000 is very good, I only sold it due to financial problems) series seems to be quite good, as the W series and of course the L3000.

 

[norseman8485]

Ouch... that sounds awful...
I was reading the 950LTD thread just now and the general consensus was a warm and dark sound comparable to the senn 595, lack of good details, narrow soundstage, recessed upper mids and slamming but one-note bass. However, they're also said to be very good for electronica and female vocals.

 

[warubozu]

I currently own a set of A900 and A950LTD. I haven't had the chance to audition the A1000 so I can't comment on them. A950LTD has a warmer sound and has slightly better mids than the A900 IMO. I wouldn't really consider the A950LTD to be dark sounding. Despite the slightly improved mids in the A950LTD, some will still find them to sound a bit recessed. If you're the type who puts a lot of emphasis on mids in your music, you may be disapponted. Soundstage and bass extension are about the same (at least to my ears) between the A900 and A950LTD. I don't find them both to have a narrow soundstage, but rather a soundstage of decent width. Both A900 and A950LTD have an excellent level of detail.

 

[Esidarap]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 003 /img/forum/go_quote.gif The sound signature of the cans I mentioned would be on the dry and cold side, extremely LOOSE bass with hardly any slam, wide soundstage & decent imaging, plastic sounding highs and horridly recessed midrange. However, the AD (AD2000 is very good, I only sold it due to financial problems) series seems to be quite good, as the W series and of course the L3000.

That sounds just like most pre burn-in impressions. How long did you have them?

 

[003]

I don't know... I owned the A900 and A900LTD for a long time (and had at least auditioned the other ones), they always had the problems I mentioned. When I first got the AD2000 it sounded fantastic out of the box and continued to sound fantastic to the day I had to regretfully sell it. As I said I only sold them because I have come into financial trouble and could not afford to keep them.

 

[norseman8485]

But the AD2000 is a lot more expensive than the others, right?

 

[nickchen]

Damned a lot. Compared to the usual "big triumphirat" HD650, DT880 and K701 too expensive IMO. I also regard these to be better allrounders than the AD2K.

IMO, The A900 and the A950 (don't know the 900LTD) are sonically a big improvement to the boombeyer, as the mids aren't as recessed and the bass less sloppy & artificial. However, they aren't as detailed as the DT770. Thus they may be regarded as (expensive) sidestep when coming from the DT770.

I'd suggest you take one of the above mentioned big three into consideration.

@003: Sorry to hear about the departure of your big ATs. You both seemed to be a dream couple.

 

[norseman8485]

If I'm going up the big three level, I'll definitely go with the DT990. Its just that I've heard the A900 back to back with the 770 and it sounded pretty good at a lower price and the fact it can be used ampless. So I was wondering how the bigger brothers compete.