[elnero]

Not sure why this isn’t as popular as other closed headphones. The AWAS is effortless in its presentation and smooth with excellent spatial cues. Not sure why they get so very little love around here. Maybe not bass heavy enough.

I think you're spot on. I love my AWAS but my one complaint would be around the amount of bass. That said, with the right system matching, I find it perfectly acceptable. The real showstopper for me with the AWAS is the vocals though. I've not found a headphone to beat as yet.

I highly recommend an Audio Sensibility Impact SE replacement cable for them. Excellent build quality and very reasonable prices.

 

[purk]

The AWAS has many qualities that I love about the Sony MDR-R10 and I find the midrange to be very stellar too.

 

[elnero]

The AWAS has many qualities that I love about the Sony MDR-R10 and I find the midrange to be very stellar too.

That's interesting, I've never had the opportunity to hear the MDR-R10's. Would love to get the opportunity some day.

 

[purk]

That's interesting, I've never had the opportunity to hear the MDR-R10's. Would love to get the opportunity some day.

Yes, it has many of that qualities for sure. Still not get why it isn’t as popular. It really has a very balanced presentation. Bass output is at good level with cable and amp upgrade.

 

[elnero]

Yes, it has many of that qualities for sure. Still not get why it isn’t as popular. It really has a very balanced presentation. Bass output is at good level with cable and amp upgrade.

It may have something to do with availability. I've never seen them in stock anywhere in Canada, including Audio Technica's own website.

 

[ThEvil0nE]

I have both the AWAS and AWKT. The AWAS is good, a rather tuned outside the AT house sound and into a more normal common sound that's aplenty elsewhere. I just prefer the AWKT way more.

 

[llysender]

I have both the AWAS and AWKT. The AWAS is good, a rather tuned outside the AT house sound and into a more normal common sound that's aplenty elsewhere. I just prefer the AWKT way more.

hmmm while the tuning is more generalistic, I dont think I've heard headphones besides Sendy that comes close to that liquid organic texture. While I personally prefer the AWKT as well for that slam and general energatic and micro detail revealing nature the specialised warm fluid nature of the AWAS fits american country and canto pop alot I think it has its niche.

 

[ThEvil0nE]

hmmm while the tuning is more generalistic, I dont think I've heard headphones besides Sendy that comes close to that liquid organic texture. While I personally prefer the AWKT as well for that slam and general energatic and micro detail revealing nature the specialised warm fluid nature of the AWAS fits american country and canto pop alot I think it has its niche.

The AT brand in itself is a niche in this forums, it's unfortunate. So niche that many are led to believe that it's plain bad tuning, so bad that most don't even want to be seen or be related with AT headphones. They're missing out

 

[Ben4]

The AT brand in itself is a niche in this forums, it's unfortunate. So niche that many are led to believe that it's plain bad tuning, so bad that most don't even want to be seen or be related with AT headphones. They're missing out

How would you folks rate the AWAS for classical (mainly orchestral)?

 

[ThEvil0nE]

How would you folks rate the AWAS for classical (mainly orchestral)?

I don't see why it wouldn't do a good job. It will be a lush and warmer experience.

 

[Halimj7]

I don't see why it wouldn't do a good job. It will be a lush and warmer experience.

I don’t find the AWAS to be warm. relative to other Audiotechnicas - yes (except WB2022) but not compared to other brands. For example AWAS vs Denon flagships or Ultrasone ed15. To me AWAS is very natural and neutral sounding and does extremely well with anything instrumental like classical or jazz.

 

[llysender]

I don’t find the AWAS to be warm. relative to other Audiotechnicas - yes (except WB2022) but not compared to other brands. For example AWAS vs Denon flagships or Ultrasone ed15. To me AWAS is very natural and neutral sounding and does extremely well with anything instrumental like classical or jazz.

I think the issue is which audio technica headphone and which generation, since every AT can sounds different enough that say if I pick the AD1000X or A2000Z or R70X or M70X or even the AWKT sister unit(Im just picking the most neutral sounding to my ears in each AT headphone division) the AWAS is going to sound quite warm in comparison.

If anything AWAS imo is a more modern take(aka less thick sounding) of their older W(wooden line up) series where its tuned to be lush organic and pleasing to the ears microdetails be damned. I think @protoss might have a better take on this since he owns practically the intire lineup.

Sorry about that minor rant due to being a moden enjoyer of AT headphones I found that lumping the intire cast of AT headphones to be equal or warmer than the AWAS to be unture. But pls do enjoy your AWAS.

 

[ThEvil0nE]

I don’t find the AWAS to be warm. relative to other Audiotechnicas - yes (except WB2022) but not compared to other brands. For example AWAS vs Denon flagships or Ultrasone ed15. To me AWAS is very natural and neutral sounding and does extremely well with anything instrumental like classical or jazz.

I’m not saying that the AWAS is bad. Not also saying that it’s warm, just warmer in its presentation when playing jazz and classical. The fact that I prefer the AWAS more than the Empyrean says a lot. I still remember playing some Billie Eilish tracks on the AWAS giving me goose bumps, vocals of her whispering just behind the ear.

I am more of an instrumental jazz listener than classical. Jazz from early 60’s Japanese hard bop to present jazz sub genres and I just prefer them more on the AWKT. Vocal jazz could go both ways between AWAS and AWKT.

As how I described it, AWAS is perfect stretch your legs lounging phones while the AWKT is an edge of your seat listening experience.

 

[purk]

The AWAS is not the most resolute set of cans nor one with the biggest and deepest staging. The beauty of the AWAS is on its tonal accuracy and balanced and its rather unforced presentation. It is musical and inviting. Bass output can easily be improved by using a V shape cable. Likely not as hard hitting for rocks, raps, and heavy music.

 

[ThEvil0nE]

The AWAS is not the most resolute set of cans nor one with the biggest and deepest staging. The beauty of the AWAS is on its tonal accuracy and balanced and its rather unforced presentation. It is musical and inviting. Bass output can easily be improved by using a V shape cable. Likely not as hard hitting for rocks, raps, and heavy music.

Compared to the majority of AT woodies, AWAS is playing in a larger playground with so many players, tuning wise.