[protoss]

@dleblanc343

Maybe a bit bias because you work with Audio-Technica?

There's a whole different opinion here - https://www.head-fi.org/threads/audio-technica-the-master-of-wood.928704/page-16

 

[dleblanc343]

@dleblanc343

Maybe a bit bias because you work with Audio-Technica?

There's a whole different opinion here - https://www.head-fi.org/threads/audio-technica-the-master-of-wood.928704/page-16

I will give my unbiased take shortly.

Being candid here, many of the last gen A-T headphones were not up my alley and I prefer this new direction. The anniversary model was a labor of love and strong engineering effort in creating the best transducer in-house to date.

The headphone is a departure from the common A-T house sound, but so far reception has been almost all positive.

It is a colored but natural listen, reminiscent of the Audeze LCD4 but in dynamic form + better technicalities. It does not sound as wide however.

 

[kith86]

Remember these?!



The ATH-W2020's are chump change compared to the Focal Utopia by Tournaire. $100,000 plus another $10,000 if you wanted the matching stand!!

Yes, but there are cheaper version with the same sound and can considered more affordable, i couldnot say the same with ATH here, im probably still believe if they want to, they can make cheaper version with same sound using same driver, with probably regular non urushi cup or less luxury material ?!

 

[Zhaocx01]

The headphone is pretty (definitely better-looking in real than in pictures). The tonality is warm. Best for vocals with enough but not too much bass. The earpads are very comfortable. I hope they are more durable than my old Fostex Th900 earpads. The protein leather headband and earpads on my Th900 aged terribly as aged Beats headphones. I think the best-looking part is not the Urushi painting but the mother-of-pearl inserts on the right cap.
Few minor things I dislike:
1. The wooden cap for the provided container might be not as "flawless" as I thought.
2. The 6.3 mm terminal of the previous wooden headphones (w1000, w2002, w3000) used to have wooden inserts which are aesthetically appealing, whereas it's not the case for the w2022.
3. The provided cable looks a bit cheap.

 

[Automata]

The headphone is pretty (definitely better-looking in real than in pictures). The tonality is warm. Best for vocals with enough but not too much bass. The earpads are very comfortable. I hope they are more durable than my old Fostex Th900 earpads. The protein leather headband and earpads on my Th900 aged terribly as aged Beats headphones. I think the best-looking part is not the Urushi painting but the mother-of-pearl inserts on the right cap.
Few minor things I dislike:
1. The wooden cap for the provided container might be not as "flawless" as I thought.
2. The 6.3 mm terminal of the previous wooden headphones (w1000, w2002, w3000) used to have wooden inserts which are aesthetically appealing, whereas it's not the case for the w2022.
3. The provided cable looks a bit cheap.

Great review! I just noticed the pearls are actually inserted on the cup instead of simply drawings after reading your reviews, which made this headphone more luxurious kind of feel.

I think the ear pads will definitely more durable than the TH900’s as I owned the TH900 before and their ear pads/headband were pretty fragile imo.

 

[Zhaocx01]

Great review! I just noticed the pearls are actually inserted on the cup instead of simply drawings after reading your reviews, which made this headphone more luxurious kind of feel.

I think the ear pads will definitely more durable than the TH900’s as I owned the TH900 before and their ear pads/headband were pretty fragile imo.

Thanks!

Another funny thing which might let everyone down from getting a pair of w2022: if you compare the official photo, photo of my w2022, and @dleblanc343's w2022 photo, you will see different numbers of painted green leaves on the right shell. Mine and official photo's have 3 pearl leaves and 4 green painted leaves; dleblanc343's has only 3 green painted leaves. I've seen another w2022 owner's open box video which his only has 3 painted leaves as well and here's a screenshot.

Again, the headphone looks great and sounds phenomenal. Plus, per Ath's tradition you will see it's descendant after another 10 years, and YOLO. However, I cannot believe the consistency is an issue for such a high-priced, limited edition flagship headphone, especially when the issue is about it's selling point (the aesthetics) and when the issue is from Audio Technica who's been famous for the build quality.

 

[number1sixerfan]

Also, these are much more like the L3000 than the L5000 in its tuning - though even more bombastic and explosive than the L3000. It is quite a departure from the conventional A-T mid-forward sound, but I am really a fan.

As it relates to PRAT and bass impact/perceived quantity? I ask because I would think that's a really tall feat, only the TC ime has been able to meet/best the L3000 in that regard while maintaining an overall TOTL quality sound. Interesting if so.


Also, for anyone else that's heard them, how would you rank them against the L5000 and other TOTL headphones out now? I'm not in the market for any new headphones, just curious on my end in terms of where their performance stands amidst the pack. (also I know it may be too early for many responses here)

 

[dleblanc343]

As it relates to PRAT and bass impact/perceived quantity? I ask because I would think that's a really tall feat, only the TC ime has been able to meet/best the L3000 in that regard while maintaining an overall TOTL quality sound. Interesting if so.


Also, for anyone else that's heard them, how would you rank them against the L5000 and other TOTL headphones out now? I'm not in the market for any new headphones, just curious on my end in terms of where their performance stands amidst the pack. (also I know it may be too early for many responses here)

It's both more bass by a large degree in the lower sub up to 300Hz & of higher quality by a decent margin as well.

It is evidently a colored tuning, very W shaped with a lot of emotional engagement and rich timbre. I had the wonderful pleasure to listen to my colleague's green leathered L3000 which I will be holding onto to get measured, though I have to say, it's a step down in fidelity.

I've owned many headphones over the years and have to say the W2022 has the most gripping and impactful bass I've yet to hear in a dynamic or planar headphone - a title I would previously had given to either HE6 OG or LCD4.

The tuning is going to be polarizing, take it or leave it. It's nowhere near reference tuned, as it is very romantic with rich bass and low mids, but most of the upper mids heavily dipped below neutral and then rising fast into the treble to give it a lot of snap, bite and twack. On first listen, I thought I had my EQ profile on ROON for another headphone as the sound was very much not your typical A-T.

I plan on sending these to @HifiXMen after CanJam for review - very excited to hear his take - especially as a 2 channel enthusiast which I think this headphone is more relatable to.

 

[protoss]

evidently a colored tuning, very W shaped with a lot of emotional engagement and rich timbre

Sounds like my favorite woodie.
Coloration at its finest without any frequency distortion problems.
Make it colorfully smooth.
My description of a potential legendary headphone.

I highly doubt it

 

[dleblanc343]

Sounds like my favorite woodie.
Coloration at its finest without any frequency distortion problems.
Make it colorfully smooth.
My description of a potential legendary headphone.

I highly doubt it

I’m often in Ontario, I believe you’re in that province.

You will get to hear it I’m sure. Hoping to do an event at Bay Bloor Radio some day this winter as well

 

[Andrew DiMarcangelo]

For anyone in the United States looking to get one, Bloom has a very limited amount of stock now available. https://bloomaudio.com/products/audio-technica-ath-w2022

 

[Nostoi]

For anyone in the United States looking to get one, Bloom has a very limited amount of stock now available. https://bloomaudio.com/products/audio-technica-ath-w2022

My heart and head are saying yes, but alas my bank balance doesn't agree. Is there a workaround for that...?

 

[Andrew DiMarcangelo]

lol, I don't think so!

 

[Saberpunch]

For anyone in the United States looking to get one, Bloom has a very limited amount of stock now available. https://bloomaudio.com/products/audio-technica-ath-w2022

We need 1 brave American hero to buy this and provide us with a juicy detailed review

 

[ScornDefeat]

We need 1 brave American hero to buy this and provide us with a juicy detailed review

Is starting a GoFundMe to crowd-source a purchase of this...for science....frowned upon in this community?