Audio-Technica ATH-WP900

[acroyear]

There's just more than one mention in boards about they could be sturdier. The band feel. But then again there are many that don't mention it at all and say it's built well. Never know with some people.

Count me amongst the people who think they're built really well. I think the fact that they're light weight makes some think they don't feel sturdy perhaps. The lightness of them and the perfect fit of the headband is something I would never want changed, because it makes them so comfortable and portable. Their form factor is perfect

 

[JML]

I hated unplugging the cables just to put the headphones in their case, so I made a larger case to accommodate the jacks.

You MADE this case??? Or did you find one?

 

[Waddiewadkins]

Count me amongst the people who think they're built really well. I think the fact that they're light weight makes some think they don't feel sturdy perhaps. The lightness of them and the perfect fit of the headband is something I would never want changed, because it makes them so comfortable and portable. Their form factor is perfect

Cool. Thanks.

 

[acroyear]

You MADE this case??? Or did you find one?

I made it out of a GoPro camera case. I used foam core sheets, an X-acto knife, and black bridal fabric to make the interior that holds the headphones. The exterior is the GoPro case shell.

 

[sicnesse]

Cool. Thanks.

The build is just ok... But for that price? In the end it is light plastic, and the headband is the kind that will start to crumble at some point. The wood is nice but honestly it makes you wonder why the MSRP is 600-700$. I bought mine from another user here for 400 euros and that's honestly the maximum amount anyone should put into these imo.
I still pretty much enjoy it (I wish it had less sibilance), But still very overpriced

 

[marekm]

I wish it had less sibilance

Some may complain about the abundance of bass, but sibilance ?

 

[Hyde00]

The build is just ok... But for that price? In the end it is light plastic, and the headband is the kind that will start to crumble at some point. The wood is nice but honestly it makes you wonder why the MSRP is 600-700$. I bought mine from another user here for 400 euros and that's honestly the maximum amount anyone should put into these imo.
I still pretty much enjoy it (I wish it had less sibilance), But still very overpriced

I feel the same, for the price I was hoping to see more metal parts. Also wasn't a fan of how faint the indent was on the length adjustment parts.

Even for an all plastic build my wife's Sony MDR-1AM2 feels better built and it's much cheaper.

But as you said maybe all the budget went to the wood finish which was quite nice lol.

 

[Waddiewadkins]

I feel the same, for the price I was hoping to see more metal parts. Also wasn't a fan of how faint the indent was on the length adjustment parts.

Even for an all plastic build my wife's Sony MDR-1AM2 feels better built and it's much cheaper.

But as you said maybe all the budget went to the wood finish which was quite nice lol.

700 euros.. That's a crap ton of money in all seriousness. For there to be any cons like regards corners cut on build quality feel.

 

[JML]

I have reverted to the OEM AT pads for now. I found that I was losing deep bass with the Yaxi pads. Might be head-size related...

The sound stage is more intimate with the OEM pads, which I would expect given that they're thinner than the Yaxi.

 

[povidlo]

+1 on Yaxis. They legitimately address the weakest point imo, the spaciousness and positioning of mids. While keeping similar tonality with pronounced totl subbass and lovely treble. I don't hear any bass loss. It might appear there's less bass in the mix since mids are slightly more forward. Sound is just more balanced. Running WP900 with Yaxis through a good tube source seals the deal.

 

[JML]

That's what I was wondering about, Povidio, but I haven't made up my mind. This was prompted by listening to a couple of albums that just seemed to lose a bit on the bottom (in my memory). It's time for some extended listening and back-to-back comparisons... At least it's easy to swap the pads!

 

[povidlo]

That's what I was wondering about, Povidio, but I haven't made up my mind. This was prompted by listening to a couple of albums that just seemed to lose a bit on the bottom (in my memory). It's time for some extended listening and back-to-back comparisons... At least it's easy to swap the pads!

With Yaxi due to their design, there's slightly less clamping which could lead to worse seal for some. Proper seal is paramount for bass response. The issue might be related to you not getting the full seal around your ears, possibly due to head size/shape as you mentioned earlier. Personally, I have to fiddle with positioning on my head a little bit but once set, they stay put and provide good isolation.

 

[JML]

I think you got it right. I tried both the AT and Yaxi pads again last night, and if I push the earpieces towards my head, the sound changes with the Yaxi (more bass response). The Yaxi do fit looser on my head than the AT pads. They weren't like this when I first got them, which was why I liked them so much. I wonder if the padding was compressed or lost their loft somehow, but I did not have them stored in any way that would put pressure on the pads - just on a stand.

Well, I guess I'll be selling the Yaxis. Anyone in the US with a larger head than mine interested in buying one or two pairs? [sigh]

 

[Maxx134]

Their form factor is perfect

Yes I agree it is amazingly light, I believe lighter than most all other portables, even the Sony I mention below.

The wood is nice but honestly it makes you wonder why the MSRP is 600-700$

Yes I understand, but you can do much worse in spending department, with an expensive top Ultrasone model, which to me is not at this level. You can find these used and usually very well kept. I got mine as an open box for less. It really is the headphones wood and driver that most value is in.
It has a very good driver that reaches higher than most its size. Unfortunately the signature is viewed as "W" or not natural, which is where the recent suggestions of the pads make a huge difference.
I believe it stays in a nitch as a nitch product.

Even for an all plastic build my wife's Sony MDR-1AM2 feels better built and it's much cheaper

This is actually the only other portable I stayed with due to rugged portability with an over ear. They are also the only portable Sony which employ the stiff membrane in their drivers, which only their top models have (stiff membrane).

Unfortunately they only hint at better performance, and signature-wise can be a bit dark, while the WP900 is operating at a higher resolve and are lively.

Although the WP900 is still a bit below a Denon9200 in resolve, that's OK as no other portable closed headphones (except Focal) reaches higher than the Denon9200, unless you go with a top planar (like an LCD5), but hard to find any good closed back.

I don't mention anything else which are to me mid-tier, because many get duped buying expensive & beautiful wood full size closed headphones, or portable earshaped planars which I tried and they all weren't actually any better, just another choice.

 

[BobbyBS]

Just got mine recently during a trip to Japan and I am loving the sound and the absolutely gorgeous wooden earcups. Build-wise, it is okay but the right swivel on mine is a bit looser than the left. Does anyone else have this problem? It doesn't affect the fit and I suppose it's forgivable considering everything else, but I can't help but feel a bit disappointed with this small detail considering how much it costs.