Audio-Technica ATH-WP900

[JML]

I had the ATH-ESW9 and the earbud ATH-EW9. After about 15 minutes they were not wearable. The on-ear design was painful for the former. The ESW950 is the successor to that one (same design, but with removable cable).

Nice sound up to that point, though.

I used to own these, too:
Audio-Technica ATH-AD2000
Audio-Technica ATH-W100
Audio-Technica ATH-W1000

I remember bringing the W100, which wasn't available in the US, to a Headroom meet and Tyll listening to them. That headphone started me participating in this forum.

 

[Nostoi]

I had the ESW9. After about 15 minutes they were not wearable. The on-ear design was painful. Nice sound up to that point, though.

Yeah, I've read that. I would likely change to Yaxi pads if I get a pair. TBH, I'm not expecting miracles in terms of sound, just curious about the lineage of the WP900.

 

[acroyear]

I came across some other pads on Aliexpress. Anyone try these? The first looks interesting.

Homefeeling Sheepskin Pads

Homefeeling Velvet Pads

Homefeeling Sheepskin & Velvet Pads

Exciting to see someone making sheepskin pads that fit the Wp900, but those look way too thick and the inner dimensions look like they would feel more on-ear than circumaural. Hopefully I'm wrong

 

[JML]

I had the
Audio-Technica ATH-ESW9
Audio-Technica ATH-EW9

Yeah, I've read that. I would likely change to Yaxi pads if I get a pair. TBH, I'm not expecting miracles in terms of sound, just curious about the lineage of the WP900.

Takes me back to 2007. Old post! I gave them to my son, who had the same reaction about the sound and the inability to wear them for very long. He also has the WP900 now, for portable use (Focal Utopia at home).

 

[JML]

Exciting to see someone making sheepskin pads that fit the Wp900, but those look way too thick and the inner dimensions look like they would feel more on-ear than circumaural. Hopefully I'm wrong

Does that mean you're going to try them?

 

[Nostoi]

I had the
Audio-Technica ATH-ESW9
Audio-Technica ATH-EW9

Takes me back to 2007. Old post! I gave them to my son, who had the same reaction about the sound and the inability to wear them for very long. He also has the WP900 now, for portable use (Focal Utopia at home).

Nice - old school Head-Fi! A good read, thanks.

 

[povidlo]

I was thinking of exploring some of WP900's predecessors. Anyone tried ATH-ESW950 or ATH-ES750? I know ATH-ES750 isn't strictly part of the lineage, but curious nonetheless.

I had the ATH-ESW9 and the earbud ATH-EW9. After about 15 minutes they were not wearable. The on-ear design was painful for the former. The ESW950 is the successor to that one (same design, but with removable cable).

Nice sound up to that point, though.

I used to own these, too:
Audio-Technica ATH-AD2000
Audio-Technica ATH-W100
Audio-Technica ATH-W1000

I remember bringing the W100, which wasn't available in the US, to a Headroom meet and Tyll listening to them. That headphone started me participating in this forum.

I have ATH-EW9 clip-ons. Still enjoyable to listen to and very portable. Due to short cable, they work great with small bt amps like qudelix. But I think they're too old and small to fairly compare to WP900 in any way.

I wanted to comment more on ATH-ES770H. If I understand correctly, them and ATH-ESW990H are direct predecessors to WP900. Main difference between the two being cups material (stainless steel on ES770H vs wood on ESW990H) while drivers used are the same. Comparing ES770H to WP900 with stock pads on both, WP900 has much better sub bass and treble extension, quick macro-dynamics, larger staging, and colder profile due to low mids dip. ES770H with its older driver sounds slower but is still tuned well according to its limitations, especially considering they're on-ear. Low mids are prominent providing a warm, homey sound that I find enjoyable when listening to genres such as acoustic folk and vocal jazz. While WP900 is amazing with modern music, especially with various electronic genres, I find it unbearable to listen to something like American Standard by James Taylor with WP900; with ES770H, American Standard is good.

 

[Nostoi]

I have ATH-EW9 clip-ons. Still enjoyable to listen to and very portable. Due to short cable, they work great with small bt amps like qudelix. But I think they're too old and small to fairly compare to WP900 in any way.

I wanted to comment more on ATH-ES770H. If I understand correctly, them and ATH-ESW990H are direct predecessors to WP900. Main difference between the two being cups material (stainless steel on ES770H vs wood on ESW990H) while drivers used are the same. Comparing ES770H to WP900 with stock pads on both, WP900 has much better sub bass and treble extension, quick macro-dynamics, larger staging, and colder profile due to low mids dip. ES770H with its older driver sounds slower but is still tuned well according to its limitations, especially considering they're on-ear. Low mids are prominent providing a warm, homey sound that I find enjoyable when listening to genres such as acoustic folk and vocal jazz. While WP900 is amazing with modern music, especially with various electronic genres, I find it unbearable to listen to something like American Standard by James Taylor with WP900; with ES770H, American Standard is good.

Thanks, really interesting! ES770H seems to be the international variant of the ATH-ES750. I understand there's also a variation in tuning (and also the finish of the cups) though I can't imagine it varies too much from your description in terms of sound profile.

 

[acroyear]

Does that mean you're going to try them?

No, I'm happy with the YAXI. Eventually I may ship them out to Vesper Audio and have sheepskin pads made in their likeness if they start flaking.

 

[JML]

Exciting to see someone making sheepskin pads that fit the Wp900, but those look way too thick and the inner dimensions look like they would feel more on-ear than circumaural. Hopefully I'm wrong

I sent them a question asking for the inner dimensions of the sheepskin pads.

 

[Maxx134]

Yeah, I've read that. I would likely change to Yaxi pads if I get a pair. TBH, I'm not expecting miracles in terms of sound, just curious about the lineage of the WP900.

They had quite a few nice models.

No, I'm happy with the YAXI. Eventually I may ship them out to Vesper Audio and have sheepskin pads made in their likeness if they start flaking.

I did that with another headphone. The issue was that they had too many options and without knowledge in pads you can end up ordering wrong materials wich affect tunning. I my exact issue was that the choice of inner foam I selected was to firm.

 

[povidlo]

Sterling synergy with PHA100. AT to ATH. Sound as intended to be heard by the manufacturer!

 

[ddlo]

seems no one has shared this before. this is how FujiGen the guitar maker made the alluring flaming wooden cups for WP900. lovely

 

[Nommag]

This is an oddly specific long shot - but here it goes. I have a pair of Audio-Technica ATH-WP900, im looking for a desktop headphone amp/dac to power them as I work from home and listen to them all day. Firstly, this set is pretty easy to drive, will an amp/dac combo make a difference. Secondly, I don't have a crazy high budget (I spent most of my listening budget on the headphones), and I'm looking at the IFI dac stack ranges (I live in NZ so my options are limited) and came across a deal on the iFi Zen Signature MZ99 set for $599NZD or $377.18USD (Not having meze headphones seems not to be a deal breaker). I also have the option of the zen air dac + can stack for $400nzd so a third less. Would appreciate any help (and happy to hear about other options in my price range $2-300usd) as I don't want to spend anything if I don't have to.

​

 

[Thomasr]

This is an oddly specific long shot - but here it goes. I have a pair of Audio-Technica ATH-WP900, im looking for a desktop headphone amp/dac to power them as I work from home and listen to them all day. Firstly, this set is pretty easy to drive, will an amp/dac combo make a difference. Secondly, I don't have a crazy high budget (I spent most of my listening budget on the headphones), and I'm looking at the IFI dac stack ranges (I live in NZ so my options are limited) and came across a deal on the iFi Zen Signature MZ99 set for $599NZD or $377.18USD (Not having meze headphones seems not to be a deal breaker). I also have the option of the zen air dac + can stack for $400nzd so a third less. Would appreciate any help (and happy to hear about other options in my price range $2-300usd) as I don't want to spend anything if I don't have to.

​

Any particular reason you want a stack rather than integrated DAC+amp? Separate components will inevitably cost more, and given your price sensitivity you might be better off with something like a Topping Dx3 Pro+ or SMSL C200