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Headphoneus Supremus
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This is a short history of Audio Technica legendary wood series. ATH-W
I compile a full list to give a proper understanding of Audio Technica headphones because the majority of people have no clue about Audio Technica's true headphones. But let me explain the other series quickly to figure out the difference so we can differentiate them.
Fundamentally there are three series. ATH-W, ATH-AD, and ATH-M, the majority of people only know the Monitor Series and Air-Dynamic Series. The Monitor Series consists of M30, M40, M50X M70 etch. There is another higher advance Monitor Series called, Art-Monitors which are, ATH-A2000Z, A1000Z, A900Z, etch...
Air-Dynamics (ATH-AD) is 'AT' open-back versions, which consist of ADX5000x, AD2000X, AD1000X, AD900x, AD700, AD500 etch...
The Monitors and Air-dynamics series are mostly considered referencing quality headphones.
Now let's get to what makes Audio Technica legendary. It's in their WOOD!
Sound: Boiling it down, the wood series are more on the warm musical side than being a reference and monitor sound. Some woodies have a bright signature, but nowhere near the quality of the AD series. The majority of all the Wood headphones have roll-off in the highs. Smooth and mid centrist focus that produce some of the best female vocals out there and very engaging. These headphones are dynamic and punchy. Most pairs are bass-shy.
Introducing the woodies:
Audio Technica ATH-W10VTG
Released May 21, 1996
■ Price 38,000 yen
■ Model Sealed dynamic type
■ Vibration plate 53 mm Super high-class OFC8N Bobbin wound voice coil
■ Impedance 48 Ω
■ Reproduction frequency band 5-30,000 Hz
■ Allowable input 2,000mW
■ Sensitivity 100 dB / mW
■ Code 3.5 m Silk 100% PCOCC stereo mini-plug / 6.3mm adapter included
■ Weight 370g (excluding cord)
■ Remarks Hida Takayama's solid cherry tree wood is used for the housing
■ End of sale 1998-99
*Discontinued
Audio Technica ATH-W10LTD
Released December 1, 1997
■ Price 50,000 yen
■ Model closed dynamic type
■ Vibration plate 53 mm Super high-class OFC8N Bobbin wound voice coil
■ Impedance 48 Ω
■ Reproduction frequency band 5-30,000 Hz
■ Allowable input 2,000mW
■ Sensitivity 100 dB / mW
■ Code 3.0 m Silk 100% PCOCC stereo mini-plug / 6.3mm adapter included
■ Weight 370g (not including cord)
■ Remarks Hokkaido Asada cherry tree heartwood is used for the housing Hardness of
potassium titanate compound in the driver unit housing Synthetic resin adopted
Audio Technica 35th anniversary limited edition 2000 units
■ End of sale
*Discontinued
Audio Technica ATH-W11JPN
Released December 1, 1998
■ Price 65,000 yen
■ Model closed dynamic type
■ Vibrator 53㎜ Super high-class OFC8N Bobbin wound voice coil
■ Impedance 48Ω
■ Reproduction frequency band 5-30,000Hz
■ Allowable input 2,000mW
■ Sensitivity 98dB / mW
■ Code 3.0m Silk 100% Sheath 6N-OFC stereo plug
■ Weight 330g (excluding cord)
■ Remarks Echizen lacquered Hokkaido Asada cherry tree heartwood is used for the housing
Left and right independent ground wire (4 core) structure
limited 2000 items
■ End of sale
*Discontinued
Audio Technica ATH-W100
Released December 1, 1999
■ Price 42,000 yen
■ Model closed dynamic type
■ Vibrator 53㎜ Super high-class OFC8N bobbin wound voice coil
■ Impedance 48Ω
■ Reproduction frequency band 5-30,000Hz
■ Allowable input 2,000mW
■ Sensitivity 100dB / mW
■ Code 3.0m Silk 100% Sheath PCOC stereo plug
■ Weight 320g (excluding cord)
■ Remarks Hokkaido solid Asada cherry wood is used for the housing
■ End of sale
*Discontinued
Audio Technica ATH-W11R
Released December 1, 2000
■ Price: 56,000 yen
■ Model: Sealed dynamic type
■ Vibration plate 53 mm Super high-class OFC8N Bobbin wound voice coil
■ Impedance 48Ω
■ Reproduction frequency band 5-30,000Hz
■ Allowable input 2,000mW
■ Sensitivity 100dB / mW
■ Code 3.0m Silk 100% Sheath 6N-OFC Stereo plug
■ Weight 330g (excluding cord)
■ Remarks The heartwood of Asada cherry tree from Hokkaido is used for the housing.
Left and right independent ground wire (4 cores) structure
limited product 800 units
Accessories: Pouch, φ6.3 → φ3.5 conversion code
■ End of sale
*Discontinued
Audio Technica ATH-W2002
Release Date: October 21, 2001
■ Type: Closed - Dynamic
■ Frequency range: 5 - 40000 Hz
■ Impedance: 40 ohm
■ Maximum input: 2000mW
■ Sensitivity: 100 dB
■ House: lacquered wooden
■ Weight: 340g
■ Unit: #1000
*Discontinued
Audio Technica ATH-W1000
Release Date: 2002
■ Type: Closed - Dynamic
■ Frequency range: 5 - 40000 Hz
■ Impedance: 40 ohm
■ Maximum input: 2000mW
■ Sensitivity: 100 dB
■ House: Hokkaido Asada cherrywood
■ Weight: 350g
■ Unit: #3000
*Discontinued
Audio Technica ATH - L3000
The L3000 and L5000 series is under the wood category because the housing is wood, with a wrapping of expensive leather to cover the wood house. These pairs are Audio Technica statement products. Only 500 units made each.
I did a dedicated thread on the legendary L3000 a long time ago -
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/audio-technica-ath-l3000-the-legendary-leatherhead.845087/
*Discontinued
Audio Technica ATH-W5000
Release Date: 2005
■ Type: Closed-back Dynamic, Double Air Damping System
■ Driver Diameter : 53 mm
■ Magnet : Neodymium
■ Voice Coil : OFC8N bobbin-wound voice coil
Permendur magnetic circuit
■ Frequency Response : 5 – 45,000 Hz
■ Maximum Input Power: 2000 mw
■ Sensitivity : 102 dB/mW
■ Impedance : 40 ohms
■ Weight : 340 g (without cord)
■ Cable: Elastomer sheath/OFC6N + Hi-OFC/ 3.0 m (dual-sided), 4-core parallel cable
■ Connector : Standard 1/4" (6.3 mm) gold-plated stereo plug
■ Accessories Included: Hard case; cable storage bag
*Discontinued
Audio Technica ATH-W1000X
Release Date: 2009
■ Type : Closed-back Dynamic
■ Driver Diameter : 53 mm
■ Voice Coil: OFC-6N
■ Frequency Response: 5 – 42,000 Hz
■ Maximum Input Power : 2,000 mw
■ Sensitivity : 100 dB/mW
■ Impedance: 42 ohms
■ Weight: 350 g
■ Cable : 3.0 m Y-type, PCOCC conductor cord with elastomer sheath
■ Connector : 1/4" (6.3 mm) gold-plated wooden plug
■ Wood: North American Black Cherry
*Discontinued
Audio Technica ATH-W3000ANV
Release Date: 2011
■ Type : Closed-back Dynamic, Double Air Damping System
■ Driver Diameter : 53 mm
■ Frequency Response : 5 – 42,000 Hz
■ Maximum Input Power : 2,000 mw
■ Sensitivity : 102 dB/mW
■ Impedance : 40 ohms
■ Weight : 340 g (without cord)
■ Cable : 3.0 m
■ Connector : 1/4" (6.3 mm) gold-plated stereo plug
■ Accessories Included : Cable storage bag
Special 50th anniversary edition with serial number etched on the surface
Traditional Echizen lacquer-finished Hokkaido Asada cherry heartwood housing reproduces magnificent natural playback
*Discontinued
Audio Technica ATH-W1000Z
Release Date: 2014
■ Type : Closed-back Dynamic
■ Driver Diameter : 53 mm
■ Voice Coil : OFC-6N
■ Frequency Response : 5 – 42,000 Hz
■ Maximum Input Power : 2,000 mW
■ Sensitivity : 101 dB/mW
■ Impedance : 43 ohms
■ Weight : 320 g
■ Cable : 3.0 m (dual-sided), 4-core parallel cable/OFC6N + OFC/Elastomer sheath
■ Connector : 6.3 mm (1/4") gold-plated plug with wooden sleeve
■ Wood: Teak
*Discontinued
Audio Technica ATH-L5000
Release Date: 2018
■ Type : Closed-back Dynamic
■ Driver Diameter : 58 mm
■ Frequency Response : 5 – 50,000 Hz
■ Maximum Input Power : 1,000 mW
■ Sensitivity : 100 dB/mW
■ Impedance : 45 ohms
■ Weight : 480 g
■ Cable : 3.0 m (dual-sided), 4-core parallel cable/OFC6N + OFC/Elastomer sheath
■ Connector : 6.3 mm (1/4") gold-plated plug
■ Accessories Included : Padded, hard-shell case
■ Wood/Leather: Sycamore wood housings, covered with the finest Connolly aniline leather, give headphones a natural acoustic signature
*Discontinued
Audio Technica ATH-AWKT and ATH-AWAS
Release Date: 2020
AWKT
■ Type : Closed-back dynamic
■ Driver Diameter : 53 mm
■ Housing : Kokutan (striped ebony)
■ Frequency Response : 5 – 45,000 Hz
■ Maximum Input Power : 2000 mw
■ Sensitivity : 102 dB/mW
■ Impedance : 48 ohms
■ Weight : 405 g
Kokutan (striped ebony) housings, hand-finished with half-gloss, suppress unwanted resonance for clear, natural sound reproduction
AWAS
■ Type : Closed-back dynamic
■ Driver Diameter : 53 mm
■ Housing : Asada Zakura
■ Frequency Response : 5 – 42,000 Hz
■ Maximum Input Power : 2,000 mw
■ Sensitivity : 99 dB/mW
■ Impedance : 40 ohms
■ Weight : 395 g (13.9 oz), without cable
Asada Zakura (Japanese cherry) housings, hand-finished with half-gloss, suppress unwanted resonance for clear, natural sound reproduction
Audio Technica ATH-W2022
Released Date 2022
W2022
■ Type : Closed-back dynamic
■ Driver Diameter : 58 mm
■ Frequency Response: 5 to 50,000 Hz
■ Maximum Input Power : 2,000 mW
■ Sensitivity : 98 dB/mW
■ Impedance : 48 ohms
■ Weight Approx : 450 g (16 oz), without cable
■ Connector : A2DC connector jack
■ Wood: Birch Wood
■ Production: 100 units only
*Discontinued
Audio Technica ATH -AW-KG NARU
Limited edition NARUKAMI headphones
Dynamic headphones.
Closed-back
Dynamic Driver
53 mm Sensitivity
102 dB/mW Frequency response
100 Units (like always will be sold out and Discontinued once released)
I compile a full list to give a proper understanding of Audio Technica headphones because the majority of people have no clue about Audio Technica's true headphones. But let me explain the other series quickly to figure out the difference so we can differentiate them.
Fundamentally there are three series. ATH-W, ATH-AD, and ATH-M, the majority of people only know the Monitor Series and Air-Dynamic Series. The Monitor Series consists of M30, M40, M50X M70 etch. There is another higher advance Monitor Series called, Art-Monitors which are, ATH-A2000Z, A1000Z, A900Z, etch...
Air-Dynamics (ATH-AD) is 'AT' open-back versions, which consist of ADX5000x, AD2000X, AD1000X, AD900x, AD700, AD500 etch...
The Monitors and Air-dynamics series are mostly considered referencing quality headphones.
Now let's get to what makes Audio Technica legendary. It's in their WOOD!
Sound: Boiling it down, the wood series are more on the warm musical side than being a reference and monitor sound. Some woodies have a bright signature, but nowhere near the quality of the AD series. The majority of all the Wood headphones have roll-off in the highs. Smooth and mid centrist focus that produce some of the best female vocals out there and very engaging. These headphones are dynamic and punchy. Most pairs are bass-shy.
Introducing the woodies:
Audio Technica ATH-W10VTG
Released May 21, 1996
■ Price 38,000 yen
■ Model Sealed dynamic type
■ Vibration plate 53 mm Super high-class OFC8N Bobbin wound voice coil
■ Impedance 48 Ω
■ Reproduction frequency band 5-30,000 Hz
■ Allowable input 2,000mW
■ Sensitivity 100 dB / mW
■ Code 3.5 m Silk 100% PCOCC stereo mini-plug / 6.3mm adapter included
■ Weight 370g (excluding cord)
■ Remarks Hida Takayama's solid cherry tree wood is used for the housing
■ End of sale 1998-99
*Discontinued
Audio Technica ATH-W10LTD
Released December 1, 1997
■ Price 50,000 yen
■ Model closed dynamic type
■ Vibration plate 53 mm Super high-class OFC8N Bobbin wound voice coil
■ Impedance 48 Ω
■ Reproduction frequency band 5-30,000 Hz
■ Allowable input 2,000mW
■ Sensitivity 100 dB / mW
■ Code 3.0 m Silk 100% PCOCC stereo mini-plug / 6.3mm adapter included
■ Weight 370g (not including cord)
■ Remarks Hokkaido Asada cherry tree heartwood is used for the housing Hardness of
potassium titanate compound in the driver unit housing Synthetic resin adopted
Audio Technica 35th anniversary limited edition 2000 units
■ End of sale
*Discontinued
Audio Technica ATH-W11JPN
Released December 1, 1998
■ Price 65,000 yen
■ Model closed dynamic type
■ Vibrator 53㎜ Super high-class OFC8N Bobbin wound voice coil
■ Impedance 48Ω
■ Reproduction frequency band 5-30,000Hz
■ Allowable input 2,000mW
■ Sensitivity 98dB / mW
■ Code 3.0m Silk 100% Sheath 6N-OFC stereo plug
■ Weight 330g (excluding cord)
■ Remarks Echizen lacquered Hokkaido Asada cherry tree heartwood is used for the housing
Left and right independent ground wire (4 core) structure
limited 2000 items
■ End of sale
*Discontinued
Audio Technica ATH-W100
Released December 1, 1999
■ Price 42,000 yen
■ Model closed dynamic type
■ Vibrator 53㎜ Super high-class OFC8N bobbin wound voice coil
■ Impedance 48Ω
■ Reproduction frequency band 5-30,000Hz
■ Allowable input 2,000mW
■ Sensitivity 100dB / mW
■ Code 3.0m Silk 100% Sheath PCOC stereo plug
■ Weight 320g (excluding cord)
■ Remarks Hokkaido solid Asada cherry wood is used for the housing
■ End of sale
*Discontinued
Audio Technica ATH-W11R
Released December 1, 2000
■ Price: 56,000 yen
■ Model: Sealed dynamic type
■ Vibration plate 53 mm Super high-class OFC8N Bobbin wound voice coil
■ Impedance 48Ω
■ Reproduction frequency band 5-30,000Hz
■ Allowable input 2,000mW
■ Sensitivity 100dB / mW
■ Code 3.0m Silk 100% Sheath 6N-OFC Stereo plug
■ Weight 330g (excluding cord)
■ Remarks The heartwood of Asada cherry tree from Hokkaido is used for the housing.
Left and right independent ground wire (4 cores) structure
limited product 800 units
Accessories: Pouch, φ6.3 → φ3.5 conversion code
■ End of sale
*Discontinued
Audio Technica ATH-W2002
Release Date: October 21, 2001
■ Type: Closed - Dynamic
■ Frequency range: 5 - 40000 Hz
■ Impedance: 40 ohm
■ Maximum input: 2000mW
■ Sensitivity: 100 dB
■ House: lacquered wooden
■ Weight: 340g
■ Unit: #1000
*Discontinued
Audio Technica ATH-W1000
Release Date: 2002
■ Type: Closed - Dynamic
■ Frequency range: 5 - 40000 Hz
■ Impedance: 40 ohm
■ Maximum input: 2000mW
■ Sensitivity: 100 dB
■ House: Hokkaido Asada cherrywood
■ Weight: 350g
■ Unit: #3000
*Discontinued
Audio Technica ATH - L3000
The L3000 and L5000 series is under the wood category because the housing is wood, with a wrapping of expensive leather to cover the wood house. These pairs are Audio Technica statement products. Only 500 units made each.
I did a dedicated thread on the legendary L3000 a long time ago -
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/audio-technica-ath-l3000-the-legendary-leatherhead.845087/
*Discontinued
Audio Technica ATH-W5000
Release Date: 2005
■ Type: Closed-back Dynamic, Double Air Damping System
■ Driver Diameter : 53 mm
■ Magnet : Neodymium
■ Voice Coil : OFC8N bobbin-wound voice coil
Permendur magnetic circuit
■ Frequency Response : 5 – 45,000 Hz
■ Maximum Input Power: 2000 mw
■ Sensitivity : 102 dB/mW
■ Impedance : 40 ohms
■ Weight : 340 g (without cord)
■ Cable: Elastomer sheath/OFC6N + Hi-OFC/ 3.0 m (dual-sided), 4-core parallel cable
■ Connector : Standard 1/4" (6.3 mm) gold-plated stereo plug
■ Accessories Included: Hard case; cable storage bag
*Discontinued
Audio Technica ATH-W1000X
Release Date: 2009
■ Type : Closed-back Dynamic
■ Driver Diameter : 53 mm
■ Voice Coil: OFC-6N
■ Frequency Response: 5 – 42,000 Hz
■ Maximum Input Power : 2,000 mw
■ Sensitivity : 100 dB/mW
■ Impedance: 42 ohms
■ Weight: 350 g
■ Cable : 3.0 m Y-type, PCOCC conductor cord with elastomer sheath
■ Connector : 1/4" (6.3 mm) gold-plated wooden plug
■ Wood: North American Black Cherry
*Discontinued
Audio Technica ATH-W3000ANV
Release Date: 2011
■ Type : Closed-back Dynamic, Double Air Damping System
■ Driver Diameter : 53 mm
■ Frequency Response : 5 – 42,000 Hz
■ Maximum Input Power : 2,000 mw
■ Sensitivity : 102 dB/mW
■ Impedance : 40 ohms
■ Weight : 340 g (without cord)
■ Cable : 3.0 m
■ Connector : 1/4" (6.3 mm) gold-plated stereo plug
■ Accessories Included : Cable storage bag
Special 50th anniversary edition with serial number etched on the surface
Traditional Echizen lacquer-finished Hokkaido Asada cherry heartwood housing reproduces magnificent natural playback
*Discontinued
Audio Technica ATH-W1000Z
Release Date: 2014
■ Type : Closed-back Dynamic
■ Driver Diameter : 53 mm
■ Voice Coil : OFC-6N
■ Frequency Response : 5 – 42,000 Hz
■ Maximum Input Power : 2,000 mW
■ Sensitivity : 101 dB/mW
■ Impedance : 43 ohms
■ Weight : 320 g
■ Cable : 3.0 m (dual-sided), 4-core parallel cable/OFC6N + OFC/Elastomer sheath
■ Connector : 6.3 mm (1/4") gold-plated plug with wooden sleeve
■ Wood: Teak
*Discontinued
Audio Technica ATH-L5000
Release Date: 2018
■ Type : Closed-back Dynamic
■ Driver Diameter : 58 mm
■ Frequency Response : 5 – 50,000 Hz
■ Maximum Input Power : 1,000 mW
■ Sensitivity : 100 dB/mW
■ Impedance : 45 ohms
■ Weight : 480 g
■ Cable : 3.0 m (dual-sided), 4-core parallel cable/OFC6N + OFC/Elastomer sheath
■ Connector : 6.3 mm (1/4") gold-plated plug
■ Accessories Included : Padded, hard-shell case
■ Wood/Leather: Sycamore wood housings, covered with the finest Connolly aniline leather, give headphones a natural acoustic signature
*Discontinued
Audio Technica ATH-AWKT and ATH-AWAS
Release Date: 2020
AWKT
■ Type : Closed-back dynamic
■ Driver Diameter : 53 mm
■ Housing : Kokutan (striped ebony)
■ Frequency Response : 5 – 45,000 Hz
■ Maximum Input Power : 2000 mw
■ Sensitivity : 102 dB/mW
■ Impedance : 48 ohms
■ Weight : 405 g
Kokutan (striped ebony) housings, hand-finished with half-gloss, suppress unwanted resonance for clear, natural sound reproduction
AWAS
■ Type : Closed-back dynamic
■ Driver Diameter : 53 mm
■ Housing : Asada Zakura
■ Frequency Response : 5 – 42,000 Hz
■ Maximum Input Power : 2,000 mw
■ Sensitivity : 99 dB/mW
■ Impedance : 40 ohms
■ Weight : 395 g (13.9 oz), without cable
Asada Zakura (Japanese cherry) housings, hand-finished with half-gloss, suppress unwanted resonance for clear, natural sound reproduction
Audio Technica ATH-W2022
Released Date 2022
W2022
■ Type : Closed-back dynamic
■ Driver Diameter : 58 mm
■ Frequency Response: 5 to 50,000 Hz
■ Maximum Input Power : 2,000 mW
■ Sensitivity : 98 dB/mW
■ Impedance : 48 ohms
■ Weight Approx : 450 g (16 oz), without cable
■ Connector : A2DC connector jack
■ Wood: Birch Wood
■ Production: 100 units only
*Discontinued
Audio Technica ATH -AW-KG NARU
Limited edition NARUKAMI headphones
Dynamic headphones.
Closed-back
Dynamic Driver
53 mm Sensitivity
102 dB/mW Frequency response
100 Units (like always will be sold out and Discontinued once released)
Last edited: