[OldmanJables]

Hey folks, I know the focus on this thread is more on the full sized wood Audio Technicas, but I've had something that's been rattling around in my head bugging me for a while and I've just had no success finding an answer in my own research. What are the differences between the ATH-ESW950 and ATH-ESW990h? I know that they have a different cable but I've also read that they have a different impedance as well (46Ωs on the 950 vs 60Ωs on the 990) which makes me think that they would have some sonic differences as well. Any ideas?

 

[Spyronight]

I had the ATH-a2000z, I found them somewhat strange in their tone. Female vocals sounded nice but everything else was thin. how does the w5000 compare to it?

 

[Halimj7]

I actually own the AWKG. I like it. It is pretty balanced. I listen mostly to vocal centric music. It is good with what I listen to. Yes, there are headphones with more detail, dynamics and other technicalities but I do not have ATH headphones for such qualities. But always more for simple pleasure on how they render vocals etc.

So how would you compare them to L5000. Are they different enough sonically to justify owning both? Thanks.

 

[Kiats]

So how would you compare them to L5000. Are they different enough sonically to justify owning both? Thanks.

Absolutely! The AWKG is more balanced in my view.

 

[Halimj7]

Absolutely! The AWKG is more balanced in my view.

Thank you. Would you say it has more bass than L5000? I imagine it has less treble.

 

[dleblanc343]

Thank you. Would you say it has more bass than L5000? I imagine it has less treble.

That is correct.

AWKG has more bass and less upper treble especially.

L5000 is very open and bright whereas Kurogaki is a warm/ bright with more analog mids.

 

[Halimj7]

That is correct.

AWKG has more bass and less upper treble especially.

L5000 is very open and bright whereas Kurogaki is a warm/ bright with more analog mids.

Thank you! I love audiotechnica my favorite headphone manufacturer!

 

[Kiats]

That is correct.

AWKG has more bass and less upper treble especially.

L5000 is very open and bright whereas Kurogaki is a warm/ bright with more analog mids.

Agree. AWKG belongs more to the warmer side of the house. Even if not as warm of some of the others in the ATH woodie family.

 

[SolarCetacean]

Agree. AWKG belongs more to the warmer side of the house. Even if not as warm of some of the others in the ATH woodie family.

I've heard that the AWAS is in the warmer side of the AT woodie family. Would you consider the AWKG in the same vein of sound signature? Would you be able to provide a comparison between them?

 

[Kiats]

I've heard that the AWAS is in the warmer side of the AT woodie family. Would you consider the AWKG in the same vein of sound signature? Would you be able to provide a comparison between them?

Apologies that I missed this. Yes, AWAS is also on the warmer side of the AT woodies family for sure. I think AWKG is more nuanced than just describing it as warm. It actually has excellent layering and is pretty transparent. But yet has excellent bass impact.

 

[Kiats]

It has been a while since I have taken out the ATH AWKG Naru out for a spin. Blame it on the arrival of the Immanis, T+A Solitaire P and another Stax SR 007 Mk1.

Listening to it this morning out of the Bricasti M1 Series II (with QQ Music streamed across to the network player module on QPlay, their proprietary DLNA) into the SAEQ Armageddon. Not the conventional pairing but that is why I do enjoy the Armageddon: so versatile with its attenuation options.

BTW, PSA: @Uncle Wilson of Jaben SG has received a limited number of units of the AWKG Naru if anyone is still looking for a pair. https://m.facebook.com/story.php?st...UdyHJzvVe78KPczwbBb8cGfiml&id=100064901313504

 

[llysender]

Nice hopefully I'll get to demo the AWKG next year.

Only have the AWKT and W1000Z currently and sadly Woodies from other companies dont slam quite the same way. The AT treehouse salesman was correct though. I am scared to put on the AWKT since hours can just disappear enjoying the music and gear.

 

[Kiats]

Nice hopefully I'll get to demo the AWKG next year.

Only have the AWKT and W1000Z currently and sadly Woodies from other companies dont slam quite the same way. The AT treehouse salesman was correct though. I am scared to put on the AWKT since hours can just disappear enjoying the music and gear.

Well, drop by and see @Uncle Wilson at Jaben SG. He has limited units again.

 

[bluenight]

I have been enjoying AWAS lately. I put 15 peices of papper underneath and adjustment the headband setting one step up then normal. I was founding it painful to wear on the head otherwise.

With the right amount of paper dialed in its a very detailed closed back with good air and soundstage and it doesent feel claustrophobic but quite big sounding. Bass reaches deep imo but maybe not the most dynamic. It sounds fullbodied though. Mids and voices is very nice. Treble is alright but maybe a little dry some more resolution wouldent have hurted imo.

BTW how does Awas or other ATH wooden headphones compare against ZMF Atrium or Caldera Closed they are very different or very similar?

ZMF Atrium would be an uppgrade over AWAS?

Or AWAS is on Bokeh level?

 

[llysender]

I have been enjoying AWAS lately. I put 15 peices of papper underneath and adjustment the headband setting one step up then normal. I was founding it painful to wear on the head otherwise.

With the right amount of paper dialed in its a very detailed closed back with good air and soundstage and it doesent feel claustrophobic but quite big sounding. Bass reaches deep imo but maybe not the most dynamic. It sounds fullbodied though. Mids and voices is very nice. Treble is alright but maybe a little dry some more resolution wouldent have hurted imo.

BTW how does Awas or other ATH wooden headphones compare against ZMF Atrium or Caldera Closed they are very different or very similar?

ZMF Atrium would be an uppgrade over AWAS?

Or AWAS is on Bokeh level?

Bokeh is mosty dynamics but has very little microdynaics/detail and also sounds quite thin so imo its hard to rec. I will admit it did sound impressive for the first min though.

Celdera closed is something you need to try first before buying. IMO it is very untactile and reminds me of the OG sundara/ananda where you hear the music but there no force/slam or imaging to everything but it is quite detailed.

Atrium closed is quite large stage wise and is quite vocal focused but is kind of lacking if you need speed. Then again it does sound more dynamic than AWAS so it has that going for it. I dont remember it being particularly detailed for the pricetag and would peg it at around 1.5k so unless you really like the wood its not worth msrp.

Personally I would look at 634 ears LOAK 2 Ti closed(sadly its a iem) for a upgrade but as usual its due to my preference for speed and microdetail which is why I got the AWKT over AWAS as well.