[Infoseeker]

I own the limited portables Esw9LTD and am used to its Frequency Response. If I want a full size, do I go for the AWAS or the AWKT?

Or should I go crazy and try to save up for a Victor HA-WM90-B?

 

[jjcha]

I'm re-entering the AT Woody game with the W3000ANV. Was going to buy the L5000 couple years back but didn't. Sold my L3000 to a local friend a few years back. I am a big fan of the Echizen lacquer finished so I do miss my W2002 w/ L3000's transplant driver quite a lot. I used to own the 10VTG, W100, W2002, W11JPN, and L3000...and my favorite was the L3000. I still keep the AT-DHA3000 amplfiier (the companion amplifier of the L3000). Bought the HA5050H couple of years back and plan to keep it for a long long time. This amp sounds absolutely wonderful and can compete with any amplifier out there. It has power and finesse and this is all from a single-end output.

How did your re-entry go?

I've been spending more time listening on headphones behind the computer, and using the W10VTGs, which are great for that application. Really enjoying them, but it does tempt me to go back to the ATH-L3000+some proper amp for them which are superior in just about every way. The HA5050H looks amazing, probably sounds amazing esp. with the L3000s, but pricy of course, and then opens up the temptation to pair it with a better DAC...

Slippery roads...

 

[purk]

How did your re-entry go?

I've been spending more time listening on headphones behind the computer, and using the W10VTGs, which are great for that application. Really enjoying them, but it does tempt me to go back to the ATH-L3000+some proper amp for them which are superior in just about every way. The HA5050H looks amazing, probably sounds amazing esp. with the L3000s, but pricy of course, and then opens up the temptation to pair it with a better DAC...

Slippery roads...

Hey Jason! Long time man.
The W3000 ANV is pretty great. I recabled mine with Silver Dragon with a 4.4 mm balanced plug. Yes, the HA5050H is a real deal. Really excellent sounding and work extremely well against wide range of cans. Yes, you are right about better DAC will improve the sound of the HA5050H.

 

[number1sixerfan]

I know this is a shot in the dark, but is anyone aware of anyone reputable that makes major headphone mods anymore? My drivers in the L3000 are shot, but would love to have a different set of drivers modded into them if possible. I've had a few headphones from Headphile back in the day that took different enclosures and driver combos to make new 'freaks of nature' so to speak. Does anyone know if anyone still offers that kind of service? Again, reputably.

That said, I guess I should throw a WTB on the forums for another L3000... sigh

 

[mochimashu]

I know this is a shot in the dark, but is anyone aware of anyone reputable that makes major headphone mods anymore? My drivers in the L3000 are shot, but would love to have a different set of drivers modded into them if possible. I've had a few headphones from Headphile back in the day that took different enclosures and driver combos to make new 'freaks of nature' so to speak. Does anyone know if anyone still offers that kind of service? Again, reputably.

That said, I guess I should throw a WTB on the forums for another L3000... sigh

Not really answering the question but maybe contact audio Technica and see if they can repair it?

 

[number1sixerfan]

Not really answering the question but maybe contact audio Technica and see if they can repair it?

No worries, I appreciate it regardless. I did, and sent them to Audio Technica. They said they couldn't do anything because they don't have L3000 drivers. They also weren't open to me purchasing a different headphone/set of drivers to have them replaced (which from a liability/company standpoint I expected to be the case).

 

[purk]

No worries, I appreciate it regardless. I did, and sent them to Audio Technica. They said they couldn't do anything because they don't have L3000 drivers. They also weren't open to me purchasing a different headphone/set of drivers to have them replaced (which from a liability/company standpoint I expected to be the case).

That is just lame of them to say that. Are u sure this is a driver issue and not a broken wire inside the headphone cable? I believe you can get someone to repair a voice coil as well.

 

[mochimashu]

No worries, I appreciate it regardless. I did, and sent them to Audio Technica. They said they couldn't do anything because they don't have L3000 drivers. They also weren't open to me purchasing a different headphone/set of drivers to have them replaced (which from a liability/company standpoint I expected to be the case).

Gotcha. Did you contact ATH in your region or the Japanese HQ? The latter may be a bit more keen

 

[number1sixerfan]

That is just lame of them to say that. Are u sure this is a driver issue and not a broken wire inside the headphone cable? I believe you can get someone to repair a voice coil as well.

It was extremely disappointing tbh. But sounded like there was no wiggle room. And actually, I just checked the email thread. It was the voice coil specifically. Are you aware of anyone that does this kind of repair? That alone is a glimmer of hope.

Gotcha. Did you contact ATH in your region or the Japanese HQ? The latter may be a bit more keen

Specifically in my region. With covid, I'd be hesitant to ship this kind of headphone overseas. I sold a K1000 to someone in Asia recently and it was a nightmare for the both of us--they eventually got to him with the help of a really great UPS service person but it was stressful lol. But good point, I'll keep that in mind.

 

[protoss]

Audio Technica do not have anymore drivers to spare from L3000 to 1996 editions. They also do not fix ol' woodies anymore. I wanted a collection of W11R drivers (dont judge ) and they had no clue what I was asking for. I was about to tell the rep, should I take over?

 

[LostnAmerica]

PART 4

Audio Technica Ath W100 - review

* Release date: December 1st, 1999
* Release price: ￥ 44,100 ($400USD)
* 3000 units
* Discontinue

1999 ... ATH-W100

"This product is made of magnesium frame, which is considered as an advanced model by providing a lighter but more improved sound.
The space behind the diaphragm was made wider, and the resonance frequency was reduced, resulting in better sound reproduction."


Specifications:

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


Remarks:

This is the 4th Audio-Technica woodie headphone release in 1999. It was the last 90s woodie headphone. This model is a non-limited, mass-produced woodie. An estimate of around 3000 units created. Because it was mass-produced, do not underestimate this headphone. This headphone supposedly fixed everything that was wrong with the other 3. But did it?

Let us see what they have gotten right or wrong in 3+ years in the woodie business.



Build:

They changed up the build a bit. The outer wood frame ring is a magnesium alloy instead of a plastic fat frame from the first three headphones, but the hinges and wings are made out of plastic. That is a shame.


The wordings are blacked inked like the W10LTD headphones: the same ink and stylish lettering technique.


The wood shape is more oval, dome shape. Completely different from the first three models.


The headphone jack is again permanently a 1/4 jack. From now onwards the jack will always be a permanent 1/4 jack. The end is wooden with a scribe of the model number in black ink.


The earpads are made out of synthetic leather.


The 3D wing is similar to the W11JPN but uses a lower fabric quality.


The cables went back to the W10VTG and W10LTD style? Maybe they realize that the W11JPN is one of the worst cables. Or they went the cheap route for this mass-produced woodie? Most likely, the latter is the answer. I 100% prefer this cable over the nonsense of the W11JPN cable.


This is the first time the Left and Right is painted on the hinges of the headphone band.
They are painted on!
This means it can be rubbed off. They removed the beauty of the embedded left and right pieces. I do not like this


Drivers:

The drivers are again angle. This is the way of the woodies.





Sound:
So here we go again the W100 sounds the opposite of it last reiteration completely, but this sounds very close to the W10LTD.



This headphone can easily be described as balance, neutral, and bright on top with a bit of sparkle. Because of its sparkle, it can be upbeat, punchy sounding headphones. The mids, again, like all woodies are the highlight. This should not be to anyone's surprise. We on the 4th review, and its the same mid-story of being world-class. You know, full, rich, marvelous, Yada Yada....



This is more of a neutral headphone. But of course still a color headphone. The treble is still tame, the mids are boosted and very clear with warmth. There is bass. But not overwhelming, just enough. More of a controlled bass.


I notice that the treble on my W10LTD is tamer and more relax than W100. The W100 is more exciting and punchy and sparkly than the W10LTD. There is no thinness, I notice. The only way you can say this headphone is thin is to come from a W10VTG or W11JPN because those two headphones are thick and juicy like a Delicious Mango.

Compare to the laid back W11JPN. This headphone is fast, punchy, and more open than the W11JPN. The W100 can easily be said that it is a superior headphone to the rest of the pairs because it has that modern balance signature.

Now, do I prefer this over the other three? No way. The beautiful sound of the W11jpn is unmatched so far. The W10ltd is technically better than all the woodies, and the crazy unnatural W10VTG is Legendary. Because of this, the W100 is again another excellent addition to all things woodie!


In conclusion, this headphone was the hardest to rank because I think it is ranked the highest overall! But with a caveat, of course. I already wrote on another post on top that if you get the one with the crappy revision driver, then this is the worst headphones. However, guess I lucked out and got the best version out of the bunch, and because of this, I will rank it as such.



Ranking: 9.3 /10
Addictive
Balanced
The Legend continues....

"May the woodie be with you."

Greetings, incredible compilation of AT reviews. Regarding the W100: your quote:

"Audio Technica ATH-W100 - had a similar revision to the W10VTG.
One, warm and musical. Overall this pair is mostly known
2nd, bight and stale, and fatiguing (not the one you want to own)."
How can one determine which revision one is looking at when buying? MFG date or? Thank you for your help.
Cheers

 

[protoss]

@LostnAmerica

By the sound only. All revisions have the same designs. By the model number you might but that's diving too deep. If you are able to get a W100 today, by the 20 years of age they should all sound the same. So, no need to worry anymore. You should be happy you have a W100

 

[LostnAmerica]

Thanks!
Cheers

 

[protoss]

For those wondering whats the best earpads for all the original models from 1996 to 2002? I personally recommend the YAXI Ear-pads.

I consider the Yaxi-ears the best earpads to use. Professionally made and sounds great!
2nd best is the W5000 sheepskin earpads and so-forth.

https://www.yaxi.jp/product-gallery/a2000z-ad2000x/
$59

I bought 10 of these TEN!

Here is the W11R with the YAXI

And here are the W11JPN and W10LTD with the YAXI earpads

 

[protoss]

Every Audio Technica woodies has a dedicated pouch bag. Most models should have the Model initials on the bag. I notice the first 5 has the model numbers and the rest just plain pouch bags with the Audio Technica lettering.