[R Scott Ireland]

Quote:

Yeah, it's kinda frustrating how few and far between comparisons and even impressions on either the AD2k or AD2kx are

 
I've had the AD900x for a month or so, and just last night I received a pair of AD2k phones.  I've only had time for a short listen, but I can say that the difference was immediately apparent.  I preferred the AD2k by a good margin - bass, mids and treble all seemed more refined and detailed to my ears. The bass was more pronounced on the AD2k also. I like the AD900x, but the AD2k is more enjoyable to me, with more smoothness and detail.
 
I have a pair of AD2kx phones on order, so it will be interesting to see how these compare to the AD2k and AD900x.

 

[pngwn]

^ Awesome, really looking forward to it! 

 

[akarise]

Quote:

 
I've had the AD900x for a month or so, and just last night I received a pair of AD2k phones.  I've only had time for a short listen, but I can say that the difference was immediately apparent.  I preferred the AD2k by a good margin - bass, mids and treble all seemed more refined and detailed to my ears. The bass was more pronounced on the AD2k also. I like the AD900x, but the AD2k is more enjoyable to me, with more smoothness and detail.
 
I have a pair of AD2kx phones on order, so it will be interesting to see how these compare to the AD2k and AD900x.

 
Awesome, really looking forward to your comparison!
 
I still feel like too much of an amateur with too little experience when it comes to hi-fi to provide a comprehensive review but I'll try to give impressions to the best of my ability if I do take the plunge haha.

 

[marts30]

I bought the ad2000 when I owned the ad900, and for what I listened to I preferred the ad900 (not to mention the terrible comfort of the ad2k). Just liked the sig of the ad900 more. Now I own the ad900x which is better than the ad900 so I'm hesitant to try 1kx and 2kx.

 

[waynes world]

Quote:

I bought the ad2000 when I owned the ad900, and for what I listened to I preferred the ad900 (not to mention the terrible comfort of the ad2k). Just liked the sig of the ad900 more. Now I own the ad900x which is better than the ad900 so I'm hesitant to try 1kx and 2kx.

 
Sorry, but you are not allowed to even consider that you might like the ad900x's more than the 1kx or 2kx. Nope. Just not allowed. 

 

[kookoo]

I also find it hard that someone would prefer the AD900X over the 1000X or 2000X. I listened to the AD2000X at the Sydney meet and they are right up there heads and shoulders above the 900X

 

[a_recording]

Quote:

Sorry, but you are not allowed to even consider that you might like the ad900x's more than the 1kx or 2kx. Nope. Just not allowed. 

 
Are you part of the Big Audio lobby?

 

[marts30]

Quote:

I also find it hard that someone would prefer the AD900X over the 1000X or 2000X. I listened to the AD2000X at the Sydney meet and they are right up there heads and shoulders above the 900X

 
Haven't tried the 1000x or 2000x. I found the fit of the ad2000 too hard to get accustomed too so I ended up selling them. That was a few years ago though, and I hear the 2000x doesn't clamp so tight.

 

[akarise]

Just saw the AD2000X on amazon.co.jp going for just under 50,000 yen and just had to pounce! There's no going back now...

 

[marts30]

I really like the signature of ad900x, so will be interesting to hear your impressions. When I heard the ad2000 I remember preferring the way the ad900 did guitars, but this was 2 years ago and not the x version.

 

[Yazen]

Just saw the AD2000X on amazon.co.jp going for just under 50,000 yen and just had to pounce! There's no going back now...

not sure if they are worth roughly 550 usd shipped.. I wish these were reviewed more.. Maybe you can convince me and possibly others once you get comfortable with them haha

 

[akarise]

Quote:

not sure if they are worth roughly 550 usd shipped.. I wish these were reviewed more.. Maybe you can convince me and possibly others once you get comfortable with them haha

I sure hope they're worth it... I'll try to post impressions as they go from open box to being burned in after I receive them in a couple weeks.

 

[R Scott Ireland]

I've had the AD900x for a month or so, and just last night I received a pair of AD2k phones.  I've only had time for a short listen, but I can say that the difference was immediately apparent.  I preferred the AD2k by a good margin - bass, mids and treble all seemed more refined and detailed to my ears. The bass was more pronounced on the AD2k also. I like the AD900x, but the AD2k is more enjoyable to me, with more smoothness and detail.

I have a pair of AD2kx phones on order, so it will be interesting to see how these compare to the AD2k and AD900x.

OK, so I did some more listening with these two headphones, and it is always worth remembering that your upstream components can change everything.

I originally listened using a portable rig - ALO Rk Mk3-B+ amp with a HiFiMan HM-602 as source. With this setup, the AD2000 was smoother and more detailed and engaging than the AD900X, as I described.

Yesterday I listened with the ALO Pan Am amp with Mullard CV4010 tubes and an HM-801 as the source. Although the 900X was still brighter/edgier and had a closer, more in your face soundstage than the AD2000, with this setup I preferred the 900X. The AD2000 was very good - close - but the 900X had more bass and that little extra "kick" that made for a great presentation and more sheer musical enjoyment.

Perhaps the warmth of the HM-801 and the Mullard tubes made the difference. At any rate, the AD900X's sounded so good that they are now my go to headphones for this rig.

I'm still waiting for my AD2000X to arrive from Japan. It will be interesting to see how this one compares to the other two.

 

[aeolushu]

Recently I bought a Luxman DA-200 to drive my AD1000x, However, to my disappointment, there's no big improvement than driven directly by my macbook. Yes the quality of bass and treble is better, and soundstage is improved a little bit, but the biggest problem of AD1000x, the imaging, is still a problem. When listening to some classical and rock&roll music, the background still feels crowded and messy. (I'm not saying it's bad, it's just not as good as flagships like HD800)
 
2 possible reasons:
 
1. Perhaps the Luxman and ATH AD series is just not a good combo.
2. AD1000x is so easy driven that it does not need good DAC and amp to make it sound good.
 
In conclusion, I think AD1000x is really a good choice for the price, especially considering it is so easy driven.
 
P.S. I really regret that I went to try HD800 and had a AB compare with AD1000x. Now I just cannot forget the sound of HD800.

 

[alv4426]

You solved your own problem right there.
Quote:

-Snip- (I'm not saying it's bad, it's just not as good as flagships like HD800)  
P.S. I really regret that I went to try HD800 and had a AB compare with AD1000x. Now I just cannot forget the sound of HD800.