Audio Technica updates their open headphones "AD" Series: AD2000x, AD1000x, AD900x, AD700x and AD500x

[alv4426]

Different pads might "fix" your bass issue. I used J$ pads with IMO very good results not to mention way more comfort.
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[Mr.Sneis]

I could see pads making a big difference.  Not that the stock pads to me are uncomfortable but aren't j$ pads meant for Grados and also unobtanium now??

 

[audioKyle]

Bought the ad900x from zazex for a great price a couple days ago! Got them in today and so far I'm liking these! The soundstage is spread out with not too much depth but nonetheless they sound great! These are most likely keepers for me! I'll comment more on sound later.

Comfort wise these are very comfortable for me. MUCH more comfortable than the a900x! They might be the most comfortable headphones I've owned. :atsmile:

 

[alv4426]

Na J$ came in two varieties Denon and Beyerdynamic, I don't know of any being made for Grado (other than headbands which I still want). The Beyer fits on a bunch of different headphones including the AD2K. They are no longer being made but you can find them once in awhile in the classifieds. I sold mine for what I paid $45 about a month ago. I think Alpha Pads would fit (they look similar to J$ to me but I haven't tried them) the J$ fit on T50RP barely though.

 

[Mr.Sneis]

My apologies if this doesn't belong in this thread - will post in the old ad2k thread if you guys want me to instead, I didn't feeling like bringing something back from the dead.  Wanted to share my descent into madness for my own sanity to try and make some sense of it all.
 
Did some more listening this weekend with the ad2k on Stello HP100, Headamp GS-X, Eddie Current Balancing Act, and Zana Deux.  And today is the ZDT.  All listening was done single ended.  I rotated between 3 albums; Portishead - Live in NYC, Daft Punk - Random Access Memories, Nine Inch Nails - Hesitation Marks
 
As crazy as it might sound none of these amps were doing it all that much for me.  The ECBA and ZD seemed to highlight the treble a bit too much - almost unlistenable and quite fatiguing, I remember it not being an issue with the ad2kx at all with the BA.  It may be down to tube setup as well; too bad I don't have a ton to roll.  FWIW, some trusted measurements seem to indicate a 4khz spike in the FR and CSD curves so something with the tube amps maybe exaggerated the issue.
 
Moving to the GS-X the treble was definitely more in check, the bass seemed to lose what little punch was there to begin with (boo) and instead took on a little more detail and texture.  "Weird" soundstage was most apparent on the GS-X although it didn't bother me really.  Probably the "fastest" sound of all the aforementioned amps as well.
 
The Stello HP100 had highlight in the treble falling somewhere in between the tube amps (which were worse) and the GS-X, bass had a smidgen more punch than the GS-X but was more mono-toned.
 
The ZDT is probably so far the best compromise of all the above, I don't feel like the treble hurts as much, the bass is at least somewhat there.  My main issue is that it's just not wowing me all that much...
 
Some more thoughts:
 
Just like with the ad2kx, I feel like these headphones are getting "maxed out" amplification-wise pretty early.  Further, amp pairings for the ad2k and ad2kx are not the same - this complicates things to arrive at a setup that would sound its best.  For example, the ad2kx IMO were pretty darned good on the ECBA though not so much with ad2k. (my tube outfit may need to be changed)  On the other hand the GLite with ad2kx were only OK from when I was testing some weeks ago - didn't impress me much one way or another.
 
I'm really close to pulling the trigger on a Gilmore Lite again just to see what happens; based on what asr has said in the past, the GLite really may be the best ad2k pairing there is. These silly megabuck amps may be jumping the shark in all the wrong ways.  From memory, I know the GLite has a bit of etched treble or bite to it compared to both the Stello and GS-X (which were both smoother in comparison) -- maybe there's something there.
 
I said this before but again, I am under the impression it's going to be much easier for the masses to like the sonics of the ad2kx over the ad2k.  Fitment is another story - the 2k sits on my smaller, squared, mutant head tighter/better.

 

[MultiKillGaming]

Hey guys

Has anyone found a site that sells the AD1000x for a reasonable price? It seems over the past few months the priced DOUBLED... At $260 they'd already be on my head, but on amazon they are up to $425! I feel like I missed out lol.

 

[akarise]

I believe you should be able to get the AD1000X under $350 (including shipping) with amazon.co.jp + tenso.

 

[MultiKillGaming]

Could I purchase them with US currency if I can manage to navigate the to purchase? Or would I have to transfer funds somehow?

Edit: That's what Tenso is for, gotcha .

 

[Yazen]

Could I purchase them with US currency if I can manage to navigate the to purchase? Or would I have to transfer funds somehow?

Edit: That's what Tenso is for, gotcha

.

 
Amazon or your bank will do the currency exchange.  Tenso will forward the package from Japan to your door.  Last time I used tenso I had to verify my identity with my driver's license, just painted over the information I felt they did not need to know.
 
Its a real pain to return your product in the rare case its faulty, but has happened with people before.  Keep in mind it is cheaper, but getting from a US seller on Amazon.com will be safer/easier/(faster?).
 
I used tenso, and had a great experience.  Took 4 business days altogether from tenso to my door, 5 altogether.  
 
EDIT:  Amazon and my bank had different exchange rates (bank was better), but your bank may charge an exchange fee.. 

 

[marts30]

Hey guys

Has anyone found a site that sells the AD1000x for a reasonable price? It seems over the past few months the priced DOUBLED... At $260 they'd already be on my head, but on amazon they are up to $425! I feel like I missed out lol.

 
Bought mine from this seller http://www.ebay.com/itm/SALE-BRAND-NEW-AUDIO-TECHNICA-ATH-AD1000X-OPEN-AIR-DYNAMIC-HEADPHONE-/321089731596?pt=AU_headphone&hash=item4ac2707c0c
 
$340US shipped

 

[Yazen]

   
Bought mine from this seller http://www.ebay.com/itm/SALE-BRAND-NEW-AUDIO-TECHNICA-ATH-AD1000X-OPEN-AIR-DYNAMIC-HEADPHONE-/321089731596?pt=AU_headphone&hash=item4ac2707c0c
 
$340US shipped

 
Doesn't ship to United States :S
And maybe I overlooked, but I do not see the seller registered as an authorized AT dealer either >.>

 

[asoksevil]

My new ATH-AD1000X are on their way! 
 
I owned a pair of HD598 prior to this one and I've been wondering whether I should buy an amp and a sound card or not. Which one works best?
 
Thanks guys

 

[razzz42]

  My new ATH-AD1000X are on their way! 
 
I owned a pair of HD598 prior to this one and I've been wondering whether I should buy an amp and a sound card or not. Which one works best?
 
Thanks guys

A $100 amp whether USB or portable/battery or stand alone or in a sound card would be an improvement. Next step would be adding a DAC in the same variations USB, etc. Then there is the combined combination i.e. amp with DAC, again in USB, ... etc. Maybe price is a consideration or not but you have to narrow down what you want out of your headphones first along with what you are willing to spend. As long as you buy well known equipment, it will be money well spent.

 

[MultiKillGaming]

  My new ATH-AD1000X are on their way! 
 
I owned a pair of HD598 prior to this one and I've been wondering whether I should buy an amp and a sound card or not. Which one works best?
 
Thanks guys

Please do let us know your impressions, AD1000X owners are sparse. Congratulations! 

 

[kvtaco17]

So just an update... The ad2000x is still getting plenty of play time even with my ps500 and new hd800 in house. That trio of cans is awesome... They're all very different presentations and compliment each other very well!