[usery]

Yes, AWKT's sense of space is really good. It's soundstage is the widest I've experienced on closed backs, wider even than some open backs. I have both AWAS and AWKT, I prefer the latter more.

yrstruly:
By all accounts, extended treble and airy, spacious sound for a soundstage + good resolution which should work well for classical.

Here's chatGPT 4o's comparison of the Audio-Technica ATH-AWKT, Meze Liric II and Denon AH-D9200. The url (https://justpaste.it/dvbzo) is safe, anonymous, not malware, no redirects, and resolves to a public & known online editor (justpaste.it). Use browser incognito mode if you prefer.

My prompt is at top of the doc, chatGPT 4o reply is below it. Some interesting and maybe useful content. Scoring summaries at bottom are debatable, as are the closing remarks.

** update: as usual, chatGPT 4o buckled under further scrutiny and 'revised' its answers. the tldr; "don't trust, and always verify"

Review Roll-Up & Scoring​

To provide a fair assessment, we'll use a scoring system that rates each headphone out of 10 across several criteria: Sound Quality (Neutrality, Detail, and Soundstage), Comfort, Build Quality, and Value for Money.

Criteria	Audio Technica ATH-AWKT	Meze Liric II	Denon AH-D9200
Sound Quality	8/10	7/10	9/10
Comfort	8.5/10	9/10	8/10
Build Quality	9/10	9.5/10	8.5/10
Value for Money	7.5/10	7/10	8/10

Final Scores:

• Audio Technica ATH-AWKT: 8.25/10
• Meze Liric II: 8/10
• Denon AH-D9200: 8.37/10

Summary:

• Audio Technica ATH-AWKT is a solid performer with a slight warmth that could appeal to some listeners but might not be ideal for classical purists.
• Meze Liric II is a beautifully crafted headphone with innovative technology, but its warmth might soften the critical highs needed for classical music.
• Denon AH-D9200 offers the most neutral and accurate reproduction among the three, making it the best choice for classical music aficionados.

 

[Running Nightmare]

Here's chatGPT 4o's comparison of the Audio-Technica ATH-AWKT, Meze Liric II and Denon AH-D9200. The url (https://justpaste.it/dvbzo) is safe, anonymous, not malware, no redirects, and resolves to a public & known online editor (justpaste.it). Use browser incognito mode if you prefer.

My prompt is at top of the doc, chatGPT 4o reply is below it. Some interesting and maybe useful content. Scoring summaries at bottom are debatable, as are the closing remarks.

** update: as usual, chatGPT 4o buckled under further scrutiny and 'revised' its answers. the tldr; "don't trust, and always verify"

Review Roll-Up & Scoring​

To provide a fair assessment, we'll use a scoring system that rates each headphone out of 10 across several criteria: Sound Quality (Neutrality, Detail, and Soundstage), Comfort, Build Quality, and Value for Money.

Criteria	Audio Technica ATH-AWKT	Meze Liric II	Denon AH-D9200
Sound Quality	8/10	7/10	9/10
Comfort	8.5/10	9/10	8/10
Build Quality	9/10	9.5/10	8.5/10
Value for Money	7.5/10	7/10	8/10

Final Scores:

• Audio Technica ATH-AWKT: 8.25/10
• Meze Liric II: 8/10
• Denon AH-D9200: 8.37/10

Summary:

• Audio Technica ATH-AWKT is a solid performer with a slight warmth that could appeal to some listeners but might not be ideal for classical purists.
• Meze Liric II is a beautifully crafted headphone with innovative technology, but its warmth might soften the critical highs needed for classical music.
• Denon AH-D9200 offers the most neutral and accurate reproduction among the three, making it the best choice for classical music aficionados.

Nice, but how do the three sound to you?

 

[usery]

Nice, but how do the three sound to you?

Also nice: the $2000 question

It's unlikely I'll listen to any of them before purchasing. Risky, yes.

 

[Running Nightmare]

Also nice: the $2000 question

It's unlikely I'll listen to any of them before purchasing. Risky, yes.

I found a dealer in Germany who offers a five-year warranty and 60 days "try and buy".

I haven't found a better price anywhere else.

https://www.hifiklubben.de/denon-ah-d9200-kopfhorer/denahd9200ba/

The warehouse is in Denmark. My own experience with the dealer is very good.

Maybe they deliver to Edmonds, WA?

Whoever asks will get an answer!

 

[usery]

I found a dealer in Germany who offers a five-year warranty and 60 days "try and buy".

I haven't found a better price anywhere else.

https://www.hifiklubben.de/denon-ah-d9200-kopfhorer/denahd9200ba/

The warehouse is in Denmark. My own experience with the dealer is very good.

Maybe they deliver to Edmonds, WA?

Whoever asks will get an answer!

Danke, aber der Shop liefert nur nach Deutschland?

und: wo ist das "Gateway to hell"?

 

[Running Nightmare]

Danke, aber der Shop liefert nur nach Deutschland?



und: wo ist das "Gateway to hell"?

I was thinking of writing to customer service and asking if they might ship to the USA.

Without VAT (19%), the headphones cost around € 1,000, which is currently equivalent to $ 1,100.

Of course, there would still be shipping and customs to pay, but that's certainly not $ 500 ...

And by the way: The gateway to hell is always where I am.

Just kidding. I come from Germany.

 

[usery]

I found an online shop in Japan with same price ↑ and free shipping, so I bought the AH-D9200. Will report back with how it sounds to me : )

 

[usery]

I found an online shop in Japan with same price ↑ and free shipping, so I bought the AH-D9200. Will report back with how it sounds to me : )

AH-D9200 arrived today (from Japan within 2 days of shipping!). Still early in evaluating, lots of classical music of all genres to listen to, but so far I'm really happy with everything: SQ, build quality, comfort etc. Comfort is quite good, actually - was concerned earlier given other reports. And the 'neutral' sound profile is like welcome-home - thanks to all who guided me here.

 

[yrstruly]

AH-D9200 arrived today (from Japan within 2 days of shipping!). Still early in evaluating, lots of classical music of all genres to listen to, but so far I'm really happy with everything: SQ, build quality, comfort etc. Comfort is quite good, actually - was concerned earlier given other reports. And the 'neutral' sound profile is like welcome-home - thanks to all who guided me here.

They’re excellent cans - enjoy!

 

[Running Nightmare]

AH-D9200 arrived today (from Japan within 2 days of shipping!). Still early in evaluating, lots of classical music of all genres to listen to, but so far I'm really happy with everything: SQ, build quality, comfort etc. Comfort is quite good, actually - was concerned earlier given other reports. And the 'neutral' sound profile is like welcome-home - thanks to all who guided me here.

Wow, that was fast!

Give the headphones 20 or better 40 hours to break in. The difference is significant.

Let us know how they sound to you.

Thanks for letting us help.

 

[usery]

I'm only a few hours in and so far the AH-D9200 sounds pretty great to me.

This track in particular really nailed it for me - detail and 'shape' of soprano's voice and timbre of the medieval lute kinda had me tearing up :

"Sol mi traffige" - track 4, cd 4: Secular Works II, from Enigma Fortuna • Zacara da Teramo • Complete Works (La Fonte Musica, Pasotti 2017-18 Alpha)

 

[Running Nightmare]

"Sol mi traffige" - track 4, cd 4: Secular Works II, from Enigma Fortuna • Zacara da Teramo • Complete Works (La Fonte Musica, Pasotti 2017-18 Alpha)

Goosebumps!

The swinging out of the voice and the instruments in unison and yet there is a clear separation. No problem to follow one or the other.

Very good singing and recording technique.

Thanks for the inspiration.

 

[Running Nightmare]

Have a listen here:

For me, the best interpretation of Mahler's 5th. Cuttingly cold, highly dramatic, brilliantly played, perfect recording. Gets better with every listen!

The fourth movement is interpreted by most conductors (actually all of them) as Mahler's declaration of love to his fiancée. With Karajan, it's completely different. He interprets the fourth movement as something physical, something demanding, sensual. With no other headphones have I been able to capture this obvious sexuality with such intensity.

 

[Conan1974]

I'm only a few hours in and so far the AH-D9200 sounds pretty great to me.

This track in particular really nailed it for me - detail and 'shape' of soprano's voice and timbre of the medieval lute kinda had me tearing up :

"Sol mi traffige" - track 4, cd 4: Secular Works II, from Enigma Fortuna • Zacara da Teramo • Complete Works (La Fonte Musica, Pasotti 2017-18 Alpha)

Cause this is a great headphone.
Had ones, stupidly enough, I said to myself, maybe there is something better? Sold them.
Bought the ZMF Auteur Classic, without testing. They are now for sale, and I think about getting the Denons back, if I can find them somewhere cheap.

 

[usery]

Have a listen here:

For me, the best interpretation of Mahler's 5th. Cuttingly cold, highly dramatic, brilliantly played, perfect recording. Gets better with every listen!

The fourth movement is interpreted by most conductors (actually all of them) as Mahler's declaration of love to his fiancée. With Karajan, it's completely different. He interprets the fourth movement as something physical, something demanding, sensual. With no other headphones have I been able to capture this obvious sexuality with such intensity.