Considering ATH's...

[Scarred Taka]

I have been browsing this site for a while and now am starting to get serious about finding a good pair of headphones. I am looking for a pair of closed headphones in the 150-200 dollar ange, and have been looking at the ATH AXXX Line. The pair of headphones I buy wil need to last me a long time. (At least 10 years, if not life, if I like them.) They will be used out of an amp while not moving. They will also need to survive college

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I was considering the ATH A500's, but now thinking to the future, and being able to buy only one pair of headphones, I am now thinking about better quality, both build and sound. The A500 and 700's are both plastic. The 9's are aluminum. Is the build quality sufficiently better? Are the 900's worth the $100 difference between the A500's? In short, would the 900's survive and suffice?

Thank you guys for this site and for all your wisdom on this elusive, confusing topic.

 

[Veniogenesis]

Both the A500 and A900 are quite sturdy.

Take a look at http://www6.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=130998 for a comparison of multiple closed cans in your price range.

Here is a very good review of the A500 and A900 and how they compare with each other:
http://www6.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=66360

I hope the second link can help you out.

 

[ColStripe]

I cannot comment on the lower models you mentioned since I haven't seen or heard them first hand. But, the A900s have excellent build quality and decent sound (especially for the money). I especially like not having the standard Y-split headphone cable and prefer just one cable going into the left side. I would guess that they would be more reliable due to this design as well. More of the KISS principle which I like.

 

[lumanogin]

i have owned the A900's and I loved them. I miss them a lot. I'm trying to get into Grados, but the SR60 just didn't cut it for me. Maybe the HF-1 will change my mind.

The A900's are an all around excellent investment and you don't NEED to amp them. They will see an improvement with amping, but it's not as big a difference as you see with amping other brands.

The build quality is great. I guess the wing system could be more prone to breaking but just handle them like you would anything else that costs $200 and you won't have a problem.

 

[Iron_Dreamer]

If you want durability, you want the Beyer line, more specifically the DT770 or 990, both are truly built like tanks an easy to repair thanks to their completely modular design. It's not that the AT's are poorly built, in fact I think the A900's are quite nice cans, but I doubt they could take the abuse of the Beyers.

 

[ken36]

I'm a big fan of Audio Technica.

 

[Scarred Taka]

Thanks for the replies. I'll look into the Beyer's as well.

"Welcome to Head-fi, and sorry about the wallet."

Tell me. You've convinced me to spend over $150 more than I had planned on Headphones. I was going to buy ATH A500's, and Now you've convinced me to buy ATH 900's or similar and a $70 headphone amp.

Ah well, when I'm in my room, smiling while listening to my tunes on my new cans, it'll be worth it. After all...

A hobby is something you throw money at to make it better.