Exclusive: english review of the audio-technica ATH-W100

[solomon]

I am solomon, the guy that first posted my comment on W100s here and at headwize forums, which aroused people's interest in AT woodies, including Tomcat.
I have heard and owned quite a few hi-end dynamic headphones, including HD600, DT931, K501 and RS1, I must say W100s are the most musical headphones! Well they are not as neutral as HD600s, nor are they as accurate as Beyer's or AKGs, but they are just MUSICAL and make you forget about definition of hi-fi. There is something transcendental to it, I mean, it can make music sound more musical, by adding something to it, I don't know what it is, it just makes thing better. For instance, human voice, especially female voice as produced by W100s has a unique charm to it that no one can resist. Play the voice thru HD600s or K501s, you just lose the charm and what you get is a plain and dull voice, as compared to when played by W100s.
I should stop rambling and leave you with three points: 1) the break-in is lengthy; 2) they don't sound neutral, they sound musical; 3) the only caveate is the slowish bass. When I say the bass is not the cleanest, I mean it is a bit heavy, and slowish. So I would suggest you pair it up with quick-sounding amps and CDs.

 

[kelly]

Sounds like I need a Sugden Headmaster and a pair of W2002s. Tell me that wouldn't be a vision to behold.

Kelly

 

[Gluegun]

Well, mike walker should go and figure out what it is that they add, and catch it and put it in a mix so all of us with accurate systems (HD600...) can hear it...

 

[JML]

My ATH-W100 arrived.

The box is nothing to write about. Typical cardboard and clear plastic box, like Sony phones.

The workmanship and build is superb. Cast magnesium frame, like the MDR-F1. The earpads are incredibly soft leather, but they're warm to wear.

But the sound. Oh, boy. Brand new, right out of the box, and even via my laptop's sound card there's magic. Details and depth. Female vocals draw you into the sound like nothing I've ever heard.

 

[M Rael]

Hey thats fantastic JML.
Add to your impressions of them as the days pass. It will make a good read, not just for now, but later on too when people do a search of 'W100'. Thats the way things get 'archived' around here.

 

[AdamP88]

Quote:

Originally posted by JML My ATH-W100 arrived. The box is nothing to write about. Typical cardboard and clear plastic box, like Sony phones. The workmanship and build is superb. Cast magnesium frame, like the MDR-F1. The earpads are incredibly soft leather, but they're warm to wear. But the sound. Oh, boy. Brand new, right out of the box, and even via my laptop's sound card there's magic. Details and depth. Female vocals draw you into the sound like nothing I've ever heard.

Must.....resist......urge....to spend....hard earned dough....

*ties hands to chair*

You people are cruel.

 

[joelongwood]

Quote:

Female vocals draw you into the sound like nothing I've ever heard.

Damn......I was afraid of that.

 

[Robin]

I listen to my portable MZ-r700 MD at home and in bed a lot. Is it ever worth considering the W100 cans running from a portable MD unit?

 

[JML]

I was listening to only two .wav files copied from CD to my laptop. Loreena McKinnett's "Highwayman" from The Book of Secrets" and Steeleye Span's "Elf Call" from Commoners Crown" (Maddy Prior). It was weird -- I was not auditioning the sound after a few words.

I have a Sony WM-D6C (dolby C metal cassettes recorded from a Linn LP-12) and a Sony D-25S PCDP. I'll let you know how it sounds powered from them -- but those are abnormally powerful portables.

Well, should I go for the Corda HA-1, folks? Ready to send the $ out tomorrow. I don't want tubes (don't get mad).

Oh, and it's pretty big. Won't fit in a Headroom bag. It will fit in the bag that came with my MDR-F1, though.

 

[kelly]

Quote:

Originally posted by JML I was listening to only two .wav files copied from CD to my laptop. Loreena McKinnett's "Highwayman" from The Book of Secrets" and Steeleye Span's "Elf Call" from Commoners Crown" (Maddy Prior). It was weird -- I was not auditioning the sound after a few words. I have a Sony WM-D6C (dolby C metal cassettes recorded from a Linn LP-12) and a Sony D-25S PCDP. I'll let you know how it sounds powered from them -- but those are abnormally powerful portables. Well, should I go for the Corda HA-1, folks? Ready to send the $ out tomorrow. I don't want tubes (don't get mad). Oh, and it's pretty big. Won't fit in a Headroom bag. It will fit in the bag that came with my MDR-F1, though.

The HA-1 is a quick amp with good detail and tight bass. From what everyone has said here, the woods should pair nicely with it. Send me your W100 to sample and I'll let ya know.

Kelly

 

[solomon]

The picture is taken in my home showing Grado RS1, AKG K501 and Audio Technica W100 on my DENON S10II CD player.

I very much like RS1s too, but the sound is too forward-sounding and aggressive, sometimes they make me feel nervous. While W100s give me sheer beauty and relaxation. And RS1s are way too expensive. If the two are at the same price level, I would buy both.

 

[Neruda]

Quote:

Originally posted by solomon 3) the only caveate is the slowish bass. When I say the bass is not the cleanest, I mean it is a bit heavy, and slowish.

Well, that turns me off...

 

[kelly]

Quote:

Originally posted by Neruda Well, that turns me off...

Thus far I am hearing:
W100: laid back, sluggish bass
W2002: forward sounding, quick tight bass

I guess they may not be similar after all.

Kelly

 

[solomon]

Kelly: W100 bass is not sluggish, or muddy. It is very tuneful and coherent actually, and I prefer it to the bass of HD600. However it is a bit on the heavy side, and if the recording has too much bass ...
Based on the review of W2002, I have the same feeling that W2002 and W100 are different sounding headphones.

 

[shivohum]

Well markl in his impressions of the w2002 keeps saying that it has powerful, tight bass. Of course, he also says that he doesn't think it's too much, but it could be that what is "just" powerful to one person is a little on the excessive side to another...