[norberto]

Hi,

I will go Japan for 3 weeks in August.

Due to the Euro vs Yen rates, I'm thinking it would be a good opportunity to buy new headphones there.

My budget is approximately 400 euros ($550 or ¥70000).
Music I'm listening: electronic, pop, rock.
Headphones I already own: Grado's SR325 and Ety's ER4P (no amp).

What I'm looking for: something better

I'm very happy with both the Grado and the Ety's, but in both case I start to feel unconfortable after few hours listening.
And I would like to try something new.

What I'm considering:
- Audio-Technica ATH-W1000
- Audio-Technica ATH-AD2000

I read some good reviews of the W1000 in Head-Fi forums and on the 6moons website, but I’m not sure it will match the music I’m listening.

I'm also open to buy an amp if it could help (without breaking my budget), as I'm open to buy another brand than Audio-Technica (but this is the most famous Japanese headphones brand I know with Stax).

Thanks a lot for your advices.

 

[NoPants]

W1000 needs amps of considerable specialty to sound good, as others have mentioned. I believe that people seem to have gotten neat results with the yamamoto ha-02, which is 880,000 yen last time I checked his site.

I had a choice between the two you're considering, and I opted for the ad2000 to contrast my 900LTD's closed design. in the end I'm glad I didn't skimp, as after listening to the AD2k I have much less of a desire to buy new headphones haha

The AD2k can take whatever you want to throw at it, but it might not be ideal for electronica unless you want to stuff the pads with foam. AD2ks can be considerably uncomfortable unless you're willing to bend the headband/ shove stuff into the pads. And I hope you don't wear glasses like myself hah

Consider open vs. closed design in your options as well. Amp and source make a big difference, so maybe you might want to take those into account. As I understand it, the 325 is already a pretty good headphone, so you could very well be taking a step sideways as opposed to forward. Make sure you try to demo the headphones if you can, audio technica is pretty lean in the bass quantity next to grados.

Hope this helps

 

[Carl]

Quote:

Originally Posted by NoPants /img/forum/go_quote.gif I believe that people seem to have gotten neat results with the yamamoto ha-02, which is 880,000 yen last time I checked his site.

You have one too many zeroes there.

The street price is around Y78,000.

 

[norberto]

Even with one zero less, the yamamoto ha-02 is still over my budget, and I don't get a headphone

So, following your advice (thanks a lot) and what was already said on those forums, I should forget the W1000 without an amp:

What about W1000 + Audio-Technica AT-HA60 amp ? (both are approximately 35,000 yen)

I'll try to find more informations about the ATH-AD2000, but I'm worry about he unconfortable stuff you're mentionning - and yes, I do wear glasses

I do agree that it would be so much better if I could do some listening test before buying : where can I find some adresses in Tokyo (I will stay near Ikebukuro station).

 

[b0dhi]

I'd look at the TakeT H2. It goes for around 80,000 yen in Japenese audio shops. At least, that's the price I've seen for one of them. Half the price of the manufacturer >_<

 

[norberto]

Quote:

Originally Posted by b0dhi /img/forum/go_quote.gif I'd look at the TakeT H2. It goes for around 80,000 yen in Japenese audio shops.

Haaaa ! This TakeT H2 is impressive.
80,000 yen : is it the price with or without the TR2 transformer ?

I'm sorry I can't find it's price or where to buy it in Japan (I don't speak japanese). My usual price search engine (kakaku.com) has no answer.

 

[b0dhi]

Quote:

Originally Posted by norberto /img/forum/go_quote.gif Haaaa ! This TakeT H2 is impressive. 80,000 yen : is it the price with or without the TR2 transformer ? I'm sorry I can't find it's price or where to buy it in Japan (I don't speak japanese). My usual price search engine (kakaku.com) has no answer.

That's the price without the TR2. I found one online shop that has them but you had to email them to make an order, and since I don't speak Japanese either...

You could email TakeT and ask them what shops you can buy it from in Japan. I think the price there is much cheaper than for international sales.

 

[norberto]

Quote:

Originally Posted by b0dhi /img/forum/go_quote.gif You could email TakeT and ask them what shops you can buy it from in Japan. I think the price there is much cheaper than for international sales.

I emailed TakeT and received a reply from Mr. Takei himself (it was midnight in Japan !).

He gave me two addresses in Tokyo where it will be possible to listen and buy the TakeT H2.
Thanks for helping me discover the TakeT H2.

Anyone else could comment on a possible combo headphone + amp for ¥70000 ?

Thanks all for your advices.