Introducing Audio-Technica's ATH-W1000X

[Currawong]

The price, since someone asked, is about 40,000 yen which at today's rate is $455 or about $555 or so shipped through a service such as kuboten.com.

Pictures:

 

[Clint]

I would love to hear more impressions about these, whenever they can be made. Especially compared to the W5000. I really like my W5000s and the way they present music, save for the bass quantity. What it sounds like, from Currawong's impressions, is that it's a bassier W5000 with a little more treble. Which sounds like it would be very pleasing, very fun. And I think I could do with a LITTLE more fun when I listen to my music than with the cans I have now.

For $560 or so off a place like PriceJapan, I'm very interested in these. I may end up with a pair sooner or later, potentially as a W5000 replacement.

 

[Mad Max]

"Mutant mids", LOL
Nice one XD

 

[akabane@drjackel]

This W1000X has nice mid sound as W5000. Soundstage wider and support with 3d sounding but is not fully up to W5000.

 

[Bones13]

I found that by improving my source, and balancing the W5000, I got the bass much more up to snuff. Still not as neutral as the HD800, but much better than before. I was thinking about selling my W5000s, but the prices were looking bad in the for sale forums. Then I learned about balancing them instead with Black Dragon cable from Moon Audio. Now they would be my favorite cans were it not for HD800.

Not sure either the fit, nor the stock AT sound signature is what I am looking forward.

 

[chfshifter]

I am in the UK, which is the best place to buy this headphone?

 

[grokit]

I like the "zebrawood" look better on the W5000.

Speaking of the W5000, does this one come with a flight case?

 

[ting.mike]

Here is my short impression of the W1000X:

I actually like the W1000X more than the HE-5. It's the first Audio Technica that I really liked. I used the Phonitor and the CEC TL51XR for this impression. Yes they run well out of an Ipod and the TTVJ Slim amp, but it's like plugging the HD800 to a portable set up. You just have to have a good source for these cans.

Comparing to the HE-5, the W1000X fits much better, is smoother sounding, just as detailed, and the bass is just as awesome (though the HE-5 has a slightly better punch and impact). The W1000X does sound brighter than the HE-5, and the lower treble can be annoying at moderately high volume. At low volume, the W1000X really shines though. I also think that a tube amp would help a lot in mellowing that forward lower treble.

I like the soundstage better than the HE-5. The HE-5, while wider, is actually flatter and less three dimensional than the W1000X.

At the end, it depends on the choice of your music. In general, Rock listeners would be happier with the HE-5. Vocals and slow Jazz listeners would be happier than the W1000X. But there would always be exceptions to the rule.

Oh, and both the HE-5 and the W1000X trumps my MS-Pro, btw.

Anybody can fill in with a W1000X and W5000 comparison?

 

[K3cT]

The W1000X is a superb can but riddled with two quirks or so to speak.

First, the W1000X has that very common Audio Technica midrange coloration which can give vocals a honky effect. I personally can live with that but I know others who cannot tolerate it. The second quirk is that the W1000X is not exactly an all-rounder as it's a bit lacking in PRaT and speed. It seems to work best with classical, vocal and jazz but rock and electronica sounds a little bit off with that can.

Given all that, I think it's a steal at that price and I ultimately prefer it to the HE-5 but it's a toss between the W1000X and my own HF2. The W1000X is the more resolving can and has actual depth to its soundstage while the HF2 is more tonally correct and has much better PRaT and speed. The jury is still out there with this one.

 

[sokolov91]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ting.mike /img/forum/go_quote.gif Here is my short impression of the W1000X: I actually like the W1000X more than the HE-5. It's the first Audio Technica that I really liked. I used the Phonitor and the CEC TL51XR for this impression. Yes they run well out of an Ipod and the TTVJ Slim amp, but it's like plugging the HD800 to a portable set up. You just have to have a good source for these cans. Comparing to the HE-5, the W1000X fits much better, is smoother sounding, just as detailed, and the bass is just as awesome (though the HE-5 has a slightly better punch and impact). The W1000X does sound brighter than the HE-5, and the lower treble can be annoying at moderately high volume. At low volume, the W1000X really shines though. I also think that a tube amp would help a lot in mellowing that forward lower treble. I like the soundstage better than the HE-5. The HE-5, while wider, is actually flatter and less three dimensional than the W1000X. At the end, it depends on the choice of your music. In general, Rock listeners would be happier with the HE-5. Vocals and slow Jazz listeners would be happier than the W1000X. But there would always be exceptions to the rule. Oh, and both the HE-5 and the W1000X trumps my MS-Pro, btw. Anybody can fill in with a W1000X and W5000 comparison?

You wouldn't happen to be the headfonia dude... would you?

 

[winzzz]

^ yes..he is...

 

[sokolov91]

Quote:

Originally Posted by winzzz /img/forum/go_quote.gif ^ yes..he is...

LOL! I was like... hrm... is this just a coincidence? Or do they both have this TTVJ amp, and HE-5, HD-800 AND a W1000x an they both like it better than the HE-5???

Kudos to him still posting his impressions on head-fi!

 

[sokolov91]

I have a pair otw... my wallet just threw itself off a cliff. I will post impressions when they arrive!

 

[glrtrgi]

Can anyone compare these cans to the Grado HF-2?

 

[Kees]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sokolov91 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I have a pair otw... my wallet just threw itself off a cliff. ..

And it floated gently down, light as a feather...
No wallet escapes HeadFi.