Is A900 a significant/worthwhile improvement over e5c?

[Fizban]

Hi, my first post here even though i've registered a couple of months back.

I've been using Shure's e5c for the past 4 months on my Ipod Mini.

After seeing rather affirmative posts on the Audio Technica's A900 cans, i am very much tempted to buy them now.

My question is: Are the A900 cans a significant improvement over my e5cs, if at all?
I do not need to use them as portables, being content with using them from my laptop at home.

Please advise, and thanks beforehand for your help.

 

[smittysan89]

i think that your shure e5c will sound alot better than the a900. they are still good phone though unamped for home use.

 

[Fizban]

Really?

My e5c's will sound better than the A900's?

Then there's no point in getting the A900's, other than them being much more comfy than the e5c'.

 

[enzoferrari650]

No doubt the e5c's will sound better than the A900's. To get a full sized can to sound as good as 350 dollar pair of canalphones, you probly have to spend two to three times the money. I had the A500's which are 90% of what the A900's are, and I used them for my computer while gaming. They were an awesome pair of headphones. With my portable music setup, I had the Westone UM2's, very similar to e5c's. The UM2's beat the A500's by a longshot.

 

[Fizban]

Thanks ferrarri650!

Oh man...i always thought full-sized cans beat canalphones anytime.

I'm looking for an upgrade frmo my e5c...but definitely not another pair of canalphones.

 

[james__bean]

I have the A900 and the UM2, and although I consider the UM2 better in many regards, I still think having a full size set of cans is worth it. You get better soundstage with full size cans not to mention its much easier putting them on and taking them off. I love my UM2's, but they're just not something I would want to use at home. But seeing how you already have such a high class canalphone, I don't know if the A900 would be a good match for you. I think you'll want to go up to the next tier of quality headphones and look for something in the Senn 650, SA5000, or even Grado RS-1 range.

 

[jjcha]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fizban Thanks ferrarri650! Oh man...i always thought full-sized cans beat canalphones anytime. I'm looking for an upgrade frmo my e5c...but definitely not another pair of canalphones.

Well, I have to disagree with the previous posters. The E5c is a fine portable canalphone, but I never found it to be better than my Sennheiser HD600. The HD600 doesn't suffer from the somewhat boxy/one-note bass of the E5c, it has a smoother, richer midrange,. Also it's just rich, airier and has a much expansive soundstage.

Likewise, as good as my Sensaphonics are, I actually preferred my ATH-W10VTG, which is a bit of a great grand-uncle to the A900. Yes, the Sensas are technically superior to the 9 year old woodies, but it just doesn't sound as natural.

Do you like the sonic signature of the E5c? If so you might like the HD600. It has a similar approach - a nice rich, warm bassy sound, but is a lot more airy. I don't have that much experience with the A900 (I liked it enough when I tried it) but I certainly like my older audio-technica woodies.

Best regards,

-Jason

 

[Fizban]

Hi James!

Oh well...but i don't use and amp. From what i gather, these high-end cans require a good amp to really drive them yeah?

Which is why i'm actually looking at A900, HD555, HD595 and grados.

Would you like to advise me on this?

 

[Fizban]

Jason,

i like how my e5c sounds...it's just that i'm curious how OTHER good cans sound...their different sound signatures...i feel that in a way i will be able to educate myself better in appreciating my headphones.

The HD600 seems rather costly...and i think they require an amp ya?

 

[dj_mocok]

For general all purpose, I can't see why you would write out that A900.

They are not the most tonally accurate, but really, for 200 bucks, I don't think you can go wrong with them.

And the thought of how easy it is to wear them (the 3D wing) especially coming from someone who's been using canal phones...

I think you will find A900 (or any other ATH cans) are very practical.

You might wanna consider the open air series as well, they are even more comfy than A900. Providing you don't mind sound leakage.

 

[jjcha]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fizban The HD600 seems rather costly...and i think they require an amp ya?

I haven't been following market prices for the HD600, but used/refurbished, I think they go pretty reasonably. Anyway, regarding needing an amp:

http://www6.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=123762

Best,

-Jason

 

[james__bean]

There aren't many high end cans that work well without an amp. Off the top of my head I think the A900 is pretty high up there on that list. It puts you in quite a predicament if you don't want to buy an amp because IMO, the A900 wouldn't really be an upgrade from your current setup. You're essentially comparing $400 canalphones to $200 headphones. Any particular reason you don't want to go with an amp? Whats your budget?

 

[enzoferrari650]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjcha Well, I have to disagree with the previous posters. The E5c is a fine portable canalphone, but I never found it to be better than my Sennheiser HD600. The HD600 doesn't suffer from the somewhat boxy/one-note bass of the E5c, it has a smoother, richer midrange,. Also it's just rich, airier and has a much expansive soundstage. Likewise, as good as my Sensaphonics are, I actually preferred my ATH-W10VTG, which is a bit of a great grand-uncle to the A900. Yes, the Sensas are technically superior to the 9 year old woodies, but it just doesn't sound as natural. Do you like the sonic signature of the E5c? If so you might like the HD600. It has a similar approach - a nice rich, warm bassy sound, but is a lot more airy. I don't have that much experience with the A900 (I liked it enough when I tried it) but I certainly like my older audio-technica woodies. Best regards, -Jason

Yes that is somewhat true. I'm sorry I did not explain in more detail about my opinion.

The sound quality of the e5c's, as far as trebel clearness, bass response, and midrange, the A900's will most likely not beat the e5c's in your standards. But there is the factor of usability and how comfortable you feel wearing canalphones at home. I will correct my previous post and make it more clear, that I would much prefer to use the AT's over my UM2's at home since they are just so comfortable and provide the sound quality that I can live with.

However I had the HD600's when I still had these phones, so I mainly used those at home with a tube amp. Amazing sound by the way and I really miss it.

.

So, to make it all clear, my first post was only based on his question of sound quality, so I did not fact in the other things that can make a difference to choosing the A900's over the e5c's.

So if you're looking for better sound quality and could care less about how comfortable canalphones are to wear at home, then I'd say skip the A900's for something further up the scale. But if you're looking for something comfortable to wear at home and still be able to enjoy music when compared to the e5c's, then you won't be disappointed with the A900's

Just my 2 cents.

Enzo

 

[Fizban]

Haha!

I know this is going to sound weird but...i'm not having an amp cos i don't understand a single thing about them? Despite all that i've read about them...which...well...isn't much.

My budget is along the line of around 180 bucks? Max. Around that region.

 

[james__bean]

Quote:

Originally Posted by enzoferrari650 Yes that is somewhat true. I'm sorry I did not explain in more detail about my opinion. The sound quality of the e5c's, as far as trebel clearness, bass response, and midrange, the A900's will most likely not beat the e5c's in your standards. But there is the factor of usability and how comfortable you feel wearing canalphones at home. I will correct my previous post and make it more clear, that I would much prefer to use the AT's over my UM2's at home since they are just so comfortable and provide the sound quality that I can live with. However I had the HD600's when I still had these phones, so I mainly used those at home with a tube amp. Amazing sound by the way and I really miss it. . So, to make it all clear, my first post was only based on his question of sound quality, so I did not fact in the other things that can make a difference to choosing the A900's over the e5c's. So if you're looking for better sound quality and could care less about how comfortable canalphones are to wear at home, then I'd say skip the A900's for something further up the scale. But if you're looking for something comfortable to wear at home and still be able to enjoy music when compared to the e5c's, then you won't be disappointed with the A900's Just my 2 cents. Enzo

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What he said