Is the ATH-W1000 the (one of the) best closed headphone(s)?

[smuh]

Hi Guys,

One last question before my diving trip to egypt starts:

I am in search for the best closed headphone (I can afford

). I currently use the AKG K271 Studio, but to my liking it is a bit too bass-shy.

My price limit is 500$. My music preference: chillout, bossanova, electronica, downtempo, jazz and some 80th pop...

Any recommendations?

The headphones should as well be very comfortable - I have owned the hd280 and that was by far the most unconfortable headphone I have ever owned because of the clamping...

Thanks,
smuh

 

[warubozu]

IMO the W1000 isn't one of the best sounding closed headphones for it's price. For nearly $200 less you can get the A900, A700 or Beyer DT770/80 which IMO sounds better than the W1000. The W1000 has excellent detail and soundstage but to my ears they sound thin and rather flat in the mids. Also they lack bass which is what you might be looking for in bassnova and electronica.

The A900 and A700 have good detail and soundstage (though it might not be as expanse as the W1000's) with a lot of tight bass. They are also very comfortable. The Beyer DT770/80 also offers good detail and soundstage as the AT cans but has more bass with a better extension. Like the AT cans the DT770 are extremely comfortable with it's velour pads and I can wear them for hours without any discomfort. The D770 is warmer sounding than the AT cans. If you really want to kick it up a notch, pick up the DT770's and send them out to Xanadu777 to have them recabled and get enclosure dampening mods to turn them into Darth Beyers. The Darth Beyers are serious bass rattling cans, much more bass than the stock DT770's.

If really want AT W series I suggest you try locating a pair of W100's. IMO the W100's sound better than the W1000's, they have better bass extension than the W1000's but no where near the A900's and A700's. Be aware that the W100's has long since been discontinued and are currently highly sought after here. A pair of W100's in excellent can set you back $285+.

 

[smuh]

The DT770 are often recommended as basshead cans, together with my dark-sounding XP-7 this could truly be the headache-combo

I like bass, that is the reason why I do not like my AKG K271 that much, but not too much. I would say that I quite like the HD 580 bass.

Did you hear the A900, A700, DT770, W100 and W1000 yourself? Did the A900 really sound better or are they just the better value for the money? The W1000 cost twice? as much and belong to audio technicas high-end line, so I start to wonder if a 200$-headphone really sounds better then it´s higher end brother

 

[SOLEIL]

How about th ATH A 1000?

 

[warubozu]

I currently own all of the cans that I've mentioned in my previous post. IMO the A900 did sound better in the bass department than the W1000's. They are also not that far behind in detail and soundstage. At $200 for the A900 compared to $500 for the W1000 they are definitely a better value especially if you're looking for bass heavy cans with good soundstage and detail. The A900 also don't require an amp to sound good as they can be easily driven, they do sound better amped though. The W1000's to me would probably sound better with jazz or classical music. Also like I had mentioned you could also get the Darth Beyers which has more slam and bass extension than the A900 without them sounding bright.

 

[smuh]

They don´t need an amp? Noooo, then the a900 are a no-go for me, I need cans that justify the xp-7

Mmmh, I´m not so sure about the w1000 anymore, but to me the a900 just seem to be another step in "mid-fi" calling for an upgrade sooner or later.

btw: I just found out that there´s also an AKG-W1000

have a look:

 

[warubozu]

The A900 may not need an amp but do benefit if it was. The A900 isn't considered a high end can nor is the DT770, if you're leaning towards high end best look else where.

 

[smuh]

but where?

 

[SOLEIL]

A 1000 or Sony cd 3000?

 

[warubozu]

Haven't tried the A1000's nor have I read any impressions on them so I can't comment on them. I do have a pair of CD3k's and do like them. They do have bass but aren't basshead cans, some find the CD3k's lack bass. The CD3k's do have a great amount of detail and soundstage and they have also been discontinued.

 

[EdipisReks]

if you want closed cans because of isolation, then skip the CD3k's. any reason you aren't looking at canalphones?

 

[smuh]

Tried er6 and shure e2c, but could not stand the "pressure" into my ears. i just got some sony ex-81 to give canalphones another try. comfort wise the ex-81 is better than the er6, which were comfortable for more or less for an hours. the e2c were totally unconfortable for me and I could not really enjoy listening to music with them at all.

PS: Yes, I am looking for closed cans because of isolation

 

[GoRedwings19]

Quote:

Originally Posted by warubozu If really want AT W series I suggest you try locating a pair of W100's. IMO the W100's sound better than the W1000's, they have better bass extension than the W1000's but no where near the A900's and A700's. Be aware that the W100's has long since been discontinued and are currently highly sought after here. A pair of W100's in excellent can set you back $285+.

Hey dude, THe going asking price now is $330-$350 Because of the ebay auction of the w100's and a few headfiers have coughed up the dough for used ones here the price has rocketed. One headfier even posted he would pay $350 for them if one was in immaculate condition.

These are close to achieving Hp-series phones prices...

 

[warubozu]

I would agree $330-$350 for a pair of W100's that's in immaculate condition w/ box and all papers. Less if cans don't come w/ box, papers and shows signs of wear to the pads or wood enclosures.

 

[smuh]

Has anybody actually heard the W100 and the K271? To which other headphone is the W100 comparable (soundwise)?

goredwings19: emp....oooh, I which I did not sell mine