[AppleheadMay]

I'd define neutral as the sound you get from a K701. Plain dead neutral to my ears.
Not my sound but definitely good for testing purposes IMO.
Can be nice with an amp that has a warm sound though.

 

[cky8]

Everyone has a different take on it. To me the K701 is a funny headphone and I thought after I knew better they were rather plastic sounding 

 

[slivers7]

To MuppetFace:
 
OT, but since "AT woodies collections" got brought up a while earlier... do you happen to have the ATH-EW9-NR too?

 

[TheOtus]

MuppetFace, or someone else owning ATH-W3000ANV and ATH-ESW-9, do these have anything in common? I'm considering either ATH-ESW9 or ATH-ES10 to replace the ATH-W1000X. Something bit more portable.
 
For quite a time already, I have been (obviously) noticing these collections people have, they are impressive, but I aim to use every phone I have and fine phones deserve that in my opinion. That's why I'm selling the ATH-W1000X, it deserves to be listened. I'm just not the guy switching between phones for fun as the ATH-W3000ANV is so good.

 

[AppleheadMay]

I should have an ES10 today if all goes well. I can have a try if you like.

 

[TheOtus]

That's great, would love to hear an opinion of those compared. I adore wooden ones, but the ATH-ES10 should be on another level. Nothing wrong with titanium either...

 

[MuppetFace]

Just to clarify, as Otus says, the ES10 is the metal-housed version and the ESW10JPN is the limited edition wood version with lacquer similar to the W2002's.
 
The ES10 isn't really on another level compared to the ESW10JPN. In fact, there are plenty who still prefer the latter. It's a different sort of sound though. The ES10 is kind of a mini bass-monster, whereas the ESW10JPN is balanced and refined.
 
If you're looking for something along the lines of the W1000X, something with more bass emphasis, the ES10 is the way to go imho.

 

[TheOtus]

Well, I'm not necessarily looking for anything like the ATH-W1000X, just something to replace it. Maybe I was bit un-clear there. = )
 
Also, I meant that I have the impression that ATH-ES10 should be better than ATH-ESW9, not ATH-ESW10JPN.

 

[AppleheadMay]

I actually bought the ES-10 to keep untill I find an ESW-10JPN. I hope to receive it today since it should have shipped from Brussels yesterday. Didn't get a tracking number yet though so we'll see. If I get them I'll give them a try with the W3000 tonight.

 

[MuppetFace]

I think AT has given the ESW9 a bit of an upgrade in the last few years putting it more on par with the ESW10JPN. That's just a theory I have though, as I've noticed that there's actually very little difference between the ESW9A and ESW10JPN now compared to the ESW9 I had auditioned before. I honestly think the ESW9 is about on par with the ESW10JPN now.
 
The ES10 seems more like a side-step into a different sound rather than a marked improvement over the ESW9. It's definitely the more "fun" sounding headphone.

 

[TheOtus]

So ATH-ESW9 is more mid and treble-focused than ATH-ES10? Or does the ATH-ES10 just have more bass?

 

[Blackmore]

I found that ESW9 were more amp depended than say ESW10JPN. If any of you can try ESW9 through Zana Deux, you will be shocked

 

[MuppetFace]

It's been far too long since I've listening to the ES10 to be able to describe it in any true detail compared to the ESW9, but from memory the biggest difference is the bass. The ESW9 isn't stodgy in bass, but the ES10 is on another level.
 
FWIW, I didn't notice too much difference with amping the ESW9A I own now. It was about as subject to change as the ESW10JPN. Some say the ESW9 is much more dependent on amping, but I think that lends a bit of credence to my theory that the ESW9 has changed a bit over the years.

 

[Blackmore]

[size=10pt]Yes, the first ESW9 run was differ and to some better sounding than say ESW9A, or even later run of ESW9, but I don't know that. All I know is that ZD pump the best bass you can get from any amp I tried, however its not only bass, the ESW9 opens up fully and operating like full size closed back's, superb balance in sound.[/size]

 

[AppleheadMay]

How does one know whether it's an ESW9 or ESW9A?
It doesn't say on the online stores or for sale threads here.