[El_Doug]

what an underwhelming release :/ 
 
I was expecting something a bit more for their 50th

 

[tk3]

I can't help but think that a large part of the 100k yen price went into the finish of those cups.
Of course they look awesome, but I'd rather they focus on innovation instead.
 
Quote:

Audio-technica still does the best looking wooden cups out there, the finish is just sublime.I really hope they bring up their sound to the same level as their looks.

 

 

[monsieurguzel]

I hope these are good  I have a special place in my heart for my ESW10jpn which I listen to at work every day for the past 3 years.  Even thought I have some other really high end headphones, I'd love to try these out.

 

[msninja]

Looks fantastic as usual, and looks like it'll have the same fit as the W1000X which is the most comfortable headphone I've worn to date.
 
I wonder how it will sound compared to W5000 and W1000X though. I'm on the fence about buying the LCD-3 already, and now this comes along! I'm already regretting that I sold the W1000X so this looks dangerously tasty

 

[cantsleep]

looks kinda like w2002 to me.

 

[Blackmore]

Classic look, which I really like, bet they sound great and will be sold fast.

 

[Nanago]

Sorry guys, but seeing as how there are a lot of ATH-W Series and above owners gathered here, might I inquire you about your thoughts on the maintenance/storage of these wooden headphones? I'm worried placing my W1000X series too close to a heating vent might ruin the wood...

 

[Ra97oR]

When I had my W5000, I just randomly polish my W5000's cup with some lint free cloth when I had time. After a few months, it looks simply awesome. Not dull and blurry but clear wood pattern and all.

Depends how hot that heat vent you are on about, if its only a bit higher than room temperature, its gonna be fine. Also, try to stay away from direct strong sunlight, its not good for anything.

 

[the wizard of oz]

Not impressed with these new releases, of these new headphones & matching amp; kind of kitsch looking. What I like with the W5000 is their discreet look, and without a wooden jack connector. Of course these are trivial considerations; that the W3000 sound better than the W5000 or not is the only serious question.
 
However, since aesthetics do count to a certain extent to me, I'll pass in any case, and besides, I still have the HA5000 to acquire...

 

[Skylab]

Hmmmm...I am going to Tokyo on business next month...looks like I have a reason to visit Akihabara now...

 

[tk3]

Remember to take lots of pictures.

 

[TheOtus]

Quote:

Not impressed with these new releases, of these new headphones & matching amp; kind of kitsch looking. What I like with the W5000 is their discreet look, and without a wooden jack connector. Of course these are trivial considerations; that the W3000 sound better than the W5000 or not is the only serious question.
 
However, since aesthetics do count to a certain extent to me, I'll pass in any case, and besides, I still have the HA5000 to acquire...

Heh, am I the only one who thinks that the non-wooden jack almost ruins it? =D W5000 sure has nice wood, but I somehow love the dark lacquered cherry much more. Feels more japanese I suppose, and I like the red.

 

[Doombreed]

Very, very pretty headphones!
Unfortunately it looks unlikely that I'll get a chance to try them out over here in Europe

 

[wind016]

The red is beautiful! The W5000 was kind of meh to me. Just nice ebony cups, but they didn't seem to have put as much effort on the presentation like the W2002. I honestly believe to this day that the W2002 was the most beautiful headphone ever made and still looked excellent when you wore them. Whatever they did with the W2002 and ESW10JPN, I say keep doing it and I'm kind of glad that the W3000ANV color looks almost exactly the same as the W2002 and ESW10JPN. Now I need to see some impressions before I decide to part with my W11R. I only have room for two headphones in my rig.
 

 

[HelloHell]

Quote:

Very, very pretty headphones!
Unfortunately it looks unlikely that I'll get a chance to try them out over here in Europe

Audio-Technica mentioned that W3000 will be available worldwide (with a limit run though), so I'm pretty sure Europe will be covered.