Welly Wu
Headphoneus Supremus
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- May 16, 2003
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Audio Technica ATH-W5000 Review
The Audio Technica ATH-W5000 “Raffinato” are the current top of the line pair of closed headphones within the company's headphone portfolio. The MSRP is $1669.95, but the street price is approximately $650 - $700 USD.
Features:
Fit and Finish:
I had no problems with the fit of the ATH-W5000 “Raffinato” headphones and there are no sound leakage or slippage issues. Others have reported fitting issues due to the 3D Wing Support upon the shapes of their head.
Sound Quality:
These headphones exhibit an accurate timbre reproduction compared to live music. For example, keystrokes upon pianos have a percussive sound while cymbals have enough shimmer without sounding splashy. On Diana Krall's The Very Best of Diana Krall CD, the piano that she plays sounds realistic and her sultry voice comes through with luscious warmth. They possess a very high degree of transparency to reveal the strengths and weaknesses of any style of music. In terms of overall presentation, the ATH-W5000 sounds neither overly warm or neutral: they just sound open and natural except in the upper mid-range which sounds slightly warm especially when reproducing female vocals. The “Raffinato” possesses a very high degree of resolution; overall, resolution and detail retrieval are top drawer compared to the AKG K 701 headphones. Renee Fleming's Sacred Songs CD showcases her majestic vocal range and she sounds silky smooth and refined while effortlessly filling the sound stage with glorious music. On the matter of sound stage, the ATH-W5000 paint a very wide, tall, and deep canvas to showcase the musicians. Within that expansive sound stage comes precise imaging that is spot on. Each musician and instrument occupies its own airy space. On one hand, Ms. Fleming's is a soprano and trebles sound smooth, well extended, and airy with just a touch of warmth in the uppermost echelons. On the other hand, bass notes come through clearly with a very high degree of textured resolution and speed. However, they lack weight and slam compared to other headphones and there is some roll-off on the deepest bass notes. Macro-dynamics are hyper fast so as to keep tempo with the music. Finally, listeners need not turn up the volume by much to hear their music at comfortably safe levels. The ATH-W5000 “Raffinato” are easily the very best pair of cans that I have had the pleasure of ownership.
The Audio Technica ATH-W5000 “Raffinato” are the current top of the line pair of closed headphones within the company's headphone portfolio. The MSRP is $1669.95, but the street price is approximately $650 - $700 USD.
Features:
- Striped ebony housing provides superb acoustic characteristics
- Ear pads cushioned in leather feature A-T’s ultra-comfortable total ear fitting design
- 53 mm drivers (equipped with neodymium magnet systems) designed exclusively for the W5000
- Driver unit incorporates a Permendur magnetic circuit with exceptional magnetic characteristics
- High-quality 8N-OFC (oxygen free copper) voice coils for ultra-efficient signal transfer
- Lightweight magnesium alloy frame
- Double Air Damping System for deep bass reproduction
- 3D Wing Support provides stable, comfortable fit
- Y-cable features an elastomer sheath that helps prevent tangles
- Includes padded, protective hard-shell case for safe, convenient storage
- Gold-plated ¼” (6.3 mm) stereo connector provides exceptional corrosion resistance, superb conductivity, low noise
Fit and Finish:
I had no problems with the fit of the ATH-W5000 “Raffinato” headphones and there are no sound leakage or slippage issues. Others have reported fitting issues due to the 3D Wing Support upon the shapes of their head.
Sound Quality:
These headphones exhibit an accurate timbre reproduction compared to live music. For example, keystrokes upon pianos have a percussive sound while cymbals have enough shimmer without sounding splashy. On Diana Krall's The Very Best of Diana Krall CD, the piano that she plays sounds realistic and her sultry voice comes through with luscious warmth. They possess a very high degree of transparency to reveal the strengths and weaknesses of any style of music. In terms of overall presentation, the ATH-W5000 sounds neither overly warm or neutral: they just sound open and natural except in the upper mid-range which sounds slightly warm especially when reproducing female vocals. The “Raffinato” possesses a very high degree of resolution; overall, resolution and detail retrieval are top drawer compared to the AKG K 701 headphones. Renee Fleming's Sacred Songs CD showcases her majestic vocal range and she sounds silky smooth and refined while effortlessly filling the sound stage with glorious music. On the matter of sound stage, the ATH-W5000 paint a very wide, tall, and deep canvas to showcase the musicians. Within that expansive sound stage comes precise imaging that is spot on. Each musician and instrument occupies its own airy space. On one hand, Ms. Fleming's is a soprano and trebles sound smooth, well extended, and airy with just a touch of warmth in the uppermost echelons. On the other hand, bass notes come through clearly with a very high degree of textured resolution and speed. However, they lack weight and slam compared to other headphones and there is some roll-off on the deepest bass notes. Macro-dynamics are hyper fast so as to keep tempo with the music. Finally, listeners need not turn up the volume by much to hear their music at comfortably safe levels. The ATH-W5000 “Raffinato” are easily the very best pair of cans that I have had the pleasure of ownership.
