sound-stage differences Denon AH-D2000 ATH A900

[Mink]

Hi,

I am considering an upgrade form my ATH A500's to the ATH A900's or Denon AH D2000.
Having read everything there is to read about the A900's and D2000's I still didn't get a good idea, apart from the general opinion that the D2000's are far superior, how the overall character of those cans compare.

I like the wide and pretty deep sound-stage of my A500's, though I sometimes find their signature a tad too upfront.
The D2000's are supposed to be a bit more laid-back, which is a good thing, but I don't want to trade in some of the A500's distinct sound-staging abilities.

How do the D2000's compare with the A500/A900's?
Do they have a better sound-stage? or smaller?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Mink]

Anyone?

 

[NoPants]

I've heard the D2000 briefly and I'd have to agree with the "laid-back" part of things; if you're looking for soundstage I don't know if you're going to find more of that in the A900 to warrant an upgrade, though i guess you already knew that. That being said, D2000 has better balance across the spectrum with solid soundstaging. i don't consider AT closed series as having super magic soundstage so why not try it out, you shouldn't have problems selling them should they do not fit your tastes.

 

[Mink]

Thanks.

Yes I could just order the D2000's and sell them when I don't care for them, but I'd rather gather some information first...though I must admit I am leaning towards the D2000's at the moment.

So does anyone else have tried both, A900's and D2000's and can give me an idea how the sound-staging of these phones compare?

 

[cosmotron]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mink /img/forum/go_quote.gif Thanks. Yes I could just order the D2000's and sell them when I don't care for them, but I'd rather gather some information first...though I must admit I am leaning towards the D2000's at the moment. So does anyone else have tried both, A900's and D2000's and can give me an idea how the sound-staging of these phones compare?

Mind sharing what you ended up doing? I am in a similar situation right now.

 

[Mink]

For what it's worth, I ended up buying Audio Technica ATH M40fs, I still own and use the A500's on a regular basis.

The Denons I never tried, but the A900's didn't sound much better than the A500's to really justify an upgrade.
In fact I find the tonal balance of the A500's to be slightly better than the A900's, a bit darker with less hyped highs.
In direct comparion, when I listened to the A900's right after listening to the A500's I found no differences, it was when switching back to the A500's again what revealed the differences: the soundstage became slighltly narrower and there was less treble.
The overall sound character is the same though.

Instead I bought the M40's as a side pair for my A500's, which I use for vocals, pop and rock.
The sound is more direct, less airy, less bassy and gone is the 3D soundstage, but this is great for pop and rock.
The mids are more forward, which explains the decrease in soundstage I guess and with classical music this doesn't work that well, in comparison with the A500's that is.
Tonally the M40's are better than the A500's: mids, bass and treble are handled evenly and everything sounds smoother, close-miked vocals are reproduced with less 'grain'.
A real surprise!