The Closed-Back Headphone Thread (Plus Comparisons & Reviews)

Aug 19, 2020 at 10:42 AM Post #121 of 6,907
I heard the HA5050 with adx 5000 at the ATH SHOP in paris .. awesome .. like the Bartok dcs which I’m trying to forget :))
But the luxman DA150 is an amp/dac combo which I prefered over few goods products .. it will never reach the performance of separated elements - so the soundstage - but it remains a very very good and underrated desk combo IMHO
 
Aug 19, 2020 at 12:41 PM Post #122 of 6,907
AWAS and 2000Ti would make an excellent combo. The former is coloured but fun, the latter is neutral and more analytical. 2000Ti is closer to Focal Clear in terms of overall sound signature - flat with clear and textured mids. Technically, the Focal Clear is better in terms of imaging and soundstage, but they're open back, of course. I'm not sure on pad swapping yet, I would like to know myself. All the headphones I have look to be swap-able, and they all the ZMF style "fold over" method, which is easy to replace. I find the clamp pressure tighter on the AWAS/AWKT but the actual pad opening is larger than 2000Ti, so in terms of comfort on pads, the high end models probably win, but in terms of headband and weight, the 2000Ti have it.
The comfort and cup size was actually the main reason I decided upon the 2000ti over the AWAS - I had figured the headband and weight would provide better in the long run. I do have issues with the clamp of the 2000ti over long sessions, but I do not think it to be an issue of just the clamp - its probably a combination of the pad size being a touch too small to they just barely touch your ears, a bit of the clamp, and for me I also struggle with how the pads are angled at the bottom to be thicker; I probably prefer pads with uniform thickness. So if the AWAS has more clamp then I am wary of picking it up, as I am adverse to strong clamp. If only they could combine the headband of the 2000ti with the pads of the AWAS / AWKT ah...


Thanks, the HDV820 was mentioned to me yesterday as a potentially good amp for AT. Probably next on my list is an excellent, super clean and neutral solid state amp with that will pair nicely with my Hugo 2 while retaining all the merits of the Hugo 2.

Incidentally, I was just cable rolling a little, and 2000Ti owners should note that the input casing on the A2DC jacks is different to the rest of the headphones. The inner ring - if you will - is tighter, which means it might be less friendly to cable rolling than the other 3. The official HDC114A/1.2 works without issue, but with the other cables it doesn't quite click into place and I don't want to force it.
This was something I had noticed prior to purchasing the 2000ti on the japanese review of the 2000ti early in the ti's thread. For others considering the 2000ti, the cable plug is recessed into the cup, so it will need a cable similar to the likes of the ADX5000, ATH-MSR7b, and SR9. I have contacted multiple custom cable makers and for the near future, they do not seem able to make A2DC cables with the extension (or A2DC cables for that matter). So for custom cables, those who would prefer to spend sub-$100 usd on cables should look to Aliexpress or eBay for the time being, and pay attention to search for cables designed for one of those headphone models. I've tried the FDBRO cables from Amazon, and the connector is not long enough to plug into the 2000ti, so normal iem A2DC cables will not work.

Regardless of the issues, I strongly suggest anyone who is purchasing any of the new Audio-Technica headphones to buy a custom cable, as the stock cables are quite microphonic.
 
Aug 19, 2020 at 2:23 PM Post #124 of 6,907
The comfort and cup size was actually the main reason I decided upon the 2000ti over the AWAS - I had figured the headband and weight would provide better in the long run. I do have issues with the clamp of the 2000ti over long sessions, but I do not think it to be an issue of just the clamp - its probably a combination of the pad size being a touch too small to they just barely touch your ears, a bit of the clamp, and for me I also struggle with how the pads are angled at the bottom to be thicker; I probably prefer pads with uniform thickness. So if the AWAS has more clamp then I am wary of picking it up, as I am adverse to strong clamp. If only they could combine the headband of the 2000ti with the pads of the AWAS / AWKT ah...



This was something I had noticed prior to purchasing the 2000ti on the japanese review of the 2000ti early in the ti's thread. For others considering the 2000ti, the cable plug is recessed into the cup, so it will need a cable similar to the likes of the ADX5000, ATH-MSR7b, and SR9. I have contacted multiple custom cable makers and for the near future, they do not seem able to make A2DC cables with the extension (or A2DC cables for that matter). So for custom cables, those who would prefer to spend sub-$100 usd on cables should look to Aliexpress or eBay for the time being, and pay attention to search for cables designed for one of those headphone models. I've tried the FDBRO cables from Amazon, and the connector is not long enough to plug into the 2000ti, so normal iem A2DC cables will not work.

Regardless of the issues, I strongly suggest anyone who is purchasing any of the new Audio-Technica headphones to buy a custom cable, as the stock cables are quite microphonic.
Null audio henceforth offers two kind of AD2C and I’m wondering if the new format adresses that? It is what they referred to as « headphones AD2C .. am’I right?
That sounds right. The only alternative cable I found that works for the 2000ti is Audio-Technica'a own OFC cable here. It's a decent cable but I'd like to have the option of a much better cable ideally, especially since the 2000ti is source sensitive. I suspect the well known cables - Forza, Moon Audio, Plussound - may be able to source an A2DC plug that fits the 2000ti. I've been dealing with Moon Audio recently and find their custom service excellent. Worth a go.

BTW, the stock cables that come with AWAS and AWKT also don't fit the 2000ti. Someone mentioned Null Audio recently in relation to Audio-Technica but I can't remember who. Sorry.
 
Aug 19, 2020 at 5:28 PM Post #125 of 6,907
That sounds right. The only alternative cable I found that works for the 2000ti is Audio-Technica'a own OFC cable here. It's a decent cable but I'd like to have the option of a much better cable ideally, especially since the 2000ti is source sensitive. I suspect the well known cables - Forza, Moon Audio, Plussound - may be able to source an A2DC plug that fits the 2000ti. I've been dealing with Moon Audio recently and find their custom service excellent. Worth a go.

BTW, the stock cables that come with AWAS and AWKT also don't fit the 2000ti. Someone mentioned Null Audio recently in relation to Audio-Technica but I can't remember who. Sorry.
I am currently using the NewFantasia cable from Amazon designed for the ADX5000 and co, and soundwise there are no issues. It is rather long and physically it feels like a lighter focal cable (rough and tough in a bad way), but I’m just using it as a placeholder until the other cable I ordered arrives. Then it goes back :)
 
Aug 20, 2020 at 1:41 AM Post #126 of 6,907
That sounds right. The only alternative cable I found that works for the 2000ti is Audio-Technica'a own OFC cable here. It's a decent cable but I'd like to have the option of a much better cable ideally, especially since the 2000ti is source sensitive. I suspect the well known cables - Forza, Moon Audio, Plussound - may be able to source an A2DC plug that fits the 2000ti. I've been dealing with Moon Audio recently and find their custom service excellent. Worth a go.

BTW, the stock cables that come with AWAS and AWKT also don't fit the 2000ti. Someone mentioned Null Audio recently in relation to Audio-Technica but I can't remember who. Sorry.
That was probably me? I was thinking of purchasing an aftermarket cable (from Null) for my WP900, if and when I get them.

Are there differences between the different A2DC plugs? Like @MATWIN94 mentioned, Null actually offers 2 types of A2DC plugs (1st and 3rd photo) -

1597902028633.png


I suppose the one with the smaller barrel is used for IEMs, and the larger ones are more suitable for headphones?
 
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Aug 20, 2020 at 1:58 AM Post #127 of 6,907
That was probably me? I was thinking of purchasing an aftermarket cable (from Null) for my WP900, if and when I get them.

Are there differences between the different A2DC plugs? Like @MATWIN94 mentioned, Null actually offers 2 types of A2DC plugs (1st and 3rd photo) -

1597902028633.png

I suppose the one with the smaller barrel is used for IEMs, and the larger ones are more suitable for headphones?
Yes, sorry, it was you! (I'm at last days of summer vacation with the kid, so my mind is full erosion).

The Null option looks promising. I can take a close up shot of the different A2DC plugs later today if it helps.
 
Aug 20, 2020 at 2:39 AM Post #128 of 6,907
That was probably me? I was thinking of purchasing an aftermarket cable (from Null) for my WP900, if and when I get them.

Are there differences between the different A2DC plugs? Like @MATWIN94 mentioned, Null actually offers 2 types of A2DC plugs (1st and 3rd photo) -

1597902028633.png

I suppose the one with the smaller barrel is used for IEMs, and the larger ones are more suitable for headphones?

Look what I found but the price.... Dear God....
https://www.lavricables.com/cables/...h-esw750-esw950-esw990-adx5000-upgrade-cable/
 
Aug 20, 2020 at 2:54 AM Post #129 of 6,907
Aug 20, 2020 at 4:13 AM Post #131 of 6,907
That was probably me? I was thinking of purchasing an aftermarket cable (from Null) for my WP900, if and when I get them.

Are there differences between the different A2DC plugs? Like @MATWIN94 mentioned, Null actually offers 2 types of A2DC plugs (1st and 3rd photo) -



I suppose the one with the smaller barrel is used for IEMs, and the larger ones are more suitable for headphones?
The third photo definitely looks similar to the ones I have for my 2000ti. And I believe you’re correct, the first photo should be the ones designed for iems, as the iem cables I received had a similar width on the casing around the connector. And sadly because of that casing, they didn’t fit the 2000ti :frowning2:.

BAC62198-2B56-4202-9024-A94938067A4C.jpeg
20B0260F-AE55-4A8B-ACB1-4002C8FA029E.jpeg
06E4FB45-FCF3-484A-80AB-9D51D7DC6324.jpeg
0F904C2E-4E90-4D93-9E56-5EF316E34CFA.jpeg
ADA85683-3692-4C30-A000-CD1F11B230F0.jpeg

@Malevolent @Nostoi these were some pictures I had taken and sent to the FDBRO cable makers around a week ago to see if I could convince them to make custom cables for the 2000ti style :). In the first picture, the left cable is the NewFantasia cable for ADX5000 / AP2000ti, and the right is the A2DC cable from FDBRO for iem’s. In the second to fourth picture, the left cable is the stock AP2000ti cable and the right is the same FDBRO iem cable.

I have since returned the iem cable because they do not have that extra part to extend into the 2000ti, but I believe that the iem cable should be fine for the WP900, AWAS and AWKT as those did not have recessed cups (from images).
 
Aug 20, 2020 at 4:32 AM Post #133 of 6,907
Very interesting 👍
This is a picture of that exact cable on my AWAS and Lotoo. It's a very "supple" cable that doesn't have the heft of other cables, so I feel like I have to be slightly more careful with it than, say, a Forza cable. But the sound is really clean and seems to add a bit more width. I like their 4.4mm termination, feels solid and the A2DC plugs click in nicely. I'm curious to see how their other ranges - the Master Line, for example - compare.

The pairing of the AWAS and Lotoo is *really* nice.

P1070243.jpg
 
Aug 20, 2020 at 4:35 AM Post #134 of 6,907
Aug 20, 2020 at 8:47 AM Post #135 of 6,907
A company I sadly don’t see mentioned that often on here is Ollo. Fans of warm neutralish cans should definitely take note. Their first closedback the S4R is a very enamouring listen. It doesn’t seem to do anything wrong and sort of pulls you into the music by way of warmth and a linear tuning up through the mids and treble. I often think of it as a refined and more neutral take on the 99 Classics.
It’s an easy drive and at least to me looks quite handsome in the ‘naked version’ I got it in:-)
822CCF52-CA35-464B-A022-839BD9B105AD.jpeg
 

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