[Malevolent]

Congrats!!! I think you probably know my thoughts on this purchase.

The ATH-AWAS (and the ATH-AWKT) are very comfortable in use, especially in regard to the pads and clamp force. I found the shallow pads a little worrisome in the beginning, but in terms of pure comfort, I have had zero issues with them.

Does the ATH-AWAS affect or induce your TMJ in any way? If not, I think that's great news.

 

[elnero]

The ATH-AWAS (and the ATH-AWKT) are very comfortable in use, especially in regard to the pads and clamp force. I found the shallow pads a little worrisome in the beginning, but in terms of pure comfort, I have had zero issues with them.

Does the ATH-AWAS affect or induce your TMJ in any way? If not, I think that's great news.

Not really. There's been a couple of times where my jaw was pretty bad that it was a bit bothersome but overall, the AWAS continues to be one of the few headphones that don't really bother it.

I've been undergoing treatment for my TMJ which involves realignment of my jaw. Initially I had to wear an appliance on my bottom teeth through the day and at night, one on the bottom and one on the top. The top has a loop that keeps my jaw forward. The night appliances I'm supposed to use forever but the daytime was just for a few months. Everything was going really well until I weaned off the daytime appliance. Now my jaw has been rather problematic again and to add to it, my tinnitus is very easily temporarily made worse when listening to music. Typically my tinnitus is low level and not bothersome but, in the past, some headphones like Grado's could make the ringing worse for awhile after listening. Since I weaned off the daytime appliance it seems to get louder almost anytime I listen to music. I wondered if open headphones might help so I picked up a pair ATH-R70x's because I wanted to give them a try anyway. They haven't really helped with the tinnitus but are they ever a nice sounding headphone and no issues with clamp whatsoever.

 

[Malevolent]

Not really. There's been a couple of times where my jaw was pretty bad that it was a bit bothersome but overall, the AWAS continues to be one of the few headphones that don't really bother it.

I've been undergoing treatment for my TMJ which involves realignment of my jaw. Initially I had to wear an appliance on my bottom teeth through the day and at night, one on the bottom and one on the top. The top has a loop that keeps my jaw forward. The night appliances I'm supposed to use forever but the daytime was just for a few months. Everything was going really well until I weaned off the daytime appliance. Now my jaw has been rather problematic again and to add to it, my tinnitus is very easily temporarily made worse when listening to music. Typically my tinnitus is low level and not bothersome but, in the past, some headphones like Grado's could make the ringing worse for awhile after listening. Since I weaned off the daytime appliance it seems to get louder almost anytime I listen to music. I wondered if open headphones might help so I picked up a pair ATH-R70x's because I wanted to give them a try anyway. They haven't really helped with the tinnitus but are they ever a nice sounding headphone and no issues with clamp whatsoever.

All the best, my friend! I hope you manage to find a less invasive solution to your issues with TMJ.

Out of curiosity, is your tinnitus a consequence of TMJ, or is it a separate ailment altogether? My wife suffers from slight tinnitus herself, and because of that, she has moved from using IEMs exclusively to using a combination of the 2. She states that the pain comes less frequently if she's using headphones.

 

[Malevolent]

To a certain extend I share that sentiment, although I'm rather immune nevertheless: most AT models don't work for me on either comfort or tuning, and often both. And while some people seem to think I hoard headphones just to look at them (the argument going along the line of number of headphones vs. number of heads/ears...) I only buy models that fit me on both accounts. So AT is mostly nice photos to me -- which I'm OK with, given their output in sheer number of models: would be a nightmare to try to keep up But yes, many do look good. Temptingly good even sometimes.

I agree; Audio-Technica suffers from a principal issue, something that most large (audio) companies are similarly guilty of - they tend to introduce large swathes of products into the market. It is, indeed, quite difficult to keep up with the likes of Audio-Technica, Sony, and Sennheiser, especially within the consumer side of things.

Audio-Technica has a long history of making beautiful wood-cupped cans. I remember listening to many of their top-end products back in my high-school years. Back then, my father used to work for the company as a marketing manager. Thus, he had early access to new products, and he'd frequently bring samples home to obtain user feedback.

So, yes, I blame my father for cultivating and nurturing this budding hobby in me.

 

[Malevolent]

Agree, I'm interested with AT's tuning, but sometimes it's hard to keep up, they have too many lines and variances, they are kinda "boutique" in that way I mean, I like that Final only got 2 version of their flagship, same with Sony, AT got multiple "Flagships", AWKT, 2000Ti, ADX5000, Woodies L version, etc. Of which none I can demo myself to get a safe buying experience, so I just kept to their tried and tested AD1000X for their ethereal Vocal and stay with it till it breaks

Frankly, and this is a segue of sorts - I don't understand why the Japanese brands can't simply think of elegant or distinctive "1-word" names for their flagship headphones.

Look at the likes of Sony, Fostex, Denon, Audio-Technica, Final Audio, and STAX. Most (or all) of the names of their flagship products are basically a hodgepodge of letters and numbers!

Sony: MDR-Z1R, MDR-Z7M2, WH-1000XM4

Fostex: TH900 Mk2, TH909

Denon: AH-D9200, AH-D7200

Audio-Technica: ATH-ADX5000, ATH-AWKT, ATH-AWAS

Final Audio: D8000 Pro

STAX: SR-X9000, SR-009S

Seriously?!

 

[AudioDuck]

Frankly, and this is a segue of sorts - I don't understand why the Japanese brands can't simply think of elegant or distinctive "1-word" names for their flagship headphones.

Look at the likes of Sony, Fostex, Denon, Audio-Technica, Final Audio, and STAX. Most (or all) of the names of their flagship products are basically a hodgepodge of letters and numbers!

Sony: MDR-Z1R, MDR-Z7M2, WH-1000XM4

Fostex: TH900 Mk2, TH909

Denon: AH-D9200, AH-D7200

Audio-Technica: ATH-ADX5000, ATH-AWKT, ATH-AWAS

Final Audio: D8000 Pro

STAX: SR-X9000, SR-009S

Seriously?!

Agreed. As a product marketing/marketing communications pro with some experience with product/product line naming and background strategies, I find Focal’s approach much more effective.

The cost and effort involved with unique/emotive naming is very high (geopolitical & trademark checks, among other things), for a small product line in an emotionally driven category it makes more sense.

And, if your product line is larger (like AT’s or parts of Sony’s business) a more brief and logical numbering structure is less confusing to consumers.

 

[AudioDuck]

Not really. There's been a couple of times where my jaw was pretty bad that it was a bit bothersome but overall, the AWAS continues to be one of the few headphones that don't really bother it.

I've been undergoing treatment for my TMJ which involves realignment of my jaw. Initially I had to wear an appliance on my bottom teeth through the day and at night, one on the bottom and one on the top. The top has a loop that keeps my jaw forward. The night appliances I'm supposed to use forever but the daytime was just for a few months. Everything was going really well until I weaned off the daytime appliance. Now my jaw has been rather problematic again and to add to it, my tinnitus is very easily temporarily made worse when listening to music. Typically my tinnitus is low level and not bothersome but, in the past, some headphones like Grado's could make the ringing worse for awhile after listening. Since I weaned off the daytime appliance it seems to get louder almost anytime I listen to music. I wondered if open headphones might help so I picked up a pair ATH-R70x's because I wanted to give them a try anyway. They haven't really helped with the tinnitus but are they ever a nice sounding headphone and no issues with clamp whatsoever.

I am so sorry to hear of this, @plakat ! I have comparatively mild TMJ and it’s bothersome- I cannot imagine how you deal with it.

I’m glad to hear the ATH-R70x is not as aggravating.

Here in the USA, anyway, TMJ is an ailment that doctors push to dentists, and most dentists claim it’s a muscular issue and don’t want to tackle it or don’t know how. Frustrating stuff.

 

[elnero]

All the best, my friend! I hope you manage to find a less invasive solution to your issues with TMJ.

Out of curiosity, is your tinnitus a consequence of TMJ, or is it a separate ailment altogether? My wife suffers from slight tinnitus herself, and because of that, she has moved from using IEMs exclusively to using a combination of the 2. She states that the pain comes less frequently if she's using headphones.

I'm not sure when the tinnitus actually started but it does seem to be related to the TMJ. The TMJ I believe is a result of both me clenching my teeth and a broken cheekbone and resulting surgery to fix it back in the 90's. It was only a minor issue for a long time but when I moved towards IEM's is when I exasperated it to the point it became problematic. I can still remember the day. I was mowing the lawn and readjusted the IEM's I had in. I hit the bone or cartilage at the bend in my ear which caused a lot of pain at the time. Shortly after that, I got ear impressions done for custom JHA JH13's, that was excruciating and I never could get the them to fit right. I kept trying various IEM's but had to give up on them completely.

I am so sorry to hear of this, @plakat ! I have comparatively mild TMJ and it’s bothersome- I cannot imagine how you deal with it.

I’m glad to hear the ATH-R70x is not as aggravating.

Here in the USA, anyway, TMJ is an ailment that doctors push to dentists, and most dentists claim it’s a muscular issue and don’t want to tackle it or don’t know how. Frustrating stuff.

It's the same here in Canada. Luckily though, we have a dentist here that specializes in TMJ treatment. Insurance doesn't cover it though and it's pretty expensive so it's frustrating that the treatment has suddenly seemed to go backwards.

 

[AudioDuck]

I'm not sure when the tinnitus actually started but it does seem to be related to the TMJ. The TMJ I believe is a result of both me clenching my teeth and a broken cheekbone and resulting surgery to fix it back in the 90's. It was only a minor issue for a long time but when I moved towards IEM's is when I exasperated it to the point it became problematic. I can still remember the day. I was mowing the lawn and readjusted the IEM's I had in. I hit the bone or cartilage at the bend in my ear which caused a lot of pain at the time. Shortly after that, I got ear impressions done for custom JHA JH13's, that was excruciating and I never could get the them to fit right. I kept trying various IEM's but had to give up on them completely.


It's the same here in Canada. Luckily though, we have a dentist here that specializes in TMJ treatment. Insurance doesn't cover it though and it's pretty expensive so it's frustrating that the treatment has suddenly seemed to go backwards.

Wow- while I’m glad you have a specialist, that must be both costly and challenging emotionally and physically. You have my sympathies.

Also, my apologies for mis-naming you, @elnero !

 

[helloh3adfi]

I'm enjoying my Sivga SV021. I like the larger space inside the earpads as most other closed headphones are too small. Are there other closed-back headphones with large earcups you could recommend me? I don't want to pay too much.

 

[Sp12er3]

Brand for the masses indeed, I was surprised how well it fit the kid, still stays on even when he was headbanging to the music

 

[Terriero]

Brand for the masses indeed, I was surprised how well it fit the kid, still stays on even when he was headbanging to the music

The headphones fit him well, but I think the pijama is enormous (or maybe is the perspective of the pic)... Now I can understand why you keep the Z7s

 

[LostnAmerica]

I've tried a few closed-backs this year:
- DCA æon flow 2 noire: Very portable and ingenious design. Above average noise isolation and to top it off a near perfect frequency response for me. Sent it back cause it's build for smaller heads then mine. It clamped like a vicious beast. DCA does know how to make closed-back headphones though
- DCA Ether C flow 1.1: Bigger is better, the Ether is damn near perfect in everything for me. Fit was way better and the overall sound compared to the æon 2 noire was a bit more mature. Ended up selling it due to a small but still present clamp just above my ears which resulted in a headache every single time Too bad bending doesn't help with these and their memory metal headband.
- LSA HP-2 Ultra: Hello horns! I love the Kennerton house-sound and I loved the Magni v3 I had last year. High hopes for the HP-2 but I always found it a bit shouty for my preference. To get the best sound you need an insane amount of clamp which made me sell these again. I've heard that the JM edition of the horn fixes the shoutiness I heard. If you are fine with a vice grip on your head please consider this headphone. The open-back Kennerton headphones with the new auto-adjust headbands are one of the most comfortable and best built headphones you can ever experience.
- Beyerdynamic/Drop DT 177X GO: Hard to find in the EU but worth getting them from the USA. The leather pads compliment the headphones perfectly and combined with the "amiron wireless" dampening pads it fixes all that I hated about the DT 1770 PRO. No more piercing highs. The bass is still prominent. So far I have not experienced the hot-spot I got with the DT 1770 PRO. I read that the clamp on the GO is less then on the PRO but I never had both at the same time. Soldering a balanced cable topped it off. At the moment the DT 177X GO is the closed-back for me. Portable, easily driven and versatile enough (single-ended and balanced, 2 different types of pads that have proven to work).

My dream closed-back is a DCA æon flow 2 noire that doesn't give me the feeling my head is stuck between the elevator doors which is why I know I need to save up the money for a Kennerton Rögnir

Greetings, o saw you found the HP-2 "a little shouty ". By chance, did you listen to these after at least a 100 hours of use? I haven't experienced this shoutiness, but not hyper extended but more than adequate for listening pleasure. Just asking. And the fit, for me anyway is perfect, I didn't need to bend the headband either. Enjoying your reviews. Keep it up.
Cheers

 

[Sp12er3]

The headphones fit him well, but I think the pijama is enormous (or maybe is the perspective of the pic)... Now I can understand why you keep the Z7s

yeah, i put the shorter, more convenient 4.4 bal cable from my Z1R then plug it to the 1A. And its a pretty hassle free, home quality System for me. It's convenient for when i dont want to risk my IER Z1R when I'm out and about. also no matter what Over Ear is just more comfortable in the long run compared to In ears.

edit: yeah he was leaning his head back in that pic, tho it is a big pajama so bought so he can grow into it.

 

[AudioDuck]

yeah, i put the shorter, more convenient 4.4 bal cable from my Z1R then plug it to the 1A. And its a pretty hassle free, home quality System for me.

As a recent new member of the WM1A community, I definitely recommend it as a good option with the Stellia. It’s pretty mind-bending to have a portable source you can carry around the house that is so high-quality.

The WM1A also plays very nicely with the Shure SRH-1540.