[Mr.Shadow]

Hie Folks,

A friend of mine has an option to buy some audio technica cans from a store in japan.
He was offered 3 paires: W5000, W2002 and some JVC DX-1000
Now, I know the W2002 are not available anymore, but he doubled checked that and he made sure that they are actually W2002.
The price btw was 720$ for the W2002, the W5000 are around 100$ less.

From those 3 cans, which are the best ?
I suggested to go with the W2002, but I wanted to make sure that I am right.
Those the JVC stands beside the AT in terms of Sound quality ?
I allways thought of them as inferior to the AT cans.

Tnx.

 

[jjcha]

As long as your friend is in Japan, he should he should pick up the HA5000 as well as the W5000.

I asked Taniguchi-san to look into HA5000 for me, but at the last second decided not to go with it. It's a great combo, and Fujiya's got it at a good price.

Bottom line is in my opinion, the W5000 is a refinement of the W2002 that finally makes that sound acceptable. The JVC is interesting and has some very enjoyable aspects to its sound, but is not as technically competent as the W5000.

Best,

-Jason

 

[Mr.Shadow]

Thanks Jason, I will Suggest him to go with the W5000
Heck, for that price I migh just get one for myself

About the HA-5000, I dont know if its available at the store we was offered the cans, I wil lask him and let him know.

 

[Todd S]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr.Shadow The price btw was 720$ for the W2002, the W5000 are around 100$ less.

$620 for a new W5000? I would be all over that!

 

[Vic]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Todd S $620 for a new W5000? I would be all over that!

Absolutely agree: excellent price for the best dynamic can still in production I have heard.
Buy at least two of them

 

[purk]

I would go with the W2002 due to a much better build quality and for their collector status. They also look better, IMO.

To my ears, the W5000 and W2002 sound almost identical in term of sonics. Both headphones excel at representing details and provide great imaging. Both also brighther and leaner in bass department than the L3000. B/w the two phones, I feel that the W5000s are capable of deeper extension but has less impact than the W2002. In the midrange, the W2002 is sligthly more transparent and is more forwarded sounding. Both phones sound almost identical in the treble department to my ears.

The above impression was done using the same setup: Sony SCD-777ES/Modwirght Pioneer DVP-A47i, and ATH-HA2002 amp.

 

[Patu]

Quote:

Originally Posted by purk I would go with the W2002 due to a much better build quality...

I find this hard to believe because there's nothing to complain about W5000 build quality.

 

[purk]

Patu,
W5000 has a great build but the W2002 is even better. Have you actually compare them side by side? I owned the W5000 about 4 months ago and later sold them in favor of the W2002. To my ears, both are in the same level in sound quality, but the W2002 is more exclusive and craftmanship is better. The earcups on the W2002 is gorgeous!

 

[mulveling]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patu I find this hard to believe because there's nothing to complain about W5000 build quality.

Trust me, the w5000's build is not bad but the w2002 is significantly better.

On sound quality, it will be a matter of preference. Personally I thought the w2002 midrange was more grain free. With a great amp and good recording it's the best I've heard for vocals. It has a very electrostatic-like sound for a dynamic.

Both are at a very high technical level, fantastic resolution. Both have the trademark AT presentation. The w5000 has a faster attack and is less recording/amp dependant but is very sensitive to fit. W5000 is a better all-genre headphone; better for most rock.

Is that w2002 new, or like new (no scuffs on cups). If so, that's a deal that you probably won't see again. You can get a w5000 anytime. A mint w2002 would go for a LOT more than $720 around here.

 

[jjcha]

Hmm. Here's the thing though - you guys both have HA2002. I think the W5000 does better with normal amps.

I did the W5000/W2002 side by side using a number of amps (my Grace m902, Oski's Earmax Pro, bunch of portables) but none of the ones that are supposed to bring out the most out of the W2002. Actually, I was surprised the Earmax didn't do better with the W2002.

You know, there is an easy solution. Buy all of them, including the HA5000. I'd hope/expect the HA5000 to match the W2002 as well.

Best regards,

-Jason

Postscript: I also agree the W2002 is a classic in build and looks. W5000 is still pretty classy but doesn't feel as substantial. W2002 has more collector's value, but you need to time the market well in order to maximize sales from it. But yes, at the prices you're quoting, you could easily resell at a profit.

 

[Patu]

No I haven't compared them side by side.

Does W2002 have better materials or what then? Is the wood on the earcups some better brand? Please tell me what do you mean by better build quality. These cans are in same price range (W2002 just has higher value because it's "collector's piece") so there shouldn't be too much differencies in materials. At least my pair of W5000 has absolutely flawless finishing and build quality. I think I just don't get your point here or then we have a different idea of the word "build quality".

But to answer the topic, I would go for W2002 because they have this "collector's piece" status and can always be sold for much higher than $720 (if he ends up disliking it).

 

[jjcha]

You need to hold some of the older woodies. The W5000 is nice, but the wood is light and feels cheap. Also the design of the bands across the top and where the cup housings goes to the wings feels more plasticky.

The W5000 was a step by audio-technica to bring their wooden line build more in conformance with their modern A900 and AD2000 lines. This was a small step backwards.

None of this is to take away from the build quality of the W5000, which is okay and looks very refined. But it doesn't compare to L3000 or W2002, or even the older woodies.

I think a few of you have seen these photos before...

Best,

-Jason

 

[mulveling]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patu No I haven't compared them side by side. Does W2002 have better materials or what then? Is the wood on the earcups some better brand? Please tell me what do you mean by better build quality. These cans are in same price range (W2002 just has higher value because it's "collector's piece") so there shouldn't be too much differencies in materials. At least my pair of W5000 has absolutely flawless finishing and build quality. I think I just don't get your point here or then we have a different idea of the word "build quality".

Well, ok, keeping in mind that I am picky:

- The W2002 fit my head like a glove. The W5000 cups were a bit bigger and as a result applied more pressure to my head on the bottom of the pads than the top. It didn't feel as good on my head. The fit is going to be individual dependant, though.

- The w2002 cups are finished in an exquisite lacquor. It's the most beautiful wood finish I've seen. Deep, multifaceted, rich color that looks 3D, with a glossy finish. The w5000 finish is matte, the ebony is very 2D - it consists of only 2 colors: brown and black.

- The W2002 frame around the cups is magnesium. The parts above this are plastic. Still, the whole frame/cup structure was very well damped to vibrations. I found the all-metal W5000 frame to vibrate/resonate to the slightest touch. If you listen loud and then pause suddenly, you can hear the vibrations as they subside in that split second! Also the finish on the magnesium part of the w2002/l3000 just feels more high quality than the metal in the w5000.

 

[Patu]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjcha ...

Thanks for clarifying. I have no problems in believing that there are headphones with better build quality out there. It's just that W5000 is one of the best ones I've seen/had in my hands so I thought it would be more like personal preferences here or something. But I think I get your point here.

The heavier it is, the better build quality it has. Or in my books, durability. I've always thought that even if something might look/feel flimsy it can still have a very high build quality (like SA5000, except its cable). It's funny how some people seem to mix up words durability and build quality so easily (not talking about any of you guys now). But let's not get into this subject now (or at least in this thread).

 

[Alu]

This thread makes me want to buy the W2002 in the FS section. Sadly I don't have the 1000€ necessary for this.