[Remo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by AnGeLiCbOrIs /img/forum/go_quote.gif Can anyone think of a better sounding closed portable headphone in the same price range? I'm pretty close to buying a pair... They're so cool!

x2

 

[Dorder]

Quote:

Originally Posted by AnGeLiCbOrIs /img/forum/go_quote.gif Can anyone think of a better sounding closed portable headphone in the same price range? I'm pretty close to buying a pair... They're so cool!

I think that's a clear no. Well, the bose qc3 is in that pricerange, but i doubt (from expirience with qc2) they'll sound better

. I prefered the hd25 to all other portables i had like k81dj, mdr-v6, es7, px100 etc. But the esw9 is just on a different level, compared to the hd25. In a decent home setup, the esw9 holds up against the k701 or hd650.

 

[AnGeLiCbOrIs]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dorder /img/forum/go_quote.gif I think that's a clear no. Well, the bose qc3 is in that pricerange, but i doubt (from expirience with qc2) they'll sound better . I prefered the hd25 to all other portables i had like k81dj, mdr-v6, es7, px100 etc. But the esw9 is just on a different level, compared to the hd25. In a decent home setup, the esw9 holds up against the k701 or hd650.

Wow. I can't wait to get 'em.

 

[AnGeLiCbOrIs]

Hate to double post but I wanted to post the current best deal on these. I found 'em for $280 shipped to US from Bluetin Japan. EMS shipping raises it to just $282!

I'm getting ready to pull the trigger. Is there a better deal I'm missing somewhere?

AC, Price Japan, Yesasia, and BT Singapore are more expensive.

 

[Remo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dorder /img/forum/go_quote.gif I think that's a clear no. Well, the bose qc3 is in that pricerange, but i doubt (from expirience with qc2) they'll sound better . I prefered the hd25 to all other portables i had like k81dj, mdr-v6, es7, px100 etc. But the esw9 is just on a different level, compared to the hd25. In a decent home setup, the esw9 holds up against the k701 or hd650.

OoohKay...
This opinion seems a little contentious. Have people compared the ESW9 against the HD650? I was just hoping for something that was a step up from the HD25...

 

[WittyzTH]

HD650 would kill them for sure if you have enough power to drive.

For HD25, I prefer ESW9s because I love the AT sound sig.

 

[Skylab]

I liked the ESW9's better than the HD25-1's - so much so I sold the HD25-1's. But it's really more that they sound different, more than better, per se.

 

[PenDragon]

Quote:

Originally Posted by WittyzTH /img/forum/go_quote.gif @PenDragon If you're in Japan, why don't you go to some stores like Yodabashi and audition them?

I'm intending to do that this weekend actually, but there hasn't been any time to drop by Akihabara this week ^_^ I actually checked Bic Camera yesterday though, since they tend to have a lot of audio-technica gear, but nopes, no ESW9.

Also, thanks for all the responses, you're making this purchase real easy for me!

 

[Remo]

In another topic where the poster started out asking whether to buy HD 650s to go with his Total Bithead, Boomana said: "If you're looking to be happy with what you already have (the Bithead), I actually recommend different headphones. I recently purchased the ATH-ESW9s. The aren't as refined as the 650s, but may actually sound better than the 650s when using a Bithead. I'm very happy with this purchase, and (new toy syndrome) haven't touched my other headphones for a few days. They also have the advantage of being closed and portable (best of both). You can use the Bithead with your computer, or take them out with you. The sq is really very good, and they are seriously comfortable right out of the box. I've bought a few new headphones I instantly didn't like. These are keepers. If you primarily listen to a lot of hard rock or metal, I would not recommend these, but for acoustic, jazz, chamber, pop, etc., they're wonderful, and the Bithead can drive them with no problem. They'll also wipe out your entire $300"

 

[crispy_frog]

I am interested as well in where you can buy these earphones cheap in Osaka or Tokyo. Does anybody have any clue?

 

[becca9]

How does the ESW9 compare to the HD25-1 II in physical size -- particularly the earcups? Does the ESW9 really work as an on-the-street portable? Thanks.

 

[slwiser]

..wrong comparison...

 

[Gav]

Do the ESW9's fold up to make them portable, its just that I havnt seen any photo's of them folded away.

 

[slwiser]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gav /img/forum/go_quote.gif Do the ESW9's fold up to make them portable, its just that I havnt seen any photo's of them folded away.

Fold flat like a grado.

 

[TMM]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gav /img/forum/go_quote.gif Do the ESW9's fold up to make them portable, its just that I havnt seen any photo's of them folded away.

audio-technicabATH-ESW9
The gallery has pics of them folded flat