[itza2mer]

I recently read about how Head-Fi'er JML replaced his Audio-Technica W100 pads with W2002 pads at the Audio Cubes website. His original post is here: http://www5.head-fi.org/forums/showt...threadid=11975
My question is simply, would the W2002 pads fit on other AT models, like the A900 or A1000? Audio Cubes charges a flat fee of $45 for all of their AT replacement pads. It would make sense to buy the higher quality W2002 pads to replace worn A900 or A1000 pads since the cost is the same.

 

[bangraman]

No. A-series pads are interchangeable. W-series pads are interchangeable. The A-series pads will fit on the W very loosely. The W series pads will not fit on the A series.

 

[itza2mer]

Quote:

Originally posted by bangraman No. A-series pads are interchangeable. W-series pads are interchangeable. The A-series pads will fit on the W very loosely. The W series pads will not fit on the A series.

What a shame! Thanks for the info.
I guess my other question would be: is there a difference in quality between the A900 and A1000 pads?

Also, would it be worth paying over $200 for the (I would assume) better sound reproduction that a W1000 would give you over an A900?

Thanks

 

[bangraman]

The A1000 pads are synthetic leather (Clarino) instead of cheapie PVC of the A900 and have a ruched touch that made them slightly cooler to wear than the A900 pads. The A1000 pad feels stiffer and less nice on the skin than the A900 pads to begin with, but you get used to it.


Some pictures I took with pads showing:

A1000 (Clarino)

A900 (PVC)

W2002 (Lambskin)

W1000 (Clarino)
[size=xx-small](Since the pads look the same as the W2002, I didn't bother taking pad specific pictures of the W1000)[/size]


The character of the W1000 is very different to the A900. The A900 is a general purpose phone with generous bass, good treble extension and good soundstaging, The W1000 is much more detailed, but is also more 'reference' sounding, and can come across as somewhat thin compared to the A900. On the other side, if you are coming from the W1000 to the A900 the A900 will sound terribly bloated, muffled and unresolved. If you like the A900 but want to move up in all respects without losing the general A900 character, there is one obvious choice and that is not within the A-T lineup. It's the Sony MDR-CD3000.

 

[itza2mer]

bangraman,

Thanks for the photos, and all of the info! It's all and more that I could have hoped for!

A few days ago, I ordered some A900's from Audio Cubes. I have owned the CD-3000's in the past, and I do like them a lot. However, after having 2 CD3000 drivers die on me, and after reading reports of poor repair service, I will no longer buy a Sony headphone. Since the general character of the A900's is like that of the CD3000's, (and the CD3000 fit my system well) I should be happy. I feel that I have made the right decision, which you helped confirm, to buy the A900's.

Thanks again,
Charles