These headphones are very impressive. First, let me admit that I don't JUST use my ipod. I regularly check head-fi.org for reviews and consider myself a intermediate audiophile, as pretentious as that may sound. I was WAY past Bose(the most overrated, overpriced headphones on the market), and wanted something that was actually a great value and sounded great; The ES7's do not disappoint. However, I have been burning them in, and lets just say that these need a LOT of burn in to sound their best. I have been burning them in since Friday at 12 pm, and I have read on headfi.com that these headphones need 300 hours of burn in to start sounding optimal, preferably done with pink noise and not music. When I first purchased the phones, I was somewhat disappointed. They sounded just like the overpriced Bose triports, without the boomy bass(although, it was muddy). With burn in, these are already starting to sound great. The bass is slowly tightening up, while the vocals are clearing up and the highs are starting to shine. I can officially say that I am a fan of Bob Marley's song " Exodus" and " No Woman, No Cry" and a few other songs, songs I never liked in the past. The ES7's sound pretty good with my ipod, but VERY good with my headphone out on my PowerBook G4. And this is all in less than a week's time of burning in these phones! Although these phones don't require an amp, I am probably going to purchase an amp/dac combo to optimize my listening experience. This way, I don't have to deal with the sound-card on my powerbook, and my sound experience can truly be called great. Also, when I'm on the go, my ipod--after I amp it up and Rockbox it--will sound a lot better! However, these headphones do not disappoint by themselves, and they will continue to impress someone the longer he/she uses them. Highly recommended.
The Beyer DT831 is bright, no doubt. But it DOES have great, deep bass.
It think it's the midrange that is the problem. Somewhere between midrange and very deep bass. Sometimes it's like a voice lacks...something...richness perhaps. Maybe that's why some many says they find the 831 lean.
I suspect the 831's connected to a good CD-player and a tube-amp would be very interesting...
I have a test-CD meant for setting up a hometheater. One track is for testing out the subwoofer, it's just a sine wave that sweeps from 160 Hz to 20 Hz with voice announcements of the frequency. Both phones must have an incredible flat low-frequency response curve. I can't hear any blooming or "humps", but I CAN hear the test tone all the way to 20 Hz. Most impressive.
The ATH-W1000 are a more balanced headphone. It's very detailed, but not too bright. It sounds very complete, from top to bottom, although I hope the deepest bass loosens up a little.
You don't get tired of listening to the W1000's, in more than one way...:-). It's more forgiving without sacrificing detail.
The W1000's costs over twice as much as the DT831's. Is it worth it? I think so. It's exotic, great looking, comfortable, well-engineered and suits most music-styles. It's just more complete.
I hope this has been helpful in any way.
Credit: JensL, head-fi.org (Full review)
They are wonderful to listen to, and eye-catching pretty as well. I don't mind letting others used these - as clip-ons, they are not exposed to personal hygiene like earbuds are. It's important to note these are set up to run the wire around the back of your head and not down the front of your neck. I've found this impacts by a fair amount how well they stay on my head.
Pros: they really sound great, very balanced, easy on the ears (you could seriously wear them for hours and forget you have them on), big sound but easy to carry with included pouch, no "in ear" fitting/discomfort issues
Cons: Only one so far, and it's not much of one - because they are clip-ons and light, I forget I have them on and move quick enough to dislodge them a bit on occassion, like when I play the Air Drums. It's not a show stopper, you get used to it quick enough. I don't jog but I am not sure you could wear them jogging, but for fast walking or a plane ride, they are great.
The price point is a tough one - do you really want to drop $100+ for phones you haven't heard? When I pay this much, I want a really good sound. These deliver and then some. I have pro quality recording phones and these keep up with them very well. Like I said, they are balanced sounding - they are not thumpers, they don't make your earlobes rumble. They play the lows just fine, but if you're used to a car stereo that rattles the windows with a 5000 watt subwoofer, you might find these a little light in the bass.
If you are after clarity, like to listen to what the musician recorded, like to listen to classical, pop, rock and jazz, I think you'll be in heaven hour after hour if you select these.
I think that these headphones are truly excellent. They have wonderful separation of sound. The bass is quite excellent, but it is not boomy or fuzzy. Like the rest of the sound range, the sound appears to be accurate and unexaggerated.
The phones are very light weight. The frame is made from magnesium. the outside covers of the earcups are aluminium. The cord is heavy duty and come out from only one side. It is less likely to get in the way or get tangled. The wires to each of the earcups are hidden inside the frame. This makes it less likely that they can be snagged leading to a short. the headphones come with a one eighth inch plug and a one fourth inch adapter.
The phones are very comfortable. They fit over the ear rather than on the ear. The earcups are open so that they have a breezy sound rather than the more constricted sound of many closed cup headphones. They do not completely block out sound so that you can hear family members calling to you, but they do not block out all sound either. In other words, you could be catching the news or watching a movie while listening to music.
The headphones are efficient enough that you do not need a headphone amplifier, but they do sound fuller and richer with a headphone amplifier.
I went from my default mp3 player headphones to these, mostly because the default ones were giving me static shocks if I would move around and get from certain chairs. Also, the default headphones my mp3 player came with would fatigue my ears after awhile -- couldn't go a long plane flight or wear them the whole time at work. After reading a bit on that the thing called the internet, I learned that these were very comfortable headphones. And they are. I have a big head that other headphones have trouble with or headphones that end up crushing my ears but I've had no problem with these at work, at home, on the plane, gaming, or whatever.
To repeat what another reviewer has said about these: You don't really realize how different music sounds with a good pair of headphones till you listen with them. The first time listening to them, the music had life: for the lack of a better word. Putting in my default headphones, everything sound flat and dull and with my 500s sounded beautiful. Certain subtleties also became apparent as well, guitars had a little extra something to them and songs like 'Rhapsody in Blue' took on a whole new life (a better one). In my week or so with these headphones, I've refound my classical music collection.
I love them and am very happy I got them for less than $100 shipped. Ultra comfy. Fantabulous sound. Great buy.
The AD900 were my first set of real cans. Frankly, I think they sound great. They are the most detailed pair of cans I own (also the most expensive, so people reading for truly high hi-falutin' audiophool reviews should go elsewhere, I'm all mid-fi). Truly they do nothing wrong; every aspect of the spectrum is fairly dry. The bass is lean, but well defined -- bass heads should apply elsewhere... maybe Beyer-Dynamic? The coloration on these cans is on the bright side. In fact, they don't sound too much unlike my roommate's Grado SR-125, though they generally go down much smoother and aren't all 'in your face'. They're very open and have some good sound stage in my opinion. The velour (ish?) pads and weird wing support system make them very comfortable and un-sweat inducing. They feel very open, too. I would say there aren't too many genres these cans can't do right. I find orchestral stuff a little boring through the AD900, but I think it shines with most rock, acousticky stuff, and jazz. Having a bit of weight up at the top end of the spectrum, they are not the most forgiving headphones. If the engineer flubbed the recording, you're gonna hear it (which means unwanted distortion, etc. in a lot of my favorite rock. I thought they were defective at first till I realized what was really going on).
These headphones are very durable and very handsome. Obviously they are only meant for at-home use, but I've never managed to scratch them. They are also pretty easy to drive without a dedicated amp. Even my mp3 player and PCDP get nearly the most out of them. If you want a detailed and thoughtful set of headphones for not a whole lot, the AD900 is a good choice. If bass is your main thing, though, you might consider something else.
Like all headphones, this one too has a distinct sound, ie. it is not neutral. I find the W5000 to be the right balance between warm and neutral. The soundstage is very large, and all the details are present. I find that when listening to vocals, especially female vocals, or listening to a concerto, the solo instrument/vocals tend to stand out, making it harder to hear the details. It sounds very natural, but is a matter of preference. Additionally, the bass is not as pronounced as on other headphones--it is there, and very tight, but not overwhelming. I like it better than the Denon D2000, which is too cold and analytical. Compared to other ATH offerings such as the A900 and the ES7, it has a much wider soundstage, but the flavor of sound is pretty much the same. Basically, you are just getting more of the benefits of those headphones--more details, more soundstage, etc. I have used this with an Onkyo receiver hooked up to a Sony DVD player, and it sounds very good. It also works well with my Cowon D2, and also very well with my Sansa Clip, believe it or not. Basically, it has very low impedance, so I can listen to it at a fairly loud volume with my Clip volume set at 3/4 of max. Overall, a great headphone that gives you great enjoyment, even if you don't spend the extra thousand to buy an amplifier and DAC.
Review at Head-fi : http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f4/review-audio-technica-ath-w5000-raffinato-158031/
My low-end studio equipment doesn't qualify me to give much of an opinion on such matters, but the ATH-M50s are easily the best closed cans I've ever used.
My trusty Senn 280s have served me well for several years, and I prefer them to the Sony 7506s and ATH-M40s that I've also auditioned in my studio. After reading a series of rave reviews (in Tape Op, Recording, etc.), I ordered the M50s just for comparison's sake.
I was fairly sure I'd send them back after a listen. I never did. Simply put, the M50s are the first closed cans that I feel I can trust for rough mixing, and surprisingly, the first closed cans that make me want to listen just for enjoyment. They clearly live up the street from my old Senns, which I now use solely for tracking.
PROs
* detailed yet coherent sound that mirrors higher-end monitor speakers
* particularly impressive bass response (deep, tight) and soundstage (great imaging)
* very comfy fit, with special fake leather that's breathable and durable
CONs
* rather short coiled cord, requiring an extension for some applications
* slightly looser fit than the Senn 280s (good or bad, depending on head size)
Speakers of any type are hard to recommend since tastes, physiology, and other equipment vary so much, but you may want to audition these if you need a pair for higher-end listening tasks. They work beautifully for me, and the price seems fair (paid $139 new, shipping included). Then again, with my mostly bargain-basement studio gear, what do I know? Make sure you have a good return policy, just in case.
How do I start this great review:
I should probably say that when I first received theses headphones I almost returned them. That was because I'm a part time DJ of West Coast Swing and Hustle Music. I needed a pair of cans that allowed me to hear the music even when the dance floor was flooded with sound. Noise canceling head phones don't do a thing for drowning out other loud music, but these over-the-ear head phones would. So I ordered a pair of ATHA8700.
When they arrived, I was a little surprised. They weren't good for DJing at all. They were enormous (the cans / ear-cups wrap entirely around the ear) and there was no way to fold them up and transport them. I immediately ordered a pair of Pioneer HDJ1000.
As I awaited for my new Pioneer headphones, I started using the ATHA700s with my computer and for my home stereo and portable MP3 player to listen to music. I was overwhelmed by the quality of sound, the comfort and overall fullness of everything I listened to. It felt that I wasn't just listening to the band/orchestra, I was surrounded by the music.
Don't get me wrong, these aren't surround-sound headphones....they're just so good that they capture all the nuances of the music as if you were playing in the band or the conductor of the orchestra.
The fact is that these headphones impressed me so much that I couldn't bare to part with them. At the end of the day, I use my Pioneers for the DJ booth and parties, and I use my ATHA700s for everything else.
Sound Quality: 10/10
Comfort: 10:10
Portability: 3/10
Pioneers-
Sound Quality: 8/10
Comfort: 7/10
Portability: 9/10
Enjoy,
Erik
The ATH AD2000 occupies a unique position in the world of mid-priced stereophile headphones: it has a sound that effectively merges the best of what most people look for in a well-balanced phone. It's easier said than done.
The AD2000 has fine detail - easily capturing everything that the touted AKG K701 does - but with a richness of tone that's surprising. Instead of a "bass-boost" sound, these headphones offer a bass that's fully integrated into the music. Usually this kind of phone will require the use of a headphone amplifier, but through some kind of audio voodoo, these offer a full gain that can be heard easily with any portable gear. The velour earpieces make listening easy, though one may wish to "stretch" the wires backwards to make them even more comfortable.
These are open headpones, allowing the open flow of sound. If privacy is important, you may prefer closed headphones.
These headphones can handle a wide variety of music with ease, though they work best with pop/rock - mnusic that allows their power to come through. But it's striking how nice their presentation of classical instruments can be. One bonus is the AD2000's handling of Japanese music; it almost seems as if the headphones were especially tuned to capture these instruments and production. The AD2000 has earned respect as a fine all-around phone which can handle hard rocking pieces with ease.
Taking the earpads on and off can be an ordeal, so keep some patience stored up in case you decide to do any experimentation. Like so many Japanese headphones, they're held on tight, flexible material. Also, you may want to take care not to damage the "flying wings" that rest on top of your head; they flex for comfort, but may not survive a serious fall. Otherwise, these are extremely solid and well-made. The metal grilles are of the sturdy Sennheiser variety.
Balanced, detailed, full-sounding, and with a solid gain, these headphones offer sonic pleasures missing from products that cost considerably more. Right now, these imports are a bit overpriced, but they'd be quite competitive for around $420 - 450.
I purchased these from Audio Cubes through Amazon. I received them in about 5 days (USPS missed me the first time they tried to deliver). These are my 7th pair of relatively high quality earphones and earbuds.
Based on listening, I would give them 5 stars. I also have the Sennheiser HD 280 pros, an old set of Sony MVR 6s, a relatively new set of Beyerdynamic DT-880s, and both Etymotic ER-4p and ER-6 earbuds.
First, I think the A-T 900s are the most comfortable earphones I have worn. Sound is very good. Certainly better (to my taste) than either the Sony MVR 6 of the Sennheisers 280s, but of course the A-T's cost twice to three times as much. I think both the MVR 6 and the HD 280 are good phones for the money. However, the A-T 900 is just a better set of cans.
Compared to the DT 880s, I find them different but both are excellent. The Audio-Technica phones have more emphasis on bass but are not as crystal clear as the DT 880s. I listen to (in rank order) jazz, folk, classical, blues, and classic rock. Probably 70% or what I listen to is jazz.
My initial impression is that I will prefer the A-T 900s for jazz and the DT 880s for classic and folk.
Certainly for the price difference -- unless you are going to primarily listen to classical and have a headphone amp or are going to use the headphones only with a shelf system with a good headphone output circuit -- I would suggest the A-T A900s (which you can get for about $80 less through Audio Cubes if you don't mind delivery from Japan). I also considered the Sennheiser 595 and 600 phones but wanted something I could listen to in bed without keeping my wife awake. If being sealed is not an issue, the Sennheiser phones are rated as excellent and I hope to pick up a pair sometime.
The other option for someone who can purchase only one set of phones or buds is the ER-4p. I have used mine for 6 or 7 years. The Etymotics provide about 30 db of isolation and have excellent sound. I have used mine at the gym, mowing, and riding a motorcycle (you have to wear earplugs riding a bike or you will quickly have hearing damage from the air flow through your helmet). However, I don't like earbuds for listening while sitting in my house reading or writing.
So for a set of sealed cans, I think the AT ATH-A900 phones are an excellent choice. For jazz, the SENN 280s are also very good but I find them uncomfortable for extended wear. The A-900s are very large but light and do not put pressure on the center of your head.
