Audio-Technica AD900X Headphones Discussions | Drop

Mar 13, 2019

vinlatno but i wish. Please vote 2000x that I include on massdrop

Mar 13, 2019

poteetb1

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Audio-Technica

Mar 14, 2019

vinlatMaybe....stay tuned.

Mar 14, 2019

Mar 14, 2019

nick_tI would love to hear impressions from anyone who has the 2000 series, I have the 900 and 1000 and love them.

Mar 14, 2019

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Mar 14, 2019

ukmichaeldavidWhy do you need 900 and 1000 series ? I dont understand

Mar 14, 2019

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Mar 14, 2019

nick_tI am a collector and reviewer so it interests me to see the differences in models in a series. I switch out headphones weekly for my office and home listening.

Mar 14, 2019

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Mar 14, 2019

ukmichaeldavidReviewer ? It does not make sense you collect 900x and 1000x, I rather you go for something else in the audio technica line or some other brand for different sound quality. Will be getting the AD2000X soon and will let you know soon I hope.

Mar 14, 2019

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Mar 14, 2019

nick_tCool. I also have the r70x and the adx5000. I like seeing/hearing the different models in a line up.

Mar 14, 2019

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IllogicalOrder

Mar 14, 2019

ukmichaeldavidOnce had the ad1000x and ad2000 (non x) at the same time. Both shared the same signature but the 2000's had better capability in more complex tracks. The 1000x had issues when a track had too many instruments goings on at once. Also, the 2000's had what I consider a special property wherein it could transition between notes extremely quickly and cleanly. If I had to make a dumb metaphor or simile for it, it's like watching an artist draw perfect circles really damn quick (but for your ears). I believe reviewers often refer to this quality as "speed". All I know is that I thought it was magical and that no other headphone I've tried achieves that quality quite like the ad2000. If I had to compare the ad1000x in this capacity, it draws slightly more jagged circles at a slower rate. To throw the w5000 into this, it draws perfect circles at a slower rate. Probably not very helpful or intuitive, but ehh.

Mar 14, 2019

Mar 14, 2019

IllogicalOrderThanks that was helpful!

Mar 14, 2019

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Mar 15, 2019

ukmichaeldavidWhat do you need all the nuetrality line of the audio technica ? It does not make sense. You must be very rich affording the adx 5000

Mar 15, 2019

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Mar 15, 2019

nick_tI have been very fortunate, with a great career. Started out selling pc parts in retail and eventually moved into running IT departments in large companies. Do I need 30 headphones? absolutely not. Three headphones would be enough - one with low impedance closed for work, one open with high impedance for home, and one noise cancelling closed for commuting/travel. But I want many many headphones in the same line just to see the differences, I will eventually launch my site and review all of them in text and via video, and then probably give many away in raffles when my site reaches x000 viewers at different milestones. In economics there is a principle called diminishing returns. You can see this applied in many areas, does the 5000 give you 20 times the sound quality and experience and build quality of the 900, hell no. Is it however something you lust after and say, if I can afford it , I want to have the pinnacle of this company's engineering, the top of the line? Hell yes. That is why I also got the Sennheiser hd 6xx, hd700 and hd 800s. Same story here, the hd800s is not 7 times the quality and value of the hd6xx...

Mar 15, 2019

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Mar 15, 2019

ukmichaeldavidAre you an audiophile ? Why do you only need 3 ? So you got 6 in total from both audio technica and Senheisser ? Well sorry, diminishing returns or not, in my opinion the ad5000x gives you at least 2 or 3 times the sound quality and experiences as well as built quality. Compare to you I am pathetic and poor af

Mar 15, 2019

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Mar 15, 2019

nick_tNot sure what the definition of audiophile is, but I am addicted to audio for sure. Hey man don' t knock yourself, life can be tough, I did not get to where I am overnight, there was a lot of luck and a lot of hardship and people helped me with opportunities, and life is short. I have about 30 headphones in total and will probably still get 6-12 more over the coming years. I will certainly let you know when my site launches so you can get a chance to get a free pair from my collection. There are also zero percent for like 36 months, 18 months offers from places like crutchfield, sweetwater, etc for sennheiser, RME, etc., which I took advantage of. Audeze EL8 Titanium Isine 10 LCD x Grado/Allesandro Music Series One Koss ESP 950 Acoustic Research AR1 Audioquest Nighthawk carbon Audio Technica m50x DSR9BT ATH AD900x ATH ADX5000 R70x ATH AD 1000x Meze Classic 99 Mitchell and Johnson JP1 Focal Elex Beyerdynamic T5p T1 DT900 premium T90 brainwavz alara HiDizs seeds MS4 MS1 Ora xxx (kickstarter graphene headphones not sent yet) SHURE SRH 1840 Sennheiser HD6xx HD700 HD800s AKG k550 mk3 N90Q K712 pro Hifiman he4xx he 560 (these are in excellent plus condition with balanced cable for $200 from adorama via amazon) EFS

Mar 15, 2019

Mar 15, 2019

nick_tSo yes the 5000x costs $2000 and it is for sure 4 or 5 times better than the 900, but owning both, I can tell you it is not 20 times better in all areas. Look at cars, is a Lexus sedan 4 times as good as a Camry or Avalon? I dont think so. Mercedes gl 450 vs 550, that extra 25k is not really worth it, but for those who have the money and want the flagship and amg wheels they are willing to spend it. Ultimately spend your money on whatever floats your boat, there is no right or wrong here.

Mar 15, 2019

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Mar 16, 2019

ukmichaeldavidHoly f***k. What are the difference of all of them ?

Mar 16, 2019

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Mar 16, 2019

nick_tTruthfully I will say for me the best sound is from the planar headphones, the best being audeze lcd-x, incredibly clear, fast, accurate and good bass. Dynamic headphones sound warmer, the electrostatic is probably the clearest and fastest but practically no bass. If I had to choose my favorites it would be lcd-x, hd800s, k712 pro, focal , akg n90q, AT 5000x.

Mar 16, 2019

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Mar 16, 2019

ukmichaeldavidI really wonder how do you afford all these cans. How do you compare AD5000X to HD800 ?

Mar 16, 2019

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Mar 16, 2019

nick_tYes so if you see my latest post at the top of this headphone comment section, I found a lot of good deals. Like I got $200 off the 5000x when it was on sale. The hd800s I got from hifi heaven as a refurb, full warranty for about 300 off. The LCD x I got from crutchfield open box, $500 off, full warranty. I did 0% on all of them. The others also I rarely paid retail, did open box and refurb and massdrop specials. I will spend some time this weekend doing a head to head of the 5000x and the 800s, and let you know.

Mar 16, 2019

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Mar 16, 2019

ukmichaeldavidStill it still very expensive. $300 off means its still $1700. In total you spent more than $10k in one goal. Rich cat ! Anyway, thanks for letting me know soon, looking forward

Mar 16, 2019

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Mar 16, 2019

nick_tYes not cheap. If you want the best deal out there, I would suggest the hifiman he560 v2 from Amazon, choose adorama, used excellent condition. Around $200. It solves the build problems of the he560v1. I got one myself.

Mar 16, 2019

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Josz27

Mar 16, 2019

ukmichaeldavidI bought ad2000x while having ad900x, That headphone can be problematic since 2000x has not angled drivers and it can make seem the sound as if it was less clear with ultra forward mids(in a bad way) and less soundstage, buuut. I Don't think AT wanted to make them it that way(some people found it veiled)...I Think AT did a mistake with 2000x design since it seems that depending of the ears it can sound "worse" than ad900x in many ways, in fact I have did like 7 modifications to ad2000x, different pads... a lot of things, after modifications... AD2000X driver has maybe like x2-x3 the clarity of ad900x but it requires modification to "see" that, in my opinion ad2000x pads sucks, make the sound of 2000x like if it has pollution, with some modifications that add distance with the driver the highs are truly amazing, and clearly better than 900x, With stock pads and no mod i think that 2000x highs can sound less clear and "worse" than 900x

Mar 16, 2019

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Mar 16, 2019

Josz27Thanks you just saved me some cash...

Mar 16, 2019

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Mar 17, 2019

nick_tSo I have spent the day listening to the 5000x, to my playlist largely of femal vocals both acoustic and non-acoustic tracks, cd quality and also hi res via Qobuz. Because I was doing some reading and writing on the pc, I actually forgot I was listening to the headphones and started listening to the music. There was one track at the end of an acoustic recording where someone coughed, I literally thought it was someone in my house coughing in the other room. I got up and looked around there was nobody around. I rewound the track and listened again and I still thought it was someone in my house coughing. Totally amazing, so I think these are incredibly realistic lifelike sounds from these headphones, not just from the coughing, but generally I felt at times like the singer was in my head or right in front of me. I will try the hd 800s tomorrow on the same playlist and give you my feedback. Thanks for your questions, always good to revisit these cans.

Mar 17, 2019

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Mar 17, 2019

ukmichaeldavidThank you. I was wondering whether 5000 X vs 2000 X. I dont understand why they have to go with the alien eyes looking design where they could have gone with something familiar like AD 2000X design and slightly improved.

Mar 17, 2019

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Mar 17, 2019

nick_tI don't have any awareness of the quality on the 2000x, another poster in this whole thread had a comment on it. So for the HD 800s, been listening to it today and compared to the 5000x, I would say the HD 800s is a little warmer, less airy, and more intimate sounding. I like both, I would probably generalize and say jazz vocals and pop music are preferable for me on the HD 800s, and classical and opera on the 5000x. I like them both, but value for money I would say overall for me the HD800s wins at $1300 open box, vs 1800-2000 for the 5000x..

Mar 17, 2019

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Mar 18, 2019

ukmichaeldavidBecause am deciding whether should I drop a bomb on the 5000x or the 2000x. Tough choice.

Mar 18, 2019

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Mar 18, 2019

nick_tif you get the 2000x let me know how they sound,I am curious. Best of luck with your venture. I see the 2000x only on Ebay aNd Amazon, for 400-500 looks like they are discontinued. Where are you seeing them? The 5000x I got for $1800 from headphones.com best price I could find for new, and they had 0 percent finance option.

Mar 18, 2019

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Mar 18, 2019

poteetb1Any plans to have the 1000x or 2000x here?

Mar 18, 2019

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Mar 20, 2019

ukmichaeldavidOk, but am hesitant now after hearing about AD5000X. I want to know if there is a difference and whether does the extra cost difference worth to get the 5000X over the 2000X. (By the way, they should call the 5000X, 3000x after generation number initials, just saying !)

Mar 20, 2019

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Mar 20, 2019

nick_tSo have done some more listening and I honestly dont see a 7 times difference between the 1000x and the 5000x, if you are wanting flagship level, my suggestion is lcd-x or HD 800s. You can find lcdx open box around 1000 or so -crutchfield, music direct. You can find 800s 1300-1500 open box crutchfield or blinq or hifiheaven. Yes I am keeping the 5000x but if I had it all to do over again, I would have stopped with the 1000x and gotten a different brand flagship. Best to buy with a return policy just in case, this stuff is so personal...

Mar 20, 2019

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Mar 20, 2019

nick_tBy the way buydig.com has the hifiman he400i for $120, original price was $500.

Mar 20, 2019

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Mar 20, 2019

ukmichaeldavidAudio is subjective of course but there are certain rules of what sound good and bad, either way depending on subjectivity audio theory of audiophile quality. To me, the extra cost is whether he or she likes slightly 5% of quality highs or better imaging and overall resolution of sound despite $700 more which of course depends on the individual preference. Tiny bit difference of sound quality, for instance HD6XX vs HD660S. 660S is worth if your value highs and imaging. Do you agree ? What is your current flagship currently now ? Also, HD800S or AD5000X for you and why ? Do you have electrostatic ? Is it worth to get Stax SR-009 with the energizer and claims its better than any planar dynamic and magnetic planar even the very expensive ones ? What are your uptake on this especially since I don't get to hear many headphones and it does not matter how much I know about audio. I only know if I hear it. Studying frequency response graph is useless. What we visualize is different from what we hear at times.

Mar 20, 2019

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Mar 20, 2019

nick_tYes I agree with you. It costs a lot more to get that extra 5 or 10 percent improvement, and of course you usually get better build quality, case, etc. I would have to say my current flagship is the Audeze lcd x, then the hd 800s then the focal massdrop elex. I have koss electrostatic which I am sending for warranty repair. ordered the massdrop version as well. Have not heard stax yet, so I can't speak to it. Wish there was a local dealer so I can audition. I may have to just go to new york to audio 46 for a headphone weekend, or find a headphone club in town. At this point my conclusion is my personal taste is that planar magnetic beats dynamic drivers. From what I read electrostatic does not have the bass that planar magnetic has.

Mar 20, 2019

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nick_thttps://www.crutchfield.com/p_884LCDXLF/Audeze-LCD-X-leather-free.html?cc=07

Mar 20, 2019

Mar 20, 2019

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Mar 23, 2019

ukmichaeldavidAre electrostatic superior over planar magnetic by the way ? Moving on to our intervene discussion of the AD line of Audio Technica, I think the AD2000X is different from their new recent flagship AD5000X from last year. The AD5000X has a behemoth and unique sound signature of pure sounding nuetrality, correct me if I am wrong. No sibliance high and everything, just flat but sound good in terms of neutral sounding. Spectacular imaging. While its better in every way than the AD2000X, I think the 2000 remains what its suppose to do, spectacular highs and imaging left and right purely for female vocals and acoustic instruments, something like that. The 2000 performs slightly better than 5000 in terms of classical or other instrumental music that involves high frequency and high intensity listening, less laid back sound depending on the scenario. 2000x is for certain purpose, while the newer predecessor 5000 for all rounder newly and improved sound category in every way. What do you think ?

Mar 23, 2019

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Mar 23, 2019

nick_tWhen i compare the koss 950 electrostatic to the audeze lcd x, i will say that the 950 is a little cleaner, but the lcdx has more bass and a more powerful sound. I prefer the lcdx for that, as I like some bass. Have not listened to the 2000, but I am quite sure the 5000 must be better. For now my overall favorite type is the planar magnetic. I really want to try the stax, and the meze electrostatic since they are newer designs than the koss.

Mar 23, 2019

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