Headphones come in all shapes and sizes. We just had our
annual Headphone Shootout, but we had a late arrival from Audio-Technica. They
have been producing high quality products for decades, and I have yet to
receive a poor quality and performing product from them. So they were
definitely worth checking out and doing a review. They are the ATH-AD900X with
an MSRP of $299.
Features and specs:
Type: Open Air
Driver
Diameter: 53mm
Frequency
Response: 5 - 35,000Hz
Maximum
Input Power: 1,000 mW
Sensitivity: 100 dB/mW
Impedance: 38 ohms
Weight: 265 g
Cable: 3.0 m (9.8')
Connector: 3.5mm (1/8") mini stereo, gold-plated
Accessory Included:
Detachable 1/4" (6.3 mm) adapter
They came in the standard Audio-Technica packaging in an
attractive box with a clear window so you can see the product. The quality of
components used were very good, as was the fit and finish. They were
constructed mostly of plastic with very comfortable soft cloth earpads, very
similar to the recently reviewed ATH-AD500X and ATH-AD700X. Although with their
specs they appear to have upgraded drives. I am however a tad surprised that at
their price point they do not have detachable cables.
Fresh Aire II - Going To Another Place showed crisp
percussion and strings with nice resolution in the acoustic guitars. The piano sounded very natural, and the flute
had a good amount of air. Imaging was
great and they threw a nice sized soundstage.
Boys II Men - Yesterday had nice silky smooth vocals that
also had excellent harmonics and great texture.
I really enjoy a good headphone that provides excellent resolution with
vocals, where there are layers of texture.
And the bass part showed a nice midbass output.
No Doubt - Hellagood provided very dynamic percussion. The drums also had nice low end
extension. For an open-back design, the
bass played with a lot of authority!
Imaging was also very good, and Stefani's were just sexy with great
resolution showing a depth to them. At
times they were just a tad on the bright side, but I did not find it to be a
bad thing.
Also Sprach Zerethustra from 2001 A Space Oddessy was very
dynamic. The intro showed just how deep
they could play, as the low end rumble could be heard and even felt in my
earlobes! The trumpets were clean and
smooth yet not too brassy. The timps had
nice impact and resolution. But it did
not end there. The soundstage was huge
and the imaging was right on!
I want to say I am very impressed with the Audio-Technica
ATH-AD900X. Not only do they sound great, they also were extremely comfortable
to wear, and felt light.....perfect for long listening periods. They provided
great resolution with excellent harmonics. They also threw a wide large
soundstage with very accurate imaging. From Audio-Technica's website, ...." The ATH-AD900x features large 53 mm drivers exclusively
designed for the headphones, with rare-earth magnets and Audio-Technica’s
copper-clad aluminum-wire (CCAW) voice coil technology for superior audio
reproduction with an extremely wide 5 Hz – 35,000 Hz frequency response. The
ATH-AD900x offers an immersive listening experience with clear, natural vocal
and instrumental reproduction, a smooth tonal balance, precise imaging and
superlative dynamic range." All
I have to say is the truth is in the pudding.
The ATH-AD900X sounded just as described and designed. And I like this pudding! I tend to prefer a lot of bass and a closed
back dynamic design. But I was very impressed with the bass output of the open
design of the ATH-AD900X. After going through my predetermined tracks for the
review, I couldn’t pull them off, and continued with track after track after
track. I got lost in their appealing presentation of the music, and I guess
that is one of the best compliments I could give.
Audio-Technica typically does not surprise me. They make a
great product that you can bank on. But in this instance the Audio-Technica
ATH-AD900X did surprise me, performing better than expected. Based on their
design, features quality, and performance, they have earned our Editor’s Choice
Award. For more info and complete specs, check out their website at www.audio-technica.com.
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