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Audio-Technica ATH-AD900X Audiophile Open-Air Headphones

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#1 ·
Audio-Technica ATH-AD900X Audiophile Open-Air Headphones

Description:
Designed to deliver extraordinary sound quality to satisfy the most discriminating listeners, the ATH-AD900x is ideal for music lovers who prefer the spacious quality of open-back headphones that combine involving sound with long-wearing comfort.

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.

The headphones offer a uniquely comfortable fit thanks to their generously cushioned ear pads, lightweight honeycomb aluminum casing and exclusive 3D Wing Support Housing, which adjusts itself perfectly to each wearer.

Audiophile-quality open-air headphones deliver clear, natural vocal and instrumental reproduction, a smooth tonal balance, precise imaging and superlative dynamic range

Large-aperture 53 mm drivers and CCAW voice coils for superior sound reproduction

No sense of pressure on the ears, resulting in a completely natural sensation

3D Wing Support Housing offers a vibration-proof mechanism that provides comfortable support for a better listening experience

Extremely comfortable ear-fitting pads

Gold-plated stereo 1/8" (3.5 mm) connector with 1/4" (6.3 mm) adapter

Type Open-air Dynamic
Driver Diameter 53 mm
Frequency Response 5 - 35,000 Hz
Maximum Input Power 1,000 mW
Sensitivity 100 dB/mW
Impedance 38 ohms
Weight 265 g
Cable 3.0 m (9.8')
Connector 3.5 mm(1/8") mini stereo, gold-plated
Accessory Included Detachable 1/4" (6.3 mm) adapter
 

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#2 ·
Audio-Technica ATH-AD900X Review

review by williamgayde

Audio-Technica's ATH-AD900X sits on the mid to upper end of their performance line. It is meant for those on a budget who are still serious about audio quality. I would consider them a second step up on the audiophile upgrade list. They sound better than most entry-level audiophile headphones such as the ATH-M50 or HD558 while being fairly close in price.

Starting with the minimalistic box, we find a blank front and some tech specs on the back. Most of it is written in Japanese but the 900X does feature 53mm drivers, Audio-Technica's signature wing support system, and a frequency response of 5-35000Hz.


Opening up the front flap, we get our first glimpse of the unit. The same key features are also listed on the inner portion of the cover.


Included in the package are the headphones, a 1/8" to 1/4" adapter, and some product information.


Now on to the headphones themselves. The 900X comes with an almost excessively long 3m cable. I kept most of it in the original loop to avoid a cable mess. The cable is nice and thick yet flexible but not removable from the headphones. The cans feature a metal honeycomb mesh on the outside. Moving in we find a layer of hard plastic and finally the ear pads. The unit comes in at a very light 265g because it features an open design.


Here we see Audio-Technica's signature wing suspension system. It is designed to fit all heads without needing to be manually adjusted and it works very well. The headphones are extremely light so the wings don't have a whole lot of supporting to do. After a while of wearing them it is hard to feel the wings at all. The 900Xs almost float on your head. Clamping pressure is relatively small as well but is enough that you don't have to worry about them falling off. For those who want a little firmer grip a rubber band can be stretched between the two wings to increase clamping pressure.


Here are some more glamour shots of the headphone and suspension system. The fabric material on the ear cups is nice and soft. It won't feel nasty or become uncomfortable after a long session.


Now let's move on to the main event- sound quality. The AD900X sounds great. In this price category, they will likely be your first pair of open backed headphones. They can take some getting used to and aren't for everyone, but they do sound amazing. Closed headphones feature a wall behind the driver which helps keep sound in and background noise out. This can be great as it reduces spillage, which may annoy those around you, but it can also be detrimental to sound quality. With a closed back, the sound bounces all around inside the ear cup. An open back headphone does not have this wall. Sound flows in and out freely which creates a more natural and flat response.

Here is the sound response curve I generated for the 900X. I played a tone sweep and recorded the response with an SM57 microphone. I then compared the two in Audition and this is the result. The response is generally flat with bumps around 4.8kHz and 8.9kHz and a dip at 7.7kHz. No headphone will be perfectly flat and for their price range, these look really good. Bass is clear and punchy but, despite what the test showed, not very prevalent. Being open, the sound leaves very quickly, which disperses the bass. Closed back headphones typically have stronger bass since the sound reverberates off the walls and is replayed.


The soundstage is really impressive. The first time I played a binaural recording, I legitimately thought there was someone next to me and I had to turn around to make sure. Like I said before, lows are clear but lacking in strength. Mids and highs have plenty of energy even into the upper frequency range. The 900X brings a whole new level of clarity to the $150-$200 price bracket. Currently sitting at just under $160 on Amazon, Audio-Technica's ATH-AD900X is a steal. They are a great first entry or next step up in the audiophile market. Even without a high end DAC or amp, they bring out a whole new level of detail in recordings. They also bring out the faults in audio I had never heard. The AD900X is a great headphone for music, movies, and games despite the slightly lacking bass. I love them and I am sure you will too.

ProsCons
Huge soundstage, Generally flat response, Comfortable, PriceWeak bass

Ratings
Overall5
 
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