Audio Technica ATH-AD900 headphones

[Peter_F]

Hi, I recently purchased a set of the above AT headphones (HP's) until I sort out my speaker dilema. I never got into HP's and these are a temporary arrangement.

They are revealing and detailed, and there is no fatigue with long periods of listening.

I am using them through my SS integrated amplifier and noticed they do lack bass. I'm not a bass freak, but I do like a little more than these provide.

Does anybody out there own a set of these, and are they being used through a headphone amplifier? I'd just like to know if a HP amp will improve the bass, or overall sound quality significantly.

Cheers, Flemo.

[4heckssake]

G'day Flemo,

I haven't used them myself but what you say is consistent with what I've heard. AT's a generally a little lighter in the base dept than some other brands like Senn and Beyer but they make up for that with sweet highs and mids...any many other great features including comfort.

I've also read that these phones are very efficient and do not require a dedicated amp to sound good. In fact adding a HP amp may not make a huge difference.

Have you checked out head-fi and headphonic for opinions? Your in the Aussie capitol for good cans and amps...trot down to headphonic for a test run with a HP amp perhaps.

4hecks

Edited November 20, 2008 by 4heckssake
typos

[Susilo]

Hi Flemo,

I own these pair of headphones as well, I power it with my Sansui Integrated amplifier, and for the music I listen to, electro it does lack bass, but my amiplifier has some sort of bass boost of sorts, it distorts the sound a little but adds a lot of bass, that's the compromise I make.

[braddo]

Most people say are are a bit lacking in bass. Check out the Headphonic web-site, or better yet as 4Hecks mentioned, hit the store. I reckon the AD900's would be a very decent phone for the price (i haven't heard them), give them some time.

[braddo]

I forgot to ask, what amp are you using?

[ophool]

One HP amp that might address that problem is the GSP Voyager portable amp, it has a contour switch which is intended to "fill in" lighter "street" phones - many have reported it very enjoyable with more serious phones, including ATH-W1000 (which I personally do not feel lacking in that area).

That said, I do have and use a couple of good quality HP amps with mine and I do not listen to a lot of bass heavy music.

[Peter_F]

Hi braddo, I'm using an Accuphase E-205 amp. Although it is an excellent amp, I think like most normal amps the HP stage is very basic.

I forgot to ask, what amp are you using?

[braddo]

My Rotel-RA-05 integrated (which i've now sold) was excellent with all my phones (perhaps not as good with 701's, but still VERY passable) including W5000's, which, like the AD900 is easy to drive. My GUESS would be that if the amp you are using now does not produce enough bass to your liking, then switch phones WAY before the amp. I 'personally' would not bother with a headphone amp under the price of about AU$900 to get much difference than you get now, your amp would probably be even better. I'm not an expert on specs and all that kind of technical stuff, but if the bass in your phones don't satisfy they probably never will. Time with phones makes all the difference, let your ears soak it up!, and then see what you think.

[PWilson]

G'day Flemmo. I'll echo a lot of what's been said. I own AD700's, and the bass is fairly light on them too. I run them out of an integrated (Cambridge), and that's about as good as they get. What bass is there is very tight and fast, but there's just not much of it. I have a better headphone amp to drive my K701's, but they don't add very much if at all to the AD700's.

If you're after more bass at a similar price range, the Audio Technica closed series definitely have more bass to them, but between the A500 and the AD700 (both ~$200), I prefer the speed and air of the AD700 than the slightly reverby but much more present A500 bass. I think the A700 and A900 get a bit better though.

[Peter_F]

Hi PWilson, thanks for sharing your thoughts re these fine HP's.

I agree with your comments about them being tight and fast. I can live with them, and for the price I think they're unbeatable. The only "fault" if I had to be critical is they are are tad light in the bass.

Cheers, flemo.

G'day Flemmo. I'll echo a lot of what's been said. I own AD700's, and the bass is fairly light on them too. I run them out of an integrated (Cambridge), and that's about as good as they get. What bass is there is very tight and fast, but there's just not much of it. I have a better headphone amp to drive my K701's, but they don't add very much if at all to the AD700's.

If you're after more bass at a similar price range, the Audio Technica closed series definitely have more bass to them, but between the A500 and the AD700 (both ~$200), I prefer the speed and air of the AD700 than the slightly reverby but much more present A500 bass. I think the A700 and A900 get a bit better though.

[Peter_F]

Thanks braddo for your thoughts. I'll keep on listening to them and see how I go. They are a very good set of HP's.

Cheers, flemo.

My Rotel-RA-05 integrated (which i've now sold) was excellent with all my phones (perhaps not as good with 701's, but still VERY passable) including W5000's, which, like the AD900 is easy to drive. My GUESS would be that if the amp you are using now does not produce enough bass to your liking, then switch phones WAY before the amp. I 'personally' would not bother with a headphone amp under the price of about AU$900 to get much difference than you get now, your amp would probably be even better. I'm not an expert on specs and all that kind of technical stuff, but if the bass in your phones don't satisfy they probably never will. Time with phones makes all the difference, let your ears soak it up!, and then see what you think.