Audio-Technica ATH-A900X
The ATH-A900X is a closed headphone Audio-Technica developped some time ago, part of the “ART” family of A-T headphones, serie of closed circum models while the “AIR” serie was the open-back line.
The ATH-A10, in 1994, was the first ART model, and since then, many, many iterations have been released.
Build quality is decent, and comfort a mixed bag ; I sometimes have issues getting a good seal since the A900X cups do not swivel in a Y-axis.
○ Release : 2011
○ Current status : Discontinued
○ Type : Over-ear / Closed-back
○ Measured weight : 341g
○ Impedance : 42 Ohms
○ Sensitivity : ~102.7 dB/mW
○ Average used price : $100-150
The ATH-A900X is a colored sounding headphone, substantially on the warmer side of neutral. It’s a relaxing and easy listen.
Mid-bass to lower-mids is quite strong, adding an enveloping amount of warmth and body to the sound and notes – I don’t mind it for particular listenings, but not for a polyvalent use. Sub-bass is soft between 40-60hz, and almost inexistent below that frequency.
Midrange is lower-mids emphazised, but remains quite present and not too withdrawn up to 2 khz. There is a major dip in the lower-treble area (4-7khz), where lot of resonances and harshness might happen. This dip, combined with the lower-mids warmth, is what makes the A900X sound smooth and relaxing. Mid and upper-treble are a bit lacking, though a minor peak at 10khz is apparent on some tracks.
This headphone sounds quite wide for a fully closed design, beating most closed headphones I have heard, and a lot of open-back models (Sennheiser HD600, for example). But the A900X lacks the transparency and openness, and isn’t a technically remarkable headphone, with just decent attack and transient response. Most “3d-wings” AT I have heard did not have great overall technicalities, like the Audio-Technica ATH-W1000X or ATH-AD900X.
Notwithstanding, I like the A900X for desktop use and relaxing sessions, when I am not looking for pure “audiophile” listening where I would reach for a more capable and balanced pair of headphones. This Audio-Technica has a decent build quality, with good comfort (when I can get a seal) and enough isolation for a lot of situations. At maximum $150 for a pair in mint condition, I believe they’re a good option.
Measurements & Resources
Bass roll-off below 40-50 hz, bump around 100-300 hz, recessed upper-mids above 2 khz, relaxed treble. This measurement exhibits a channel imbalance, pretty common with the A900X. My pair also had minor channel imbalance.
2 Comments
Elwin
Thank you for all your reviews, great to listen to.
Would you recommend these for low volume listening? I quickly think my headphones are to loud, but when lowering the volume loose joy compared to louder listening often.
Should I be looking for a v-shaped headphones? Any other tips?
More specific, but I understand you don’t have time, I need closed back to isolate, in the office.
your review about a900x is very enthusiastic, so is the K371.
The k371 has an BT option (actually I just like to add a mic, can be wired).
Keep these reviews coming,
Elwin
titanosk
Both the K371 and A900X will be good choices for office. They have similar isolation.
The A900X is much bigger and doesn’t come with a removable cable though. It’s a bit more relaxing than the K371, and the K71 is a bit more neutral.
I tend to enjoy any headphone at low volume if they sound good, no matter the tonality. The Denon D2000 is more V-shaped and energetic than the A900X or K371, but the isolation is less efficient and they’re not easy to find (discontinued, like the A900X)
Thanks for the comment