Audio Technica ATH-A900 Audiophile Closed-Back Dynamic Headphones

by Audio-Technica

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 4.8 x 11.3 inches ; 12.3 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0006VT1TY
• Item model number: ATH-A900
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (36 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: December 6, 2005

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

The perfect blend of comfort and sonic quality. They deliver audiophile-quality sound, with large aperture 53mm drivers and 2,000mW max. power handling to give you volume and crystal clarity. AT's new 3D Wing Support Housing provides comfortable support to make your listening experience enjoyable in every aspect.

Features:

• Perfect for classical and audiophile materials
• Handsome aluminum matte cup housing with blue finish
• New 3D Wing Support Housing reduces vibration and gives comfortable support
• Total ear-fitting pad design

Specifications:

• 5-40,000Hz frequency response
• 40 ohm impedance
• 53mm driver with OFC voice coil
• 2,000mW max. input power
• Sensitivity: 101dB
• 10' Hi-OFC cord
• 12 oz.

Product Description

The Audio-Technica ATH-A900 Audiophile Closed-Back Dynamic Headphones offer unmatched listening pleasure in their class. These A900 headphones feature a Double Air Damping System (D.A.D.S). This system creates a deep resonating bass reproduction and the vocal projection is stunning. The A900 headphones are designed with a unique patented vibration-proof 3D Wing Support Housing to give comfortable support and an outstanding listening experience.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Nice Cans, September 18, 2007

By 

G. M. Poteat "Gnostic" (East of Texas) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Audio Technica ATH-A900 Audiophile Closed-Back Dynamic Headphones (Electronics)

I purchased these from Audio Cubes through Amazon. I received them in about 5 days (USPS missed me the first time they tried to deliver). These are my 7th pair of relatively high quality earphones and earbuds.

Based on listening, I would give them 5 stars. I also have the Sennheiser HD 280 pros, an old set of Sony MVR 6s, a relatively new set of Beyerdynamic DT-880s, and both Etymotic ER-4p and ER-6 earbuds.

First, I think the A-T 900s are the most comfortable earphones I have worn. Sound is very good. Certainly better (to my taste) than either the Sony MVR 6 of the Sennheisers 280s, but of course the A-T's cost twice to three times as much. I think both the MVR 6 and the HD 280 are good phones for the money. However, the A-T 900 is just a better set of cans.

Compared to the DT 880s, I find them different but both are excellent. The Audio-Technica phones have more emphasis on bass but are not as crystal clear as the DT 880s. I listen to (in rank order) jazz, folk, classical, blues, and classic rock. Probably 70% or what I listen to is jazz.

My initial impression is that I will prefer the A-T 900s for jazz and the DT 880s for classic and folk.

Certainly for the price difference -- unless you are going to primarily listen to classical and have a headphone amp or are going to use the headphones only with a shelf system with a good headphone output circuit -- I would suggest the A-T A900s (which you can get for about $80 less through Audio Cubes if you don't mind delivery from Japan). I also considered the Sennheiser 595 and 600 phones but wanted something I could listen to in bed without keeping my wife awake. If being sealed is not an issue, the Sennheiser phones are rated as excellent and I hope to pick up a pair sometime.

The other option for someone who can purchase only one set of phones or buds is the ER-4p. I have used mine for 6 or 7 years. The Etymotics provide about 30 db of isolation and have excellent sound. I have used mine at the gym, mowing, and riding a motorcycle (you have to wear earplugs riding a bike or you will quickly have hearing damage from the air flow through your helmet). However, I don't like earbuds for listening while sitting in my house reading or writing.

So for a set of sealed cans, I think the AT ATH-A900 phones are an excellent choice. For jazz, the SENN 280s are also very good but I find them uncomfortable for extended wear. The A-900s are very large but light and do not put pressure on the center of your head.

25 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars one of the best closed headphones, May 13, 2005

By 

DKDC (Washington, DC USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Audio Technica ATH-A900 Audiophile Closed-Back Dynamic Headphones (Electronics)

Closed headphones keep sound out and in. Sound around you doesn't disturb you and sound from the headphones doesn't disturb those around you.

It is easier to make and therefore cheaper to buy open headphones. But the isolation can be real important.

The A900s have one of the best reputations of closed headphones. Slightly recessed midrange sound and very large size, but comfortable and good sound.

See head-fi.org and headphonereviews.org for more information and options.

BTW - I modified mine with some putty and cotton to tone down the bass some - my preference. I thought the bass was too overpowering. See headfi for the mod.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Definately the best headphones I have ever used, June 2, 2009

By 

Jeremy Monaco "Self Taught Nutritionist" (DE USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Audio Technica ATH-A900 Audiophile Closed-Back Dynamic Headphones (Electronics)

Well I'm not usually the reviewer type. I do often find myself trying many of the same type of thing. In this case, that happens to be high end headphones. Now I've never owned a $600+ headphone, but I will tell you what I have owned. Senns HD-280's (closed) Senns HD-595 (open) Logitech G5's (closed) A pair of everglides, many lower end logitech's, and probably every gaming headphone that ever existed (razor etc)

Most recently I have gone from Senns HD-280's > Audio technica A900's > Logitech G5 > Senns HD-595's.

Moving from the 280 to the A900's was definately an upgrade. Going from the A900's to the G5 and the HD-595's was a downgrade. I ended up returning both. The G5 (for what it is) sounds great and probably on par with some higher end headphones when your playing games, and taking advantage of Dolby 7.1. However after listening to music with a good set of cans, you will be madly disapointed. Also games that dont use 7.1 (unreal tournament 2004) sounded absolutely terrible.

As far as the comparison with the HD-595's. Well, I will give the 595's highs, they are slightly clearer, without a doubt. However, the 595's have no lower end base at all. It was painful to listen to it. Mids on both are about the same. The main reason I prefer the A900's is because of the closed design. I know alot of people say open headphones sound better. Well that definately wasnt the case witht he 595's. Maybe if your in a room with absolutely zero background noise. I have an A/C and PC in my room, and it was really easy to hear those things through the 595's, where with the A900's that is not a problem at all.

Comfort is a draw. The 595's are way smaller. They are comfortable, and they do not make your ears warm after excessive use. The A900's are much larger, and they are closed, so when my A/C is doing its job, i can really feel my ears being warm lol, and have to take them off and wait a few seconds every once in a while. This is not a big deal tho.

Alot of reviewers are those who listen to music I dont listen too. I find this hard for me to take in what they have to say as it really doesnt relate to me. Hopefully this review will reach out to those who more match my tastes. I listen to Rap/R&B/alternative (keyshia cole, taylor swift, eminem, paramore, three days grace) to name a few. The A900's are definately the best in what i listen too. I cant say how they would compare to classical, or jazz, because honestly I dont listen to that stuff. Also, I am a gamer, and these cans rock! 3D positioning is A+ and base and rumble in games sound totally awesome with the A900's. Also, I am 25, so figured Id put that out there.

Anyway, you wont be disapointed with these headphones. They are definately top notch. Im sure some of the $300+ headphones may be comparable, or maybe even better, but for what ive had the chance to listen to these are definately worth the money. Ill say it one more time, if you spend your money on these, it will be one of the best sound investments of your lifetime :)