Audio-Technica ATH-ADX5000 Audiophile Open-Air Dynamic Headphones

These are truly remarkable phones. They're reminiscent of the early Sennheiser HD800 but create an even more extraordinarily detailed image. There's a sense of complete linearity into the lower frequencies, producing a lithe and articulate bass response which is simply glorious in its presentation of strings. Instrumental separation is astounding. Instrumental timbre is very fine. Their dynamic range and delicacy means they also operate with great effect at relatively low listening levels. If you're interested in acoustic music and appreciate the sophisticated presentation of phones like the Sennheiser 800 open series, you really should listen to the ADX5000.

Thank you very much ,, best prices for a quality headphone that beat the HD800S easily

Bright to neutral headphone with an incredible amount of detail. I am listening to my music collection again and am amazed at how clear and lively the songs are which used to be dull and unexciting

The headphones are light and comfortable to wear.The sound quality is absolutely natural, transparent, clean and rich in detail.Headphones aren't as hard to drive as I thought, but it definitely need a headphone amplifier.

Lightweight, very well built. About the sound, personally I think ADX5000 is very close to the top of rank of all the full-sized open-back dynamic headphones if~~~ most people think Utopia is No.1 of this list

I agree with Richard

I also compared these directly with the Sennheiser HD 800S, and found the Senn as having a wider soundstage, but not as much bass / lower mids as the AT. The AT is very detailed, if not slightly sharp and pronounced in the treble region. I read one reviewer commenting that these might be best suited for oldsters (like me) losing the top register of their hearing abilities. (S)he might be right. I find these more enjoyable to listen to than my Senn HD 800S and will likely sell the latter as a result. If you like phones that convey the energy of the music, that do an excellent job of separating one instrument from another, and provide a great deal of detail retrieval, then these are for you. In terms of overall enjoyment, I would rate these in between my Hifiman ... MoreI also compared these directly with the Sennheiser HD 800S, and found the Senn as having a wider soundstage, but not as much bass / lower mids as the AT. The AT is very detailed, if not slightly sharp and pronounced in the treble region. I read one reviewer commenting that these might be best suited for oldsters (like me) losing the top register of their hearing abilities. (S)he might be right. I find these more enjoyable to listen to than my Senn HD 800S and will likely sell the latter as a result. If you like phones that convey the energy of the music, that do an excellent job of separating one instrument from another, and provide a great deal of detail retrieval, then these are for you. In terms of overall enjoyment, I would rate these in between my Hifiman Ananda and Focal Clear Pro. I also think they are a bit overpriced, but what's a couple hundred bucks in this ***** audiophile hobby, anyway? I probably paid more for all the cables tethering my components together than for what these phones cost. I played these phones through my Burson Conductor 3 Reference, RME ADI-2DAC FS, and Feliks Audio Espressivo Mk II. These high impedance phones sounded their best when plugged into the Espressivo tube amp. Tube "warmth," I suppose. And thank you, Richard, for the tip on Arctic Cables. I have the Magnus Elite Series cables on order for these phones.Grateful to have ears.Audeze LCD-X, Denon AH-D9200, Hifiman Ananda, Oppo PM-3, Meze Audio Elite, Focal Clear Pro, Sennheiser HD 600, Audio Technica ATH-ADX5000, Sennheiser HD 800S

VS HD800S

Since the ADX5000 is a neutral, open-back dynamic, I’ll compare it to the Sennheiser HD800S.They’re both light and have little clamp force; very comfortable. I prefer the round pads of the ADX5000 because there’s less pad touching different parts of my face. I don’t like the adjustment mechanism though, it’s too easy for the ear cups to slide around when handling the headphones - then I have to adjust the fit the next time a wear the phones. The (dual) headband design is questionable but I really don’t feel them when on my head so I guess they work fine.The sound is similar between the two cans, especially the midrange and treble. Both are very open and can get a little sharp at times. Both sound a little artificially boosted in the highs (when compared to ... MoreSince the ADX5000 is a neutral, open-back dynamic, I’ll compare it to the Sennheiser HD800S.They’re both light and have little clamp force; very comfortable. I prefer the round pads of the ADX5000 because there’s less pad touching different parts of my face. I don’t like the adjustment mechanism though, it’s too easy for the ear cups to slide around when handling the headphones - then I have to adjust the fit the next time a wear the phones. The (dual) headband design is questionable but I really don’t feel them when on my head so I guess they work fine.The sound is similar between the two cans, especially the midrange and treble. Both are very open and can get a little sharp at times. Both sound a little artificially boosted in the highs (when compared to something like the Focal Clear original). But the ADX5000 has more bass; there’s a 2-3 dB boost in the midbass. I never think they sound warm but when compared to the HD800S, yeah they’re warmer. I believe the HD800S has a wider soundstage but the ADX5000’s are no slouch.I wish the ADX came with two cables, a long and short. Unfortunately, it only comes with a 3 m. And worse, it terminates in a ¼ inch. These cans require some power, especially when listening to orchestral movie soundtracks that have a lot of dynamic range. The ¼ inch plug doesn’t tap into the greater power of my balanced amps. Of course, the ADX has the not-so-common A2DC connectors as well. I did upgrade to a shorter, balanced cable from Arctic cables.I think the ADX5000 is a fine headphone but you could argue it’s overpriced compared to its’ competitors. It comes with a nice case that I’ll never use. If you’re a fan of Audio-Technica and just have to have their TOTL headphones, then this is for you.

excellent

excellent headphone that complements my hd800 well, for individual instruments and female vocals hd800 for the big string and orchestra