Flying high

摘要

There are various things which make Audio-Technica's range of full-size audiophile headphones distinctive from its competitors'. Most obvious, because you can see it, is the self-adjusting 3D Wing Support device that replaces the usual adjustable headband. Sprouting from the top of each capsule, this comprises a short, spring-loaded arm at the far end of which is a pivoting pad that rests against the side of the head, a little above the ear. These two pads carry the full weight of the 'phones, lifting the headband free of the scalp where it applies a gentle clamping force to press the circumaural earpads into place against the head. I find this arrangement to be a lot more comfortable than the conventional headband. The other thing that makes Audio Technica headphones different is their tonal balance. There really is an 'AT sound' that distinguishes them from AKGs, Grados, Sennheisers, etc and you can see why in their frequency responses. Whereas both Crados I've measured, for instance, have a sharply lifted output in the presence band from about 1 to 5kHz - which gifts them an upfront, overtly detailed sound - both the ATH-AD700 and the ATH-W1000 on review here are more reticent in this region. This gives them a smoother, less etched, less 'hi-fi' quality. As I've explained before in these pages, which approach is 'right' is a controversial issue, complicated by the fact that we each experience headphones somewhat differently.