Audio Technica AD 2000xX
______________________________________
Prelude
Big thanks to Head Fi Member
Asr for allowing me to give these a listen! I already own a DT 880 that I enjoy
for at home listening; non the less it’s great to hear the high end Model for
Audio Technica’s AD Series!
Pros: Organic and lush sound. Fantastic highs
Cons : Lack luster bass,
Build [4/5]
Feels sturdy, I again miss
the wing system that’s implemented on my W1000x, but the quality is top notch. The metal head band has
a nice snap to it. Overall a well built headphone. Sadly though, after a few hours the AD2000x began to clamp a little to tightly against my ears. They began to get uncomfortable after a while.
Presentation
The box was very nice, a
simple design though. A lot less… showy than some of the lower priced
headphones I’ve gotten. Non the less, simplicity is always a plus!
Specs
Type Dynamic Open Back
Driver Diameter 53mm
Frequency Response 5-45,000
Maximum Input Power 2W [2,000
mW]
Sensitivity 103dB m/W
Impedance 40
Weight 265g
Cable 3.0m
Connector Detachable 1/4”
Ease of Use
[Comfort/Fit/Isolation] [5/5]
Very comfortable, as an open
back headphone they do not isolate. With regards to the fit, they do fit nicer
than the AD 900X, which had a tendency to slide around me head a little. These
have a touch more clamp and fit very nicely.
Price to Performance : [3.78/5]
Sonic Test Process
Source Win 7[Foobar2000
WASAPI] -> AudioGD NFB 10ES2]
Headphone reference notes- I like to
demo all headphones against my Balanced Beyerdynamic Dt 880, as they are a well
know reference can. Reference notes will
always be in italics, and are included in the Video Reviews and Head Fi review
posts.
Sound
Sound Signature- Smooth and relaxed sound. Good clarity and sense of depth and space!
Dynamics- Tight and transient.
Timbre- Natural, with a slight colored warmth.
Speed- Quick, good sense of speed, very enjoyable with quick paced music.
Sound Stage: Nice width and depth, depth slightly veiled by forward mids.
Highs- Spectacular, nice sense of energy and detail. Neither forward nor recessed. Very natural timbre!
Mids- Slightly forward, with very organic body. The mids also have a great detail retention and speed!
Bass- While the bass like the mids, have a great organic body. Yet I find it lacking in deatil, the speed is good but again... it lacks a sense of tightness.
Compared to the DT 880, I felt the AD2000x really failed with the bass. It was too relaxed... not overly forward or exaggerated but just to organic for me. I prefer'd the drier tighter more aggressive bass on the AD900X
While is was not my preferred sound signature, aside from the bass, I really enjoyed the AD2000x. It has great mids, and a very nice spacial presentation. Additionally, the organic sound is complimented by wonderful details and a nice spacious sound.
Amplification Need or
Suggested – I enjoyed the AD2000X with my Audio GD Amp. When used with my HM801 I noticed a similar amount of detail as well, although I did prefer the AD 2000x with a very clean and lean amp!
Metallica [Master Of Puppets] Welcome Home
(Sanitarium) {16bit 44100hrz sample}
Metal
The AD2000x is very awesome with metal. Again nice snap on the
highs, and the forward nature of the mids combined with the speed results in a
very taught and tactile guitar riff!
Speed-.
Sufficiently quick!
Highs- Starting to sound
a tad recessed, yet smooth with a nice edge on them. As well a nice air.
Mids- The shining star
here, good tactility on the guitars and
vocals!
Bass- Sufficient, pretty middle of the road
presentation in this track.
I do like the DT 880
presentation here, there’s an equal amount of tactility to the mids, but with
more crunch and edge on the guitars. In addition the bass has a nicer body and
a little more impact on the DT 880. The
drier sounding DT 880 suits this metal track a little more nicely in my
opinion.
Matisyahu- [Live At Stubb’s]- Exaltation
Live
Reggae –listening for the little bits
of extra noise that are often present in live music [detail retention]
I enjoy the presentation;
mids are slightly forward so the guitars stand out nicely. Bass response is
good as well, taught and punchy with plenty of body and good decay. Vocals have a nice body as well, and the
drums have a nice snap to them. Although the drums do from time to time feel a
little drowned out, although ironically the high hats are excellent, smooth,
airy and with a great attack.
Highs- The highs have
are excellent, great energy and nice air.
Mids- Slightly forward, vocals take center stage with the
guitar fleshing out nicely behind the vocals.
Bass- Very taught, with a nice touch of organic body and
good decay.
Compared to the DT 880 is a little un fair, the
balanced DT 880 has better mirco details, and an overall balanced sound. Still
mirco details aside. Both headphones show a nice level of clarity, with
different presentations. The DT 880s has a drier sound, with the AD2000X a
little more organic.
