Audio-Technica ATH-W3000ANV 50th Anniversary Headphones (Playback 57)

Big, Bodacious & Completely Captivating Sound

June 4th, 2012 -- by Steven Stone
Source: Playback

CONCLUSION

Consider this product if:

• You want a headphone with a comfortable fit.
• You prefer a closed-back headphone’s with robust, well-defined response.
• You favor headphones with a warm, vivid, articulate sound that’s very seductive.
• You need an efficient headphone that can be driven by virtually anything.

Look further if:

• You need a headphone with a multitude of flexible fit options (as my experience demonstrates, A-T’s frame system won’t necessary work for everyone).
• You prefer the airy bass of an open-back headphone.
• You prefer headphones with detachable, user-replaceable signal cables.

Ratings (relative to comparably-priced headphones):

• Tonal Balance: 9
• Frequency Extremes: 9(Bass)/9(Treble)
• Clarity: 9
• Dynamics: 9
• Comfort/Fit: 9
• Sensitivity: 9
• Value: 8

BOTTOM LINE

When you spend $1,299.95 for a pair of headphones you had better love them. A lot. Fortunately for Audio-Technica, the ATH-W3000ANV headphones are the kind of product that can easily seduce listeners into a lasting and strong affection. Their sound is rich, lush, musical, detailed, and most of all, completely captivating. Are they ruler-flat neutral? Nope. But for those who want to luxuriate in the sound of their music, the ATH-W3000ANV siren’s song could be completely intoxicating.

SPECS & PRICING

Audio-Technica ATH-W3000ANV 50th Anniversary Series headphones
Type: Closed-back
Accessories: As in FEATURES, above.
Driver: 53 mm dynamic driver with ultra high-purity copper voice coil windings.
Frequency Response: 5 Hz – 42kHz
Impedance: 40 Ohms 
Sensitivity: 102 dB @ 1kHz, 1mW  
Weight: about 340 g
Cable: 3.0 meters
Price: $1,299.95

Manufacturer Information
Audio-Technica U.S., Inc.
(330) 686-2600
www.audio-technica.com

Comments

radberanek -- Fri, 06/08/2012 - 02:52

A $1300 headphones vs. $1300 speakers, is anyone out there seeing the absurdity of the comparison? I, for one, am gratefull for this development, having followed "THE ABSOLUTE SOUND" from the issue #8 and saved the copies... Re-read some of the articles by John Nork and "The Harry" and others, teenagers in this domain then, made me feel nostalgic and resolute at the same time. I brought the whole load of the 150 issues to the local dump without advertising on the Craig's List or the Audiogon. Did not want to inflict this kind of evil nostalgia on anyone else. But, I still retain my 3000 LPs, some of which will never be available on Itunes, Oh, I also e-mailed Mikey Fremer about my friend's collection of a rather rare collection of various musicals and operatic recordings - but no - he did not know anybody that would be interested, unless it was Patty Barber, that would have been great..... Give me a break, will you????

firedog -- Sat, 06/09/2012 - 02:04

"I adore the guitar solos that begin at the 00:55 point of “The End” where Harrison and Clapton trade 4ths. "

don't think so. In other places it is documented that it is Harrison, Lennon, and McCartney trading off.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abbey_Road
and in fact if you listen it sounds like them, and not like Clapton

http://www.gearslutz.com/board/so-much-gear-so-little-time/637780-eric-c...

some of many examples

Steven Stone -- Sat, 06/09/2012 - 08:35

I read that too, but my ears tell me different. There are two licks that are, to my ears, definitely Clapton licks. They are different than all the others. If you've ever sat through the whole Plastic Ono Band album, "Live Peace" or heard Clapton on tour with Delany and Bonnie you can hear VERY similar licks. His finger vibrato was and is unique.

Steven Stone
Contributor to The Absolute Sound, EnjoytheMusic.com, Vintage Guitar Magazine, and other fine publications

Steven Stone -- Sat, 06/09/2012 - 10:31

To clarify - MOST of the licks are the Beatles. But two licks are so different and SO Claptonlike that I have a tough time believing they were played by one of the Fab Four. Also, I wonder if many Beatles fans have heard the Apple USB card 24-bit FLAC re-mastered version...

Steven Stone
Contributor to The Absolute Sound, EnjoytheMusic.com, Vintage Guitar Magazine, and other fine publications

firedog -- Sat, 06/09/2012 - 12:58

Well at least we agree on the fact that the 24/44.1 release of Abbey Road sounds better than the CD remaster. I can pick the 24bit versions of the albums out "blind" from the CDs. Whenever I mention this to doubters, they don't believe me.

Although some claim to have tested the two releases and claim that the USB release set is 0.1db louder (i.e., not exactly the same remaster) and that that accounts for the perceived better SQ.

Steven Stone -- Sat, 06/09/2012 - 13:13

What I notice on the FLAC 24-bit files is a lack of noise. It's easier to listen back into the mix.

Steven Stone
Contributor to The Absolute Sound, EnjoytheMusic.com, Vintage Guitar Magazine, and other fine publications