Audio Technica ATH-W5000 headphones review

Performance
Unusual then is the W5000's delicate bass presence; the subtle bass was the first thing we noticed. What's present is a tight low-end that doesn't interfere with the mid-range, giving the mids a cleaner, less heavy voice. Kick drums will pound into your skull with the power of a Chuck Norris upper cut to the jaw. This is in stark contrast with Denon's AH-D5000s that produce an beautiful, ultra-deep bass that'll shake eyes from their sockets.

In addition, the W5000s deliver a bright treble with detail so fine you could probably hear a spider walking if it was recorded well enough. The spread of mid-range frequencies are punchy, clear and incredibly crispness. The clarity of the high-end also gives music excellent transparency, and instruments are easily separable from each other.

This convinces us at the W5000s are stellar reference cans that leave no usually-inaudible subtlety to the imagination, with a sense of openness to rival (but not conquer) Sennheiser's HD 650s. A good example of this was heard with the minimalistic masterpiece that is Untitled 3 from Sigur Ros' ( ) album. Towards the end of the track the atmosphere present in the recording studio as the band played was eerily audible.

Notable too were the backup vocals heard through the far-left and far-right channels of Jenny Owen Youngs' track Porchrail, which were so well separated they appeared to be originating from a source several inches away from each ear -- a superb achievement for a closed-back headphone, and one that gives additional life to live music recordings, if that's your poison.

But yes, sub-bass -- the ultra low-end frequencies -- are much less noticeable through these cans. When listening to Pendulum's In Silico opener Showdown, the bass that can be 'felt' in your head through headphones with stronger low-end presence, was heard, not felt through these -- great for reference, but less suitable if you're an avid drum 'n' bass afficionado.

Conclusion
From dance to metal, folk to pop, rock to Balinese gamelan, these cans shine with their relentless detail, wide soundstage and clarity. What they lack in low-end presence they make up for in brightness and high-end clarity.

These are a superb choice as reference 'phones for mixing, but if you crave that rumbling low-end there are others that you'd prefer, namelyDenon's AH-D5000, that offer a warmer, deeper overall sound.

Edited by Shannon Doubleday