Audio Technica ATH-AD2000 Redux

Discussion in 'Headphone Measurements' started by purr1n, Nov 22, 2015.

  1. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Audio Technica ATH-AD2000 Redux

    [​IMG]
    Yup, these are the original AD2000. I know a few of you have them and still enjoy them to this day. I figured I'd measure them on the V2 rig since the last time I measured them was on the V1 rig many years so. These headphones aren't the most neutral, most resolving, or most clear, but they do have some unique traits. They are super sensitive, even more so than many IEMs; and they are "fast" for a dynamic.

    ATH-AD2000 Frequency Response Left
    AD2000 L FR.png

    ATH-AD2000 Frequency Response Right
    AD2000 R FR.png

    ATH-AD2000 Distortions in % Left
    AD2000 L HD.jpg

    ATH-AD2000 Distortions in % Right
    AD2000 R HD.jpg


    ATH-AD2000 CSD Left
    AD2000 L.jpg

    ATH-AD2000 CSD Right
    AD2000 R.jpg
     
    Last edited: Nov 25, 2015
  2. The Alchemist

    The Alchemist MOT: Schiit - Here to help!

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    Those headphones always looked very interesting to me.
     
  3. Psalmanazar

    Psalmanazar Most improved member; A+

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    Too bright for me but these don't look bad.
     
  4. The Alchemist

    The Alchemist MOT: Schiit - Here to help!

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    I used to be really into bass, and dark or darker headphones but as I've become more and more immersed in headphone audio and gear and the more I have learned, the less EQ I have been using, and I actually prefer medium to bright headphones over darker ones like I used to (The HD650 quarter Mod really helped in that department). I like some bass to be there, but I would rather it be defined than thumping or over-powering like I used to.
     
  5. Psalmanazar

    Psalmanazar Most improved member; A+

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    I'm not a big bass fan either and just don't like elevated treble at all. Honestly I don't enjoy headphones very much outside of the HD 6X0 series. I actually like the stock HD 650 treble as most of what I listen to has random high frequency problems. The 558/598 are okay but I just can't deal with AKGs separating guitars from their distortion and Beyerdynamic QC and treble. The various planars and TOTL headphones I've heard have all had annoying problems.
     
  6. elwappo99

    elwappo99 Friend

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    I had a pair for awhile. They are pretty fast and are unique in the overall FR response. I considered them one of the few really "mid" centric headphones I've heard. Unfortunately, at the price they run (like $400?) it's kind of hard to justify keeping them around, even as a novelty. I tried the AD900 and AD900x later on hoping to capture the same sound at a more reasonable price, but was pretty disappointed.
     
  7. keanex

    keanex Martian Bounty Hunter - Friend

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    I've honestly considered selling all of my other headphones, minus the HD600, and buying as many very good+ conditioned Ad2000. They're my favorite headphone no doubt.
     
  8. NoStream

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    I have a real soft spot for the AD2000 and owned a pair for a few years. Liquid-sweet-saturated mids plus generally mid-fi performance. (Adequate detail, pretty mediocre bass extension, pretty good speed.) Despite their FR potentially looking "bright," they don't come across as remotely analytical, bright, or fatiguing, and they play really well at low volumes.

    But when you listen to popular (i.e. not classical, jazz, or audiophile-centric stuff), you just forget about the headphones and hear the music; bad recordings sound good and good ones a bit better. I heard a pair again at the last SF HF meet and do miss them, even though my current headphones trounce them technically.
     
  9. PoochZag

    PoochZag The Shadow knows - Friend

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    @purrin I'm curious if these are measurements of the pair you personally owned? (and sold, to me :D)

    I am one of a few lucky people to have owned the "franken" version, where someone on HF put pairs of AD2000 drivers inside an AD500x shell. It's been too many months, and I have a new rig, to pick out minute differences. But I must say the frankens did a good job of coming real close to this unique sound. I really enjoy it with rock, female vocal, and orchestral based music. They certainly don't have the detail of an HD800 though
     
  10. SpaceLaser

    SpaceLaser Friend

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    I just got my AD2K in today from a nice Japanese dealer. I'll update with my impressions later on, so far it's pretty energetic, digging the forward mid range.
     
  11. tiger

    tiger New

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    I really want to get my hands on these (or AD900 / AD1000) too bad they are so rare and overpriced...
     
  12. keanex

    keanex Martian Bounty Hunter - Friend

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    Ad1000 get two thumbs down from me.

    Ad2000 go for $350-$450, which is fair for then IMO.
     
  13. SpaceLaser

    SpaceLaser Friend

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    Did you ever do a review of of the AD1000? Don't see a lot of those around.
     
  14. keanex

    keanex Martian Bounty Hunter - Friend

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    I didn't, I bought them because I knew I'd probably never see them again, but I haven't listened much. My impressions fall into "Airier Ad700, with a lot more grain". I thought my pair was broken TBH.
     
  15. SpaceLaser

    SpaceLaser Friend

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    Sorry to hear. At least the collection grows.
     
  16. Ishcabible

    Ishcabible Friend

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    Yeah, I really didn't like my AD1000
     
  17. songmic

    songmic Gear cycler East Asia edition

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    Is it considered better than its successor AD2000X?
     
  18. keanex

    keanex Martian Bounty Hunter - Friend

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    I think the Ad2000 is a better headphone than the Ad2000x. Some people disagree, but the x took out the magic of the Ad2000 sound.
     
  19. tdockweiler

    tdockweiler New

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    I really miss this headphone. Too bad the pads that go totally flat ruin it.
    Anyone remember the "Phat Pad" mod? :)

    Based on memory I paid around $300 for my pair many years ago and that was used.

    I think someone described the sound as being a K702 mated with an HD-600. Probably pretty accurate!

    IMO this is one of the best gaming headphones there is (competitive, maybe not so much for bass).

    I bet someone still has my old pair I sold on HF. I bought it from some guy in California named "Cool Bubba Ice" or something.

    Wonder if there's a clone of it out there from Audio Technica with better pads?
     
  20. Huxleigh

    Huxleigh Almost "Made"

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    Oddly enough, certain aspects of the Elear's presentation remind me of the AD2000. Much closer resemblance than it bears to the 650, IMO.

    In fact, I might go so far as to say that, with stock pads, the Elear is a "Super" ATH-AD2000! :p

    Edit: Take this observation with a hefty grain of salt, as it's been quite a long while since I last heard an AD2000. Might feel differently with a fresh listen.
     
    Last edited: Oct 25, 2016

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