Audio-Technica ATH-AWAS Headphones Discussions | Drop

Mar 31, 2021

Anyone knows how these match against denon ah-d9200 or 7200? I am curios if the sound signature is different?

Mar 31, 2021

Apr 1, 2021

jer0nCompared to AH-D9200, ATH-AWAS are bass light and lean sounding. AH-D9200 have more body, impact/slam and are more fun, while ATH-AWAS are more "audiophile sounding" - neutral and analytical. For orchestra and jazz pieces - ATH-AWAS are great. But if most of your playlist is average recording quality - AH-D9200 are better suited. Personally, I wasn't impressed by either of these headphones. I sold them both and got a Fostex TH900 MK II SB.

Apr 1, 2021

Apr 1, 2021

ArjestinMany thanks! i own the 9200s and also considering replacing them. thing is I quite like them. Never listened to the TH900 MK II SB. What made you switch to these?

Apr 1, 2021

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Apr 2, 2021

jer0nFor closed-back cans I'm looking for a v-shaped signature, and sibilance doesn't really bother me. I wasn't getting that sound with 9200s so I switched to a more extreme v-shaped - TH900 MK II SB. Love them :)

Apr 2, 2021

Jul 2, 2021

Arjestinlol I have the opposite problem, I have TH900 MKI right now and feel it's a bit too v shaped. Too much mid bass and vocal too distant. I'm hoping the vocal to be closer / more presence and more mid range details. Would either D9200 or ATH-AWAS work for me? I listen to a lot of female acoustic songs (guitar / piano) lately. Previously owned the D2000 and thought upgrading to TH900 MKI made sense at the time lol. Was leaning on AWAS since I want something comfortable and I heard D9200 is not the most comfortable headphone also I have very large head.

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Jul 2, 2021

Jul 2, 2021

HydeI own the D9200 and I must say they have very good overall sound. Interestingly enough, i feel like the sound is naturally balanced (sorry if i messed up the description, but english is not my mother language and I don't have a rich audiophile slang). Mid Range and Vocals are perfect for me. I feel like the vocals are not superseeding the mid range at all and the details are just on spot. I am not a basshead, but these have just enough oompf for me. Not to mention they are easy to drive. You can even hook them up on your notebook and listen to youtube music and you would still be able to enjoy them. Since these are my daily drivers, which I also use in homeoffice, I can say they are quite comfortable, but if it is hot outside, you will take them off every 50-60 Minutes to cool off your ears. Of course, if you want to make the most out of them, I would pair them with a decent amp. imo, they sound the best with the TOR Audio Balanced AMP (although it is a bit of overkill for these cans, but the tube sound goes very well with these...again IMO).

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Jul 2, 2021

Jul 2, 2021

jer0nHeyyy thank you for your reply! My concern is that if they'll fit my head LOL. I keep reading that they are not big head friendly. Kind of why I went with TH900 first and was also considering ATH-AWAS. Though now I worry ATH-AWAS might be too bass shy for my taste since I'm coming from Denon D2000. Was also debating about AP2000TI or Elegia since I heard it's they're more comfortable. So many choices...... As for driving them, I'll be using them at home from my PC. One guy suggest me to run it with Soekris 1321 + Violectric V200. So I understand where you're coming from LOL. Though my current highest dac/amp is Grace M9XX so not there yet....... lol.

Jul 2, 2021

Jul 2, 2021

HydeFitting doesn't seem to be a problem for me. I also have a big head and these cans make it even bigger :D I strongly believe the d9200 are very underrated. they cost something, but that's life. EDIT: the 9200 is similar to the 7200 in terms of overall sound signature. Don't compare them to the 5200 because the differences are quite significant. I didn't like the 5200 tbh. those pale in comparison

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Jul 2, 2021

Jul 2, 2021

jer0nLol I was previously thinking about D5200 but it sounds like it should just get D9200 instead eh? I guess I always fall back to Denon LOL (was coming from Denon D2000). Thank you for your suggestion!

Jul 2, 2021

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Jul 3, 2021

Hydei would recommend to demo all 3. imo the best value is d7200. all i know is, once i put on the d9200, i didn't want anything else :D this was it for me...and I demoed a couple of headphones before making this decission.

Jul 3, 2021

Jul 3, 2021

jer0nHmmmm I should really swing by a local store to demo them once covid is dying down. They do have D9200 there but they don't have ATH-AWAS, was hoping to compare them side by side but I'll see. Even though I could probably get ATH-AWAS for half price brand new compare to D9200, but my gut feeling tells me D9200 is the one. Will definitely try to go in for a demo, thanks!

Jul 3, 2021

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Jul 7, 2021

HydeD9200 really needs some burned in time to loosen up the bass department lol. I almost return mine when I first got it, but after 100hrs the bass has awaken. Fostex on the other hand, good bass right out of box. Sound gets better after burned in.

Jul 7, 2021

Jul 7, 2021

batman5088lol ok that's good to hear. As for sourcing do you find D9200 picky with source? Or just sounds good on anything and gets better with better source. One of my friend is telling me to not bothered with D9200 unless I spend $2000 in dac/amp. But I find most D9200 owners don't have that kind of gear so a bit puzzled. Also thanks for the feedback!

Jul 7, 2021

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Jul 7, 2021

HydeSounds like Ether CX would suit your need. Mid forward, good for acoustic, vocals. I got one to sell. I prefer BIG-V ha ha

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Jul 7, 2021

Jul 7, 2021

HydeIt sounds good already plugged into Sony MP3 players ($700). I don’t think it needs extra amp power. Of course any phone at this price range will sound even better on desktop setup. I’m using Teac UD-505+ifi Pro iCAN as my desktop setup. Ether cx can forget about portable player, it needs headphone amp for sure.

Jul 7, 2021

Jul 8, 2021

batman5088lol oh I never though about Ether CX since I keep hearing that it's neutral. Generally speaking I like headphones with a little emphasized treble and bass (Denon D2000) but recently I start to have appreciation for nice mids lol. I'll read more into it. As for D9200 that's good to know, so at least it still sound good with ok sources but sounds even better with nicer sources. :)

Jul 8, 2021

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Turcoda_Panda

Sep 12, 2021

ArjestinWhich one is more detailed? The AWAS?

Sep 12, 2021

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Trogg

Sep 13, 2021

HydeJust a FYI the Focal are not small head friendly =)

Sep 13, 2021

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Sep 13, 2021

TroggLol but I have big head though. Like have to use max extension on every headphone massive lol.

Sep 13, 2021

Sep 13, 2021

Turcoda_PandaFostex TH900 MK II SB is the more detailed, very very detailed :) :) Right now there is actually a TH900MK2SB for sell on eBay.

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Sep 13, 2021

Sep 13, 2021

HydeIf you change TH900 MKI ear pad to D9200 ear pad, that might help with vocal distant. Or Fostex TR-X00 pad will do.

Sep 13, 2021

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Turcoda_Panda

Sep 13, 2021

ArjestinAre the TH900s a LOT more detailed than the D9200s? I'm going back and forth between the 2. I mostly want neutral signature, but I prefer detail above most things. The Pearl White looks good to me. Same tone as Sapphire, right?

Sep 13, 2021

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Sep 13, 2021

batman5088I heard they fixed the sound signature on the SB version but it's also too expensive for me. The regular TH900 gave me headache. I don't really have D9200 pad but I did tried the following pads: Stock TH900 pad TH-X00 pad TH610 pad D2000/D5000 pad Yaxi Alcantara TH900 pad Yaxi Leather TH900 pad They each have different pros and cons, generally speaking smaller ear hole = more "normal" sounding FR. Wider ear hole = better technicality such as separation, imaging and soundstage, but wonky FR. When I tried D5200 it was ridiculous how much more "usable" D5200 is compared to TH900. I mean TH900 still is more technical but I can't get over the FR. D5200 off the bat just sounded good out of the box without having to mess with anything. Though D5200 is a bit more on the warm and fuzzy and soft and smooth side (a tiny bit, not too bad), so I decide to give D9200 a chance. Will go to a store to demo it this Saturday and I'll see how it goes. But so far I find Fostex headphones in general have better technicality but more wonky FR (always either missing or too much frequency here and there) where as the newer Denon is overall better tuned but not as wide / precise as the Fostex headphones. Can't have it all LOL.

Sep 13, 2021