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Audio-Technica ATH-SR9 Headphones

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Audio-Technica ATH-SR9 Headphones

Name: Audio-Technica ATH-SR9 Headphones
Brand: Audio-Technica
SKU: audio-technica-ath-sr9-headphones
Price: 229 USD
Availability: OutOfStock
Rating: 4.4 (5 reviews)

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Product Description

Looking for a spectacular sound that won’t cost you an arm and a leg? Audio Technica’s got you covered with the ATH-SR9 headphones Read More

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Sort by: Top Conversations

HiHead

Jul 1, 2019

I have about 40 Headpones. O.k this one is the most Expensive, but it beats all of the others by miles! I never heard an Headphone with an Separation, Soundstage (for a closed one) micro Details Imaging and so on. The mids are a little bit recessed, but I still here much more micro Details then for example with the msr 7 or the HD 58X or the DT 880 Studio or, or or,..... The Bass is very good but not balanced and the Highs are about the same like the msr 7 but with more Details. This Headphone never lacks in Bass like the msr 7 do. For me the 449$ is absoluty justified and 249$ is an absolute Steal! Just my 5 cents!

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RayF

22220

Jul 3, 2019

Is two!

phoenixsong

1055

Aug 14, 2019

Any more bits of juicy information like this and I'd pay Drop to hire you to conduct history lessons here on site XD Sign me up as the first! :p

Vote

BenTeo

Aug 14, 2019

Compared to ath m50x?

(Edited)

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PlayModeOn

Aug 19, 2019

The only reason why the M50X are popular in the first place because a certain tech YouTuber promoted it as the "best" headphones he ever used. I remember when the M50/X was just an ordinary monitoring headphone before the hype caught on. People bought it for casual music listening and gaming when it is meant just for monitoring! We have Dr Dre Beats headphones in the mainstream world, M50X's are the "Dr Dre Beats" in the audio enthusiast world.

mattris

1272

Keyboard Club Member

Sep 2, 2019

I highly recommend the Sivga SV003 and SV006 (a little narrower soundstage with more bass than the 003) with Brainwavz - or misodiko - Micro Suede pads installed... all-in, $100 less than the SR9... and better-sounding, I would wager.

A-Rad

Jul 3, 2019

This looks like such a good deal for what this is. Why isn't here more hype on these? Am I missing something?

Arjestin

362

Jul 4, 2019

A-RadThe $250-$350 portable market is saturated with good options. This is not one of them. ATH-SR9 takes what MSR7 excels at (treble) and pushes it to an uncomfortable extreme. YMMV Also, the proprietary connectors are a damn insult.

(Edited)

SureSh0t

Aug 14, 2019

Locked

TLDR;This is the meme version of the MSR7 with extremely bright tuning to create fake soundstage/space. If you're the type of person who listens to different tunings and attributes the differences to technical ability in that area of frequency response like you're some audio sommelier then you'll love it. The MSRP will flatter your sensibility and provide reassurance that you made the right choice and got a good deal. Go for it. You love to waste money and who would I be keep you from enjoying what you love? If you actually listen to music for more than a few minutes at a time and view headphones as a means to enjoy music within reasonable expectations, then we have a problem. I bought these on a whim because I saw them for cheap, used, and they looked cool. Without EQ I can't really use them and all my other stuff is better, so midfi fashion statement is all it's good for.

This is the (close to) standard Harman compensated FR. So we have rolled off bass with a really prominent camel hump 100-300 followed by a dip into the midrange, holding pretty steady until 5k before we LAUNCH INTO SPACE. The bass is rolled off for good reason as it spikes to 10% distortion on the low end and with EQ boost it is definitely audible. The midbass hump followed by the dip creates a weird warm but distant midrange backdrop, which probably contributes to the illusion of space with all that air up top. Once you EQ this or pad swap to tame the treble to something more listenable it becomes a boring tinny sound with muffled mids. Without the air to mask the weird FR humps/imbalances and the lack of housing based vs FR based soundstage the mediocrity is undeniable. Try MSR7 instead.

Aug 17, 2019

SureSh0tAlrighty folks. This conversation is not leading to any super productive or germane discussion so I am locking this post. Have a great weekend!

PaganD

104

Aug 16, 2019

Friendly PSA...
I'm not sure what's wrong with some people's hearing on the discussion pages but the SR 9 is by no means 'bright', nor does the FR graph make a lot of sense either but that's a whole other story...

I am just curious if said people who mentioned this headphone as being bright have actually heard this & what are they using as source ? I made a comment several months ago regarding SR 9 sound sig which I will repost : 'Subjectively & personally, SR 9 is better than the MSR 7 sonically & technically. Though 'better' is relative & I suggest you demo if possible as only you know what you like nor does anyone else have your hearing, head & ear shape, etc nor should you judge by a sole review...just my humble two cents... There are other head gear certainly which potentially outclass this both technically & sonically but for the deal here, it is hard to be not tempted, even with standard drop waitng time. This headphone requires good, well recorded quality sources to really shine & does matter, regardless the format. A decent to good DAP or desk setup will make these work well too, provided said good, well recorded quality sources definitely apply. SR 9 sound in subjective terms, is more refined with a lean towards more pro tuning where highs & bass response is concerned though by no means is this classed as pro audio headphones but sits somewhere between pro & consumer.
A good amp, tube or solid, not necessarily with DAC, will also make the SR 9 sound really good. As per the sound signature, these are definitely not for bass heads but can handle good bass as stated.' As a final point, considering how much this headphone goes for retail in most parts of the world, this is really good value. Trust your own ears & your own opinions, also listen to as much good quality sources as you can, format is also largely irrelavant. Hope everyone has a great day !

HiHead

Aug 16, 2019

PaganDAs I said before this cans are very good but they are bright !!! In comparison to the MSR 7 they have much more Bass quality and quantity and Sound more spacious and "more open". The micro Details are really Great! But the Mid,s are little recessed especially the lower end. Overall they can be annoying to People that can stand the Highs and upper Mid,s, but they are so Detailed and Precise that I would recommend them anytime over the very Popular MSR 7.

alphaprime

Aug 14, 2019

for anyone unaware of this set's sound signature, it's BRIGHT... if you've heard the msr7, turn up the brightness another notch. i bought a pair off amazon, forced myself to listen to them for 3 weeks in the hope i'd adjust to them (needed a closed high isolation portable), but in the end just couldn't stand the treble, and returned them. if you're treble sensitive, run away...fast! if you like a lot of treble though they're great.

zep483

656

Jul 1, 2019

R70x when???!!!

PlayModeOn

Jul 1, 2019

How does this compare to the ATH-A1000Z?

View 2 More Replies

Arjestin

362

Jul 4, 2019

ATH-A990Z is often overlooked. I never had a chance to hear it in person.

Vote

alphaprime

Aug 14, 2019

PlayModeOnwell the most important thing is this is a portable headphone with great isolation. the a1000z is for home use and doesn't isolate that well. my office mates hate them as they hear my music easily when i'm at my preferred (loud!) volume. also the a1000z has a 10' fixed cable. not portable friendly at all. but i'm guessing you're more interested in a sound comparison... and they're very very different. the sr9 is imo insanely bright. i've grown accustomed to audio technica's house sound and love of treble. it's not my preferred signature, but some of their models i just adore. the sr9 is not one of them. for me, it's insufferably bright. i have to listen at about 25% lower than usual volume, which sucks the enjoyment factor out of the music. the mids are recessed, which is against AT's house sound of mid forward-ness. and the bass is on the south side of neutral. the a1000z is a very different animal. it's got some bass. it's not bass heavy, but not bass light either. i'd say just a slight touch north of neutral. it's very well done bass, i have no complaints. the mids are forward and bright. not sr9 bright though. treble is very bright, but again, not sr9 bright. i'm treble sensitive and the a1000z is about as bright as i can tolerate. but i can tolerate it, and also enjoy it quite a bit. the soundstage is much bigger and more dimensional than the sr9. the only area the a1000z can't compare well to the sr9 is comfort. those damn wings just don't do well on my head, unless i do the rubber band mod. with the band, i'm fine. that's all with the stock pads on the a1000z. i own a few zmf headphones and have almost every version of their ear pads. so a swapping i did go! i'll cut to the chase, i thought the stock pads sounded better than every zmf pad EXCEPT the eikon suede pads. now those pads imo just rock on the a1000z. it softens the treble, leaves the mids alone, and deepens the bass noticeably. suddenly the a1000z bass just slams and growls like nothing i've heard from an AT headphone. it's not up to zmf bass par, but few headphones are. lets just say i personally LOVE the eikon suede pads on the a1000z. a buddy thinks they lose their magic with them on. he likes the brightness and forwardness of the stock sound. again, i'm treble sensitive so anything that dampens a bright headphone without totally butchering it, i'm all in on. and that's what i feel the eikon suede pads do. i returned my sr9 after 3 weeks. i'm going on a year now with my a1000z and have no plans on selling it. i'm actually going to send it over to Triton Audio cables for a removable cable mod, i like it that much. just my opinions though based on my preferences.

PaganD

104

Jul 1, 2019

@phoenixsong, Subjectively & personally, SR 9 is better than the MSR 7 sonically & technically. Though 'better' is relative & I suggest you demo if possible as only you know what you like nor does anyone else have your hearing, head & ear shape, etc nor should you judge by a sole review...just my humble two cents... There are other head gear certainly which potentially outclass this both technically & sonically but for the deal here, it is hard to be not tempted, even with standard drop waitng time. This headphone requires good, well recorded quality sources to really shine & does matter, regardless the format. A decent to good DAP or desk setup will make these work well too, provided said good, well recorded quality sources definitely apply. SR 9 sound in subjective terms, is more refined with a lean towards more pro tuning where highs & bass response is concerned though by no means is this classed as pro audio headphones but sits somewhere between pro & consumer.
A good amp, tube or solid, not necessarily with DAC, will also make the SR 9 sound really good. As per the sound signature, these are definitely not for bass heads but can handle good bass as stated. @wanjuderenxing, Balanced adapters if not cables exist for a reason & are ridiculously easy to get...aside from Amazon... @tbjs, They certainly are though beauty is subjective & depends on personal preferences. All feel free to ask more if you need... Hope everyone have a great day !

wanjuderenxing

Jul 1, 2019

PaganDWhat you mean is single end transfer to balanced with balanced adapter?I think the ath official real balanced cable should be better...

Vote

PaganD

104

Jul 1, 2019

wanjuderenxingHonestly, no real difference whether you use official or not or the connector type on either end, will depend on your source more than anything else for sound quality. All Balanced cables do really is provide stronger signal, whether that is better overall or not depends on you... Voltage & Power from source has more to do with sound quality, along with impedance, SNR, TND, etc as well as headphone tuning than cable itself. Also, having dual entry into headphone doesn't necessarily mean said connection is a good option either but does help with overall ground which is related but different topic altogether for headphone cable choices. Offical AT cables are considered average where sound quality is concerned so up to you whether you want to buy offical or not, though there other aftermarket which are certainly cheaper & potentailly better quality...whether they are really better is highly subjective & entirely up to you...best advice I can give is find a way to demo... Otherwise, just stick with a cheaper option easy to find elsewhere. Hope you have a great day !