I have the Ath-AWKT or the Kokutan wood model, they have identical drivers to these but cost a lost less and they are the most detailed closed backs you can buy. They are so good they give elite planars a run for their money. My only caveats would be the headband comfort which is shockingly bad and that they tend to favour certain genres due to their mid / treble forward tuning. These sound incredible with classical, jazz, jazz vocal and acoustic music genres. The bass and dynamics are great in terms of texture and detail but because of this forwardness pop, rock, electronica and hip hop etc are not really recommended. They are a specialist headphone not a generalist headphone similar to the HD800s. If you love detail and clarity though you really cannot find much better. 👍
@@InternetUser-d7sHad them, they are great too and are very close in terms of detail. The Rognir is better though in regards to performance for all genres like the Stellia.
@@808lilmac A friend of mine has them, sound is practically identical to the AWKT only the wood housing and a few other cosmetic changes are different.
@mhortop1 practically identical doesnt mean the same, but thanks for your input, I was already looking for awkt as something that punches above like a zmf atrium closed but different tuning
Japanese headphones have different tuning traditionally and I prefer them over other headphones. It’s an acquired taste. I hope these don’t change this.
@@jandrotvsh TH900 are more V, have more bass presence and impact, and can't keep up with resolution. The TH900 also are very difficult to pair with source gear. The Awkg for the most part is what is what it is from amp to amp with a little bit of the amp's flavor coming through.
@@wavetheorysound thanks for comparison, the bass head in me can calm down a bit; also ive also tried the zmf pads on my old AT a2000x and the anemic bass and honky mids are fixed to a certain degree, not perfect but much improved, again, thanks WaveTheory for the info!!
Dear Sir, we thank you for this distinguished work, and the truth is that we did not feel the time because we enjoyed every second with you. I just want to add that the Japanese know how to make headphones with precision and quality but at a high price. And if the Japanese want to compete and make an unbeatable product, they are able to do so, but the main problem is the price.
I feel strongly and belligerently disgusted at Audio Technica for these and similar looking headphones in their lineup. So please understand that this heated passion while being negative from me, comes from the depths of my heart. I own and LOVE their WP-900 because the sound is unique and the comfort fits very well with my large head. That being said, I have tried both the AWAS and AWKT which are identical in build to this AWKG, and their comfort was absolutely terrible on my head. There is no usefull rotation in the cups and the pads are never allowed to seal on my head. Even when they sealed I found both the headphones to sound very dead and without any engaging dynamics at all. These headphones while having a super fresh look overall are made of not so reassuring materials and the plastic rattles around endlessly. There is no amount of islolation at all to this design. WaveT said it himself that ZMF islolated more and ZMF's aren't known for that. At $4200, this and every other AT headphone like it, are pure SNAKE OIL. There is no way this headphone costs more than $800 to manufacture. You could spend less and get a flagship ZMF or heck even current Audeze make a better totl headphone that AT. They should be ashamed to call themselves audiophile headphone manufacturors. I believe that the drivers used on the WP-900 and the way they tuned them is really special, did they sack that group of engineers? DO NOT BUY these without a return policy.
The AWAS was the absolute most dynamic headphone I've ever owned(in the upper mids.) I agree with you if you mean the bass is.. late for work but gaming with the AWAS & gunshots make you take notice.
I know Zach doesn't care for you very much, given the non-glowing reviews you've given him in the past, but this might deserve a second look with the full complement of ZMF pads. If you can get him to send them to you, that is.
@@soulfulfool yeah was about to say that since Brian loves hifiman it is most likely he will not enjoy ZMF. I myself love ZMF but HiFiMan is not really my thing. I've tried up to HE1000SE and I was not very impressed XD
I love the look of these headphones! AT is finally getting there. I’m gonna check out the 3000 review next.
I had these and returned them immediately! lol
I hope you get the opportunity to review the new Grado Signature HP100 SE headphone!
I have the Ath-AWKT or the Kokutan wood model, they have identical drivers to these but cost a lost less and they are the most detailed closed backs you can buy. They are so good they give elite planars a run for their money. My only caveats would be the headband comfort which is shockingly bad and that they tend to favour certain genres due to their mid / treble forward tuning. These sound incredible with classical, jazz, jazz vocal and acoustic music genres. The bass and dynamics are great in terms of texture and detail but because of this forwardness pop, rock, electronica and hip hop etc are not really recommended. They are a specialist headphone not a generalist headphone similar to the HD800s. If you love detail and clarity though you really cannot find much better. 👍
Had them. Definitely not the most detailed closed back you can buy. Try Kennerton Rognir planar, for example.
Were did you get that they have the same driver?
@@InternetUser-d7sHad them, they are great too and are very close in terms of detail. The Rognir is better though in regards to performance for all genres like the Stellia.
@@808lilmac A friend of mine has them, sound is practically identical to the AWKT only the wood housing and a few other cosmetic changes are different.
@mhortop1 practically identical doesnt mean the same, but thanks for your input, I was already looking for awkt as something that punches above like a zmf atrium closed but different tuning
I got the Dayzee on order like you told me. Also, I love this Violectric HPA V281 LE so much.
👻Thank you, for the presentation of this new headphones.👌👍👻
Japanese headphones have different tuning traditionally and I prefer them over other headphones. It’s an acquired taste. I hope these don’t change this.
@@halimj7 ah I guess we got our answer. lol
I wish Meze would make a closed Empyrean. The original Empyrean is one of my favorites.
great review as always, if possible, how do they compare to the fostex th900 mk2? thanks!!
@@jandrotvsh TH900 are more V, have more bass presence and impact, and can't keep up with resolution. The TH900 also are very difficult to pair with source gear. The Awkg for the most part is what is what it is from amp to amp with a little bit of the amp's flavor coming through.
@@wavetheorysound thanks for comparison, the bass head in me can calm down a bit; also ive also tried the zmf pads on my old AT a2000x and the anemic bass and honky mids are fixed to a certain degree, not perfect but much improved, again, thanks WaveTheory for the info!!
Wow I can’t believe you got these.. did you get the matching paired amp sent to you as well? The HPA-KG NARU
@@aceofspades6667 no amp, just the headphone
Dear Sir, we thank you for this distinguished work, and the truth is that we did not feel the time because we enjoyed every second with you.
I just want to add that the Japanese know how to make headphones with precision and quality but at a high price. And if the Japanese want to compete and make an unbeatable product, they are able to do so, but the main problem is the price.
They could call the retune ATH-GAIJIN, have you considered trying Equalizer APO for finer adjustments?
hmmmmm interesting . waiting for your thoughts on ZMF Caldera Caldera Closed
i have this headphones, and i recommand Feliks audio ENVY tube amp.
I've heard the AWKG and I love it. I've been told AWKG narukami has more bass and I was like why would I want more bass?
Gr8 take WT
maybe AT will let me mod em
I feel strongly and belligerently disgusted at Audio Technica for these and similar looking headphones in their lineup. So please understand that this heated passion while being negative from me, comes from the depths of my heart. I own and LOVE their WP-900 because the sound is unique and the comfort fits very well with my large head. That being said, I have tried both the AWAS and AWKT which are identical in build to this AWKG, and their comfort was absolutely terrible on my head. There is no usefull rotation in the cups and the pads are never allowed to seal on my head. Even when they sealed I found both the headphones to sound very dead and without any engaging dynamics at all. These headphones while having a super fresh look overall are made of not so reassuring materials and the plastic rattles around endlessly. There is no amount of islolation at all to this design. WaveT said it himself that ZMF islolated more and ZMF's aren't known for that. At $4200, this and every other AT headphone like it, are pure SNAKE OIL. There is no way this headphone costs more than $800 to manufacture. You could spend less and get a flagship ZMF or heck even current Audeze make a better totl headphone that AT. They should be ashamed to call themselves audiophile headphone manufacturors. I believe that the drivers used on the WP-900 and the way they tuned them is really special, did they sack that group of engineers? DO NOT BUY these without a return policy.
The AWAS was the absolute most dynamic headphone I've ever owned(in the upper mids.) I agree with you if you mean the bass is.. late for work but gaming with the AWAS & gunshots make you take notice.
TLDR: th-cam.com/video/eCWMmZVb5ko/w-d-xo.html
$4200 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
overpriced ear heating clamp
I know Zach doesn't care for you very much, given the non-glowing reviews you've given him in the past, but this might deserve a second look with the full complement of ZMF pads. If you can get him to send them to you, that is.
Zach sure is petty if he feels that way just because of the non glowing reviews 😂
Love his headphones but it is not for everyone for sure
@@kato2395 Hifiman fanboy never go along with ZMF xD its like day and night
@@soulfulfool yeah was about to say that since Brian loves hifiman it is most likely he will not enjoy ZMF.
I myself love ZMF but HiFiMan is not really my thing. I've tried up to HE1000SE and I was not very impressed XD
@@soulfulfool you can love both. different strokes for different folks.
@@dragosthule yeah there could be people that love both, I haven't met one though. Perhaps you love both of them at the same time?