Audio Technica ATH-WP900 Review

Audio Technica ATH-WP900

Packaging and presentation

The WP900 doesn’t quite get the ‘flagship’ treatment afforded to its big brothers when it comes to packaging, and it’s certainly a more straightforward affair than the ‘suitcase’ that the open-back ATH-ADX5000x arrives in. The WP900’s packaging is a relatively undramatic affair, with the splash of maple texture on the front the only hint that something unique and handmade lives within. 

Whereas many portable-oriented headphones (including some far cheaper than the WP900) ship with a supplied hard travel case, unfortunately, this isn’t the case with the WP900, which is provided with a soft, velour-like portable bag. Sure, it’s nice quality and all, but if your WP900’s are likely to be hitting the road with you, then you’re going to want to stash them safely in a hard case, lest you dent or scratch those awesome-looking Fujigen cups. 

Audio Technica ATH-WP900

Design, build, and comfort

Audio Technica has managed something quite special in the design of the WP900 – they’ve created an incredibly lightweight pair of headphones (253 grams without the cable) that feel completely unlike a ‘portable’ pair when worn. The WP900’s earcups have been made large enough to house both the angled 53mm drivers, as well as completely fitting the average human ear within the cups. When other high-end portable offerings such as Audeze’s Sine opting for an on-ear form-factor (and disappointing levels of comfort) while not managing to save any real total size compared to the WP900, this is very welcome indeed. 

Audio Technica ATH-WP900

The WP900’s cups fold flat so that they can be stored more compactly when not being used, and also allow you to fold flat when you place them around your neck – a useful feature when traversing airport customs or in office scenarios. The single span of the headband is sheathed in synthetic leather and features more than enough padding for the WP900’s negligible weight. Clamping-force is absolutely perfect on the WP900 for my liking, offering a sweet spot between staying firmly put when jumping around, and not causing overt pressure or discomfort from squeezing. 

The headband and earcup adjustment mechanisms feel solidly well-built on the WP900, allowing you to comfortably find an individual fit easily without it sliding out of place. Tolerances are tight, and overall it feels like a well-built pair of headphones despite plastic being used for most parts on the WP900, aside from the maple earcups. 

The WP900’s synthetic leather pads are surprisingly plush and deep and offer enough space so that my ears don’t touch the driver covering at all. Passive isolation is reasonably good, with the WP900 able to attenuate most background noises while playing at low to moderate volumes, but don’t expect it to block out the constant drone of an aircraft’s engines as well as a good pair of noise-cancelling headphones. 

Audio Technica ATH-WP900

The two supplied cables are thankfully detachable, using Audio Technica’s proprietary A2DC system. They’re both fairly standard rubber-sheathed cables, and thankfully don’t give off any hints of microphonics – a blessing when you’re moving around. The thing is, they’re both very short, being 1.2 metres in length. This is fine when you’re using portable source devices on the go, but problematic for desk and hifi use. 

Despite working from home, for the most part, these days, I clocked-up mainly desktop usage with the WP900 thanks to its terrific sound and all-round comfort. Rather than creating a portable pair of headphones suitable for the odd piece of hifi listening, I think that Audio Technica has actually created a superb pair of all-round hifi headphones that just so happen to be light enough to take with you. They’re quite possibly the most comfortable pair of closed-back headphones that I’ve listened to to date, and I just so happen to absolutely love their form-factor as well as their looks. It’s a shame that Audio Technica didn’t include a longer cable in addition to a hard case – if they had, they might just have created the perfect all-round package. 

But, it’s all for nought if they don’t have it where it counts, and by that, of course, I mean in the sound quality department. 

Head over to page 3 to hear about the ATH-WP900’s sound quality.

4.3/5 - (57 votes)
Facebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedin

Hailing from Sydney's eastern beaches, Matty runs his own beer business, 'Bowlo Draught', as well as working in creative advertising. When he's not enjoying his hifi and vinyl collection at home, he can probably be found rolling-up on the green at his beloved Bondi Bowling Club.

29 Comments

  • Reply September 14, 2020

    Rob Stivers

    I have to agree with you on this one. I’m so happy someone has finally reviewed these headphones. They first caught my eye at CES in Las Vegas back in January. I listened to every headphone I could find at that show and thought the WP900s were the best I heard by a large margin. In fact, I kept coming back to the AT booth to hear them again. Fantastic headphones and those wood cups are arrestingly beautiful in person. Great review, Matty.

    • Reply September 14, 2020

      Matty Graham

      Thanks Rob! They really do leap out and demand you take notice of them, they’re very easy to like.

      • Reply June 8, 2021

        Jo

        It’s a nice build for a portable with a light weight, albeit less robust build compared to a HD600 / DT770. It’s also very attractive and comfortable.

        But the sound… It’s not worth its asking price at 500+ USD. Especially when the R70x undercuts it by K most 150USD. The R70x is just the more agreeable listen with its neutral yet enjoyable tuning. It’s a generalist A- performer.

        The WP900 sometimes does wonders with modern music. It pulls out instruments and electronic music instruments nicely. Sometimes it’s amazing. But it constantly kills male vocals, pushing them back against the aforementioned, really nice backdrop of instrumentals.

        It’s just too polarizing a set to easily recommend, when Audio Technica has much better offerings both lower and higher in the price range.

        This is too wonky. I wished it was a baby ADX5000 or AWAS.

        • Reply June 9, 2021

          Matty Graham

          Hi Jo, the R-70x is a great headphone (and great value too) but that’s like comparing a hamburger with steak tartare – they’re completely different tunings, and designed for completely different listening circumstances. If you’re only after one pair of headphones and are happy listening at home with open back headphones, then I take your point. But, you could also view these two Audio Technicas as complementary to one another – one for home, one for away; one for a netral ‘hifi’ listening experience, one for fun and engagement.

  • Reply September 14, 2020

    Tibor

    Can one hear it so differently than other? I had the impression that these are bass light from majorhifi review:
    “The WP-900 delivers only a moderate amount of bass presence. Perhaps not enough for some. And overall, there’s little warmth in the low end. Instead, the bass profile is characterized by speed and tightness. And it’s a light and impressively clean profile.”
    and than your words: “They reach deep, and they hit hard. The WP900’s bass is ever so slightly on the bloomy side of the equation”
    I am torn apart now 😀 must try for myself, but thank you anyway, I really like them, the looks, form factor, should be good for traveling.
    Thank You!

    • Reply September 14, 2020

      Matty

      Unless they’re comparing them to Mr Beats by Professor Dre, they must have a defective unit on their hands.

  • Reply October 23, 2020

    Craig A Sands

    Anyone know an exceptional case for these, surprised with such a beautiful finish such poor cables and case, sounds amazing though

    • Reply October 27, 2020

      Matty

      A good question Craig – I’m sure there’s plenty of aftermarket options in terms of cases, although AT’s A2DC cable does make cables a trickier proposition. I think I’d be looking for a 4.4mm extension cable for general hifi use.

  • Reply October 27, 2020

    Luca

    I share the sound impressions of the fun yet slightly non technical bass, lower midrange dip, and pretty big diffuse soundstage. Treble explanation is also spot on.

    Although I hear a very slight fizzyness in the treble due to the lack of dampening, wood housing or driver itself I assume. I sometimes feel the edges could be crisper, the whole headphone has a sliiiight organic tilt. Despite the minor colder low mids. But those mids keep them very uncongested which is great.

    This review is spot on and obviously written by an experienced headphone pro. Bravo.

    • Reply October 27, 2020

      Matty

      Hi Luca, thanks for taking the time to read mate. As it turns out, I missed these so much after I sent the review pair back that I decided to actually buy them!

  • Reply November 16, 2020

    Damian

    Thanks the great review! The AudioQuest NightOwl Carbon is a bit older now but how would these compare?

    • Reply November 17, 2020

      Matty

      Thanks Damian. It’s been a while since I last heard the NightOwls, but they are most definitely a much ‘darker’ sounding pair of headphones as well as being far less portable.

  • Reply December 17, 2020

    Mike I

    Hi Matty,
    How do you compare them with the Grado’s you like also so much: GH1 and Hemp?
    Thanks again for all your excellent reviews !

    • Reply December 18, 2020

      Matty

      They couldn’t be more different, but at the same time they’re extremely complementary of each other. The Grados have forward mids and lower treble, whilst that region takes a back-seat in the WP900. The WP900 is far bassier, and of course – it’s closed-back.

      Cheers for reading & commenting!

  • Reply March 11, 2021

    Jose

    No, Matty! This headphones are goodsgood to listening Classic Rock, pop and Metal?

  • Reply March 16, 2021

    Barry Gibb

    Great review, Matty – I read this, then pretty much everything I could find on the WP900s and eventually bought them.

    I don’t know headphones enough to go into all the lingo but what I can say is that after listening to my Oppo PM-3s fir several year, these are a revaluation! Only way I can put it is they seem fuller, more natural and boy do they make my music come alive. Thank you!

    For info, after a load of research, this case fits really well:
    Geekria UltraShell Case for Bang & Olufsen B&O BeoPlay H95, H9, H9i, H8, H8i, H7, H6, H2 Headphones, Replacement Protective Hard Shell Travel Carrying Bag with Room for Accessories https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01IZ9ZJ9Y/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_fabc_YCZ6M8JXMG4Z5NCADS7F?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

    • Reply March 16, 2021

      Barry Gibb

      ‘Revelation’ not revaluation! Thank you autocorrect 🙄

  • Reply March 21, 2021

    Vladas

    Hi, Thanks for your excellent review!
    It is possible to compare them with Beyerdynamic DT 177X GO,
    I’m at a crossroads..
    THX!

  • Reply April 23, 2021

    Shane D

    I completely agree with your review. I had the Meze 99’s for three years as my portable headphone. I loved everything about them except they didn’t scale up at home.
    They were a perfect match with my LG V30 phone or my Sony DAP though.

    I just got my 900’s yesterday and I am Very impressed. Lots of bass, but I find the mids just a tad recessed. I think these will be a great portable set and they are pairing up nicely with my desktop amps.

    • Reply April 26, 2021

      Matty Graham

      Great to hear that you’re enjoying them Shane. They’re certainly very deliberately V-shaped sonically, perhaps with a bit of EQ tinkering you might be able to up things in the instrument and vocal range slightly?

  • Reply July 24, 2021

    Tibor

    Hey, thanks mate, WP900 are here and so far soo goood. I like to opt sometimes for this engaging sound to listen to Kygo or other pop dance music. The sound is a bit thin, but that is nothing that a copper cable from ForzaAudioworks can not do 😀 And they are so light and comfortable, really love them so far 🙂
    + I am testing my Hemps with Geekria bowl pad… the grainy bass is gone… nice 🙂
    Thanks !! 😀

  • Reply July 26, 2021

    Tibor

    Hi. These are bass monsters, the thin sound is gone… but the bass is really strong. I need to tune them somehow, silver cable maybe? But now I am really interested in ATH-AWAS, less bass and more detail? Yeah, that is what I am into now. 🙂

  • Reply August 9, 2021

    Wayne

    Hi Marty, my wife has permanently borrowed my HD-600’s (which I love), and I’m currently pinching my daughters hd26 pro’s to listen to late at night. I was going to get the r70x, but by chance read your review. Now I’m tossing between the wp900($999) or the elegia($799). Your thoughts ?

    Wayne

    • Reply August 10, 2021

      Matty Graham

      Hi Wayne, they’re two very different but equally awesome headphones. The Elegia has a more neutral tuning and is a bit more isolating and ‘enveloping’. The WP900, on the other hand, is a lot more bass-y and V-shaped sounding while also being a bit less isolating. It’s definitely worth trying them both out first, if possible.

  • Reply August 19, 2021

    Wayne

    Hi Matty, thanks for the insight. I did the
    Covid thing and the wp900 arrived from minidisc. The sound signature, I can see why it’s a “v” , reminded me of the porta pro’s I used to have, just a mature version. Certainly they weigh nothing. I thought the box might have been empty ! Initial listening is having to get over the difference to the HD-600’s . Think I just need time to get adjusted.

  • Reply December 8, 2021

    Victor Yu

    Hi Marty, I bought this headphone and love it,I wonder which DAC/AMP dongle you will recommend for this?
    1. Violectric Chronos
    2. Blue Dragonfly
    3. THX Onyx
    4. Sparrow
    Let me know your thoughts
    Thanks

    • Reply December 12, 2021

      Darek

      I was listening them with Dragonfly Cobal and there is a match! They sound fantastic with this small device. I was listening with Galaxy S9 – they sound good. With Dragonfly Cobalt they sounds fantastic!

      My current headphones costs arount 99 $ – but I fell in love, and I am going to buy this Audio Technica WP900 product. Because I love music 😉

  • Reply September 29, 2022

    Martin Schnoor

    Hi Matty
    I’m choosing between audio-technica wp900 and Denon ah-d7200. I haven’t heard the wp900 yet because it can’t be bought here in Denmark. I have used the old msr7 for many years but want to upgrade I think they miss a bit of low end. I have listened to the Focal Radiance and really liked their sound signature, but they are too expensive. I will use them with a smartphone and a Dragonfly Cobalt mainly at home. What do you think?
    Best Regards
    Martin Schnoor

  • Reply November 7, 2022

    Salih

    ATH-WP900 and Dragonfly Cobalt match is something I wish for every person to hear once in their life. It’s absolutely mind blowing. Somehow it doesn’t sound same good with Dragonfly Red, but with Cobalt it turns to most emotionally engaging, fun and also accurate sounding headphone I’ve ever heard.

    I also tried Denon AH D5200 and AH D9200 at a HiFi shop, I couldn’t believe how bad they are for their expensive price, just wonky mess, it’s disappointing. Not even close to ATH-WP900.

    I hope my suggestions help someone to have good music in their life.

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.