Audio Technica ATH-WP900 Review

Audio Technica ATH-WP900

Sound quality

The WP900 has a classic v-shaped signature, with an extended bass response that reaches impressively low and delivers generous amounts of rumble and slam, while some additional energy in the lower mid-bass helps to create a warmer-than-neutral overall tilt to the WP900’s voicing. The WP900’s mid-range is focused more on the upper mid-range where female vocals, woodwind, and string instruments tend to live, leaving somewhat of a dip in the lower mid-range. Highs are detailed, transparent, and spacious, without so much as a hint of sibilance or fatigue in revealing sounds such as cymbals, or the ‘s’ and consonant sounds in vocals.

The ATH-WP900 is intended to deliver a fun and engaging listening experience, no question. These babies are made to entertain, rather than analyse. These are the sort of headphones that you can hand over to someone completely uninterested in audiophilia, and they would plant an immediate smile on their face – they make music come alive in a visceral, exciting, and crowd-pleasing way. And you know what? I absolutely dig it. You only need to listen to four bars of Outkast’s ‘Behold a Lady’ to know that you’re in for a Good Time with the ATH-WP900. The WP900 is equally at home playing well-mastered and recorded audiophile material as it is churning out Top-40 ‘guilty pleasures’. Let’s just say that I went to town on both Phil Collins and Taylor Swift for the purposes of this review. You’re welcome. 

Audio Technica ATH-WP900

Because the WP900’s treble strikes a lovely balance in terms of offering great detail and insight into your music without stripping it bare – it’s a better-suited and more forgiving match to more poorly-recorded material than its AWAS/AWKT big siblings, and unsurprisingly this makes it a much better portable and consumer-friendly option. It won’t make Red Hot Chili Pepper’s ‘Californication’ album bearable (then again, nothing will), but it does make Baroness’ hotly-recorded ‘Purple’ record somewhat more palatable. 

Daffodils’ by Mark Ronson (featuring guest vocals from Tame Impala’s Kevin Parker certainly elicits some deep sub-bass rumble from the WP900’s 53mm carbon-coated drivers. These are great EDM headphones. They reach deep, and they hit hard. The WP900’s bass is ever so slightly on the bloomy side of the equation, as opposed to the kind of nimble and snappy bass response that you might find in a planar magnetic headphone, but it is organic in texture and highly enjoyable. The WP900 definitely leans on the warmer side of neutral, and its recessed lower midrange adds to an impressive sense of headstage for a closed-back headphone – no less one that’s intended to be portable.  

As well as being a cracking tune – ‘Carolina Drama’ – the final track on ‘The Consolers of the Lonely’ record by the Raconteurs features some killer-sounding acoustic instrumentation. The combination of acoustic bass, guitars, and fiddles plus Jack White’s impassioned vocals shows-off the WP900’s lovely organic timbre and ability to render instruments and vocals with impressive realism. The WP900’s V-shaped voicing is evident here with a degree more emphasis in the highest and lowest octaves, but the bass actually does feel like it could be 1-2dB lower on this sort of acoustic music – there’s some real visceral boom that is ‘fun’, but simply not present in a more linear pair of dynamic headphones. The Focal Clear, on the other hand, handles the bass in this track with a tight, even grip, and more speed on the leading and trailing edge of each note. 

Audio Technica ATH-WP900

ATH-WP900 vs Meze 99 Classic

These two headphones sit within a pretty niche sub-genre, and so are actually an interesting pair-up. They’re both ‘pretty’-looking portable-focused dynamic over-ear cans, sporting tasty wooden cups, and a tuning that’s designed to excite. In the looks department, the Meze 99 certainly gives off more of a fashion-can vibe, whereas the WP900, while still looking noticeably visually striking, does have a more grown-up and minimal aesthetic. It’s certainly a question of individual preference in the design-stakes here, but I’ll give my nod to the less fussy-looking Audio Technica here. 

In terms of their portability, the WP900 is actually more of a practical on-the-go proposition thanks to its fold-flat cups and the fact that the 99 Classic’s dual-arched metal headband does take up quite a bit of space. Comfort and isolation-wise they’re about on-par with one another, but I slightly prefer the WP900 whose cups provide a fraction more space for my ears, and because the 99’s headband does tend to create a lot of noise when rested-against or bumped by anything in your vicinity. 

Immediately the WP900 stands-out as having a more spacious and airy sonic presentation than the 99 Classic, which has a much more immediate and in-your-face presentation, with a much more present lower mid-range. The 99 Classic are legendary for their levels of bass quantity, and they do pip the WP900 in this regard, however, they don’t manage to present it with as much finesse nor texture as the significantly more expensive WP900. The WP900 also wipes the floor here when it comes to treble detail, offering far more insight and yielding much more top-end information in Radiohead’s ‘The Numbers’ than the Mezes which have a more muted, softer highest octave, and don’t provide the same degree of separation or ability to ‘see’ each individual musician when the big orchestral ‘swell’ moment comes at the 3:32 mark. The WP900 is an upgrade to the 99 Classic in every regard, and owners of the 99’s looking for their next upgrade should definitely place the WP900 right at the pointy end of their list.  

ATH-WP900 vs Astell&Kern AK T5p 2nd generation 

The 2nd generation of the AK T5p, a collaboration between Beyerdnaymic and Astell&Kern  is another worthy portable adversary for the WP900, although it demands a significantly higher asking price at $1,199 USD. These two headphones are fairly similar in terms of their stated ‘mission’ as well as form-factor, although the AK T5p isn’t quite as portable due to the fact that it follows the same basic design as the classic DT-series of Beyerdynamic headphones and cannot fold flat, unlike the WP900. In terms of user experience, the AK T5p does isolate a degree more than the WP900, which does promise a more immersive experience for noisier environments. The AK T5p’s 2.5mm-terminated litz-style cable is probably the best quality cable I’ve come across for any headphone, at any price. Let’s call it a ‘draw’ in the design-stakes, depending on what’s more important to you. 

What’s even more important is how they stack up in terms of sound quality, and I can unreservedly say that the WP900 steals the show here. As I mentioned in my review of the AK T5p earlier this year, it has an unusual closed-in ‘cuppy’ sound and its mid-range, in particular, sounds far less natural and accurate than the WP900’s. While the AK T5p’s low-end has more bass heft than the WP900, it comes at the expense of control and is ultimately less taut and enjoyable than the WP900 in that regard. As well as being a better-looking and better-packaged package (in my opinion), the WP900 is simply a more classy-sounding headphone than the Ak T5p, and due to its cheaper price tag – it’s a relative bargain. 

Head over to page 3 to read more.

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.