Across the bustling conference hall at Can Jam NYC 2018, I spotted the Audio Technica table. I’d been super curious about their newest release. It is the ATH-ADX5000 headphones and they are their first pair of high-end audiophile open-back headphones. And so, I’m happy to share my thoughts on this new little gem. Here is the Audio Technica ATH-ADX5000 first impressions review.
Audio Technica ATH-ADX5000 Review
Build and Feel
The first thing I noticed upon picking up the headphones is wow! They were super light! Much lighter than I was expecting. The frame is made of magnesium which contributes to the lightness of these sturdy and balanced headphones. The headband consists of two strands that run along the top of the head. They’re coated in Alcantara like the ear pads, so they’re soft to the touch.
While wearing the headphones, they feel almost weightless. The earcups and earpads are comfortable as well. They have a futuristic and mechanical look with a honeycomb style grille.
Sound
Low Frequencies
The Audio Technica table was set up with a vinyl listening station! Frank Doris was representing Audio Technica and brought a bunch of awesome records. The lows felt tight and clear, giving kick drums, bass guitars, electric guitars and keys lots of space to support the rest of the mix. Additionally, the low frequencies had a quick and punchy frequency response, which contributed to the overall emotional impact of the music.
Mid Frequencies
The conference hall was loud, so listening for mid frequencies was a little bit tough with these open back Audio Technica ATH-ADX5000 headphones. However, I could still hear clarity in the spaciousness of the mids. There didn’t seem to be any cloudiness or exaggeration in the low-mids, which is a signature I particularly enjoy.  Likewise, guitars felt full although I’d describe the overall frequency response as clear and somewhat smiley-face-shaped. The vocals sat prominently in the mix, and although they felt bright and airy, I didn’t hear any sibilance. I’m not sure if this sense of warmth came from the music source or not, but the headphones reproduced it in a lovely way.
High Frequencies
The frequencies had wonderful extension. Additionally, they felt emphasized overall. Cymbals and percussion seemed to lean a bit forward in the mix, although because of the spaciousness of the midrange, it still felt solid and balanced.
Soundstage
The soundstage of the Audio Technica ATH-ADX5000 felt wide and deep, yet also smooth and creamy. This smoothness in the soundstage may have come from the vinyl player, but regardless the headphones reconstructed the sense of depth in an aesthetically pleasant way. They also sounded remarkably tall.
Overview
The Audio Techinca ATH-ADX5000 are wonderfully comfortable, light, and great sounding headphones. They did a great job with their first open back cans and Im excited to see what they come up with next.
The Audio Technica ATH-ADX5000 are available for the best price here:
Audio Technica ATH-ADX5000 at Audio46
Audio Technica ATH-ADX5000 on Amazon
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