Audio-Technica ATH-WB LTD Vs Denon AH-D9200 Comparison Review

The Audio-Technica ATH-WB LTD and the Denon AH-D9200 are closed-back wooden headphones with the same $1,599 price point. These can be seen as two of the most desired wooden headphones for audiophiles on the market. This makes them prime for a good comparison to see what exactly the ins and outs of these very similar headphones are. Which one is the better option?

What You Get

Look & Feel

What makes these headphones so alike on the outside is their wooden ear cup designs. These headphones use different kinds of wood, with the LTD combining maple, walnut, and mahogany, and the D9200 using Japanese bamboo. Both headphones use their wood housings to shape their respective tunings. The D9200 is slightly larger than the LTD, and it uses better materials for its frame. However, both headphones are very eye-catching and beautifully crafted. The LTD does have a slightly better seal compared to the D9200, but both fit comfortably for long listening hours.

Design

With its slightly bigger size, the D9200 uses a slightly bigger driver compared to the LTD. They’re both dynamic drivers, but the D9200 uses a special FreeEdge driver that uses Neodymium magnets. It features less of an impedance compared to the LTD, but you should be able to drive both headphones with the same amp.

Soundstage

Both headphones are pretty sensational when it comes to the soundstage and spatial imaging. These closed-back headphones bring open sensibilities to their closed designs, offering similarly spaced-out width and depth. While the LTD appears more purely stereo, the D9200 has a bit more airiness to its presentation, feeling more holographic as a result. However, they both have non-linear tendencies that keep the instruments and effects in specific positions through the left and right channels. To put it simply, the D9200 feels more spherical, while the LTD is a bit more like a wide oval. I can’t really say one is better than the other when they’re both delightfully spacious and immersive.

Low End

There’s a ton of intricacies in the bass of these headphones that give them tons of personality. If you’re looking for the most aggressive bass, the LTD will be more your style. It dominates most of the sound signature by pushing the low frequencies forward without creating much bleed which is impressive. The D9200 is similarly thick, but the tone is more dynamic. It has more delicate, smooth vibrations that are layered and engaging. These tones are thick, like the LTD, but the frequencies are stacked more articulately, adding a bit more shape and weight. The LTD is what you would want to listen to if you’re going for a profile with a more direct slam.

Mids

The LTD and D9200 are almost direct opposites here. This time, there’s dominance in the midrange with the D9200, while the LTD is the most relaxed and dynamic. It’s hard for me not to prefer the D9200 here though. The timbre is much richer than on the LTD, giving a greater presence to instruments and vocals. They’re both similarly grounded responses, but the D9200 is given a lot more life in comparison, with energetic performances that are consistently crystal clear.

Highs

While never too harsh, the D9200 is definitely the peakiest of the two. The LTD has the smoothest treble in comparison, with more favorable details that make it easier to listen to for most listeners. I tend to prefer a bit of brightness and sizzle from my headphones, and the D9200 fits the bill more than the LTD in that regard. The highs seem much more refined and crisp than the LTD, and it gives the frequencies more character. If you enjoy more height and tail in your high frequencies, you might prefer the D9200 over the LTD.

Summary

The D9200 and LTD share a wooden closed-back design, but they’re two very different headphones otherwise. Sonically, the LTD and D9200 have similar soundstages but are on opposite ends of the sound spectrum in terms of the bass, mids, and highs. This is what will drive your decision on which one you’ll prefer. These headphones being the same price should make that a bit easier for you, especially when they’re both exceptionally crafted.

The Audio-Technica ATH-WB LTD and Denon AH-D9200 are available at Audio46.