Audio-Technica ATH-W5000

Conclusion

Though we’ve mentioned it constantly throughout the review, we feel the need to do so one last time: these headphones cost $1000. One thousand US dollars. If you’re the kind of audiophile that feels comfortable spending $1000 on a set of headphones, chances are you: a.) aren’t going to care what an internet review says, or b.) are looking for some intangible sound quality that our testing is unable to consider. This puts us in an odd position as reviewers, given the emphasis we put on objectivity.

Really, the ATH-W5000s strengths are all subjective. They look classy. They have wooden backs, which both augments their classiness and affects audio quality slightly. They have a very unique dynamic response, which happened to do poorly on our tests. They also have a somewhat quirky fit, but depending on the shape of your head, they may actually slide onto your noggin like a lambskin glove.

What we can say is this: if you’re just looking for a decent set of cans, the ATH-W5000s are not for you. If you’re looking for a good set of cans, the ATH-W5000s are still probably not for you. These headphones are best enjoyed by an audiophile that’s looking for something unique. If that sounds like it’s up your alley, you should check these headphones out.

For everyone else, there are plenty of other options. If you want something with the same classy factor but is a bit more affordable (relatively), check out Audio-Technica’s ATH-ESW9s. If you want a great set of headphones that won’t bankrupt you, check out the Beyerdynamic 990 PROs. If you’re an audiophile with a monocle and are looking to expand your stereophone menagerie, however, the ATH-W5000s might be a good pick.