Audio Technica ATH-AD900x | Review

These just arrived, brand spanking new, straight from Japan to me. These are still unreleased in the USA and I expect the price to be substantial in the USA. Around $300, street price possibly around $260. In Japan they are around $150 + $25 shipping or so.

I'm an avid fan of headphones. This is due to my young age, living in dorms and now apartments, so huge speakers are rarely suitable. Also gaming and laptop use has made me partial to headphones.

In my past I have gone from reading Head-Fi voraciously to now being more intelligent about audio and how our brain perceives sound. I'd like to think, I've become a true audiophile who appreciates music and sound for what it is and able to filter out the audiophile BS that is spewed on forums like Head-Fi and magazines like Stereophile and 6Moons, etc.

My past experience with headphones range from the the old Denon AHD 550, Sennheiser HD650, ATH AD900, Shure SRH840, and IEM like Klipsch S4 and Brainwavz R1. I've also dabbled with external DAC/Amps costing hundreds and using dual D/A chips and current technology etc etc.

The ATH-AD900 were my favorite, but unfortunately they broke. Even though open air headphones are far superior to any closed headphone, I needed a closed pair. When the AD900s broke, I purchased the Shure SRH840. They have excellent reputation among professionals, not as much with the self-proclaimed audiophiles who prefer to spend $2000 on planar headphones. SRH840 serve their purpose but I missed the open air sound and I found the SRH840 to be a little sibilant and my ears felt pressure from the sound, ear fatigue and causing my ears to ring for long periods. Also the bass wasn't tight and as precise.

Much to my surprise as I looked to replace my ATH AD900, that I saw they were discontinued and replaced with the ATH-AD900x!

Here is my review of the ATH-AD900x compared to my past headphones.

AD900x vs HD650
I had one of the newer HD650, and they definitely had that Sennheiser veil. But they have a very laid back and pleasant sound suitable for long listening and classical. But they are not fun. I just don't enjoy music as much. The HD650 have a velvet oval pads that surround your ears perfectly, but they clamp and I had issues with the plastic on the headband chipping paint. Also are significantly heavier, but they do have a feel of quality and sturdiness, more so than they actually are. The soundstage on the AD900x are significantly better and the bass is so much tighter and fast and fun. Vocals, the female vocals are heavenly on the AD900x and perfect for vocal trance. HD650 just don't have the fun that the AD900x have with rock and trance. The AD900x certainly sound fantastic with classical, but HD650 may have an edge, though the violins are preferable on the AD900x. But the HD650 are definitely the best with piano. HD650 sort of sound like dead, very bland, muddy and slow speakers.

AD900x vs SRH840
Shure created a very balanced sound with the SRH840 and quickly became recommended on nearly every professional blog, forum and magazines for mixing and tracking. They are comfortable and durable. I chose them for their reputation and love by professionals who work and create the music I listen to and their excellent isolation. But the sound is very close and claustrophobic. The treble can get sibilant, and the bass too expansive, and mids slightly recessed. But overall, they sound excellent. The main difference, the AD900x have superior soundstage and airiness to them. Both headphones are fun to listen to and bring life to the music. But the SRH 840 like other closed headphones give me more ear fatigue and annoyance, and pressure. Sound has nowhere to go, bouncing around in the closed enclosure etc. Also this pressure can affect the drivers.

AD900x vs AD900
The AD900x rectified all my past issues with the AD900. The new pads on these are significantly more plush and thicker. The drivers no longer sit or touch my ears. Also the felt material also improved. They are softer and not as rough as the past. Also the pads have more strength, they keep their puffiness. The AD900 pads would squish easily and the drivers would rest on my ears. Also the AD900x drivers are much more angled than before, which may help with the drivers not touching the ears. The AD900x also retain the AD900 treble and mids and that sweet sweet vocals. But there is immense improvement on the bass. The bass was always lively and tight on the AD900, but the AD900x just provides more of it. But it's still much softer compared to Monster bass headphones. I am very happy I purchased these AD900x. If you have never heard the Audio Technica signature sound or heard open air, I strongly suggest you hear for yourself before purchasing these. The amount of air, detail, fun and crisp sound is night and day compared to any closed headphones. If your experience with headphones are gaming headsets or Monster Beats or Bose, and you like that sound, you may not like the AD900x. But then your mind may also be blown away and fall in love with the magical sound of open air headphones.

AD900x remain a remarkably excellent sounding headphone and I challenge anyone to find a more comfortable pair of headphones. The 3D Wing can barely be felt on your head, but the clamp is just enough so the headphones don't move. The plush pads keep the pressure off your ears and the drivers touching your ears. These are simply the best headphones I've heard in my life so far.

 

Nice review and thoughts. I haven't had an opportunity to listen to either the AD900x or AD900, but a common critique is that the mids are too forward on the AD900 to the point where it's only really good for classical, instrumental, and some vocal.

I assume you did your testing hooked up to an amp?

 

They look very nice, have nice specifications and by your description sound very nice too! Almost sad I'm not in the market for new headphones ATM

 

The AD900x are definitely consumer headphones, I would not suggest these for professional use, although I think these do sound better and more balanced than the HD650s and K702s that some recommend for professional use.

These are not too forward for me, they sound great. That's what I call the Audio Technica signature sound. Even their closed A900x should have similar sound as these. I would recommend to anyone interested to get a listening session with an open air Audio Technica before buying or buy from a retailer that has very accommodating return policy. Though I do think it's bad to take advantage of such return policy to demo headphones.

The rig I use to listen with full size headphones are in my sig. For portable MP3 I currently use the Brainwavz R1. A very affordable dual speaker IEM with microphone, does it's job with good comply tips.

Like any high end headphone (I think any headphone that strives for clarity and great sound through real engineering more than $120-150 is high end), has polarizing views. When spending this much, it's no surprise that listeners want that sound just right for them. So, I hope for anyone who has been interested in headphones like these, I encourage you to get a listen.

 

Nice review! I've been meaning to try some Audio Techicas at some point. Might have to look into the a/ad 900x range, or maybe some of their woodies. Wouldn't mind seeing how they stack up against my HE400's, HD650's, and Mad Dogs.

 

They are the opposite of the HD650s. They may have similarities with the HE-400, but I haven't heard those planars yet. But I guarantee, these will be the lightest and most comfortable headphones you can try while also being very sturdy and well built. They sound great out of any source. I don't know how you would like them, but give em a whirl when you have a chance.

I've been told nearly all the planars while being fast, they have a warm sound to them. For the AD900x, they are light, airy and with a bit of sparkle. But very fast and detailed. The closest headphones to these are likely the AKG K702/Q701.

But with those two reputable headphones, I don't think you need anything else. You get all the bass, speed and detail you need from the HE-400.

 

Well the 650's are my favorite of the bunch, HE400's can have quite harsh highs (though my new Lyr seems to have tamed it slightly, need to do some extended listening). I only got the Mad Dog's so I haven't had that much time to listen to them yet. Based on my initial impressions they seem extremely neutral, more so than any of my other headphones.

Do you find that the highs are considerably more apparent on the 900x than your 650's?

 

Yes, the highs are more present with the AD900x. But the highs are not sibilant. But it does give them an energetic, lively and fast sound to them. These are not suitable for professional use, for me they are jut very fun and enjoyable to listen to. That's why I think if you really like the HD650, you probably won't like these. These are more similar to AKG than Sennheisers. Though I do think HD650 are among the most laid back, easy to listen to headphones out there and they have remarkable similar sound to speakers.

The HD650s are $450 headphones and well liked and recommended for a reason. If you love em, then I think you already have your headphone

 

You're probably right, but I keep getting the itch to find something better. Something as laid back as the Senns but with a more full bass and slightly more highs. I thought that the HE400's would be it but nope. The search continues...

 

Then I would consider the HD600. The HD600 were engineered and voiced for a more flat and accurate sound. The HD650 took the HD600 and tweaked them for a more laid backed and according to Sennheiser, an easier listening sound. Believe reviews of HD600 are like what you said, they still have that Sennheiser veil/signature, but with snappier bass and more accurate highs. For some they are still the best Sennheiser has to offer, even compared to the HD800.

Or

You can try the ATH AD2000x, that will cost you a lot more than the AD900x. AD2000x are supposedly a more bassy, warmer AD900x. But they still have the crisp and expansive sound.

 

Did you let them burn in before reviewing them?

 

Very good review OP. I hear them the same way.

I own both the HD600s and the AD900x, and I would say get them both (never heard the 650s). They are very different, but both excellent phones. I was always more of an in-ear headphone junkie, spent thousands buying and selling, basically chasing my tail. Settled on a pair of JH5 customs for critical listening and some Sony XBA-30s (thanks to Amazon.jp, same place I got the AD900x) and Miles Davis Trumpets for on the go listening with my iPhone 5.

When I bought the HD600s used but in perfect shape (the newer drivers) I loved them right out of the box (run in by previous owner). I don't sense any veil, at least one that bothers me (and I like crisp, clear sound). I use the HD600s with an iPod Classic/Arrow 4G combo (powerfully good in my view) and via JRiver Media Center/Aune T1 Amp/DAC out of my PC. I thought I was pretty much there in terms of on-ear phones (I also own an 11-year-old pair of Grado SR80s (quarter-modded S Cush pad), but decided that I'd give the AD900x a try after reading about them on an obscure web site.

Well, I must say that even though I was not too impressed out of the box (sounded a bit thin, but with potential), running them in for about 60 hours so far has turned them into a keeper. Bass has poked out its head, though these are not basshead phones. As the OP says, these are very fun, listenable phones. To me, though, they demand an amp. They sound okay out of my iPhone 5 and Clip+, but they are not the same as through my other two sources.

As far as design, I guess I have a small head because they do feel like the are droopy, so I wear a baseball cap. But they are so light and comfy otherwise, the hat is a small concession.

So my feeling is that the price I paid ($190 plus Tenso fees) was well worth it, I really like these phones now. Same with the HD600s, which I got for $258 shipped and they are in perfect condition (I did buy the 650 cable for them, which I feel is the better option). Considering the two add up to less than $500, I am thrilled. I think the OP has a good point in saying try before you buy, but they improve with age/burn-in, much like I have read about AKG K702 phones.

 

Haha registered just to write a review of the AD900x? Must have been from a google search or something.

Certainly have expensive mobile rigs. But for me, I spend very little on mobile since you just can't get as immersive and great sound as 50mm drivers. And those can't match wonderful sound of 6.5-8" woofers and 1-2 inch tweeters.

 

Nice review, though I'm still not a biggest fan of the 3d wing system. I like my headphones to have a good weight on them with a decent clamp. I do however fully appreciate the appeal of light headphones. I use my AD700's from time to time but mainly for light gaming nowadays. I like the Audio Technica signature though I've always found them a bit bass light.

My all rounder favourite at the moment are my HE5-LE's though its a bit unfair to compare considering the price ranges and the added attention to amping you need to account for with big planars.

 

Amp I use is plenty more powerful than any planar needs. Many times over.

AD900 had more and better bass than AD700, the AD900x is improved on that.

As for price on planars, its the extensive marketing and sponsorship on some extremely biased forums. And also being boutique items that are horribly costly manufacturing. Just many other factors.

Sound is subjective in preference. Head-Fi and stereophonic etc sure would like you to think gear from their sponsors are superior...

I was around when the craze started and observed it happening. It began with just a few respected members who were rediscovering the planars and doing mods with T50 and a few Yamaha. Planars are old technology and died out for a reason. And there is good reason why professionals don't use planar tech in either headphones or speakers.

Then the Chinese craze happened. People discovered cheaper IEMs and Amps etc from China, one of them being HiFiMan. He began with overrated IEMs and overpriced and overrated tube amps. He saw the interest from those who were making T50 mods with wooden housings. Of course there were already some who were doing custom wood mods for DT770 and D2000s then, all overrated, hyped BS that Jude lauded over, since they were all big sponsors, aka, they pay his bills and lively hood. HiFiMan saw an opportunity and got Head-Fi's approval. Bandwagon started.

HiFiMan knows this one simple rule among Audiophiles. What is expensive and praised by some "respectable" people, people will believe it to be superior and better. Audeze joined with their US Made and Designed crud.

Just saying, Planars are overrated, overhyped and overpriced. And is it any surprise that the most respected R&D companies in Audio, Audio Technica, Sennheiser, Beyerdynamic and Shure still don't have Planars? These are the companies that professionals who earn millions depend on to master and engineer the music and movies you listen to and the for the concerts you attend.

Just saying... Planar headphones price and demand is generated by those who do it in their best interests, not yours. You're not being paid to buy them, but there are lot of people in Audio no doubt being bribed to tell you they are superior.

If you do any research about the human senses, you quickly learn you can get anyone to believe they are hearing something that isn't there. And also price and celebrity etc can affect your perception.

Here is the best one. There are plenty who claim the Q701 sound much different than the K701. This is odd considering AKG claims there is no difference other than the detachable cable and some headband padding. Same drivers, same housing design and they measure identical. But because it has Quincy's name on it, who is known for more bassy and warm music, all of sudden people hearing bass that isn't there.

The list of examples are endless. Just seeing a price tag on an audio equipment will influence a listener to hear things that aren't there. Improved treble, improved mids etc etc. Just look at all the fools who believe their tube amp is more detailed and better sounding etc etc, when all of modern science, measurements and PROFESSIONALS can attest that tube audio equipment are highly flawed, distorted and inferior to solid state. But Audiophiles and forums like Head-Fi know better than rest of the world's audio professionals, scientists, biologists, neuroscientists, and physicists and engineers.

 

I feel like you're going a little too far the other way. Regardless how you feel abot the pricing, HiFiman makes some very good sounding headphones in my opinion.

You've said it a couple time here, sound is subjective so it is what it is.

The definition of professionals is also really broad. People listen for different things in music and the minimum of good enough for production. Producers also know that the majority of the consumer market is owned by Beats and the larger majority of consumers use sub $20 earbuds. Going by what is popular among professionals isn't necessarily the end all be all.

And in the end, whether you think it's placebo or not, if people believe they hear a difference and it's more enjoyable then let them enjoy it. I personally don't think tube amps are worth the premium over solid state, but to each his own. I'm not gonna call people's ears bs, I just listen for myself and like what I like.

 

See that's where you are wrong. Professionals and the shills on sites like Head-Fi are not the same and sound is not nearly as subjective.

Professionals depend on making sure they have gear that produce sound as it should and equipment that measure properly to ensure their mind isn't being influenced by stupid marketing.

I think music and equipment is whole lot more enjoyable to listen to when you don't have to spend $500 because someone was paid to give HiFiMan's planars glowing reviews. All I know is Adam professional monitors don't use planars, but ribbon tweeters and still use mechanical woofers. All I know is real musicians depend on headphones made by Audio Technica, Shure, AKG, and Sennheiser. They don't depend on HiFiMan and his planars. If they are paying $1000, no doubt they make sure they are getting their money worth, not because some moron at Stereophile says it's good.

Grado is probably the best example ever. Company was started and built by idiots who have no proper audio or electrical engineering training. And their current lead "researcher" I think is 70 years old? But so called Audiophiles gobble their gear up and spend hundreds if not thousands on headphones made with glorified telephone drivers, I kid you not. They are the same drivers used on big huge telemarketer telephone drivers + lots of hot glue and plastic. Of course some marketing BS helps for their aluminum and wood housings... roflmao. Highly doubt any testing was done to measure resonance for the housings. Of course Grado's amplifier was also a complete joke. $450 for somethign that was proven to cost $15 for you to build yourself, it's worse than any $30 cmoy you can solder together.

But I agree, buy what you like and enjoy. Enjoy those HiFiMan planars. But I definitely would not insult real audio professionals by saying their subjective opinion on Audio is as worthless as the crud you read on Head-Fi or Stereophile, when they are more probably being objective and using real science, not snake oil marketing.

 

On side note, there is something fun for some who may want to try. Buy the AD500x, cheap and then just order drivers from AD900x, AD1000x, or 2000x from Audio Technica's parts dept and put those in. I know I tried that, putting in HD600 drivers into HD650 housing. That worked well.

 

Of course professionals and "reviewers" are very different. I just think you've swung a little far in discrediting users who just have opinions and enjoy some products. People do need to be careful what they read but I don't feel comfortable making the leap that everyone on Head-Fi is a shill for some company (even if a bunch of them are).

It seems like you have a gripe against planars. Taking price out of the equation, they measure plenty well if you look at the HE-500's or LCD2's. You keep pointing out the Sennheiser, Beyer, Audio Technica, etc. don't produce planars but it's not like none of these companies haven't tried to sell us overpriced products. Some would call the HE60/HE90 way overpriced and overrated and that electrostats aren't worth the money but I'm not gonna yell on a soapbox at people who find the premium acceptable. A lot of Beyer's recent releases like the T70 have had very underwhelming sound for the MSRP of a whopping $600. Audio Technica's AD2000's are terrible for listening to classical music as it is widely acknowledged that they don't produce a "reference" sound. Even when you write "the Audio Technica signature" you implicitly acknowledge that what the headphones produce can't be labeled how music "should sound" and vears more into the realm of the sound signature you prefer. Sennheiser also has a common sound signature amongst their headphones. This either means that one company is doing is right and everyone else is giving use incorrect sound or that objective sound isn't the whole story and they is merit to the idea of preference over different sound signatures.

Are planar's overrated? In your opinion yes.

Are they widespread used by "professionals"? No, but that could be for several reasons:
1. higher prices
2. the weight being too high for long sessions
3. they haven't been in production all that long since they came back into favour (I'm not expecting anyone to be carrying around Yamaha orthos from the 80s/90s)

I also don't see many audio professionals using Stax products? Does that mean they're bad and I should dismiss those too?

I'm also not going to pretend that music professionals aren't often paid or given cheaper/free merchandise for their production use by other industry giants.

Is it objectively wrong to like them and we should ridicule the people that do? I don't think so.

Grado has a signature sound as well. Is it reference? No. Do I prefer it? No. Do I mind if others do? Of course not. Same goes for Beats.

If you thought I was trying to insult audio professionals I assure you that wasn't my intent. It was merely to point out that although going by what audio professionals use is a good starting point I wouldn't stop exploring new headphones after I've exhausted what is popular amongst them.

 

i would also like to add than I'm not the biggest of any "it costs XXX so I should only pay XXX" argument. People love to underestimate the costs of running a business. R&D is expensive. Add on distribution costs, quality control, employee salaries, marketing, PR, warranty programs, etc. The costs add up quick. Sure $15 -> $450 may be excessive as far as margins go but that's for the market to decide as people vote with their dollars.

People love to champion DIY projects as a way to save money. Though if you take the cost of parts + pay yourself a decent wage for labor + consider that you have no warranty coverage then you're likely not to make up much better than MSRP for a similar product. It costs less for the company to make due to economies of scale but they price relative to your next best alternative and companies have the right to try and make money.

If you push the margins too far down you get oligopolies last I checked people weren't thrilled about those either.

 

Anyone know why companies dont release a lot of their headphones in the US?

JApan seems to have a TON of good, popular, headphones which are unavailable in the US/Europe.

Sony/JVC same story.

 

These will be released in the US soon. They were released in Japan first, but it's cheaper to have them imported from Japan anyway, so worked out well.

The US is a massive market. Japan is small. It's a much smaller risk to produce headphones for the Japanese market than to try and penetrate the US market that is already saturated by celebrity junk headphones. Americans are obsessed with celebrities over quality. That's my suspicion.

 

What a discussion
Remember that very small changes can make big differences in the perceived sound, contact pressure on/around the ear, the type of interface (=earpads) material, differences in headband pressure and much more. Also the addition/removal of materials in the "ventilation" path (I'm assuming open air headphones here) have in many cases been the only differences on different headphone models
Those differences are measurable by the way so isn't something subjective.

 

But what is the risk for the companies? The headphones have already been made, just put them up for sale on amazon.com.

 

Making them costs money and you have to keep a certain level of stock, so if you end up not selling them you lost money overall. Of course, you have to take risks and loosing money first might pay off in the long run if you can increase sales over time as the word of these headphones being good goes around, but not everyone might decide to take that risk.

Audio-Technica likely produced a limited amount of stock for those and they'd have to make more to insure that they can supply them in North America, then the resellers like amazon have to want to sell them too. Sure they could be sold through an amazon by another reseller, but if amazon themselves sells them, that means that amazon bought the stock (to some extent) and will now sell and ship the stock they bought, the same goes for any other reseller.

 

Thank you for the interesting review of the Audio Technica ATH-AD900X.

Would it be possible to compare the AKG Q701 and the Audio Technica ATH-AD900X ?

Your thoughts would be most welcome.

 

I Have these and the sennheiser hd 598 and the hd 598 gives it a nice beating in everything except bass (though the hd598 is more suited for multi genre)
and you said you challenge me to find a more comfortable headphone lol, the hd 598 is the most comfortable :thumbsup:

 

Personally thing. I have heard the HD598 also and I think the AD900x spanks it in both comfort and sound. Even my GF who doesn't care about headphones, noted the HD598 were a lot less comfortable.

Anyway, decided to chop off the 12FT cable or however long it was and recable it. It was just too long, I was running over the cable with my chair and stepping on it, and tripping on it.

 

Before go on insulting entire planar phone catogory. Please kept your fact strait. Well made planer headphone sound and measure well.
Frequency response and other measures:

One of Best Dynaimic headphone:HD800
http://www.innerfidelity.com/images/SennheiserHD800.pdf
Well respected and deserved.

One of Best Planer headphone HE500
http://www.innerfidelity.com/images/HiFiMANHE500.pdf
Well respected and deserved.

Well respected but bad Grado PS1000
http://www.innerfidelity.com/images/GradoPS1000.pdf
Notice the bad sub-bass section.

So before go on insulting others member in Hifi and using baseless argument to defend your point. Do some more research.

 

You do know owner of innerfidelity was former owner of headphone.com and it was.his job to promote this crap? He also designed some of their obnoxiously overpriced amps and dacs. And its also beem shown his measurements do not reflect other measurements.

Point is, no one in the professional industry will ever use a Grado other than a pompous annoyace like John Mayor. The only one mentioned is maybe the HD800 except its marginally better than the HD600.

But whatever, drink the head fi/innerfidelity bs. Ignore biology, neuroscience and engineering
A snake oil salesperson knows better, because that is what innerfidelity was before he retired.

 

Grado is not well respected. Crap is made in a sweat shop in Brooklyn by illegal immigrants who assemble with hot glue. Te drivers are modified telephone drivers, absolute garbage. Their engineer is in his 70s. Biology alone dictates his hearing is worthless. The owner has no engineering or academic background. They make their gear by sound.

Grado is amonf the opitome garbage that is promoted by snake oil audio industry.

Their ate pics of headphone parts including drivers just piled in cardboard boxes. Enndless threads about the shoddy level of QA. Grado, can spend a year ranting about what a farce that rubbish company is. Their business depends on gullible customers who have no knowledge of sound.

You really think I dont know about all the headphones you mentioned and that site? Wow.. That's a laugh.

 

Going a bit off topic. Zymphad, how do you find the Audio-GD NFB 11.32? I'm on the hunt for a new DAC/amp (selling my Schiit gear before I leave the US) and I've been looking at the Chinese offerings (mainly Yulong and Matrix).

 

Wow.

Brutal...

... but more than a bit accurate

 

While I agree to a degree about Grado, Tyll's lasted as long as he's done because he walks the line very well - he's very diplomatic in public. He's good at letting the measurements speak for themselves. He also isn't the owner of innerfidelity AFAIK.

And you're completely wrong about planars.

 

While I agree with your comment on head-fi (and I still don't understand how head-fi gets away with having a ".org" ending), I have to add that Stereophile is much more useful (i.e. ideas) than a magazine like "The Absolute Sound"

Are you sure that 6Moons is a real magazine??? i.e. has hard copy that is mailed out via USPS.

Anyway, given your tender age, you might get a $15 copy of the very recent 10 years of recommended (1,500+) components.

How long have you now owned the AD900x headphones for?

I own both Sennheiser HD600 and Sennheiser HD650, and it's a close race between them. The HD650 is better balanced and I can listen to all music with them. I give a slight edge to HD600 (over the HD650), but with a few CDs they are unbearable (too bright). While the HD650 has slightly better bass (than HD600), I wouldn't suggest them to anyone looking for great headphone bass.

By the way, nice specs on your Sager NP150EM laptop. How do you get a "Toslink" (i.e. optical) cable out of it???

 

I believe it's a poetry magazine for deaf people. That's how I read it anyway.



You don't really want to slag off many of these publications because some of them are really nice people, but all too often you read and find yourself facepalming. I do get that not everyone can abstract the difference between measurements (or indeed be able to say "Right, I'm going to buy my own measuring gear" out of curiosity), your actual hearing capabilities and your own preferences, then distil out a conclusion - but man, some of these guys are literally just writing long-form poetry.

 

I've had the AD900x for a few months now. If you already have the HD600s, I wouldn't bother with getting the AD900x and the HD650 as you said has a more forgiving and mellow sound. I personally didn't like the 650s much, just didn't have the fun sound. Problem with AD900x I see is that it's hard to get a listen to. There are bunch of headphone stores around me and none of them carry open air Audio Technicas. But you can listen to Sennheisers and of course Beats and V-Modas etc.

As for toslink, you just use a mini-toslink. A lot of the USB dongle soundcards offer that as well, like the Asus U3. Clevo and I know MSI and Alienware offer it by default. If you see a glowing light in one of the jacks, then it's likely a toslink output. Between USB and Toslink, I don't see any difference in quality though, toslink just easier, don't have to deal with drivers and crap.

 

You're not the first person I've heard say that about the 650s. When I finally ended up ordering a pair late last year, comfort was what I was the most wary of. Luckily, comfort ended up being my biggest pleasant surprise about them. I've used these headphones on a daily basis since I got them, even passing the 24-hour mark of continuous usage, leaving out smaller bathroom and food breaks of course, without even feeling remotely inclined to take them off. With my head and ear shapes, how tightly they sit makes for a close to perfect middle way of comfort and grip.

 

Your Sager NP150EM laptop has a built-in Toslink connector???

I'd appreciate a link that shows that. Thanks.

Have you used your new Audio Technica ATH-AD900x headphones, with any other digital source, than toslink cable from your Sager NP150EM laptop???