Audio-Technica: ATH-ESW9 Headphones

Owned for 2 months

Price: $239

Rating (1-5):  5 – Exceptional Buy

Pros:

• Very smooth sound signature, lush mid range, nice bass
• Smaller size and cord make them easier at the desk
• Somewhat portable (see qualifier below)
• Look great!

Cons:

• Hinges widely reported to be fragile
• Not uncomfortable, but also not most comfortable
• Closed headphone not as “airy” up top

Decision Criteria:

1. Sound signature for everyday listening
2. More convenient than other pair of larger headphones with thick cord

Did It Deliver?

Absolutely delivered

Summary:

The ESW9 is a “closed” headphone with cups made from a Japanese Cherry tree.  They look great and the wood enclosure is reported to be a big factor in the smooth sound.  These are called portable headphones, but they require a decent case (not included) and there have been some reports of hinges breaking.  As such, I consider them more portable than big home headphones, but they are not earbuds either.  They are also pretty expensive, so I would handle them carefully.

I bought this a month after I bought my Grado SR225i.  I was looking for a complement to the Grado sound signature and also hoped for some portability as well.  While I love the Grado sound, I found it was not for me every day.  On the first point, The ESW9s have definitely delivered.  They have a very pleasing sound and are easy to listen to for long periods of time.  All of the things you might have read about the lush midrange and decent bass are true.  They lack a little at the high end, but overall the sounds signature is really very good.  They are a great compliment to the Grados with a very different sound.

On the second point, I was impressed by some factors I did not expect.  I have found that I reach for the ESW9s more often than the Grados mainly because they are just smaller and easier.  The cord is light and does not get in the way while working on the computer.  They are easy to take on and off.  They leak some sound in but almost nothing out.  No complaints yet from my wife about the leaked sound being irritating.  I plan on buying a case for these to take them on the road.  I do have some concerns about durability, but have not experienced this myself yet.

These are a great headphone, and might have been a better first purchase than the Grado.  You will notice that many of the really serious headphone people on Head-Fi list these as their portable phones.  I can see why after living with them for a month.

I recommend these highly to anyoone looking for some portability, potentially a first headphone purchase, and use without a headphone amp.  The sound signature seems to be pleasing to just about anyone who listens to them and aside from the hinges, the build quality is first rate.  The Japanese Cherry wood is just beautiful.  These can be plugged directly into you iPod or iPhone without the need of an adapter.

PS. These list for $450, but you should not pay over $250.

Grado SR225i Headphone

Owned for 2 months

Price: $200

Rating (1-5):  4 – Great Buy – No Regrets

Pros:

• Sweet spot for value performance versus 325/125
• Great for live recordings, guitar, and earns the Grado claim to king of rock
• Can be plugged into an iPhone / iPod (with adaptor)

Cons:

• Can be fatiguing
• Bad recordings sound terrible (might be a pro as well)
• Thick cord is cumbersome

Decision Criteria:

1. High quality audiophile caliber headphone (first headphone purchase)
2. Reasonable price (<$200)

Did It Deliver?:

Yes.  I have occasionally had a few regrets about the sound signature and awkwardly thick cable, but overall really like these.  My  rating has ranged from 3-5, and I settled on a 4.  No regrets currently, read more below.

Summary:

The Grado headphones seem to elicit love / hate relationships with serious headphone listeners.  I guess that I fall into the camp that really likes these headphones.  I decided to look at these based on extensive reading on the web, mainly at Head-Fi.  I auditioned them along with the SR125i ($150) and the SR325i ($295).  I was immediately struck by the lifelike sound signature of all three phones.  If you have been listening on the Apple ear buds, you just do not know what you have been missing.  I found the differences between the 3 headphones very subtle.  I did hear a little more bass in the 225i versus the 125i.  The phones are a little light on bass, so I placed a high value on this.  The 325i sounded a little more detailed than the 225i.  This was very subtle though and required constant switching back and forth listening to the same passages of music to hear the difference.  In the end, this difference did not seem worth $95 to me.

The only reason that I rate this a 4 rather than a 5 is that they can be fatiguing with some music.  However, just after listening to three Lenny Kravitz discs I would have rated it a 5 without a doubt.  I do think that for some ears these are not the best phones.  There were a few days I would have rated them a 3 – Good Buy, Some Regrets.  You should find a high end stereo shop to listen to these.  The prices on the internet are not any lower so you may as well get the full service in selecting them.

Also, Head-Fi is a great site.  Lots of great information if you read carefully.  You will quickly figure out who knows what they are writing about and might have similar tastes to yours.