Review: Audio Technica ATH-ESW9

Today we have a review of the Audio Technica ATH-ESW9 high end audiophile headphones. Here is Audio Technica’s description of the unit: “Wooden housings made of African Padauk not only look great—they contribute to the superior acoustic reproduction that these beautiful headphones offer. Audio-Technica’s specially designed 42 mm neodymium drivers project powerfully. Luxurious earpads deliver for long-wearing comfort. The headphones fold for compact storage.” What do we think of it? Read on to find out.

In The Box
As you see in picture above, in addition to instructions and the usual array of papers, the headphones come with a fancy carrying case. I’d presume this is so that you don’t scratch the wood surface when tossing these in your bag.

Build Quality
At first, the backs of the headphones were so smooth that I thought that they couldn’t be wood. But at a closer glance i could tell that they were indeed wood, and quality wood in fact. The headband is made from high quality plastic with soft leather coverings. The fittings, form, connector and materials all scream quality. All this quality makes these headphones fetch a pretty penny. Around $250 online to be exact.

Sound
So these are some solid, expensive headphones, but do they sound good? With Audio Technica, high audio quality is expected and they deliver with this african wood beauty. Isolation was good. I was able to ride the subway with these on and enjoy my tunes without setting the volume above 40%. Isolation isn’t as good as a pari of noise canceling headphones or triple-flange earbuds, but in this case it is a good thing. I found the sound to be well balanced. Highs weren’t tinny or shrilly. The bass wasn’t too muddy or overpowering. I could enjoy classical, hip-hop, and rock all without changing a single setting on my ipod or amp.

Conclusion
The folding design of these headphones make them ideal for the traveling music lover. If you want a pair of well-build headphones that look and sound great, then these are the ones for you. The price is a little steep for a first time buyer, but it is expected for material quality and engineering of this level. So if you want a well balanced headphone for general use, then don’t hesitate to buy the ATH-ESW9.