Hello, my little Audio-Technica fans. Having trouble finding high fidelity cans on the go? You’re not alone. So far, there are few over-ear headphones that can deliver audiophile sound in a portable package. And the booming IEM market may be proof of this sad truth. So, Audio-Technica is filling this niche with its release of the AP2000Ti. What can you expect in terms of sound and build quality? Let’s find out in this Audio-Technica ATH-AP2000Ti Headphones Review.

Audio-Technica ATH-AP2000Ti Headphones Review

IN the BOX

• Three detachable cables with A2DC (Audio Designed Detachable Coaxial) connectors at the headphones: 1.2 m and 3.0 m cables with 3.5 mm 3-pole stereo mini-plug; 1.2 m cable with 4.4 mm 5-pole balanced mini-plug
• 6.3 mm (¼") stereo adapter
• Cleaning cloth
• Hard case for headphone
• Hard case for cables

FIT

Perfection in this category. The leather earpads are softer than a baby’s bottom, and the headphones are lighter than Kate Moss. Even the snowflakiest heads will appreciate the comfort factor of these cans. The AP2000Ti feels snug but avoids being too tight on the head. So, folks with glasses or sensitive jaws will be pleased. The sound isolation is not phenomenal, but as long as you pretend not to hear your boss, does it really matter?

DESIGN

The AP200Ti sports 53mm drivers, and the diaphragm is coated with diamond like carbon. Audio-Technica has also employed pure titanium housing to reduce resonance.

These cans are very easy to drive, and even an iPhone will provide enough juice to power them. But I recommend a small portable DAC/amp to get the most out of them. And then you can go for a balanced connection too. The AP2000Ti folds flat into a relatively small hard case, which can easily fit into a backpack.

You’ll find two short detachable cables in the box (1.2m) with 3.5mm and balanced 4.4mm terminations. But if you feel like twerking in your living room, Audio-Technica has also included a longer 3m cable with a 3.5mm termination.

Now, onto aesthetics. Though the earcups are gorgeously shiny and snazzy, they’re very easy to smudge. So, you might want to consider wearing soft white gloves. I jest. Just use the provided polishing cloth and stay away from fast food.

SOUND

Lows

A rich bass presence here that, at the same time, avoids stealing the stage. You can expect a good amount of punch when listening to pop. However, there’s not too much sub frequency extension. So, if you like to feel your belly vibrate when listening to Drake, keep looking. But the low end is very detailed and precise, revealing ample texture and nuance in classical string instruments. And double bass tracks conveyed a natural timbre with plenty of resolve. The low end is super clean too, avoiding any bleeding into the higher frequencies.

Mids

These cans offer generally present mids, though the lower frequencies in this range are a bit scooped out. In classic Audio-Technica fashion, the AP2000Ti offers a buoyant feel, liberating you from the heaviness of a headphone with more pronounced lower mids. At the same time, there’s still a degree of flatness that provides a wide scope of sound in this range. Furthermore, the higher mids present an outstanding level of transparency and clean layering. Let’s take Imagine Dragons’ Next To Me as an example because it’s a track with heavy instrumentation and tons of body. On other headphones, the choir usually becomes a vague mishmash of tenors and sopranos. The AP2000Ti dropped the lower registers and brought out the female choir with more clarity and absoluteness than I’ve ever heard on this track. If you’re an Audio-Technica fan, you’ll love it. But if you prefer a little more meat on your bone, you might want to go for a darker sound signature.

Highs

Listening to violin solos, there was plenty of transparency. And that playful, almost delicate Audio-Technicaness is ever present. Moving back to pop, the highs bring tons of snap to percussion instruments. But for some, the added brightness might prove fatiguing on the ears after long listening sessions. That being said, there’s also an easy lightness about these cans, producing vocals that will levitate you off your meditation cushion. And a song like Fleetwood Mac’s Everywhere is a perfect track for these cans. Glistening bells, airy vocals and a super clean rhythm guitar make for a beautifully luminous track when listening through these babies.

Soundstage

You’ll get a spacious and dimensional soundstage at a level you would expect from closed-back cans in this price range. In terms of imaging, the sense of height is particularly impressive (though there’s good depth too), while horizontal instrument placement feels spot on as well.

SUMMARY

There are few high-end headphones on the market that are also designed for portable use. And even for this reason alone, the audiophile worthy AP2000Ti is a unique headphone. Add great articulation, separation and masterful highs, and you’ve got yourself a headphone worthy of the price tag. If you need satisfying bass presence but want to avoid a dark sound signature, the AP2000Ti is a great choice. I’ve never been a huge Audio-Technica fan because the balance often doesn’t suit my palette. But if I were to buy a pair of Audio-Technica headphones, these would definitely be the ones. So, lovers of this brand will probably drool over these bad boys.

BUY - Audio-Technica - ATH-AP2000Ti Over-Ear High-Resolution Headphones

If you have any questions, let us know in the comments below or call us during the store hours to talk to one of our Audio Technica headphone experts.