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Audio-Technica ATH-L5000

Discussion in 'Headphones' started by xsuperxapplex, Oct 11, 2018.

  1. xsuperxapplex

    xsuperxapplex Acquaintance

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    xsuperxapplex, Oct 11, 2018
    #1
  2. Erikdayo

    Erikdayo Friend

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    I love my ADX5000, but I'd say even that is a bit overpriced for the build quality. The L5000 is a limited edition luxury item that does not share the same driver with the ADX5000 and is closed. No idea how it might sound in comparison.
     
    Erikdayo, Oct 11, 2018
    #2
  3. ductrung3993

    ductrung3993 Facebook Friend

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    Looks like a less cool and more blatantly cash grab version of the L3000
     
    ductrung3993, Oct 11, 2018
    #3
  4. Erikdayo

    Erikdayo Friend

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    I would probably call it a collector's item for reasonably wealthy hardcore Audio-Technica fans. Suppose that is kind of a cash grab.
     
    Erikdayo, Oct 11, 2018
    #4
  5. maverickronin

    maverickronin Friend

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    Is this actually a limited edition? I don't see that mentioned in either link.

    Carbon fiber reinforced plastic driver frame and diamond like carbon driver coating is pretty cool though.

    As to the ADX5000, I think it's the probably the best dynamic to get if you're not up to modding an HD800. It does lean bright, but the treble is amazingly smooth compared to a stock HD800(S) or the Focals and it doesn't lose out in detail or separation either.
     
    maverickronin, Oct 11, 2018
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  6. Erikdayo

    Erikdayo Friend

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    As far as I know it is limited to 500 units, but you're right that the US press release I've seen does not mention it. You will see 'limited production' on the product page for their EU branch, and you will see a site or two with it listed for pre-order that mention limited production. Not sure why it isn't universally clear.

    I love my ADX5000, but I don't necessarily think the L5000 will sound as good or even better. Given the history of the L series it's primary purpose seems to be limited edition collector's/luxury item. I hope it sounds awesome.
     
    Erikdayo, Oct 11, 2018
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  7. maverickronin

    maverickronin Friend

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    OK. It does say "limited production" here on the EU site.

    From what I've read and the couple I've heard, the AT limited woodies tend to pretty colored. Lush and romantic.

    Would be interesting if the L5000 went in a different direction though.
     
    maverickronin, Oct 12, 2018
    #7
  8. MuppetFace

    MuppetFace Sultana of Seafoam Green - Moderator

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    Hopefully these sound nothing like the L3000 did.
    One of the coolest looking headphones with some of the most WTF sound.
     
    MuppetFace, Oct 31, 2018
    #8
  9. sacredgates

    sacredgates Audio-Technica's high priest

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    This kind of Audio-Technicas are not made to be a window on reality. They are like works of art with cubist / impressionist / post-modern / you name it takes on reality. They are collector items which are at their best locked away in a climate controlled vault.:bow:

    P.S.
    I am also fine if you call them Bertie Botts Every Flavor Bean Cans if you´re into Harry Potter.
     
    sacredgates, Oct 31, 2018
    #9
  10. MuppetFace

    MuppetFace Sultana of Seafoam Green - Moderator

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    I’ve always found the woodie ATs fun sounding and beautiful looking, enough to have collected all of them at one point. Wrote many positive things about the lineup back in my head-if days, using descriptors like “seductive” and “smokey” and all that late night club atmospheric stuff.

    Each sound was as unique as the wood and lacquer. Something for the adventurous head-fier or pirate.

    The L3000s were the first nearly mythical headphones I purchased on the head-if marketplace. Two pairs in fact. To this day, I still find myself looking at pics of them, cuz they just have a fantastic character more headphone makers should endeavor to copy (leather earcups should really be more of a thing).

    Sadly, the love affair was short lived; I found myself returning over and over, in case I had somehow overlooked or misheard something. Maybe it was bad synergy I told myself, so I got the super fancy (and nigh impossible to find) matching amp. Maybe it was burn in, so I left them alone, piping small-sounding music in an empty room like a telephone left off its receiver. Maybe it was my unaccustomed brain, so I forced myself to listen exclusively through the L3000 every time I craved music.

    Now, I’m no stranger when it comes to weird sounding gear. Final Audio’s stuff is a perfect example: listening to their dynamic driver Piano Forte earphones is really a trip. But I can understand what’s going on there. The sound grows on me the more I listen, and I discover tracks that can compliment what Final was going for with these. With the L3000? Notsomhch.

    Call it a love / hate thing. Call it a case of different strokes for different folks. Call it just plain bad luck getting two wonky pairs from two different sources. Whatever it may be, the L3000 just never clicked for me. Their sound wasn’t fun, just irritating to my ears. I felt like I was attending a rock concert inside an empty oil drum.

    And you know what? It made me sad. Because I really, really wanted to like the L3000 with it’s buttery soft headband and amazing leather earcups that drip swag like a faucet.

    I *still* want to like it, and I *still* get this desire in the back of my mind to give it yet another chance. So here’s hoping this new model will finally match the aesthetics in the sound department for me!

    Oh yeah, and if any of you out there love your L3000’s sound, that’s awesome and envy inducing. More power to you!
     
    MuppetFace, Oct 31, 2018
    #10

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