Audio-Technica’s ATH-ESW9A represents the high end of the traditional over-the-ear headphones in our test. Small and light (6 oz.) enough to be travel-friendly, they are a good option for those who aren’t happy with earbuds but want better sound quality than what cheap headphones provide.
The cups are made from African padauk (a tree — I looked it up). Inside, behind a soft leathery pad, is a 42-mm neodymium driver. A-T rates the ATH-ESW9A at 5 Hz to 35,000 Hz, which is, on paper at least, the greatest range here. Output is a claimed 103 dB.
Although you never really forget you’re wearing the 9A, it’s fairly comfortable. The perfectly round design pressed a bit on the tops of my ears, but it wasn’t annoying. Sound isolation was okay, but I could still hear the world around me quite a bit. “Gentle Moon” from Sun Kil Moon’s Ghosts of the Great Highway had a clear, open sound, though the highs seemed to get more emphasis. Bass was controlled, and there was some decent low-end extension.
Audio-Technica’s ATH-ESW9A is among the most attractive ’phones here, and its sound quality is among the best as well.
Wonderful! This is just what I was looking for and I appreciate that each of your reviews is without bias. The JH16 Pro would be a wonderful fit for me (literally) since I can never get in-ear buds to stay in my ears. The price is a little shocking, but as a woman in the 21st century I don’t like headphones that go over my head and give my hair that crinkle, go figure. Thanks again!
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@zippydoo
because he's a poser who is in a terrible band
Why is that guy listening to his headphones over his knit hat?
Wonderful! This is just what I was looking for and I appreciate that each of your reviews is without bias. The JH16 Pro would be a wonderful fit for me (literally) since I can never get in-ear buds to stay in my ears. The price is a little shocking, but as a woman in the 21st century I don’t like headphones that go over my head and give my hair that crinkle, go figure. Thanks again!