Short answer: the Audio-Technica ATH-AD900X, though neither ranks well in its class. It ranks #196 of 216 over-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 2.5/5, at $223.38; the Audio-Technica ATH-A990Z ranks #208, rated 1.8/5, and costs $249, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh. Both are rated below 3.0/5 among the 216 over-ear headphones; for better sound, the Sennheiser HD 550 ranks #6 at $199.95.
The Audio-Technica ATH-AD900X is the better-sounding option. An open-back design with a 53 mm dynamic driver and a light 0.6 lbs (265 g) frame. The catch: A preference score of 49 in crinacle’s measurement shows a response well away from the tuning most listeners prefer.
What the Audio-Technica ATH-A990Z does well: The closed back keeps sound in and outside noise out, which suits shared rooms and late night listening. Watch for: A preference score of 32 in crinacle’s measurement puts it far from the response most listeners prefer, so it will sound noticeably colored without EQ.
Buy the Audio-Technica ATH-AD900X. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Audio-Technica ATH-A990Z and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
Still deciding? The full Headphones rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Audio-Technica ATH-AD900X | Audio-Technica ATH-A990Z | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $223.38 | $249.00 |
| Ranked | #196 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones | #208 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 49 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) | 32 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 4.07 dB standard deviation | 4.08 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.92 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -2.02 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Open | Closed |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 53mm dynamic | 1 x 53mm dynamic |
| Impedance | 38 ohms | 44 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 100 dB/mW | 100 dB/mW |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs (265 g) | 0.7 lbs (335 g) |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 35kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 5Hz - 42kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
Related Headphone Comparisons
More top alternatives to Audio-Technica ATH-AD900X:
- Sony WH-1000XM5 vs Audio-Technica ATH-AD900X
- AKG K271 MKII vs Audio-Technica ATH-AD900X
- Audio-Technica ATH-AD900X vs Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless
- Audio-Technica ATH-AD900X vs Beyerdynamic DT 770 M
- Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless vs Audio-Technica ATH-A990Z
Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Headphones In Full
Audio-Technica ATH-AD900X: $223.38 Amazon eBay
Pros: An open-back design with a 53 mm dynamic driver and a light 265 g frame. At 38 ohms and 100 dB/mW it runs at full volume from a phone or laptop without a separate amplifier.
Cons: A preference score of 49 in crinacle’s measurement shows a response well away from the tuning most listeners prefer. The open back leaks sound and blocks no outside noise, so it suits quiet rooms only.
Full Audio-Technica ATH-AD900X review and specifications →
| Released | 2012 (14 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Open |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 4.07 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 53mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 35kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 49 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 38 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 100 dB/mW |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.92 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs (265 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.5 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | +6.8 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 163 Hz | -4.0 dB | 0.47 |
| Peak | 2,238 Hz | +9.3 dB | 1.11 |
| Peak | 8,192 Hz | +6.1 dB | 2.21 |
| Peak | 1,477 Hz | -7.5 dB | 0.91 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -0.8 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 3,587 Hz | +2.5 dB | 4.42 |
| Peak | 4,150 Hz | -3.0 dB | 6.00 |
| Peak | 55 Hz | +1.2 dB | 2.39 |
| Peak | 78 Hz | -1.1 dB | 2.45 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Audio-Technica ATH-A990Z: $249.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: The closed back keeps sound in and outside noise out, which suits shared rooms and late night listening. At 44 ohms and 100 dB/mW it gets loud from a phone or laptop without a dedicated amp, and the large 53 mm dynamic driver suits listeners who like a warm, colored sound.
Cons: A preference score of 32 in crinacle’s measurement puts it far from the response most listeners prefer, so it will sound noticeably colored without EQ. The AKG K271 MKII and the Audio-Technica ATH-AD900X both rate higher and cost less, and at 335 g it is on the heavy side.
Full Audio-Technica ATH-A990Z review and specifications →
| Released | 2015 (11 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 4.08 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 53mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 42kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 32 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 44 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 100 dB/mW |
| Tonal Tilt | -2.02 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.7 lbs (335 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -7.2 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | +10.1 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 81 Hz | -10.2 dB | 0.44 |
| Peak | 8,626 Hz | +4.9 dB | 1.18 |
| Peak | 2,626 Hz | +4.2 dB | 0.85 |
| Peak | 905 Hz | -2.2 dB | 0.97 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -2.8 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 4,151 Hz | -3.8 dB | 6.00 |
| Peak | 5,030 Hz | +2.5 dB | 5.35 |
| Peak | 3,282 Hz | +2.5 dB | 5.47 |
| Peak | 2,359 Hz | -1.4 dB | 5.88 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons