Audio-Technica ATH-AWKT vs Fostex TH909

Short answer: the Audio-Technica ATH-AWKT. It ranks #151 of 216 over-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 3.3/5, at $1,999. The Fostex TH909 ranks #163, rated 3.1/5, at $1,849.37, $149.63 cheaper, which does not close the gap in sound quality.

The case for the Audio-Technica ATH-AWKT: The closed back keeps sound in and outside noise out, and the 48 ohm, 102 dB/mW load reaches good volume straight from a phone. The catch: A deep 16.9 dB dip near 6.7 kHz leaves the 6 to 10 kHz treble about 11 dB below target in oratory1990’s measurement, so cymbals, string texture and room ambience sound muted.

What the Fostex TH909 does well: An open-back wired design with a 50mm driver, 25 ohms and 100 dB/mW sensitivity, so it runs from most sources without a dedicated amplifier. The catch: Open back means sound leaks out and outside noise leaks in, so it only suits quiet rooms.

Buy the Audio-Technica ATH-AWKT. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $149.63 you would save on the Fostex TH909 does not close the gap.

Want more options? Browse the full Headphones rankings.

Specifications Side By Side

Related Headphone Comparisons

How Audio-Technica ATH-AWKT compares with other leading options:

• Denon AH-D9200 vs Audio-Technica ATH-AWKT
• Audeze MM-500 vs Audio-Technica ATH-AWKT
• Audio-Technica ATH-AWKT vs HEDD Heddphone 2
• Fostex TH909 vs HEDD Heddphone 2
• Fostex TH909 vs Audeze LCD-3

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.

As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.

The Two Headphones In Full

Audio-Technica ATH-AWKT: $1,999.00 B&H Photo Video eBay

Pros: The closed back keeps sound in and outside noise out, and the 48 ohm, 102 dB/mW load reaches good volume straight from a phone. The upper midrange tracks the target within 0.6 dB and the largest peak above 1.5 kHz is only 2.3 dB, so nothing in the treble turns shrill or fatiguing. Its warm tilt suits listeners who prefer a relaxed, darker sound.

Cons: A deep 16.9 dB dip near 6.7 kHz leaves the 6 to 10 kHz treble about 11 dB below target in oratory1990’s measurement, so cymbals, string texture and room ambience sound muted. Sub-bass sits 9.5 dB under target and falls 6 dB short by 42 Hz, which thins out low bass, and at 405 g it is a heavy headphone. The Audeze MM-500 earns a higher rating at a similar price.

Full Audio-Technica ATH-AWKT review and specifications →

Released	Nov 2019 (6 years ago)
Back	Closed
Built-in Microphone	No
Connection	Wired
Deviation From Target	3.44 dB standard deviation
Driver Type	Dynamic
Drivers	1 x 53mm dynamic
Form Factor	Over-ear
Frequency Response	5Hz - 45kHz (Manufacturer specified)
Harman Preference Score	65 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ)
Impedance	48 ohms
Sensitivity	102 dB/mW
Sub-bass Extension	Falls 6 dB below target at 42 Hz (-9.2 dB at 30 Hz)
Tonal Tilt	-0.38 (negative is warmer, positive brighter)
Weight	0.9 lbs (405 g)

EQ preset to match the Harman target

Set a preamp of -6.2 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	+6.6 dB	0.70
Peak	2,377 Hz	-9.1 dB	0.50
Peak	8,032 Hz	+8.4 dB	1.33
Peak	69 Hz	-4.4 dB	1.18
Peak	2,675 Hz	+10.7 dB	1.49
High shelf	10,000 Hz	-8.0 dB	0.70
Peak	214 Hz	+3.2 dB	2.51
Peak	125 Hz	-1.0 dB	1.98
Peak	310 Hz	-1.2 dB	3.63
Peak	1,384 Hz	-0.9 dB	3.04

• Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
  • AutoEQ results for the Audio-Technica ATH-AWKT (oratory1990 measurement)
• Head-to-Head Comparisons
  • Audio-Technica ATH-AWKT vs Audeze MM-500
  • Audio-Technica ATH-AWKT vs HEDD Heddphone 2
  • Audio-Technica ATH-AWKT vs Denon AH-D9200

Fostex TH909: $1,849.37 Amazon eBay

Pros: An open-back wired design with a 50mm driver, 25 ohms and 100 dB/mW sensitivity, so it runs from most sources without a dedicated amplifier. Bass is generous, about 2 to 4 dB over target from the sub-bass up through the low mids, which gives a warm and full presentation. The airy open design gives a spacious soundstage feel, and the range above 10 kHz sits about 2 dB over target.

Cons: Open back means sound leaks out and outside noise leaks in, so it only suits quiet rooms. Presence is lifted about 2.4 dB, with a 6.4 dB peak near 5.6 kHz and a 6.3 dB dip near 9.5 kHz, which can make voices and cymbals sound uneven. The warm low mids and uneven treble keep it well short of the target curve for the price.

Full Fostex TH909 review and specifications →

Back	Open
Built-in Microphone	No
Connection	Wired
Deviation From Target	2.82 dB standard deviation
Driver Type	Dynamic
Drivers	1 x 50mm dynamic
Form Factor	Over-ear
Frequency Response	5Hz - 45kHz (Manufacturer specified)
Harman Preference Score	62 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ)
Impedance	25 ohms
Sensitivity	100 dB/mW
Sub-bass Extension	Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-0.3 dB at 30 Hz)
Tonal Tilt	-1.08 (negative is warmer, positive brighter)

EQ preset to match the Harman target

Set a preamp of -4.8 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	-0.4 dB	0.70
Peak	304 Hz	-4.1 dB	0.45
Peak	1,426 Hz	+4.2 dB	0.54
Peak	5,590 Hz	-6.2 dB	4.31
Peak	9,044 Hz	+3.2 dB	1.56
High shelf	10,000 Hz	-4.1 dB	0.70
Peak	2,533 Hz	+2.0 dB	4.27
Peak	3,371 Hz	-2.4 dB	4.80
Peak	1,696 Hz	-1.0 dB	3.46
Peak	2,300 Hz	+0.6 dB	3.30

• Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
  • AutoEQ results for the Fostex TH909 (oratory1990 measurement)
• Head-to-Head Comparisons
  • Fostex TH909 vs Audeze LCD-3
  • Fostex TH909 vs HEDD Heddphone 2