ATH-A990Z : Another winner in a legendary series of closed headphones!

I first tried this series back in the 2000s with the ATH-A900. Now, nearly 20 years later, I'm loving the ATH-A990Z. The overall sound presentation is nicely speaker-like thanks to the angled drivers (great sound stage, IMO), and the frequency balance is very pleasing while still being appropriately revealing to fit in with other headphones in the price range.

These use rather large drivers, which gives powerful low frequencies and lower midrange without sacrificing detail in the upper mids and treble, but in some cases the closed-back nature (with inherent resonance, though these are well-damped) can make the bass slightly "slower" seeming than smaller diaphragm, open headphones. But, it has good impact, and I don't find that problematic even listening to metal (kicks are still distinct!). It's all part of their ATH-A900 series "house sound" that you may end up loving, like me, or which might not be your favorite. Personally, I find them to be one of the best sounding and comfortable sets of closed headphones I've ever used, easy to listen for long periods without fatigue but still able to sound exciting when the material has that in it, and I'm very pleased to have them.