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Audio-Technica ATH-A990Z
ATH-A990Z
The ATH-A990Z Art Monitor® closed-back dynamic headphones feature proprietary large-aperture 53 mm drivers with OFC bobbin-wound voice coils to deliver Hi-Res Audio reproduction. The drivers’ integrated yoke and top-mounted PCB contribute to the high-resolution performance by providing superior transient response and smoother airflow for precise diaphragm movement. The lightweight aluminum housings reduce unwanted resonance and incorporate Audio-Technica’s Double Air Damping System (D.A.D.S) for deep bass reproduction. A-T’s improved 3D wing support system ensures a great, comfortable fit, aided by the headphones’ soft, premium-grade earpads. The 3.0 m (9.8') tangle-free cable is cloth-wrapped for lasting durability.
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Professional Reviews 86/100
Nicely Roasted
Sound Quality
85/100
Comfort Fit
90/100
Build Quality
85/100
Features Usability
82/100
Value for Money
85/100
The ATH-A990Z pairs a lively, smile-shaped balance with sealed practicality, delivering emphatic bass, clear dialogue presence and welcome isolation. Srajan Ebaen highlights its exceptionally light fit, pressure-relieving wing support and non-microphonic single-sided cable. Aluminium end caps and a long cloth-wrapped lead complete a capable closed-back design for extended listening.
What Reviewers Are Saying
Pros
Lightweight wing-support system provides outstanding comfort, especially for listeners prone to crown pressure.
Single-sided cloth cable is genuinely non-microphonic and avoids rubbing across the chest.
Energetic smile-shaped tuning gives bass weight and strong presence for dialogue and lively listening.
Aluminium end caps contribute to a more substantial, well-made feel.
&
Cons
Bass can sound overly bombastic for listeners seeking a restrained or neutral music presentation.
The presence region may come across as somewhat hot on some music.
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 85/100
The listening report is broadly enthusiastic, describing the ATH-A990Z as meeting the reviewer's requirements “all around” with an appealing, smile-shaped tuning. Its main tonal trade-offs are a bass balance the reviewer finds overly bombastic for some music and a somewhat hot presence region.
Bass
83/100
Bass has ample weight and impact, but the reviewer finds the low end “clearly too bombastic” for their preferred music. This suggests a deliberately elevated, energetic balance rather than strict low-frequency restraint.
Midrange
84/100
The upper-midrange or presence area is described as a little hot, which may make some material sound more forward than ideal. Even so, the overall listening assessment remains favorable rather than indicating a fundamental tonal problem.
Treble
86/100
The review does not isolate the treble in detail, but its positive all-round assessment and approving description of the tuning suggest an open, engaging top-end presentation. There is no report of outright treble harshness or fatigue.
Resolution Detail
87/100
While the review offers little component-by-component discussion of detail retrieval, it reports that the headphone meets the reviewer's standards across the board. The favorable overall verdict indicates a clean, satisfying level of clarity for its class.
Soundstage Imaging
83/100
The review says little about image placement, depth, or stage size. As a closed-back design, the ATH-A990Z should be judged on the coherence of its presentation rather than on open-back scale, but direct spatial commentary is limited.
Dynamics
86/100
The elevated low end and smile-shaped balance point to a lively, punchy presentation. The reviewer does not specifically assess macro- or microdynamic contrasts, so the evidence here is chiefly the positive overall listening impression.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Comfort Fit
90/100
Comfort is a major strength in the review, described emphatically as a “mega whopper.” Audio-Technica's wing-support system is said to work very well for heads prone to pressure soreness, while the headphone is also characterized as light.
Build Quality
85/100
The headphone is described as well made, and the aluminium end caps are specifically welcomed for reducing the cheaper plastic impression associated with earlier construction. The review provides little long-term durability commentary, but its assessment of materials and finish is favorable.
Features Usability
82/100
Its cloth-wrapped single-sided cable is praised as genuinely non-microphonic and less intrusive than a split cable across the chest. The review does not discuss replaceable parts, storage accessories, or other ownership conveniences.
Value for Money
85/100
At roughly €260, the reviewer notes that it was not the least expensive option considered, but still regarded it as sufficiently well made and successful for the intended purpose. There is no detailed comparison with competing headphones at the price.
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Authorized dealers for Audio-Technica ATH-A990Z
- The Audio Association — in-store — Anaheim, California, United States (website)
- A1 Futureshop — online and in-store — North Rocks, New South Wales, Australia (website)
- Absolute Audio - Canada — in-store — Calgary, Alberta, Canada (website)
- Abt Electronics — online and in-store — Glenview, Illinois, United States (website)
- Accesory Jack — online and in-store — New Territories, Hong Kong (website)
- Acclaim Sound and Light — online and in-store — North Bay, Ontario, Canada (website)
- Acoustic Sounds — online and in-store — Salina, Kansas, United States (website)
- Acoustic Technologies — online and in-store — Montréal, Québec, Canada (website)
- Acton Gate Audio — online and in-store — Cymru, United Kingdom (website)
- Adorama — in-store — New York, New York, United States (website)
and 230 more verified dealers