Audio-Technica ATH WS55 Specifications, Tests and Review

The Audio-Technica ATH WS55 are wired headphones. In the case of studio and professional DJ headphones, a wired connection is a standard and a necessity. In this case, connecting via cable reduces audio transmission delays and prevents unwanted battery drain as it would be in case of wireless headphones. The same is de facto true for gaming headsets. In case of headphones for normal music listening, the cable is rather a relic, although it still has its fans. However, the wireless option is much more popular for everyday use in today’s world.

These headphones are designed to fit around the ears. Thanks to the design, they can isolate better from external noise than, for example, over-ear headphones. This allows for better listening quality without interference. However, this design tends to make headphones heavier and less practical for frequent carrying The weight of the headphones is 165 g. Although these are over-the-head headphones that are normally characterized by their bulky nature, this model can be folded into a more compact form. This makes them easier to fit into a backpack or bag

The sound quality can be affected by many factors. For many users the frequency range is a key feature of headphones. The wider the range, the more detail and nuance you will hear while listening. However, every individual perceives frequencies differently, so the frequency range of headphones varies according to individual needs. The average person perceives frequencies in the range of 16 to 20,000 Hz, so headphones with a frequency range of 20 to 20,000 Hz are most commonly available. If you are looking for headphones with a good bass performance, you should aim for lower range values (bass represents frequencies up to about 256 Hz), while high range values (frequencies roughly above 2,048 Hz) will be better for reproducing high tones. The frequency range of headphones Audio-Technica ATH WS55 is 10 - 24000 Hz. The headphone's sensitivity determines how effectively they can receive a signal from a source. The higher the sensitivity of the headphones, the louder they can play at lower power consumption. However, at high volumes, power consumption increases, which can be a problem when listening to music from a cell phone. A sensitivity value of around 85 dB is suitable for quiet environments, while a value of around 90 dB allows for quality listening even in noisy environments. Headphones with a sensitivity value of 100 dB and above are suitable for extremely noisy environments such as concerts. Headphones Audio-Technica ATH WS55 are designed with sensitivity about 100 dB/mW.

The device connected to the headphones also plays a role most times. The lower impedance value (approximately 100 to 150 Ohms) is suitable for playback from mobile phones, laptops or other portable players that do not have a powerful enough amplifier. The lower impedance will ensure that the required volume level is achieved with less power, thus extending the life of the player. However, at the same time, with lower impedance, there is more distortion of the sound. Headphones with a higher impedance of around 250 Ohms and above are then more suitable for playback from really powerful signal sources or using a headphone amplifier, otherwise the sound coming out of them might not be loud enough. At the same time, higher-impedance headphones will also ensure less distortion in the sound. In the case of these headphones, the impedance reaches the 40 Ohm value. The maximum input power of these headphones indicates how many decibels they can receive from the device without any damage. For Audio-Technica ATH WS55, it is 500 mW.

Headphones consist of many important parts, including the diaphragm, which is responsible for converting electrical signals into sound. The diaphragm, with a thickness of around 6 mm, is very sensitive to changes in high frequencies but less sensitive to bass. For a relatively balanced sound profile, a medium-thick diaphragm of around 10 mm is used, which can reproduce both bass and treble. A diaphragm with a thickness of around 20 mm is not as quick to respond to changes in the audio signal, and this results in poorer bass listening. However, it is very sensitive to higher frequencies. In the case of this model, the diaphragm is the 40 mm.

The design of the headphones and their ear cups can also affect the quality of the audio output. The closed design does not allow ambient noise or sound from the headphones to flow outwards. Not only will you enjoy music in noisy environments, but you won't disturb anyone while enjoying listening session. The closed-back design makes the headphones suitable for the office or for travel.