They are not intended for portable use, but should instead be considered if you have a serious amplifier and would like to hear the music as honestly as it is recorded, without having to resort to open headphones that let in too much noise. The sound is very truthful with a lightning fast reproduction of transients and more air than you are used to from closed models.

While they could be more fun, these Audio-Technicas remains impressively capable performers for the money

The ATH-AWAS may not produce the most versatile sound signature, and those who like ample low-end and body in their mix may not be the best candidates for this headphones. That being said, the AWAS performs superbly at what it does best. Few headphones can deliver such fine-drawn detail in acoustic instruments at this price point. The remarkable level of precision lends itself beautifully to guitars and strings especially. And if you mainly listen to unplugged genres, you should definitely put the ATH-AWAS on your shortlist.

Audio Technica has done a wonderful job of making a great-sounding and great-looking pair of closed-back headphones in the ATH-AWAS. They’re warm, inviting, and easy-to-love. Plus, they genuinely have the technical performance to back it up. If they were the same price as the ATH-AWKT I’d pick them in a heartbeat for both their sound quality and the bump-up in comfort. For $500 less than the ATH-AWKT, I’d do it even more quickly. Given that they play nicely with all kinds of amplifiers and have an ‘heirloom’ kinda charm to them, they make for a pretty solid all-round closed-back headphone – albeit it one that costs $1,399.