Denon AH-D9200 Flagship Reference Over Ear Headphones (Bamboo)

I have been into high-quality audio for probably about 10 years now, and I have been searching for that set of headphones that perfectly meets my needs, and while this set isn't exactly 10/10, I give it a solid 9/10. I listen to quite a bit of Electric, EDM, R&B, Hip Hop and Top 40/Pop. Because of this, I really like V-Shaped headphone tunes (meaning, elevated low-end and elevated high end), as these are typically the parts of those genres that are really dynamic and emotional. It has always been difficult for me to find hi-fi quality audiophile headphones that provide a fun listening experience for that type of sound WITHOUT having to deal with EQing or investing in lots of extra equipment. THIS SET IS CLOSE TO PERFECT FOR THIS. Let me get into a few quick reasons why. #1 The overall sound tune and signature. Many hi-fi/audiophile cans have either a flat or bright tune, with a strong focus on detail in the high-end. That is NOT the tune of these cans. These cans have an overall warm signature, with a very dynamic feel. However, these are not Basshead cans. The best way I can describe it is that the tune is balanced but with a noticeable elevation to the mid bass. The elevation of the mid bass, however, works perfectly in tandem with the warmth of the wood cups and overall soundstage to produce an overall low-end elevated sound signature that still preserves detail across the spectrum, frankly, like nothing I have ever heard in this price range. This creates enough low-end to be pleasant, but admittedly, it is NOT the rumbling or boomy bass you would get from cans that have a bigger sub-bass boost. However, as someone that loves bass, the overall tune of these is so great that the hit to sub-bass is worth it overall. Also, this is the tune I got with zero EQ adjustments or anything like that. Right out of the box, outstanding tune (a theme that will repeat in just a second). #2 Easy to power. Again, getting into audiophile headphones can get expensive when lots of extra equipment becomes required to either operate your setup or tweak it the way you want. The fact that they have a great tune out of the box means that you don't have to worry about any type of extra software. The fact that these are easy to power means that you do not have to invest in expensive amplifiers, DACs, etc. to use these headphones. These CAN likely be run from almost any device, even a mobile device. I personally am running them from a Dragonfly Cobalt portable DAC/Amp, and they reach max loudness before distortion around 80%, and at that volume, they are louder than I can comfortably enjoy for long periods, which trust me, is loud. Being easy to power is another reason this is just a great go-to headphone. #3 The overall clarity, detail and positioning is outstanding. Make no mistake, this is a hi-fi headphone. If you are looking at the price here and thinking it is insane, it is important to know this is a whole different class of headphone compared to the AirPods (yes, including AirPods Max), Bose, Beats and other wireless/consumer-class headphones. These are what I would say are the high-end of "mid-fi" or the low end of "hi-fi" quality. The sound here is delivered crisply and purely, delivering detail in notes that is outstanding. The overall soundstage is not particularly large; these headphones are definitely intimate. I would best describe the soundstage size as a small bubble just outside of your head. However, within that bubble, there is massive space between each instrument and vocal element, and the placement of all pieces are distinct and immersive. The soundstage has decent width and height. Those are my top three reasons for the rating, but an honorable mention is the overall build and design. Consistent with something in this price range, the build quality is excellent and distinctive. The zebra wood cubs against the brushed metal presents very well. I have a stand for mine to display. The included wire is quite long, which some love and some hate (I love), is braided so doesn't tangle and uses standard 3.5mm connectors, so you can easily use a 3rd party cable if you choose. Easily one of my favorite pairs of headphones ever!

I never thought I'd pay this much for headphones, but I'm slowly going up the (entry level still!) audiophile ladder. I have a good but modest system: Pro-Ject X2 turntable with Sumiko Moonstone MM cartridge; Denon PMA-600ne Integrated Receiver; Denon DCD-600ne CD player; and Elac Debut B6 speakers. I wanted to get headphones for when I need to listen without disturbing my family in the adjacent TV room. I had cheap ones, then moved up to AKG 702 open-back headphones. Their soundstage was amazing, a mile wide, and the clarity was impressive. However, they were ridiculously bass-light, and I had to turn my bass tone knob all the way up and treble flat whenever using them. Even then, it was too bass-light. I realized I needed good closed-back phones that would have more muscle and bass, but did not want it to be boosted to an extent that it was inaccurate. I think I have found that perfect medium with the Denon AH D5200's. Firstly, these are beautiful, with their wood earcups and brushed metal appointments. The fit is outstanding: the hole for the ear is just perfectly fitted and angled such that I can wear these for hours without even noticing them. The cables are strong and flexible and long enough. And the sound, in a word, is just MUSICAL. I do not feel these are really bass-boosted--they seem to report on bass accurately when comparing to my Elac (bookshelf, so not crazy bass heavy) speakers. The treble is smooth and never sharp or ice-picky. If they are a little mid scooped, it's in a very pleasant and natural way. Things just sound 'right' on the 5200s. I am sure they will improve with burn in to sound even better, but out of the box, I love them. They do not, of course, have the wide soundstage of open back headphones, but I feel that the placement of sounds within the soundstage is utterly accurate. It really makes me wonder how much more you get out of the AH D9200's, which are fully made in Japan and cost $1599. The 5200's use Japanese drivers, but are constructed in China. Given the build quality and sound, I see no reason to move up, but someday it would be fun to try the D9200's (reviews on the 5200's and 9200's are generally near 5 stars; reviews on the middle ground set, the D7200's seem a bit more muted, not sure why). Really enjoying these and looking forward to many more hours of pleasant listening.

These are good headphones, but I was not blown away listening to them They don't sound 10 times better than Beyerdynamic 770 250 Ohm. I'd say the soundstage is even worse here.

I love the sound of these cans. The materials and construction, and sound, are of the highest quality. Nothing is ever perfect. I have a large head. The fit is just a tad too tight for my ears, which squeeze into the openings, and just lightly touch the fabric driver covers. I am at the last click for extension of the ear cups. Comfort is only okay, but I can put up with that because the sound is amazing. Compared to the Audeze LCD X, and the Audeze LCD 2 Closed, this Denon AHD-9200 offers more refinement in detail and presentation, and overall balance across the frequency spectrum. For me, and my big head, the Audeze are more comfortable, even though they are considerably larger and heavier. The sound of the Audeze 2 Closed is better to mix recordings with, however, since they offer enough detail and imaging information in a very uncolored, though somewhat flatter, less euphonic manner than either the LCD-X or these Denons. The use of the LCD 2 Closed, as a tool, will be of most value if you are mixing with them. However, I prefer listening to the Denon and the LCD-x for pure enjoyment of all types of music and recordings. They are both very efficient, easy to drive, and are sensitive enough to be able to use them with any decent headphone amplifier, or nearly anything with a headphone output. However, They both "scale-up" beautifully and reveal the quality of recording and all upstream electronics incredibly well. They allow you to hear the qualities of the recording, the DAC, and amplifier, and interconnecting cables very plainly. In comparison, I love these Denons and my Audeze LCD-X. I find the Denon most revealing of the finest detail, with silky smooth, easy on the ear, full range dynamic sound. I find the LCD-X to offer a slightly bigger sound stage, with better macro dynamics, but with less definition and separation of the finest details, (or micro dynamics). My ears adapt to the frequency response of both headphones, so that perceptually I find their presentation of bass, midrange, and treble balanced, natural, and smooth, without feeling that anything, including the lowest bass, is left out or over emphasized. I don't feel the need to alter their frequency response. That is really something truly incredible, but for the price of these headphones, it is something I expect. and a prerequisite to even considering investing in them. Not all uses for headphones can allow for EQing, therefore the best headphones must have low distortion, a full and balanced frequency response, good spatial presentation, great dynamics, and transients, and detail retrieval, offered in a natural, accurate, musically pleasing and emotionally involving soundscape. It's amazing to me, how close to hitting all these goals in one package these cans have come! I can't stop listening to them... late into the night...too often :-) I find, especially now with my new Denons, completely new views...new insights into incredible levels of detail and nuance... of recordings I've heard (or thought I had heard) so many times over the years. It is simply amazing, and it is a great joy! In conclusion, I think most people will love these Denon AHD 9200, as they are smaller, lighter, attractive, and are suitable for portable use, whereas the Audeze LCD-X are too large and heavy to be good for portable use. However, I am very happy, and thankful, to have both!

The Denon AH-D5200 is a reasonably comfortable headphone that does a great job of reproducing the full sound spectrum. I compared it to a Meze Audio Classic 99 that I bought at the same time, playing it through the headphone output of a Marantz SR5011 with no other amplification. It nicely reproduced both Steve Hackett's piercing guitar solo and the very deep bass in Genesis's Firth of Fifth. It also did a great job reproducing the sound effects in Star Wars episodes IV and V. Where it really separated itself from the Meze 99's was on a high-fi version of Yes's Roundabout. Steve Howe's guitars came through strong and clear on the Denon, while it was a little less clear on the Meze--although I might not have noticed the difference if not playing one right after the other. Comparing the Denon to the Meze was not really fair because the Denon cost twice as much, but I was curious if my 62-year old ears with tinnitus could tell the difference. They could, and I preferred the slightly clearer sound of the Denon, so I returned the Meze. One final note, I also tried this headphone directly from an iPhone, and did notice a sound drop-off with the iPhone--again without any external DAC or amplification. This tells me two things: 1) Marantz home theater receivers can drive a high end headphone better than a phone (no surprise there, but little is written on this topic), and 2) this headphone is so good that my ears could pick up on the audio drop-off.

The ear pieces come off constantly. It's a terrible design that wears out real fast. If I could return them I would. I've had them for 2 months. I don't have the box.

Had problems with the right ear pad falling off. Watched U tube videos and didn’t help. The sound is amazing and will purchase another pair and hopefully it will be ok. The sound is great like every one said. Didn’t take long for a burn in . Every time i took them off the pad would come off. It was easy not to take off sine the music was addictive

Overall, I think these are good headphones. I've learned over the few years as I've been getting into the headphone hustle that it's incredibly difficult to find a perfect headphone...the elusive "end-game"! To that end, these headphones aren't perfect, but they're a great choice if you're looking for a fun, relaxed sound that still has audiophile clarity and resolution. However, you may have to do some pad rolling, and the headband isn't for everyone. I decided to look at these headphones because I was in the market for a fun-sounding pair of headphones that had a u-shaped frequency response; I wanted to enjoy clear trebles in the presence of strong, impactful bass, but without sacrificing on the mids too much. I also wanted them to be well-built and comfortable. These headphones get me as close as I've managed to get to completing the quest! As part of this search, I've tried the Klipsch HP-3 (they sounded amazing, but the headband was way too loose for my head and it kept feeling like they wanted to off my head) and the Fostex TR-X00 Mahogany (these also sounded great, but the mids were a bit too recessed and the built quality is not great). Out of the box, the AH-D7200 sounded muddy and the bass was too overwhelming to me. This was despite burning in the headphones for about 50 hours. I decided to do some pad rolling with ZMF pads, and so I tried out the Universe lambskin, suede, and perforated lambskin pads. In that order, I found #1 sounded largely the same as the stock pads, #2 had just slightly too much bass and just not quite enough treble, and #3 had perfect bass but the treble was too bright. So, I've settled on the ZMF Universe suedes for now; as I listen to them more, I'm finding that I'm happy with this sound! I might eventually fiddle around with using some Dekoni attenuation rings (although the rings are sized for bigger pads, so I'll have to take some scissors to them), but at this point I'm happy. I'm not sure if it's appropriate, but I'd also call these headphones bass cannons; they seem to really show off for genres like hip hop, rap, and rock. Between these and the TR-X00, I prefer the better build quality of the Denon and substantially better resolution of the mids and trebles. I'm not sure why others haven't commented about the overwhelming bass with the stock pads. I just found that it overwhelmed everything else, and pad rolling was the only thing that tamed it down. The only thing that I don't like about the headphones is the headband. The leather is nice and it feels very cushioned, but the foam they use has bumps on it on the inside (hopefully you can see them in the picture), and those bumps (3 of them, by my count) press firmly on my head and I find that pressure pretty annoying. You eventually adjust to it, but it never feels great. I ordered a wool headband cover from AliExpress (similar ones can also be found on Amazon) that helps alleviate the discomfort a bit, but it's still not enough; the pressure of the headband starts overwhelming the experience of the headphones. It probably doesn't help that I have a fairly oval/narrow head, but still, I don't get why you'd put that pattern into the foam in the first place; it's an aspect of the design that can clearly be improved. In the end, the headband was too uncomfortable for me, and I've decided to sell them.