Headphones
DENON AH-D2000
Absolutely clear, well extended in both bass and treble, effortless and controlled, the Denon AH-D2000 are the best headphones on paper we've ever measured, and are astonishingly neutral. Recording engineers, media professionals, and audiophiles with a taste for uncompromising accuracy will love these cans. More surprising is you get all this in a sealed headphone! A truly great headphone for all who love their audio through a straight pipe.
Product Features:
- Outstanding Clarity and Technical Performance
- Superb Full-Size Earpad Comfort
- Very Well-Engineered Using High-Quality Materials
- Top Seller in the Sealed Category
What's In The Box:
- screw-on 1/4" (6.3 mm) adapter
Applications:
This is where we start to get all dreamy and sweet-eared. For years we've longed for sealed earcup headphones capable of delivering the sound quality -- and the neutral audio measurement specs -- that top-shelf open-backed headphones can offer. Looks like the wait is over. The DENON AH-D2000 is truly a reference-class headphone in what is an intensely difficult closed-cup genre given the odd resonances or 'boxy' sound that can result from poorly engineered sealed-back cans. But fear not, audiophiles, as the scientific lab measurements on the D2000 present about the best specs we've ever achieved from a headphone in this category -- except for its 'big-brothers' AH-D5000 or the stunning DENON AH-D7000 models at two-to-three times the price! In the AH-D2000, musical textures are tightly defined and ultra-vivid, the soundstage image is deeply expansive, instrumental separation is clear as a bell, and the timbral precision is eye-openingly impressive. Overall, it's got a pleasingly forward image presentation with silky clean punch both high & low and a tremendously musical, highly involving soundscape. Get ready to hear new details in recordings you've heard a million times -- and if that's not serious headphone fun, we don't know what is!
Despite the AH-D2000's seemingly efficient low impedance rating of only 25 ohms, it is not a particularly sensitive headphone so there's no question it will demand a terrific headphone amp behind it to hear what it can truly accomplish, otherwise it may tend to sound flat and lifeless from portable audio sources especially. But once they're properly powered into their correct operating zone, a dynamic, spaciously accurate sound like this in sealed-back 'phone does not come around too often. DENON, we're definitely glad you're here!
The DENON AH-D2000 look fantastic and appear to be extremely well-built headphones. The lightweight magnesium frame supports full-size circumaural earcups covering the entire ear which provide respectable ambient noise attenuation while minimizing potential headphone sound leakage to the outside world. The dark grey-matte color scheme of the D2000 is cool & understated -- as appropiate for an upscale headphone -- and the deep-well earcups are fully padded in an uber-comfy glove-soft black pleather. Headband sizing adjustments are easy via a solid click-slider mechanism that is a joy to use and very secure once set. The D2000's headband clamping force remains very light as usual for DENON; some smaller listeners may feel the headphones almost a bit too loose on their noggin. However, that loose headband fit also contributes mightily to their superb wearing comfort during long analytical audiophile listening sessions. The headphone cord is a non-detachable 3 meter "Y" type OFC cable terminated to a 3.5mm (1/8") mini-plug which is covered in a nice tech-flex material that is pliable & abrasion-resistant and provides great cord durability factor for the long haul. A full-size 1/4" screw-on adapter is handily provided in the package. 1-year DENON manufacturer's warranty is standard on all headphones.
ACCESSORIES:
Superb DENON AH-D2000 earpad after-market replacements:
JMoney DENON Lambskin Leather Earpads
HeadRoom is a 100% DENON-Authorized Headphone Dealer. Your Complete Manufacturer's Warranty Coverage Remains Intact With All Purchases. Always Purchase Your DENON Headphones from Factory Authorized Dealers!
Specifications:
- Cord Type: Straight Y
- Coupler Size: Large
- Manufacturer Warranty: 1 year
- Cord Length: 10 ft. (3 m)
- Detachable Cable: No
- Isolation: -10dB
- Driver Type: Dynamic
- Ear Coupler Type: Full-Size
- Noise Cancelling: No
- Microphone: No
- Sensitivity: 106dB/mW
- Connector Type: 1/8" with 1/4" adaptor
- Wireless: No
- Impedance @ 1kHz: 25
- Headphone Type: Full Size
- Acoustic Seal: Closed
- Warranty: 1 Year
Additional Resources:
- Manufacturer's Website
- Denon Headphones
- Product Info
- Product Spec PDF
- DENON Press Release
- Product Reviews
- CNET Phillip Ryan, mar 08
- MP3.com, Mar 08
- Techradar, via HiFiChoice
Average Customer Rating: by A HeadRoom Fan from washington, dc on 2010-01-21
Would you recommend this product: Yes
I have tried all three of the Denon line of closed headphones, although I heard the AH-D5000 only for a brief time, so I cannot really claim to be authoritative on that one. However, I would say that the AH-D2000 is the pick of the Denon line. First, it is obviously the cheapest of the three. Second, it has none of the high-end luxury touches of the upper models, so it is not as "delicate." That is not to say that these are not nice-looking and luxurious headphones -- they are -- it's just that they do not come in a silk-lined box and demand to be treated with kid gloves and worshipped as the pinnacle of closed headphone glory. With the sound being only slightly less satisfying than the others, these are the ones I have. Yes, the AH-D7000 sounds "better." The highs and lows of the AH-D2000 are less refined, the bass has less impact, etc., but the AH-D2000 is almost as good to my ears, and for the price and other features noted above, wins out for me. I also note that the headphone has a slightly more forward and energetic presentation than the AH-D7000, and so therefore is in some ways superior to the AH-D7000 for rock. So while the latter is currently being given the John the Baptist treatment from those who want to have one of the most expensive headphones on the block to lord over us more economical types, the AH-D2000 is the one for me.
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by Rocket Richard from San Diego, CA on 2010-01-21
Pros: Comfortable, very good sound, excellent build quality
Would you recommend this product: Yes
These don't demand much power, so they actually work fine on the Headroom Total Bithead. One day I will upgrade my amp, because these headphones would of course benefit.
I bought these because I was looking to upgrade from GRADO SR60s. I heard them first at an audio meet, and liked them a lot, along with the Sennheiser HD650. The Sennheiser is lousy on the Total Bithead since it lacks enough power for them. When I first got them I was surprised by how strong the bass was and wondered about the balance. However, the bass was tight and clear, not muddy in the slightest, so I kept listening. I eventually realized that everything I had been listening to beforehand was "bass deprived", that is, the strength of the bass present in live performance was not being conveyed by the equipment I had been using. The Denons allowed me to hear what had been missing. I am now addicted to them. It's like having a really good subwoofer in your headphones. It's correct, not overboosted at all like so many of the disgusting cheap headphones I had tried early on in my search for better equipment. Mids and highs are great, spatialization and real presence are convincing. They just sound authoritative. I briefly listened to the higher-priced D5000s but actually preferred the sound of these. Go figure. Looking forward to one day purchasing a better amp for them and hearing them then. But they sound great now.
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by John from Ann Arbor, MI on 2010-01-18
Pros: Comfortable, good sound, outstanding imaging
Cons: Bass a bit overemphasized, treble a bit hot
Would you recommend this product: Yes
Bottom line: these are some of the best reference closed headphones you can buy for the money. The build quality of these headphones is very good -- the headband seems durable, and the metal adjusters ratchet with a satisfyingly solid click. The ear cups and pads also seem equally solid. The cable is shrouded in a durable nylon sheath, and the strain reliefs are decent. Overall, these headphones give an impression of solidarity and should last a lifetime if properly cared for.
In addition, I find the AH-D2000s to be very comfortable. They have a very light clamping pressure and very soft ear pads, making them seem lighter than they actually are. However, this additional comfort comes at the cost of sound isolation -- these don't isolate as much outside noise as some other closed headphones I've sampled, such as the Ultrasone HFi 780s. My only slight complaint is that the beefy, two-sided cable is a bit heavy and unwieldy, but I think this is a small price to pay for superior durability.
The sound quality of these headphones is also quite good. The bass is strong and well-extended, reaching lows that few other headphones can. However, I find that the deeper bass is a bit overemphasized, resulting in a bottom-heavy sound. It seems that Denon tried to balance this out by making the treble a bit hotter than normal. Having said that, the mid-bass is tight and accurate, and the middle frequencies are presented in a natural way that complements male and female vocalists equally well. The treble is also very clear and precise, despite it being a bit emphasized. Overall, the sound quality of these 'phones is quite good.
The major strength of these headphones is the imaging and soundstage. The imaging of the AH-D line of Denon headphones is better than any other closed headphones I have had the pleasure of listening to. The soundstage is remarkably spacious for a pair of sealed cans, and individual musical instruments are localized on the soundstage exactly where they should be. They still aren't quite as good as some of the high-end open headphones, but they're actually not too far off, in my opinion.
Despite the low impedance and relatively high sensitivity specs of the AH-D2000s, I find that these headphones don't sound very good when driving them with a portable audio player, such as an iPod. You can get them loud enough, but I feel that the sound begins to fall apart, with the bass becoming muddy and the mids and treble losing clarity. In short, if you plan to use these for portable music, I highly recommend getting an amplifier.
Overall, the Denon AH-D2000s are excellent sealed headphones for the price. I highly recommend these to anyone looking for a good, somewhat inexpensive pair of sealed reference cans.
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by jchandler3 from Ashland, OH on 2010-02-08
Pros: Incredible sound, comfy, great value, easy to drive
Cons: nada
Would you recommend this product: Yes
These were my upgrade from the Sennheiser HD595 at the time. Since then, I've owned the AKG 702, Ultimate Ears Super.fi 5 Pro, Westone 3, AT M50, and a top-notch Polk loudspeaker system. These Denons blow them all away. The bass is strong, tight, and accurate. The mids are nicely rendered, though maybe a little recessed. The highs are smooth and easy on the ears. Very refined. The sound staging is absolutely terrific. At 25ohms, they're easy to drive, they look subtle and sexy, and they are THE MOST comfortable headphones I've ever put on. Incredible headphones. BUY! BUY! BUY!
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by PScal from Little Rock, AR on 2010-02-07
Pros: Amazing sound, very comfortable, easy to drive, great value
Cons: Made in China
Would you recommend this product: Yes
Wow, these cans rock. I was really surprised what these did un-amped, then I had to pick my jaw up off the floor when I amped them with a dedicated headphone amplifier. The bass is just ridiculous. I didn't know that headphones could have that much bass! I'm not talking about bose bass (1 frequency of 'OH YEAH', 19,999 frequencies of 'oh, no'), these are great on the entire spectrum. They are very detailed, much more so than my Sennheiser HD555. And talk about comfy! Overall, I describe the listening experience with these headphones as "fun". Whether I am in the mood for some 'audiophile grade' music with details of fingers brushing guitar strings, or if I'd rather go back in time and listen to my obnoxious high school techno CD collection, they are up for the task. Watch out for low bitrate MP3s though... you will notice their shortcomings with these phones. If you want a pair of headphones to mod, these are a great pick. You can transform them into D5000s (much more expensive) by changing the cups and the cord. What a deal!
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by crunkle from durham nc on 2010-01-30
Pros: No Compromise, Natural, Accurate Sound. Well-built and comfortable
Cons: Earpads and headband, while high-quality and comfortable, are faux-leather.
Would you recommend this product: Yes
These are my favorite headphones. Extended listening sessions are non-fatiguing, sound great powered by just about anything (but even better with a decent amp), comfortable, sturdy, and unlike most headphones I've tried in this price-range they don't have any weird quirks or obvious deficiencies- they are truly useful, always listenable, clean and clear from top to bottom, and great all-around headphones that you can actually afford. Only Con: Earpads and headband, while high-quality and comfortable, are faux-leather. If they were genuine leather I would probably never remove them from my head.
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by jcbryan349 from Stillwater, Ok on 2010-01-16
Pros: Build, comfort, sound
Cons: They don't give you super powers
Would you recommend this product: Yes
Amazing closed headphones that deliver stunning sound and feel great.
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by Brahms Fanatic from Maryland, USA on 2010-01-15
Pros: Comfortable, good sound, efficient
Cons: Thick cord is somewhat awkward
Would you recommend this product: Yes
I purchased these headphones mainly for listening to classical music. One objection I have to most classical recordings is excess brightness, or emphasis of high frequencies. I chose these headphones because Headroom testing and reviews indicated that they have extended frequency response, with no loss of response at low frequencies.
I have been very happy with the result. These headphones give very detailed and responsive high end, while providing a very smooth but generous low end response. With the cross-feed feature of Headroom headphone amplifiers they are almost as satisfying as listening to a good pair of loudspeakers. Definitely recommended.
The only awkward feature of this set is the rather thick, stiff cable, which can be a bit of a nuisance and affects the comfort of the headphones somewhat.
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by Operalover from on 2010-01-15
Would you recommend this product: Yes
REcommended by Headroom. Good advice. Great cans
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by Sid from NY on 2010-01-15
Pros: Great sound, tons of bass, efficient, SEALED, good price, great construction
Cons: Clunky/awkward cord, bulky (though most full-size headphones are)
Would you recommend this product: Yes
I was looking to upgrade my old Sennheiser 555s and move into the mid-range audiophile space- and this cans delivered.
The Denon's are an oddity in that they sound excellent, but are sealed. This appealed to me because although I love open headphones, I have encountered many situations where they're not ideal. Practically useless on airplanes or in noisy areas, and in quiet parts of songs, all the background noise around you comes on in. Or sometimes you just don't want the sound to come out. And IEM's just aren't for everyone-- I find them to be somewhat uncomfortable.
The Denons are a fantastic sounding set of cans at a great price, especially considering that they are sealed. Certainly, there are open headphones that will sound much better near this price point, but if ambient noise is an issue at all, you'll be much better off with these.
When I first got the headphones, I was a bit disappointed, as they didn't at first seem to be much a jump in quality over my old 555s. Just be patient though- the burn in period was a bit long, at least for me. After a few weeks, the AH-D2000s just opened up. The bass response is truly remarkable (perhaps even slightly excessive on some types of music), but not overpowering or murky. The highs are well-done and never piercing.
One weakness might be quiet types of subdued singer-songwriter types of music. These headphones thrive on booming, thunderous music of colossal scale, and deeply layered, complex orchestrations. That's not to say that it sounds bad, but they truly shine on the grandiose.
Also- these headphones are efficient enough that they can easily be powered by something such as an ipod (though unless you have lossless audio on there, it will be far from ideal, as with any high end headphone. The volume will be more than adequate, however)
Get these if you need a great sounding sealed headphone and are on a moderate budget, particularly if you don't care for in-ear monitors.
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by Glen from Aspen CO on 2010-01-11
Pros: Front stage sound. I use for live rock. great value.
Cons: The fit is for a large head, Ear pads are veru comfortable.
Would you recommend this product: Yes
I wanted a pair on headphones that did not break the bank but had a good sound. The staff at Headroom sent me to the Dennon AH D2000 and it was a great match for what I was looking for. I use them with the Ultra Desk AMP and a i pod. I keep it all at my bed side. I use the Dennon AH D2000 for Rock & Roll or live music. It puts me up front and close. The only draw back is the fit if you have a small head. They can be a little loose. The ear pads are very comfortable for long use. Could be a little hot if used in hot weather as they are leather. They are built well and the cable is top notch quality.
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