Audio-Technica Audio-Technica - ATH-WP900 Over The Ear Headphones - Maple Review

The Audio-Technica ATH-WP900 is a $699 wired over-ear headphone prized for its beautiful flame maple wood housings. It includes a balanced cable for high-res audio but lacks wireless, ANC, and a mic. With mediocre sound scores and reportedly poor comfort, it's a niche choice for aesthetics over all-around performance.

If you're hunting for a pair of wired, portable over-ear headphones that look like a million bucks, the Audio-Technica ATH-WP900 is going to catch your eye. Priced around $699, these headphones are all about high-end aesthetics and on-the-go listening, thanks to their beautiful flame maple wood housings finished by Japanese guitar maker Fujigen. Under the hood, they pack exclusive 53mm drivers with DLC-coated diaphragms and a unique angled baffle design aimed at improving sound. Just know going in: these are strictly wired, with no wireless connectivity, active noise cancellation, or a microphone to speak of.

Based on our data, the sound quality lands in the 36th percentile compared to other headphones. That's a polite way of saying the audio performance is decent but not class-leading for the price. The drivers and DLC coating aim for a full-range, natural sound, and the angled baffle is supposed to help with low-to-mid range reproduction. But in a world where you can get stellar sound from wireless ANC cans, these wired-only headphones have to justify their place with their unique design and materials, not raw sonic supremacy. The build quality is solid but also sits in the 32nd percentile, so while the maple is beautiful, the overall construction isn't scoring as high as you might hope for a $700 pair.

At $699, the value proposition is tough. You're paying a significant premium for the exquisite maple craftsmanship and the included balanced cable. However, you're sacrificing core modern features like wireless connectivity, ANC, and a mic. For the same money or less, you could get a top-tier wireless ANC headphone that does everything these do, plus a whole lot more, and likely with better comfort. This is a niche product for a very specific buyer.

The competitors here aren't even in the same category, which tells you a lot. The Sony WF-1000XM5, Bose QuietComfort Ultra, and Apple AirPods Pro are all true wireless earbuds with best-in-class ANC, mics, and wireless convenience. They're for people who want to block out the world and take calls. The ATH-WP900 is for someone who wants a beautiful, wired listening accessory. A closer wired comparison might be something like the Focal Elegia or a higher-end Sennheiser, but those often prioritize sound and comfort first. The WP900 prioritizes looks.

Skip these if you need wireless freedom, active noise cancellation for commuting, a microphone for calls or gaming, or if comfort is a top priority. Travelers, commuters, hybrid workers, and gamers should look at the Sony WF-1000XM5, Bose QuietComfort Ultra, or a dedicated gaming headset instead. Even most music lovers will find better all-around performance and comfort from other wired options in this price range.

Should you buy the Audio-Technica ATH-WP900? Only if you have a very specific, and we mean very specific, set of needs. You must value stunning wood aesthetics above all else, you must be committed to a wired connection with a high-res player or amp, and you must be willing to accept potentially poor comfort and a complete lack of modern features. For 99% of people looking for a great pair of headphones around $700, there are far more versatile and comfortable options that sound better. This is a collector's piece or a fashion statement for audio enthusiasts, not a daily driver for most.