While not widely regarded in North America, those that go Audio-Technica often don't come back. A continuation of the extremely popular medium Audio-Technica closed back line, the beautiful ATH-W1000 replaces the ATH-A900's aluminum shell with more luxurious wood. Known for their comfort, Audio-Technica's ATH-W1000 is no slouch in the sound quality department, improving on the qualities of earlier models. While featuring a closed design which isolates you slightly from the outside world, the large body, wood shell and high price tag makes the W1000 a poor option for travel or listening on the go. Rather, it is much better suited for use in a quieter environment for things such as gaming, watching tv or listening to music.