---
product_id: 76281631
title: "ATH-A990Z Art Monitor Closed-Back Dynamic Headphones Black"
brand: "audio-technica"
price: "$531.95"
currency: USD
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 13
category: "Audio Technica"
url: https://www.desertcart.us/products/76281631-ath-a990z-art-monitor-closed-back-dynamic-headphones-black
store_origin: US
region: United States of America
---

# Superior transient response 53mm large-aperture drivers Hi-Res Audio reproduction ATH-A990Z Art Monitor Closed-Back Dynamic Headphones Black

**Brand:** audio-technica
**Price:** $531.95
**Availability:** ✅ In Stock

## Summary

> 🎧 Elevate your audio game with precision and comfort — hear what you’ve been missing!

## Quick Answers

- **What is this?** ATH-A990Z Art Monitor Closed-Back Dynamic Headphones Black by audio-technica
- **How much does it cost?** $531.95 with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.us](https://www.desertcart.us/products/76281631-ath-a990z-art-monitor-closed-back-dynamic-headphones-black)

## Best For

- audio-technica enthusiasts

## Why This Product

- Trusted audio-technica brand quality
- Free international shipping included
- Worldwide delivery with tracking
- 15-day hassle-free returns

## Key Features

- • **All-Day Comfort Fit:** Enhanced 3D wing support and premium soft earpads guarantee a secure yet gentle fit for marathon listening sessions.
- • **Deep, Controlled Bass:** Lightweight aluminum housings with Double Air Damping System (D.A.D.S) provide rich, tight bass without distortion.
- • **Durable & Tangle-Free:** Extra-long 3.0m cloth-wrapped cable resists tangling and wear, perfect for professional setups and on-the-go use.
- • **Precision Engineering:** Integrated yoke and top-mounted PCB ensure lightning-fast transient response and smooth airflow for flawless diaphragm movement.
- • **Immersive Hi-Res Sound:** Proprietary 53mm drivers with OFC bobbin-wound voice coils deliver crystal-clear, studio-grade audio that makes every note pop.

## Overview

The ATH-A990Z Art Monitor headphones combine advanced 53mm large-aperture drivers with OFC bobbin-wound voice coils and a unique Double Air Damping System to deliver high-resolution audio with deep, precise bass. Lightweight aluminum housings reduce resonance, while the improved 3D wing support and premium earpads ensure exceptional comfort. A durable, 3-meter tangle-free cloth-wrapped cable completes this wired, closed-back design, making it ideal for professionals and audiophiles seeking immersive sound and long-lasting wear.

## Description

The ATH-A990Z art monitor closed-back dynamic headphones feature proprietary large-aperture 53 mm drivers with OFC bobbin-wound voice coils to deliver Hi-Res audio reproduction The drivers' integrated yoke and top-mounted PCB contribute to the high-resolution performance by providing superior transient response and smoother airflow for precise diaphragm movement The lightweight aluminum housings reduce unwanted resonance and incorporate Audio-Technica's double Air damping system (D A D S) for Deep bass reproduction A-t's improved 3D wing support system ensures a great comfortable fit aided by the headphones' soft premium-grade ear pads The 3 0 M (9 8') tangle-free cable is cloth-wrapped for lasting durability

Review: Great Sounding Headphones - Appearance - A little bit ridiculous looking with the big Audio Technica wing support and otherwise very simple in looking, all black plastic, rubber and pleather with understated branding on the cups. Build Quality - They do feel cheap when holding them, definitely a lot plastic involved. Bu seem solidly enough put together, I wouldn't worry much about durability, there's just nothing premium about the build. The cable is fixed (which is disappointing, not sure why Audio Technica is still so intent on making fixed cable headphones) and as mentioned very long. Comfort - The A550Zs are very comfortable fit (I do have a large head so lack of clamp force may be an issue for people with smaller heads). They are quite light, I find the clamp force absolutely perfect (secure but I don't feel any squeezing) and the stock ear pads are quite comfortable for several hours continuous. I'd prefer a cloth earpad to leather or pleather but these are quite comfortable regardless. They seem a bit smaller than the older models using the wing support, which will be good for most people. Sound quality - They generally sound wonderful, especially if you are looking for detailed, vivid sound without over the top bass. Very detailed, excellent for gaming or complex music. Even the little flaws in recordings pop out from time to time. Decent soundstage, though not huge (My old AD900s have a substantially larger soundstage, but those are higher end an d open back) but better than expected fro a closed back headphone in this price range. The big thing with the A550Zs is exquisite upper mid range and treble. Vocals are beautifully lifelike and strings are an absolute pleasure. The bass is very typical of AT headphones, crisp, tight, precise if a little reserved. The bass is definitely more prominent when using a decent DAC than just plugging into a computer or phone, but they are easy enough to drive. Sound isolation good, but not great. All around a great sounding pair of headphones. Value - Excellent. The A550z are probably the best sounding closed back headphones under $250 that I have put on (sound quality/signature is very similar to the A990Z, although the A990Z feels much better put together and has maybe a smidge more bass) and nothing else at its price point seems particularly close. If you need a ton of bass or really want a premium feel then you'll want to look elsewhere, otherwise if you're looking for something closed back its hard to find much not to like.
Review: Excellent sound quality - These are excellent for the price. I purchased these to listen to music and play some games. Music sounds excellent. Bass is present, but not overpowering, mids are good and treble is pushed back just enough to not be harsh. These are great for acoustic music, but i had no problem listening to heavier music with them. I downloaded an equalizer and added a touch of bass for when I'm playing games. Games sound really good, but I also have a pair of Monolith M1060 open backs and those are absolutely amazing for positional audio in FPS games as well as providing enough bass for explosions in games. These do positional audio decently. They are also closed back so the sound stage is narrow compared to an open back variant. Overall I have no complaints for the price I paid. I had no issues with comfort aside from the pads being a tad bit too small for my ears. I ordered a pair of replacement Brainwavz pads and also plan on modifying the attached wire. Just too long for my use and gets annoying. The 3d wing system works well with my head, but be aware that it may not work for everyone.

## Features

- Feature proprietary large-aperture 53 mm drivers with OFC bobbin-wound voice coils to deliver Hi-Res Audio reproduction
- Integrated yoke and top-mounted PCB provide superior transient response and smoother airflow for precise diaphragm movement
- Lightweight aluminum housings reduce unwanted resonance and incorporate A-T’s Double Air Damping System (D A D S) for deep bass reproduction
- improved 3D wing support system ensures a great comfortable fit aided by the headphones’ soft premium-grade earpads for long-lasting comfort
- 3 0 m (9 8') tangle-free cable is cloth-wrapped for lasting durability
- Includes 6 3 mm (¼") stereo adapter
- Connectivity technology Wired
- Frequency Response - 5 – 45 000 Hz and Impedance - 11 5 ohms

## Technical Specifications

| Specification | Value |
|---------------|-------|
| ASIN | B01AYZZE24 |
| Additional Features | Lightweight |
| Age Range Description | Adult |
| Antenna Location | Music, Travel |
| Audio Driver Type | Dynamic Driver |
| Best Sellers Rank | #87,190 in Electronics ( See Top 100 in Electronics ) #1,691 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Brand | Audio-Technica |
| Brand Name | Audio-Technica |
| Built-In Media | Headphones^6.3 mm (¼") stereo adapter |
| Cable Features | Retractable |
| Carrying Case Material | a sturdy, likely durable material |
| Color | Black |
| Compatible Devices | Devices with 3.5 mm audio jack or suitable USB port |
| Connectivity Technology | Wired |
| Control Method | Remote |
| Customer Package Type | Standard Packaging |
| Customer Reviews | 4.3 out of 5 stars 430 Reviews |
| Ear Placement | Over Ear |
| Earpiece Shape | Over-ear cup |
| Enclosure Material | Aluminum |
| External Testing Certification | Não Aplicável |
| Form Factor | Over Ear |
| Frequency Range | 5 – 45,000 Hz |
| Global Trade Identification Number | 04961310133023 |
| Headphone Folding Features | Over Ear |
| Headphone Jack | 3.5 mm Jack |
| Headphones Ear Placement | Over Ear |
| Impedance | 44 Ohms |
| Is Autographed | No |
| Item Type Name | ATH-A990Z Art Monitor Closed-Back Dynamic Headphones Black |
| Item Weight | 0.34 Kilograms |
| Manufacturer | Audio technica |
| Model Name | ATH-A990Z |
| Model Number | ATH-A990Z |
| Noise Control | Sound Isolation |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Number of Power Levels | 1 |
| Series Number | 990 |
| Specific Uses For Product | Music |
| Style Name | ATH-A990Z |
| Theme | Music |
| UPC | 042005190164 |
| Unit Count | 1.0 Count |
| Warranty Description | U.S. Two-Year Limited End-User Warranty |
| Water Resistance Level | Not Water Resistant |
| Wireless Technology | Bluetooth |

## Product Details

- **Brand:** Audio-Technica
- **Color:** Black
- **Ear Placement:** Over Ear
- **Form Factor:** Over Ear
- **Impedance:** 44 Ohms

## Images

![ATH-A990Z Art Monitor Closed-Back Dynamic Headphones Black - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61yKzBh1meL.jpg)

## Available Options

This product comes in different **Model** options.

## Questions & Answers

**Q: I'm not a basshead by any means but im curious what the bass response is like in these? Will their be sufficient punch when needed?**
A: It's pretty solid! My friend and I both have a pair and we both listen to a lot of electro, and we're pretty satisfied. Keep in mind that they have a sort of sound stage effect...as in they sound like the sound is coming from all around you,rather than cans aimed at your ears. So if you're looking for that bass zombie head vibration feel, you might want something else, but all in all these headphones are awesome. And the 3d wings are imo the best innovation in headphones, you barely notice they're on.

**Q: ear pad inner dimensions?**
A: 2 inches inner almost 4 inches outer

**Q: Noise canceling?**
A: no

**Q: will these lay on my ears or go around?**
A: There are earcups that go around your ears.

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Great Sounding Headphones
*by A***R on January 2, 2019*

Appearance - A little bit ridiculous looking with the big Audio Technica wing support and otherwise very simple in looking, all black plastic, rubber and pleather with understated branding on the cups. Build Quality - They do feel cheap when holding them, definitely a lot plastic involved. Bu seem solidly enough put together, I wouldn't worry much about durability, there's just nothing premium about the build. The cable is fixed (which is disappointing, not sure why Audio Technica is still so intent on making fixed cable headphones) and as mentioned very long. Comfort - The A550Zs are very comfortable fit (I do have a large head so lack of clamp force may be an issue for people with smaller heads). They are quite light, I find the clamp force absolutely perfect (secure but I don't feel any squeezing) and the stock ear pads are quite comfortable for several hours continuous. I'd prefer a cloth earpad to leather or pleather but these are quite comfortable regardless. They seem a bit smaller than the older models using the wing support, which will be good for most people. Sound quality - They generally sound wonderful, especially if you are looking for detailed, vivid sound without over the top bass. Very detailed, excellent for gaming or complex music. Even the little flaws in recordings pop out from time to time. Decent soundstage, though not huge (My old AD900s have a substantially larger soundstage, but those are higher end an d open back) but better than expected fro a closed back headphone in this price range. The big thing with the A550Zs is exquisite upper mid range and treble. Vocals are beautifully lifelike and strings are an absolute pleasure. The bass is very typical of AT headphones, crisp, tight, precise if a little reserved. The bass is definitely more prominent when using a decent DAC than just plugging into a computer or phone, but they are easy enough to drive. Sound isolation good, but not great. All around a great sounding pair of headphones. Value - Excellent. The A550z are probably the best sounding closed back headphones under $250 that I have put on (sound quality/signature is very similar to the A990Z, although the A990Z feels much better put together and has maybe a smidge more bass) and nothing else at its price point seems particularly close. If you need a ton of bass or really want a premium feel then you'll want to look elsewhere, otherwise if you're looking for something closed back its hard to find much not to like.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Excellent sound quality
*by M***O on July 6, 2019*

These are excellent for the price. I purchased these to listen to music and play some games. Music sounds excellent. Bass is present, but not overpowering, mids are good and treble is pushed back just enough to not be harsh. These are great for acoustic music, but i had no problem listening to heavier music with them. I downloaded an equalizer and added a touch of bass for when I'm playing games. Games sound really good, but I also have a pair of Monolith M1060 open backs and those are absolutely amazing for positional audio in FPS games as well as providing enough bass for explosions in games. These do positional audio decently. They are also closed back so the sound stage is narrow compared to an open back variant. Overall I have no complaints for the price I paid. I had no issues with comfort aside from the pads being a tad bit too small for my ears. I ordered a pair of replacement Brainwavz pads and also plan on modifying the attached wire. Just too long for my use and gets annoying. The 3d wing system works well with my head, but be aware that it may not work for everyone.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Simply underrated and under appreciated.
*by V***R on November 7, 2016*

I have owned the Audio Technica ATH-A990z for just under two months and have been using it daily. It really surprises me that this doesn't have any reviews considering the success of the previous iteration of this headphone, the ATH-A900x. I really don't often do reviews but I really think this headphone does deserve praise. Here is a bit of background and context of where I'm coming from. If you don't care just scroll down to the (SOUND) portion. I mostly listened to open backed headphones. My first real headphone where my Audio-Technica AD900 (the original open back, non Xs). They had an amazing midrange, soundstage, and imaging. But they had absolutely no bass and highs that were very accurate but on the edge of being sibilant. I ran them off a Yamaha AV receiver that had a decent headphone output and it really brought down the highs to acceptable levels. I used tone controls included in the receiver to bring up the bass up to enjoyable levels. I also added extra padding in the ear cups to stop the drivers from toughing my ears That was my daily driver for nearly 3 years before I broke them from constantly sitting on them accidentally when ever I left them on my computer chair. I absolutely loved they sound of theses headphones (after modifications) and is partly the reason why I decided to get the A990z. I had gotten the raved Phillips SHP9500 to replace my old workhorse, but those sounded extreme boring and dull compared the AD900. Very comfortable and nothing sounded wrong on them, but they made my entire music collection sound the same and nothing stood out. I wanted to experience that Audio Technica magic again, and I also need a closed backed headphone this time (my noisy little nephew lives with us now!). I look into the newly refreshed Art Monitor Z series, the A990z being right in my price point. I also have the TEAC AI-301DA headphone out as my new source audio output. I mostly listen to electronic (Aphex Twin, BOC, Chris Clark, etc..) music with some occasional instrumental orchestra or jazz. (SOUND [with stock pads]) Simply put, these headphones are fun and exciting sounding while still being very accurate and concise. The imaging/sound separation and soundstage is pretty good for this closed back headphone (These work very well with gaming!). Despite what the title and name say these are not that good for sound monitoring and engineering (although they are much better than ATH-M50x in that regard). The sound is V shaped, emphases on bass and highs but not overdone. The bass goes deep and has quite a bit of impact. These are not bass cannons but was I pleasantly surprised at much low end it pumps out (though maybe that's just my open back preference showing). Mids are still very present and wonderful, but not on front stage and like my old AD900. High are emphasized but nowhere sibilant like Audio Technicas of past and is very accurate. It also remained me of my AD900, but without the harshness. As with most closed headphones, these do indeed sound closed. There is soundstage, but not a whole lot and not enough to WOW most people like really good open backs. Imaging is very good, like AD900, but I clearly remember the AD900 being better (COMFORT [with stock pads]) If you know anything about AT's 3D wing system then you know that comfort might be a hit more miss (fortunately it's usually works with most people, myself included). There are some problems to note. The headphone will feel like its sliding off your head at first, though once you break them in and start wearing them after a while that feeling will subside. One thing that didn't subside was a pinching feeling on the pads. The pads themselves are quite comfortable and soft, made of high quality faux [?] leather. I personally don't like like any type leather touching my ears, I've been more inclined to cloth or velour pads. But the real problem is that they are too shallow to offer any support on the head and the inner diameter of the ear hole is too small for most. My ears are not big and they fit uncomfortably tight in them. I would image anyone with larger ears would simply not fit in these. Fortunately, you can change the ear pads, thought most pads that are not made specifically for the Art Monitor series will be a REALLY tight fit. Some wont fit at all, but will some will (Like HiFiMAN Pads and Brainwavz Pads). The stock pads are the only flaw that come with the A990z. (DESIGN) There not much to say if you familiar the AT design with their A series of Headphones. 3D wing design. Up, down, left, and right articulating earcups. Angled drivers. These also have a really nice fixed single 3 meter braided cable, which is curiously exclusive to the A990z within its own line up. The higher end models also don't have Up and Down articulating earcups for some reason. These are not the best in isolating sound, but it works well enough and keeps crying children noises at bay, more so that any open back. These are very efficient and not hard to drive. They can be driven off a most smartphones or a PC headphone jack to unsafe levels of loud. Be warned though, they are quite sensitive will pick up noise if your audio output is sub-par or dirty. These can actually pick up a constant low hissing in my TEAC AI-301DA, which I never realized was there with my Phillips SHP9500. I really have no idea if the A990z will scale well with high end equipment, but it certainly wouldn't hurt. The cool dark green and reflective chamber ring is very nice (the pictures don't do it justice). (SOUND and COMFORT [with Brainwavz Hybrid Memory Foam Earpad]) So I got tired of using the stock pads and constant pinching sensation it had. Brainwavz Hybrid Memory non-angled pads was one known pad that was able to (barely) fit on AT Cans. These are pain and will take like 20 mins as you struggle to get them on, but persevere though and you will get them on. Having smaller hands also helps. I only hoping for a comfort increase and not much else, but I got much more than that. The sound did change for the better in my opinion. The soundstage increased, really helps it sound less closed and congested, not to really big levels like my AD900 but it gets damn close, especially for a closed back design. The imaging/sound separation and mids is now FANTASTIC and really reminds me of AD900. Highs didn't really change that much but does sound a little more spacious and accurate. Bass is much more tight and accurate, particularity in the lower spectrum. There is less low end bass slam which makes it sound more neutral over all (the low bass was quite accentuated for my taste). Midbass still punchy and tight. Comfort is simply perfect now. My ear fit in the cups now, there is no sliding sensation with the headphones anymore. No more pinching feeling on my ears and the pads are much more breathable. For just a little extra, these pads are so worth it. (OVERALL) Again, the only thing that holding these back from a 5 star are the flawed earpads. The would be great if they gave it more depth and made more room for the ears. Other than that, these are fantastic closed back performer. The sound is really geared towards fun, but still that Audio Technica precision that most audio snobs will enjoy. AT struck a really good balance here, whether it was by accident or design.The lower end A550z are said to sound like a improved A700x, but are not made in Japan. The higher end A1000z is said to sound just same as the A990z, but with a littler more of everything (At double the cost no less!). And the flagship A2000z are said to be a VERY different headphone from all the rest. For the asking price, I say its well worth it. And personally, I will see no need to upgrade past this headphone in the coming years.

## Frequently Bought Together

- Audio-Technica ATH-A990Z Art Monitor Closed-Back Dynamic Headphones Black
- TRANSTEK Replacement Ear Pads Compatible with HD668B, SR850, ATH-A900, ATH-AD500X, ATH-A700, AD700X, AD900X, ATH-A990z, ATH-R70X, ATH D700X, AD1000X, AD2000X Headphones (Velour Black)

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*Product available on Desertcart United States of America*
*Store origin: US*
*Last updated: 2026-07-06*