You won't believe the price of Audio-Technica's new headphones, but you'll want them

Date:
Wed, 28 Sep 2022 15:30:00 +0000

Description:
Casual 10 grand for a set of wired over-ears? We'll take two, thank you.

FULL STORY ======================================================================

There are products we consider some of the best over-ear headphones , and
then there are limited edition sonic works of art which is what we have
here.

Audio-Technica has been in the business of audio for 60 years now, and the Japanese hi-fi specialist is no stranger to cheap wireless over-ear propositions (see also the beautifully edgy ATH-SQ1TW true wireless earbuds) and inexpensive but talented turntables .

But the limited edition ATH-W2022 over-ear wired headphones break the mold. Just look at them.

These closed-back dynamic headphones, entirely sourced and assembled in
Japan, certainly celebrate 25 years of wooden headphone craftsmanship, wouldn't you agree?

Using the Japanese maki-e lacquer technique (which uses traditional urushi lacquer, but you knew that) the Mizume (Japanese birch) headphone housings incorporate hand-painted Sakura (cherry blossom) and hou-ou phoenix designs, with mother-of-pearl on the left and right sides respectively.

But it's not all about looks! Within the exquisite housings are baffle-integrated 58mm drivers that were specially developed and optimised
for the new closed-back model. Additionally, the diaphragm is comprised of a pure titanium centre dome, pressed to a thickness of 30 microns (0.03 mm), which places an emphasis on mid-high-range audio reproduction and top high-frequency response.

You get a 60th-anniversary commemorative wooden storage case with a Kiso cypress lid thats cut to shape the irimoya styling of the headphone arms, and the newly designed magnet circuit incorporates a pole and yoke, structured from laminated pure iron plates to reduce counter-electromotive force (aka back EMF. Of course).

The ear pads and headband are made from deerskin for long-lasting durability and comfort, and you get two detachable 3m cloth-wrapped cables (with A2DC connectors at the headphones) one with a 6.3mm gold-plated stereo plug, the other with a 4-pin XLRM balanced connector. Opinion: I'm a delicate flower
too and these should be mine Gloves are optional (Image credit: Audio-Technica)

Only 100 of the Audio-Technica W2022 will be available worldwide, and each
set will be numbered from 1-100 (we're not sure if you get to choose your lucky number though).

Frankly, I am a delicate flower and I want them. My high-end headphones
should be a reflection of me and these cans are the closest representation I've seen yet.

Obviously, the Audio-Technica W2022 do not sit within this working-class
gal's budget (only because there's a cost of living crisis on, you
understand) but she can still dream, can't she? And even though I have never heard them, Audio-Technica has done enough to convince me it cares even more about the sound than it does the beautiful aesthetic

How much are we talking here? 8,900/ 10,000, which is aroundAU$14,750.

There is no way to make that fee palatable in this universe, is there? So
I'll just sign off. (Also, bargain!)



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/news/you-wont-believe-the-price-of-audio-technicas-n ew-headphones-but-youll-want-them/


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