Audio-Technica has unveiled its new flagship ATH-AWX7000 closed-back headphones, combining its advanced acoustic technology with traditional Japanese craftsmanship.
Priced at £3299 / €3799, the over-ears feature wooden housings made from rare Kiso cypress, which are finished by hand using a centuries-old lacquer technique.
The ATH-AWX7000 joins the company’s ATH-ADX7000 open-back headphones as its flagship closed back offering, but this new effort takes a different approach to sound.
It’s the first to feature Audio-Technica’s True Closed-back Acoustic (TCbA) design, which uses the air pressure inside the earcups to deliver powerful bass and a wide dynamic range while maintaining clarity across the mid and high frequencies.
Audio-Technica has also introduced two technologies to improve sound quality. The new Hybrid Matrix Diaphragm (HMD) combines thin films of different materials to help the diaphragm move more consistently, improving its response to sudden changes in sound.
The High-Concentricity X Dynamic Transducer (HXDT) technology aims to precisely align the internal components, reducing manufacturing tolerances to one-tenth of conventional levels; while a magnetic circuit made from non-oriented electrical steel also helps minimise energy loss.
Beyond that, much of the ATH-AWX7000’s appeal comes from its construction. Each earcup is made from Kiso cypress, a prized Japanese wood that can take up to 300 years to mature, with each receiving a hand-applied Echizen lacquer finish. The technique dates back more than 1500 years and brings out the wood’s natural grain, which means that no two pairs look exactly alike.
The headphones also feature soft leather earpads, precision-machined aluminium sliders and a lightweight magnesium frame finished in a deep navy blue inspired by the traditional Japanese kachi-iro colour.
Audio-Technica has redesigned the headband to be more comfortable for extended listening sessions, while the accessories comprise of a 2.5m balanced cable with Neutrik XLR connectors, a 3m unbalanced cable with a 6.3mm plug, and a protective carrying case. Both use A2DC connectors.
Every stage of development and manufacturing takes place at Audio-Technica’s Naruse Factory in Japan, bringing together the company’s acoustic engineering and more than 30 years of experience making wooden headphones.
The ATH-AWX7000 makes its debut at the Paris Audio Video Show, and they’re available to buy now, priced at £3299 / €3799.