14 DAY TRIAL // Every man or woman who has ever been at least a bit interested in top-shelf, high quality audio equipment has at least heard of Denon. Denon is synonym for hi-quality, hi-end, hi-fi and hi-whatever-you-like in audio, be that CD decks, tape players, DVD units, amplifiers for audiophile use and so on. Now, Denon has entered yet another battle, I guess it's a fiercer fight than on the "device market": the consumer products market.
It seems it's somehow easier on the hi-end market: the company invests in better quality and better craftsmanship materials, even in luxury ones and the price goes up; this ends with the hi-end audiophile buyer spending hundreds of bucks on cool equipment.
When it comes to consumer market, things are quite different; first of all, there are lots (and I really mean LOTS) of producers offering almost an infinity of price ranges, purpose-ranges, quality-ranges and so on, therefore making a significant breakthrough virtually impossible. Then there are the actual consumers, the people who have to be convinced to open their wallets and buy the merchandise. Names like Sennheiser or Philips have already made history in the headphones industry and their status is rather hard to be shaken. Nevertheless, it looks like Denon is willing to start the "fight"...
The 4 new headphones issued by Denon represent the first step towards consumer-oriented products. This decision coming from a company like Denon is even more interesting if we think that the prices for the 4 new headphones range from a mere $50 to a serious $700!
The $50 pieces (AH-C350) are in-ear headphones, just perfect for your days out biking, or simply on the way to the workplace, as a very nice accessory to your portable MP3 player. They come with 3 differently-sized earbuds so you'll surely get the best comfort.
The most interesting ones seem to be the next in line - the AH-D1000 $150 headgear. Fit for both strolling around and for home (audiophile) use, they are most likely to become Denon's first "consumer" hit. With the same "microfiber diaphragm" technology membranes as the rest of the Denon new-born, said to be "more responsive and less distortive", this model has only one shortcoming, it is not circumaural; it "sits" on your ear and for some people this can mean that listening for long periods of time will be a pain.
The AH-D200 are some sort of transition from the "mortals class" to the top-shelf products. At $350, they are still affordable pieces for the audiophile who wants pro-grade gear but is not ready to spend the big bucks on such stuff.
These headphones are truly circumaural (around the ear) so the act of wearing them becomes quiet and unobtrusive experience; the user can wear these headphones for hours in a row without the slightest discomfort - combine this with the excellent sound of Denon gear and good things seem to be on the way!
The flagship of Denon's headphone series is the AH-D5000: worth of $700, this model promises a better sound due to the real mahogany earcups and the same microfiber technology in membranes.
I still can't tell whether adding mahogany will actually improve the audio dynamics of the Denon's top headphones, but there's one thing I am sure about: they look damn cool and classy; no matter if you're a collector, a totally devoted audiophile or simply just willing to buy Denon's highest high-end headphones, the AH-D5000 are one acquisition which will turn heads!
I can't but wish Denon the best of luck at the beginning of this bumpy road; the consumer market has different rules and definitely totally different ways of appreciating what's good and what's wrong with a particular product.
But should Denon be able to provide the same reliability and excellence in this field as well, I guess "the war" will break loose.
