14 DAY TRIAL // We're still a couple of weeks away from the start of 2011 edition of the greatest show in the world of IT and consumer electronics, namely CES, from Las Vegas, and some companies have already started to provide us with an early glimpse at the products they're about to showcase on that occasion, with Audio-Technica being among the first to do so. So, the company has announced that it will introduce its ATH-W1000x, ATH-AD900 and ATH-A900 headphones at CES 2011, three audiophile models designed to deliver an impressive level of fidelity and musical realism.
The over-ear ATH-W1000x "Grandioso" audiophile headphones feature ear cups that have an American black cherry wood housing, giving them an elegant appearance, while the wood's anti-resonant quality also contributes to the headphones' superlative clarity and resolution.
The ATH-W1000x employs a large-diameter 53 mm driver, high-power rare earth-magnet drive system and OFC-6N oxygen-free copper-wire voice coils, and a double air damping system (for deep bass reproduction), along with additional refinements – even the cord wire is made from PCOCC oxygen-free copper.
The sonic result is a 5Hz – 42,000Hz frequency response and a smooth tonal balance with deep bass, natural midrange reproduction and airy, extended treble.
The headphones feature Audio-Technica's comfortable, self-adjusting 3D Wing Support Housing that adapts to automatically fit any wearer with no need for adjustment, the ATH-W1000x coming with a 9-3/4-foot (3.0 m) cord with a gold-plated ¼-inch (6.3 mm) stereo wood plug.
The open-air ATH-AD900 is ideal for listeners who prefer the spacious quality of open-back headphones since they combine musically involving sound with total comfort, thanks to their lightweight, honeycomb aluminum casing and self-adjusting 3D Wing Support Housing.
The ATH-AD900 features 53 mm drivers with neodymium magnets and Audio-Technica's copper-clad aluminum-wire (CCAW) voice coil technology for superior audio reproduction with a 5Hz – 35,000Hz frequency response and has a 10-foot (3.0 m) Hi-OFC oxygen-free copper cord with a 1/8-inch (3.5 mm) stereo plug, and is supplied with a 1/4-inch (6.3 mm) stereo adapter.
The ATH-A900 closed-back headphones are designed to deliver audiophile-quality sound thanks to Audio-Technica's newly-developed Double Air Damping System.
In addition to the main air chamber that houses the driver, the earpieces have an additional chamber that operates in conjunction with a specially shaped housing and port, to control and focus the airflow produced by the driver movement and expand its bass output.
The ATH-A900's performance and convenience features include a 53 mm driver with an oxygen-free copper voice coil and powerful rare-earth magnets, 5Hz – 40,000Hz frequency response, a 3D Wing Support Housing and comfortable, generously padded earpieces.
Like the ATH-W1000x and ATH-AD900, the ATH-A900 delivers an immersive listening experience with clear, natural vocal and instrumental reproduction, precise imaging and exceptional dynamic range.
The ATH-A900 is striking in appearance thanks to its matte blue-finish aluminum ear cups and the headphones come with a 10-foot (3m) Hi-OFC cord with a 1/8-inch stereo plug, and a 1/4-inch (6.3 mm) stereo adapter.
The Audio-Technica ATH-W1000x, ATH-AD900 and ATH-A900 audiophile headphones will be available at suggested retail prices of $699.95, $299.99 and $249.99 respectively in February 2011.