AUDIO-TECHNICA ATH-AWKT

Audio-Technica’s newest addition to its long-running series of headphones that use earpieces made of wood is now available in Australia via distributor Technical Audio Group (TAG). “The ATH-AWKT is the new flagship of this range, and its earpiece housings are hand-crafted from striped ebony wood known in Japan as ‘kokutan’ which is renowned for its excellent tonal properties and striking black-brown colouring,” said Alena Striebel, of TAG.

Kokutan is a high-density hardwood prized for its efficient acoustic damping, so much so that it’s often used in the construction of pianos and woodwind instruments. On the ATH-AWKT Audio Technica has hand-finished the wood with a half-gloss to accentuate the natural beauty of its grain. As with all Audio-Technica’s wooden earpiece models, the ATH-AWT is built in a separate workshop in Naruse, Tokyo.

Inside each earpiece, the internal volume is split into two different acoustic chambers, using a technique Audio Technica calls D.A.D.S. (Double Air Damping System), which it says results in smoother, richer bass reproduction. The 53mm diameter diaphragm in each earpiece is driven by a “Permendur” magnet made from a cobalt-iron soft magnetic alloy. The arms that hold the housings are made from a lightweight, highly rigid magnesium alloy and are angled such that the ear-piece housings make the best possible contact with the wearer’s head which, in conjunction with the soft sheepskin earpads, ensures an excellent ear cup seal.

Audio-Technica rates the frequency response of the ATH-AWKT as 5Hz to 45kHz, the sensitivity at 102dB/mW and the nominal impedance as 48 .

The Audio-Technica ATH-AWKT is supplied with detachable A2DC connectors together with two 3m cables: one with a 6.3mm plug and one with a balanced XLR connector. Its earpads and ergonomic headband are made from smooth, high-durability sheepskin.

Available now, they retail for $3,499 (RRP).

For more information, contact Technical Audio Group on (02) 9519 0900 or visit www.tag.com.au