Наушники — Audio-Technica ATH-AWAS

The ATH-AWAS belongs to the wooden headphone range from Audio-Technica, a line that started in 1996 with the ATH-W10VTG and has since tried many timbers for earcups. This model, released in Japan on November 15, 2019, uses Asada Zakura, a traditional Japanese hardwood cut from trees more than 100 years old, reddish in colour with a calm grain. Every wooden model in the range is assembled by hand at the company's own factories in Japan and has to pass inspection before it leaves.

Key specs that matter

The ATH-AWAS is a sealed dynamic design built around 53 mm drivers developed for this particular wood. Published ratings are 5 to 42,000 Hz, 99 dB/mW sensitivity, 40 ohm impedance and a maximum input of 2,000 mW. It weighs about 395 g without a cable. Both cups have A2DC sockets, and the box contains two detachable 3.0 m leads - one ending in a gold-plated 6.3 mm stereo plug, the other in a 4-pin male XLR connector for balanced use, both made with OFC wire. Replacement pads are available under the code HP-AWAS.

Engineering and use context

A strong magnet with an integrated pure iron yoke drives a diaphragm carrying DLC (Diamond-like Carbon) coating, and the bobbin-wound voice coil uses 6N-OFC copper of 99.99997 percent purity. Audio-Technica's patented Double Air Damping System, or D.A.D.S., splits the acoustic chamber into two spaces of different size so that trapped air acts as a spring and extends low-frequency output. The wooden cups get a half-gloss finish - the surface is sanded several times with ever finer grades, then coated and dried again and again by hand, so every pair shows its own grain. The A2DC connector tip is shaped to avoid dropouts and noise when the cable moves. Moulded magnesium arms, redesigned for this model, hold the cups at an angle chosen to improve fit and seal and to cut leakage, and the earpads with three-dimensional stitching and the headband are covered in soft synthetic leather.

Pairing

Its moderate impedance and sensitivity let the ATH-AWAS work from most home headphone amplifiers through the unbalanced lead. The supplied XLR cable connects directly to amplifiers with a 4-pin balanced headphone socket, which is the natural partner for this model in a full-size home system. The sealed cups also make it usable where an open design would disturb others nearby.

Alternatives

The ATH-AWKG is another sealed wooden model from Audio-Technica, with housings made from rare Kurogaki black persimmon.