Наушники — Audio-Technica ATH-WBLTD

The ATH-WBLTD is a limited-edition wired closed-back headphone from Audio-Technica, produced in a run of only 300 units worldwide. It is derived from the ATH-WB2022, the wireless wooden headphone released for the company's 60th anniversary in 2022, but replaces the Bluetooth electronics with a purely analogue signal path and a driver and frame tuned specifically for cable connection. It launched at around GBP 1,600.

Key specs that matter

Each earcup carries a proprietary 45mm HD dynamic driver with a diamond-like carbon (DLC) coated diaphragm. Frequency response is 5Hz to 50kHz, sensitivity is 104dB/mW, impedance is 40 ohms and maximum input power is 1,000mW. Weight is approximately 320g. Two detachable 1.2m cables with A2DC connectors at the headphone end are included - one with a 3.5mm gold-plated mini-plug plus 6.3mm adapter, and one with a 4.4mm five-pole balanced plug. A pouch and a serial number card complete the package.

Engineering and use context

The housings are built from three layers of solid wood - flame maple, walnut and mahogany - the same species used for high-end stringed instruments, chosen for their grain and vibration-damping properties. They are hand-polished at Fujigen, a Japanese guitar maker, and because each piece of wood has its own grain, no two pairs look alike. The drivers are designed and manufactured in-house, with the DLC coating adding stiffness to the diaphragm, and a high-performance magnetic circuit with an integrated pure-iron yoke to improve transient behaviour. The frame and housing structure were redesigned relative to the wireless ATH-WB2022, using a lightweight, high-strength aluminium alloy frame. Earpads and headband are made from stitched sheepskin for durability and comfort. The earcups swivel flat for storage in the included pouch, making the headphone portable despite its high-end construction. A2DC (Audio Designed Detachable Coaxial) connectors lock securely and allow the cable to rotate, and earpads and cables are available separately as replacement parts.

Pairing

The easy electrical load means portable players and dongle DACs drive it without a separate amplifier. The balanced 4.4mm cable connects to portable players and desktop amplifiers with a Pentaconn balanced output, separating left and right ground paths, while the 3.5mm cable and 6.3mm adapter cover single-ended outputs on phones, computers and hi-fi headphone amplifiers.

Alternatives

Audio-Technica's own ATH-WB2022 offers the same three-layer wood housing concept in a wireless format with Bluetooth and a built-in DAC.