Наушники — Austrian Audio The Arranger

The Arranger is an open-back over-ear reference headphone from Austrian Audio, positioned by the company between its Hi-X studio models and The Composer. A single dynamic transducer sits in each cup of a foldable metal frame, a layout that is uncommon in this price class, and is listed at EUR 999, GBP 899 and USD 1,299. Austrian Audio aims it at both home listeners and studio users who want a low impedance headphone that runs straight from portable devices. The company was founded in Vienna in 2017 by 22 former AKG engineers with more than three centuries of combined experience, and it designs and manufactures its professional microphones and headphones in that city. Besides studio microphones and the Hi-X monitoring headphones, its catalogue now includes a Hi-Fi group of open-back models for home use.

Key specs that matter

At the heart sits a 44 mm high-excursion driver with a diaphragm coated in diamond-like carbon (DLC) and a proprietary ring magnet. The rated frequency range runs from 5 Hz to 30 kHz. Sensitivity is quoted as 110 dB SPL per volt, and nominal impedance is 25 ohm. Total harmonic distortion stays below 0.1 percent at 1 kHz, and the driver accepts an input power of 155 mW. The headphone measures 200 x 175 x 85 mm and weighs 320 g without its cable.

Engineering and use context

The cable is detachable and attaches through a symmetrical 4-pin connector. That socket takes the supplied 3 m cable with a 3.5 mm TRS plug, and the same connector also accepts optional balanced cables ending in a Pentaconn plug or a 5-pin XLR. A 3.5 mm to 6.3 mm adapter comes in the box, so the headphone fits both portable sockets and full-size jacks on studio gear. Ear pads are covered in soft suede leatherette, and the frame is made of metal. The folding mechanism lets the cups collapse for storage and transport. Austrian Audio describes the design as 100 percent serviceable, with replaceable ear pads and a replaceable headband.

Pairing

Its easy impedance and strong sensitivity mean mobile devices can drive The Arranger without a dedicated headphone amplifier. Owners who already use a balanced headphone amplifier or a player with a Pentaconn socket can add one of the optional balanced cables through the same 4-pin connector, keeping the stock TRS lead for everyday single-ended use.

Alternatives

The Austrian Audio Composer is the brand's other open-back over-ear dynamic model in its Hi-Fi range.