STOW, OH, January 6, 2016 — At CES 2016 Audio-Technica is introducing five High-Fidelity headphones that incorporate a host of significant upgrades to deliver extraordinary audio performance. The new ATH-A2000Z, ATH-A1000Z and ATH-A990Z closed-back over-ear headphones and ATH-ESW990H portable wooden on-ear headphones are Hi-Res Audio compliant and offer an immersive listening experience with clear, natural vocal and instrumental reproduction, a smooth tonal balance, precise imaging and superlative dynamic range. In addition, Audio-Technica’s new closed-back over-ear ATH-A550Z provides high-fidelity sound at an extremely attractive price point.
The ATH-A2000Z, ATH-A1000Z, ATH-A990Z and ATH-A550Z Art Monitor® closed-back dynamic headphones employ premium quality components with progressively finer levels of refinement. All feature proprietary large-aperture 53 mm drivers to deliver impactful sound with extended frequency response from deep bass up to 45,000 Hz. The headphones utilize a new top-mounted PCB (printed circuit board) design for a smoother airflow that enables more precise diaphragm movement. All employ Audio-Technica’s exclusive Double Air Damping System (D.A.D.S.) that uses a main air chamber that houses the driver, plus an additional chamber that operates in conjunction with a specially shaped housing and port to control and focus the airflow produced by the driver and expand its bass output.
All four headphones feature Audio-Technica’s proprietary and improved 3D Wing Support headband assembly, which adjusts perfectly to each wearer. All models come with a ¼-inch (6.3 mm) stereo adapter plug.
The ATH-A2000Z’s hand-assembled drivers employ a top-quality German Permendur magnetic circuit with extremely high magnetic flux density for exceptional efficiency and OFC-7N copper bobbin-wound voice coils for pure, detailed signal transmission. The ATH-A2000Z (SRP: US$649.95) drivers also feature a pure iron yoke for superior transient response. Its driver housings are crafted from pure titanium with magnesium-alloy baffles to keep unwanted resonances that could blur the sound to an absolute minimum. It offers a Hi-Res Audio compliant frequency response of 5 – 45,000 Hz.
The ATH-A1000Z (SRP: US$399.95) includes many of the key driver elements of the ATH-A2000Z such as OFC-7N copper voice coils and a pure iron yoke, for superior transient response, enclosed in lightweight aluminum housings with magnesium-alloy baffles. Like the ATH-A2000Z, the ATH-A1000Z features stitched, ergonomic earpads for superior comfort and sound isolation and comes with a 9.8 ft. (3.0 m) OFC-6N dual-sided, four-core cable with an elastomer sheath that ensures maximum signal transmission and high durability. It has a Hi-Res Audio compliant frequency response from 5 – 45,000 Hz.
The ATH-A990Z (SRP: US$219.95) delivers superb sound quality thanks to its proprietary large-aperture 53 mm drivers with OFC (oxygen-free copper) voice coils mounted in lightweight aluminum housings. The drivers’ integrated yoke assembly further contributes to the headphones’ Hi-Res Audio performance by providing superior transient response. The ATH-A990Z has a 9.8 ft. (3.0 m) cord that is cloth-wrapped for tangle-free, lasting durability. Its frequency response is Hi-Res Audio compliant (5 – 42,000 Hz).
The ATH-A550Z combines true high-performance sound with exceptional value (SRP: US$119.95) thanks to its 53 mm drivers with CCAW (copper-clad aluminum-wound) bobbin-wound voice coils that deliver audiophile-quality reproduction with a smooth, linear frequency response and outstanding clarity and detail. Like all of Audio-Technica’s new high-fidelity headphones, the ATH-A550Z offers a host of premium features including a top-mounted PCB for smoother airflow and diaphragm movement, a D.A.D.S Double Air Damping System that provides deeper bass extension, a comfortable and improved 3D Wing Support Housing and additional refinements. (Frequency response: 5 – 35,000 Hz.)
Audio-Technica’s smartphone-compatible ATH-ESW990H portable wooden on-ear headphones are perfect for listeners who want to enjoy audiophile-quality sound wherever they go. Featuring beautifully crafted, non-resonant sycamore wood housings, a wood traditionally used in making stringed instruments, the ATH-ESW990H (SRP: US$349.95) utilizes 42 mm drivers with specially coated diaphragms within a unified mounting yoke for each driver that employs two magnetic circuit components for higher flux density, increased efficiency and improved sound quality, with extraordinary bass impact and midrange/high-frequency purity.
The ATH-ESW990H comes with two detachable cables: a 3.9 foot (1.2 m) cable with a mic and controls to answer/end calls and control music on smartphones and other portable devices, and a standard 3.9 foot (1.2 m) standard cable. Both cables are outfitted with Audio-Technica’s new A2DC (Audio Designed Detachable Coaxial) connectors for optimum signal transfer with a high level of immunity from noise. The ATH-ESW990H’s soft leather earpads ensure long-wearing comfort and their fold-flat swivel design and protective velvet carrying pouch make it easy to take them anywhere. It has a Hi-Res Audio compliant frequency response from 5 – 45,000 Hz.
Audio-Technica’s new high-fidelity headphones will be available in March 2016.
In Brief: The Move to Hi-Res Audio
While many listeners may believe that high-resolution audio came along with the introduction of the Compact Disc in 1982, constraints on the disc’s storage space always prevented CD audio (standardized at 44.1 kHz/16-bit) from fully and completely reproducing the original recorded sound. The advent and subsequent popularity of MP3s only made this problem more pronounced – the necessary compression of these files causes audio information to be lost, thus greatly reducing the audio quality. But with lossless audio file formats, faster Internet speeds, and storage space increasingly easy to come by (and in ever-smaller packages), the push is on to create audio equipment capable of capturing and reproducing true Hi-Res Audio, generally considered to be 96 kHz/24-bit or better. The Hi-Res Audio logo certifies that a product meets the Hi-Res Audio standards. Per these standards, headphones must have transducer frequency performance to at least 40 kHz. As a producer of these types of audiophile headphones since 1972, Audio-Technica is well-positioned to provide audio solutions that meet the demands of Hi-Res Audio media formats, allowing for the full reproduction of their extended sonic characteristics.
Click here for ATH-A2000Z, ATH-A1000Z, ATH-A990Z, ATH-A550Z and ATH-ESW990H profiles and downloadable high-res photos.
Also see more here:
Celebrating over 50 years of audio excellence, Audio-Technica is a recognized leader in the development and manufacture of high-quality personal and professional audio equipment. Founded in Japan in 1962 by Hideo Matsushita, the company made its name by manufacturing state-of-the-art phonograph cartridges and tonearms. Today, Audio-Technica is a worldwide group of companies devoted to creating high-performance microphones, headphones, wireless systems, mixers, turntables, phono cartridges and other electronic products.
A reputation for quality, durability, performance and value has made Audio-Technica products the first choice for many of today’s top musical artists and audio engineers, and for discerning listeners everywhere. Drawing from its audiophile heritage, Audio-Technica remains dedicated to providing music enthusiasts with great-sounding, innovative audio gear, including the award-winning QuietPoint® active noise-cancelling headphones, popular ATH-M50x monitor headphones, versatile USB microphones, and new Hi-Res Audio headphones and high-fidelity gaming headsets. Learn more at www.audio-technica.com.
# # #
— For more information on the complete range of Audio-Technica products, contact
Karen Emerson or Crystal Griffith, Audio-Technica U.S., Inc., 1221 Commerce Drive,
Stow, OH 44224. Tel: (330) 686-2600; Fax: (330) 688-3752.
— For further information regarding product availability and pricing in Europe, contact Tom Harrold (tharrold@audio-technica-europe.com) or visit our media centre at www.starscreamcommunications.com.
Audio-Technica is exhibiting at the Las Vegas Convention Center,
South Hall Ground Level, Booth #20656 during CES 2016 in Las Vegas, NV.
