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Audio-Technica ATH-AWKT
ATH-AWKT
The ATH-AWKT over-ear wooden headphones feature housings made from the rare Japanese hardwood Kokutan (striped ebony). Long used for woodwind instruments and pianos, this dense wood with the handsome black and brown stripes suppresses unwanted resonance to deliver clear, natural sound reproduction. The half-gloss finish, applied by hand, brings out the natural beauty of the wood’s grain – a beauty that will only deepen with age.
The ATH-AWKT over-ear wooden headphones feature housings made from the rare Japanese hardwood Kokutan (striped ebony). Long used for woodwind instruments and pianos, this dense wood with the handsome black and brown stripes suppresses unwanted resonance to deliver clear, natural sound reproduction. The half-gloss finish, applied by hand, brings out the natural beauty of the wood’s grain – a beauty that will only deepen with age.
The headphones are equipped with exclusive 53 mm drivers with highly efficient German Permendur magnetic circuitry that deliver exceptionally accurate audio with a wide sound field. Each driver’s lightweight, durable titanium flange and 6N-OFC (high-purity, oxygen-free copper) voice coil ensure precise diaphragm movement and signal transfer. Our exclusive D.A.D.S. (Double Air Damping System), which divides the housing structure into two separate acoustic chambers, provides smooth, accurate bass response.
The arms that hold the housings are made from a lightweight, highly rigid magnesium alloy. The arms are angled to provide the best possible fit with excellent earcup seal. The comfortable fit is enhanced by the smooth, durable sheep skin earpads and headband.
The headphones also feature A2DC (Audio Designed Detachable Coaxial) jacks for secure connection to the two included 3.0 m (9.8') detachable cables. One cable has a 6.3 mm (1/4") gold-plated stereo plug for use with standard audio equipment. The other cable features a 4-pin XLRM balanced connector for use with the latest high-fidelity equipment to achieve better channel separation.
About High-Resolution Audio
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.
ATH-AWKT
The ATH-AWKT over-ear wooden headphones feature housings made from the rare Japanese hardwood Kokutan (striped ebony). Long used for woodwind instruments and pianos, this dense wood with the handsome black and brown stripes suppresses unwanted resonance to deliver clear, natural sound reproduction. The half-gloss finish, applied by hand, brings out the natural beauty of the wood’s grain – a beauty that will only deepen with age.
The headphones are equipped with exclusive 53 mm drivers with highly efficient German Permendur magnetic circuitry that deliver exceptionally accurate audio with a wide sound field. Each driver’s lightweight, durable titanium flange and 6N-OFC (high-purity, oxygen-free copper) voice coil ensure precise diaphragm movement and signal transfer. Our exclusive D.A.D.S. (Double Air Damping System), which divides the housing structure into two separate acoustic chambers, provides smooth, accurate bass response.
The arms that hold the housings are made from a lightweight, highly rigid magnesium alloy. The arms are angled to provide the best possible fit with excellent earcup seal. The comfortable fit is enhanced by the smooth, durable sheep skin earpads and headband.
The headphones also feature A2DC (Audio Designed Detachable Coaxial) jacks for secure connection to the two included 3.0 m (9.8') detachable cables. One cable has a 6.3 mm (1/4") gold-plated stereo plug for use with standard audio equipment. The other cable features a 4-pin XLRM balanced connector for use with the latest high-fidelity equipment to achieve better channel separation.
About High-Resolution Audio
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.
A Sound Connection
Since 2015, Audio-Technica has used the specially designed A2DC (Audio Designed Detachable Coaxial) connector on all of our in-ear headphones and select over-ear headphones with detachable cables. But why did we develop this connector and what makes it perform better than existing connectors in audio applications?
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Professional Reviews 89/100
Nicely Roasted
Sound Quality
90/100
Comfort Fit
89/100
Build Quality
91/100
Features Usability
88/100
Value for Money
85/100
The ATH-AWKT brings rare closed-back spaciousness to a luxuriously composed listen, pairing textured bass, expressive mids and finely organised detail with striped-ebony craftsmanship. What Hi-Fi? found its cultured balance especially adept at untangling dense recordings, while the included single-ended and balanced cables underline its serious home-listening ambitions.
What Reviewers Are Saying
Pros
Clear, cohesive detail retrieval and unusually spacious sound for a closed-back design.
Agile, textured bass integrates naturally with an expressive, nuanced midrange.
Premium, sturdy construction with beautifully finished wooden earcups, sheepskin trim, and both single-ended and balanced cables.
&
Cons
Restrained dynamics soften orchestral drama and rhythmic punch.
Treble can lack a little sweetness, and the cables transmit mechanical noise when brushed.
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 90/100
The ATH-AWKT is described as an informative, cohesive and notably refined closed-back headphone. Its strengths are tonal balance, detail, midrange expression and an unusually spacious presentation, while its deliberately civil character slightly softens large-scale drama and rhythmic punch.
Bass
91/100
Bass is agile, textured and firm rather than oversized. It provides a convincing foundation while blending seamlessly with the rest of the frequency range.
Midrange
92/100
The expressive midrange makes rapid vocals easy to follow. Nuance and precision are singled out as major strengths, giving voices and complex material an engaging, composed quality.
Treble
87/100
The top end is precise and insightful, contributing to the headphone's clear and cultured character. The review notes that the highs could sound a touch sweeter, which keeps them from being wholly effortless.
Resolution Detail
92/100
The ATH-AWKT resolves plenty of information without turning it into clutter. Detail is presented in an organised, cohesive manner that supports its sophisticated rather than analytical presentation.
Soundstage Imaging
91/100
There is a lovely sense of spaciousness for a closed-back design. The clean, uncluttered presentation helps instruments and musical lines remain easy to follow.
Dynamics
84/100
Dynamics are fluid and rhythms remain surefooted, making for an easy and polished listen. However, the headphone holds back somewhat when music swells, rounding off orchestral drama and reducing the force of rhythmic punch.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Comfort Fit
89/100
At 405g, the ATH-AWKT is not especially light, but its wide headband and generously sized earpads are reported to make it comfortable. The adjustment range should accommodate most listeners, including those with smaller heads.
Build Quality
91/100
The headphones are described as sturdy and appropriately well made. Beautifully finished striped-ebony earcups and durable sheepskin on the pads and headband lend them a genuinely luxurious feel.
Features Usability
88/100
Audio-Technica includes two detachable 3m cables: a conventional 6.3mm lead and a four-pin XLR balanced cable. That is a useful, enthusiast-friendly bundle for owners with both single-ended and balanced headphone amplifiers.
Value for Money
85/100
At approximately $1,699 to $1,999, the ATH-AWKT sits in a demanding premium-headphone market. The review praises its execution and sound, but does not directly compare it with rivals or offer a clear verdict on value for the price.
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Authorized dealers for Audio-Technica ATH-AWKT
- The Audio Association — in-store — Anaheim, California, United States (website)
- A1 Futureshop — online and in-store — North Rocks, New South Wales, Australia (website)
- Absolute Audio - Canada — in-store — Calgary, Alberta, Canada (website)
- Abt Electronics — online and in-store — Glenview, Illinois, United States (website)
- Accesory Jack — online and in-store — New Territories, Hong Kong (website)
- Acclaim Sound and Light — online and in-store — North Bay, Ontario, Canada (website)
- Acoustic Sounds — online and in-store — Salina, Kansas, United States (website)
- Acoustic Technologies — online and in-store — Montréal, Québec, Canada (website)
- Acton Gate Audio — online and in-store — Cymru, United Kingdom (website)
- Adorama — in-store — New York, New York, United States (website)
and 230 more verified dealers