With the Audio-Technica ATH-WBLTD, the manufacturer puts another pair of wood-finished headphones on the market.
Audio-Technica releases another new (partially) wooden headphone: the ATH-WBLTD. You have to act really fast, because only 300 units will be available worldwide. These portable headphones with wooden ear cups are, according to the manufacturer, ‘made with the greatest craftsmanship and from the same woods used for rare and high-end stringed instruments. This makes it not only exceptionally beautiful, but also delivers superior sound quality‘.
According to the brand, the Audio-Technica ATH-WBLTD builds on the award-winning ATH-WB2022 wireless wooden headphones that Audio-Technica released in 2022 for its 60th anniversary: ‘With the ATH-WBLTD, Audio-Technica addresses the demand for analog connectivity and brings high-definition wired listening to this instant classic.’
Diamond-like carbon coating
Furthermore, the ATH-WBLTD is – the manufacturer reports – specially tuned for analog connectivity, and its new 45 mm HD drivers ‘incorporate decades of research into lifelike and accurate sound reproduction. The result is an impressively responsive and expressive soundstage, further enhanced by the diamond-like carbon (DLC) coated diaphragm. As a result, the headphones bring out the subtlest tones, from the lowest to the highest frequencies‘.
Fujigen Inc.
The ear cups of the ATH-WBLTD are made of three layers of solid flamed maple, walnut and mahogany. They are hand-polished by the experienced craftsmen of Fujigen Inc. one of Japan’s leading luthiers, and the wood – we read in the announcement – was specially selected for the expressiveness of its grain markings and for its superior acoustic and vibration damping properties.
Aging wood
The wood of the Audio-Technica ATH-WBLTD ages along with the headphones, ‘turning them into a treasured and unique object that can be passed from one generation to the next. The stitched ergonomic ear pads and headband are made of smooth and highly durable lambskin leather for long-lasting comfort, while the brackets are made of aluminum alloy and are angled for an ideal fit,’ Audio-Technica explains.
What’s included
Included with the ATH-WBLTD are two 1.2 m detachable cables with A2DC (Audio Designed Detachable Coaxial) connectors attached to the housing: one double-sided balanced cable with 5-pin 4.4 mm plugs, a second with a 3.5 mm stereo mini-plug. Also included is a 6.3 mm adapter.
The Audio-Technica ATH-WBLTD is available immediately, at a suggested retail price of 1799.00 EUR.
Product features
Always handy, a concise and point-by-point overview of the specs, in the words of the manufacturer himself:
- Ear shells of hand-finished maple, walnut and mahogany wood. The unique physical properties of the wood are used to create a clear sound field, with rich tonality throughout the frequency range.
- The new 45 mm drivers are made by Audio-Technica itself and specially tuned for analog connections and for an exceptionally expressive listening experience
- The DLC-coated diaphragm delivers high-resolution bass and is extremely clear in the treble. The powerful magnetic circuit with integrated pure iron yoke provides powerful sound
- The voice coils are made of very pure 7N-OFC (oxygen-free copper with a high purity of 99.999997 %), for impressive power transmission and accurate audio signal transmission
- Ergonomic lambskin ear pads and headband with lightweight aluminum brackets for a comfortable fit
- Foldable design for greater portability