Austrian Audio offers its best headphones in all shapes and sizes, and for all budgets, but its latest are definitely at the higher-end of the scale.
The Composer is a reference-grade headset, designed for those who are after a premium listening experience and are willing to pay for it.
The open back headphones sport custom 49mm drivers in each ear as part of the brand's proprietary Hi-X technology. Each driver employs a precision-machined ring system that utilises N53 grade neodymium magnets.
The diaphragm on each is coated with Hi-X49 diamond-like carbon for a rigid finish and precise, accurate sound signature. This is improved further with ultra-low THD (Total Harmonic Distortion) levels at low frequencies (< 0.1% @ 1kHz).
Their capable frequency range is 5 Hz to 44 kHz, with an impedance of 22 Ohms.
Austrian Audio has also designed the over-ears with functionality and performance at the forefront. Metal parts have been used wherever possible, for extra stability, while the earcups are tiltable to four separate positions. This ensures a comfortable fit, no matter the shape of your head.
The headphones also weigh less than 400g and have a mesh headband to enable longer wearing sessions. They can fold flat for storage and come with several cables – 3 metre 3.5mm, 3 metre XLR 4 pin, and 1.4 metre 4.4mm Pentaconn style. A 3.5mm to 6.3mm adapter is included in the box too.
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The Composer headphones are priced at £2,249 / €2,499 / $2,699 and will be available from Austrian Audio's website from December this year.
Also announced is an ideal companion to The Composer over-ears. The Austrian Audio Full Score one is a headphone amplifier that can supply a clean, crisp soundstage to all 'phones from low-impedance models down to 10 Ohms, to low sensitivity devices with over 300 Ohms.
It too will be available from December in multiple regions, priced at £1,299 / €1,499 / $1,499.
The duo have launched as part of CanJam SoCal 2023 – a dedicated show for headphone makers and enthusiasts. It runs across 30 September and 1 October, and is being held on Orange County, California. Visitors will be able to experience both The Composer and the Full Score one amp.
Rik is T3’s news editor, which means he looks after the news team and the up-to-the-minute coverage of all the hottest gadgets and products you’ll definitely want to read about. And, with more than 35 years of experience in tech and entertainment journalism, including editing and writing for numerous websites, magazines, and newspapers, he’s always got an eye on the next big thing.
Rik also has extensive knowledge of AV, TV streaming and smart home kit, plus just about everything to do with games since the late 80s. Prior to T3, he spent 13 years at Pocket-lint heading up its news team, and was a TV producer and presenter on such shows as Channel 4's GamesMaster, plus Sky's Games World, Game Over, and Virtual World of Sport.
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