Audio-Technica ATH-AWAS/f — Asada Zakura closed-back wooden headphones

The ATH-AWAS/f are high-end closed-back headphones built in Japan around a housing carved from Asada Zakura, the Japanese cherry wood Audio-Technica has used for years on its most exclusive models. The wood is not decoration: its density and grain help control internal resonance and give a warm timbre, with present midrange and firm, well-contained bass.

Inside, 53 mm drivers use a pure iron yoke, DLC (Diamond-Like Carbon) coating and 6N-OFC copper voice coils. Audio-Technica's D.A.D.S. (Double Air Damping System) splits the housing into two independent acoustic chambers so air moves in a controlled way and bass gains precision. Lightweight, very rigid magnesium arms hold the cups at an angle for a proper seal, while synthetic leather earpads keep long sessions comfortable.

Both cables are detachable via A2DC connectors: one 3 m cable with a gold-plated 6.3 mm jack and one 3 m balanced cable with a 4-pin XLRM plug for balanced headphone amps. This is intimate listening, the kind that invites you to sit down and play a whole album.

Technical specifications:

• Type: closed-back dynamic, circumaural
• Driver: 53 mm with DLC coating and 6N-OFC voice coil
• Frequency response: 5 Hz – 42,000 Hz
• Maximum input power: 2,000 mW
• Sensitivity: 99 dB/mW
• Impedance: 40 ohms
• Acoustic system: D.A.D.S. dual chamber
• Connection: detachable A2DC (6.3 mm jack and 4-pin balanced XLRM, 3 m each)
• Weight: 395 g without cable
• Finish: Asada Zakura wood, hand-applied satin lacquer