Technics unveils EAH-A1000 headphones with magnetic fluid drivers

The EAH-A1000 uses 40 mm magnetic fluid drivers. Engadget reported that the drivers are designed to allow movement while reducing the vibrations and distortion that can accompany large drivers. Technics also uses a Symmetrical Surround Technology, or SST, edge like those found in some of its speakers to further minimize distortion. TechRadar reported that the headphones use a rigid carbon fiber diaphragm with dome and cone shapes, a redesigned acoustic control chamber for more precise airflow management, and a new Baffle Flat Structure intended to reduce uneven surfaces around the driver and limit unwanted reflections.

For noise cancellation, each side has three feed-forward microphones and one feedback microphone. Engadget reported that the arrangement is meant to optimize noise cancellation based on both the fit of the headphones and ambient noise while they are in use. The headphones support the LDAC codec and lossless listening via USB Audio. They also offer multipoint connectivity across up to three devices, rather than the usual two. Engadget reported that Technics' press release says the EAH-A1000 can reach up to 45 hours of continuous playback, but did not specify how much of that figure includes ANC use, which draws more power than passive listening.

TechRadar, which was invited to Technics' facility in Tokyo to try the headphones before release, reported that they will be available to purchase starting Sept. 30. It listed official pricing at $449, £399 or €449, with a rough Australian equivalent of around AU$750. Engadget, however, reported that Technics had not yet shared specifics regarding price or availability for the new flagship model.

In its initial review, TechRadar said the headphones are stylish and comfortable, aided by a 13-degree angle of the ear cups relative to the headband. TechRadar reported that more than 500 people tested the headphones before the final design was chosen, and half of those testers were women. TechRadar said the arms have been thinned and refined since the EAH-A800, and that the sound quality so far is superb. The publication said it had tried the head-tracked spatial audio profile optimized for Dolby Atmos and the ANC, but that its full review is still in progress because final software updates had only recently been applied.

TechRadar also reported that the EAH-A800, the previous model, launched more than four years earlier. The EAH-A1000 is positioned as the successor to that model, bringing the magnetic fluid driver technology used in Technics' EAH-AZ100 earbuds to a larger 40 mm drive unit in a headphone ear cup.