New Audio Technica ATH-WP900 and ATH-IEX1

Audio-Technica ATH-IEX1 In Ear Headphones Earphones

Released back in October in Audio-Technica’s home country of Japan, the U.S. is set to tentatively receive two new high-end offerings from the company in December.

One is the ATH-IEX1, a hybrid in-ear waith 2 dynamic drivers and 2 balanced armatures lined up in a coaxial arrangement (pictured above). Audio-Technica claims this is the first earbud of its kind. It will retail for $1200.

The other is the ATH-WP900 (pictured below), an over-ear headphone with wooden flame-maple exterior retailing for $650.

New Audio Technica ATH-WP900 and ATH-IEX1 Coming to U.S.

Neither of these headphones are cheap, but they are unique. The wooden finish on the WP900 is reminiscent of a premium finish on a guitar; something not often seen on even high-end wooden headphones.

And while the Soundcore may have beaten out Audio-Technica for the first coaxial earbud with the Liberty 2 Pro, the style still remains a rarity, especially at a premium price point.

Let’s get into the details and see what else these headphones have to offer.

Audio-Technica ATH-WP900

The most arresting feature of the WP-900 is by far the flame maple finish. Audio-Technica is enlisting veteran Japanese guitar manufactures FujiGen to apply the finish and the unique wood pieces. Each piece of flame maple is one-of-a-kind, just like you’d find on a guitar.

The headphones utilizes a single 53mm driver as well as a PCB component that supposedly improves control of the air flow and quality of the bass response.

Audio-Technica WP900 Wooden Flame Maple Over Ear Headphones driver diagram

Other details include a baffle that is angled to better fit the contour of the listener’s head, and ventilated to allow a cleaner low-mid response. Of course, one can never be sure what these product descriptions will actually amount to in the real world. But it does seem like the WP-900 are designed for a robust low-end response. And you can’t argue with those looks.

The headphones are also foldable, and come with a carrying pouch made of what looks to be nylon.

Audio-Technica WP900 Wooden Flame Maple Over Ear Headphones

ATH-IEX1

The IEX1 is a sleek, anodized titanium hanger-style IEM bearing slight resemblance to the ATH-CK2000Ti. Reflecting the $1200 price tag, each IEX1 has a unique serial number laser-engraved on the side to remind you that they’re one of a kind (though maybe not as much as the WP900).

The IEX1 uses two dynamic drivers; one 9.8mm for the full range and one 8.8mm to enhance the low-end. Two balanced armatures then handle the highs and the ultra-highs.

What’s unique about this hybrid configuration is that both drivers and BAs are aligned in a straight line, a configuration some might call “coaxial”.

Audio-Technica ATH-IEX1 In Ear Headphones Earphones driver diagram

Audio-Technica makes the claim that the IEX1 is the first headphone to use this configuration, but I think Soundcore’s Liberty 2 Pro has them beat (in the US, at least).

Audio-Technica ATH-IEX1 In Ear Headphones Earphones

This shouldn’t detract from the uniqueness of the IEX1, however. The Liberty 2 Pro is a fraction of the price, and is also true wireless. The IEX1 may not be the first coaxial headphone, but it is the first of its kind; a high-end, wired, coaxial IEM.

Badda Bing Badda Boom

Both these new headphones offer premium appointments at a premium price point. While they both look gorgeous, only time will tell us how they sound.

Pre-Order the ATH-WP900 at Audio46

Pre-Order the ATH-IEX1 at Audio46

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Dylan is a washed-up lacrosse player, amateur astronomer and a tone-deaf lover of all things music. You can find him writing for audio publications, playing fetch with his dog Brodie, and digging ditches for fun at his Granpa's cabin. Drop him a line: dylan@majorhifi.com