Wood can be more than decoration on a pair of headphones. In the Audio-Technica ATH-AWX7000, lacquered Kiso cypress forms the enclosure around a newly developed driver, bringing traditional Japanese craft into a deliberately technical flagship.

These closed-back headphones use a 58 mm Hybrid Matrix Diaphragm that bonds polymer film to a metal dome. The aim is to combine the behavior of different materials within one moving assembly. HXDT precision molding and component alignment, also used in the open-back ATH-ADX7000, address how accurately the driver’s parts fit together. The enlarged bond between film and dome helps the diaphragm retain its shape under air pressure.

The housings receive Echizen lacquer, a finish that changes in depth and tone with age. A magnesium frame supports aluminum sliders finished in dark navy, while Japanese deerskin covers the earpads and headband. The mix gives the construction distinct roles: wood for the enclosure, metal for the supporting structure, and soft leather at the contact points.

Cable-free weight is approximately 12.5 ounces; impedance is 48 ohms and sensitivity is 97 dB/mW. These specifications describe the electrical load and mass behind the elaborate material choices.

The headphones have launched in the U.S. at $3,799. Included accessories comprise a carrying case and two detachable braided cables: an 8.2-foot balanced cable with a four-pin XLR connector and a 9.8-foot unbalanced cable with a quarter-inch plug.