AudioQuest will unveil its first headphone at CES in January. Dubbed NightHawk the over, dynamic design is said to “combine advanced manufacturing techniques, innovative driver technologies, sensitive ergonomics, and sustainable materials” all for a “modest price”. NightHawk is the “first completely original production headphone to use a 3D-printed part”, that being a grille that was inspired by the underlying structure of butterfly wings. This has a diamond-cubic latticework to diffuse sound and defeat resonances. NightHawk’s 50mm pistonic drivers have a biocellulose diaphragm designed to take advantage of the material’s outstanding rigidity and high-frequency control, this is driven by a patented split-gap motor that’s designed to reduce intermodulation distortion.
It has a flexible headband for even distribution of weight, and the earcups are made from a “Liquid Wood”; wood that has been combined with reclaimed plant fiber, heated, liquefied, and processed in such a way that it can be injection moulded. Unlike plastic, Liquid Wood has outstanding acoustic properties and is environmentally friendly. A patent-pending suspension system allows the ear cups to move freely for comfort while decoupling the ear cups from one another.
The AQ headphone is claimed to “carefully balances innovations in headphone design with innovations in sustainability and responsible engineering”. NightHawk is packaged in a leatherette carrying case with a simple sleeve and original artwork by graphic designer Justin Maller.
nighthawk.audioquest.com