Flagship wooden over-ear headphones • Traditional Kokutan (Striped Ebony) hardwood earcups • Large-aperture 53 mm dynamic drivers with German Permendur magnetic circuitry • Diamond-Like Carbon (DLC) coated diaphragms • Double Air Damping System (D.A.D.S.) • Detachable A2DC balanced and unbalanced cables • Handcrafted in Tokyo, Japan
The Audio-Technica ATH-AWKT Audiophile Closed-Back Dynamic Wooden Headphones represent the pinnacle of Audio-Technica’s closed-back dynamic headphone craftsmanship, marrying rare artisanal Japanese woodwork with reference-grade transducer technology. Handcrafted in Tokyo, the earcups are carved from rare Kokutan (striped ebony)—a dense, historic hardwood prized for its acoustic damping characteristics that suppress internal resonance to deliver pristine tonal purity and pitch-black backgrounds. Driven by custom 53 mm large-aperture dynamic transducers engineered with German Permendur magnetic circuits and Diamond-Like Carbon (DLC) coated diaphragms, the Audio-Technica ATH-AWKT Audiophile Closed-Back Dynamic Wooden Headphones yield lightning-quick transients, immense dynamic expression, and crystalline treble extension up to 45,000 Hz. Supported by Audio-Technica’s patented Double Air Damping System (D.A.D.S.), supple sheepskin leather ear cushions, and detachable A2DC cables with balanced 4.4 mm Pentaconn termination, the Audio-Technica ATH-AWKT Audiophile Closed-Back Dynamic Wooden Headphones achieve reference acoustic transparency, ensuring the Audio-Technica ATH-AWKT Audiophile Closed-Back Dynamic Wooden Headphones deliver an intimate, lifelike listening experience, with the Audio-Technica ATH-AWKT Audiophile Closed-Back Dynamic Wooden Headphones standing as a crowning triumph in high-end personal audio.
Key Features & Innovations
Handcrafted Kokutan (striped ebony) earcups — the Audio-Technica ATH-AWKT Audiophile Closed-Back Dynamic Wooden Headphones feature earcups carved from ultra-dense striped ebony wood with hand-rubbed semi-gloss lacquer finishes, dampening unwanted vibrations to achieve natural, uncolored acoustic decay.
53 mm drivers with German Permendur magnetic circuits — equipped with high-flux Permendur magnetic assemblies that generate an exceptionally powerful magnetic field, driving the Diamond-Like Carbon (DLC) diaphragms with surgical precision and effortless dynamic contrast.
6N-OFC high-purity voice coils — incorporates high-purity 99.99997% oxygen-free copper voice coil windings to maximize signal transfer efficiency and preserve low-level harmonic details.
Double Air Damping System (D.A.D.S.) — Audio-Technica’s patented dual-chamber housing design controls airflow within the closed-back earcups, producing articulate, deeply extended bass without acoustic overhang or bleed into the midrange.
Magnesium alloy headband arms & sheepskin luxury — lightweight, rigid magnesium alloy arms ensure an optimal acoustic seal with balanced clamping force, complemented by ergonomic sheepskin leather earpads and headband padding.
A2DC connection with balanced 4.4 mm cable — incorporates Audio Designed Detachable Coaxial (A2DC) connectors and ships with two 3.0-meter cloth-sheathed cables: a standard 6.3 mm (1/4") stereo cable and a balanced 4.4 mm 5-pole Pentaconn cable for balanced headphone amplification.
How does the Kokutan wood of the ATH-AWKT differ acoustically from the Asada Zakura wood of the ATH-AWAS?
Kokutan (striped ebony) has a considerably higher physical density than Asada Zakura (Japanese hop-hornbeam). Acoustically, the Audio-Technica ATH-AWKT Audiophile Closed-Back Dynamic Wooden Headphones provide a more analytical, speed-oriented presentation with razor-sharp imaging, blacker backgrounds, and wider dynamic contrast, whereas the ATH-AWAS focuses on lush midrange warmth and mellow harmonic decay.
What makes the Permendur magnetic circuit special in the ATH-AWKT?
German Permendur is an iron-cobalt alloy known for exceptionally high magnetic saturation flux density. By utilizing Permendur in the 53 mm driver assemblies, the ATH-AWKT creates an intense, stable magnetic field across the voice coil gap, maximizing transient speed and virtually eliminating driver non-linearity.
Do I need a dedicated headphone amplifier to drive the ATH-AWKT?
With an impedance of 48 ohms and high sensitivity of 102 dB/mW, the headphones can achieve adequate listening volume from quality portable sources. However, to fully realize the resolution, bass impact, and expansive staging enabled by the Permendur drivers and D.A.D.S. structure, a dedicated audiophile desktop headphone amplifier or balanced DAC is strongly recommended.
What cables are included with the headphones?
The headphones come with two detachable 3.0 m (9.8') fabric-braided cables using A2DC connectors: one terminated with a gold-plated 6.3 mm (1/4") unbalanced stereo plug, and one terminated with a 4.4 mm 5-pole Pentaconn balanced plug.
Why Buy From Us
Authorized Audio-Technica dealer offering 100% genuine Japanese-crafted flagships with full manufacturer warranty
Expert technical assistance on headphone amplification pairings, balanced terminations, and acoustic matching
Dedicated concierge customer support for high-end audio inquiries and system integration
Fast, fully insured freight shipping with protective white-glove packaging on every order
