Audio-Technica has debuted a new line of products at the National Association of Music Merchants Show (NAMM) 2018.
The range includes new DJ line products, the ATH-PRO5X and ATH-PRO7X professional DJ headphones and the AT-XP5 and AT-XP7 moving magnet DJ cartridges. The 2 DJ-specific headphone models – the over-ear ATH-PRO5X and the on-ear ATH-PRO7X – feature impressive power handling, isolation, construction and comfort for long sessions. The PRO5X over-ear headphones are equipped with 40mm drivers and offer 1,500mW max input power. They feature rotating earpieces for 1-ear monitoring and detachable locking cables (3.9 – 9.8ft coiled and 3.9ft straight). The PRO7X on-ear headphones are equipped with 45mm drivers and offer 2,000mW max input power for accurate sound reproduction. They include detachable locking cables (3.9 – 9.8ft coiled and 3.9ft straight) and soft, durable ear pads.
Rounding off the DJ line are 2 new moving magnet DJ phono cartridges. Born out of Audio Technica’s Hi-Fi heritage, the new cartridges combine specialist DJ requirements with high fidelity sound. Both the AT-XP5 and AT-XP7 have been designed with a 0.3 x 0.7 mil elliptical bonded stylus and a 2.0 to 4.0g tracking force range, offering tracking ability for even the widest grooves and deepest bass. This tracking ability is combined with a powerful output level, with the AT-XP5 giving 5.5mV and the AT-XP7 giving 6.0mV. Both cartridges feature a lightweight polyphenylene sulfide (PPS)/glass fibre body for minimised vibrations.
Audio Technica also unveiled the ATH-M50xBB professional monitor headphones, a limited edition blue/black version of Audio-Technica’s popular ATH-M50x and part of its M-Series line of headphones. With professional-grade earpad and headband material and a collapsible design with detachable cable, the ATH-M50xBB headphones remain comfortable throughout long monitoring sessions and transport easily.
The next generation of its 3000 Series frequency-agile true diversity UHF wireless systems was also revealed. Audio-Technica’s 4th-generation 3000 Series wireless systems give users the power and flexibility to operate within the congested UHF spectrum. With a class-leading 60 MHz tuning range – more than twice that offered by the previous versions – the new 3000 Series systems are available in 4 frequency bands – DE2 (470 530MHz), EE1 (530–590MHz), EF1 (590–650MHz) and FG1 (650–700MHz). Frequencies can be easily scanned and selected on the receiver and then synced with the transmitter via IR sync functionality. The 3000 Series even lets users set a backup frequency that can be quickly swapped by pressing the transmitter’s multifunction button in the event of unexpected interference.
Finally released at NAMM 2018 was the third generation of Audio Technica’s 5000 Series frequency-agile true diversity UHF wireless systems. Designed for use on professional tours, in stadiums, concert halls, festivals, houses of worship and other demanding audio environments, the Audio-Technica 5000 Series continues to provide audio quality. The new 5000 Series dual receiver offers Audio-Technica’s dual-compander circuitry that processes high and low frequencies separately and True Diversity operation. The receiver has been updated with a tuning bandwidth of 230 MHz: 470–700 MHz and users now have the option of selecting a standard receiver with 2 balanced XLR outputs (ATW-R5220) or a receiver that also includes a Dante output (ATW-R5220DAN). The full-rack receiver chassis holds 2 independent receivers and offers antenna power, frequency scan, IR sync functionality, a ground-lift switch and a front-panel headphone jack.
