Now that you’re sitting up you won’t mind us sharing some of this model’s features will you? You shouldn’t when we point out the things making these wee ‘phones stand out from the pack has Audio-Technica reaching for superlatives.

The ATH-SR9’s so Audio-Technica tells us, blend the best of the brand’s technology derived from the horde of people in its development team.

This is high praise indeed and one confirmed or dispelled in an audition by intending buyers.

But hearing the ATH-SR9s are equipped with a diamond like carbon (DLC) diaphragm coating for increased rigidly and hi-res, full-range performance is er, reassuring.

Buyers waltzing away from their nearest Audio-Technica stockist with an ATH-SR9 get the ‘phones and two detachable cables.

One carries inline control to navigate tracks and handle calls when this natty model is connected to a smart phone or smart device. The second cable has no controls. Purists rejoice. Not one, nil, zip, zero, nada.

Worth pointing out however, is that this pair of cables has Audio Designed Detachable Coaxial to transmit the audio signal in as pure a form as possible from smart device to the flapper on either side of a noggin.

The sound generated by the new phones comes from a pair of 45mm True Motion Drivers that have bobbin-wound Oxygen Free Copper 7N voice coils.

Audio-Technica makes a good deal about this headphone’s hi-res performance, as it should given the huge number of music lovers listening to high-res lossless formats these days.

Clearly this is the brand’s target market but one it has to contest with a mountain load of other headphone brands. Two things in Audio-Technica’s favour are its proven track record of headphone design and the ATH-SR9’s stunning good looks.

Take a squiz in the flesh and you’ll appreciate the refined finish and a styling that wouldn’t be out of place in the accessories section of  an Armani or Zegna boutique.

But worth noting are those high-rigidity aluminium housings not only reduce spurious resonance, they also carry an acoustic resistor to control airflow inside each diaphragm.

If you’re one of tens of thousands of music loving consumers who have made the gigantic leap from MP3 to Hi-Res digital music, and you covert a comfortable, beautifully made compact headphone, seek out a pair of nifty ATH-SR9’s.

Audio-Technica ATH-SR9 are available now for $799 RRP.

For more information visit the Audio-Technica brand page.

Specifications

• Frequency response 5-45,000 Hz
• Max input power 1,500 mW
• Impedance 47 ohms
• Sensitivity 97 dB/mW
• Weight 9.5 oz. (270 grams)