zachchen1996
Headphoneus Supremus
- Joined
- Apr 9, 2012
- Posts
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Audeze "Prototype-Z"
"It features a new ultra-high-density voice-coil, a first in planar magnetic design, along with a newly-patented diaphragm. The end result is a whopping 1200 Ohm impedance. The force that's generated on the surface of the diaphragm is directly proportional to the length of the voice-coil and the prototype delivers unmatched dynamics, extreme resolution, precise and detailed sound across the audio band, plus excellent imaging.
With 1200 Ohms impedance the prototype can be directly driven by tube amplifiers without an output matching transformer. That will lead to a new wave of high-power OTL tube headphone amplifier designs. In fact, Audeze is working on an OTL design right now.
The Prototype-Z can be driven with any regular voltage-mode amplifier, but better results can be achieved with high quality current-mode amplifiers like the BAKOON. Current-mode amplifiers work very efficiently into this type of load and will be louder at the same volume setting than any other headphone. Voltage-mode amplifiers will require the volume knob to be higher to generate proper driving power into such high impedance modes.
Finally, we've addressed added comfort with our new carbon fiber headband."