Thank you, everyone, for your kind comments. We're extremely excited about NightHawk and can't wait for everyone to have the chance to see and hear them in person. Lord Victor Halgaard Karpe D.M The retail price will be $599 (US) / $599 (EUR) / $499 GBP with a tentative release date of around March/April 2015. In the video header, the headphones are referred to as "Knighthawk." That spelling is incorrect. The actual name, of course, is "NightHawk." Thanks again! Stephen Mejias AudioQuest, VP Communications
I do think they are well suited for production for three reasons. The comfort and ergonomic design means that they can be worn for very long sessions (potentially all day) without fatigue. Also, the unprecedentedly low distortion means that fine details of the mix and individual tracks are much easier to hear. The other reason is the tuning is much more natural without the high-frequency boost that most headphones have. This means that mixes will translate much better from system-to-system. The old rule of mixing is never do it with headphones. HF-boosted headphones usually result in mixes that have too much bass or low-mids. With NightHawk you end up with much more balanced-sounding mixes once you start taking them around to other systems...cars, boomboxes, laptops, earbuds, proper loudspeakers, etc. We have gotten a ton of feedback from producers and audio engineers who are now using NightHawks as critical studio tools for these reasons.
Completely agree. Refreshing to see someone so articulate and excited about what they sell. Hope these make it to Australia as I would love to try them out based on looks and engineering alone!
Skylar is great at what he does. Just picked up the Nighthowls and I was very impressed to a point I sold my other headphones. Also ordered the nighthawk carbon. Got a nice deal on it.
I like that the drivers themselves have a rubber surround like a regular speaker driver the Bowers and Wilkins P7 headphones which I really enjoy a lot. Most (not all, of course) headphones simply have a Mylar driver that is required to flex around the edges rather than having a surround to allow it to act like a piston. I can't wait to get my hands on a pair of these. The AQ NightHawks look gorgeous!
FYI: The stated price of $699 is incorrect. We were very happy to announce at CES that NightHawk will have a retail price of $599 USD / $599 EUR / $499 GBP. Stephen Mejias AudioQuest, VP Communications
I live these guys approach, focus on engineering rather than relying on expensive and rare materials for sound quality. I'm definitely interesed in their headphones as an upgrade.
Just saw this video now. I am looking to treat myself to new headphones in this price-range. I am curious if anyone had a chance to compare these to the new Audeze EL8 planar magnetic (I think also introduced at CES and now on sale), which cost only $100 more, which, is this price-range does not make much of a difference. Would you still recommend paying $600 for a dynamic-driven headphone like here when you can get a planar magnetic from Audeze for $100 more? I imagine Audeze sound more transparent?
As tempting as these headphones seem to me, given my penchant for smooth laid back cans, I just can't get over my philosophical differences with the AudioQuest company regarding their marketing/selling of cables such as this $2,700. HDMI cable: amzn.to/1MeX5fz I cannot bring myself to trust their engineering nor the brand since anyone understanding how HDMI works would realize just how ridiculous and dishonest that product is...
phototristan would love to see you review the new zmf headphones. One of them uses the same type of driver. Also Zac seems like a guy with alot of integrity. No BS.
interesting headphones, I'd like a review on those because some stuff he said about the drivers and the 3D printed membrane sound a bit like snake oil, but maybe it works and there is a difference.
Heard them at last. Congested and instantly off-putting. I was a little stunned at how unimpressive they sounded, actually, given all the R&D bragging and Audioquest gambling its name on the design. Source was Bel Canto equipment. Next up were Mr Speakers Ethers which made the Nighthawks easy to forget, even if they too had their drawbacks (brightness).
I haven't tried these, but the NightOwl doesn't measure good nor sound good. And don't get me started on the 150 Hrs break-in recommended by the manufacturer! Red-flag right there!
Super intelligent fella. Totally enjoyed his explanation of the headphones and the physics of their tech.
Huge compliment. Thank you. I get excited talking about my work and theory of design!
I love it when we get to see how they were made and the process and thoughts behind it. Really great video!
Thank you, everyone, for your kind comments. We're extremely excited about NightHawk and can't wait for everyone to have the chance to see and hear them in person. Lord Victor Halgaard Karpe D.M The retail price will be $599 (US) / $599 (EUR) / $499 GBP with a tentative release date of around March/April 2015. In the video header, the headphones are referred to as "Knighthawk." That spelling is incorrect. The actual name, of course, is "NightHawk." Thanks again!
Stephen Mejias
AudioQuest, VP Communications
I borrowed these from a friend for 2 days and I LOVED them.
Wonderful demonstration and explanation of how the headphone was designed. Now I need one!
Best presenter i have ever seen! Great job Skylar Gray!!! and Tyll as always. ;)
Thanks, Doru Lutai I'm seriously flattered.
I do think they are well suited for production for three reasons. The comfort and ergonomic design means that they can be worn for very long sessions (potentially all day) without fatigue. Also, the unprecedentedly low distortion means that fine details of the mix and individual tracks are much easier to hear. The other reason is the tuning is much more natural without the high-frequency boost that most headphones have. This means that mixes will translate much better from system-to-system. The old rule of mixing is never do it with headphones. HF-boosted headphones usually result in mixes that have too much bass or low-mids. With NightHawk you end up with much more balanced-sounding mixes once you start taking them around to other systems...cars, boomboxes, laptops, earbuds, proper loudspeakers, etc. We have gotten a ton of feedback from producers and audio engineers who are now using NightHawks as critical studio tools for these reasons.
Completely agree. Refreshing to see someone so articulate and excited about what they sell. Hope these make it to Australia as I would love to try them out based on looks and engineering alone!
Skylar is great at what he does. Just picked up the Nighthowls and I was very impressed to a point I sold my other headphones. Also ordered the nighthawk carbon. Got a nice deal on it.
Very interesting, what a beautiful set of headphones
I like that the drivers themselves have a rubber surround like a regular speaker driver the Bowers and Wilkins P7 headphones which I really enjoy a lot. Most (not all, of course) headphones simply have a Mylar driver that is required to flex around the edges rather than having a surround to allow it to act like a piston. I can't wait to get my hands on a pair of these. The AQ NightHawks look gorgeous!
FYI: The stated price of $699 is incorrect. We were very happy to announce at CES that NightHawk will have a retail price of $599 USD / $599 EUR / $499 GBP.
Stephen Mejias
AudioQuest, VP Communications
Reassuring to see them put that amount of thought into every part of the construction, including the dampening material.
Tyll, please review these. I listened to a pair today and they sounded good to my untrained ear. I would love to see if they can make the wall?
Odd stuff with that butterfly diffusion geometry, like what's it supposed to do? Silence background noices?
I live these guys approach, focus on engineering rather than relying on expensive and rare materials for sound quality. I'm definitely interesed in their headphones as an upgrade.
Some interesting things were said.
I agree with everyone, this guy knows his stuff! :)
Just saw this video now. I am looking to treat myself to new headphones in this price-range. I am curious if anyone had a chance to compare these to the new Audeze EL8 planar magnetic (I think also introduced at CES and now on sale), which cost only $100 more, which, is this price-range does not make much of a difference. Would you still recommend paying $600 for a dynamic-driven headphone like here when you can get a planar magnetic from Audeze for $100 more? I imagine Audeze sound more transparent?
Any idea of the price/release date? :P
As tempting as these headphones seem to me, given my penchant for smooth laid back cans, I just can't get over my philosophical differences with the AudioQuest company regarding their marketing/selling of cables such as this $2,700. HDMI cable:
amzn.to/1MeX5fz
I cannot bring myself to trust their engineering nor the brand since anyone understanding how HDMI works would realize just how ridiculous and dishonest that product is...
phototristan would love to see you review the new zmf headphones. One of them uses the same type of driver. Also Zac seems like a guy with alot of integrity. No BS.
interesting headphones, I'd like a review on those because some stuff he said about the drivers and the 3D printed membrane sound a bit like snake oil, but maybe it works and there is a difference.
If these babies get good reviews and are reasonably priced (~500€) then maybe they will be my first high end HP
love them
MDF?
Heard them at last. Congested and instantly off-putting. I was a little stunned at how unimpressive they sounded, actually, given all the R&D bragging and Audioquest gambling its name on the design. Source was Bel Canto equipment. Next up were Mr Speakers Ethers which made the Nighthawks easy to forget, even if they too had their drawbacks (brightness).
No offense but comparing a 600 dollar headphone against a 1500 dollar one hardly seems like apples to apples.
I haven't tried these, but the NightOwl doesn't measure good nor sound good. And don't get me started on the 150 Hrs break-in recommended by the manufacturer! Red-flag right there!