New kit from Audio-Technica

Fancy a new set of bargain cans or a really rather costly vocals mic? Audio Technica has both!

Being introduced at the Pro Light & Sound event this month, the company’s rolling out headphones snappily labelled the ATH-M20x, ATH-M30x and ATH-M40x. They’re the little sisters or brothers to the ATH-M50x would you believe it.

There’s talk of 40mm drivers and rare earth magnets (?) but we suspect the key information is the price:

• ATH-M20x: £49 inc VAT/€49 ex VAT
• ATH-M30x: £69 inc VAT/€69 ex VAT
• ATH-M40x: £99 inc VAT/€99 ex VAT
• ATH-M50x: £169 inc VAT/€169 ex VAT

Meanwhile, at the cashtill-shaking end of the market, how do you fancy a new AT4060a tube microphone? Well you’ll need a cheque for £1599 inc VAT. Yes, you read that right.

The 4060a has a “warm, round vintage tone with a dynamic range that far exceeds that of other tube microphones” says Audio Technica. It also has a new power supply unit (yawn)

And if you thought rare earth metals in the headphones were exotic, wait until you read about the microphone’s “vapour-deposited gold diaphragms” which “undergo a five-step aging process”. Sounds like a fine wine or beer to us.

There’s more info at http://eu.audio-technica.com/en/news/index.php/new-audio-technica-mics-headphones-and-wireless-systems-make-first-appearance-at-prolight-sound-2014/