The open-back dynamic headphones ‘The Composer’ are a passionate tribute to music, crafted by the Austrians with the same artistry as a Strauss waltz.
I confess I didn't know Austrian Audio. But I am familiar with AKG, famous for its professional microphones and headphones, where Austrian Audio’s top engineers were trained.
My colleagues at the EISA Hi-Fi Expert Group piqued my interest in Austrian Audio's "The Composer" headphones by voting them for the "High-End Headphones 2024-2025" Award, just as I would have if I had received the test sample in due time.
Sound&Pixel, which distributes the brand in Portugal and Spain, kindly sent me a sample to test, accompanied by 'The Full Score' headphone amplifier.
Before the usual technical description, allow me to open with a 'soundbite' that defines The Composer in a few words: The Composer are the only dynamic headphones I’ve heard that sound like planar-magnetics. There, I've said it.
The Composer are the only dynamic headphones I’ve heard that sound like planar-magnetics.
Summer is the worst season for testing headphones and valve amplifiers, with 40º C outside. But I run for pleasure, so with a lot of sweat and little inspiration here goes.
'The Composer', a gift from Austria to all the music lovers.
A symphony for the ears: The Composer Headphones by Austrian Audio
In the ever-evolving world of high-fidelity audio, a piece of equipment occasionally comes along that doesn't just play music—it becomes an integral part of the music itself, transporting the listener to the grandeur of a live performance while preserving the intimacy of a solitary listening experience.
Austrian Audio's The Composer headphones are an aural masterpiece that elevates the listening experience to an art form. They deliver the weight, balance, precision, and emotional resonance of an entire orchestra while weighing only 385 g.
Upon first glance, The Composer may appear too simple with its minimalist design, especially given its high price tag of €2,490. However, this is deceptive. It is a product of sophisticated engineering born in the heart of Vienna, the city of music. Although relatively unknown in the market, Austrian Audio swiftly established itself as a name synonymous with excellence. And The Composer is proof enough of Austrian Audio's unwavering commitment to the purity of sound.
Headband adjustment rail (left) and vertical adjustment of the earcups with four positions (red dot).
A Union of Form and Function
The design is as elegant as it is functional. It uses a mix of metal and rigid plastic, which keeps the weight low. For better breathing, the leather and fabric mesh headband rests on the head on just two thin foam contact strips, reducing heat on hot summer days.
At the touch of a button, the headband-fixing slider runs on a rail mounted on the outer clamping spring. The track could be a little longer to make adapting to different head shapes easier. I don't consider myself 'big-headed', yet I have reached the adjustment limit. On the other hand, smaller heads will also struggle to find the right fit.
The open-back earpieces contain 49mm drivers with a diamond profile and carbon coating, which are protected with a metal mesh. A sturdy plastic ring that also accommodates the cable plugs supports the earpieces. A fork, emblazoned with the brand's logo in white, connects the earpieces to a freely rotating pivot, ensuring excellent lateral fit. Additionally, the new and highly practical four-position vertical adjustment enhances comfort and usability.
The oval or elliptical-shaped ear pads, often called 'racetrack' types, are generously sized to enclose the ears fully, which I always prefer for optimal isolation and natural bass reproduction.
The soft foam cushions are covered in velvety synthetic leather, offering a smooth and highly comfortable fit, allowing for extended listening sessions without discomfort.
However, synthetic leather may degrade over time. Thoughtfully, the ear pads are magnetically attached, making them easy to remove and replace. The channels are clearly marked inside the earpieces, with large 'R' and 'L' letters printed on the protective foam, ensuring easy identification. And also contribute to the voicing.
Note: I also experimented successfully with various types and thicknesses of foam to 'tune' my Hifiman HE1000 planar-magnetic.
Like the Ford T, you can choose the colour you like best, as long as it's black. Only the vertical adjustment slider and the stitching on the headband are red, creating an exquisite contrast.
But, as any audiophile knows, aesthetics and comfort are only part of the equation. The true measure of a headphone's worth lies in its ability to reproduce sound with fidelity and nuance, and here, The Composer excel remarkably.
Hands-On
The Composer comes with an array of cables, including the much-anticipated Pentaconn 4.4mm termination. At last, they are also supplied by a caring brand. This made it easy to connect them to all the amplifiers I had on hand: the iFi Audio Diablo 2 (6.3mm + Pentaconn 4.4mm adapter), the Ferrum Oor (XLR), and, as a nod to their heritage, the Austrian Audio First Score dedicated amplifier (XLR + Pentaconn). I also tried it with the compact iFi GO Bar Kensei (Pentaconn 4.4mm) for a bit of fun.
With an impedance of 22 ohms and a sensitivity of 112dB, none of these amplifiers, including the diminutive Kensei, had any difficulty driving The Composer. However, the best sound was achieved with the Ferrum Hypsos + Wandla GoldenSound + Oor trio (XLR). This combination delivered a level of performance that truly showcased what these headphones are capable of.
As with all open-back headphones, listening isn’t entirely private—the sound, except for the bass frequencies, tends to escape through the grille. Likewise, some ambient noise seeps in, as The Composer doesn’t feature any digital noise reduction circuit. But you only realise what you’ve been missing when you put them on.
The channels are clearly marked inside the earpieces, with large 'R' and 'L' letters printed on the protective foam.
A Sonic Masterpiece
'The Composer' transports you into a world of soundscapes rich in detail and depth from the moment you press play. The wide and expansive soundstage places you at the centre of the performance, with instruments and voices arranged with millimetre precision around you. It’s as if the headphones dissolve, leaving you completely immersed in the music itself.
It’s as if the headphones dissolve, leaving you completely immersed in the music itself.
The bass response is firm and controlled, providing a solid foundation without overpowering the mid-frequency, where The Composer truly excels. Voices are reproduced with clarity and warmth, capturing every nuance, from the subtle breath before a note is sung to the delicate vibrato that adds emotional depth— all without introducing harshness or sibilance. I've only encountered this level of detail with planar-magnetic headphones.
I've only encountered this level of detail with planar-magnetic headphones.
Clear, sparkling highs seem to hover above the mix, adding air and space without ever becoming fatiguing. However, this might be the only shift from neutrality—I would have preferred a touch less brightness here, as the upper mid-range already offers ample clarity. Even so, I wasn’t tempted to use equalisation, fearing it might diminish the inexhaustible wealth of information and detail, including the immediate exposure of poor-quality recordings, which could easily be mistaken for distortion. Yet, I enjoyed listening to them straight out of the box. The sound is never sterile; on the contrary, it’s always full of life.
The ability to maintain this balance across all musical genres truly sets 'The Composer' apart. Whether you’re relishing the lush harmonies of a Mahler symphony, the intricate improvisations of a jazz quartet, or the pulsating rhythms of electronic music, these headphones handle each with elegance and assurance. They convey the true colours of the music without adding their own.
Mozart was probably the 'Composer' who inspired the name. But I understand that Austrian Audio chose not to specify, as they perform equally well with Beethoven, Mahler, or Wagner; Coltrane or Dylan; Brel or the Beatles. You can assign the name that best resonates with you. And why not Strauss?
'The Composer' are, undoubtedly, a reference in their segment, and they stand out as the best tonally balanced open-back dynamic headphones I've heard in their category under €3,000.