For years, producers, audio engineers and musicians have trusted our professional headphones to provide them with the sonic signature they need to get the job done. At the NAMM Show earlier this year, we introduced our first-ever professional in-ear headphone line – the E-Series. With the addition of this new line, we now offer a complete range of professional headphones: open-back, closed-back and in-ear. These E-Series headphones feature some fascinating technology, allowing them to pack a big punch with a small footprint. Read on as we take an in-depth look at the design of the E-Series. Push-Pull Design Our dual phase push-pull drivers will sound familiar to audiophiles, as push-pull speakers have been popular among audio professionals for many years. Most commonly seen in subwoofers, the design features two speakers mounted in a sealed or ported enclosure and wired out of phase. We’ve adopted this concept and incorporated it into our new ATH-E40 in-ear headphones. Two dynamic drivers are mounted facing one another, wired out of phase. They move simultaneously – as Driver 1 pushes air and moves forward, Driver 2 pulls in air and moves backward, hence the name “push-pull driver.” This design provides several advantages to listeners, including lower harmonic distortion, and increased output and power handling. Users will also enjoy tight, controlled bass, clear and even mid-range vocal frequencies, and accurate high-frequency response. The ATH-E40 in-ear headphones convey the full emotion of the music, perfect for performing musicians. Balanced Armature Design Our ATH-E50 and ATH-E70 professional in-ear models utilize a balanced armature design. The E50 features a single full-range, balanced armature driver, while the E70 features a triple-balanced armature driver. Now a mainstay in modern in-ear headphones, specialized balanced armature drivers originally gained popularity in hearing aids. Like dynamic drivers, a balanced armature driver also employs a voice coil. However, the coil in balanced armature transducers is in a fixed position just like the magnet. The armature itself is placed through the center of the coil and never comes in contact with the magnet. The armature is balanced at its center, allowing it to pivot and become the source of the driver’s vibration. The benefits of a balanced armature design include: improved transients, increased efficiency, and extremely detailed mid and high frequencies. The smaller driver size makes it possible to incorporate multiple drivers without increasing the size of the housing. The ATH-E50 provides consistent reference for mixing, making it the natural choice for producers on the road. Our flagship model, the ATH-E70, enables precise balancing of the mix, making it the perfect choice for monitoring on stage and mixing in the studio. Meticulously designed and built to satisfy the most demanding audio professionals, the E-Series is a welcome addition to our lineup of professional headphones. We can’t wait for A-T fans to experience these new models firsthand! Now that you’ve had a chance to take a closer look at the technology behind the E-Series, which pair will you be adding to your gear bag? Tell us in the comments below or tweet us @USAudioTechnica!