Today I am sharing my thoughts on Athena, a new full-size semi-open back headphone from HarmonicDyne. Athena features 50 mm Metal-Ceramic Composite Drivers, an M-shaped Side Venting System for improved airflow, studio-grade tuning, and a de-attachable custom coaxial OCC cable.
The Athena headphones come packaged in an attractive, large, blue hard cardboard box with the company’s name on the front and technical specifications on the back.
In the box:
- HarmonicDyne Athena headphones
- 1.5m long de-detachable cable
- 3.5 mm to 6.3 mm adapter
- Souvenir coin with a serial number
- Storage bag
- and a user manual
The impedance of HarmonicDyne Athena is 34 Ω, and the sensitivity is 116 dB. The headphones weigh 320 g without cable.
Disclaimer: No one paid me to make this review or offer any specific opinions about this product, and all thoughts expressed in this review are solely my own.
Design & build
The HarmonicDyne Athena headphones look great. The build is mostly plastic, but the plastic doesn’t feel cheap. The outer part of the headband is made from steel spring and it’s covered with hard textured plastic. It also has two transparent acrylic or plexiglass inserts on both sides.
The inner part of the headband is padded and wrapped in a fabric. The padding on the inner headband is good and it comfortably sits on your head The headband is quite ergonomic and distributes the weight of the headphones well. The clamping force is below average, but it still provides a good fit and seal
The yokes that attach the headband to the cups are made from plastic that slides along the metal part of the headband. Yokes also have transparent acrylic inserts on both sides. To adjust the headband, you simply move each yoke along the steel part of the headband up or down. The mechanism works well and has a well-defined click.
There are also small rubberized platforms on the both yokes, that prevent ear cups plastic from hitting the yokes. The ear cups are plastic too and also have transparent acrylic inserts. Both ear cups have a branding underneath the acrylic.
Ear cups
The ear cups horizontally swivel 90 degrees outside and have about 15 degrees swivel inside. Vertically the ear cups rotate 30 degrees inwards, but almost with no rotation outwards.
Each ear cup has 7 vent holes along the outer ring of the ear cup. In comparison the top 3 vents are larger than button 4 vents and all vents have a metal mesh installed. On the bottom part of each ear cup there is a 3.5 mm connector socket.
The HarmonicDyne Athena come with hybrid memory foam ear pads and they have a circular shape. The opening of the ear pads, on the other hand, is almost square. The ear pads are 100 mm in diameter. The opening of the ear pad is 65 mm in height and 45 mm across. The depth of the ear pads is 23 mm.
The ear pads are surprisingly soft and comfortable. They are mostly made out of velour, with the inner ring that is made from a perforated pleather. The cups host 50 mm Metal-Ceramic Composite Dynamic Drivers, which are protected with fabric filters.
While the build quality is generally acceptable, the choice of materials used in construction leaves some room for improvement.
Fit & comfort
Weighing 320 grams without the cable, the HarmonicDyne Athena feel surprisingly light on the head. With a well-designed headband and gentle clamping force, they offer a comfortable fit and a good seal, ideal for long studio sessions. Additionally, the hybrid memory foam ear pads, made mostly of velour with perforated pleather in the inner ring, provide a plush and comfortable feel.
Even if you have a big head, the size and shape of the headband should not be a problem. Considering the fact, that this pair of headphones is intended for long studio sessions, the headband clamping force combined with excellent ear pads makes this pair very comfortable for this task.
Cable
The HarmonicDyne Athena comes with 1 de-attachable custom coaxial OCC cable that is 1.5 meters long. From one end it has a straight 3.5mm TRS connector and on the other end, it has two 3.5 TRS connectors.
The connectors sit in the ear cup sockets snugly and they have a well-defined click upon connection.
The cable that comes with headphones is, in my opinion, one of the best stock cables I’ve seen so far in this price range. It’s thick, has a tidy braid, massive connectors, and almost no microphonics.
HarmonicDyne Athena sound overview
Please note that all the sound impressions I’m sharing on this channel are completely subjective, so please take them with a grain of salt. The Athena’s impedance of 34 ohms so you can drive it effortlessly with most devices, including portable ones.
The HarmonicDyne Athena has a well-tuned, linear bass response that impressively maintains control without becoming overwhelming. The bass extends well into the sub-bass region, providing a satisfying rumble when required. EQ adjustments revealed the driver’s capabilities, allowing for a responsive and precise low-end reproduction.
A standout feature of the HarmonicDyne Athena is their organic, lush, and relaxed midrange. The HarmonicDyne Athena stands out for its organic, lush, and relaxed midrange, rendering vocals and instruments with exceptional clarity and detail, without any bleeding from the bass frequencies. The mid-tones possess a solid body and ample note weight, contributing to a rich and engaging listening experience.
The refined and detailed treble exhibits good extension and definition, without ever sounding harsh or intrusive. Although the upper treble is recessed slightly, the headphones retain a pleasant sense of smoothness and sparkle. The excellent retrieval of details and micro-details further enhances the overall listening experience.
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Sound stage, imaging, and details
The Athena headphones excel in soundstage and imaging, offering a wide and deep presentation with ample spaciousness. The semi-open back design contributes significantly to the open and airy soundstage, which accurately conveys a sense of distance between instruments. Imaging is precise, with each instrument positioned accurately in the mix. The headphones’ ability to reproduce intricate details and micro-details adds depth and dimension to the overall sound.
Conclusions
The HarmonicDyne Athena is a good pair of reference-grade headphones with an affordable price tag. With a focus on studio-grade tuning, excellent comfort, and a top-quality stock cable, the Athena delivers a highly enjoyable sound experience. The headphones strike a balance between a dry and coherent sound presentation, appealing to studio professionals and audiophiles alike.
Pros
- Natural and coherent sound presentation
- Smooth and detailed bass
- Organic and lush midrange
- Refined and relaxed treble
- Wide and spacious soundstage
- Great fit and excellent comfort
- High-quality stock detachable cable
- Easy to drive
Cons
- Over-reliance on plastic in the build
- Slightly recessed upper treble
- Bass quantity may not suit all preferences
In summary, the HarmonicDyne Athena is a great pair of headphones that excels in reference-grade tuning, comfort, and soundstage. With a price point below $200, these headphones offer an exceptional listening experience for users seeking a balanced sound signature, linear bass, and excellent instrument separation. I recommend the Athena to anyone in search of high-quality studio closed-back headphones within this price range.
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