As we celebrated our 60th Anniversary last year, we sat down with the engineers who developed our limited-edition 60th Anniversary products, including the AT-MC2022 Cartridge, ATH-W2022 Wooden Headphones, ATH-WB2022 Wireless Wooden Headphones, AT-LP2022 Turntable, and the AT-SB2022 Sound Burger Portable Turntable .
In the interview transcribed below, Audio-Technica’s Shiwaku, Nakako, Mizoguchi, Koizumi, Morimoto, and Yura reveal not only the process of developing these products but the inspiration behind them as well. Learn more about our development of – and commitment to – analog audio from the engineers themselves.
Audio-Technica 60th Anniversary Product Engineers
What inspired you to create this range of products to commemorate 60 years of Audio-Technica?
Shiwaku (W2022 engineer): As a Japanese company, our concept was to create products that incorporate the history of Japan. We also aimed for "original sound reproduction," delivering sound in a pure and natural way, a true reflection of the original recording.
ATH-W2022 Limited Edition Closed-Back Dynamic Wooden Headphones
Nakako (WB2022 planner): Because this is a special commemorative product that marks the 60th anniversary, we wanted to create a one-of-a-kind product that would offer high-end sound both via a wired and wireless connection. We also wanted to add elements of luxury, both for the sound – with its unique electrical and acoustic properties – and in the design of the headphones.
ATH-WB2022 Limited Edition Wireless Wooden Headphones
Mizoguchi (MC2022 engineer): This product is the perfect celebration of our 60th anniversary, as it respects our traditions and showcases the culmination of our technological expertise.
AT-LP2022 Limited Fully Manual Belt-Drive Turntable
Koizumi (LP2022 engineer): We were inspired by the term "diamond jubilee," with the diamond symbolizing our 60th year, while also playing a fundamental role in cartridge technology. We developed a transparent turntable that celebrates the beauty of analog design and provides a superior listening experience.
What were the key points you focused on in the development of the product?
Shiwaku (W2022 engineer): The Echizen lacquer housing is decorated with traditional Japanese Sakura (cherry blossoms) and Hou-ou (phoenix) in maki-e lacquer, hand-painted to gradually add layers of color and light. The headband is made of leather tanned using the ancient Jomon-tanning method, which has never been used before on our headphones. We also used Kiso cypress, which is used at Ise Shrine, and paulownia wood for the storage case, as phoenixes are said to descend from Odogiri.
Morimoto (WB2022 engineer): We selected components that would enable us to push the limits of wireless audio, from the DAC selection and operational amplifiers to the battery performance.
AT-MC2022 Dual Moving Coil Stereo Cartridge
Mizoguchi (MC2022 engineer): We were able to achieve a unified one-piece structure for the stylus tip and cantilever by adapting a lab-grown diamond. The aesthetics were also important, such as the golden coloring, that reflects the pride and celebration of achieving 60 years of analog audio.
Yura (LP2022 engineer): Â The "transparency" of the diamond is expressed by carefully polishing the highly transparent acrylic plate, and the "solidity" of the diamond is expressed by the
striking shape with a sense of high-end style. The few components of the turntable that aren’t transparent are colored black or silver to give it an appearance reminiscent of jewelry.
Why did Audio-Technica bring back the Sound Burger?
AT-SB2022 Sound Burger Limited Edition Portable Turntable
Audio-Technica Fukui Development Team (ATF): As we looked back on our 60th anniversary we wanted to give the iconic Sound Burger a new life, as it became a cult classic after dominating the market 40 years ago. We’ve taken the original design and added the latest technology to offer a new, casual, analog experience to customers of all ages.
The Sound Burger must have been very difficult to develop?
ATF: The first-generation product is 40 years old, and we had no concept drawings or designs remaining, so we had to start development by studying physical models of the original Sound Burger. Fortunately, the Sound Burger developers are still with the company, so we were able to interview them about their hardships, which was a very different development process from that used for ordinary products. I believe that this product is the result of the wisdom and hard work of a multi-generational project team.
To learn more about our passion for accessible high-quality audio, check out Audio-Technica’s full story.
.webp)
