Austrian Audio's reference: transparency, space and Made in Austria construction
Austrian Audio The Composer is a high-end open-back over-ear headphone with a 49 mm Hi-X DLC-coated driver, 5 Hz-44 kHz response and a complete three-cable set.
The Composer is the reference model in the Austrian Audio hi-fi range, designed in Vienna for critical and immersive listening. Compared with The Arranger it increases driver size, treble extension, mechanical articulation and connectivity, culminating in Made in Austria production and a wooden presentation box.
Key features
- 49 mm Hi-X driver with DLC (Diamond Like Carbon) coated diaphragm.
- 22-ohm impedance and 112 dB sensitivity.
- 5 Hz to 44 kHz frequency response.
- THD below 0.1% at 1 kHz.
- Adjustable mesh headband to improve ventilation and comfort.
- Earcups tilt through four positions and contact parts are replaceable.
- Three detachable cables: 4-pin XLR, 4.4 mm Pentaconn and 3.5 mm Jack.
- Made in Austria and supplied in a wooden box.
49 mm Hi-X for maximum detail
The 49 mm Hi-X driver uses a DLC-coated diaphragm and is designed to combine fast impulses, precise bass and extended treble without losing control. Rated response reaches 44 kHz and distortion remains very low, directing The Composer towards listening where micro-detail, depth and accurate source placement take priority.
A different construction from The Arranger
The Composer is not simply a more expensive version of the 44 mm model: it uses a mesh headband to release heat, earcups adjustable and tiltable through four positions, and cable routing through the headband so cable weight does not pull on the ears. Its 385 g weight remains moderate for a headphone in this category.
Three cables and balanced connections
The supplied set includes three detachable cables: a 3 m balanced 4-pin XLR, a 1.4 m balanced 4.4 mm Pentaconn and a 3 m 3.5 mm Jack cable with 6.3 mm adaptor. The headphone-side connection uses the family's banana-style solution, allowing straightforward use with both balanced and unbalanced high-end electronics.
Comfort and long-term servicing
The earcups can be tilted and adjusted to fit the head, while wear components are designed to be replaceable. Its fully serviceable construction reduces the risk that worn pads or contact parts limit the useful life of a headphone intended to be maintained for many years.
Made in Austria and Viennese heritage
The Composer is engineered and manufactured in Vienna and is declared Made in Austria. Austrian Audio was founded in 2017 after the closure of the AKG Vienna offices, starting with 22 former AKG employees and more than 350 years of combined engineering experience: here that heritage translates into local design and manufacture.
The natural partner: Full Score One
Its 22-ohm impedance allows The Composer to work with different sources, but the design is also intended to benefit from dedicated amplification. Full Score One is the natural partner: a fully discrete headphone amplifier that can make full use of the included connections while preserving control over transients and dynamic contrasts.
Supplied accessories
Alongside the three cables and 6.3 mm adaptor, The Composer is supplied in a premium wooden box. Manufacturer dimensions are 215 x 200 x 90 mm and weight is 385 g without cable, consistent with a full-size headphone that prioritises robust adjustment, serviceability and high-end comfort.