Toniolo Dimitri from Mad For Music (Milano) always discovers something interesting and intriguing. On my last visit to Italy, he told me to just take and listen to the Crosszone CT-1 headphones from Japan and make my own opinion. Not only CT-1 offers one of the best stress-free head fit (with my glasses on), but also an instantly captivating out-of-the-head sonic projection not really expect from the closed headphone design…
“Crosszone’s CZ-1 is a unique headphone that achieves the External Sound Localization effect with an original technology. Different from conventional headphones that have a problem known as internal sound localization (in which the sound sources seems to be located inside the head), the CZ-1 uses Acoustic Resonance Technology (ART) and Acoustic Delay Chambers (ADC) to achieve this natural and spatial sound field. It simulates the experience and sound pathway listening with stereo speakers.
Three different pathways are created using ART and ADC technology. Two drivers (for high and low frequencies) create the direct sound. Another 40mm driver creates the reverse channel sound. The two air chambers for mainly the reflected and reverse sounds are used to create this delay. Sounds from the reverse and reflected chamber are mixed with the direct sounds, which generates a spatial sound field and a wide sound stage (external sound localization).”