Griffin WoodTones Over-The-Ear Headphones Preview

When you think of wood enclosures, you don't normally think of headphones. Maybe houses. Or books. But not headphones. Griffin is looking to change this with the introduction of their WoodTones Over-The-Ear headphones. A while back, Griffin released their WoodTones earbuds, and now they have followed up with an Over-The-Ear model. Sporting enclosures made from walnut, sapele, and beech, these headphones certainly stand out in a sea of black plastic and chrome.

The Griffin WoodTones Over-The-Ear headphones have 50 mm moving coil neodymium magnet drivers, large enough to dig pretty low. They also have a 32 ohm impedance, 108dB sensitivity, and a claimed frequency response of 20Hz to 20kHz. A detachable cable with a 3.5mm connection allows for convenient storage or the use of a longer cable. The cable has in-line controls with a mic for use with your iDevice or other smartphone (iDevices and Siri are mentioned specifically). The one-size-fits-all strap is adjustable and the earcups have a greater than 90 degree pivoting arc.

While spec's don't tell us much about sound quality, Griffin claims the hand turned and polished wood makes the difference. These particular varietals of wood, long associated with the creation of musical instruments, Griffin says will enhance the bass and vocals of the playback. From the website:

"Griffin WoodTones headphones impart warm overtones that accentuate the mid-range. Vocals come alive, and low frequency bass emerges without distorting harmonics or clarity-destroying echoes. You'll notice an improvement in sound volume, as well; you may find yourself listening at a lower volume level than usual, yet enjoying it more."

Now, all that can be done with the crossover as well, so it is nearly impossible for us to know if any differences are in fact because of the wood or just the design. We do like how the Griffin WoodTones Over-The-Ear headphones have a rectangular shape. This is sure to have a good fit and Griffin is saying that they put a lot of energy into making sure the cushions are plush and comfortable enough for long listening sessions.

Conclusion

If you are looking to stand out in a crowd (or from the crowd), the Griffin WoodTones Over-The-Ear headphones are for you. With hand-turned real wood enclosures, each pair will be unique. The 50 mm moving coil neodymium magnet drivers promise good sound quality, the plush cushions long listening sessions, and the in-line controls and mic all the convenience you could want. For $100, you have a lot of headphones to choose from. Not many have this quality of aesthetics.

For more information, please visit www.griffintechnology.com.

Unless otherwise indicated, this is a preview article for the featured product. A formal review may or may not follow in the future.