Austrian Audio is one of the newer players in the headphone space, having been founded in 2017 by veterans of AKG. Like AKG, Austrian Audio’s primary focus is on reference headphones for professional use in the $200-$500 range, but there’s always a good bit of crossover between excellent studio headphones and excellent audiophile headphones. Their flagship, Composer ($2699), is a perfect example of this balance, and one of my recent favorites. Their newest headphone, Arranger lands at $1299, in between Composer and the rest of their lineup, both in price and in tuning. Does Arranger fit in with audiophile headphones in its price range, or is it better suited for studios?
Build and Design
Arranger is an open back dynamic headphone, with a visual design that’s closer to Austrian Audio’s main lineup than Composer. The build and comfort didn’t impress me at first, but the design grew on me quite a bit with use. Arranger uses faux-suede earpads and headband cushions which are a little stiff at first, but break in nicely over time. While my first impression was that they weren’t particularly comfortable, I actually found them more comfortable the longer they were on my head. These aren’t a beautiful work of art either, but the more utilitarian design results in a durable functional headphone, with small details that really work. For example, the earcups look small at first glance, but there’s plenty of space for my large earlobes, and I get a nice all-around seal without any gaps.
Arranger includes a fairly minimal accessory package, with a single cable with a 2.5mm TRS connection to the headphones and a 3.5mm jack with a 6.3mm screw on adapter. The cable itself is a simple rubber wrapper cable which doesn’t indicate any particular unique blend of metals. In general, I’d like a little bit more in terms of cables and accessories at this price point, and I assume selling the case and additional cables separately is simply a cost-cutting measure for headphones made in Europe. However, one really strong point for Austrian Audio here is that the entire headphone is modular in design, and can be easily serviced and repaired if there are any breakages or failures in the future.
Sound
The best way I can think of to describe the core aspects of Arranger’s sound is “the other side of reference.” Where many reference leaning headphones designed for critical listening put all the energy and focus in the treble, and leave you with anemic, lower-than-accurate bass, Arranger provides the fundamentals in the treble while offering absolutely brilliant execution of the midrange through the low bass. For the treble sensitive folks out there who want headphones that’s not going to kill them in the upper end, but also isn’t going to be overly colored or accentuate the bass, this might be the one.
Bass is deep full and very textured with plenty of impact and physicality, while also being very much under control. This feels very much like a case of “you’re hearing it like the artist intended” with impact physicality and body being delivered exactly as it should be on the track.
Arranger’s midrange is another highlight, providing rich, natural instrumental timbre and clean layering. Arranger offers loads of detail and clarity with an extra helping of insight into each voice and instrument. Vocals feel up front, but never shouty or overbearing.
The treble feels pulled back slightly from many similar headphones, but Arranger still captures all the fundamentals and offers a nice sense of definition to each instrument and good upper extension. While I found that the treble gave me everything I needed, those who are less treble sensitive might find it to be just below their needs in the upper end.
Arranger’s soundstage and imaging presentation is one of the place where it feels the most like pro/reference/studio headphones to me. The soundstage feels natural and three-dimensional, but not particularly wide or deep, and the imaging is clear and precise, with a very “in the room” or “on the stage” feeling that’s vivid and clear but ultimately more intimate than expansive. There’s also a really strong sense of dynamics with these that helps the quiet passages – or even moments of silence – stand out in unique ways.
On “You Oughta Know” by Alanis Morissette, Arranger delivers a perfect balance of analysis and energy. Alanis’s vocals are very prominent in the mix, giving you front row seats to the performance, while the rest of the band is perfectly layered underneath. The bass guitar is another highlight, with Flea’s (that’s right, if you didn’t know, Flea from the Red Hot Chili Peppers played bass on this) nimble playing comes through with perfect articulation of every note, and the drums come in underneath it all, with plenty of energy and impact. Even with the aggressive vocals and hard hitting drums, there’s a very strong sense of control and refinement in the sound, where Arranger’s analytical edge shows through.
If you want to pick apart of every element of a sick groove, listen to Herbie Hancock’s “Watermelon Man” (the version on Headhunters) with Arranger. Where Hancock’s backing band delivers a masterclass in what a tight rhythm section should sound like, Arranger provides a masterclass in how to deliver impact and fun, while also letting you perfectly separate each element. Lean back in your chair and the bass guitar and drums blend together. Sit forward and listen a little harder, and each element is crystal clear and perfectly separated from the rest. Arranger also captures the percussive elements to Hancock’s playing, providing loads of texture in its delivery of the clavinet, along with the tactile feeling of the fingers against the keys.
The low bass at the start of Harry Styles’ “Aperture” highlights Arranger’s bass design, giving you texture to the sound that lesser headphones simply miss, and subbass depth that many audiophile headphones aren’t tuned to deliver. The layering of electronic elements is well-executed, with disparate sounds and glitches blending together nicely. When the vocals come in, Arranger delivers a clear, forward presentation, but the heavily processed nature of the recording can feel a little bit dull with Arranger’s upper mids and treble presentation. This is another spot, where Arranger feels like it’s technically delivering everything you need, but is just slightly off from expectations on the vocal delivery.
Comparison: Focal Clear MG
When you’re talking about headphones with audiophile and professional crossover made by European brands in the $1500 range, Focal Clear ($1599) comes to mind pretty quickly to me, and their current version, Clear MG ($1599), remains and excellent benchmark for dynamics driver headphones. So how does Arranger stack up?
In terms of the build, design, and packaging, Clear MG is a step up from Arranger. The included case and perceived quality at first glance are a step up. However, Arranger has better articulation, and ultimately felt more comfortable on my head for longer sessions than Clear MG. So Focal gets a point here for the packaging and presentation, but Arranger holds up better for me in more extended use.
In terms of sound, these are very close, and I’d say Clear MG aligns a bit more with audiophile expectations – especially when it comes to the soundstage and imaging presentation. Clear MG is wider and provides more space between instruments, but also feels a little more diffuse in its imaging, while Arranger is weightier and more tactile. Clear MGs’s vocals sound a bit more natural, though Arranger places them more forward in the mix. Where Arranger has a notable edge is in the bass, where it has better extension, texture, and impact.
The Bottom Line
Austrian Audio Arranger is a surprising headphone, which I at first didn’t appreciate because of how much my initial experience differed from Composer, but every aspect of the headphone, from the fit to the sound felt better with just a little bit of time. Often it seems like audiophiles chase headphones that give a big initial wow, even if they don’t have the staying power for your whole collection, and Arranger is a breath of fresh air, giving providing excellent sound quality, build, and comfort, with a design that only gets better the more you listen.
