Austrian Audio The Composer Headphone Review

SOUNDSTAGE & IMAGING

The soundstage on the Composer headphones is exceptionally wide: just what to expect out of an open-back headphone. It is narrower than I was expecting. There was a noticeable screen on the left and right sides where the sound did not travel. Still, despite this horizontal limitation, the depth of the soundstage was far more impressive. The layers didn't stack upwards, but instead outwards. You were able to get very good detail in the layers in a flat and controlled presentation. 

The imaging accuracy needs to be applauded in the Composer. I was thoroughly entertained by the pinpoint accuracy of the instruments in any track. Noticing this quality made me realize why this is often sought after as an endgame engineering headphone. The accuracy of the stereo field placement paired with excellent, natural sound reproduction makes the Composer an easy answer to those looking for a high-end neutral headphone. 

The Full Score One proves itself to be a great matchup for the Composer. With the True Transient Technology (TTT) filter on, you get more transients passing through to your cans. You can truly get the most out of the headphones and uncover the most hidden details. 

BASS FREQUENCIES

In the Composer, the bass is defined by its punchiness and clarity. It isn't booming in the sound signature; instead, it stays subtle and just present enough to support the other frequencies and not overpowering anything by a large amount. Instead, it is controlled and driving, coming out as a steady baseline in any genre. 

I really liked the tonality behind all the bass tones. The sub bass wasn't the most rumbly or tactile experience you may get out of some other headphones, but the ultra-low end still delivers in a subtle and impactful way. The coloration and textures in the low end didn't get washed out or overly thick; instead, you get a good balance between drive and detail. 

MIDRANGE FREQUENCIES

In this range, you get to see the best of the Composer. I thoroughly enjoyed the precision and accuracy of the instrumentation in this range, highlighting everything from acoustic guitars to layers of a drum kit. The midrange came slightly forward to create the small V-shaped signature of the headphone, but it still sat nicely and evenly with the other frequencies. 

With the natural sound reproduction that comes out here, I can see why people use this as a mixing headphone. You get forward vocals that sound clean and natural without having to do the external work on the back end. The midrange tends to be the busiest of the frequency ranges, but you still have excellent layers that expand backwards for good depth. The layers have decent flow and smoothly transition from one range to the next. 

TREBLE FREQUENCIES

At the very top end, you get a well-balanced, resolving sound. The low end is powerful and definitely has a thick character, an  the top end comes in to balance that out with airy brightness to smooth the whole signature over. High treble notes are handled with grace and have space to roll off naturally, with no awkward or compressed cut-off.

Spatial sound becomes most noticeable in the Composer in the treble frequencies. You can hear how reverbs and tail ends of vocals ring out effortlessly and get the same level of attention from start to finish. Orchestral arrangements were a favorite of mine to listen to wearing these, as I could appreciate the pinpoint accuracy of instrumental placement and hear the room they played in just as much as the composition itself. 

The Austrian Audio Composer is certainly a headphone for the analytical listener in mind. If you're looking for something with high musicality and dynamic punchiness, this may not be the headphone for you. However, the professional audio workers and analytical listeners will definitely appreciate the attention to detail and neutral sound this headphone can provide. Paired with the Full Score One, audiophiles can consider this to be a great setup to last. 

The Austrian Audio Composer is available at Audio46.