RCF has entered the headphone market with the launch of its ‘Iconica by RCF’ series, introduced during the Prolight+Sound 2015 show in Germany. The new headphone series, so far composed by a single model available in “angel white” or “pepper black”, surprised those who had the chance to view them in Frankfurt with its carefully designed materials and overall presentation.
But coming from a respected Italian loudspeaker manufacturer such as RCF the sound-quality of the Iconica headphones will be the main feature to have in mind. Interestingly, RCF promotes the ‘Iconica by RCF’ series as part of its “Recording” range of products, where we can also find the Ayra line of active studio monitors and the exquisite Mytho reference studio monitors, combining the quality and reliability of RCF precision transducers with the latest development in digital amplification technology and acoustic design.
And that’s precisely where RCF intends to position this new product category for the brand, drawing on seven decades of experience in engineering high-grade transducers. Key features of the over-ear Iconica headphones include an extended LF response and impressive noise cancellation for a supra-aural design. RCF also explains that the Iconica where designed to deliver an extremely linear frequency response, including extended bass, but without compromising on accuracy.The new headphones are over-ear closed type, using an RCF designed 40mm neodymium magnet dynamic driver with a copper coated aluminum voice coil. Frequency response is rated from 20Hz to 20KHz with 16 ohm impedance and a 102dB /1mW sensitivity.
The ‘Iconica by RCF’ series was also designed both for accurate DJ monitoring at the highest level of electronic dance music (EDM), as well as being sold as a lifestyle product, making it ideal for use with smartphones, media players or laptops. Featuring comfortable cushioned leather ear cups, the headphones also feature an extendable plastic and leather headband, while the 16-ohm impedance maximizes the loud but also accurate sound from the purpose-engineered transducers.To produce Iconica, RCF cooperated with one of the world’s leading DJ/producers, Benny Benassi, who hails from RCF’s home town of Reggio Emilia. Someone who, according to RCF “knows better than ever how a successful electro DJ wants to hear music through his cans, and provided valuable design input.”
According to product manager, Sandro Chinellato, “RCF has built its reputation on producing cutting edge systems for theaters, stadiums and high level touring, and so our mission was to condense the full fat sound of a major concert or DJ mix into the microcosm of a headset, while maintaining distortion free, hi-fi transparency. In other words it is designed to deliver the sound of the stage right to your ear.”“We set out clear design criteria as to how we could deliver high grade/high volume DJ reference monitoring, with precise low frequencies. It included defining the correct audio response, as pressing the loudspeaker close to the ears creates a micro ambient, and noise cancellation. It also had to reach a sensitive price point.”
Iconica headphones are also marked by distinctive design features. The black model is trimmed with titanium colored metal on the powerful cup swivel joint, enabling each can to pivot on and off the ear, while the white version replaces the titanium finish with silver. Both models come in a plastic carry pack with internal pouch to hold a choice of coiled cable and smart phone with volume control setting, terminated with 3.5mm mini jack. A 6.3mm (1/4”) jack is also provided.
www.rcf.it/products/recording-headphones/iconica-headphones
www.iconicaheadphones.it
