Magnat Audio-Produkte GmbH · Lise-Meitner-Str. 9 · 50259 Pulheim · Germany · www.magnat-LZR.com

«... MAGNAT’S LZR 980 IS A REAL EYE-CATCHER AND AUDIO SPECIALIST THAT DELIVERS THE

MOST DEMANDING HIFI SOUND ...»

TOP CLASSRATING: 1+

Edition: CHISTMAS SPECIAL 2014

Magnat Audio-Produkte GmbH · Lise-Meitner-Str. 9 · 50259 Pulheim · Germany · www.magnat-LZR.com

SOUND & DESIGN IN PERFECT HARMONYHeadphones are a dime a dozen. But there are none like the Magnat LZR 980 designed by Pininfarina. Unlike most of sometimes oversized and overpriced bass clamshells, these headphones really have something to offer. Oh, and of course, they also look great ...Headphones have been experiencing a sort of renaissance as of late. You would think that Magnat coming to the table with its own product line is a little late. Not at all because when they do something at Magnat, it makes sense! There is a reason because if the company based in Pulheim brings a new product or even a new series to the market an entirely coherent package is required. With regard to headphones, this means maximum wear and ease of use, exclusive design, a fair price-performance ratio and last, but not least, the best possible sound quality. Therefore, a little development time is required because there is one thing you don‘t want Magnat to do – compromise. The results speak for themselves. At this year‘s IFA, the German soundsmith presented three brand new headphone series for different target groups with the flagship LZR 980 at the throne. Under the slogan „German Engineering meets Italian Design“, the German audio specialists by their own account offer an over-hear headphone with sound at the highest level and none other than the world-renowned design firm Pininfarina is responsible for its design.

Mythos PininfarinaUndoubtedly, the Italian label Pininfarina is today one of the world‘s most respected companies when it comes to the tasteful design of high-quality technology products. The history of the high-end manufacturer can be traced back to 1930. That was the year in which Battista Farina, or better „Pinin“ as Battista has been called since early childhood, founded the firm „Carrozzeria Pinin Farina“. It was a company that specialized exclusively in designing visually unprecedented vehicle bodies with high practical utility since the beginning. The timeless, elegant lines were very well received, quickly enjoying early success. Brands such as Ferrari, Maserati, Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Lancia and Jaguar quickly became aware of the emerging designer, whom they had design their latest cars. Other manufacturers quickly followed, from small beginnings making a global brand today, which is currently run by Battista‘s grandson Paolo with the name Pininfarina S.p.A. A brand of worldwide fame. No wonder that Pininfarina‘s services were also quickly in demand in other product areas. Good reasons why in the 2000s, the decision was made in a small town south of the Italian metropolis of Turin to also refine high-quality products and to give them more exclusivity. One of these products is Magnat‘s brand new LZR 980 headphones, whose look comes with great expectations.

Ergonomic, comfortable, stylishAs mentioned, when Magnet touches something, it does it right. That is confirmed when you open product packaging also designed by Pininfarina. The packaging quickly makes you curious and arouses anticipation. No wonder because the LZR 980 doesn‘t come in a simple box, but in a high-quality, elegant-looking and very substantial outer packaging. If you do away with its extensive slide case, the surprisingly heavy cover element can be lifted upwards, which is reminiscent of opening a jewelry box. Once that is accomplished, your view is inevitably drawn to an encased egg-shaped case, whose matte black textured finish reminds you of brushed anodized aluminum and that‘s where the LZR 980 rests. Why Magnat puts for such effort only becomes clear a few moments later as I remove the classy design piece just mentioned from the protective case. Circumaural high-performance headphones that according to the manufacturer sets new standards in terms of sound quality, ergonomics and elegance and its unique shape with a sculptured dynamic surface design are impressive. And that‘s no exaggeration because I‘m now holding elegant exclusive headphones of the highest quality. A model whose slightly contoured lines from the left ear cup to the headband to the right ear cup delivers a 100 percent clear and harmonious design that harmonizes perfectly with the materials used here. Based on an in-depth ergonomics study by Pininfarina, this is the perfect basis for the ergonomic design of the ear cups and maximum comfort. By the way, this gem is available with a matte black or elegant matte white rubber paint surface. Of course, I should also mention the mechanically perfect joint function that allows the LZR 980 to fold together to save space. In no way is the quality of the material inferior to the high design factor. The impressive proof is in the first touch of velvety suede upholstery padding that all components that come into contact with the wearer have (ear cups and on the inside of the headband). Perfectly crafted seams and the low weight of the LZR 980 round out the impressive overall image.

State-of-the-art technologyIn the world of entertainment electronics, Magnat has enjoyed an unmatched reputation throughout the world for more than four decades. Their reputation is based on cumulative knowledge and an incessant desire to continuously improve. These are prerequisites are at the forefront in developing any new product. Consequently, the same applies to the engineering and development of new headphone lines, especially that of the flagship LZR 980. By the way, the LZR label stands for „laser“. It‘s a designation that refers back to the laser measurements made of the drivers developed in vacuum chambers, a process that makes it possible to identify the most precise results and and ultimately serves as an ideal basis for perfecting of each oscillating system. In this case, this is called „Laser Tech Driver“. It‘s a chassis whose development is based on knowledge from making loudspeakers.

Magnat Audio-Produkte GmbH · Lise-Meitner-Str. 9 · 50259 Pulheim · Germany · www.magnat-LZR.com

It is described by Magnat as follows: The transfer of technology between our speakers and the new LZR headphones is Magnat‘s responsibility as the hifi specialist. Our best speaker technology is now used by the LZR headphones, albeit on a greatly reduced scale. Directly implemented: Unwanted sound reflections within the driver are minimized thanks to an acoustic foam damping element that is centrally mounted behind the cone.

Delicate pulse master„Comfortable, lightweight, just feels good,“ these are the first attributes that come to mind when I put on the LZR 980. Once on the head, they quickly settle in, but without any pressure or discomfort. On the contrary, because after the beautiful unit is quickly and easily adjusted to my personal preferences using the easily adjustable headband, it sits „like a glove“ on my head. Another particular feature then quickly becomes apparent. Instead of the wearer completely disconnecting from the outside world, the 980 finds the perfect balance of acoustic isolation for my tastes. Outside noises are minimized significantly, but not completely eliminated. For me and many music fans, that‘s a critical criterion when purchasing headphones because you primarily want to enjoy your own music, but also want to hear little something from your environment, keyword traffic. And that‘s exactly what happens. Now to the sound check because my test unit promises a lot in terms of sound. And this promise seems important because from the first moment, I can get used to the warm, well-balanced sound from the Magnat unit. The sound is pleasantly soft, gracefully transporting the atmosphere and feeling of the Cream classic „Strange Brew“. This is primarily thanks to the well-developed, slightly accented bass range that understand building volume without coming on too heavy. That‘s an invaluable advantage especially when the volume is low because while most closed competitive models deliver „little sound“ under these requirements, the 980 is impressive with lots of body and expression. What it‘s actually able to achieve in the bass range becomes apparent when switching to Daft Punk‘s „Something About Us“. This is a song whose urgency and volume quickly reaches the limits of some headphones. Not the case with the LZR 980 that obviously sees this song as a challenge, reproducing the song in a dynamic that goes directly into the blood and that inevitably draws the listener into the beat. But bass is not the entire story here. Despite its dynamics and agility, the Magnat beauty lacks neither resolution nor accuracy as I learned just a short time later with Dillon‘s „The Silence Kills“. In contrast to the track just played, it‘s not about volume and performance, but about expressiveness and atmosphere. Obviously, I‘ve selected a title that seems to approach the capabilities of my test unit because the acoustic space that is now opening up to me is simply impressive.

It‘s a space that portrays every inch of the very detailed broad stereo stage in a quality that you get from only a few headphones. Whether reproducing a voice of the Brazilian living in Berlin described as almost too fragile or depiction of the accompanying, sparingly used orchestra, every little detail is delivered consistently clean and realistic to the ear. The primary reason is most certainly the refined, perfectly staged and amazingly natural harmonic spectrum, which fortunately never seems annoying or intrusive. How good the balance is actually becomes clear after a sharp increase in volume. The 980 takes the level of power one step further with a lot of enthusiasm and an extra dose of momentum. At the same time, however, it always retains full control and sovereignty without losing even a touch of agility and sensitivity.

ConclusionIn introducing its flagship LZR 980 headphones, Magnat delivers well-crafted headphones of timeless elegance designed by Pininfarina. The material quality, optimum comfort and design that will remain contemporary for years to come make the headphones inspiring. But the best is yet to come because the over-ear headphones will stay at the top of their game and impress with fine detail, dynamics, volume and spatial representation like few others do.

In short: Magnat‘s LZR 980 is real eye-catcher and audio specialist that delivers hifi sound both in the most demanding stationary and mobile applications.