Furutech/ADL reveals the H128 headphone: signature smoothness with added ‘punch’
ADL (Alpha Design Labs), sister brand of Tokyo-based Furutech, unveils its second headphone, taking the smoothness and balance of the existing H118 and adding vividly increased dynamics.
“With these, our latest breakthrough headphones, we decided to take the performance of our now classic H118 headphones one step further,” said ADL. “We wanted to retain the H118’s smooth, well-balanced sound which has captivated so many headphone enthusiasts, but we also wanted to improve dynamics and recreate the same ‘punch’ that you hear during live performances – a lofty goal for a pair of headphones.”
To accomplish this, the brand’s engineers designed and developed a completely new driver from scratch in collaboration with colleagues at parent company Furutech and with input from an external team of renowned Japanese audio experts.
The H128 is a dynamic closed-back circumaural headphone. Its tailor-made diaphragms offer both high noise attenuation and low distortion, and feature high quality PEEK film with a specially designed surface selected for extraordinary performance. Furutech’s ‘Pure Transmission’ technologies abound: 40mm highresolution extra-large high-flux neodymium drivers magnets; an aligning ring engineered to ensure phase coherence in ultra-high frequencies; rhodium-plated mini XLR sockets; all-OCC internal wiring, and excellent transient response from extremely lightweight coils made with copper-coated special aluminium alloy wire.
All of the drivers’ metal parts are ‘Alpha-Process’ treated1 , a low-temperature twostage cryogenic and anti-magnetic process that significantly improves every facet of audio performance.
The H128 also features Alpha Triform Contour EarcupsTM which are specially designed for a superior seal over the ears, improving bass response over other designs. The Triform Contour also reduces internal standing waves and reflections for reduced distortion.
Included in the ADL H128 package are two Furutech headphone cables. Pair the H128 with ADL’s award-wining GT40α (Alpha) USB DAC/preamplifier, their A1 or X1 portable headphone amplifier, or any other high quality headphone playback system to experience a new dynamic intimacy with your music.
ADL H128 features at a glance
Dynamic closed-back circumaural headphones.
Furutech-designed high noise attenuation and low distortion tailor-made diaphragms featuring PEEK film with a unique surface design for optimal sound reproduction.
40mm extra-large high-flux Alpha-Process1 treated magnet.
Ring between voice-coil and diaphragm keeps ultra-high-frequencies in phase.
Sturdy vibration damping aluminum headband.
Excellent transient response from extremely light-weight coils of copper-coated special aluminum alloy wire.
High quality Furutech Alpha-Process1 treated OCC internal wiring.
Furutech rhodium-plated Alpha-Process1 treated mini-XLR socket.
Included in package:
o 3.0 m headphone cable & F63(G) gold-plated 1/8” (3.5 mm) to 1/4” (6.3 mm) adapter.
o 1.3 m iHP-35X high performance Alpha-Process1 treated OCC
headphone cable terminated with Furutech mini XLR and FT-735 3.5 mm stereo connector.
Available in three stylish colours: silver-black, silver-brown and dark blue.
1 Furutech’s Two-Step Alpha Cryogenic and Demagnetizing Process
Using cutting-edge technology and materials, Furutech’s Alpha-Process is a twostage procedure of (i) deep, conditioning cryogenic freezing of metal parts to relieve internal stress, enhance molecular bonding, increase stability and improve electrical conductivity, followed by (ii) a patented ring demagnetization treatment of the same parts which uses controlled attenuation to completely eliminate magnetization.
Almost metallic parts used in Furutech products go through the Alpha-Process to ensure that they are in a perfect stress-free, stable and highly conductive state.
H128 headphone technical specifications
Design Dynamic closed-back
Driver 40mm diameter special high-flux magnet
Sensitivity 98 db SPL (1 mW) @ 1 kHz
Frequency response 20 Hz ~ 20 kHz
Input power 200 mW maximum
Rated impedance 68 Ω @ 1 kHz
Ear pad Leatherette
Head band pressure Approximately 4.5 N
Connector Non-magnetic rhodium-plated stereo Alpha-Process1 miniXLR socket
Weight 280 g (approx.) without cable, 320 g (approx.) with cable
Pricing & availability
The ADL H128 headphone is available now priced at £295 (including VAT).
Available in three stylish colours: silver-black, silver-brown and dark blue.
About ADL (Alpha Design Labs)
ADL (Alpha Design Labs) is proud of its worldwide reputation for designing innovative products that are exceptional in their portability, user interface and sonic performance. Originally launched as an entry-level sub-brand for Tokyo-based Furutech, ADL has now evolved into a genuine leader in cutting-edge technology with its current range of headphones, portable headphone amplifiers, DACs and cables.
Using Furutech’s Pure Transmission Technology as the foundation for its carefully engineered products, ADL has achieved a level of performance that has been previously unavailable at this price point. Pure Transmission Technology focuses on one objective: to deliver a pure sound that is preserved throughout the entire signal chain, vastly improving its quality.
