Review cover HarmonicDyne Athena Headphones (Hardware)
Official GBAtemp Review

Product Information:

Hifi audio and budget aren't two things that go hand-in-hand, yet that's exactly what these headphones promise.

attachFull366163

The HarmonicDyne Athena headphones are a pair of headphones that try to bring the audiophile experience, while also not destroying your wallet. These headphones are the latest addition to the HarmonicDyne lineup and have generated a lot of buzz among audio enthusiasts due to their impressive sound quality and affordable price point.

They feature a closed-back design which means when you put these on, it shuts out the rest of the world. With the Athenas, however, they have hardly any clamping force, and the earcups are comically large, so you kind of get this weird hybrid of closed-back sound, with an open-back experience. I'm not sure if that's intentional, or my head is too small for the headphones, but it wasn't super satisfying regardless. At the very least, they swivel, tilt, and are padded well enough to make up for it. 

The Athena headphones have 50mm dynamic drivers that deliver a frequency response range of 10Hz to 40kHz. You get some really solid performance out of these, especially when it comes to spatial sound. Every noise that comes out of these headphones is crisp, and they're impressive, especially when you consider that these retail for under $200. HarmonicDyne has managed to outperform more expensive headphones

attachFull366166

Review image Review image Review image 

As far as sound quality goes, the treble is crisp and detailed, with a good amount of extension, and the midrange is decent, bringing out the nuances of vocals and instruments. The bass is tight and controlled, with excellent detail, providing a pleasing sense of warmth and depth without overwhelming the other frequencies. It's a delightful balance for reference headphones to have. 

One of the standout features of the Athena headphones is their detachable cable, which allows you to easily replace the cable if tragedy ever strikes it. The included cable is braided and durable, ending with a gold-plated 3.5mm jack, and a 6.35mm adapter is included for use with high-end audio equipment.

attachFull366168

Overall, the HarmonicDyne Athena headphones are an excellent choice for audiophiles and music enthusiasts who demand high-quality audio performance at an affordable price point. The headphones offer a neutral and balanced sound signature, excellent build quality, and comfortable fit, making them an excellent choice for critical listening, mixing, and general music enjoyment. If you're in the market for a new set of headphones, the HarmonicDyne Athena headphones are definitely worth considering.

Store Page

Verdict

What We Liked ...
  • Superb value
  • High-quality, detachable cable
  • Impressive sound quality with a neutral and balanced sound signature
What We Didn't Like ...
  • They fit too loosely
  • Lacks sound isolation
9
out of 10

Overall

The HarmonicDyne Athena headphones offer impressive sound quality, comfortable fit, and solid build quality at an affordable price point. With a neutral and balanced sound signature, they're an excellent choice for audiophiles and music enthusiasts who demand high-quality audio performance. These headphones are definitely a contender that sits above the rest in this price range.
  • Like
Reactions: SAIYAN48 and Xzi
These look really good. Also I just love when headphones have changeable cables. Even if it would be a proprietary connector you can at last have the option to get a new cable so you don't need to buy a new pair of "cans".

Can I ask what you use to drive these headphones? A Dac? Your phone? Laptop?
 
These look really good. Also I just love when headphones have changeable cables. Even if it would be a proprietary connector you can at last have the option to get a new cable so you don't need to buy a new pair of "cans".

Can I ask what you use to drive these headphones? A Dac? Your phone? Laptop?
I use a Fiio K3 or a Rode A1 DAC, more usually the latter. Honestly I refuse to even consider headphones that don't have detachable cables. When I was a kid I ran over my old headphones with my chair wheel. Brutal.

*Googles price*

Jesus fuck that is considered affordable for audiophiles!?
Honestly $179 is kind of insanely cheap--you can easily get into the $500-600 market for "audiophile quality". My daily drivers are Senn 660S, which retail for about $500 MSRP. Obviously, the HarmonicDyne Athenas aren't going to be as good as them, but genuinely they're some of the best sound I've had out of any headphones I've tried out even into the $350 price range.
 
I'm glad I'm not an "audiophile" with prices like that. I'm perfectly happy with a price point around $150. Any higher than that is too much. And I DJ as a side gig, used to have a radio show back when I was in college.
 
I use a Fiio K3 or a Rode A1 DAC, more usually the latter. Honestly I refuse to even consider headphones that don't have detachable cables. When I was a kid I ran over my old headphones with my chair wheel. Brutal.


Honestly $179 is kind of insanely cheap--you can easily get into the $500-600 market for "audiophile quality". My daily drivers are Senn 660S, which retail for about $500 MSRP. Obviously, the HarmonicDyne Athenas aren't going to be as good as them, but genuinely they're some of the best sound I've had out of any headphones I've tried out even into the $350 price range.
I'd argue 500 is just the enthusiast grade and audiophile headphones start around 800. if you need an amp that's a good sign you are encroaching audiophile territory or someone put some hungry drivers into a poorly made product lol. the usual price i see for the cream of the crop is above 2k
 
  • Like
Reactions: Chary
Those sound pretty decent from the review, but the ear cushions look awful. If they're a standard size you could try swapping them and see if that makes them fit any better. Maybe I'll have a chance at some point to test those, right now I already got too many headphones at home.

Personally I love giant over-ear headphones, my Beyerdynamic headphones are all big, and especially the Amiron Home is spacious and incredibly comfortable at that.

I'm glad I'm not an "audiophile" with prices like that. I'm perfectly happy with a price point around $150. Any higher than that is too much. And I DJ as a side gig, used to have a radio show back when I was in college.
$150 is definitely where the sweet spot is between price and performance, above that diminishing returns start hitting hard. Though my favorite pair of headphones are the amiron home which I bought used and then refurbished myself. A huge part for the price for those is the build quality and luxurious cushioning which makes them a joy to wear forever, and the drivers aren't too shabby either.
They basically feel like you're wearing your most favorite pair of pajamas and I love them for that.
*Googles price*

Jesus fuck that is considered affordable for audiophiles!?
I got a pair of Audeze LCD-XC that retail for ~1500 USD, and they're far from the most expensive pair of headphones they offer.
I wouldn't recommend buying those, though. I got them for free and they're the objectively the best headphones I own, but none of the headphones in that price range are 10x as good as any decent pair in the $150 range.
I'd argue 500 is just the enthusiast grade and audiophile headphones start around 800. if you need an amp that's a good sign you are encroaching audiophile territory or someone put some hungry drivers into a poorly made product lol. the usual price i see for the cream of the crop is above 2k
That's finally starting to become less true. A lot of companies are starting to make low impedance and high sensitivity high end headphones that can be run from a phone directly and will sound phenomal there already. A dedicated DAC/AMP is recommended to add clarity and ensure the best performance but stuff like the third generation T1 and T5 from Beyerdynamic sound great no matter where you hook them up to, game boy, PSP, your old mp3 player, it doesn't matter. You get the best quality out of whatever device you use them with, no exceptions.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Chary
Review cover
Product Information:

Reviews

  1. Hardware

    Tribit StormBox Micro 2

    Cramming a ton of features into a small package is a difficult feat on its own, but the Tribit StormBox Micro 2 manages all that and then some.
  2. Hardware

    Epomaker CoolKiller CK98 Keyboard

    Did Epomaker learn its lessons from the last RGB-ified outing, with the new CoolKiller keyboard?
  3. Nintendo Switch

    Dredge

    Indie title Dredge sails you out on a fishing adventure; but what looks like a cosy trip in the open seas can turn into a fight for survival after dark. Will you conquer the seas?
  4. Computer

    ShowGunners

    Turn-based is definitely not my go-to, but ShowGunners definitely piqued my interest so I had to give it a whirl!
  5. Computer

    Case of the Golden Idol

    Case of the Golden Idol was one of the most acclaimed games of 2022. With its first DLC releasing today, does it still live up to the hype?
General chit-chat
Help Users
  • SylverReZ @ SylverReZ:
    Hope they made lots of spaget
  • K3N1 @ K3N1:
    Chill dog
  • SylverReZ @ SylverReZ:
    Chilli dog
  • Skelletonike @ Skelletonike:
    Damn, I'm loving the new zelda.
  • xtremegamer @ xtremegamer:
    loving the new zelda, i started a game, it was so fucking good, so i
    am waiting on my friend to get home so we can start a new one together
  • Skelletonike @ Skelletonike:
    I just dislike that they don't let me choose the voices before the game starts. Happened with botw as well, had to change to japanese and restart.
  • K3N1 @ K3N1:
    But the important question is can you choose gender
  • Skelletonike @ Skelletonike:
    Same way you can choose Gerald's gender.
  • Skelletonike @ Skelletonike:
    *Geralt, damn autocorrect.
  • Psionic Roshambo @ Psionic Roshambo:
    But can he be trans? Lol
  • K3N1 @ K3N1:
    Zelda transforms into link
  • Psionic Roshambo @ Psionic Roshambo:
    Link I'm not the princess your looking for.... *Pulls a crying game*
  • K3N1 @ K3N1:
    *skirt up* it's exactly what I always wanted
  • Skelletonike @ Skelletonike:
    Just scanned all my zelda amiibos, took a while but didn't get anything that cool, did get the lon lon ranch hylian fabrics though.
  • Skelletonike @ Skelletonike:
    It was pretty funny when I scanned wolf link and got a shit load of meat.
  • K3N1 @ K3N1:
    @Skelletonike, btw I ran that custom for mgs4 on the deck I'm amazed it got that far in game
  • K3N1 @ K3N1:
    Plug in*
  • K3N1 @ K3N1:
    Your favorite activity
  • BentlyMods @ BentlyMods:
    My fav actvity is:

    mario-dancing.gif
  • Psionic Roshambo @ Psionic Roshambo:
    Do the Mario lol
  • K3N1 @ K3N1:
    🍑
  • K3N1 @ K3N1:
    Whoever developed Bramble was smoking that good shit fucking gnomes
    K3N1 @ K3N1: Whoever developed Bramble was smoking that good shit fucking gnomes