DX10000 CL: Redefining Closed-Back

Closed-back headphones have long been valued for their excellent sound isolation and their ability to reproduce music with a tangible sense of sound pressure. By preventing external noise from interfering with the listening experience and confining acoustic energy around the ear, they allow listeners to experience not only the sound itself, but also the physical energy carried by each note.

However, achieving true reference-quality sound in a closed-back headphone presents a fundamental engineering challenge. The sealed acoustic chamber inevitably causes rear sound waves to reflect within the housing, generating unwanted resonance, coloration, and the characteristic “cupping effect” that reduces clarity and alters the natural timbre of instruments and vocals.

Traditionally, many closed-back headphones have been tuned by emphasizing specific frequency regions, creating a sound signature that draws attention away from these acoustic artifacts. While this approach can produce an engaging listening experience, it does not eliminate the underlying resonance within the enclosure.

For the DX10000 CL, final chose a fundamentally different approach. Rather than tuning around these limitations, we chose to solve them through the combined optimization of driver mechanics and acoustic chamber design.

At its core is a newly developed dynamic driver featuring an ultra-rigid True Diamond diaphragm, engineered to maintain highly accurate piston motion even under the increased air pressure generated within a sealed enclosure. The driver is combined with a precisely engineered housing that minimizes unwanted internal reflections through carefully optimized geometry and dedicated acoustic damping materials.

The result is a new category of closed-back headphone—one that delivers exceptional clarity, natural tonal reproduction, and high resolution while retaining the physical energy, isolation, and immersive impact that only a closed-back design can provide.

Limited Collector’s Edition

The first 150 units produced worldwide will be offered as a special Collector’s Edition, distinguished by refined gold-colored accents and presented in a dedicated traditional Japanese paulownia wood box.

The standard edition, produced after this initial run of 150 units, will feature silver-colored accents and will be packaged in the same protective carrying case come with the D Series headphones.

Limited first edition collector's edition

As a limited-edition package, we have prepared a collector's edition featuring gold accents on part of the casing and housed in a paulownia wood box along with special included items. It includes an original Shingen bag (a traditional Japanese tote bag with a drawstring closure) made of Tango chirimen (a traditional silk fabric woven in the Tango region of Kyoto), which can also be used as a storage case, and a dedicated display stand.

To complement the groundbreaking acoustic engineering of our flagship closed-back headphones, we deliberately sought accessories that embody the same level of artisan craftsmanship and attention to detail. Each DX10000 CL Collector’s Edition includes an original Shingen Pouch, which also serves as a protective carrying pouch. The Shingen Pouch is crafted from Tango Chirimen, a Japanese traditional silk textile woven in the Tango region of Kyoto, and is based on the classic Japanese drawstring bag that has its origins in the Sengoku period. Originally prized by samurai for its practicality and portability on the battlefield, this style of pouch has long represented the perfect balance of functionality and refined craftsmanship.

The exterior of the Shingen is featuring a striking contrast between deep black and radiant gold silk threads. This carefully selected color combination reflects the sophisticated design language of the DX10000 CL Collector’s Edition itself, creating a unified aesthetic in which the presentation pouch becomes a natural extension of the product’s identity.

True luxury is often found in the subtle details revealed only to the owner. Opening the drawstring reveals an interior lined entirely with exceptionally soft, deep purple silk. In Japanese tradition, purple has long been associated with the highest ranks of nobility, symbolizing refinement and elegance. This thoughtful detail transforms the simple act of storing and retrieving the headphones into a tactile experience that reflects the same level of craftsmanship and engineering precision found throughout the product.

By housing our most advanced audio technology within a masterpiece of traditional Japanese textile artistry, the Shingen Pouch represents the final expression of harmony between cutting-edge acoustic engineering and timeless Japanese craftsmanship.

The DX10000 CL Collector’s Edition also prominently includes a newly designed, bespoke headphone stand, precision-machined entirely from a solid aluminum block using CNC technology. Designed to elegantly and safely display the headphones while keeping them readily accessible on a desk or audio rack, the stand completes the ultimate ownership experience of this limited edition model.

True Diamond Diaphragm Driver Unit

< The Ideal Material for a Diaphragm >

Diamond is widely regarded as the ideal diaphragm material due to its exceptionally high sound velocity and outstanding hardness. In particular, its extraordinary bending rigidity was instrumental in realizing the ultra-low distortion driver unit developed for the DX10000 CL.

Laser displacement measurements reveal that even driver’s center domes made from rigid metals undergo complex deformation during operation, introducing distortion into the reproduced sound. In contrast, the exceptional bending rigidity of diamond minimizes diaphragm deformation, enabling highly accurate reproduction that remains faithful to the original input signal.

In addition to its exceptional stiffness, diamond possesses another remarkable characteristic. Despite being one of the stiffest known materials, it also exhibits excellent internal damping, a combination of properties that is rarely achieved simultaneously. As a result, the diaphragm suppresses unwanted residual vibrations, commonly referred to as ringing, which persist after the input signal has stopped. This enables highly accurate transient response without the coloration caused by lingering resonance.

The center dome used in the DX10000 CL is manufactured using a Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) process. Diamond is first grown as a crystalline layer on a silicon substrate, after which the silicon is chemically removed, leaving behind a self-supporting diamond dome.

However, simply replacing a conventional diaphragm material with diamond is not enough to fully realize its acoustic potential.

To maximize the performance of diamond as an acoustic transducer, we developed numerous proprietary structural designs and manufacturing technologies specifically for this project. These innovations allow the unique physical properties of diamond to be translated into measurable improvements in acoustic performance.

< An Optimized Geometry for Superior Stiffness >

The diamond dome geometry adopted for the DX10000 CL was developed through final’s proprietary research to achieve the optimal balance between structural strength and low mass for a diamond diaphragm.

In addition to an exceptionally steep dome profile, unprecedented in conventional headphone center domes, the diamond dome incorporates a newly developed cylindrical rib around its outer circumference. This unique structure overcomes one of the fundamental challenges in diaphragm design, achieving both high rigidity and low mass without the conventional trade-off between the two.

By realizing the optimal geometry for a diamond diaphragm, the design maximizes bending rigidity without sacrificing low moving mass. The resulting reduction in diaphragm deformation contributes directly to the ultra-low distortion characteristics of the driver unit.

< Development of a New Surround >

While diamond offers exceptional acoustic performance, it also presents a unique engineering challenge. With a density of approximately 3.5 g/cm³, it is nearly twice as dense as beryllium. As a result, conventional film surrounds are unable to adequately support the additional moving mass, allowing the center dome to rock during operation and compromising piston motion.

At the same time, commonly used surround materials are prone to resonating at specific frequencies, introducing unwanted coloration into the reproduced sound.

To overcome both challenges, we developed a surround using a specially formulated polyurethane material. While conventional polyurethane is susceptible to long-term deterioration, the material adopted for the DX10000 CL has been engineered to overcome this limitation.

The new surround combines low mass with exceptional elasticity and flexibility, allowing the diamond dome to move freely while maintaining stable piston motion. At the same time, its optimized material properties effectively suppress unwanted resonances, achieving an ideal balance between compliance and vibration control.

< Bobbin-Integrated Voice Coil and Free-Floating Lead Wire >

To achieve true piston motion, the diaphragm must be driven with equal precision. Since the diamond dome is supported by a highly compliant surround, we fundamentally redesigned the voice coil assembly. Instead of relying on adhesive to reinforce the voice coil, we adopted a lightweight, high-strength polyimide bobbin-integrated voice coil.

The integrated bobbin significantly increases the rigidity of the voice coil, allowing the electromagnetic driving force to be transmitted accurately without deformation of the moving diaphragm. This improves the precision of the diaphragm’s piston motion.

However, precise driving force alone is insufficient if the mechanical symmetry of the moving diaphgram is compromised.

In conventional driver designs, the voice coil lead wires are bonded directly to the underside of the surround. This creates an asymmetric mass distribution and mechanically restricts the surround’s natural compliance. During large diaphragm excursions, this imbalance can induce tilting or rocking of the diaphragm, resulting in mechanical distortion.

To eliminate this problem, we developed a free-flying lead wire structure, in which the voice coil lead wires are suspended freely and connected directly to the terminals without contacting the surround. By completely isolating the lead wires from the surround, the diaphragm is free to operate in true piston motion without mechanical interference, preserving the mechanical symmetry of the moving assembly.

The greatest challenge of free-flying lead wire designs has always been durability. Suspended lead wires are subjected to continuous flexing during operation, making them susceptible to metal fatigue and eventual failure. To overcome this limitation, we developed a new high-strength aluminum alloy lead wire with significantly improved tensile strength and flexural fatigue resistance. This newly developed conductor enables the practical implementation of the free-floating lead wire structure while ensuring the long-term reliability required for everyday use.

< Supporting Technologies Behind the True Diamond Diaphragm Driver >

Realizing the full performance potential of the diamond diaphragm required precise control over every aspect of the driver system, from the magnetic circuit to the internal acoustic environment. The final stage of the driver unit’s development focused on eliminating every invisible factor that could compromise acoustic performance.

- N55 Neodymium Magnet

To maintain exceptional control over the diaphragm, the driver unit employs a highest industrial grade N55 neodymium magnet. Its extremely high magnetic flux density generates the driving force required to accelerate the diamond diaphragm with exceptional precision while providing equally strong braking force as the signal decays. The result is highly accurate transient reproduction with rapid attack and clean decay.

- Aluminum Shorting Ring

The magnetic circuit incorporates an aluminum shorting ring, a practice found in high-end loudspeaker drivers. The eddy currents generated within the ring counteract the inductance of the voice coil, stabilizing the magnetic field throughout its excursion. This significantly reduces nonlinear distortion, particularly during large low-frequency excursions where voice coil inductance has the greatest influence.

- Internal Driver Damping System

The chamber behind the diaphragm plays a critical role in overall driver performance. Without proper control, sound radiated from the rear of the diaphragm reflects within the chamber and returns to the diaphragm, introducing unwanted resonance and coloration.

To suppress these effects, we developed a dedicated internal damping system that positions a precised-cut, high-performance sound-absorbing material directly behind the diamond diaphragm. By effectively absorbing rear-wave reflections before they can return to the diaphragm, the system significantly reduces internal resonance and preserves the driver’s intended acoustic performance.

A High-Rigidity, Airtight Housing

In high-end loudspeaker design, maximizing enclosure rigidity is a fundamental principle for eliminating unwanted vibration and resonance. Structural rigidity also serves as the foundation for another critical requirement, airtightness. Even slight deformation of the enclosure can create microscopic gaps at the joints, altering the carefully engineered behavior of the enclosed air and degrading acoustic performance.

The same principle applies, perhaps even more critically, to closed-back headphones. The acoustic performance of a closed-back design depends heavily on precise control of the air enclosed within the housing. Even minute air leakage introduced during assembly can alter the internal acoustic conditions and significantly affect the intended sound.

For the DX10000 CL, final applied the enclosure design philosophy of high-end loudspeakers to headphone engineering, creating a housing that achieves both exceptional rigidity and outstanding airtightness.

< High-Rigidity, Lightweight Housing Precision-Machined from Metal Block >

Achieving both high rigidity and low weight requires a housing with complex three-dimensional geometry, features that cannot be produced using normal 3-axis CNC machining.

The housing is precision-machined from an aluminum-magnesium alloy using advanced 5-axis CNC machining. This manufacturing process provides the dimensional accuracy and structural rigidity required by the acoustic design while allowing the complex geometry necessary to optimize both mechanical strength and weight.

The interior of the housing is also extensively machined to remove material that is not required for structural integrity, further reducing weight. However, these internal cavities can become sources of unwanted acoustic reflections. To suppress these reflections, each machined cavity is carefully filled with dedicated acoustic damping material, simultaneously achieving weight reduction and effective control of internal resonance.

< Earpads Engineered for Natural Tonal Balance >

Many closed-back headphones employ a completely sealed earpad design. While this maximizes isolation, it also increases low-frequency sound pressure within the sealed ear chamber. A common solution is to raise the high-frequency response to perceptually rebalance the sound. However, this approach produces a more pronounced V-shaped frequency response, whereas our objective was a smooth and naturally balanced acoustic response without relying on frequency emphasis.

To achieve this, the earpads are constructed using Ultrasuede®, a premium synthetic suede whose ultrafine fiber structure provides precisely controlled air permeability. This unique material allows a carefully controlled amount of air to pass through while maintaining an effective acoustic seal, enabling the frequency response required by the DX10000 CL.

The Ultrasuede® covering is combined with a specially selected foam material that optimizes both the internal pad volume and long-term wearing comfort, resulting in an earpad designed specifically for this acoustic system.

< Construction with a 12-Point Through-Bolt Structure >

The housing employs a unique 12-point through-bolt construction, in which 12 screws clamp the entire assembly from the outer housing to the front plate that secures the earpads.

Unlike conventional adhesive-based assembly, this structure applies a uniform and consistent clamping force throughout the entire housing. The result is exceptional structural rigidity together with highly stable airtightness, providing the mechanical foundation required for consistent acoustic performance.

A Serviceable Structure Designed for Long-Term Ownership

The DX10000 CL adopts a screw-fastened construction without the use of adhesives, allowing the housing to be disassembled and reassembled whenever servicing is required.

Originally developed to achieve exceptional airtightness and manufacturing precision, this construction also provides the foundation for long-term serviceability. Wear components can be replaced, and the product can be properly serviced if required, ensuring that the DX10000 CL is designed to remain in use for many years.

Two Types of final Original Silver-Coated Cables

The DX10000 CL includes two cables co-developed with Junkosha, a company renowned for developing and manufacturing high-performance cables, including those engineered for the Japanese supercomputer K.

Both cables employ silver-coated OFC (Oxygen-Free Copper) conductors, incorporating the extensive materials expertise that Junkosha has cultivated over many years through its Junflon brand. The combination of highly conductive silver-coated conductors and carefully optimized dielectric insulation minimizes signal loss while preserving the integrity of the audio signal throughout the transmission path.

The 4.4 mm / 1.5 m cable features ePTFE (expanded polytetrafluoroethylene) insulation, a material with an even lower dielectric constant than conventional PFA fluoropolymer. By reducing the electrical influence of the insulation on the signal, ePTFE further enhances signal integrity.

The 4-pin XLR / 3 m cable employs larger cross-sectional conductors to maintain low electrical resistance over its extended length. The cable is insulated with high-strength PFA (perfluoroalkoxy fluoropolymer), providing the mechanical durability required for long cable runs while maintaining excellent electrical performance.

Conversion Adapters Included

The DX10000 CL conveniently includes two premium conversion adapters: a 4-pin XLR female to 6.3 mm male adapter, and a 4.4 mm female to 6.3 mm male adapter. These ensure seamless compatibility with a much wider range of high-end headphone amplifiers and audio equipment.

Specification

Housing: Aluminum-Magnesium Alloy
Driver Unit: 40mm True Diamond Diaphgram Dynamic Driver
Cable: 4-pin XLR / 3m Silver-coated cable, ePTFE-Insulated 4.4mm / 1.5m Silver-coated cable
Sensitivity: 92 dB/mW (1 kHz)
Impedance: 20 Ω (1 kHz)
Weight: 543 g
Country of Origin: Made in Japan

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