by Crutchfield's Jeff Miller

Let your music spread its wings

Here at our headquarters, we keep finding reasons to make our way to the Crutchfield Labs for a chance to hear the spacious, powerful sound of AudioQuest's first headphone offering — the NightHawk. Some of us have made the trip two, three, even four times. To further open up the sound, we connected AudioQuest's DragonFly v1.2 DAC/headphone amp to a laptop, and used it to drive the NightHawk.

KEEP READING

Let your music spread its wings

Plug the ultra-compact DragonFly into your laptop, connect the NightHawk headphones, and let your music library soar.

This combination made our CD-quality and high-res files — and even streamed music — sound fuller, with ample but not overbearing bass. The DragonFly complemented the NightHawk's sprawling soundstage by creating a greater sense of separation between instruments, and really nudging the headphones to show off their clear highs. We've put the two together as a bundle to make it easier to enjoy this perfect pairing.

From our NightHawk review A debut headphone that aims high

[The NightHawk/DragonFly pairing] added a bit more life to Nirvana and other guitar-driven rock that I sampled, from Drive-by-Truckers to Black Sabbath. The NightHawk might not be your first choice if you're a serious head-banger. But they'll serve you well if hard rock and grunge are among the colors in your musical palette"

— David Brown, A/V Editor

What's included:

AudioQuest NightHawk over-the-ear headphones — These semi-open headphones use a luxury car-style suspension system for a simple, super-relaxed fit that naturally falls into place when you put them on. There's no adjusting or fussing around. While listening, 50mm high-excursion drivers produce sound that mimics free-standing loudspeakers. Both earcups are made of liquefied wood and plant fibers, molded into the best shape for sound and comfort. They have the same acoustic properties as wood, lending the Nighthawk headphones their warm, natural sound.

AudioQuest DragonFly v1.2 plug-in USB digital-to-analog converter/headphone amplifier — Plug this thumb-drive sized device into your computer's USB port to transform your digital music files. It bypasses your computer's internal circuitry and runs your tunes through a 24-bit ESS Sabre™ DAC chip. When connected to the NightHawk headphones or even a pair of powered speakers, you'll hear a more spread-out soundstage with deeper detail.

READ LESS

Product highlights:

NightHawk over-the-ear headphones:

semi-open design combines a wide soundstage with powerful bass response
50mm high-excursion drivers built to emulate the sound of free-standing loudspeakers
patent-pending suspension system evenly distributes the headphones weight on your head for effortless comfort
durable "liquid wood" earcups sculpted into acoustically optimized shape
3D printed open-mesh grilles control airflow for purest sound
high-performance, soft nylon-braided detachable cable with 45-degree 3.5mm miniplug
- length: 96 inches
- solid Perfect Surface Copper (PSC) conductors allow for optimal signal transfer with minimal distortion
foam-padded leather carrying case
sensitivity: 100 dB
impedance: 25 ohms
warranty: 1 year