Berlin’s HEDD Audio has decided to kick off 2026 with a move that’s equal parts clever, cost-cutting, and guaranteed to spark a few “wait… what?” reactions. The company’s HEDDphone TWO (2023) and TWO GT (2024) have earned a loyal following for their impressive performance, but their premium prices have kept some listeners on the sidelines. Enter the new “unplugged versions,” which are identical to the originals in every way—same build, same internals, same specs—except for one eyebrow-raising twist: they ship with no cables.
Yes, they’re wired headphones. Yes, they still need cables. But HEDD is betting on the reality that many enthusiasts already own aftermarket cables tailored to their tastes, and would rather skip the redundancy and pocket a $500 discount. For some buyers, that’s a win; for others, it’s a plot twist. Either way, HEDD just made its flagship lineup a lot more accessible.
AMT Technology: The “Special Sauce” Behind HEDD’s Signature Sound
At the core of the HEDDphone TWO and TWO GT is HEDD’s full-range Air Motion Transformer (AMT) driver design — a technology originally invented by physicist Dr. Oskar Heil.
With this proprietary implementation, HEDD adds a new chapter to headphone driver history, standing alongside the landmark innovations of beyerdynamic’s Dynamic driver (1937), Stax’s Electrostatic design (1959), and Wharfedale’s pioneering Planar driver (1972).
Each model delivers the same full-range Air Motion Transformer (AMT) performance that defines the HEDDphone lineup — just without an included cable for listeners who already own (or prefer) their own. By stripping out the redundancy, the UNPLUGGED versions offer meaningful savings while preserving the complete, uncompromised HEDDphone sound experience.
VVT Technology
The critical step in adapting an AMT driver for headphone use was making it truly full-range. HEDD’s solution, called Variable Velocity Transform (VVT) Technology, reshapes the AMT’s behavior so it can reproduce everything from 10 Hz to 40 kHz with linear precision. The trade-off is lower efficiency, meaning these headphones thrive with a high-current amplifier that can fully unlock the driver’s capabilities.
Essential by Design
UNPLUGGED strips the package down to its core — the headphone and its carrying case — while the standard HEDDphone models include the full accessory suite. Each UNPLUGGED unit is still built in Berlin, using the same materials, architecture, and manufacturing process as the originals.
The HEDDphone TWO UNPLUGGED ships with PU vegan leather ear pads, while the TWO GT UNPLUGGED includes velour ear pads, both optimized for comfort over long listening sessions.
While HEDDphone TWO is voiced for speed, precision, and studio-grade accuracy in mixing and mastering, the GT version offers a slightly warmer tonal balance and a more relaxed, comfort-focused experience for long music-listening sessions.
Comparison
| HEDDphone TWO Unplugged | HEDDphone TWO GT Unplugged | |
| Product Type | Over-Ear Headphones | Over-Ear Headphones |
| Price | $1,499 | $1,699 |
| Design | Open-Back | Open-Back |
| Drivers | Air Motion Transformer with VVT technology and Kapton polyimide diaphragm | Air Motion Transformer with VVT technology and a multi-layered Kapton polyimide diaphragm |
| Frequency Response | 10 Hz – 40 kHz | 10 Hz – 40 kHz |
| Max SPL | 89 dB SPL at 1 mW | 88 dB SPL at 1 mW |
| Impedance | 41 Ω flat | 41 Ω flat |
| Connectivity | Wired | Wired |
| Pads | Faux leather ear pads and head cushion | Lamb leather and velour ear pads and head cushion |
| Power | Min. 200 mW, recommended ≥1000 mW | Min. 200 mW, recommended ≥1000 mW |
| Weight | 550g | 550g |
| Warranty | Limited 5-Year Warranty on Drivers and Mechanical Parts after Product Registration | Limited 5-Year Warranty on Drivers and Mechanical Parts after Product Registration |
The Bottom Line
HEDDphone TWO and TWO GT remain two of the most distinctive high-end wired headphones on the market thanks to their full-range AMT drivers, VVT implementation, and Berlin-built engineering. They’re technologically ambitious, sonically authoritative, and priced accordingly. The new UNPLUGGED versions don’t change the sound or the build — they simply remove the included cables and drop the price by $500, making the entry point far more approachable for listeners who already have aftermarket cables on hand.
If you want the AMT experience, there’s nothing else quite like it. But the broader market offers plenty of alternatives depending on budget and taste. In the mid-to-upper tier, the HiFiMAN Arya and Dan Clark Audio Aeon Noire X still deliver outstanding planar performance with cables included. On the premium side, models like the Yamaha YH-4000, YH-5000E, and Audio-Technica ATH-ADX7000 climb even higher in both price and refinement.
For those who value HEDD’s unique driver tech and don’t need extra cables cluttering a drawer, the UNPLUGGED editions offer a smarter path into the lineup without sacrificing the engineering that makes these headphones special.
Price & Availability
HEDD Audio’s new UNPLUGGED headphones are available beginning November 27, 2025 through select retail and distribution partners.
- HEDDphone TWO UNPLUGGED – $1,499 at Headphones.com
- HEDDphone TWO GT UNPLUGGED: $1,699 at Headphones.com
Optional HEDD cables are also available separately through participating dealers. The original HEDDphone TWO ($1,999) and TWO GT ($2,199) with the full cable set remain available for those who prefer an all-in-one solution.
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