Budget 👏 Audeze – CRBN 💯

Originally designed for high-tech medical circumstances, the Audeze CRBN is a pair of lightweight electrostatic headphones that offer a comfortable design and a nuanced sound perfect for Hi-Fi listeners. Featuring the most advanced electrostatic technology in decades, the CRBN electrostatic headphone (pronounced “carbon”) houses a new patent-pending polymer film with suspended carbon nanotubes to eliminate problems commonly found in previous electrostatic designs. The team at Audeze have adapted various innovations for the audiophile version of CRBN, bringing you the best sounding electrostatic headphone to date.

Audeze developed this new technology working with Prof. Mark S. Cohen PhD, UCLA School of Medicine and his team, to use in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Audeze created a new transducer technology, from the ground up, to eliminate the problems with use in MRI. Starting with a patent-pending thin-film diaphragm with embedded Carbon Nanotubes that provide an ideal environment for an electrostatic charge, the headphones use electrostatic force to create sound. This design solves many of the inherent issues with coated diaphragms and problems associated with lamination and deposition on the film.

The Audeze CRBN features an open-back, over-ear design, which utilises a specially engineered driver which includes a revolutionary ultra-thin diaphragm with carbon nanotubes suspended inside the material. Unlike other electrostatic diaphragms, there is no coating in the CRBN. Because the charge is distributed throughout the film, this results in a uniform driving force that reduces distortion and improves clarity, resolution, dynamic response and transparency. By controlling the density of carbon nanotubes in the film, we can adjust the resistivity of the diaphragm material. Unlike a resistive coating, the carbon nanotube suspended diaphragm is immune to the elements and does not degrade over time.

Audeze CRBN is the ultimate in luxurious design. From the smooth curves of its uniquely etched grill to the depth of its finely polished acetate rings. Every detail is fine-tuned. CRBN offers supreme comfort with its lightweight construction, weighing at 300 grams, the minimalist design features materials such as magnesium and carbon fibre, which shaves off every gram while maintaining strength. The earpads are extra plush and oversized, for a great seal and pillow-soft, cranium-cradling comfort.

Audeze CRBN being an electrostatic headphone is meant to be used with special corresponding 580V pro bias amplifiers. With a cable terminating in a standard 5-pin connector for maximum compatibility, the CRBN can work with Woo Audio, Linear Tube Audio, Mjolnir Audio, Headamp, and Stax amplifiers flawlessly.