Audeze Introduces CRBN2 Headphones with SLAM Bass

Audeze, a company renowned for its innovative planar-magnetic headphones, has announced a new addition to its lineup—the CRBN2 electrostatic headphones. Known for pushing the boundaries of audio technology, Audeze has introduced the CRBN2 as its most advanced electrostatic headphones to date. These new headphones are equipped with groundbreaking technology, including the company’s patent-pending SLAM (Symmetric Linear Acoustic Modulator) feature, which is designed to enhance sound quality, especially in the low-frequency range, while delivering an immersive listening experience.

The CRBN2 model represents a major advancement in Audeze’s electrostatic headphone offerings. Electrostatic headphones are known for their ability to produce highly detailed and accurate sound, but they are sometimes critiqued for lacking in bass response. Audeze has taken steps to address this common drawback with its new SLAM technology, which optimizes air pressure distribution across the drivers, allowing for an enhanced bass response without compromising sonic clarity or introducing distortion. The result, according to Audeze, is a richer, more holographic soundscape that combines lifelike bass with superior spatial imaging.

At the heart of the CRBN2 is a second-generation carbon nanotube electrostatic driver, a continuation of Audeze’s innovative use of advanced materials in headphone design. Carbon nanotubes are known for their strength and conductivity, allowing for precise movement of the ultra-thin diaphragm, resulting in faster response times and lower distortion compared to traditional electrostatic headphones. This ensures that the CRBN2 delivers an unparalleled listening experience, with the ability to reproduce sound across a wide frequency range, from the deepest lows to the highest highs.

One of the most significant features of the CRBN2 is the SLAM system, which is specifically designed to enhance bass without affecting the overall transparency of the sound. Audeze’s SLAM technology addresses one of the primary criticisms of electrostatic headphones—the lack of physical, impactful bass. The SLAM system not only improves bass response but also enhances phase accuracy, which is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the soundstage and imaging. This means that users will experience bass that is not only powerful but also well-integrated with the rest of the sound spectrum, providing a more realistic and engaging listening experience.

Sankar Thiagasamudram, the CEO of Audeze, emphasized the importance of this new technology in elevating the performance of electrostatic headphones. “With CRBN2, we’ve pushed the boundaries of electrostatic technology even further, introducing our new SLAM system to deliver the most lifelike bass and transparency ever achieved in an electrostatic headphone. Our goal was to create an immersive experience that truly brings music to life, leveraging the audio innovations Audeze is known for,” Thiagasamudram said.

The CRBN2 is also crafted with premium materials, ensuring both durability and comfort. The earpads are made from luxurious leather, and the headband incorporates carbon fiber, providing strength while keeping the overall weight low. Despite the inclusion of advanced technology, such as the electrostatic drivers and SLAM system, the headphones weigh in at just 480 grams, making them relatively lightweight compared to many high-end headphones. Additionally, the CRBN2 is free from heavy magnets, a feature typically associated with planar-magnetic headphones, ensuring a comfortable fit even during extended listening sessions.

These headphones are hand-assembled and tested in Audeze’s California facility, underscoring the brand’s commitment to quality and attention to detail. Every unit undergoes rigorous testing to meet the company’s high standards, ensuring that users receive a product that performs at the highest level.

Audeze’s CRBN line has an interesting origin story, as it was initially developed for a specialized purpose. The original CRBN headphones were part of a research project led by Professor Mark S. Cohen, Ph.D., and his team at the UCLA School of Medicine. The goal of the project was to create headphones that could be used in MRI scanners, where powerful magnetic fields make traditional headphone designs unsuitable. To meet this challenge, the research team developed a unique driver design using carbon nanotubes. This technology has since been adapted and refined for consumer use in the CRBN2, bringing the same cutting-edge materials and design principles to a wider audience.

One notable requirement for using the CRBN2 is that, like all electrostatic headphones, they require an external amplifier with an electrostatic output. Specifically, the CRBN2 uses a 580-volt DC bias, known as Stax Pro Bias, which is common among high-end electrostatic headphones. This means that the CRBN2 is compatible with a variety of electrostatic amplifiers already on the market, allowing users to integrate the headphones into their existing audio setups without needing to invest in entirely new equipment.

In terms of technical specifications, the CRBN2 offers impressive performance across the board. The headphones feature a frequency response range of 10Hz to 40kHz, ensuring they can reproduce both the deepest bass notes and the highest treble frequencies with precision. The maximum sound pressure level (SPL) is rated at over 120dB, providing ample headroom for dynamic audio without distortion. The ultra-thin diaphragm, made from polyimide film infused with carbon nanotubes, is key to the CRBN2’s ability to produce accurate sound with minimal distortion. Additionally, the headphones feature an OCC monocrystal copper cable, which further enhances sound quality by providing a clean, reliable signal path.

Priced at $5,995, the Audeze CRBN2 is targeted at audiophiles and professional users who demand the best in sound quality and are willing to invest in high-performance audio equipment. Available now on Audeze’s website, the CRBN2 promises to set a new benchmark in electrostatic headphone technology, offering a listening experience that combines lifelike bass, sonic transparency, and the comfort of premium materials. For those seeking the pinnacle of audio innovation, the CRBN2 represents a significant step forward in the world of high-end headphones.