Boutique audio model Astell&Kern is understood for pushing the music {hardware} envelope by way of tech and worth, however its titanium-housed Luna earphones bump issues up a notch with a price ticket so excessive it’ll ship your financial institution stability into orbit.
Audiophiles trying to purchase into the A&Ok universe type of anticipate to pay a excessive entrance price. It is newest flagship digital audio participant for instance, the upcoming A&ultima SP4000, prices simply shy of US$4,000.
However even probably the most critical audio gearhead may blink twice when confronted with a $2,700 price ticket for a pair of non-custom earphones. But right here we’re with the AK Luna earphones, which sport a design that is been “impressed by the gentle curves of the Moon.”
Astell&Kern
The third in a wired in-ear monitor sequence that began with the shapely Zero1 model back in 2021, the brand new IEMs are encased in sturdy titanium housing. The lunar-inspired curves do not simply look good however are claimed comfy within the ear for long-haul listening, whereas additionally being “exactly engineered to optimize the acoustic stream.”
There is a single 13-mm planar driver in every housing, which has been developed in collaboration with Japan’s Madoo, and employs a strong magnet and twin ring-shaped yoke for “glorious magnetic flux management.” In the meantime the diaphragm options an ultra-thin movie rocking a printed aluminum sample to maintain weight down, and is enclosed in CNC-machined aluminum for further rigidity.
All of this combines for the promise of “excellent response velocity, distinctive decision, and pure resonance traits, faithfully reproducing even probably the most delicate particulars of music.” Frequency response is reported to run from 20 Hz as much as 30 kHz, whole harmonic distortion is 1% at 1 kHz, and the sound strain degree is given as 105 dB at 1 kHz (1 mW).
Astell&Kern
The twisty cable that routes the indicators from the participant to the drivers makes use of blended high-purity silver plating and copper, whereas every connector is completed in aluminum to proceed the premium vibe.
Every pair of Luna IEMs are being original in Japan earlier than making their solution to well-heeled music lovers across the globe. And sadly, the value hasn’t been magically lowered by the point you have reached the top of this product overview – you will nonetheless must cough up $2,700 (and perhaps the extra expense of non-public bodyguards if you happen to intend to put on them in public).
Product web page: AK Luna
