Наушники — Audeze CRBN2

The CRBN2 is an open-back, over-ear electrostatic headphone from Audeze, the California company that assembles and tests each unit by hand at its own facility using electrostatic specialists. Audeze announced it on 27 September 2024 and lists it at USD 5,995. It follows the original CRBN and moves to a second-generation carbon nanotube driver film made in house.

Key specs that matter

This push-pull electrostatic transducer measures 120 x 90 mm and is rectangular. Its diaphragm is an ultra-thin polyimide film infused with carbon nanotubes. Audeze quotes a range of 10 Hz to 40 kHz, a maximum level above 120 dB and distortion under 0.1 percent at 90 dB. Sensitivity is rated at 100 dB at 1 kHz with a 100 V RMS drive signal, and the capacitance is 100 pF with the cable included. The fixed 2.5 m cable uses OCC monocrystal copper and ends in a 5-pin plug. Weight is 480 g.

Engineering and use context

The carbon nanotube transducers of the CRBN line trace back to work Audeze first did for MRI applications, and the film removes the need for the fragile conductive coatings used on older electrostatic diaphragms. A new element sits beside it. Audeze names it SLAM, short for Symmetric Linear Acoustic Modulator, a patent-pending acoustic system that shapes the air pressure distribution across the driver. The company states that it lifts selected low frequencies and improves phase response without adding distortion. With no heavy magnet structure, the frame and cups can combine magnesium, carbon fiber, stainless steel and polymer acetate, and the pads and suspension headband strap use leather. In the box are an aluminium travel case, a certificate of authenticity and warranty cards.

Pairing

The driver needs a 580 V DC bias of the Stax Pro Bias standard, so the CRBN2 must be run from a dedicated electrostatic amplifier, often called an energiser. Audeze states compatibility with every 580 V bias electrostatic amplifier, the same requirement it gives for the first CRBN, so owners moving up from that model can keep the energiser they already use. A standard headphone amplifier, a DAC with a headphone jack or a portable player cannot drive it.

Alternatives

Audeze also makes the CRBN, the first-generation electrostatic model that the CRBN2 replaces with its newer carbon nanotube film and SLAM element.