Audeze CRBN2 Review
Few merchandise seize the essence of luxurious and sound high quality like Audeze headphones. Lauded for his or her gorgeous design and superior sound efficiency, their new CRBN2 electrostatic headphones are constructed to fulfill essentially the most discerning audiophiles. Retaining the magnificence of the unique mannequin whereas incorporating superior expertise, the CRBN2 guarantees an unmatched listening expertise. Let’s discover the options, design, and sonic capabilities of those electrostatic headphones, offering insights that can assist you resolve in the event that they deserve a spot in your audio arsenal.
What You Get
- CRBN 2 Headphones
- Premium Aluminum carrying case
- 5-pin electrostatic cable
- User guide
Look & Feel
The CRBN2 doesn’t make too many changes to the design launched by the primary CRBN. It’s not one thing that wanted a lot tweaking, so I perceive the dearth of modifications made by this new iteration. So when you thought that the unique CRBN was one of many best-looking electrostatic headphones round, you’ll in all probability assume that concerning the CRBN2 as properly. In comparability to different high-end electrostatic headphones from the likes of STAX or Dan Clark Audio, the CRBN2 appears to be like essentially the most like a luxurious merchandise, utilizing premium supplies that replicate a premium listening expertise. The CRBN2’s massive circumaural earcups and pads guarantee a delicate and safe match, whereas the extremely adjustable suspension headband permits for a cushty hear irrespective of your head dimension.
Design
The CRBN2’s transducer is a 120mm x 90mm electrostatic unit, with a housing made out of magnesium, chrome steel, and polymer acetate. Its diaphragm is made out of Ultra-thin polyimide movie with infused carbon nanotubes. The diaphragm additionally incorporates SLAM expertise to compensate lack of bass energy with electrostatic drivers. Being an electrostatic headphone, the CRBN2 makes use of a 5-pin cable termination, so you have to the fitting amplifier to have the ability to run it. For this assessment, I used the STAX SRM-270S which is often paired with the SR-X1, but it surely was capable of energy the CRBN2 fairly properly.
Soundstage
Electrostatic headphone soundstages are virtually a special breed from planar and dynamic drivers. That’s by no means been extra true than with the CRBN2. Stereo spaciousness is delivered to an entire new stage of dimension. Not a single sound that emanates from the headphones seems prefer it’s coming by means of a driver. Everything that may be heard by means of the CRBN2 is displayed as a part of the open air. The stereo area takes on the looks of a bubble wrapping round your headspace, and that headspace is kind of massive.
Sound components have particular origin factors and showcase correct distance from one another. Vocals hover barely above you, virtually like they’re aimed toward your brow. It’s a very open and holographic soundstage that additionally has exact imaging, showcasing panning motion in distinct methods. There’s a stage of width between the intense left and proper channels that broadens the dimensions of the CRBN2, permitting it to enter a grander depth that few headphones can replicate. The CRBN2 is cavernous however by no means loses focus in its layering and pinpoint accuracy.
Low End
You won’t assume electrostatic and bass affect go collectively, however the CRBN2 tries its hardest due to Audeze’s SLAM expertise. How does it work in follow, although? The CRBN2 makes plenty of room for bass frequencies to characteristic full transparency and depth, however that doesn’t imply you’re all the time going to listen to a constant rumble from the sub-bass or an affect from the mid-bass. It nonetheless stays true to the efficiency with out including a big quantity of texture, however when referred to as for, the lows sound huge. It’s an extremely tactile response that offers greater than sufficient definition to bass notes.
You received’t discover any undesirable resonance from the lows, because the CRBN2 tightly controls the frequency content material in a method that makes the bass really feel solely bodily. It received’t all the time reproduce the smoothest textures or essentially the most immense vibration, but it surely’s a splendidly pure timbre that’s simple to be engrossed by.
Mids
I anticipated the mids to be lush and full, however the CRBN2 additionally provides a heat to its timbre that enables for a ton of musicality within the midrange. The element retrieval is working at a excessive decision, hardly ever ever feeling veiled or foggy. You get extremely clear devices which can be put beneath a microscope, extracting artifacts and nuances within the combine which can be underrepresented on different headphones. There’s a technical finesse to notes, particularly pianos and woodwind devices, however the slight coloration on the CRBN2 permits for the mids to attract you in with a singular character. The smallest bump in low-mid extension does a fantastic job drawing you in, and retains the midrange from showing too impartial and medical.
Highs
While hardly ever essentially the most distinguished facet to this sound signature, the highs on the CRBN2 discover a method to supply a definite chew. It by no means will get too scorching or peaky, however there’s an edge to those frequencies that stretch reverb tails and make cymbals glisten. This is essentially the most balanced a part of the sound signature, with each occasion of sparkle being met with a way of management and evenness in correspondence with the remainder of the combo. The highs additionally give the sound signature immense peak, with high-end frequency data being dispersed elegantly to really feel like all of the rings and clicks are occurring over your head.
Summary
The Audeze CRBN2 headphones stand as a testomony to the model’s dedication to excellence in each craftsmanship and sound high quality. With their luxurious design, revolutionary expertise, and meticulous consideration to element in audio replica, the CRBN2 presents a unprecedented auditory journey that’s onerous to duplicate. Whether you’re delving into advanced classical compositions or having fun with the newest rock album, these headphones ship an unparalleled expertise that embodies the very essence of high-end audio gear. If you’re out there for headphones that fuse aesthetics with distinctive efficiency, the CRBN2 actually warrants your consideration.
The Audeze CRBN2 is on the market at Audio46.
The submit Audeze CRBN2 Review appeared first on Major HiFi.
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April 16, 2025 at 10:31PM
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