2021 was the year in which Audeze launched its last two flagship models, the LCD-5 and CRBN. 4 years later, the successor to the CRBN, the CRBN 2, saw the light of day. The CRBN already caused quite a stir in the headphone scene. Known for its groundbreaking bass response in the field of electrostatic headphones, it has found many fans who have bought a CRBN exclusively or in addition to one of the top Stax headphones. A Stax scores with its very airy, but not quite as deep and gripping reproduction (with the exception of the SR-007 MK1/MK2, which tends more in this direction) and the CRBN counters with its warmer and fuller reproduction. This gave it a unique selling point in 2021 with its sound. Unfortunately, there was also a problem that was sometimes very annoying, at least for me. With the CRBN, you always had to be very careful not to push the headphone cups open too much, as the membrane quickly stuck to the stator and this resulted in the well-known “farting” problem, which led to major channel imbalances. After that, you first had to discharge the 5-pin connector by touching it or using the enclosed foam before you could continue listening. Switching back and forth between two headphones then became a nerve-wracking process, as did abrupt head movements. At some point, Audeze released a newer revision that alleviated this problem, but unfortunately never completely eliminated it. Has the CRBN 2 now put this to bed? I'll look into that later, of course. However, I would first like to discuss the technology of the new CRBN 2.
Like the CRBN, the CRBN 2 is based on a project between Audeze and a team at the UCLA School of Medicine to create headphones that can be used inside MRI machines. Here, the use of very strong magnetic fields in an MRI presented the engineers with major challenges. Headphones cannot use ferrous metals in this scenario. So the engineers developed an electrostatic driver made of carbon nanotubes, which was an absolute world first in 2021.
The CRBN 2 further improves this electrostatic carbon nanotube driver to achieve an even more distortion-free and therefore more precise sound. The SLAM (Symmetric Linear Acoustic Modulator) technology (patent pending) optimizes the air pressure distribution across the driver and enables a powerful, more natural bass response without distortion. The low bass range in particular is now said to eclipse everything in the field of electrostatic headphones, offering the most physical bass range of all electrostatic headphones. Compared to the CRBN, the CRBN 2 has more volume below 50 Hz. I can already say that this SLAM technology has put the “farting” problem to rest. With the CRBN 2, these problems are now history and I have not been able to reproduce the membrane sticking to the stator in any of my listening sessions. This was one of the things I tried out right at the beginning, because I only gave up my CRBN with a heavy heart at the time because of precisely this problem. It had absolutely nothing to do with the sound. Well done, Audeze! That's the most important thing for me right at the start.
The form factor and appearance of the CRBN 2 has largely been retained, which is a good thing. The CRBN is already incredibly well made and so is the CRBN 2. The additional bronze-colored SLAM ring and other bronze elements ensure an even higher quality and more luxurious appearance. The weight has only increased by 10g. The comfort has improved compared to the CRBN due to the slightly higher contact pressure. The predecessor of the CRBN 2 was sometimes a little too loose.
As always, the scope of delivery includes the typical Audeze aluminum transport case with the key for locking, white textile gloves and a warranty card with serial number.
For the sound test, I use my KGSS HV Carbon, which was built by Sören Brix. On the DAC side, my Ferrum WANDLA GSE Edition with Hypsos power supply is used. The DAC itself is powered by a Volumio Rivo Plus streamer with a 5V SBooster power supply. A chain on which I have recently achieved that little bit more resolution and clarity, especially with the Rivo Plus streamer. Another interesting aspect of this chain is the extent to which the CRBN 2 harmonizes with the DSP functions of the WANDLA GSE, such as Spatial Enchancement to improve spatiality and separation as well as Impact+ and Tube mode. For a comparison with other headphones, I add my RAAL 1995 Immanis, Hifiman Susvara OG, Abyss 1266 TC and LCD-4, which are powered by a Niimbus US4. I also try to draw parallels and comparisons with the CRBN, although unfortunately I can't make a direct comparison with it and have to compare from memory.
After a break-in period of about 30 hours, the sound of the CRBN 2 changes a little. The bass becomes more contoured and the treble smoother. After about 50 hours and more, I didn't notice any differences or they were so slight that I didn't think it was necessary to break them in again.
The CRBN 2 harbors the genes of the CRBN. You immediately notice the unusually gripping bass range for electrostatic headphones and the high speed with almost infinite resolution. But first things first. Let's start with one of the most outstanding features compared to the CRBN and that is the improved bass range! The CRBN is already a bank here. However, in the end I coaxed more low bass out of it using EQ (from Bob Katz) and found it more balanced between low and mid bass. This is no longer necessary with the CRBN 2! Wow, what a bass range! I don't know of a single pair of electrostatic headphones that produce such a volume below 30 Hz. Here I have to use my LCD-4, which has similarly good low bass qualities, but it doesn't come close to the audibility and quality of the CRBN 2. It's in a different league. Even the Immanis, which has an immensely good bass range overall, is inferior to the CRBN 2 in terms of low bass. My Abyss 1266 TC can compete with the CRBN 2 in terms of quantity, but the CRBN 2 is also better in terms of quality, as it is simply more controlled and easier to hear through, even at very high volumes where the Abyss has its problems. What the 1266 Abyss TC can do better than any other is the sheer physical impact, where you simply feel the bass even more. An SR007 MK1 or MK2 also have this rather atypical electrostatic impact, but the SR007 tears its teeth out in the low bass range on the CRBN and especially the CRBN 2. I have fed the CRBN 2 with modern genres such as EDM by Paul Van Dyk and the slam, power and control it produces will satisfy any basshead and put a smile on their face! Chocolate Chip Trip by Tool is my reference for bass and as brilliant as the CRBN 2 can make it, it really left me gobsmacked. Continue with Hotel California and Aqualung 40th Anniversairy and all I can say is wow, just awesome! And no, the bass is not too exaggerated, but balanced and absolutely coherent with the rest of the frequency response, i.e. nothing is bloated here, nothing seems too fat. The balance between low bass and mid-bass is just right. Depending on the recording, the CRBN always had a slight mid-bass hump that could be heard. The CRBN 2 doesn't have that problem! In short, ingenious, one of the best bass ranges in the headphone segment and that from an electrostatic headphone! Perhaps you can get even more out of this with other electrostatic amplifiers such as a Megatron or T2. But even with my Carbon, I'm absolutely thrilled!
The mid-range is another clear improvement over the CRBN. Depending on the recording, the presence range around 3Khz could be a bit too much of a good thing. Not as much as with the LCD-5, but the level of the CRBN is still relatively high. Audeze has toned this down a little with the CRBN 2 and it now sounds smooth and less intrusive in every situation. The line of the LCD-5 and CRBN has been retained, but is now a little more cautious. The CRBN 2 is also a long way from the butter-soft mid-range of an LCD-4. Technically, the CRBN 2 simply offers better separation of individual sound elements and an even more natural reproduction compared to the warmer, fuller presentation of an LCD-4. The mid-range Hifiman Susvara sounds a little more romantic compared to the CRBN 2, but not quite as precise and crisp to the point. In general, I remember the CRBN 2 sounding cleaner than the CRBN. The Abyss 1266 has the most recessed mids of all the headphones. The Immanis also doesn't sound as direct as a Susvara or CRBN 2 when it comes to vocal reproduction
The high-frequency range is the domain of electrostatic headphones and the CRBN 2 is also at the forefront here. An absolutely smooth, incredibly high-resolution and very precise high-frequency range that shows no weakness at all. Here it clearly beats the LCD-4 and also the Hifiman Susvara. With the Abyss 1266 TC it's a neck-and-neck race. However, the CRBN 2 separates even better, leaving the Abyss behind. The resolution miracle among headphones, the Immanis remains the undisputed king in terms of resolution.
The stage presentation was already impressive with the CRBN. The CRBN 2 also offers the immense depth gradation with a separation at the very highest level, and I think this depth gradation has gained a little more precision thanks to a slightly better resolution. The CRBN 2 has this 3D-like imaging of the sound elements where you have the feeling of being right in the middle of the action with clear distances to the sound elements, which are easy to locate. The CRBN 2 does not have the very wide imaging of a Hifiman Susvara or the Immanis. The latter has the widest imaging and at the same time the airiest of all. If I had an improvement for the CRBN 2, it would be even more airiness and distance between the instruments. But it's probably just not possible to get the bass range as brilliantly as with the CRBN 2 by using more open shells with electrostatic headphones. Somewhere along the line, physics simply gets in the way. The CRBN 2 is by no means hollow or sounds like a closed back. But in comparison, other TOTL headphones are better in terms of stage width and airiness.
The CRBN 2 harmonizes absolutely brilliantly with the Spatial Enchancement of the WANDLA GSE. Individual micro details can be heard even better and the stage imaging increases in width and even depth. The airiness is also somewhat better. I can hardly get enough of this DSP filter on the CRBN 2 and use it almost exclusively. The CRBN 2 doesn't need the Impact+ mode at all. The already voluminous mid and low bass then produces a mid-bass hump that lacks balance. This is perhaps for those evenings when you really want to let it bang. But for me it sounds much better without Impact+! The tube mode is also something that is not necessary due to its velvety treble range and is rather a means of soothing the treble range for even brighter headphones.
Audeze has made a great pair of headphones even better and, above all, put the “farting” problem that put many people off the CRBN to rest. 6000 USD is certainly a lot, but if you look at the sound and workmanship of the CRBN 2, it plays in the league of Susvara and Abyss 1266 TC and these also have their price. Of course, I can't approve of the price development in recent years. Everyone has to decide for themselves whether it's worth the price. Audiophiles who already own a very good electrostatic amplifier and are looking for a sonic change from a Stax that is just as powerful in the bass range as a Planar Magnetic and offers all the virtues of an electrostatic headphone such as speed, resolution and cleanliness should take a look at the CRBN 2. The CRBN 2 is definitely one of the best headphones you can buy at the moment and for me the best Audeze ever!
