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Astell&Kern AK Zero1 Hybrid IEM
Oct 14, 2021 at 10:01 PM Thread Starter Post #1 of 78
JasonNYC

JasonNYC

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Astell&Kern Launches The AK Zero1 Hybrid In-Ear Monitor​

The AK Zero1 Combines Three Different Drivers to Produce The Perfect Balanced Sound​



  • Three Different Types of Drivers
  • Perfectly Harmonized Driver Structure
  • Highest Cross-Over Network Management
  • Acoustic Chamber created using 3D Printed Technology
  • Precise CNC Machined Metal Housing
  • Hi-Fi Grade Pure Silver-Coated OFC Cable
  • Hand Crafted in Japan
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Astell&Kern, a global leader in portable high-resolution audio players and accessories, announces the company’s newest Hybrid In-Ear Monitor (IEM), the AK Zero1. The AK Zero1 will be available at authorized Astell&Kern dealers in the worldwide in November 2021 for $699.

The hybrid AK ZERO1 IEM combines the sounds of three unique driver technologies into one IEM. Composed of a Micro Rectangular Planar Dynamic Driver, two BA drivers, and a 5.6 mm Dynamic Driver, the AK ZERO1 harmonizes the characteristics of each driver to deliver the most natural sound to your ears.

The Micro Rectangular Planar Dynamic Driver is a specially developed driver with highly advanced technology that allows a planar driver, normally a very difficult driver to scale down, to be applied to in-ear monitors. Astell&Kern adopted a sturdy and lightweight planar membrane to minimize frequency loss and applied a vibration panel that features a high-polymer film with thin metal to create crystal clear high frequencies.

Two BA drivers are made using custom coil parameters and offer crystal-clear vocals with super-low distortion.

A 5.6 mm Dynamic Driver ensures rich, controlled and deep low frequencies.

An ideal frequency response was created through the Cross Over Network, which is designed based on a thorough understanding of each driver’s parameters. Each driver is then carefully placed in the optimal 3D position, enclosed in specifically designed acoustic chambers manufactured with precise 3D printing technology. This eliminates unnecessary movement and resonance of the drivers to ensure stable performance.

The housing, which is designed with Astell&Kern's unique advanced aluminum-refining technology, keeps resonance to a minimum and creates the highest-quality sound.

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The AK Zero1 comes with a Hi-Fi Grade Pure Silver-Coated OFC 4 Core Cable with 3.5mm headphone jack. The Pure Silver-Coated OFC cable maximizes the performance of the Hybrid IEM AK ZERO1. It has been exquisitely crafted with high-purity silver plating and copper, and the aluminum plugs compliment the IEM housing. MMCX connectors provide a quality, long-lasting stable connection to the AK Zero1 earbud.

A 4.4mm balanced cable for the AK Zero1 will be available for purchase separately in November 2021 for $199.

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Accessories include five (5) pairs of silicone ear tips and one pair of foam ear tips to provide the best fit and a leather carrying case.
 
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Oct 14, 2021 at 11:53 PM Post #5 of 78
rantng said:
Interesting. Was this developed in-house?
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kel77 said:
Hand crafted in Japan...just a guess that it could be made by Final Audio.
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Probably not. The design just doesn't look Final to me. The cable is clearly Acoustune/Pentaconn; the eartips are the same generic ones that came with those AK/JH collabs. The design reminds me of Fiio and Ikko, but neither is made in Japan, so idk.
 
Oct 14, 2021 at 11:59 PM Post #6 of 78
The cable is somewhat reminiscent of Final's cables. I don't recall A&K ever releasing their own IEMs; the Beyerdynamic & JH collabs are the only ones that come to mind.
 
Oct 15, 2021 at 12:07 AM Post #7 of 78
Looks promising.... and quite unique.

But using an itty-bitty 5.6mm DD for a bass driver has me a little concerned.
 
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Oct 15, 2021 at 12:07 AM Post #8 of 78
Oct 15, 2021 at 12:11 AM Post #9 of 78
rantng said:
The cable is somewhat reminiscent of Final's cables. I don't recall A&K ever releasing their own IEMs; the Beyerdynamic & JH collabs are the only ones that come to mind.
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They did previously have collab with Final Audio for AKR-01. Final Audio uses mmcx connectors for their IEMs. This design is very much like the Final Audio B, A8000 series.
 
Oct 15, 2021 at 12:32 AM Post #10 of 78
CEO of FitEar has a guess of who made the drivers:
https://twitter.com/kindo3/status/1448864847446220803

APMB-30 http://www.amtacoustic.com/product/APM/
and ADS-SP-5.6 http://www.amtacoustic.com/product/dq/

The head of R&D of AMT Acoustics worked at Knowles for 17 years
https://cn.linkedin.com/in/jia-sandy-b342763a
I wouldn't be surprised if the BA driver was also made by this company.

AMT Acoustics is 1More's sole supplier of BA drivers
https://www.businessweekly.com.tw/management/blog/22582
https://pdf.dfcfw.com/pdf/H2_AN201912011371301952_1.PDF
 
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Oct 15, 2021 at 3:44 AM Post #11 of 78
Edric Li said:
Probably not. The design just doesn't look Final to me. The cable is clearly Acoustune/Pentaconn; the eartips are the same generic ones that came with those AK/JH collabs. The design reminds me of Fiio and Ikko, but neither is made in Japan, so idk.
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Those angles look a ton like Final Audio. I'm not sure what you mean it not looking like Final. The cable looks pretty generic, hard to make any conclusions based on that.

The thing that gives me pause is the rectangular planar, in terms of determining who the manufacturing partner is. It could be Unique Melody's Japanese distributor. Unique Melody has some Japan only models that are tuned by their Japanese distributor.

XERO1 said:
Looks promising.... and quite unique.

But using an itty-bitty 5.6mm DD for a bass driver has me a little concerned.
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Yeah, I'd wager bass will be fast but not rumbly. It should be able to get enough extension, just not the full texture. I'm eager to hear this thing.
 
Oct 15, 2021 at 4:44 AM Post #12 of 78
an audiophile has to suffer twice: when he wears an angular player and when he tries to fit square headphones in his ears
 
Oct 15, 2021 at 10:19 AM Post #13 of 78
Seems interesting and not even completely overpriced for what is on offer. Color me surprised (and somewhat tempted, depending on what people who get to hear it will have to say)...
 
Oct 15, 2021 at 10:22 AM Post #14 of 78
JasonNYC said:
A 4.4mm balanced cable for the AK Zero1 will be available for purchase separately in November 2021 for $199.
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Why not give people the option to choose between 4.4mm or 2.5mm versions? Why should anyone pay for a cable in the box that he sure doesn't need?
 
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Oct 15, 2021 at 10:24 AM Post #15 of 78
Edric Li said:
Probably not. The design just doesn't look Final to me. The cable is clearly Acoustune/Pentaconn; the eartips are the same generic ones that came with those AK/JH collabs. The design reminds me of Fiio and Ikko, but neither is made in Japan, so idk.
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Interesting.. When I looked at the shell and read "Made in Japan" my first thought was that looks like Final, but who knows...
 
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