[Kdubbs82]

What range of cost would you anticipate the electrostatics being?

I thought I'd start this thread, as there was a bunch of activity regarding these headphones on the recent CanJam Impressions thread. Prototypes will continue to appear at upcoming meets and shows, so it seems appropriate to start a thread for impressions - knowing full well that these are a work in progress, and impressions will vary and change across multiple versions of the headphones.


I was in San Diego last week. I had a brief opportunity to sneak away from family, and Dan graciously let me stop by. I kept it brief, Dan is really busy right now. We chatted a bit, and Dan handed me a pair of Ether C's with Ether flat pads, sort of as reference, as I have the C's. I liked what the flat pads did - warmed them up bit. I may buy a pair.

Then he handed me the prototype electrostatics. He did ask that if I post about them, to please mention - These are quite a bit further along than the pair he took to CanJam in March. The rig was an AK 380 (I think?) Copper colored DAP, I think just as transport into a Schiit Gungnir MB, into a Cavalli Liquid Lightning 2T.

This was one of only a few, and first in quite a while "OH WOW!" moments where you put them on, listen, pull them off and look at them with that What expression, then put them back on, and mutter (pretty loud 'cause you have headphones on) "Oh Wow!" and then just listen for a few minutes.

I'm not a complete newby to electrostatics - I've heard the 007 and 009 out of good rigs a couple or 3 times. Not a complete newly, but close. That means no comparisons, just some completely subjective comments.

The detail, realism, sound stage and air were just stunning. I'm not sure I've heard a sound stage like that that was accurate. Definitely not the HD800 sound stage. Just open and very real sounding. About as close to speakers as I've heard with headphones. Add to all that realistic, deep bass. I was quite stunned by these headphones. I look forward to more impressions.

 

[bearFNF]

What range of cost would you anticipate the electrostatics being?

Well, Dan said well below $3000US, hope that holds true.

 

[Kdubbs82]

I’ve never been to a show. Hope to get to one to experience a prototype. I’m already in love the the Flow C’s.

Well, Dan said well below $3000US, hope that holds true.

 

[bearFNF]

I’ve never been to a show. Hope to get to one to experience a prototype. I’m already in love the the Flow C’s.

If you start around page 30 of this thread, you can read the latest on the release estimate.

I liked what I heard form the different iterations of protos, have not heard the "production" tunes ones yet. Will be putting them up against my 007mkII and 009s.

 

[TSAVJason]

Well, Dan said well below $3000US, hope that holds true.

Maybe I can add to that just a bit. What Dan actually said was, his target price was below $3k. He has never committed to any price other than he wanted it to reach the market under that $3k number. Dan is in my opinion pretty good at getting the price down as low as he can afford to take it. He has my respect in that category so far.

 

[TSAVJason]

If you start around page 30 of this thread, you can read the latest on the release estimate.

I liked what I heard form the different iterations of protos, have not heard the "production" tunes ones yet. Will be putting them up against my 007mkII and 009s.

For STAX owners it maybe a disappointment in their gear but of course it’s a preference thing for us all so there will be those that feel the STAX are the can of choice. We’ll just have to see how that goes when the release of the MrSpeakers EStat happens

 

[mrspeakers]

We are pleased to introduce our newest headphone, VOCE! VOCE is Italian for voice (pronounced vo.t͡ʃe, though that may not be ultra-helpful).

VOCE is an electrostatic headphone designed to deliver uncompromising electrostatic resolution and clarity with bass output that extends deep into the subsonic. Very light and comfortable, with an extremely large soundstage and a neutral voicing VOCE is our most accurate headphone.

VOCE is designed and built in San Diego, CA and comes with the following innovative features:
· Super-large 88mm diaphragm for extended low frequency output
· 2.4 micron driver, optimized for stability and resolution
· Ultra-thin metal stators for superior sound
· MrSpeakers’ signature NiTinol memory metal headband for exceptional comfort, light weight and durability
· Detachable* custom fabricated silver-plated copper cable that is non-microphonic, round and super-supple, yet low capacitance
· Proprietary machined Teflon amplifier plug with machined aluminum housing, gold plated solid copper pins and a machined aluminum headphone connector**
· 580V “Pro-bias” compatible for use with any Stax-pro compatible amplifiers
· Italian Napa leather ear pads
· Vat-dyed US made leather headband

Proper storage of electrostatic headphone helps reduce service issues by reducing dust accumulation on the stators. Our attractive shipping box is designed to not only reduce packaging waste but to serve as a stylish and functional way to store a VOCE (or any) headphone.

Box features include:
· Real walnut hardwood
· Hinged clear acrylic front doors with magnetic fasteners
· A built-in integrated headphone stand
· A convenient front-slot for the cable so the headphones may be left plugged-in while stored

Pricing
VOCE is $2999.99 in the US.

A comment on this price to our friends and followers; we realize this is higher than we’d committed and for this I regret we said it’d be “well-under” $3000. The reality is essential changes to the stator design, higher than expected cost of the cable and custom plugs, and the enhanced storage and display case added too much to the cost to achieve our original price target. While our original thought was the headphone would be $2800 we hope you'll agree the benefits of improved sound, ergonomics and storage are well worth the incremental cost.

Availability
VOCE is a hand-made headphone and quantities will be limited. We will start taking orders January 1, 2018.

First US shipments are expected in February 2018 and orders can be placed on https://mrspeakers.com/ starting January 1, 2018. We will announce the US dealer-list prior to New Year’s Eve. Limited quantities will be available for the UK and Japan. Based on our ability to meet demand, we will expand into additional countries as quickly as we can.

*the detachable cable is for customer cable replacement for longer cables or 3rd party cables. It is not for daily/regular use
**Plugs and connector housings will be available to 3rd party cable companies to make VOCE compatible cables

Department of Eye Candy
(note: headphone has a dust screen not shown in these photos, and the cable plug will be finished to match the headphone)






(This is a render, obviously. We'll have a photo as soon as possible..)

 

[TSAVJason]

We are pleased to introduce our newest headphone, VOCE! VOCE is Italian for voice (pronounced vo.t͡ʃe, though that may not be ultra-helpful).

VOCE is an electrostatic headphone designed to deliver uncompromising electrostatic resolution and clarity with bass output that extends deep into the subsonic. Very light and comfortable, with an extremely large soundstage and a neutral voicing VOCE is our most accurate headphone.

VOCE is designed and built in San Diego, CA and comes with the following innovative features:
· Super-large 88mm diaphragm for extended low frequency output
· 2.4 micron driver, optimized for stability and resolution
· Ultra-thin metal stators for superior sound
· MrSpeakers’ signature NiTinol memory metal headband for exceptional comfort, light weight and durability
· Detachable* custom fabricated silver-plated copper cable that is non-microphonic, round and super-supple, yet low capacitance
· Proprietary machined Teflon amplifier plug with machined aluminum housing, gold plated solid copper pins and a machined aluminum headphone connector**
· 580V “Pro-bias” compatible for use with any Stax-pro compatible amplifiers
· Italian Napa leather ear pads
· Vat-dyed US made leather headband

Proper storage of electrostatic headphone helps reduce service issues by reducing dust accumulation on the stators. Our attractive shipping box is designed to not only reduce packaging waste but to serve as a stylish and functional way to store a VOCE (or any) headphone.

Box features include:
· Real walnut hardwood
· Hinged clear acrylic front doors with magnetic fasteners
· A built-in integrated headphone stand
· A convenient front-slot for the cable so the headphones may be left plugged-in while stored

Pricing
VOCE is $2999.99 in the US.

A comment on this price to our friends and followers; we realize this is higher than we’d committed and for this I regret we said it’d be “well-under” $3000. The reality is essential changes to the stator design, higher than expected cost of the cable and custom plugs, and the enhanced storage and display case added too much to the cost to achieve our original price target. While our original thought was the headphone would be $2800 we hope you'll agree the benefits of improved sound, ergonomics and storage are well worth the incremental cost.

Availability
VOCE is a hand-made headphone and quantities will be limited. We will start taking orders January 1, 2018.

First US shipments are expected in February 2018 and orders can be placed on https://mrspeakers.com/ starting January 1, 2018. We will announce the US dealer-list prior to New Year’s Eve. Limited quantities will be available for the UK and Japan. Based on our ability to meet demand, we will expand into additional countries as quickly as we can.

*the detachable cable is for customer cable replacement for longer cables or 3rd party cables. It is not for daily/regular use
**Plugs and connector housings will be available to 3rd party cable companies to make VOCE compatible cables

Department of Eye Candy
(note: headphone has a dust screen not shown in these photos, and the cable plug will be finished to match the headphone)






(This is a render, obviously. We'll have a photo as soon as possible..)

Awesome! Thanks for sharing the info and pictures Dan!! Kudos!!

 

[statfi]

We are pleased to introduce our newest headphone, VOCE! VOCE is Italian for voice (pronounced vo.t͡ʃe, though that may not be ultra-helpful).

Nice! Please tell me what I am seeing, e.g., in the top photo, is the:
1) The outer side closest to us is a protective grate with 5 sections along a radius and up to 16 azimuthal sections
2) The next layer in is the left outer stator with zillions of small holes, a few radial ribs and a larger clear aperture in the very center
3) The diaphragm is the gleam seen through the aperture in 2)
When and where can I hear them in Nor. Cal. ?-)

 

[bearwarrior]

Can you give more information about warranty?

Thanks!

 

[mrspeakers]

Nice! Please tell me what I am seeing, e.g., in the top photo, is the:
1) The outer side closest to us is a protective grate with 5 sections along a radius and up to 16 azimuthal sections
2) The next layer in is the left outer stator with zillions of small holes, a few radial ribs and a larger clear aperture in the very center
3) The diaphragm is the gleam seen through the aperture in 2)
When and where can I hear them in Nor. Cal. ?-)

Yes. There's a fine mesh dust screen under the outer "web."

We'll announce which dealers shortly.

Can you give more information about warranty?

Thanks!

2 year. We have also taken steps to design this to be field service friendly, the driver is modular enough for field repairs to be a reasonable thing.

 

[Byronb]

My wallet curses you, my ears however are freakin' excited!

 

[Levanter]

It'll definitely be below $3000, and not $2999.

Uhh... what happened to this?

*edit* okay, nvm just saw the comment....

 

[bearwarrior]

Very exciting. People get to know this headphone in 2016. It finally will release in 2018. From the pics, it seems a very promising high-end product. Looking forward to people's impressions.

By the way, since the headphone has a unique name instead of Ether E, do we need to create a new thread for it? I am not sure if the thread title can be changed.

 

[VandyMan]

I hope you have stock at CamJam NY. I plan to buy one, assuming it sounds as good as the prototype I heard.