The First In-ear Headphones with Tesla Technology – Perfect for High-resolution Audio Playback
Heilbronn/Seoul, August 2015: “Look out, music fans: we shrank the Tesla headphones!” With this announcement, beyerdynamic and Astell & Kern can be sure they have the attention of all the audiophiles at this year’s IFA. In Berlin, at the world’s largest trade fair for consumer electronics, the German audio specialist will give an impressive demonstration of how its Tesla technology can be miniaturised. After high-end circumaural headphones T1 and T5 and the compact T 51 i on-ear model comes the next logical step: the world’s first in-ear Tesla.
Made in Germany :
The compact sound powerhouse is called AK T8iE (999USD) and it is designed, developed and assembled by hand at the beyerdynamic headquarters in Heilbronn, Germany. The ring magnet that characterises Tesla headphones is 16 times smaller in the AK T8iE than in the T 1 reference model, and the moving coil is so filigree that it is barely visible. Together, they form a transducer with extremely high efficiency and outstanding fidelity.
The AK T8iE offers all the advantages of the exclusive Tesla technology in minimal space to reproduce the entire acoustic range neutrally and precisely. These headphones are free of typical flaws, which are typical for many in-ear models, such as insufficient deep bass and rough, unrefined trebles.
Optimised for players from Astell & Kern
Its special acoustic properties make the AK T8iE ideal for high-resolution audio playback. Only with headphones like these can the fine audio details of a studio master with 24 bits or a bitstream recording really come into their own.
As the market leader for portable high-end players, Astell & Kerns strives for the same optimal sound quality that beyerdynamic does. To achieve this common goal, both companies decided to deepen their co-operation, and to optimize the new Tesla in-ear for Astell & Kern hardware. Each AK T8iE now includes a special connection cable. With its four-pin jack plug (2.5 mm), this cable is a perfect fit for the symmetrical output of the high-end players from Astell & Kern. Effects on the sound by this lead can be virtually excluded thanks to this fully symmetrical signal transmission. The player and headphones play together like an integrated audiophile system from a single source.
But you can also upgrade the sound of all other portable playback devices such as the AK Jr. from Astell & Kern, as well as any smartphones or tablets, with the in-ear Tesla. The necessary asymmetric headphone cable with a 3.5 mm jack is also included.
The best in features and workmanship
Every detail of the AK T8iE has been honed for durability and practical use. This starts with the detachable Kevlar-reinforced cables that can easily handle 40,000 bending cycles, and extends to the housing surface, which is metallised with a particularly easy-to-grip, skin-friendly chrome alloy. This technology comes from the automotive and medical fields.
In order to ensure a perfect fit, beyerdynamic measured a variety of ear canals and developed special eartips for the AK T8iE. Special features of these silicone eartips in five sizes include the oval form that allows them to practically twist themselves into the ear canal. They fit comfortably without any pressure, and are held in place by the cables that go up over the ears. Plugs falling out and unpleasantly stiff, pinching silicone eartips are a thing of the past.
Users who still prefer the popular Comply™ Foam Tips with a memory effect won’t be disappointed, either. Three pairs of eartips made of moulded foam in sizes S, M and L are included. The product and all the enclosed accessories are packed fittingly – in an exclusive leather case with a magnetic closure. The elegant case protects the headphones during travel, and reminds users each time they open it that they are holding a very special piece of headphone technology.
The AK T8iE will celebrate its world début from 4 to 9 September 2015 at beyerdynamic’s stand at the IFA in Berlin (Hall 1.2, Stand 204). The first in-ear Tesla will be available from specialist retailers as of end-September.
