Audeze CRBN2 Review – Headfonia

In this article we look at the high-end Audeze CRBN2 Electrostatic headphone. It is selling for $5,995 USD.

Disclaimer: The Audeze CRBN2 was sent to me by Audeze directly, in exchange for our honest review. Audeze is not related to Headfonia in any way. 

Audeze

If you’ve been following the personal audio world for the last 10+ years, then the name Audeze will ring many bells. The California based company completely changed and upped the headphone game to new levels. Bio from the Audeze site:

Audeze’s origins go back to 2008 when founders Sankar Thiagasamudram and Alexander Rosson met engineer Pete Uka who developed specialized flexible circuit materials for NASA.

They quickly realized the material might be perfect for headphones. And the rest is history.

Since then, Audeze has launched many successful audiophile headphones, IEMs and gaming headphones. We’ve reviewed almost all of the Audeze products here on Headfonia, the latest ones being the Maxwell, MM-100 and the LCD-4z.

If you’re not familiar with Audeze’s LCD and other headphones, then I strongly suggest to read up on them first.

In this review we’re checking out the Audeze CRBN2, let’s get started.

Audeze CRBN2

The Audeze CRBN2 is the second version of the award winning CRNB Electrostatic headphone.

The CRBN² is based on a project to produce headphones for use in MRI machines, between Audeze and a team from UCLA School of Medicine.

Due to the powerful magnetic fields of an MRI, the headphone could not use ferrous metals, so researchers developed the carbon nanotube film electrostatic driver.

Introducing our most advanced headphone yet – CRBN2 – which pairs second-generation carbon-nanotube electrostatic drivers with another new breakthrough technology.

Audeze also calls the CRBN2 a “Heritage of Innovation” and it is their most advanced headphone yet.

Here are some of the unique CRBN2 features:

SLAM technology

SLAM stands for Symmetric Linear Acoustic Modulator and it basically is a tuning to enhance bass frequencies and deliver lower distortion. The SLAM tech maintains optimal pressure distribution on the diaphragm and this tech is patent pending.

SLAM gives CRBN2 the most powerful and life-like physical bass of – according to Audeze – any electrostatic headphone, with natural detail presentation and immersive stereo imaging.

Because of the lower distortion, the CRBN2 improves spatial imaging and detail presentation.

2nd Generation Carbon Nanotube Electrostatic Driver

Audeze’s patented carbon nanotube-embedded driver film is made in house, and with it they’re pushing the boundaries of electrostatic technology.

It is allowing Audeze to precisely control the electrostatic force across the driver, to attain the most accurate sound possible.

Premium materials

Audeze is using only the best materials to guarantee a luxurious long-term comfort. The CRBN2 is engineered from materials of the highest quality: magnesium, carbon fiber, premium leather, stainless steel, and polymer acetate. OF course this also reflects in the MSRP.

Compatible with all 580-volt bias electrostatic amplifiers

The Audeze CRBN2 – according to Audeze – requires an amplifier with an electrostatic output using 580VDC bias, also known as “Stax Pro Bias.” There are a large number of suitable amplifiers on the market from a variety of brands will drive the CRBN2 well.

Audeze has a list of examples here, but of course a lot of other amps are suited to drive the CRBN2 as well.

You can find out all you need to know about the Audeze CRBN2 on its dedicated web page here. If you want to dig in and learn more about Audeze’s EST tech, you can do so here.

Price, Box & Accessories

The Audeze CRBN2 electrostatic headphones because of the technology and materials used don’t come cheap and the CRBN2 is selling for $5,995 USD.

Inside the beautiful hard case aluminium travel case, you will find the CRBN² Headphone, a certificate of Authenticity, a set of gloves and the usual warranty Card.

It’s not a very luxurious package, but as the cables are hard wired, there’s only so much Audeze can do.

Design, Build Quality

Personally I really like the look and feel of the CRBN2. The grill, and actually the whole headphone, gives me Meze Audio vibes and that’s always a good thing.

The copper accents on the headband system, pads and the grill look stunning. The carbon headband is one of the nicest I have seen, and I just love the fine details such as the grill design and the rod finishing (see pictures).

The pictures don’t do the ear cup design justice though, it looks so much better in real.

Not only does the CRBN2 look good, it also is extremely well built with luxurious and nice looking materials such as magnesium, carbon fiber, premium leather, stainless steel, and polymer acetate.

Each CRBN² is hand-assembled and tested in California by electrostatic specialists. AS usual with electrostatic headphones, the CRBN comes with a fixed cable (2.5m OCC monocrystal copper, 5-pin Pro Bias)

If there’s one thing I would change on the CRBN2 it are the adhesive pads, but that’s something we’ve mentioned before when reviewing Audeze headphones.

Audeze is working on that however and the LCD-S20 in example already uses magnetically attached earpads.

Fit, Comfort and Isolation

The Audeze CRBN2 is a more bulky headphone. The headband system, full-sized ear cups and super comfy large circumaural ear pads do make it a larger sized headphone.

The CRBN2 weighs 480g which more or less is the average weight of a high-end headphone nowadays. The headband does a sublime job however in distributing the weight and it also delivers the perfect side pressure for me.

It’s a tighter fit, but the soft pads do a perfect job in translating it to a comfy experience. The CRBN2 stays firmly in place and with its 2.5m cable length, it means you have very little reasons to take the headphone off when you need to move around.

For me the fit and comfort are really good, but of course everyone’s head is different, so do try before you buy. You can of course always stretch the headband somewhat to reduce the side pressure on your head.

The Audeze CRBN2 is an open back headphone, so it isolation wise isn’t the best headphone. Music will leak out and sound will leak in.

That said, this isn’t the type of headphone you would use in noisy environments or on the go. This is a high-end unit for the serious audiophile, to use in perfect conditions. 

Sound – Intro

This is the section in which we check how the companies describe the sound of their own units. For The Audeze CRBN2 we find the following:

The CRBN2 improves spatial imaging and detail presentation.

Experience the most powerful, tactile bass response of any electrostatic headphone, and vividly holographic spatial imaging.

As high-end electrostatic headphones are very refined and precise sounding, your full setup is highly important. Make sure you use good components in your setup. Same goes for the material you are listening to: feed it a crappy file and it will sound very bad.

Let’s dive in and see if we can relate to Audeze’s description.

Sound – General

I tested the CRBN2 with a multiple of amplifiers such as the Audiovalve Solaris and Hifiman’s Shangri-La Jr. The DACs used were the Musician Audio Aquarius, Violectric V850 and the Luxsin X9.

It’s important to know that most of the electrostatic headphones are very transparent, ant the sound signature of the amplifier used, will be present in what you hear.

Audeze has a list of amplifiers they recommend using with the CRBN2, and you cand find that list here. I myself like the Hifiman Shangri-La Jr. amplifier most with the CRBN2. This amp is selling for around $5k.

The article continues on the second page. Click here or use the jumps below to keep reading.