Audeze CRBN2 Electrostatic Headphones

Audeze strikes again with its new CRBN 2 reference electrostatic headphones!

Weighing in at 480 grams versus 300 grams for the original CRBN, with increased depth of the leather ear cups and housing, significantly improved and perfected 2nd generation nano-tube technology drivers, and a patent pending passive technology to enhance deep bass, the Audeze CRBN2 Headphones are stunners. I spent a lot of time with the original CRBN, and the CRBN2 is significantly superior in every musical and mechanical parameter I tested. It is just as amazingly comfortable as the CRBN, the increased weight being undetectable. I sent the original CRBN headphones back once for tweaking about 11 months ago, and though a bit improved in reliability, they cannot measure up to the CRBN2's impressive performance and sturdy build.

Lest I forget, Audeze is offering an update program for purchasers of the original CRBN Headphones to bring them up to the CRBN2 specifications for $995. This program will extend through February 1, 2025. Contact [email protected] to take advantage of this unique offer. Frankly, I don'tt recall any headphone manufacturer of any type or technology in the last half century has offered an update program. So I believe this could be a first. According to Dr. Drag Colich, award winning designer of these headphones, Audeze wants to protect the buyer's investment when they choose these over other manufacturers of electrostatic headphones.

Bob Levi and John Atkinson at the 2022 LAOC Audio Society Gala dinner.

I am impressed.

SLAM or Symmetric Linear Acoustic Modulator passively affects and boosts the bass response from 10-50Hz. The essential boost of about 6 dB is between 20-30Hz precisely in the foundation of full range orchestral and acoustic jazz recordings. The original CRBN Headphones are ruler flat to 20Hz except music in all its forms require dynamic punch that make electrostatic headphones, though measuring flat, sound anemic in real use compared to planar or dynamic cans. This passive boost finally propels electrostatic headphones into the real world. I cannot emphasize how this achievement enhanced my enjoyment of music from Also Sprach Zarathustra to Kind of Blue.

Mechanically, I found that when my big ears touched the inner driver cover of the original CRBN, it crackled. It apparently is an inherent problem with the original CRBN. This is completely fixed in the CRBN2. The CRBN2 is now as stable and solid as any non-electrostatic headphones. The wire supplied with the CRBN2 is 2.5 meters of OCC monocrystal copper and appears a bit thicker than the wire supplied with the CRBN. Both are terminated with a five-pin Pro Bias connector for 580 VDC and compatible with all electrostatic energizers.

Test System

Stax 006t OTL Tube Energizer
UITAudio Interconnect direct from the preamp
Zesto Audio Leto II Ultra Preamplifier
EAR Tube DAC 4
Mac Mini Max Computer

I put 75 hours on the CRBN2 before critical listening. Audeze puts 10 hours on the cans to check quality control before shipping.

The Music

Let me begin by saying the CRBN2 headphones do not sound like the original CRBN at all. The CRBN2 places you in Row M Center of the symphony hall with all of the perspective and depth you would hear. The original CRBN is Row A Center with much less depth and perspective.

In the Halle Orchestra Performance, 24/96, Vaughan Williams conducted by Sir Mark Elder recently released on Qobuz, Five Variants of Dives and Lazarus with the CRBN2, your seat is bathed in definition, solidity, and a sublimely natural sense of depth for 180 degrees. The dynamics rise and fall, real to the max, with pinpoint definition and textural beauty. The original CRBN with the same selection displays an in-your-face perspective with that brighter traditional rather flat electrostatic sound. In other words, the CRBN2 and CRBN sound entirely different.

With the new Harmonia Mundi recording of the Grieg Piano Concerto in A, 24/96, conducted by Sakari Oramo with the BBC Symphony Orchestra, the CRBN2 manages to yield some dimensionality from a truly upfront two dimensional recording. The CRBN sounds thin and raucous, particularly on the piano, which is separately mic'd and quite upfront. The CRBN2 displays a soundstage from ear lobe to ear lobe which is very seductive in spite of the lack of hall sound. I understand the hall perspective Audeze tried to achieve with the CRBN2 and, frankly, they did.

In Tosca, the RCA Recording conducted by Zubin Mehta just released in 24/96 by Qobuz, the opening chords just blow you away with the CRBN2. The enormous dynamics and deep bass are sensual and authentic. Having performed in Tosca with the Atlanta Opera, I can tell you the CRBN2 sounds more alive and spacious than my Marten Birds main system. Placido Domingo's solo in Act One is fantastically real and placed just behind the orchestra. I was unable, even on this hugely dynamic recording, to overload the CRBN2. They are efficient for electrostats, but never lose their special dimensionality or realism. They are the most mellifluous headphones in my extensive collection regardless of type or manufacturer.

Imaging is spot on with the CRBN2. In the Tosca finale of Act One, the organ chords, church bells, cannons, voices, and orchestral nuances are all accounted for and placed where you would expect them. Those organ chords are gorgeous and defined. The Audeze LCD5 gets close to this but the CRBN2 is other-worldly.

Now for the Philharmonia Records recording of Strauss selections, featuring Also Sprach Zarathustra conducted by SANTTU! This is 24/96 just released by Qobuz. The double basses make your spine tingle and the orchestra is dimensional and sweet sounding. The kettle drums are massive but tightly controlled. The pacing is seductive and a bit slow, but I am in no hurry. Solo violin is perfectly captured. Flutes are sweet and focused. The listener is bathed in realism and verisimilitude. The CRBN2 are truly special cans. The best part, there are no mechanical or technical glitches to be found!

Then there's the the Philharmonia Records recording of Stravinsky pieces featuring The Firebird conducted by SANTTU!

This 24/96 recording has some extremely creative conducting and is a must own. The CRBN2 shows off the incredible depth and size of the soundstage. The dynamics are scary and gorgeous. The Petrushka selection has spectacular imaging and airiness. I had no idea these recordings wrapped around the listener while listening on my main speaker system. I absolutely love the textural beauty of the violins...damn, the entire orchestra.

Listening to the Reference Recordings Complete Beethoven Piano Concertos, with Garrick Ohlsson, Runnicles conducting, 24/192, demonstrates close to the pinnacle of what the CRBN2 can do. First, the natural and slightly warm sound of the orchestra is beautifully rendered particularly the French horns. Second, the piano sounds like a beautifully tuned Steinway D in a concert hall very carefully mic'd. Third, the dimensionality in all directions is breath-taking. I am not sure Keith Johnson was directly involved in this recording effort, but they definitely used his playbook and ribbon microphones. This is one of those recordings where you feel you can walk on stage and meet the musicians with the CRBN2. This is also a must own and as a member of the Los Angeles And Orange County Audio Society you will receive a generous discount from RR.

John Coltrane and Johnny Hartman, Impulse Records 24/96, is music for real relaxation. A classic for sure, Coltrane's sax is textured, powerful, and delicious with perfect imaging on the CRBN2. Hartman's voice is luxurious and more natural than I remember it. I can hear the sweetening in the studio all around him particularly in "Dedicated To You." The piano and drum set are in the background to the right exquisitely rendered. The double bass is so natural and dynamically correct. If you do not have this, there are numerous reissues and the Qobuz version is superb.

Kind of Blue, Miles Davis, Columbia, Qobuz 24/192 is excellent! I like the Acoustic Sounds 45 RPM LP better of course. Nevertheless, the Qobuz version is really good and an excellent reference. The CRBN2 is so musical and accurate all at the same time. The listener can zoom in on any instrument with ease and not feel short-changed. This album is so incredibly enjoyable and timeless, and these new CRBN2 electrostatics just sound so right. My favorite instrument: Bill Evans at the piano. Though not spotlighted, the piano just develops the melodies so perfectly. It is so easy to hear this with the new CRBN2.

Maiden Voyage, Herbie Hancock, Qobuz 24/192 is one of my favorites for evaluating gear. Each instrument is so carefully mic'd, and this is very apparent on this high resolution album. Recorded by Rudy Van Gelder in 1965 for Blue Note Records, it is so meticulous in every way. I love the complex improvisations, and the cheerful melodies. I listened to the entire album on the CRBN2 and enjoyed the performances like never before. Freddie Hubbard plays trumpet and Ron Carter was playing bass; both are fantastic and I was most impressed, once again, just how natural the instruments sound. I never heard any mechanical noises or even the hint of crispness with the CRBN2. I boosted the volume to my maximum tolerance without a moment of distortion of any kind.

Energizers

Audeze recommends a range of energizers to choose from. All energizers are compatible with the CRBN2. I like energizers with a tube input/output stage or at least a tube output stage. Solid state output is not going to sound as musical and is to be avoided in my experience. The WOO WES Energizer is expensive, but is the one Dr. Colich uses for listening. I have not auditioned the new Stax SRM 500T for about $1500, which has a tube output and should drive these efficient CRBN2 headphones well. It also has balanced inputs. Check it out.

Quibbles

None.

Bob Levi at the LAOC Audio Society Board dinner, 2023. (Photograph and image processing by David W. Robinson.)

Summary

The second generation CRBN2 Electrostatic Headphones created by the brilliant Dr. Drag Colich for Audeze are very nearly perfect. I was not able to identify any weaknesses in their design, nor could I make them fail as I pushed them to their maximum. The CRBN2 is musical in every sense of the word and precise in their pursuit of reproducing the actual recorded performance in your home or on the go. (Stax makes a portable energizer under $1000.) The CRBN2 has the character of the LCD5 and the dimensionality in all musical parameters of a truly high-end speaker system (and maybe better.)

I have not heard superior electrostatic headphones than the CRBN2. They do not sound like the original CRBN and beat that overall design by a wider margin than I anticipated. I highly recommend you take Audeze up on their offer to upgrade your original CRBN cans to CRBN2 status. Just think, you get a pair of $50,000 speakers to hang on your head for a $995 upgrade.

I hesitate to name the CRBN2 as the best overall headphones of any type or drive ever produced. I will let you decide.

Go hear them!

Congratulations to Audeze on these extraordinary CRBN2 Electrostatic Headphones. The CRBN2 receives my very highest recommendation for audiophiles who want the very best.