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Writer's pictureAlexander aka KUBIK

Astell&Kern IEMs AURA Review



Precision meets emotion: AURA VISION EARS x Astell&Kern


A Stellar Fusion of Craftsmanship and Innovation: AURA by Vision Ears and Astell&Kern.


The pursuit of perfection in sound is a relentless journey, an odyssey through the subtlest nuances that only true audiophiles can fathom. Astell&Kern, a beacon of audio excellence, has married ceaseless technological innovation and precision craftsmanship to forge an alliance with the esteemed Vision Ears. This symphony of collaboration has given birth to AURA – an unparalleled audio player and in-ear monitor (IEM) that transcends the ordinary.

One of the key aspects that set AURA apart is its dedication to precision in sound. Astell&Kern and Vision Ears have left no stone unturned when it comes to achieving the best possible sound reproduction. The result is a rich and natural sound that envelops the listener and allows for a truly immersive sonic experience.


Hailing from the heart of Germany, Vision Ears, since its inception in 2013, has epitomized the pinnacle of IEM craftsmanship. Revered for its meticulous handmade precision, the brand's ascent has been unwavering, establishing it as a virtuoso in the premium IEM landscape. In a harmonious convergence of sound values, Astell & Kern and Vision Ears undertook the herculean task of birthing a new IEM, bridging their mutual respect for each other's sonic philosophies and technological dexterity.


Unveiling AURA, the zenith of their combined efforts, a meticulous symphony of design and technology unfolds. Elevating sound beyond a mere listening experience, AURA encapsulates the essence of both brands – precision meets emotion, innovation meets craftsmanship.

Design AURA is a masterpiece of design and engineering prowess, offering bold yet unique esthetics that represent the brand's philosophy of precision and innovation.

The front plate's CNC processing line is not just a visual design element but a functional part that optimizes the internal components to provide quality sound. The matte gun metal-colored shell gives agile and modern vibes, and the warm bronze color on the faceplate with a slight gloss adds elegance and sophistication. The curved grille on the front plate is a delicate yet striking detail.


The high-quality design featuring advanced technologies and esthetics represents the uncompromising spirit and design of Astell&Kern and Vision Ears, offering you a true piece of art that provides unrivaled experiences beyond the functionalities of IEMs as a music player.


At its heart, AURA boasts an ensemble of 11 drivers, each meticulously curated and optimized, orchestrating an overwhelming symphony of precision across the frequency spectrum. This unparalleled synergy is a product of a 5-way crossover, a testament to the intricacies of design. Every element, from the delicate shell to the high-quality mesh structure, coalesces harmoniously to birth a rich and natural soundscape, immersing listeners in an enveloping sonic tapestry.


The pedigree of AURA's design is equally extraordinary. Vision Ears and Astell&Kern weave innovation, sophistication, and cutting-edge technology into every fiber of AURA. AURA's housing is meticulously crafted in Germany, resulting in a design that captivates the senses while delivering an auditory experience that transcends expectations. Crafted from Swiss 6061-T6 aluminum, AURA's front plate and shell embody both elegance and strength.

The unique Micro Groove Design is a testament to the detail-oriented approach taken, ensuring not just auditory perfection but also aesthetic opulence.


AURA's technological prowess is a feat to behold. Overcoming the intricate dance of 11 drivers demands a delicate equilibrium. AURA's 5-way crossover, a pinnacle of German precision, orchestrates this balance to perfection.


The isobaric configuration, featuring two 8mm Al-Mg Low Dynamic Drivers, obliterates phasing issues, delivering accurate, vibrant low-frequency resonance.


Every aspect of AURA is a marvel, designed to elevate your musical encounters. The meticulously handcrafted IEMs carry the essence of German precision, painstakingly created by experienced artisans in Cologne. Complementing AURA's magnificence is the Effect Audio Custom Cable, meticulously designed to match AURA's sonic brilliance.


It's not just an IEM; it's a piece of artistry, a masterpiece of auditory engineering that transcends the boundaries of sound. AURA is your vessel to immerse, feel, and truly experience music in its purest form. With AURA, Astell&Kern, and Vision Ears redefine the essence of sound, intertwining precision, emotion, technology, and art. Enter the realm of AURA – where music isn't just heard; it's felt, experienced, and cherished.


Internal Structure: Custom Designed 11-Drivers

2 x 8 mm Al-Mg Low Dynamic Drivers

- [Sub-low & Low]

The 8-mm isobaric dynamic drivers offer powerful output and precision sound. Two 8-mm dynamic drivers handle the low and mid-low frequency ranges, offering tighter, more precise, and better-tuned bass thanks to their exquisite design.

Eight Drivers: Two Sets of Four Balanced Armature Drivers

- [Mid-low] [Mid] [Mid-high]

It comes with specially selected four mid-low balanced armature (BA) drivers and four mid and mid-high BA drivers with two pairs of dual BA drivers that combine to handle the mid and mid-high frequency range. The carefully selected eight BA drivers work together to create precision mid-range sounds and produce warm and emotional male and female vocals.

1 Balanced Armature Super Tweeter

- [High & Super High]

Balanced armature (BA) drivers designed to maximize a sense of space and openness are utilized to create soft, delicate, yet expanded ultra-high-frequency sound that resonates richly in your ears.


Ultra-Precision Technology

5-Way Crossover:

The AURA technical configuration is designed with a 1st-grade crossover, meticulously manufactured in Germany. All components are well chosen for the lowest tolerances possible on the market. AURA uses a 5-way crossover with a particular circuit solution that avoids an excessive load from the tweeter towards the source (amplifier), thus reducing distortion and extending the reproduction of high frequencies. Internal wiring is made with premium silver-plated copper alloy wire for the highest performance.


Isobaric configuration with two dynamic drivers:

Two 8mm dynamic drivers are placed facing each other in an isobaric configuration. As two drivers are placed facing each other and the sound is output from exactly between them, the constructive interference is maximized, effectively doubling the output volume. This, in turn, removes any phasing issues that may arise from the length difference between the sound tubes, reducing THD. This design makes the low-frequency sound created by the dynamic drivers more accurate, solid, and vibrant.


Chamber:

The "special chamber" has a precise internal volume that has been calculated to get the best compromise between driver speediness and musicality. The two DD Drivers are strictly matched to reduce any possible phase incoherence which could lead to inaccurate transient reproduction.


Mesh:

AURA's open-structure design features a vacuum metal mesh that gleams elegantly on top. This special aluminum acoustic mesh circulates air from the dynamic driver to control the powerful resonating force, protecting internal components from external influences.


Material Innovation and Craftsmanship:

The front plate and shell of AURA are made from Swiss 6061-T6 aluminum. Aluminum 6061 is an alloy that is lightweight, sturdy, and highly resistant to corrosion. On top of that, we added T6 heat treatment to enhance the strength of the aluminum, making it not only feather-light and sturdy but also allowing it to be given a beautiful finish. Production processes of all parts are done through the highest-quality CNC milling process, one part at a time.

The Micro Groove Design Faceplate:

The Micro Groove Design is applied with surface treatment for the milling process. Grooves are dug along the grain of the raw material to create a unique design before the product is moved to a precision-tailored jig for laser engraving. This process is not just a standard laser process but a special laser process that eliminates parts of the raw material to engrave letters 0.5 mm deep while adding depth to the engravings. Next, the component is treated with oil to prevent oxidation, packaged, anodized, and given a custom dark bronze color.


Precision-Milled Aluminum Shell:

Unlike the faceplate, the shell is oil-sealed and then handed to the polishing master. The faceplate is engraved with an esthetic design element, and the surfaces of shells are polished through a special sand-blast refinement process. Otherwise, marks will be left from the tools used, so each shell is polished like a mirror by hand. Then, after sand-blasting and anodizing, the shell is ready to be given Vision Ears' custom warm gray color. The AURA shell is the result of thousands of hours of work, including cutting diamonds out of rough rocks with carefully selected materials, precision processes, and specialized tools.


Leather Accessories Handcrafted from Smooth Calfskin Leather PABLO:

The elegance of leather products is determined by the following factors. Masterful leather craftsmanship, skilled tanning, high-quality hides, farms that prioritize animal welfare, and excellent grasslands. AURA's leather accessories are made of leather from the best tanneries in Europe. Leather accessories for AURA are made from the highest-quality calfskins and are tanned by skilled craftsmen to imbue them with unique colors and gloss and guarantee excellent durability, along with a soft yet fine grainy texture. These leather accessories transcend time with their elegance and earn the envy of other famous brands.

· Leather Carrying Case · Leather Earphone Pocket · Leather Cable Clip


Handcrafted IEM Made in Germany:

HANDCRAFTED IN COLOGNE- Each IEM is meticulously handcrafted by a professional craftsman with extensive experience and is produced at our state of the art facilities in COLOGNE to offer you the highest quality through strictly managed processes.


Effect Audio Custom Cable:

The cables that come with AURA are custom-made cables from Effect Audio that are specifically designed to deliver the overwhelming sounds of AURA. The custom cables contain four wire components: two UP-OCC pure copper litz wires and two pure silver litz and pure copper litz hybrid wires to offer you the best sound performance. On top of that, Effect Audio's EPO (Ergonomic Performance Optimization) technology is applied to offer outstanding flexibility for a more comfortable fit without affecting audio quality.

Technical Specifications

· Proprietary Dual Geometric Design

- Multi-Sized Stranding - Selected Premium UP-OCC Pure Copper Litz

- Septuplet Multi-sized Core Bundle - Selected Premium UP-OCC Pure Silver Litz and Pure Copper Litz Hybrid

· EPO 24 AWG 4 Wires · EA Ultra Flexi™ Insulation · Rhodium Plated Brass Straight Type Plug


AZLA – SE1500 Eartips

100% medical-grade silicone helps the SE1500 to fit comfortably on your head and minimizes the possibility of skin irritation. The straight internal structure is designed in a perfect line that guarantees that sound moves in a linear fashion, enhancing sound insulation performance and increasing the sense of space. A total of six ear tips are included to offer you a comfortable fit and improved sound.


Components

· Effect Audio Custom Cable (4.4mm, 3.5mm) · Leather Carry Case · Leather Earphone Pocket · Leather Cable Clip · Suede Cleaner · 6 pairs of AZLA SE1500 Tips (SS / S / SM / M / ML / L) · 4 pairs of Mesh Filters · Quick Start Guide · Warranty Card · Serial Number Card


Model AURA

Driver 8mm Al-Mg Low Dynamic Drivers in an Isobaric configuration x2 Balanced Armature Drivers for the low mids x 4 Balanced Armature Drivers for the mid&mid highs x 4 Balanced Armature Driver for the super tweeter x 1

Cable 0.78mm 2-pin Effect Audio Custom Selected Premium UP-OCC Pure Silver Litz and Pure Copper Litz Hybrid (4.4mm, 3.5mm)

Material Aluminum

Frequency response 10 Hz - 24 kHz

SPL 115dB @ 1kHz, 1mW

Impedance 10.5Ω @ 1kHz

Total Harmonic Distortion 0.5% @ 1kHz


Price

$ 4,200



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