Being the owner of a pair of Audeze CRBN Electrostatic Headphones I was thrilled to get the opportunity at last year’s CanJam SoCal to audition the updated version, the Audeze CRBN² Electrostatic Headphones, and ever since I have been chomping at the bit for a chance to review them. That chance has finally come to pass

The Audeze CRBN² Electrostatic Headphones

The Audeze CRBN² Electrostatic Headphone story began with Audeze originally developing a new technology working with Prof. Mark S. Cohen Ph.D., UCLA School of Medicine, and his team, for use in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Typical ferrous metals could not be used, so a new material had to be developed, and that led Audeze to patent a special thin film with suspended carbon nanotubes solving the problems associated with lamination and deposition on the film.

The CRBN2  utilizes a Second Generation driver which includes a revolutionary ultra-thin diaphragm with carbon nanotubes suspended inside the material – unlike other electrostatic diaphragms, there is no coating. Because the charge is distributed throughout the film, this results in a uniform driving force that reduces distortion and improves clarity, resolution, and transparency.

Building on this revolutionary new diaphragm Audeze optimized every aspect of the electrostatic transducer design to meet their design goals of an electrostatic headphone that is efficient, with imaging, clarity, resolution, and transparency that are best-in-class along with a frequency response that is neutral, with smooth treble and well-extended bass.

The Audeze carbon nanotube diaphragm achieves high efficiency by holding more charge and preventing charge migration allowing them to reduce diaphragm tension and increase the space between the stator and diaphragm, which provides for higher excursion and a lower resonant frequency without the risk of the diaphragm coming into contact with the stator. This low resonant frequency, combined with a large diaphragm surface area, acoustically transparent damping material, and custom-designed earpads provide extremely well-extended bass response down to 20Hz.

In designing the CRBN²  driver an optimal diaphragm and stator size large enough to provide excellent bass and imaging without compromising on treble was chosen with stators made using a proprietary PCB manufacturing technique that allows for high rigidity, uniform thickness, and consistent flatness, which is important for equal force distribution and linear response. The perforation of the stator is optimized for excellent high frequency extension and its conductive surface is specially coated to ensure high dielectric strength. While a super lightweight diaphragm has naturally low inertia that allows for extremely fast acceleration a special edge-damping technique is employed to further reduce distortion and smooth the frequency and phase response.

As a step-up from the original CRBN Audeze has employed Patent pending  SLAM Technology (Symmetric Linear Acoustic Modulator) which is tuned to enhance bass frequencies and lower distortion while maintaining optimal pressure distribution on the diaphragm.

SLAM gives CRBN² a more life-like physical bass with natural detail presentation and immersive stereo imaging.

Featuring materials such as magnesium, carbon fiber, premium leather, stainless steel, and polymer acetate the CRBN²  offers supreme comfort with its lightweight construction (only  470 grams) and extra plush slightly oversized earpads for a great seal and pillow-soft, cranium-cradling comfort. Each CRBN² is hand-assembled and tested in California by electrostatic specialists, finished to the utmost standards.

In appearance, the Audeze CRBN²  is elegant, functional, and sturdy, using the same tried and true headband design as the LCD-4z with the glossy rounded finish of the LCD-5 (though in solid black with copper accents which distinguish it from the original CRBN), and in a departure from Audeze standard, an oval earcup with an attractive cube patterned mesh over a fine holed screen which one assumes were necessitated by the requirements of the electrostatic driver.

Living with the Audeze CRBN²  Electrostatic Headphones

I burned in the Audeze CRBN² Electrostatic Headphone using my HIFIMAN Mini Shangri-La Electrostatic Headphone Amplifier and the Schiit Audio Gungnir 2 Balanced Multiform™ DAC (review pending) though I did my first actual listening using the Schiit Audio Skoll F Balanced Discrete Class A Zero Feedback Remote Control Phono Preamp for the review of that product again with the Mini Shangri-La.

Returning to the Gungnir 2 as source I launched Qobuz and cued up “Arcadia” (24-bit/44.1kHz – Qobuz) the latest release from Alison Krauss and Union Station and my first impression was the epic subsonic bass, something I didn’t really expect from Alison. Over all the tonal balance was very linear reminiscent of the Audeze MM-500 Professional Headphones. The dynamic range was in excess of what is the norm for electrostatic headphones. The soundstage was intimate with a sense of space, the midrange, especially the vocals was honey smooth and musical, and the detail was such that you can only get from electrostatics.

Next up was “Jump Into Life” (24-bit/48kHz – Qobuz)  by Sacred Paws which opened with a very realistic cello before jumping into bass-driven pop guitar and keyboards, with lively percussion in the background with quite a bit of snap and impact. The banjo of the second track “Another Day”, was crisp and clear against the general background of sound.

Reverting to what most people turn to electrostatics for, I selected “Shostakovich: Symphonies; Concertos; Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk District” (24-bit/96kHz – Qobuz) featuring Yuja Wang, Baiba Skride, Yo-Yo Ma, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and Andris Nelsons and it was front row at Disney Hall, with a huge soundstage, and extreme dynamics, a true sense of individual instrumentation, with air between the performers as well as depth of field.

On the suggestion of a friend, I brought up “Blend” by Sandy Bull (“Reinventions – The Best Of Vanguard” – 16-bit/44.1kHz – Qobuz) a mix of acoustic steel string guitar, high-hat, and guitar body percussion, with some snare and cymbals thrown in towards the middle of the tune just for good measure, ending with a rhythm on the floor tom. As before, the guitar was close and intimate with the drums far behind. You could definitely hear the size of the room, clearly reproduced via acoustics rather than effects.

Switching to my regular playlist I started with “And You And I — I. Cord of Life, II. Eclipse, III. The Preacher the Teacher, IV. Apocalypse” from Yes’ “Close to the Edge” (24-bit/192kHz – Qobuz), dynamic, detailed, and natural it was pure bliss. There is a short synth part in the second movement that drops well into the subsonic and is often not reproduced by headphones, but it came through clear to its conclusion.

To perform a straight-up comparison to the original CRBN I chose “Non Mi Lasciare” by Dario Baldan Bembo (16-bit/44.1kHz – Qobuz). Whereas the original CRBN has a Popish sound with a slight emphasis in the mid-bass, creating an electronica feel to the instruments, the CRBN² came through a lot more natural with much deeper sub-bass extension, and significantly greater musicality in the midrange, and a lot more realistic timbre to the instruments. Both gave a large soundstage, but the CRBN² had more depth of field.

As a final test, I returned to the Schiit Audio Skoll F Balanced Discrete Class A Zero Feedback Remote Control Phono Preamp and my newly acquired Maplenoll Ariadne Air-bearing Turntable fitted with my Grado Opus 3 cartridge. I put on “The Sound of Deep Ellum” side two which opens with an Edie Brickell and the New Bohemians tune “Jamaican Lady”. The sound was simply astounding with sharp nappy percussion, a large three-dimensional soundstage, deep tight bass, and excellent dynamic range with an exceptionally low noise floor due in part to the Skoll F and in part to the direct metal master. Analog is the true test of electrostatics sucking out all that extra resolution to create a transformative experience.

Conclusions on the Audeze CRBN²  Electrostatic Headphones

I really enjoyed my time with Audeze CRBN² Electrostatic Headphones. With the CRBN² Audeze have transformed their electrostatic flagship offering from a headphone I appreciated to a headphone I loved. It has the linearity of the better Planar Magnetic headphones with the speed and detail of an electrostatic, and frankly a dynamic range and deep bass response often only associated with dynamic headphones. If you are a CRBN owner and an audio purist like me you are definitely going to want to pay for the upgrade, though you may want to hear them first as they are a fairly radical departure from the standard Audeze sound, much in the way that the MM-500 is.

If you are new to electrostatics but want to get that much closer to the real sound of music, the CRBN² is a must-audition. Of course, as with most electrostatics, you are going to want a top-grade front end, as the CRBN² won’t lie to you and cover up the flaws of your source, on the other hand, if you have heard electrostatics in the past and found them to be thin, lifeless, maybe a bit shrill, and lacking bottom end, the CRBN² is not that and will take you by complete surprise.

The Audeze CRBN² Electrostatic Headphones fall in line with a small handful of headphones that I consider to be the state-of-the-art in musical reproduction and a glimmering star at that. Easily worthy of the hefty price tag, two thumbs up, and a hearty recommendation.

Price: $5,995.00

Manufacturer’s Website: https://www.audeze.com/products/crbn2

CRBN to CRBN2 Update Program

Audeze can update your original CRBN to CRBN² specification at a cost of just $995. Updates should begin by mid-March 2025, and will take about 10 business days to complete upon receipt.

This limited-time offer will expire Jun 1, 2025.
Please contact support@audeze.com to take advantage of this offer.

Customer pays shipping to Audeze and any duty. Audeze pays shipping back to customer. Headphone retains original serial number.

Specifications
Style	Over-ear, open-back
Transducer type	Push-pull electrostatic
Functional bias voltage	580 VDC Stax Pro Bias
Electrostatic capacitance	100 pF (including cable)
Diaphragm type	Ultra-thin polyimide film with infused carbon nanotubes
Diaphragm management	SLAM Technology for earcup pressure relief and bass enhancement
Transducer size	120mm x 90mm
Frequency response	10Hz – 40kHz
Maximum SPL	>120dB
THD	<0.1% @ 90dB
Sensitivity	100dB, 1KHz, 100V RMS
Attached cable	2.5m OCC monocrystal copper, 5-pin Pro Bias
Housing	Magnesium, stainless steel, and polymer acetate
Earpad material	Premium leather
Headband	Carbon fiber and premium leather
Weight	480g

Includes: CRBN² Headphone | Aluminum Travel Case | Certificate of Authenticity and Warranty Cards