An interesting crowdfunding project called Écoute appeared on the Kickstarter platform , it is a Bluetooth headphone with a built-in tube amplifier.
Écoute – wireless headphones with tube amplifier
Of course, it was made on miniature Korg Nutube 6P1 double triodes , but even this allows us to talk about a unique approach. Headphones have an overhead design with aluminum cups and large soft ear cushions, a digital-to-analog converter is built on a Realtek ALC4050 chip .
Bluetooth adapter version 5.3 supports SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive, aptX Low Latency and LDAC codecs . The acoustic part has a closed design – the slots are designed to remove heat from the lamps – and is built on dynamic radiators with 40 mm cellulose diaphragms .
The model has a projected retail price of $800 , while co-funders can order the Écoute for $450 for January 2024 delivery.
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