High-end in-ear monitors from Astell & Kern and 64 Audio offer a ten-driver audio delight.
Introducing the Astell & Kern XIO High-End In-Ear Monitors
Get ready for an unparalleled audio experience with the upcoming Astell & Kern XIO high-end in-ear monitors (IEMs). Scheduled for release in August 2025, these audiophile-grade earphones are a testament to cutting-edge technology and meticulous design.
The XIO IEMs boast an impressive hybrid 10-driver system, featuring 2 dual dynamic drivers for powerful bass, 6 balanced armature (BA) drivers for detailed midrange, 1 upper-mid BA driver, and 1 tia (tube and aerodynamics-engineered) BA driver for crystal-clear high frequencies. This configuration promises a spacious soundstage with deep bass, detailed mids, and airy, distortion-free highs.
A seamless 4-way passive crossover ensures smooth frequency transitions and a precise tonal balance across lows, mids, and highs. The frequency response of the XIO IEMs extends from 5 Hz to 22 kHz, providing remarkable clarity and texture.
The shell of the XIO IEMs is precision-milled from 904L stainless steel, known for its exceptional hardness and durability, and coated in a premium black Diamond-Like Carbon (DLC) for both aesthetics and protection. The faceplate showcases the distinctive Astell & Kern design DNA, combining form with function.
The XIO IEMs come with a high-purity silver-plated UP-OCC copper Litz cable featuring a four-core cross-braided design. This cable has a 0.78mm 2-pin connection and terminates in a 4.4mm balanced connector, favored by Astell & Kern for optimal signal transfer and noise shielding. The XIO IEMs maintain a low 0.29Ω impedance.
Each purchase of the XIO IEMs includes premium accessories such as a leather carrying case, multiple ear tip options, cleaning tools, and interchangeable apex modules to customize sound signatures.
Priced at $3,000 USD at launch, the XIO IEMs represent a significant investment for audiophiles seeking some of the most refined in-ear listening experiences available. The XIO IEMs are the result of a collaboration between Astell & Kern and 64 Audio, a prominent name in high-end IEMs. According to 64 Audio founder and CEO Vitaliy Belonozhko, the XIO "embodies our philosophy of sculpting sound itself."
The exact pricing for the XIO IEMs in other regions has yet to be announced. However, examples of approximate pricing (depending on market rates) are:
| Currency | Approximate Price | |-----------------|------------------------| | USD | $3,000 | | EUR | ~€2,700 | | GBP | ~£2,350 | | JPY | ~¥420,000 |
(Prices vary by region and currency fluctuations; always check a local authorized retailer for exact pricing.)
Stay tuned for more updates on the Astell & Kern XIO high-end IEMs as we approach their release in August 2025.
These high-end in-ear monitors, the Astell & Kern XIO, are not just audiophile-grade earphones but also a demonstration of cutting-edge technology, combining smartly designed smartphone-compatible gadgets with the latest technology in sound reproduction, with a hybrid 10-driver system and a 4-way passive crossover.
With its sleek design and premium accessories, the XIO IEMs are perfect complements to other advanced gadgets such as smartphones, offering an immersive, high-fidelity audio experience for audiophiles.
