Astell&Kern’s AK Zero1 in-ears use three drivers on the road to hybrid sound

Buses. Golf. Printer installation. In most cases, one driver is enough. Two could cause problems. And three will result in a conflict that sends your inkjet into overdrive. But not for Astell&Kern: its latest angular in-ears feature a trio of different drivers to deliver unparalleled sound. Dual balanced armatures use custom coils to serve up crystal clear vocals, while a single 5.6mm dynamic driver deals with the deep stuff. Rounding out the combo is a planar number – the kind normally reserved for high-end headphones and renowned for responsive, distortion-free high frequencies. A&K has masterfully made the tech tiny enough to squeeze into 3D-printed acoustic chambers inside the machined aluminium housing of each AK Zero1. Precisely aligned and paired with silver-coated cables (with a 4.4mm option available for audiophiles committed to MMCX connectors), the result of this acoustic teamwork should be a truly unique sonic experience. As you’d expect for £649.

Chris Rowlands Freelance contributor

About

For more than a decade, Chris has been finding and featuring the best kit you can carry. When he's not writing about his favourite things for Stuff, you'll find Chris field-testing the latest gear for TechRadar. From cameras to classic cars, he appreciates anything that gets better with age.

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Cameras, gear and travel tech