Volk Audio

Limited-production universal IEM STELLA launches February 28 at ¥660,000, marking the first collaboration between Astell&Kern, VOLK AUDIO, and Grammy-winning mastering engineer Michael Graves.

STELLA employs a quad-brid 12-driver architecture, integrating dynamic, balanced armature, planar magnetic, and electrostatic drivers within a precisely controlled six-way network.

The LF-H low-frequency system combines a 9mm M9-R dynamic subwoofer with dual BA drivers, covering 20Hz–600Hz for deep bass weight, speed, and controlled tonal balance.

The VOLK AUDIO 'ETOILE' is a limited edition IEM with a production of only 350 units, priced at 660,000 JPY.

This model features a 5-way, 10-driver quad-brid design with components such as Sonion BA and electrostatic drivers.

The frequency range spans 10Hz to 50kHz with a sensitivity of 110.6dB and an impedance of 8.8Ω at 1kHz.

Astell&Kern introduces the AK HC5 USB DAC, featuring the flagship AK4499EX DAC chip and AK4191EQ processor for high-fidelity audio performance.

The AK HC5 is compact, includes a 150-step volume wheel, OLED display, and supports PCM 384 kHz and DSD256 formats for versatile compatibility.

Astell&Kern collaborates with VOLK Audio and Michael Graves to produce the STELLA IEMs, a 12-driver quadbrid system for reference-level accuracy.