Introducing the Luna, the third in Astell & Kern’s growing line of IEM earphones, following the AK Zero1 and Zero2. Crafted in Japan, Luna is a single-driver, planar-magnetic design, encased in a smooth titanium housing engineered with durability and comfort in mind.
The brand, long known for its meticulous digital audio players, brings a comparable level of precision and innovation to these in-ears.
Signalling a significant leap in driver innovation and acoustic engineering, at its heart is a single, custom-designed 13mm unipolar micro planar magnetic driver, dubbed ‘Katabiki (片響).’
This is no off-the-shelf component. Developed in collaboration with Japanese audio specialists MADOO, the Katabiki driver utilises a bespoke unipolar magnetic circuit – a single powerful magnet with a dual ring-shaped yoke that precisely controls diaphragm movement.
This is important: planar magnetic drivers are typically larger and more complex, often reserved for over-ear headphones.
The brand, long known for its meticulous digital audio players, brings a comparable level of precision and innovation to these in-ears…
Here, Astell & Kern has found a way to miniaturise the tech without compromising the sonic virtues that planar fans prize, namely lightning-fast response, microscopic detail retrieval, and ruler-flat phase characteristics.
The diaphragm itself is said to be astonishingly light. A printed aluminium pattern on an ultra-thin film ensures minimal mass and superior rigidity, crucial for speed and accuracy.
All of this is housed in a titanium shell that’s not only stylish, but contributes to the acoustic performance by minimising unwanted resonances.
Astell & Kern also pays due respect to the signal chain. The Luna ships with a premium silver-coated OCC and copper OCC cable, which connects via a 2-pin, 0.78mm interface to your source.
The supplied accessory package contains seven pairs of ear tips, plus a luxurious Alcantara carry case.
While they lack niceties such as Bluetooth and noise cancelling, IEMs have become popular with audiophiles due to their excellent noise isolation, detailed sound reproduction, and portability. Their compact size also makes them ideal for travel.
The Astell & Kern LUNA sell for £2,699 (€3,049 / $2,700).
Heaven Hill, one of America’s most historically important distilleries, has launched Old Fitzgerald 7 Year Old Bottled-in-Bond Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey in the UK, through an exclusive partnership with Majestic. The release marks the UK debut of the signature expression. Heaven Hill traces its roots back to the late 1800s and became widely known during the…
The Macallan has announced the Romantica Collection, a prestige single cask release to mark the centenary of The Macallan 1926, the legendary whisky that has repeatedly broken auction records. Distilled in 1926 and bottled 60 years later, it remains the most valuable bottle of wine or spirit ever sold. The last known sale of The…
Sony has lifted the curtain on a new generation of premium televisions, introducing the True RGB powered BRAVIA 9 II and BRAVIA 7 II screens in sizes that range from 50- to 115-inches. The sets usher in a new era of screen technology for the brand, using independently controlled red, green and blue LEDs to…
The Luxe Review 
Introducing the Luna, the third in Astell & Kern’s growing line of IEM earphones, following the AK Zero1 and Zero2. Crafted in Japan, Luna is a single-driver, planar-magnetic design, encased in a smooth titanium housing engineered with durability and comfort in mind.
The brand, long known for its meticulous digital audio players, brings a comparable level of precision and innovation to these in-ears.
Signalling a significant leap in driver innovation and acoustic engineering, at its heart is a single, custom-designed 13mm unipolar micro planar magnetic driver, dubbed ‘Katabiki (片響).’
This is no off-the-shelf component. Developed in collaboration with Japanese audio specialists MADOO, the Katabiki driver utilises a bespoke unipolar magnetic circuit – a single powerful magnet with a dual ring-shaped yoke that precisely controls diaphragm movement.
This is important: planar magnetic drivers are typically larger and more complex, often reserved for over-ear headphones.
Here, Astell & Kern has found a way to miniaturise the tech without compromising the sonic virtues that planar fans prize, namely lightning-fast response, microscopic detail retrieval, and ruler-flat phase characteristics.
The diaphragm itself is said to be astonishingly light. A printed aluminium pattern on an ultra-thin film ensures minimal mass and superior rigidity, crucial for speed and accuracy.
All of this is housed in a titanium shell that’s not only stylish, but contributes to the acoustic performance by minimising unwanted resonances.
Astell & Kern also pays due respect to the signal chain. The Luna ships with a premium silver-coated OCC and copper OCC cable, which connects via a 2-pin, 0.78mm interface to your source.
The supplied accessory package contains seven pairs of ear tips, plus a luxurious Alcantara carry case.
While they lack niceties such as Bluetooth and noise cancelling, IEMs have become popular with audiophiles due to their excellent noise isolation, detailed sound reproduction, and portability. Their compact size also makes them ideal for travel.
The Astell & Kern LUNA sell for £2,699 (€3,049 / $2,700).
First pour: Heaven Hill Old Fitzgerald 7 Year Old wheated bourbon is a real sweet charmer
Heaven Hill, one of America’s most historically important distilleries, has launched Old Fitzgerald 7 Year Old Bottled-in-Bond Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey in the UK, through an exclusive partnership with Majestic. The release marks the UK debut of the signature expression. Heaven Hill traces its roots back to the late 1800s and became widely known during the…
The Macallan Romantica Collection is an ultra-rare 40 Year Old Single Cask tribute to the world’s most valuable whisky
The Macallan has announced the Romantica Collection, a prestige single cask release to mark the centenary of The Macallan 1926, the legendary whisky that has repeatedly broken auction records. Distilled in 1926 and bottled 60 years later, it remains the most valuable bottle of wine or spirit ever sold. The last known sale of The…
First look: Sony BRAVIA 9 II and 7 II TVs wow with next-generation picture technology
Sony has lifted the curtain on a new generation of premium televisions, introducing the True RGB powered BRAVIA 9 II and BRAVIA 7 II screens in sizes that range from 50- to 115-inches. The sets usher in a new era of screen technology for the brand, using independently controlled red, green and blue LEDs to…
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