Audeze crammed audiophile tech inside its in-ear headphones

Audeze knows a thing or two about planar magnetic headphones and the company is taking on a new form factor with its latest release. The iSine 10 and iSine 20 are the company's first in-ear headphones that employ the aforementioned audio technology. In fact, Audeze says that these audiophile earbuds are the first to offer planar magnetic tech in this style.

If you're not familiar with the term "planar magnetic," here's a brief overview. It's a method for constructing headphones that uses a thin diaphragm and magnets rather than typical cone drivers. It allows for a wider range of sound with less distortion and more bass response -- all things audiophiles are looking for when it comes to headphones and other devices. Typically planar magnetic headphones are big and bulky, but Audeze's Sine that was announced at CES offers a more comfy fit without a lot of heft. The Sine also costs $449, significantly less than a lot of planar magnetic sets.

For the iSine 10 and iSine 20, the idea is to provide that audiophile sound with the super popular in-ear design. The main difference between the two is impedance: the iSine 10 offers 16 ohms while the iSine 20 has a longer voice coil of 24 ohms. Included in the box is Audeze's Cipher Lightning cable from the regular Sine that features a 24-bit digital-to-analog converter (DAC) and an amp. Yes, those things are built into the cable itself.

Of course, all of that fancy tech means larger earbuds. The iSine is significantly bigger than your everyday 3.5mm in-ear headphones, so you'll need to consider how much space they demand in addition to the high-quality sound. Both models come with ear locks in addition to the built-in ear hooks to ensure the bigger earbuds stay in place when you're using them. The Audeze iSine 10 and iSine 20 ship next month for $400 and $600, respectively.

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