Activo, the sister brand of Astell & Kern, has introduced the Q1 in-ear headphones, created in partnership with driver manufacturer Dita Audio. This collaboration began at the Ultimate Sound Festival (USF) held in Beijing, China, in 2012, and merges the engineering and craftsmanship skills of both companies, as stated in the press release. The headphones feature a cable sourced from Cardas, a renowned cable manufacturer.
The Q1 IEM represents a partnership between Activo and Dita Audio, delivering an enriched and detailed auditory experience through the enhanced MOCCA2 cable from Cardas and a dynamic driver crafted from brass. With Dita Audio’s hallmark ultra-clear resin chassis, the sophisticated design allows music enthusiasts to relish an outstanding audio experience in their everyday lives, as stated by Activo.
Central to the Q1 is a bespoke 9.8mm PM1+ Dynamic Driver, featuring additional windings on the voice coil and encased in a meticulously coated brass housing in white, designed to harmonize with the P1 player. This configuration improves the richness and smoothness of low and mid frequencies, while a Knowles balanced armature driver contributes to elevated, airy highs. The Q1 is specifically engineered to complement Activo’s P1 player seamlessly.
The Q1 is equipped with DITA’s renowned ultra-clear slow-pour resin chassis, designed to create a distinctive synergy when paired with Activo’s P1 Digital Audio Player. It comes with the upgraded MOCCA2 cable, which enhances the original 16-strand MOCCA cable by incorporating 32 conductors from the esteemed cable manufacturer Cardas. This new cable also features DITA’s APV2 system, allowing for interchangeable 3.5mm and 4.4mm adapters, ensuring the Q1 remains compatible with the evolving audio setups of modern listeners.
Moreover, the Q1 Accessory Pack includes five pairs of Final Audio Type E ear tips and a unique Activo x Dita Mini Tanos Storage Box, which boasts a navy blue closure and custom lining for optimal organization and protection of the components.
Activo specifies a frequency range of 20 Hz to 20 kHz for the Q1, with a sensitivity rating of 109 dB (1 mW / 1 kHz) and an impedance of 31 Ohms.
Price: $400
