Electrostatic Headphones
Electrostatic headphones produce low distortion and incredibly accurate sound. The larger ultra-thin diaphragms are very responsive resulting in an incredible transient and tight bass response. They typically have an extended frequency response spanning beyond the range of human hearing.
Electrostatic headphones apply a static charge evenly across an ultralight film that floats between two perforated stator plates, without touching it for minimal interference. The electrons move the film, instead of moving around it. In contrast, conventional headphones usually have a coil of wire inside a magnet, glued to a stiff cone or dome and secured with a springy suspension, all of which is moved by electromagnetism.
The transducers on electrostatic headphones convert audio signals into corresponding sound waves. The stator plates are made of conductive metal and hold alternating electric charges. The diaphragm is attracted to the negatively charged stator while being repelled by the positively charged stator causing it to move back and forth between the plates.
The rapid transient response of the driver results in transparent, natural and detailed sound. This driver weighs less than the air around it and has no resonances or energy storage. The small acoustic space of a headphone lets it cover the entire audible spectrum without crossovers for low distortion.
Regular headphones amplifiers typically work to boost signal strength at a low impedance matching the headphones. Electrostatic headphone amplifiers uniquely send the signal to the step-up stage, raising the voltage of the audio signal to fully charge the plates, before delivering it to the electrostatic headphones. They also supply the diaphragm with the DC biasing voltage required to hold a fixed charge (usually 200 VDC to 700 VDC).
All electrostatic headphones require a dedicated high-voltage headphone amplifier to produce sound.