HONGSHU Audio EH-1 & EHA-1 Electrostatic Headphone System

In stock.

HONGSHU Audio EH-1 V4

US$700 delivered worldwide, shipping and import duties included. Checkout is in New Taiwan dollars (NT$22,880); PayPal converts it to your own currency.

At its core is a large 4-inch circular electrostatic diaphragm in a fully open design. The large diaphragm opens up both depth and width of the soundstage, and with the fine resolution and smooth response electrostatic drivers are known for, you can hear the delicate layer of air in the music without it ever turning harsh or tiring.

It weighs just 295 g without the cable, which is very light for an electrostatic headphone. The clamping force has also been retuned, so long orchestral works or an all-night listening marathon stay comfortable, and after a while you almost forget you are wearing it.

Not just faithful, but adjustable

It comes with the dedicated EHA-1 amplifier, so it is a complete electrostatic system right out of the box.

• 300 Vrms full-range drive: with the standard 580 V Pro Bias, it can drive most electrostatic headphones on the market.
• STAX standard connector: uses the STAX connector and voltage standard, compatible with mainstream electrostatic gear, so other electrostatic headphones you own will plug right in.
• Even runs from a power bank: far smaller and more efficient than comparable electrostatic amplifiers. The included 12 V power supply accepts 100–240 V, so it works in any country (a simple plug adapter may be needed for your outlet), and a regular power bank can drive it too.
• Left-right balance knob: if you notice a slight channel difference on a humid day, the knob on the back lets you correct it on the spot.
• Bass Boost switch: turn it on for large-scale works or movies for a little more weight in the low end.

In the box

• EH-1 electrostatic headphone (with SP-1V ear pads)
• EHA-1 electrostatic headphone amplifier
• EC-1 headphone cable, 1.8 m (detachable)
• 2 mm hex key (stored in the accessory box)
• 12 V power supply (100–240 V input)

Not adjectives, but measurements

The frequency response of the EH-1 is measured by the maker on a B&K 5128 head and torso simulator. This is today's high-end standard for headphone measurement: a realistic ear canal and head acoustic model replaces the traditional flat-plate coupler, so the curve is closer to what your ears actually hear when wearing the headphone.

The green line is normal mode and the red dashed line is with Bass Boost on, measured with the original oval-cavity ear pads.

Specifications

EH-1 electrostatic headphone

• Type: over-ear
• Driver: 4-inch electrostatic driver
• Sensitivity: 102 dB @ 100 Vrms
• Frequency response: 6–42,000 Hz
• Capacitance: 100 pF (including 1.8 m cable)
• Cable: 1.8 m standard cable, detachable
• Weight: 295 g (without cable)

EHA-1 electrostatic headphone amplifier

• Power supply: DC 12 V (adapter input 100–240 V) | Rated power: 5 W
• Standard input level: 2 Vrms | Input impedance: 10 kΩ
• Maximum output level: 300 Vrms @ 1% THD
• Harmonic distortion: THD < 0.001% @ 100 Vrms
• Frequency response: 10–25,000 Hz (−1 dB)
• Bias: 580 V | Weight: 375 g
• Dimensions: 110 × 120 × 38 mm (L × W × H)

Shipping, payment and warranty

US$700 is the full delivered price to any country: shipping and import duties are included, with nothing more to pay on delivery. Pay at checkout with PayPal (PayPal balance or any card). We ship from Taiwan with tracking.

Orders shipped outside Taiwan carry a 12-month warranty. If the system needs service, you ship it to us in Taiwan and we pay the return shipping to you.

FAQ

Q: Are Halo Acoustics and HONGSHU Audio the same brand?
Yes. The English name of 虹曙音響 is HONGSHU Audio, and Halo Acoustics is an earlier name the brand no longer uses. You may still see both names on the market; look for HONGSHU Audio from the official distributor Soundessence.

Q: Do I need to buy a separate amplifier for an electrostatic headphone?
No. This set already includes the dedicated EHA-1 amplifier, so you just connect a source and listen. Electrostatic headphones cannot plug into a phone or a regular headphone amp like ordinary headphones; they need a dedicated high-voltage drive, which is what stops many people from trying them. The EH-1 solves that for you.

Q: I already have a STAX amplifier. Will the EH-1 work with it?
Yes. The EH-1 uses the 580 V Pro Bias standard connector and voltage, compatible with mainstream electrostatic gear. It works the other way too: the EHA-1 can drive your existing STAX headphones.

Q: Which version will I get?
All current shipments are V4. Compared with earlier versions, the EHA-1 has an upgraded enclosure and adds the Bass Boost switch, and the ear pads have been redesigned for better comfort and soundstage.

Q: Are electrostatic headphones sensitive to humidity?
Early electrostatic headphones were more sensitive to moisture and that impression has stuck around, but today's manufacturing and quality control have improved a lot and everyday use rarely runs into problems. On a particularly humid day, if you notice a slight difference between channels, the balance knob on the back of the EHA-1 lets you correct it on the spot.

Q: How long is the warranty, and how do repairs work?
Orders shipped outside Taiwan carry a 12-month warranty. You ship the unit to us in Taiwan, we handle the repair with the maker and pay the return shipping, and we keep you updated along the way.

Q: Will the amplifier work with the power in my country?
Yes. The included 12 V power supply accepts 100–240 V input, so it works worldwide. Depending on your country, you may need a simple plug adapter for the outlet.

Q: How often should the ear pads be replaced?
There is no fixed schedule, but as ear pads age the seal weakens, and the most obvious change is thinner bass and a less precise image. If it no longer sounds like it did when new, replacing the ear pads is usually more effective than changing the cable or source.

Q: Does a fully open design leak sound?
Yes, both ways: you hear the outside and the outside hears you. The fully open structure is what gives the soundstage its width and air, so it suits a quiet personal listening space.

Learn more about the brand: About HONGSHU Audio. Questions before you buy: contact us.