The team from Glasgow has a new IEM to chat about and while its size and shape may borrow heavily from many others in the product line, there is a quite a bit of deviation under the hood. Its a 10mm diameter planar magnetic driver making the melodies this time around, one that has been over 4 years in development. To our knowledge this is the smallest publicly released version of this technology to date.
Dubbed CL2 and retailing for a weighty $899.95 USD, RHA also incorporated a material called Zirconium dioxide into the housing for additional rigidity and durability. Accessories appear to flow more freely at this price point from the company as well. Included with the CL2 is a whole host of cables including silver-coated 2.5mm balanced, 3.5mm and a wireless BT neckband, all terminated in MMCX. Its quite an eyeful of information, which you can check out in its entirety below from the original press release.
The new CL2 is available for presale starting today, with shipping estimated for September 12th.
More info: https://www.rha-audio.com/us/products/headphones/cl2-planar
“INTRODUCING THE WORLD’SFIRST PLANAR MAGNETIC BLUETOOTH HEADPHONE:
THE CL2 PLANAR
- The world’s first wireless headphone to use planar magnetic technology
- Ground-breaking headphone technology comes with wired and wireless cable options
- Precision engineered with luxury materials to ensure remarkable sound quality and beautiful finish
- Available for pre-sale online from 23rd August for £799.95/€799.95/$899.95/(ROW $995.95)
- Available for pre-sale online and in select retailers from 12th September for £799.95/€799.95/$899.95/(ROW $995.95)
GLASGOW, UK: Independent audio company RHA has released the world’s first planar magnetic wireless headphone, the CL2 Planar.
Precision under pressure
The CL2 Planar is built around the most compact planar magnetic driver ever released. Developed by RHA over four years, the ten millimetre driver consists of a planar coil and 16-micrometre diaphragm perfectly suspended above two matched magnetic fields.
This advanced driver technology produces unprecedented performance. RHA has achieved the revered response and accuracy of planar magnetic technology in a ten millimetre diameter driver – allowing for fully portable, high-fidelity audio.
“The combination of industry-leading technology and remarkable materials used in the
CL2 Planar results in a headphone like no other. The miniaturisation of planar magnet technology is a feat of engineering and the sound generated reflects this.
“As well as being technologically advanced and sounding great, the CL2 Planar is hi-fi Bluetooth® compatible. We believe this creates a very special offering for people who love amazing audio and want that experience wherever they are.”
Colum Fraser – Marketing Manager, RHA
Made of more
The Product Design team at RHA developed the CL2 Planar using superior materials and manufacturing processes, taking inspiration from the aerospace and fine jewellery industries.
Zirconium dioxide is used to create near-indestructible, flawless housings for the CL2 Planar. The uniform molecular structure of zirconium is also used to make synthetic diamonds and protect jet engines. The smooth internal surface encourages an uninterrupted flow of audio waves from driver to ear.
“At the start of the design process for the CL2 Planar, my team were faced with the challenge of creating a new standard in acoustic engineering. We spent years researching and testing, and what we have produced is a world-first in magnetic driver technology – a true testament to the creativity and innovation at RHA.
“We needed to develop something strong and aesthetically superior to protect the incredibly intricate driver. The precision-engineered, injection-moulded zirconium dioxide housings are light, durable and scratch resistant. These beautiful pieces are the result of our inventive design, superior workmanship, and years of experience in true-to-life audio reproduction.”
Kyle Hutchison – Head of Product Design, RHA
Oxygen-free, copper, detachable 3.5mm and balanced 2.5mm cables with high-purity OFC cores transmit analogue audio signals without distortion. Braiding gives the cables extra strength and a beautiful aesthetic while ensuring kinks and bends don’t interfere with the analogue signal travelling to the driver
Compatibility with a new, modified version of RHA’s Bluetooth® SecureFlex neckband ensures that the CL2 Planar can be used wirelessly. The tactile, contoured silicone provides luxurious comfort and practicality. The flexible shape of the cable delivers reassuring stability while remaining unobtrusive. The unique, black stainless-steel finishes are produced using a magnetised vacuum with superheated plasma and powdered dye to create an unblemished, scratchproof coating.
Function and form
The CL2 Planar comes with detachable 3.5mm and balanced 2.5mm cables as well as a modified version of RHA’s SecureFlex 12-hour Bluetooth® neckband. The variety of cables allows users to listen via different devices, with wired or Bluetooth connections. This feature enables custom combinations with personal audio equipment.
The Bluetooth® SecureFlex neckband provides 12-hour battery life and a universal remote which allows users to switch between music, calls and digital assistant functions at the touch of a button. Compatible with aptX™ and AAC streaming, the Bluetooth® neckband capable of providing high-fidelity audio wirelessly.
Listeners can use the SecureFlex neckband to access their device’s digital assistant. This means they can send messages, use navigation apps, or have text read out using only the remote on the headphones – without interacting directly with the device. The neckband can connect simultaneously with multiple devices and sends vibrations through the silicone neckband to make sure no call is missed. The tap-and-go pairing (NFC) function facilitates hassle-free connections and the neckband has a Bluetooth® range of 10 metres for any connected device.
Accessories
- Braided Ag4x silver coated cable: MMCX – 2.5mm balanced
- Braided oxygen-free copper (OFC) cable: MMCX – 3.5mm
- SecureFlex Bluetooth® neckband: MMCX
- Flight case
- Carry pouch
- Stainless steel ear tip holder
- USB C charging cable
- Flight adapter
- Dual density silicone ear tips: 2xS, 2xM, 2xL
- Double flange silicone ear tips: 1xS, 1xL
- Comply™ Foam Tsx400 ear tips: 3xM
- Sports clip
Technical Information
| Weight | 9g (housings only) |
| Material | Zirconium |
| Frequency range | 16Hz – 45,000 Hz (wired connections) |
| Driver | Planar Magnetic |
| Bluetooth® version | 4.1 |
| Range | 10m (unobstructed) |
| Bluetooth codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX™ |
| Battery | Lithium polymer rechargeable |
| Battery life | 12 hours (60%) |
| Charging | USB C: 1.5 hours from 0% |
| Remote & mic | 3-button, universal |
About RHA
RHA is an independent audio company based in Glasgow, UK. Our mission is to transform the way people interact with sound, technology and each other. A commitment to style and substance has seen RHA honoured with many awards since the company was founded in 2011.
In 2017 alone, the flagship CL1 Ceramic in-ear headphone was named as a CES 2017 Best of Innovation Honouree, RHA was named 10 of 100 on the Sunday Times Lloyds SME Export Track 100 list, 54 of the 100 fastest-growing private companies on the Sunday Times Virgin Fast Track 100, and CEO Andrew Reid was honoured by Ernst & Young with the 2017 Disruptor Entrepreneur Award for Scotland.”