Audeze’s Lightning-Connected Sine Headphones Now Available

Audeze, the boutique U.S. manufacturer of luxuriously large and expensive headphones, has just started shipping its most compact and affordable cans, the Audeze Sine. The Sine are the world’s first on-ear planar magnetic headphones, replacing the traditional dynamic sound driver with an ultra-thin membrane for greater precision. Taking planar magnetics down in weight and size is something that Oppo had already successfully done with their $399 PM3s, but it’s always nice to see more competition and choice on offer.

Announced at CES, the Sine are Audeze’s second set of headphones to offer an optional Lightning connector for listening from Apple’s iOS devices. They cost $499 with a Cipher Lightning cable, which integrates its own amplifier and 24-bit digital-to-analog converter, or $449 without it. The Cipher cable is actually powerful enough to drive Audeze’s headphones to their maximum, which iPhones and most other smartphones are not.

The Sine are available through Audeze.com and select Apple Stores now.