Design philosophy of a revolution in planar headphones

CENTAURI is our first planar headphone, in the development of which we strived to offer something different than what has previously been found on the planar headphone market.

So far, the development has focused on planar headphones to the ever-increasing driver, which inevitably plays a supporting role.

The dimensions of the diaphragm and the inherent deformability of the structure that supports the rows of magnets result in a low dynamic efficiency of the headphone system, which tends to to deform under the heavy strain on the membrane, which is by nature not very light and has a certain inertia.

This results in a sound image in which the high-energy dynamic contrasts in the middle and low range are weakened and that Sense of rhythm is lost.

The other major problem related to the size of the driver is that there is no room for the pressure equalization holes between the acoustic chambers of the headphones, so one has to resort to simplified designs that provide a sealed ear chamber, which is a Imbalance in the membrane movement is created.


This design feature also leads to a major problem related to our ears: as soon as the headphones are placed in a sealed chamber with a cushion, the eardrum experiences pressure and changes the high-frequency response , which triggers the typical cave effect.

 

For our headphones, we focused on finding a light but very rigid support plate for the planar driver that does not deform under the dynamic load of the powerful planar driver with N52 class neodymium magnets on both sides of the diaphragm.

We have introduced a new composite material called Texalwood, which involves pouring epoxy resin into a panel of poplar plywood and two panels of Texalium (aluminium-loaded fiberglass).

This new beam is designed to it houses the ventilation system of the VPS pad and the pressure equalization holes, so that the membrane can move with symmetrical resistance in both directions of movement.

An advanced pad for an important headphone

It is important to understand that the pad makes up 50% of headphone designs and cannot be easily adjusted from one design to another.

Centauri is a large headphone that uses the company's proprietary Ventilation Pad system through a Outwardly curved trumpet can be used in place of the usual ventilation openings.

Made of Alcantara and leather, the Centauri pad is large, leaving room for large ears and creating a listening space that creates an impressive soundstage.

The Centauri pad fastening system is another novelty at Spirit and allows for quick release thanks to magnets attached to the frame.

This allows you to carry out replacement and normal maintenance extremely easily.

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A multi-layer wood system frame made of walnut and a Texawood driver frame to optimize dynamics

To maximize the dynamic performance of the planar headphone, which is the real Achilles' heel compared to traditional dynamic systems due to the limited range of motion of the planar diaphragm, we took advantage of the concept of inertial frame, which further optimizes the dynamic efficiency index of the system.

To trigger the concept of inertial frame, it is necessary to achieve a minimum mass of the static parts of the headphone frame in order to provide adequate inertia when subjected to the thrusts determined by the accelerations of the planar driver membrane.

This inert mass was achieved by using the technique of multi-layered wood system introduced in Mistral, which envisages a laminated wood structure, which allowed the selection of a compact and rigid walnut wood in this project.

The support plate of the powerful isodynamic driver is made of Texawood composite material, which guarantees high rigidity against dynamic impacts.

 

A developed pad for an important headphone

It is important to understand that padding makes up 50% of a headphone's design and cannot easily be adjusted from one design to another.

Centauri is a large headphone and offers the option of using the company's own ventilation pad system through an outward-facing trumpet instead of the usual ventilation openings.

The Centauri's pad, made of Alcantara and leather, is large and leaves space for large ears and creates a listening space that creates an impressive soundstage

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The Centauri pad attachment system is another first for Spirit and allows for quick release via magnets attached to the frame. This allows you to carry out replacement and ordinary maintenance with great ease.

The quality of materials and research are in our DNA

Centauri offers exceptional comfort thanks to the revolutionary stainless steel headband that can be shaped to apply the desired pressure on the ears and the exhaust band that adapts to your head

A technologically advanced ear cushion

We developed the Centauri pads in close collaboration with Dekoni, the leading manufacturer of ear pads for headphones. Shape, inclination, surface treatment... nothing was left to chance.

But the choice of materials is the real highlight of this project.
Very fine leather for the side surfaces, identical to the leather used for the headband.

Alcantara for the part that rests on the ear. Alcantara is not only a top product made in Italy, but also guarantees an exceptional performance package: you will notice this when you wear the headphones for several hours.

 

For enthusiasts, the choice of cabling is a complex decision.
Centauri offers the option to choose between two different cabling technologies depending on what you want to hear.

If the hearing quality for you is im is the focus, then the Professional cable is the right choice.

The Professional cable has a four-core braid made of a very high cross-section Ofc class 5 coaxial cable, which allows you to have two solder points and one Avoid contact point of the plug, ensuring optimal current transport for professional-level hearing quality.

If you value versatility, we recommend you choose the Spirit by Portento detachable cable, which comes with its Double cross-section guarantees optimal performance even with portable devices.

 

 

If you value versatility, we recommend the Spirit by portento removable harness, which, with its double structure, guarantees optimal performance even with portable devices.

 

Open, semi-closed or closed headphones?

Spirit will help you choose the headphones that best suit your needs.

Open headphones offer maximum naturalness and openness of the sound, insulating but not against external noise and scatter the sound to the outside.

Semi-closed headphones are open headphones with shields that partially limit the transmission of sound to and from the outside.

Closed headphones isolate the sound from the outside world, have a great extension of the low frequencies, but are less natural and lose that airiness that makes you forget you are wearing headphones.