Interview: Envy Meisterwerk Behind the Scenes

In our latest collaboration with Feliks Audio, we wanted to give our community a deeper look into the creation of the Envy Meisterwerk, a limited-edition amp that we designed together, exclusively for the Headphone.Shop community.

To share more about this special project, we sat down with Lukasz & Michal Feliks to discuss the inspiration behind this release, the creative process, and what makes the Envy Meisterwerk truly stand out.

In this interview, the Feliks brothers take us through the journey of crafting the Envy Meisterwerk, from the choice of rare materials to the integration of Western Electric 300B tubes, and how this amplifier is a reflection of both innovation and tradition.

Discover the full story:

HS: What inspired you to create this special edition of the Envy amplifier? 

FA: We wanted to celebrate a few “stars aligned”. We recently became an official OEM partner for Western Electric and gained access to their famous 300B tubes – so we wanted to kick off that cooperation with something special. We also have been asked by many customers to include certain rare and exclusive wood finishes in our range, with ebony at the top of the list. After careful consideration, we discovered a way to source this wood sustainably and learned to work with it in a way that honours its natural integrity.

Having worked with Headphone Shop for years, we wanted to create something truly special to celebrate that partnership, which made this project a perfect fit. Working closely with Thomas allowed us to inspire each other in truly rewarding ways.

HS: What excites you most about this collaboration? Was there a specific vision you had for this project from the beginning? 

FA: What’s truly exciting about this project is that it came to life through a blend of creative collaboration and listening closely to the needs of our customers. For example, the choice of ebony wood – we wanted to use an exclusive material for this project, something that makes a statement, and I believe we achieved that. But overall, the best part was working together with our partners in Germany to customize an already great product (the Envy), creating something even more exclusive.

HS: If you had to describe the Envy King in just three words, what would they be? 

FA: Exclusive, customized, collaborative.

HS: The Envy King features two exclusive materials: ebony and zebrano wood. Can you explain the decision-making process behind choosing these materials? How do they contribute to the amplifier’s overall aesthetic and performance? 

FA: Ebony has been requsted by our customers for a long time now, but we wanted to make it right. We had to source it in a sustainable and proper way, and give it a good purpose. That’s why we chose it as the top finish for Meisterwerk. We don’t plan to use ebony in any other product in the future. For this special edition of Envy, customers can also select Zebrano as an alternative. We chose this one because its natural wavy grain brings a unique, lively character to the Envy design. We love both options equally!

HS: Were there any challenges in incorporating these materials into the amplifier design? 

FA: The main challenge with ebony is sourcing it. It’s a protected species with limited availability, requiring considerable effort to acquire responsibly. Additionally, ebony is difficult to work with due to its density and hardness. However, our extensive experience with exotic woods has equipped us to expertly manage these challenges and avoid cracking and imperfections. Each amplifier is crafted to perfection, ensuring lasting quality for years to come.

HS: This special edition features the iconic 300B Western Electric power tubes. Why did you choose these particular tubes for the Envy King? What makes them stand out compared to the others? 

FA: Western Electric has a great history and tradition in tube making, which we have a deep respect for. And we also love the sound signature of their 300B –  full bodied, warm yet detailed. It complements the Envy in a beautiful way. We modified the electrical circuit, mainly through use of higher grade capacitors and resistors, to bring the best we could out of the WE 300B tubes while still keeping the iconic Envy character alive.

HS: What kind of sound experience can users expect from this edition?

FA: Listeners can expect a full-bodied and dynamic sound with a neutral yet distinctly recognizable tube signature. The Meisterwerk Envy will pair perfectly with any planar or dynamic headphones available on the market.

HS: In your opinion, what will make owners of the Envy King feel special?

FA: The Meisterwerk is a unique package, featuring ultra-rare ebony wood or funky zebrano wood, paired with custom-tuned electronics that maximize the potential of the WE300B tubes (used for the first time in a Feliks tube amplifier). And of course, its exclusivity sets it apart – it’s a low-volume, customer-focused product designed to last for many years. Fully serviceable, it supports sustainability while showcasing stunning aesthetics.

HS: Does this project open the door for future innovations? What can we expect in the future from Feliks Audio? 

FA: Our R&D pipeline is always very long, and our main focus remains headphone amplification. For instance, in 2025, we plan to launch a high-end electrostatic amplifier powered by quad 300B tubes. All of our projects are designed to deliver technical and acoustic excellence combined with no compromise finish and aesthetics.

Envy Meisterwerk is now available here.