Astell&Kern X Volk Audio Stella

Astell&Kern X Volk Audio Stella

Precision with Purpose

The STELLA is the result of a rare convergence: Astell&Kern’s mastery of modern engineering, VOLK Audio’s deep understanding of acoustic architecture and industrial design, and the critical ear of Michael Graves, a five-time GRAMMY Award–winning mastering engineer. Guided by VOLK founder Jack Vang, the project evolved through constant exchange and refinement. The outcome is not a collection of components, but a unified system shaped by proportion, balance, and discipline.

Throughout development, Astell&Kern and VOLK created new acoustic assemblies, structural geometries, and driver architectures, while final tuning took place at Osiris Studio in Los Angeles under the supervision of Michael Graves. Focus was placed on tonal accuracy, phase coherence, and spatial stability—ensuring that every decision served only the music.

The result is an IEM designed to meet the demands of professional mastering environments while remaining engaging for personal listening.

A 12-Driver Quadbrid System With Purposeful Architecture

STELLA’s quadbrid structure brings together four transducer technologies in a single, coherent system. Its internal geometry follows a philosophy of pure function: every chamber, contour, and acoustic path exists solely to maintain integrity of sound. No forced EQ, no artificial compensation—just precision through engineering.

System Highlights

• LF-H System: VOLK M9-R 9 mm dynamic driver + dual Sonion balanced armatures
• Tri-Armature Midrange: three Sonion armatures tuned for organic presence
• HF-H System: dual VOLK MP-2 planar magnetic drivers + four Sonion electrostatic tweeters
• Five precision sound tubes
• Six-way crossover network
• 0.78 mm 2-pin connectors

Each driver operates strictly within its natural range, phase-aligned and pressure-balanced with its neighboring systems. The result is a remarkably linear, stable, and coherent presentation across the entire frequency spectrum.

LF-H: Low Frequency Hybrid System

STELLA’s low-end foundation is built on VOLK’s M9-R 9 mm subwoofer, combined with two balanced armatures in a dual-chamber hybrid system engineered for phase and resonance control.

Operating from 20 to 600 Hz, the LF-H system delivers:

• Substantial depth and authority
• Fast, textured response
• Tonal structure without excess bloom

Its balance allows the bass to remain powerful, clean, and controlled—never intrusive or exaggerated.

Tri-Armature Midrange – The Center of Natural Expression

The midrange employs a three-armature configuration:

• Dual BA drivers (600 Hz – 7 kHz): tuned for presence, warmth, and vocal density
• Single BA (6 – 15 kHz): reinforces upper mid harmonics and preserves transient detail

The system creates a seamless bridge between the LF-H and HF-H architectures, maintaining clarity, linearity, and natural tone.

HF-H: High Frequency Hybrid System

The upper range of STELLA is defined by the integration of VOLK MP-2 planar magnetic drivers and four electrostatic tweeters, engineered to operate as a unified high-frequency assembly.

Working from 9 to 45 kHz, the system provides:

• Extended, effortless air and space
• Precise harmonic detail
• Smooth transitions without harshness

Phase precision and tonal balance ensure that the extreme upper band remains coherent, detailed, and stable.

Material & Structural Engineering – Form Guided by Function

6061-T6 Aluminum Shell

The main body is machined from aerospace-grade aluminum and finished in satin black. Benefits include:

• High stiffness and low resonance
• Excellent driver alignment and stability
• Low weight for improved comfort
• Structural precision for a controlled acoustic environment

Central Aluminum Plate

Also crafted from 6061-T6, it forms the visual and structural heart of STELLA. VOLK and Astell&Kern insignias are arranged in perfect balance, reflecting the disciplined symmetry of the design.

Sapphire Crystal Faceplate

Cut from a single block of 9H optical-grade sapphire crystal, diamond-polished to eliminate micro-distortions and achieve pure transparency. Properties:

• Extreme hardness and scratch resistance
• Superior structural integrity
• Optical clarity with no surface warping

Stainless Steel Frame

A mirror-polished frame machined to micron precision, uniting the sapphire panel with the aluminum chassis. It also houses the vent architecture, ensuring consistent internal pressure and resonance control.

Vent Architecture

An engineered system of vents within the shell and frame:

• Equalizes internal pressure
• Stabilizes diaphragm motion
• Reduces standing waves
• Ensures channel-to-channel consistency

Proprietary 6-Way Crossover

Each driver group is filtered, time-aligned, and phase-corrected to maintain spatial coherence and tonal stability throughout the entire spectrum.

Cable – Engineered as Part of the Acoustic System

The STELLA cable is not an accessory but a functional part of the tuning.

• 23.7 AWG, 4-core configuration
• Hybrid conductor array: 5N LCOFC copper, 4N silver, 24K gold
• 12-strand Litz Type 4S
• 500D macro-molecular fiber reinforcement
• SoftFlex PVC insulation
• Midnight black braided nylon jacket
• 6061-T6 anodized hardware with 316 stainless steel accents
• 4.4 mm AEC balanced termination

Its design preserves linearity, transient accuracy, and phase stability across the entire frequency range.

Our Verdict

The Astell&Kern X VOLK Audio STELLA is a system shaped not by trends but by disciplined engineering and master-level listening. Its quadbrid architecture, tonal precision, advanced material engineering, and involvement of one of the world’s leading mastering engineers create a presentation that is both analytically exacting and musically expressive.

STELLA represents what becomes possible when precision meets purpose.