Renowned for its ability to anticipate and meet market trends, the Italian audio company has shown that it fully understands what can be done with studio monitors and room correction. In 2016, it successfully introduced its iLoud active monitoring system, which fully explored the optimization of room compensation in active designs. Its powerful and affordable ARC room correction software - originally introduced in 2007, and much improved in 2017 - generated praise from content creators, home studios, and experienced professionals.
Subsequent iterations of the iLoud studio monitor series with the ability to directly load and process ARC presets, and more recently the ARC Studio hardware solution, served to demonstrate the advantages of implementing this specific type of digital audio processing without adding unwanted latency and allowing further flexibility to toggle between studio presets and emulation modeling. Now, IK Multimedia was able to apply what it learned about those studio monitors tools to also enable headphone correction and create a virtual monitoring system that removes the guesswork of mixing on headphones.
The new ARC ON·EAR is a compact standalone DAC and headphone amplifier with built-in processing that comes with a specific version of its ARC software, specifically designed for monitoring with headphones. The intuitive user interface allows users to customize and load up to 5 correction and personalization profiles to the ARC ON·EAR device, therefore avoiding any latency or the need to load more tasks to the computer.
The hardware also supports virtualization of headphone models, with support for hundreds of popular headphone emulations. Once the user is happy with its choice of frequency response and virtual monitoring, it can simply take the ARC ON·EAR hardware anywhere, since the device features a built-in rechargeable battery for mobile mixing and listening. The USB-C interface and analog audio inputs support all audio sources and make the ARC ON·EAR truly simple to use.
Listening to Studio Monitors on Headphones
Mixing with headphones is challenging. Even "reference" headphones color the sound, and exaggerated stereo width makes spatial judgment nearly impossible. ARC ON·EAR solves both problems - providing a neutral frequency response and a natural stereo image - while at the same time improving the consistency of headphone monitoring.
Every pair of headphones has its own sonic fingerprint. ARC ON·EAR uses precision calibration profiles, measured with state-of-the-art reference rigs, to ensure a more accurate sound. And the software comes loaded with hundreds of popular headphone models, which will continue to be updated.
Unlike plug-ins or impulse-based "virtual rooms," ARC ON·EAR utilizes advanced physical modeling to recreate the behavior of real studio monitors in an ideal acoustic space. There are no artificial reverbs or timbral coloration, just the natural depth, width, and clarity of a real control room - right in the user's headphones. This allows users to instantly test mixes on a wide range of playback systems. With over 20 virtual studio monitors and more than 15 multimedia playback systems available at release, ARC ON·EAR enables users to precisely understand how a mix translates without ever taking off their headphones.
The behavior of a headphone amplifier directly influences what is heard. Even high-end audio interfaces and mixers can modify a headphone's frequency response - sometimes subtly, sometimes significantly - depending on the model and its output impedance. The ARC ON·EAR hardware eliminates this variable. All calibration profiles are created using the exact same amplifier circuit found in the product, ensuring precise, reliable, and repeatable correction across all headphones and listening sessions.
Headphone enthusiasts that don’t necessarily enjoy the possibilities of emulation will find plenty of personalization options and ways to fine-tune tonal balance to taste. Once configured with the ARC ON·EAR control software, the device operates completely standalone for up to 4 hours on a charge. The device allows saving and loading up to 5 presets that users can quickly toggle, and there’s even a customizable function button.
Powered by a 32-bit ESS SABRE converter, a high-damping-factor, ultra-low-distortion power amplifier, and a digitally controlled analog volume stage, the ARC ON·EAR hardware design delivers a solid listening experience - with no compromises.
“With continuous firmware updates, an expanding headphone database, and a growing collection of virtual monitors, ARC ON·EAR is a future-proof investment in mixing and enjoying sound. Whether producing on the go, mixing at night, or traveling the world, ARC ON·EAR offers the accuracy and confidence of a professional studio - everywhere,” IK Multimedia promises in the announcement.
www.ikmultimedia.com
