Zeitgeist Germany Launches with Extraordinary IEMs

THE ART OF NOISE: INTRODUCING ZEITGEIST GERMANY AND ITS MISSION TO HANDCRAFT UNIQUE EARPHONES FROM EXTRAORDINARY MATERIALS

Featuring freshly emptied whisky barrels, Fabergé-Egg-worthy Karelian birch, and rare timber – you haven’t seen, heard or felt earphones like this before.

Zeitgeist Germany is on a mission to bring art and soul to the mundane world of in-ear monitors. The brand is creating high-quality, high-comfort IEMs from extraordinary organic materials, backed by a wealth of audio expertise.

The brand is launching with two earphone collections: Artisan and Whisky, with a third, Trees collection due next month. All are handcrafted in the brand’s workshop near Heidelberg. No two earphones are ever identical: the different textures, grains and colour variations in each material ensure every earphone is one-of-a-kind.

Zeitgeist Germany is a pioneering brand in crafting earphones from solid wood, offering a unique line that showcases skilled craftsmanship, dedication to sustainability, and a long tradition of musical instruments getting their timbre from timber.

The Artisan Collection

This vibrant range is based on Karelian birch (also known as Masur or Nordic Curly Birch), a prized wood with a distinctive curling pattern. Its story lies not only in its unique look and careful cultivation, but its appeal to earlier artisans – including Fabergé, who used it to craft one of his eponymous eggs for Tsar Nicolas II. The Karelian Birch was the penultimate Fabergé Egg produced, and the only design primarily made from an organic material.

Zeitgeist Germany takes this revered wood and showcases its signature curling pattern in resin, which adds strength and vibrant colour as it flows through the wood’s grain. The earphones are then precision machined from these solid blocks, maximising the materiality – these are not mere veneers or shells.

The collection is launching with five different colour variations, numbered 1-5, including vivid amber, blue, green, black and purple hues.

The Whisky Collection

Crafted from a freshly emptied Islay Malt whisky barrel, these earphones offer a listening experience as rich and robust as the drink that inspired it. The perfect choice for whisky aficionados, these earphones celebrate every rustic element of the American Oak wood that once held and seasoned the spirit. Once cut from the barrel, the wood is simply oiled before the earphone elements are added.

Zeitgeist Germany is planning more models in the Whisky Collection, including a Flamed Islay Malt model – inspired by cask masters flaming the barrels before filling them with whisky. – and a design crafted from a barrel that once held a legendary Tennessee Whisky, Both Flamed Islay Malt and Tennessee Whisky are set to arrive in August 2024.

Hi-fi done differently

Zeitgeist Germany is the brainchild of founder Thomas Halbgewachs, who brings expertise forged from years at Beyerdynamic and subsequent collaborations with some of the most respected headphone brands. His new brand has been three years in development, in partnership with fellow German brand InEar, an acclaimed creator of stage monitors. Zeitgeist Germany was born out of a strong desire to do things differently – and better.

“Zeitgeist Germany isn’t just about creating high-quality in-ear headphones; it’s about infusing each piece with a unique story and soul. We aim to inspire and surprise by using extraordinary materials and breaking boundaries to create pieces that people can fall in love with, “says Halbgewachs.

He adds: “We want to celebrate individuality and remind people that music is more than background noise or frequency charts – it’s meant to be enjoyed.”

Ultimate comfort, flexibility and quality

Zeitgeist Germany doesn’t just stand out for its exceptional designs and materials: its commitment to comfort and quality sets it apart, too.

The team studied thousands of ear impressions to find the perfect fit for most people. Zeitgeist Germany earphones seamlessly contour to your ears and come in both Regular and Small sizes, with four sizes of silicone eartips provided. There are additional eartips options available in the brand store.

The IEMs come with a premium cable in the box, featuring an 8-core structure braided from high-purity, silver-plated monocrystalline copper, available in 3.5mm and 4.4mm versions. Optional accessories include various adapters for both smartphone and Bluetooth connectivity.

Each Zeitgeist Germany earphone also comes backed with a full five-year warranty, reinforcing the brand’s dedication to delivering sustainable high-quality products and commitment to customer satisfaction.

Pricing, availability and links

The Zeitgeist Germany Collections are available to order now, with a suggested retail price of £699/$799/€799 for the Whisky Collection and £799/$899/€899 for the Artisan Collection. Customers can buy direct from zeitgeistgermany.com or from other stockists.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

• COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Germany
• FIT: Regular, Small
• TRANSDUCERS: Proprietary tuned, 2-way balanced armature system (Sonion)
• CABLE: Premium Cable 3.5mm, Premium Cable 4.4mm
• CABLE SPECS: 1,2m, monocrystal silver-plated copper, aluminum plugs, gold- plated connectors
• BLUETOOTH READY: With accessory (e.g. iFi Go Blu)
• APPLE COMPATIBLE: With accessory (Lightning or USB-C adaptor)
• SAMSUNG COMPATIBLE: With accessory (USB-C adaptor)
• EARTIPS INCLUDED: Silicone S, M, L, XL
• OPTIONAL EARTIPS: Final Type E silicone (5 sizes), Spinfit silicone (4 sizes), Comply foam (3 sizes)
• EAR-WAX FILTERS: Replaceable high-end filters, spare filters available as accessory
• WARRANTY: 5 years (after registration)
• PACKAGING: Luxury box, reusable for watch, jewelry and other trinkets.

ABOUT ZEITGEIST GERMANY Zeitgeist Germany is more than just a brand – it’s a philosophy embraced by the daring, the adventurous, the visionary. Each in-ear monitor we make is a celebration of craftsmanship, individuality, and the thrill of making something special. Fueled by our desire to challenge the status quo, we drew inspiration from our vast experience with personal audio. We began exploring unconventional materials, techniques, and vibrant patterns, slowly bringing our vision to life. We’re not interested in following recipes; instead, we seek the heartbeat behind each material, the emotions they evoke, and the stories they whisper.