Just got a pair of Periodic Audio’s new Flagship in-ear headphones, the $399 C (Carbon) IEM in the house, and I can’t wait to give these a real good listen. Periodic Audio basically only makes IEMs, (they do have the Nickel amp, which I also have) and their mission is to make the best sounding one on the market. They approach this in a novel way by utilizing pretty much the same housings, tips, and cables for all of their models, then installing a single wideband driver of increasingly stiffer materials as you move up the line.
In the case of the Carbon, they coat the driver with diamond, which is supposed to give you the most detailed sound with the least distortion. So far I can say they have a very punchy, forward, resolving sound, these are no shrinking violets.
I also got ahold of the $299 Ni (Nickel) Portable Headphone Amp, which is pretty powerful for its relatively small size. Stay tuned for my full review!
Buy Here: Periodic Audio “Carbon” Diamond Diaphragm in-Ear Headphones
Buy Here: Periodic Audio Ni (Nickel) Powerful Compact and Portable in Ear Headphone
C (Carbon) Specs:
| Performance | |
|---|---|
| Frequency Response | 12 Hz to 38 kHz |
| Impedance | 32 Ohms nominal |
| Sensitivity | 98 dB SPL at 1mW in ear |
| Power Handling | 200 mW continuous |
| Peak SPL | 121 dB |
| THD | Less than 0.2% THD at 1mW |
| Physical Properties | |
|---|---|
| Cable Length | 1.5 m |
| Mass | 2.8 / 9.3 g (IEM/Set) |
| Operational Temperature | -20 to +50° C |
| Operational Humidity | 0-95% Relative Humidity |
| NRR | 31.3 dB (foam eartrip) |
| Overall Length | 21 mm |
| Body Diameter | 12 mm |
| Nozzle Diameter | 6 mm |
Ni (Nickel) Specs:
| Performance | |
|---|---|
| Frequency Response | 8 Hz to 80 kHz |
| THD+N | < 0.005%, 20 Hz to 20 kHz |
| Gain | 6.5 dB |
| Power Output | 250 mW Continuous, 32 Ohms |
| Damping Factor | > 100 @ 32 Ohms |
| Run Time | 8 Hours, typical |
| Charge Time | 30 minutes from full discharge |
| Physical Properties | |
|---|---|
| Length | 50mm |
| Width | 30mm |
| Height | 18mm |
| Weight | 20 grams |
| Audio Jack | 3.5mm TRRS (mic pass through) |
| Charging Jack | Micro USB |
| Power Indicator | Red/Yellow/Green |
| Body Material | Polycarbonate |
Unboxing Pics:
I’m an audio writer who started as a young audio salesman/consumer electronics professional back in the late 90s. That’s where I discovered the magic of 2-Channel sound. My thirst for great sound has led me on a delightful music quest that continues today.
Leave a Reply