WarWick BRAVURA Electrostatic Headphone System – SILVER
$3,625
High-Precision Electrostatic Laminate Transducer
The Sonoma was the world’s first headphone system to use the High-Precision Electrostatic Laminate (HPEL) audio transducer developed by Warwick Acoustics Ltd.
To date it has won 25 industry awards and received testimonials from audiophiles and recording professionals from around the world. With the BRAVURA we have invested 3 years of HPEL development to refine our core patented technology to further improve upon all the benefits for which electrostatics are famous. The latest evolution of the single-ended HPEL uses a new stator design and more advanced materials resulting in ultra-low distortion, increased SPL and a wider bandwidth.
Each HPEL is handmade and individually matched resulting in a listening experience with unrivalled transparency and musicality.
Injected Magnesium Ear-Cups
With excellent strength-to-weight ratio, high stiffness, superior acoustical damping and outstanding RFI/EMI shielding, magnesium is the ideal material in which to house the HPEL to ensure optimal performance. It’s low weight also contributes to outstanding headphone comfort and reduced user fatigue.
Handmade Hair Sheep Ear Pads
Ensuring comfort during long listening sessions, the BRAVURA ear-pads are handmade from top-grain, Cabretta hair sheep leather, known for its light weight, durability and softness.
Luxury Headband
The BRAVURA uses a version of the headband designed for our flagship APERIO headphone. Its hand stitched finish delivers the ultimate in comfort and luxury.
Custom Low-Capacitance Cable
We developed a bespoke ultra-low capacitance cable to guarantee optimal signal transfer between amplifier and headphone. Manufactured in collaboration with ATLAS and LEMO, the cable is strengthened with Kevlar between the inner cores, and uses high-precision self-latching LEMO connectors. A high quality woven Moplen outer braiding with soft feel and ultra-wear resistance ensures a luxury user experience.
Class-A Energizing Amplifier
Like all electrostatics, the HPEL requires a high-voltage drive amplifier in order to function.
The supplied drive comes from an optimally matched, high performance, discrete FET Class-A amplifier with very low distortion and wide bandwidth. The amplifier is encased in a completely shielded, machined aluminum enclosure to ensure isolation from all interference sources, and provides USB and coax S/PDIF digital as well as
RCA analog inputs. The USB input accepts all Hi-Res Audio formats up to 32-bit/384 kHz PCM and DSD via DoP (DSD64 and DSD128), while the S/PDIF input accepts all PCM formats up to 24-bit/192 kHz.
ESS SABRE Reference DAC
ESS is universally recognized as the world’s premium DAC chip manufacturer, and we have opted for their 32-bit Reference DAC. Each stereo DAC chip is operated in ono mode to provide a measured 129 dB signal-to-noise ratio.
Custom 64-Bit Double-Precision Fixed-Point DSP
In order to obtain the desired response at the output of the headphones, we digitally process all signals using custom 64-bit double-precision fixed-point arithmetic. Fixed-point is known to be superior in the world of audio processing, and our 64-bit arithmetic exceeds even the performance of professional audio workstations.
AKM Premium ADC
All incoming analog signals must be converted to digital ahead of the DSP, and for this we use a multi-channel 32-bit/384 kHz AKM Premium ADC to deliver a measured signal-to-noise ratio in excess of 120 dB.
Superior USB Data Cable
With gold-plated connectors and a silver-plated data path, the supplied USB cable, co-developed with Straight Wire, is the perfect connection between your digital music source and the Sonoma M1 system.
Custom Universal Voltage PSU
Our custom-designed, universal voltage switch-mode power supply utilizes a fixed frequency design optimized for low noise within the audio bandwidth. To ensure a good connection with the amplifier unit, we use high-performance, locking DC power connectors. All audio circuitry within the amplifier is supplied by a secondary stage of ultra-low noise, high current linear regulation.
Warwick Acoustics Bravura System Black Edition – Tiefschwarzes Technikfestival
Conclusion
The Bravura system is pure high-end sound. The finest materials, high-quality technology and excellent sound performance go hand in hand here. The headphones convince with good wearing comfort and best workmanship. The amplifier shines with excellent haptics and elegant appearance. The stylish Black Edition brings even more exclusivity, even if the surcharge hurts a bit. With Bravura, Warwick Acoustics offers an audio system for discerning listeners for whom great handling is just as important as excellent sound.
Summary
When I reviewed the original Sonoma M1 system, I said that “its variations from perfection were small, involving long-term listening comfort, cable hardware, and susceptibility to distortion from excessively high analog input levels.” The new Bravura headset has rectified these issues. Does the Bravura M1 rate as the best in the world? Since I have not heard every flagship headphone, I can’t make that statement, but I can write with conviction that the Bravura is the best headphone system I’ve experienced so far and may well be the endgame for anyone looking for a state-of-the-art reference headphone.
https://www.the-ear.net/review-hardware/warwick-acoustics-bravura-electrostatic-headphones
The Bravura’s unbypassable digital processing made it impossible for me to say anything verifiable about how Warwick Acoustics’ newest electrostatic headphone system compares to any other electrostatic headphone you might be familiar with. But my diverse listening experiments lead me to conclude that, for anyone seeking a handsome, comfortable, reasonably priced, substantially built, exceptional-sounding entry into the realm of electrostatic headphones, the Bravura is a must audition.
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