It wasn’t all that long ago when mixing on headphones was next to impossible because the mixes never translated to speakers well. In the last few years we’ve been blessed with a number room simulation software packages that finally made the dream come true, but they have their limitations as well, either limiting the models of headphones that can be used, or having the frequency response of them change depending upon what they were plugged into. That’s all changed with the introduction of IK Multimedia’s ARC On-Ear system, a truly unique approach to headphone mixing.
ARC On-Ear is different from every other system in that it’s an external box that can connect to an analog or digital source. This means that it can be fed from your favorite computer app or analog console.
The sturdy steel box contains a high-quality DAC, plus an audiophile headphone amplifier. The idea being that your headphones will always see the same impedance, and therefore have the same frequency response every time.
You can also choose a response curve for just about anything on the market, so chances are your favorite pair will work. That means you’re not limited to either a pair that came with a room simulation system or a high-end headphone that you don’t own.
The headphone models are chosen in the stand-alone app, where you can also choose the type of speakers you wish to simulate. The choices include typical studio monitors to hi-fi models to even smartphones and televisions.
The Hardware
The ARC On-Ear box has a master volume control and three switches. The first one, called Cal for calibration, engages the headphone EQ. This can be adjusted further with a tone control and phase switch in the app.
The second switch, labeled Studio, allows you to bypass the speaker simulation that was chosen in the app. The third switch, labeled Fn, is a soft switch that can be programmed in the app to mute the phones, bypass the phase alignment, switch to a different speaker simulation, dim the program, or switch to mono.
The box is truly standalone in that it’s powered via a 4 hour rechargeable battery with a rear on-off switch. On the front there’s a ¼ inch headphone output jack, and on the back there’s a USB-C input for charging and connecting to a computer. There’s also a 3.5 mm input jack for input from an outside analog source like a console.
ARC On-Ear comes with a nice carrying case that neatly fits the included USB-C cable and ¼ inch cable. It’s currently on sale for an introductory price of $249 (normally $299). The software can be download from the IK Multimedia site after product registration, and is available for both Mac and PC.
You can find out more here, or watch the video below.
