ZEITGEIST GERMANY LAUNCH ARTISAN AND WHISKY IEMS MADE FROM SOLID WOOD

Zeitgeist Germany is a new Headfi brand creating high-quality, high-comfort IEMs from organic materials.

The brand is launching with two earphone collections: Artisan and Whisky, with a third, Trees collection due next month.

ZEITGEIST GERMANY

All Zeitgeist Germany IEMs 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 the brainchild of founder Thomas Halbgewachs, who brings expertise 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 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. We want to celebrate individuality and remind people that music is more than background noise or frequency charts – it’s meant to be enjoyed.”

Thomas Halbgewachs

COMFORT, FLEXIBILITY AND QUALITY

The Zeitgeist Germany team studied thousands of ear impressions to find the perfect fit for most people. Zeitgeist Germany earphones are designed to 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.

ZEITGEIST 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, these are not veneers or shells.

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

ZEITGEIST WHISKY COLLECTION

 Crafted from the wood of Islay Malt whisky barrel, these earphones celebrate the rustic element of the American Oak wood that is cut from the barrel, then 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.

ZEITGEIST GERMANY ARTISAN AND WHISKY IEM PRICING

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.

HiFi PiG Says: In the crowded IEM market the Zeitgeist Germany earphones stand out with their attention to detail and craftsmanship and of course the industry credentials of the founder.