Stanley
@ Starry Audio
Founder

Starry Audio's latest ultra-flagship in-ear monitor, the Bolide, adopts a hybrid driver configuration comprising 4 electrostatic units, 4 balanced armature drivers, and two 9.2mm dynamic drivers. By combining the strengths of these three driver types, it delivers refined and layered sound performance. The Bolide is scheduled for its first release in November, with a limited production of 80 units for the Asian market.

The name "Bolide" derives from the term "fireball meteor," symbolizing the brief yet dazzling flash and impact of a meteor streaking across the night sky. Brand founder Stanley shared, "We hope the Bolide can offer users a novel listening experience—akin to the fleeting yet brilliant flash of a fireball, a momentary yet eternal beauty." The earphone's design echoes this theme, utilizing advanced 3D printing technology and incorporating polarizing powder, which allows the shell to exhibit shifting color brightness from different angles, reminiscent of a shimmering meteor.

In terms of sound tuning, the Bolide not only represents the culmination of previous models like the Syzygy and Yozora but also achieves a breakthrough in acoustic philosophy. Stanley stated, "This time, we placed special emphasis on vocal performance, aiming to deliver a sound texture that stirs emotions and inspires creativity. While maintaining the characteristics of Japanese-style vocal tuning, each of our creations expresses a distinct style and emotional nuance." The Bolide pursues more sparkling highs and powerful, robust bass, elevating the overall soundstage three-dimensionality and emotional engagement.

The Bolide comes equipped with the Oliver cable, exclusively redesigned for this model by Rolling Force. Stanley noted, "This cable has been freshly tuned to better unlock the earphone's potential." As for the limited edition strategy of 80 pairs, aside from material scarcity, the brand aims to enhance its collectible value through exclusivity. Stanley explained, "The 3D printing process itself is complex and prone to high wear, coupled with the polarizing powder design, which significantly increases production difficulty and time cost. This also reflects the brand's value." He admitted that the production process was challenging, but it is precisely for this reason that the Bolide possesses unique character and worth as a collector's item.

Oscar
@ Vortex Cables
Founder

At this event, Vortex Cables showcased the engineering prototype of its first-ever earphone, driven by a clear vision from founder Oscar: "While there are many monitor earphones on the market with diverse styles, we never found one truly tailored for monitoring equipment and cable development." He emphasized that Vortex needed a reference earphone with not only excellent sound quality but also high sensitivity to various personal audio devices and cables, serving as a core tool for cable research and development. This precisely encapsulates the brand's motivation for launching this earphone—a professional monitoring device born exclusively for cable development.

In terms of cables, Vortex simultaneously introduced two new copper cables in the Zenith series. Oscar explained that the Zenith series copper cables are designed for in-ear monitors and over-ear headphones, respectively, with 4-strand and 8-strand versions. The two exhibit distinct differences in sound quality and user experience, primarily addressing the varying requirements of headphone impedance and cable gauge (AWG). Oscar noted, "In-ear and over-ear headphones inherently demand different cable characteristics, and the tuning is adjusted accordingly for their respective user bases. You can consider them as two entirely distinct products." This meticulous design reflects Vortex's rigorous attention to product details.

Additionally, the brand launched a new series of cables featuring an innovative extended design based on STP (Shielded Twisted Pair) structure. Oscar shared, "To continue the legacy of the Lavinia climbing rope, we integrated the advantages of coaxial structure and multiple twisting techniques to create a new generation of STP architecture." This breakthrough challenges conventional cable limitations by utilizing thicker wire diameters to accommodate more conductors, thereby enhancing information capacity and strengthening dynamic performance for superior cable performance.

Finally, discussing the brand's target audience, Oscar expressed that Vortex aims to promote Hong Kong local brands to overseas markets through events like PA FEST 2025 HK, allowing global IEM enthusiasts to experience the unique sound of Hong Kong. He added, "We look forward to meeting the stringent audio demands of audiophiles and professional users worldwide with our diversified product line." Facing fierce competition in the audio cable market, Oscar emphasized Vortex's unique advantage lies in its comprehensive independent production capabilities, covering cable development, manufacturing, and accessory design. He stated, "Market competition is undoubtedly intense, but our unwavering dedication to sound quality remains the core competitiveness of Vortex."

Adrian | Artanis
@ Nostalgia Audio
Founders

On the occasion of Nostalgia Audio's fifth anniversary, founders Artanis and Adrian shared their profound insights into the brand's sound philosophy and flagship products. The signature sound of Nostalgia Audio is not a single, fixed tonal character; instead, each earphone and cable exhibits a unique personality, allowing different music enthusiasts to find their own musical stories and emotional resonance.

Artanis stated, "We do not rigidly adhere to one specific sound characteristic because that would limit the possibilities in product design and the brand's development space." They insist on prioritizing sound quality, with every product meticulously designed by combining innovative technology and craftsmanship, aiming to meet the needs of different users and embody a spirit of musical diversity.

Regarding product naming and the creative process, Adrian emphasized, "Sound is always the dominant element. From conception and design to final tuning, our primary goal is to create products that genuinely sound excellent." Each earphone is named after an epic story. For example, the flagship in-ear monitor Pendragon, developed over two years, had its sound tuning finalized first, with the story then adding cultural depth and emotional connection. When asked whether driver selection or sound quality definition comes first during R&D, they clarified that the team first establishes the ideal sound quality, then selects the appropriate drivers accordingly. Artanis added, "Only in this way can we ensure every detail aligns with our sound philosophy, ultimately delivering sound that meets high standards."

The Pendragon employs a quad-hybrid driver architecture, combining dynamic drivers, balanced armatures, bone conduction drivers, and electrostatic units, integrated with their self-developed XBS II and SFD II technologies, achieving what the brand currently considers the ideal sound combination. Adrian shared, "This is our most satisfactory configuration to date, but audio technology is constantly evolving, and we will continue to pursue even better solutions in the future."

Simultaneously, Nostalgia Audio's flagship upgrade cable, Guinevere, has also garnered significant attention. This cable, sold separately from the Pendragon, is also named after Guinevere from the Arthurian legends. The Guinevere features a world-first conductor made from an alloy of four noble metals: gold, silver, platinum, and palladium, and utilizes a Litz structure to enhance the cable's resolution and control. Artanis explained, "Gold imparts warmth and richness to vocals, silver reveals minute details, platinum provides clear and sparkling highs, while palladium strengthens the depth and layers of the bass." This combination is particularly well-suited for hybrid driver earphones, especially those containing electrostatic units, significantly improving the refinement and liveliness of the sound quality."

In response to the market's diverse needs, Nostalgia Audio does not rule out developing entry-level and mid-range products in the future. Adrian expressed, "We hope to offer an ultimate sound quality experience for audiophiles at different levels, and we will continue to explore more product lines to meet the needs of various users."

Sky
@ Panther Audio
Founder

The newly launched LUMINIS DH4 from Panther Audio is the brand's first in-ear monitor to adopt a dual dynamic + dual balanced armature structure. It is equipped with two 10mm beryllium-plated diaphragm dynamic drivers, combined with one ultra-high frequency and one mid-high frequency balanced armature driver, injecting clear and refined layers into the sound. Founder Sky shared, "The dual dynamic driver design primarily emphasizes ultra-low frequency performance, giving the overall sound more body and impact. It's particularly suitable for ACG music, and the rhythmic sense of electronic music can also be presented quickly."

The LUMINIS DH4's shell employs a complex CNC five-axis carving process, combined with carbon fiber and resin fiber, resulting in a unique texture resembling the natural growth pattern of snakeskin. Sky explained, "Each earpiece shell is a unique work of art, with the patterns appearing even more intricate and three-dimensional under sunlight." Due to the high material hardness and intricate carving process, the product rejection rate once reached as high as 70%, reflecting the brand's stringent quality requirements."

While high-end earphones using similar CNC craftsmanship on the market often cost over ten thousand dollars, Panther Audio's LUMINIS DH4 is priced accessibly at just $4,980. Sky stated, "We hope to allow more consumers to enjoy high-end craftsmanship and quality sound at a reasonable price – this is our greatest sincerity."

Ming
@ Pico Audio and Rolling Force
Founder

Pico Audio's latest creation, the Origa FE vacuum tube hybrid portable headphone amplifier, embodies ten years of the brand's R&D effort and persistence. Founder Ming shared that the birth of the Origa FE originated from a unique concept: "When portable headphone amps were booming, vacuum tubes were always a classic symbol in the hearts of audiophiles. We hoped to give new life, in a portable form, to those home-use vacuum tubes that had been discarded due to damage."

The Origa FE adopts a fully discrete, replaceable vacuum tube hybrid design, and the technical challenges were not insignificant. Ming explained, "Using standard-sized vacuum tubes was the biggest hurdle, as their large size imposes extremely high demands on power management, noise floor control, and heat dissipation." Early test versions had a battery life of only one to two hours, with the chassis temperature even rising above 50°C, making them completely unsuitable for portable use. After five years of relentless effort, Pico Audio launched the finalized Origa in 2020, followed by the enhanced Origa SE the next year. However, production was once halted due to disruptions in the component supply chain during the pandemic. It wasn't until 2025 that the brand redesigned the core components and, leveraging more mature craftsmanship, created the Origa FE, finally achieving the ideal balance of portability and high performance."

The Origa FE is regarded as the final chapter (Final Edition) of this ten-year development architecture. Ming indicated, "This architecture represents the culmination of our work, and there are no current plans for a successor model." Looking at the portable headphone amplifier market, he expressed hope that solid-state batteries could soon be mass-produced in small sizes, bringing revolutionary changes to portable devices. Meanwhile, the other brand, Rolling Force, will also introduce new products. Ming previewed, "In November, we will launch Amber, a mid-to-high-priced product with a style completely different from Violet." Additionally, the brand will continue its collaboration with Starry Audio, releasing the newly tuned stock earphone cable, Oliver. 2026 marks the brand's fifth anniversary, and a series of product updates are expected, making it something to look forward to.

"I've been into earphones for over ten years, starting from my university days when I would read reviews and guides online, often taking wrong turns along the way. Back then, I mostly knew foreign brands and had little understanding of local ones. This event gathered many Hong Kong local brands, which particularly interested me, as there are rarely opportunities to experience so many local brand earphones at once. Compared to the noisy and rushed environment of audio exhibitions, I prefer this format where you can listen carefully and exchange thoughts calmly. It allows you to truly appreciate the details and tuning characteristics of the products."

Norman @ Participant

Ivan @ Participant