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Note that this is a discontinued product. You may want to visit the brand's page here to browse their newer products.
What reviewers think
Bloggers and YouTubers have tried this product—so we've summarized their strongest opinions below. Links to full reviews follow.
Product Strengths
- The Aperio provides fullness and richness in the sound that exceeds the vast majority of electrostatic headphones, along with physical, well-extended bass.
- The Aperio headphones look quite unique and appear refined and rich, looking like they are an object crafted by an artisan.
- The Aperio headphones are extremely comfortable, even for long listening sessions.
- Aperio offers clear, consistent brilliance, and beckons one to stay a little longer every time to listen to albums all the way through and rediscover favorite music in a new light.
- The level of detail of each instrument, even in complex tracks, is such that it’s easier to spot details in recordings when listening to the Aperio than when listening to the real thing.
Product Considerations
- The headphones tend to be slightly on the “clampy” side.
- The Aperio system is one of the most expensive headphone systems in the world, making it unaffordable to many.
- Little soundstage depth.
- The included cable is robust and seemingly durable, but it’s also not really soft, and the flattened shape makes it often difficult to bend, and is quite heavy.
- A composer discussed how high-end headphones allow one to hear even the smallest details, then asked "do you think that they heard that when they mixed the track, did they want you to hear that?"
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs dCS Lina (DAC only): The Aperio DAC was closer in overall sound to the Lina DAC, with exceptional detail, and a general neutral sound with a slight sweetness to it.
- Vs Weiss DAC502: Weiss offers a slightly different sound which further enhances the timbre, as well as the feeling of body and weight in the image.
Takeaway: The Aperio offers top-of-the-line performance with a refined design and comfortable fit, making it an excellent choice for audiophiles seeking the best possible listening experience. This headphone system is among the best-sounding in the world, providing almost endless pleasure for those who can afford it.
What are hifi reviews useful for? (1) Identifying products you should demo in person at a dealer. (2) Learning which products reviewers unanimously praise as the best they've heard (this means they probably are legitimately great). (3) Identifying a product's attributes that satisfy your idiosyncratic needs and tastes. Beyond that, we often discount what reviewers say because they heap praise on most products—and are often apprehensive about publishing strong criticism or comparisons between products. Further, they seldom have more than a few products on-hand, often relying on their memories to compare past products. Always listen for yourself.
All
Aperio
reviews
[{"title":"Warwick Acoustics APERIO $36,000 Headphone Review - The very best","link":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_u5JXrlsv0","source":"GoldenSound","datePublished":"2022"},{"title":"My Week With the Warwick Acoustics Aperio: The Best Headphone System in the World?","link":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=njTs0oeMjhc","source":"The Headphone Show","datePublished":"2024"},{"title":"Warwick Acoustics APERIO Headphone System Review | Moon Audio","link":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFeed11zLaU","source":"ConvinceMeAudio","datePublished":"2022"},{"title":"WARWICK ACOUSTICS APERIO - Review, Recensione, Sound Demo, Sound Test","link":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nth41U9g9Xc","source":"Moon Audio","datePublished":"2024"},{"title":"Coming undone by the world’s best electrostatic system. THE $33K WARWICK ACOUSTICS APERIO REVIEW.","link":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WrbzAJAYNoM","source":"Moon Audio","datePublished":"2023"},{"title":"Brilliant but not Brash: Warwick Acoustics Aperio Review","link":"https://bloomaudio.com/blogs/articles/brilliant-but-not-brash-warwick-acoustics-aperio-review?srsltid=AfmBOoqNdwAo9dhsVT6lCa_dcY9H3AP4egW3W9pFxMFnOOaJWgSjsHat","source":"bloomaudio.com","datePublished":""},{"title":"Warwick Acoustics APERIO review: last stop to heaven","link":"https://www.soundphilereview.com/reviews/warwick-acoustics-aperio-review-8907","source":"soundphilereview.com","datePublished":""}]
An excellent review of a great product
/
Publisher
/
3/1/2022
An excellent review of a great product
Publisher
/
3/1/2022
Video Review
Manufacturer details
Features
Specifications
- BD-HPEL transducer: Balanced-Drive High Precision Electrostatic Laminate
- DAC: Dual 32-bit, 8-channel
Description
From the Latin meaning to uncover or open, the critically acclaimed APERIO headphone system reveals the true beauty of recorded sound.
Release Timeline
Manufacturer Site
Brand highlights
Taking a step back to look at reviewers' thoughts of the brand's entire lineup—not just this product—what stands out most is the following:
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SONOMA
- Positioning: A high-performance headphone amplifier series designed for discrete integration with existing audio setups.
- Description: Offers a single-ended, FET Class-A amplifier that delivers low distortion and wide bandwidth with a unique design optimized for the transducers, setting it apart from the Aperio and Bravura systems. Compared to the flagship Aperio and the complete Bravura series, targets buyers looking for performance in a more focused, amplifier-centric solution, favoring users with constrained space or budget while still demanding uncompromised audio fidelity.
BRAVURA
- Positioning: A complete headphone system that balances exceptional audio quality with lightweight comfort.
- Description: Features a multi-award-winning HPEL transducer combined with a single-ended Class-A amplifier and advanced low-capacitance cabling, delivering precise imaging and dynamic sound reproduction. When compared to the flagship Aperio's ultra-premium design and the amplifier-focused Sonoma, the Bravura is positioned for those seeking holistic performance with versatile connectivity and comfort for extended listening sessions.
APERIO
- Positioning: The flagship headphone system engineered as a reference standard for studio-grade audio.
- Description: Integrates two generations of patented BD-HPEL transducers with precision engineered components and dual 32-bit, 8-channel DACs to achieve optimal audio performance and transparency. In contrast to the more application-specific Sonoma and the all-rounder Bravura, the Aperio is aimed at buyers who demand the absolute highest fidelity and are prepared to invest in comprehensive state-of-the-art technology.
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Avg. Product Price
$20,001-$30,000
Used For Sale
1
Available (Scroll Down)
Brand Popularity
596
of 900+
Badges
Top 50 Brand
Top 250 Brand
Products Listed
3
Founding Year
2014
Our take on the brand
Warwick Acoustics specializes in electrostatic headphones featuring patented HPEL transducers that use a 15μm laminated film with no obstructive front grid, reducing diffraction and coloration. Unique also for their drastically higher bias voltage of 1800V compared to 230V or 580V in most other electrostatic headphones. Their BD-HPEL diaphragms use multilayer film with vapor-deposited 24-karat gold conductors and gold-plated stators. Each driver is built into rigid polycarbonate cassettes and software-tuned for precise resonances, delivering electrostatic speed with atypically physical bass and grounded imaging that departs from the usual airy electrostatic presentation.
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