Although PALAVOX is no stranger to those who frequent headphone exhibitions, it was not until just before the Shenzhen exhibition this August that the brand officially announced its “sibling brand” relationship with ARTPICAL. The latter’s earphone models—such as Michael, Lucifer, and Blue Planet—have earned a solid reputation among audiophiles for their artistically distinctive design and impressive sound performance. Meanwhile, PALAVOX’s flagship model, the AKASHA, has also undergone extensive refinement and was officially launched not long ago.
At the Shenzhen exhibition in August, the AKASHA made its debut in its final mass‑production form and was truly stunning. In terms of the final shell design, it can be summed up in one phrase: “flowing with iridescent colours.” It carries elements of both sci‑fi and fantasy, bearing a resemblance to the shape of a spacecraft from a science fiction novel. The enamel inlays that shimmer at the seams between the different sections of the shell reflect three colours—blue, gold, and purple—as the light shifts, creating a captivating visual experience. The TC4 titanium alloy shell, combined with DLC coating and surface titanium plating, exudes a sophisticated sense of quality and lustre. Compared to ARTPICAL’s products, it places greater emphasis on texture and gloss, with a more imposing overall design aesthetic. Beyond the shell, the hardware and cable components of the AKASHA follow the same design language, with enamel and polished metal complementing each other beautifully. The packaging and internal accessories also adopt a grand and elegant design approach, both attractive and practical—including two different carrying pouches and a selection of ear tips made from various materials. The AKASHA also comes with an enamel‑crafted ring, which reinforces the impression of its distinctive design and serves as a standout touch among the accessories.
Priced at 28,800 RMB, the AKASHA is not only PALAVOX’s flagship model but also the most expensive earphone in the entire brand’s lineup—even when counting all of ARTPICAL’s offerings. Its driver configuration comprises 1 dynamic driver, 4 balanced armature drivers, 6 electrostatic drivers, and 1 bone conduction driver, totalling 13 drivers across a 6‑way crossover—its formidable technical foundation goes without saying. In the current flagship IEM market above the 10,000 RMB price bracket, getting the technical performance right is the baseline; what truly secures market recognition is the ability to present a distinctive and unmistakable character through tuning. Furthermore, products at this level—if they do not pursue a path of overwhelming energy and bold, full‑bodied imaging that leaves an instant “exciting‑sounding IEM” impression, but instead adopt a more balanced and restrained tone—require careful, extended listening with familiar sources and familiar tracks to fully appreciate the nuances of their sound. The AKASHA is clearly one of the latter.
In terms of driving requirements, I would personally recommend using a high‑end DAP or portable amplifier if possible. The AKASHA responds to source changes in a rather unusual way: for example, when you drive it with a few‑hundred‑yuan dongle versus a several‑thousand‑yuan DAP, you might initially feel that the sound is “about the same”—there is no significant gap in the overall sound framework or fullness. However, if you use the best possible source to drive it, the immense energy hidden beneath the AKASHA’s seemingly gentle sound signature will truly emerge—manifesting particularly in density, thickness, dynamics, and transient response. Properly driven, the AKASHA delivers a performance during large‑scale classical and OST tracks that is almost unrecognisable from its usual character, with an utterly striking sense of power that seems ready to burst through the small titanium shell. Yet once the dynamic peaks pass, the AKASHA immediately returns to its calm, “gentlemanly” demeanour. Among the sources I have tested, I personally found the Lotoo GT2 and the L&P E7 (1955) to be the most satisfying, with the AK SP4000 also performing quite well. If you can add a portable amplifier, there is even more potential to be unlocked. Many listeners who have tried the AKASHA and found it unremarkable have likely been misled by their first impression—or rather, they were deceived by the “suit” it wears. Take off the suit, and its true character is revealed.
The soundstage of the AKASHA is a vast space with a strong sense of scale and a weak sense of boundaries—exceptionally wide laterally, with excellent depth and height as well. The weak boundary perception greatly reduces the in‑head effect of the IEM. When adequately driven, the listener can perceive the sound energy gradually diminishing from the centre outward, fading into subtlety on both sides—much like how we perceive sound in real life. Within this “open‑air concert hall” type of soundstage, the AKASHA still maintains remarkably clear layering and a well‑defined sense of positioning within a certain range. For instance, when listening to large‑scale orchestral classical, within the approximate range of the orchestra, the positioning, timbre, and micro‑dynamics of each instrument are clearly audible, while the sound further out spreads and dissipates naturally. Though this differs slightly from the realism of a live venue, it provides a highly comfortable listening experience. As mentioned earlier, the dynamics and transient response are arguably the greatest sonic strengths of this flagship IEM—natural, true to life, with explosive power that remains distortion‑free. Works like Mahler’s Symphony No. 6, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, Dvořák’s Symphony No. 9, and Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture are immensely satisfying, while film scores such as The Hobbit, The Dark Knight, and Jurassic Park—tracks that emphasise dramatic musical momentum—also benefit greatly from its capabilities.
The bass of the AKASHA is somewhat “hidden”—it comes across as rather restrained with most mainstream tracks, and even seems somewhat “stingy” with the overtones of drum hits. However, when the music truly calls for the bass to take the lead, a massive surge of enveloping and layered low‑frequency energy can catch you completely off guard. At that moment, the sub‑bass extension and elasticity reach a level reminiscent of floor‑standing speakers—truly exceptional. In the midrange, the sound exhibits prominent thickness, solid density, and well‑proportioned imaging, positioned centrally between the mouth and nose. The detail retrieval is exceptional—breath sounds and mouth noises are clearly audible. At the same time, the tonal accuracy of vocals and instruments is precise, with subtle sharpening, colouration, and a touch of reverb that further enhances the emotional expression of tracks where these elements take centre stage. In the upper vocal range, both male and female vocals are slightly softened, which helps evoke a deeper emotional response from the listener while maintaining tonal coherence with the transition to higher frequencies. The treble of the AKASHA is equally distinctive: it is airy, resolving, and well‑extended, with virtually no harshness—cleanly refined without sacrificing detail. Moreover, there is something quite remarkable about its treble: it emphasises definition of note outlines without ever becoming sharp, presenting a sonic presence that commands attention and resonates with the listener in this frequency range—particularly noticeable in string‑heavy tracks, almost reaching a state of “head‑in‑the‑clouds” euphoria.
In summary, the PALAVOX AKASHA is the kind of flagship IEM that rarely reveals its full potential until the moment it truly shines. Its high‑end positioning, limited audition opportunities, and the misleading first impressions often formed during exhibition trials have unfortunately prevented many from fully appreciating its sonic appeal. However, in the top‑tier flagship segment above 20,000 RMB, this is precisely the realm where “good wine needs no bush.” If an AKASHA is placed before you, do not hesitate—reach for your finest source, engage high gain (desktop gear excepted), turn up the volume, and listen to your favourite music. I am confident you will not be disappointed.
Source：巡洋艦3rd
