stella

Three disciplines. One pursuit of truth in sound.

Astell&Kern brings the precision of modern engineering.
VOLK defines the architecture through design and form.
Michael Graves brings a mastering perspective shaped by five GRAMMY awards.

STELLA exists to serve the music itself.

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a constellation of purpose

A shared philosophy defined the outset. The objective was mastering-grade refinement, executed to GRAMMY-level standards, without sacrificing musicality.

Development was carried out in close collaboration with Astell&Kern. New acoustic architectures and chassis designs were created specifically for STELLA, each engineered to a fixed target response.

Final calibration was conducted with Michael Graves at Osiris Studio in Los Angeles. Once the reference was established, development concluded.

framework

STELLA features a 12-driver quadbrid architecture defined by two independent hybrid systems at opposite ends of the frequency spectrum.

This structure allows multiple transducer technologies to operate in coordination rather than isolation, eliminating traditional tradeoffs by design.

LF-H SYSTEM


  • Bass is driven by VOLK’s Low-Frequency Hybrid (LF-H) system, pairing our M9-R 9 mm subwoofer with twin Sonion armatures within a pressure-coupled, dual-stage chamber.

    The M9-R handles 20–300 Hz, providing depth, extension, and presence. The armatures operate from 50–600 Hz, defining speed, articulation, and structure.

    The chamber governs displacement and pressure through geometry and alignment, with crossover topology unifying output.

TRI-ARMATURES


  • Midrange is managed by a Sonion tri-armature array.

    Dual armatures cover 600 Hz–7 kHz, forming the core midrange and establishing presence and vocal structure across the transition between low- and high-frequency systems.

    A third armature extends from 6–15 kHz with controlled overlap, reinforcing harmonic structure across the upper registers.

HF-H SYSTEM


  • The VOLK High-Frequency Hybrid (HF-H) integrates MP-2 dual planar magnetic drivers with quad Sonion electrostatics as a single, purpose-built upper-frequency system.

    The MP-2 operates from 9–15 kHz, forming the transition between the balanced-armature stage and the electrostatic array.

    The electrostatics extend from 12–45 kHz, defining the system’s upper boundary and spatial extension.

NETWORK


  • A proprietary six-way crossover network governs the quadbrid architecture, coordinating interaction between the low-frequency hybrid system, midrange armature array, and high-frequency hybrid system as a single acoustic framework.

    Each acoustic path is independently filtered and time-aligned to maintain phase integrity across overlapping regions of operation.

“This collaboration was both an honor and a challenge

that demanded absolute precision. Astell&Kern’s standards for engineering excellence mirror our own, and that alignment pushed every part of the process to its limits.

The goal was to create something focused, balanced, and precise, an IEM accurate enough for the most demanding mastering environments yet engaging enough for personal listening.

STELLA carries that philosophy forward, a reflection of what’s possible when precision meets purpose.”


Jack Vang
Founder

engineering | art

SHELL

Machined from aerospace-grade 6061-T6 aluminum and finished in satin black, the shell serves as STELLA’s structural reference. Geometry and mass are specified for rigidity, resonance control, and precise driver alignment.

FACEPLATE

Centered within the assembly, the 6061-T6 faceplate anchors STELLA visually and structurally. Anodized black defines the field. Diamond-cut insignias and constellations expose polished aluminum for contrast.

SAPPHIRE CRYSTAL GLASS

Cut from optical-grade 9H sapphire, the panel completes STELLA’s faceplate assembly. A nine-sided form with 27 precision-cut contours, calibrated at the micrometer level, preserves optical clarity and structural accuracy. Diamond polishing eliminates micro-distortion, producing a rigid, transparent sapphire lens.

FRAME

The 316 stainless steel top frame defines the upper structural boundary of STELLA’s faceplate assembly. Continuous form and mirror-polished surfaces preserve structural and visual continuity.

airflow

Machined into the aluminum shell and stainless-steel frame, the vent system regulates airflow to equalize internal pressure across the enclosure. This stabilization controls diaphragm motion and maintains linear driver response.

Vent depth, diameter, and damping are precisely defined to balance pressure relief and isolation, suppressing resonance and low-frequency bloom.

signal


Designed as an integral part of STELLA’s acoustic system, this cable functions as the signal transmission path between source and transducer. Conductor geometry and material composition are specified to minimize resistive loss and noise, preserving signal integrity across the system.

TERMINATION
• 4.4 mm balanced
• 0.78 mm 2-pin

HARDWARE
 • CNC-machined 6061-T6 aluminum
• Anodized black with mirror-polished accents on the Y-split and 4.4 mm barrel

CONDUCTORS
• 5N LCOFC copper
• 4N silver
• Silver-plated 6N OCC copper
• 24K gold

STRUCTURAL CORE
• 500D macro-molecular fiber reinforcement core

INSULATION & JACKET
• SoftFlex PVC insulation
• Midnight black braided nylon outer jacket

overview

  • SYSTEM
    • 12-Driver Quadbrid
    • 6-Way Crossover Network
    • 5 Precision Sound Tubes

    DRIVER ARRAY
    • 1 × VOLK M9-R 9 mm Dynamic Driver
    • 5 × Sonion Balanced Armature Drivers
    • 2 × VOLK MP-2 Planar Magnetic Drivers
    • 4 × Sonion Electrostatic Tweeters

    PERFORMANCE
    • Impedance: 7.17 Ω @ 1 kHz
    • Sensitivity: 103.8 dB @ 1 kHz
    • Frequency Response: 10 Hz – 45 kHz

    • 6061-T6 Aluminum logo panel, satin-black anodized with diamond-cut mirror face

    • Sapphire Crystal Glass Panel, 9H

    • 316 Stainless-Steel Faceplate Frame, Mirror Polished

    • 6061-T6 Aluminum Chassis

    • Satin Black

  • TERMINATION
    • 4.4 mm balanced
    • 0.78 mm 2-pin

    HARDWARE
     • CNC-machined 6061-T6 aluminum
    • Anodized black with mirror-polished accents on the Y-split and 4.4 mm barrel

    CONDUCTORS
    • 5N LCOFC copper
    • 4N silver
    • Silver-plated 6N OCC copper
    • 24K gold

    STRUCTURAL CORE
    • 500D macro-molecular fiber reinforcement core

    INSULATION & JACKET
    • SoftFlex PVC insulation
    • Midnight black braided nylon outer jacket

ONE PRODUCTION

400 EXAMPLES

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the REVIEW ARCHIVE

A curated record of how STELLA is experienced across the global audio community. Featuring professional reviews, video coverage, and listener impressions, this archive documents the reception of VOLK’s collaboration with Astell&Kern as it unfolds.

VIEW ARCHIVE

inside the box

  • STELLA In-Ear Monitors

  • VOLK Hybrid Conductor Cable

  • Leather Carrying Case

  • Leather Cable Tie

  • VOLK Silicone Ear Tips | S / M / L

  • Symbio F Foam Ear Tips | S / M / L

  • Microfiber Cleaning Cloth