As the new year begins, I want to take a moment to reflect.

VOLK exists because people believed in what they heard. Belief isn’t passive. It shows up in attention, time, and the decision to support something new.

Starting an IEM brand in 2025 came with a lot of noise. The world was uncertain at times, and the market was overwhelmed with products. Even so, the signal to pursue VOLK remained clear. The focus was always on defining the bar and holding to it.

That meant staying close to the work and making decisions we could live with long after launch. It meant building something people would return to over time, once the hype passed and only listening remained.

ÉTOILE earned trust the way it should. Time was spent understanding technicalities, balance, and tone. It established itself through everyday use among professionals, enthusiasts, and hobbyists.

That path led to industry-wide recognition, with Headphonia and Headphonics naming ÉTOILE the 2025 IEM of the Year. The distinction mattered, but it was never the destination. What defined ÉTOILE was whether it could endure beyond trends and cycles as an essential tool in demanding mastering environments.

Looking back on our first year, I’m grateful for the belief people showed in what we built. It raises the bar for what comes next.

Thank you.

Jack Vang
Founder