IK Multimedia ARC ON EAR

IK Multimedia ARC ON•EAR

The World’s First Standalone Headphone Correction Device
Solving both tonal imbalance and spatial disconnection in headphone listening is already a challenge. But doing it in a portable, standalone hardware device is a true innovation.
ARC ON·EAR is a studio-quality converter and headphone amplifier that embeds both headphone calibration and studio simulation. It delivers a consistently accurate, speaker-like reference experience - without requiring any plugin, software host, or DAW setup.
It can store up to five presets in internal memory, which can be recalled instantly - making ARC ON·EAR the world’s first truly standalone headphone correction system that works with virtually any headphone model.

Portable mixing workflows
Version 1.5 introduces support for 50 widely used IEM models, enabling accurate mixing and monitoring in an even more portable form factor.

For touring musicians, live engineers, and mobile producers, this means the same in-ears used on stage or on the road can now serve as a trusted mixing reference, without the need to carry separate studio headphones. Their sealed design also provides effective isolation in high-noise environments such as planes, trains, or live venues, enabling more consistent and dependable critical listening.
Hear the Music, Not Your Headphones
Using a state-of-the-art GRAS Acoustics measurement rig, ARC ON·EAR captures the nuanced frequency response of each supported headphone model—taking into account how drivers interact with the ear canal and middle ear structures.
These hand-measured profiles (250+ at launch, and growing) form the basis of ARC ON·EAR’s high-definition calibration engine, which corrects tonal coloration for perceptual accuracy—so you can trust your headphones like you would trusted studio monitors.

Studio Simulation: The Studio Sound You Rely On Now in Your Headphones
One of the biggest challenges with headphone mixing is spatial: headphone drivers are positioned at 180 degrees to the ears, resulting in an unnaturally wide stereo image and lack of room cues. This makes decisions on reverb, panning, and stereo width especially difficult. ARC ON·EAR solves this with a custom crossfeed algorithm and early reflection model, developed from psychoacoustic research rather than convolution reverb. This creates a believable stereo image—like listening to speakers in a well-tuned room—without introducing artificial coloration or fatigue.

Premium Sound, Classy Look
Despite its compact footprint, ARC ON·EAR delivers uncompromising audio quality, thanks to carefully selected high-end components. At its core is the ES9290 DAC, offering an impressive 116 dB dynamic range and -110 dB THD+N for pristine digital-to-analog conversion. To preserve audio resolution even at low listening levels, ARC ON·EAR uses a digitally controlled analog volume stage—ensuring full bit depth at any volume.
Paired with a 200 mW high-power headphone amplifier, it drives even demanding studio headphones with ease and precision.

Effortless Control. Ultimate Versatility. Zero Hassle
Managing ARC ON·EAR is simple and intuitive, thanks to the ARC ON·EAR Control Software companion app. Each of the five onboard presets stores your headphone model, calibration profile, studio simulation settings, and FN button assignment.
The FN button is user-assignable for common actions like mute, dim, or quick A/B toggles—making daily use frictionless. With support for both digital (USB-C) and analog (3.5 mm) inputs, a rechargeable battery (up to 4 hours of use), and a compact, travel-ready form, ARC ON·EAR fits seamlessly into any workflow - studio, mobile, or remote.

FEATURES

• Studio-quality analog/digital converters
• 200 mW low-distortion headphone amplifier
• Digitally-controlled analog volume control
• High-definition headphone calibration
• In-room listening simulation for critical mixing
• Dedicated pushbuttons for bypassing calibration and studio simulation
• User assignable button
• Integrated lithium battery, up to 4 hours of use
• Analog input on 3.5 mm jack
• Headphone out on 6.3 mm jack
• Digital audio input on USB-C
• 5 presets storable
• Carrying case included
• Companion app for managing presets and settings
• DIMENSIONS: (W x D x H): 7.9 cm  x 7.7 cm x 3.5 cm
• 0,17Kg

 

BOX CONTENT

• ARC ON EAR
• Travel case
• USB-C cable (0.6m)
• 3.5 to 3.5mm thread-on Stereo TRS cable (0.6m)
• 3.5 to 6.3mm thread-on TRS adapter