Warwick Acoustics Aperio Headphone System - black
The Aperio Black marries electrostatic speed with unusually full, textured bass, then opens music across a pinpoint-precise soundstage. StereoNET United Kingdom found its midrange richly expressive, its treble airy and its dynamics startlingly lifelike. With comprehensive digital and analogue connectivity, this meticulously built system is a formidable all-in-one reference for immersive private listening.
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Deliciously Crispy
Sound Quality
95/100
Comfort Fit
88/100
Build Quality
91/100
Features Usability
87/100
Value for Money
82/100
Pros
Expansive, precisely imaged presentation with outstanding instrumental separation.
Unusually weighty, textured and fast bass for an electrostatic headphone system.
Expressive, realistic midrange and airy, energetic treble support vocals and acoustic instruments exceptionally well.
Robust construction and extensive USB, Ethernet, S/PDIF, RCA and XLR connectivity in a complete matched system.
Cons
Bass is not as physically visceral as the best dynamic-driver headphone designs.
Uneven, limited volume steps can make low-level listening difficult to set precisely.
The proprietary headphone connection creates a closed system with limited component interchangeability.
Its exceptionally high price places it beyond the reach of most listeners.
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What Reviewers Are Saying
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 95/100
The Aperio is described as an exceptionally open, immediate and emotionally involving system, combining a natural midband with very high resolution, spacious imaging and swift transient response. Its only meaningful sonic qualification is that, while bass is extended, textured and punchy, it is not quite as physically visceral as the strongest dynamic-driver alternatives.
Bass
93/100
StereoNET found none of the lean low-end character often associated with electrostatics: bass has body, extension, bite, thump and texture. It is also described as exceptionally tight and fast, though it does not deliver quite the physical impact of the best dynamic-driver designs.
Midrange
96/100
The midband drew especially emphatic praise, with guitar, vocals and instruments described as beautiful, emotionally convincing and true to life. Strong timbre, crispness and separation help complex arrangements remain coherent.
Treble
93/100
Reviewers praise plentiful air, sparkle and energy, particularly benefiting female voices, strings and wind instruments. No harshness, glare or fatigue concerns are reported in the available review.
Resolution Detail
95/100
The system is described as having the quick response and high resolution expected of a strong electrostatic design. Excellent instrumental separation, even on complex music, supports its highly revealing yet organized presentation.
Soundstage Imaging
96/100
StereoNET calls the presentation incredibly open and spacious, with phenomenal staging. Images are reported as pinpoint accurate and distinctly placed, while the wide left-to-right stage prevents instruments from overlapping.
Dynamics
95/100
Dynamics are described as fantastic, with fast transitions handled deftly and instruments sounding realistic and alive. The review also highlights the system's immediate, vivid connection to music.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Comfort Fit
88/100
At 405g, the headphones are not especially light, but StereoNET says the generously padded headband distributes that weight well. The available review does not report clamp, heat or long-session discomfort concerns.
Build Quality
91/100
StereoNET describes the headphones as very well constructed, citing magnesium components and substantial padding. The energiser's CNC-machined aluminium chassis, sturdy stainless-steel hardware and damped feet also make for an evidently serious, robustly executed system.
Features Usability
87/100
The dedicated energiser provides unusually comprehensive connectivity, including USB, Ethernet, coaxial S/PDIF, RCA and XLR inputs and outputs, plus a display and source selection. The proprietary headphone connection limits interchangeability, and the reviewer found the volume control's uneven step changes difficult to dial in precisely.
Value for Money
82/100
At roughly $34,000–$36,000, the Aperio is described as extremely expensive, putting it beyond the reach of most listeners. StereoNET nevertheless calls its performance genius, suggesting the concern is accessibility rather than a claim that its performance fails to justify flagship-system pricing.
Reviews & Sources
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Specifications
- Headphone
- Configuration: Open-back; circumaural type Transducer: Balanced-Drive High Precision Electrostatic Laminate (BD-HPEL) Effective Diaphragm Area: 3570 mm2 Frequency Response: 10 Hz - 60 kHz Output Level (SPL): Compliant with EN 60065/A12:2011 (EN50332) when driven by APERIOelectronics (for all inputs); digital input: ∽ 104 dB; analog input: ≥ 106 dB (continuous, est.) Ear and Headband Cushions: “Cabretta” top-grain, sheepskin leather; perforated surface on ear cushions Input: Polarized, 4-pin, self-latching connectors for left and right channels Drive Cable: Dual mono, shielded, ultra-low capacitance; silver-plated OFHC ultra-fine stranded copper, with silicone insulation and Kevlar reinforcement; 2 meter length Weight: 405 grams (14.3 oz.), without cable
- Electronics
- Balanced Analog Inputs: Dual (female) XLR jacks; switchable (high / low) input range; 18 dBu / 10 dBu Unbalanced Analog Inputs: Dual RCA jacks; switchable (high / low) input range; 5.0 Vrms / 2.1 Vrms USB Digital Input: Type B jack; USB 2.0; accepts digital audio formats up to 32-bit / 384 kHz PCM and DSD (DSD64/DSD128/DSD256) via DoP or Native Network (Ethernet LAN) Digital Input: RJ45 jack; DLNA-compatible; accepts digital audio formats up to 32-bit / 384 kHz PCM and DSD (DSD64/DSD128/DSD256) via DoP or Native AES3 (AES/EBU) Digital Input: XLR (female) jack; accepts digital audio formats up to 24-bit/192 kHz PCM S/PDIF Coaxial Digital Input: RCA jack; accepts digital audio formats up to 24-bit/192 kHz PCM Line Outputs: Balanced and unbalanced, high current outputs; +5 dB gain; switchable Digital Formats: PCM: 16-32 bit / up to 384 kHz; DSD: up to 256 fs DoP and Native Digital Signal Processing (DSP): 64-bit (double-precision) fixed-point processing at native sample rates Switchable Gain: Rear panel switch; high level / low level selection for balanced analog input (professional audio and consumer levels) and unbalance analog input Source Selection: Multi-position front panel selector with indicator LEDs for all sources Level Control: Front panel, 31-position; digital and analog domain volume control (HP & Line Out) Status Display: Front panel, 51 mm, full color, QVGA, TFT LCD (240 x 320 pixels) Display Functions: Digital readout and bar graph of volume control setting; display of digital audio data format; display of rear panel analog input (gain) settings; display of Ethernet and USB data link transmission lock; display of detected fault modes and output clipping Auto Fault Detection: Automatic detection, display and protection for: output amplifier clipping, unplugged connections and malfunctioning wiring, over-temperature conditions and internal electrical faults DACs: 2 x dual mono, 32-bit / 384 kHz DACs with balanced outputs, for PCM & DSD inputs Amplifier/Energizer: Balanced, discrete MOSFET, high-bias, single-ended Class A output; dual mono topology, including power supply; 1800 VDC bias (charge) voltage Distortion + Noise: < 0.001% Bandwidth: > 65 kHz Enclosure: CNC-machined 6063 aluminium; earth-grounded Power Supply: External: world voltage compatible (90-264 Volt AC, 50-60 Hz); 24 Volt DC, 200 VA (8.333 A), fixed frequency, class B-compliant SMPS. Internal: isolated, dual mono; switching and ultra-low-noise linear regulation AC Mains: Types B, G, F, I; IEC-60320 C14, earth- grounded power cable; 1.5 meter length Dimensions: H x W x D: 68 mm (2.68 in.) x 413 mm (16.26 in.) x 351 mm (13.82 in.) Weight: 7.4 kg (16.28 lbs.), without Power Supply
Manufacturer's Description — Warwick Acoustics
Sounds miraculous. Looks stunning. The Limited Edition Black APERIO headphone system is a true collector’s item.
Finished in black
Headphone grilles and hardware all finished in black. The Amplifier front panel has a high-polish finish.
Limited Edition nameplate
Each system bears a 'Limited Edition' nameplate that sits on the amplifier.
Handbuilt in the UK
All hand-built in our production facilities in the heart of the UK by a team of perfectionists.
Only 50 ever produced
Limited to maximum build of 50 systems, each one with its own certification.
APERIO Amplifier
An integrated energiser, pre-amp and DAC configurable into either analog or digital audio chains from a fully featured set of input options, engineered to deliver the perfect balance of performance under all operating conditions.
A complete sound system
The 'End-Game' in high end audio.
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- Addicted to Audio — online and in-store — Epping, Victoria, Australia (website)
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- Crutchfield Stores — online and in-store — Charlottesville, Virginia, United States (website)
- HeadAmp — online and in-store — Charlottesville, Virginia, United States (website)
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