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Beyerdynamic Xelento Remote

High-End Audiophile In-Ear Headphones

In a nutshell

Because of its dizzying price tag and sound characteristics, the Beyerdynamic Xelento Remote is best recommended to three distinct types of buyer. First, there’s people who require incredibly high levels of precision of sound for occupational applications. Secondly, there’s the audiophile who is seeking a sound that’s as unadulterated as possible. Finally, there’s the type of buyer who has the disposable income to spare and always strives to purchase the most expensive product as a rule. All three groups of potential buyers should find themselves quite satisfied with what their money gets them. They might be a little pricey, but these in-ears provide you with an incorruptible and beautifully processed choice of receiver. In fact, it would be easy to argue the Xelento Remote is in a class of its own.

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Nowadays, the development of Beyerdynamic’s premier class of headphones is being driven by so-called Tesla driver technology. The driver, utilising an intricately wound moving coil, was only previously seen in top-tier headphones from the DT and T lines. However, the manufacturer has at last succeeded in scaling this innovative technology so it can be utilised for the in-ear format. The result of this impressive feat of design tech is the Xelento Remote. Handcrafted in Beyerdynamic’s native Germany with the utmost care, these high-end headphones certainly look the part, which is reassuring considering the asking price for them hovers around the thousand euros mark.

You can tell from the embossed serial number at the back of these headphones that the Xelento Remote is something special. Those who’ve splashed out on this sizeable investment will be further reassured by the included accessories. There’s a total of seven pairs of earpieces included alongside the in-ears themselves, with three pairs made from memory foam. This alone gets things off to a promising start, suggesting serious sound delivery and impressive levels of listening enjoyment.

With more and more business customers moving to purchase products in this price bracket, Beyerdynamic has thought to include a second connection cable with these in-ears. This cable boasts a remote control for answering calls, a microphone, plus a volume control function. What’s more, the 4-pin plug is also Apple and Android compatible. As with other premium models from the manufacturer, the power cord is directly attached to the main device itself, plugging directly into a mechanically locked socket. This can be readily rotated at will and, should the need arise, it can be pulled from the main housing without damaging the cable. Additionally, the Xelento has been designed so that the cable can be routed over the ear, once the earmoulds themselves have been inserted.

High Quality

Everything about the Xelento Remote engages and exudes style. The in-ears themselves boast a beautifully polished steel body, while the black rear panel adds an elegant touch to the overall aesthetic. The line-up of included accessories are similarly stylish and impressive in scope, with the black leather case, silver-plated connector cables and diverse selection of earmoulds guaranteed to please. However, it’s unclear as to why Beyerdynamic have opted not to include a mini standard jack adapter, especially considering the going rate for this model. That being said, the manufacturer isn’t alone in this shortfall.

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Listening Experience

I’d like to begin this part of the review by drawing a comparison. Imagine a sports car, but an attainable type of design. Think the kind that delivers a thrilling and honest driving experience without the need for superfluous frills, yet also impresses with its powerful potential. The Xelento Remote is much the same. From the first moment you put these on, you’re convinced by the power of these in-ears. The Tesla coil actually proves to be an effective choice of power convertor, transforming every single millivolt supplied to it into sound. That all adds up to a sound pressure level of 110 dB and a frequency range spanning from 8 Hz to 48 kHz. When it comes to sound delivery, the Xelento transforms even the briefest transients into sound with the utmost precision. Furthermore, these Beyerdynamic headphones sound consistently balanced.

A comparison to the DT-1990 reference headphones, also driven by Tesla coil technology, confirms the impression that Tesla design, as a general rule, consistently delivers sound that’s as balanced as it is powerful. You can expect to hear the music as it was actually recorded: honestly, directly and unadulterated. However, if you’re flirting with the possibility of investing in these headphones, you shouldn’t enter into the transaction with any unrealistic expectations. Depending on what your personal sound preference is, you might not find that music automatically sounds better when using these. In short, music simply sounds more like it did when it was actually produced and recorded in the first instance. Devout audiophiles who’ve long fantasised about what it would have been like to have been in the studio on the day of a beloved recording will find something truly special here, granting them as close an experience as they’re ever likely to get.

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7 years ago by Numinos
  • Rating: 4.63
  • Sound
  • Handling
  • Price/Quality
  • Function

Technical specifications

  • Ear couplingIn-ear
  • Typeclosed
  • Frequency response (headphones)8 - 48.000 Hz
  • Impedance16,4 ohms
  • Sound pressure level (SPL)114,52 dB
  • Weight without cable7 g
  • Cable length130 cm

What's in the box

  • 7 pairs of silicone eartips in sizes XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL, 3XL
  • 3 pairs of Comply foam eartips (type Tx-500) in sizes S, M and L
  • Case for storage
  • Cable clip
  • Connection cable with remote control and microphone with 4-pole mini stereo jack (3.5 mm)
  • Connection cable with 3-pole mini jack plug (3.5 mm)
  • 1 pair of spare protective grilles

Special features

  • Tesla technology
  • Hi-Res Audio
  • Handmade in Germany

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