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 hosts, 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. Always on, always calibrated, no latency, no guesswork. Using a state-of-the-art GRAS ACoustis measurement rig, ARC On-Ear captures the nuaned 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. 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-tune room - without introducing artificial or fatigue. 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. 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. Specifications Audio Supported sample rates: 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192kHz Frequency Response: 10Hz - 80kHz (-1dB) Maximum output level +19dBu Maximum input level (analogue): +10dBu High damping factor output stage design Dynamic Range (32O, 1kHz): 107.9dB Dynamic Range (150O, 1kHz): 112.7dB Dynamic Range (300O, 1kHz): 116.9dB Latency Latency (Phase Align OFF): 1.35ms Latency (Phase Align ON): ~ 21.0ms (depends on the selected headphone model) Power Integrated lithium rechargeable battery (up to 4 hours of use) / USB Connections Analog input on 3.5 mm jack Headphone out on 6.3 mm jack Digital audio input on USB-C Dimensions Size: 7.9 cm / 3.11" x 7.7 cm / 3.03" x 3.5 cm / 1.38" Weight: 170 g / 5.99 oz Package includes ARC ON-EAR processor Carrying case USB C-Type to USB C-Type cable (0.6 m / 23.6") 3.5 to 3.5 mm thread-on Stereo TRS cable (0.6 m / 23.6") 3.5 to 6.3 mm thread-on TRS adapter System Requirements Macr (64-bits) Minimal: Apple M1 or Intelr Core i5 Processor, 4 GB of RAM, macOSr 10.15 or newer (macOS 11 or newer required for Apple Silicon Processors). One free USB port required. Windowsr (64-bits) Minimal: Intelr Core i5 Processor or equivalent, 4 GB of RAM, Windows 10 (64 bit) or newer. One free USB port required. UPDATE 13/03/2026: IK Multimedia announces ARC ON.EAR version 1.3, a firmware and software update that expands headphone compatibility, enhances workflow, and refines its virtual monitoring engine for even greater confidence when mixing on headphones. ARC ON.EAR combines precise headphone correction with advanced physical modeling of studio monitors to simulate the experience of mixing in a professional control room - anywhere. Version 1.3 adds new headphone profiles, workflow enhancements, and updates to the monitoring engine. 12 new calibration profiles have been added, including: - Apple AirPods Max - Audeze S20 - HEDDphone D1 ARC ON.EAR now supports hundreds of headphone models with precise calibration measured on IK's reference rigs and matched to the device's built-in amplifier circuit. New usability improvements streamline daily operation: - Navigation arrows for quick headphone or virtual speaker switching - Smart search in the Headphone Browser - Always-visible headphone name for easier identification - Double-click selection in the browser - Presets can now be copied, pasted, moved, and restored to default The virtual monitoring engine has been improved with a better ambience algorithm to create more natural depth and spatial realism. Other updates include an enhanced frequency-response graph with toggleable curves and quicker User Trim controls. The ARC ON.EAR version 1.3 firmware and software update is available for free to registered users via the IK Product Manager. *UPDATE 04/06/2026* IK Multimedia announces ARC ON.EAR version 1.5, a major update that adds calibration for 50 popular in-ear monitors (IEMs), expanding ARC ON.EAR's precision headphone correction and studio simulation capabilities to a new class of professional listening devices. With this release, ARC ON.EAR extends beyond traditional over-ear headphones, transforming in-ear monitors into a consistent and reliable studio reference. By combining precision calibration with advanced spatial processing, version 1.5 unlocks a new level of accuracy and control for engineers, producers, and performers working across studio, travel, and live environments. Portable mixing workflowsVersion 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. ARC ON.EAR applies precise calibration and advanced spatial processing to each supported IEM, transforming them into a precise monitoring solution. Users can store up to five profiles on the device, including different headphone calibrations and custom tonal curves, and switch between them instantly across listening setups. The ARC ON.EAR control software makes it easy to configure and fine-tune the listening experience, with support for preset management, tonal shaping, and firmware updates. In-ear monitors behave differently from traditional headphones. Because they couple directly to the ear canal, they are not affected by the outer ear (pinna), and their sealed fit eliminates variations caused by positioning. These characteristics reduce acoustic variability, creating a more controlled and repeatable listening environment. Their sealed design also provides effective isolation in demanding live environments, making them a preferred choice for live engineers. As a result, ARC ON.EAR's correction can be applied with exceptional precision, delivering a level of consistency and accuracy that often exceeds what is possible with traditional over-ear headphones. Powered by a 32-bit ESS SABRE converter, a high-damping-factor, ultra-low-distortion power amplifier, and a digitally controlled analog volume stage, ARC ON.EAR delivers a truly audiophile-grade listening experience, without compromise. With over 20 virtual studio monitors and more than 15 multimedia playback systems available, ARC ON.EAR enables users to understand how a mix translates without removing their headphones or IEMs. ARC ON.EAR combines precision headphone correction with advanced physical modeling to recreate how real studio monitors behave in an ideal acoustic space. Unlike plug-ins or impulse-based "virtual rooms," this approach avoids artificial reverbs and tonal coloration, delivering the natural depth, width, and clarity of a real control room anywhere. With support for hundreds of headphone models and an expanding IEM database, ARC ON.EAR continues to evolve as a monitoring platform. From entry-level IEMs to high-end studio headphones, ARC ON.EAR enhances clarity, balance, and translation across every listening system, unlocking their full potential for accurate, consistent monitoring.