Solitaire P Headphone

The Solitaire P Headphones
The first T+A headphones represent a new and groundbreaking development that pushes the magnetostatic principle to the point of perfection. These open headphones were designed without compromise and without regard to cost, with a single goal in mind: musical reproduction to the very highest standard of perfection.

The headphone transducer systems are of sophisticated construction, and all components and sub-assemblies are manufactured to the tightest tolerances using precision tools. Wherever possible and appropriate, the headphones employ aluminum components machined from solid metal. The ingenious construction of the diaphragms, drive magnets, and sound guides linearizes the sound field and dispersion characteristics. Music is reproduced without distortion: the Solitaire P adds nothing and takes nothing away. Totally natural reproduction remains the first commandment for all T+A devices.

Construction
Many planar-magnetic headphones exhibit significant inherent disadvantages, including low efficiency, high weight, and—very often—very low impedance. From the outset, the Solitaire P was designed to avoid these challenges. A crucial factor in achieving this objective was the adoption of an entirely new approach. Considerable effort was invested in the design, accompanied by an uncompromising commitment to the finest materials.

The headphones incorporate several close-tolerance sub-assemblies that fit together perfectly and can only be manufactured using precision tools. These parts consist of high-strength plastics or carbon, selected according to their function, and are produced to tolerances of a few hundredths of a millimeter to guarantee a perfect fit.

Material Selection
The open construction of the Solitaire P avoids the resonance problems associated with closed systems and allows the diaphragm to vibrate unimpeded.

All sub-assemblies are attached to solid aluminum cups machined from solid billets using a precision 5-axis milling machine. The machining of a single cup takes more than an hour, starting from a 35 mm thick solid aluminum plate. The yokes and yoke connections are also machined from solid material. Although these sub-assemblies are exceptionally complex and difficult to produce, aluminum was selected because it is resistant to aging and permanently maintains its shape and strength.

Transducer
The in-house TPM 3100 transducer is the beating heart of the Solitaire P. The TPM 3100—like the entire Solitaire P—was developed and is manufactured in Herford.

The high-performance neodymium magnets feature an accurately calculated segment shape and are precisely matched in length to the oval outline of the diaphragm. This ensures that the generated magnetic field lines remain homogeneous and that no air turbulence occurs; airflow remains laminar at all times.

The precise design of the retaining rings and magnet mount maintains the diaphragm's position accurately within the linear region of the magnetic field, enabling it to generate high sound pressure levels without distortion and with an enormous dynamic range, virtually free of inertia. This design also eliminates the need for supplementary opposing magnets, helping to keep overall weight low.

The diaphragm is able to oscillate freely toward the ear cushions, as there is no acoustic hindrance between the transducer diaphragm and the ear. The diaphragm itself consists of a special ultra-thin—and therefore ultra-lightweight—film coated with a precisely routed and calculated conductor array with an impedance of approximately 80 ohms.

Earpads
The ear and head cushions are handmade by a specialist manufacturer in Germany. They consist of allergen-free synthetic leather and Alcantara®, ensuring exceptional comfort against the skin even during extended listening sessions.

Headphone Cable
Particular attention has been devoted to the sound quality of the connecting cables. The cables feature a symmetrical construction with very low inductance and capacitance and are engineered with optimum impedance characteristics. They consist of ultra-pure oxygen-free copper (OFC) conductors with a carefully defined silver layer.

The four signal conductors are embedded in cotton threads and permanently wrapped in a silver-plated woven shield. This construction isolates electromagnetic influences and damps mechanical resonances. The connectors are of the highest quality, with professional military-grade two-pole connectors employed at the headphone end.

The entire cable assembly, including connectors and splitters, is encased and sheathed in a single manufacturing process, resulting in an exceptionally robust and durable cable that remains highly flexible. The cable insulators consist of premium Hytrel® and TPE elastomers that are free of PVC and latex and manufactured without toxic softening agents.

• Two cable sets are supplied with the headphones: one with a 6.3 mm connector and a second with a balanced 4.4 mm Pentaconn connector or 4 pin XLR, offering optimum transfer resistance for the highest possible sound quality. As expected from a reference-class product, all contacts are gold-plated.

• Transducer principle:   Planar-magnetostatic
• Impedance:   80 Ohms
• Frequency responce:   5 Hz - 54 kHz
• Distortion:   < 0,015 % @ 100 dB
• Maximum sound pressure level:   > 130 dB
• Transducer size:   elliptic 110 x 80 mm
• Type of construction:   Open, over ear
• Connectivity:   Wired transmission (3m)
  • Version 1: unbalanced cable with 6.3 mm connector and balanced cable with 4.4 mm pentaconn connector
  • Version 2: unbalanced cable with 6.3 mm connector and balanced cable with 4-pin XLR connector
• Material:   Aluminum, steel, allergen-free synthetic leather, Alcantara
• Weight:   530 g excl. cable

Technical modifications reserved