IK MULTIMEDIA IP-ARC-ONEAR-IN Headphone Modeling Preamp

Work with confidence. Anywhere. Traditional headphones — even “reference” models — don’t tell the whole truth. Their frequency response is never perfectly flat, and their exaggerated stereo image alters your perception of balance, timbre, and space. The result? Endless revisions, ear fatigue, and mixes that don’t translate. Unlike conventional correction plug-ins or virtual control room systems, ARC ON•EAR doesn’t sound artificial or over-processed. Instead, it delivers the precision, depth, and trust of a real control room — inside your headphones. ARC ON•EAR is a revolutionary standalone headphone DAC and amplifier that instantly corrects your headphone's response and recreates the experience of mixing on professional studio monitors. For the first time, you can mix, master, and produce with total confidence — anywhere. *Supported Headphones List More No guesswork, no compromise Mixing on headphones has always meant compromise. Even “reference” headphones color your sound, while exaggerated stereo width makes spatial judgment nearly impossible. ARC ON•EAR solves both problems — restoring a neutral frequency response and a natural stereo image — so you can trust what you hear every time. ARC ON•EAR changes the game True-to-life monitoring – Experience the natural perspective of high-end studio monitors in a properly tuned room. Pristine sound – Advanced acoustic modeling, not flawed convolution, ensures clarity and transparency. No guesswork – Get reliable, “first-shot” mixes that translate across every playback system. Consistency – Built-in amplification guarantees stable frequency response, free from amp-induced coloration. A reference you can trust Every pair of headphones has its own sonic fingerprint. ARC ON•EAR uses precision calibration profiles, measured with state-of-the-art reference rigs, to ensure accurate, transparent, and reliable sound. With support for hundreds of popular headphone models, you’ll experience your mix exactly as it should sound — clear, balanced, and true. Studio monitors — in your headphones Unlike plug-ins or impulse-based “virtual rooms,” ARC ON•EAR uses advanced physical modeling to recreate how real studio monitors behave in an ideal acoustic space. No artificial reverbs. No timbral coloration. Just the natural depth, width, and clarity of a real control room — right in your headphones. Effortless control Easily setup and fine tune your listening experience with the dedicated ARC ON•EAR Control Software. Quick and easy device setup Fine tune tonal balance to your preferences Save and load presets Customize the user button with your favorite functions Manage firmware and software updates Accuracy begins with the amplifier ARC ON•EAR’s amplifier has the lowest distortion across the entire audio spectrum compared to leading high-end interfaces and laptops. When pushed to their limits, typical headphone amplifiers reveal their weaknesses. The plot shown here compares the total harmonic distortion of leading audio interfaces and high-end laptop headphone outputs with ARC ON•EAR, measured at high volume on a low-impedance (32 Ω) headphone. Accuracy begins with the amplifier ARC ON•EAR’s amplifier has the lowest distortion across the entire audio spectrum compared to leading high-end interfaces and laptops. When pushed to their limits, typical headphone amplifiers reveal their weaknesses. The plot shown here compares the total harmonic distortion of leading audio interfaces and high-end laptop headphone outputs with ARC ON•EAR, measured at high volume on a low-impedance (32 Ω) headphone. Virtual Monitoring that goes beyond Instantly test your mix on a wide range of playback systems — without taking off your headphones: Studio monitors Smartphones Smart Speakers TV sets With a growing library of virtual monitors, you’ll know exactly how your mix translates in the real world. Standalone freedom, zero latency No drivers. No plug-ins. No DAW required. ARC ON•EAR is a self-contained hardware system that works with any setup. USB-C and 3.5 mm audio inputs Compatible with any OS, app, or playback system Store up to 5 presets for instant recall 4-hour rechargeable battery Take your reference studio anywhere — from the control room to the coffee shop. Uncompromising audio quality 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 — with no compromises. Ultra-low output distortion No loss of resolution, even at low volumes Powers even the most demanding headphones Built for practical everyday use Compact, durable aluminum chassis Elegant design, suitable for any environment Analog input (3.5 mm) & digital USB-C inputs Standard 6.3 mm headphone out Includes protective carrying case The ARC of confidence With continuous firmware updates, an expanding headphone database, and a growing collection of virtual monitors, ARC ON•EAR is a future-proof investment in your sound. Whether you’re producing on the go, mixing at night, or traveling the world, ARC ON•EAR gives you the accuracy and confidence of a professional studio — everywhere. Features Audiophile DAC and headphone amplifier with built-in correction Removes the guesswork from mixing on headphones Recreates the experience of monitors in a studio Virtually audition your mix on other top playback systems Control software to customize and load up to 5 profiles Support for hundreds of popular headphone models Rechargeable battery provides up to 4 hours of playback Digital and Analog audio inputs support all audio sources Specs Audio Supported Sample Rates: 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192 kHz Frequency Response: 10 Hz – 80 kHz (-1 dB) Maximum Output Level: +19 dBu Maximum Input Level (Analog): +10 dBu High damping factor output stage design Dynamic Range (1 kHz): 32 Ω: 107.9 dB 150 Ω: 112.7 dB 300 Ω: 116.9 dB Latency Phase Align OFF: 1.35 ms Phase Align ON: ~21.0 ms (varies by headphone model) Power Integrated rechargeable lithium battery Up to 4 hours of use USB-powered charging Connections Analog Input: 3.5 mm jack Headphone Output: 6.3 mm jack Digital Audio Input: USB-C Physical Specifications Dimensions: 7.9 cm / 3.11" (W) 7.7 cm / 3.03" (D) 3.5 cm / 1.38" (H) Weight: 170 g / 5.99 oz Package Contents ARC ON•EAR processor Carrying case USB-C to USB-C cable (0.6 m / 23.6") 3.5 mm to 3.5 mm thread-on stereo TRS cable (0.6 m / 23.6") 3.5 mm to 6.3 mm thread-on TRS adapter System Requirements macOS (64-bit) Apple M1 or Intel® Core i5 4 GB RAM macOS 10.15 or newer macOS 11 or newer for Apple Silicon One free USB port Windows (64-bit) Intel® Core i5 or equivalent 4 GB RAM Windows 10 or newer One free USB port