Astell & Kern’s ACTIVO sub-brand is charging straight into the most cut-throat corner of personal audio with the new Scoop earphones, a multi-driver IEM built for listeners who want performance without babying their gear. Designed for active lifestyles but engineered like something far pricier, the Scoop leans on a refined “polished pebble” shell and a serious 3-dynamic + 2-balanced-armature array—an 8mm dynamic driver, dual 6mm dynamics, and dual armatures—to deliver a natural, resonant signature with real low-end authority and crisp upper-range detail.
In a category where everyone is fighting for attention, ACTIVO just showed up ready to compete for under $100 USD.
ACTIVO’s 5-Driver Engineered Design for Natural, Full-Range Sound
A proprietary internal acoustic port and dedicated terminal-stage circuit are engineered to keep all five drivers locked in step, delivering cleaner integration, better stability, and fewer of the phase issues that plague lesser multi-driver IEMs.
ACTIVO ships the Scoop with a silver-plated copper and OFC hybrid cable for improved signal integrity and long-term durability, along with interchangeable 3.5mm, 4.4mm, and USB-C connectors to cover everything from DAPs to smartphones and laptops.
The Scoop is built for comfort, tuned for consistency, and intended for long listening sessions without fatigue. It carries ACTIVO’s focus on delivering a smoother, more natural presentation and makes that approach accessible at a more attainable price point.
With a rated impedance of 10 ohms, a 20Hz–20kHz frequency range, and 105dB/mW sensitivity, the Scoop is designed to be easy to drive from portable gear while still offering enough headroom for dedicated DAC/amps. Users can expect strong output from smartphones and dongles, consistent low-frequency extension, and a listening experience that doesn’t require cranking the volume to extract detail.
Activo Scoop Specifications
| Activo Model | Scoop |
| Product Type | Wired Earphones |
| Price | $99 |
| Driver | 1 x Dynamic Driver 8mm 2 x Dynamic Driver 6mm 2 x Balanced Armature Driver |
| Cable | Silver-plated Copper wire and OFC Copper wire hybrid 2-pin cable (3.5mm connector / 4.4mm connector / USB-C connector) |
| Impedance | 10 Ohms |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz – 20kHz |
| Sensitivity | 105dB/mW |
| Included Accessories | Silicone Ear tips (L,M,S) Memory Foam (L,M,S) Pouch x 1 |
The Bottom Line
The bottom line is straightforward: Astell & Kern knows how to build serious portable audio gear, and ACTIVO is their way of bringing that engineering down to earth. The Scoop stays wired-only, which will disappoint the Bluetooth-first crowd, but it also keeps the focus on sound quality and broad device compatibility through its included adapters.
With a sophisticated five-driver array, a premium hybrid cable, and real attention to ergonomics, it lands at $80—a fraction of what A&K typically asks for its in-ear creations, and a stark contrast to the ultra-high-end model they unveiled just days ago. For listeners who want a taste of A&K tuning without the luxury-tier tariff, the Scoop is the most affordable on-ramp they’ve offered in years.
Pricing & Availability
ACTIVO Scoop will be available at authorized Astell&Kern dealers worldwide (date TBA). It is currently available for £99 on Amazon.uk.
For more information: activostyle.com/scoop
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