What if headphones were not trying to imitate a hi-fi system but actually functioned as one? That was the thinking behind the écoute audio TH1, introduced two years ago as the first headphones to integrate a real vacuum tube preamp and true dual mono amplification into a single, self contained design. This was not a novelty feature or a visual flourish. The TH1 placed actual triode tubes in the signal path, responsible for voltage gain, where signal integrity is defined. In any high fidelity system, the gain stage determines whether microdynamics, harmonic structure, and spatial information survive intact.
The TH1 demonstrated that a serious analog front end could live inside a headset without relying on shortcuts or digital trickery, and that architecture, not marketing, is what ultimately determines whether something deserves to be called hi-fi.
eCoustics Founder and CEO Brian Mitchell spent time with the TH1 at CanJam SoCal 2025 and came away generally impressed with what écoute had managed to pull off. Less than 4 months later, the story takes an unexpected turn when the écoute TH2 quietly appeared on Kickstarter, with a campaign set to launch on February 11th, this coming week.
That kind of turnaround naturally raises eyebrows. A follow up model arriving this quickly suggests the TH1 was never meant to be a final statement, but a proving ground, with écoute moving quickly to refine and expand the concept while attention and momentum are still very much in play.
Écoute TH2: Dual Mono Headphones With Real Vacuum Tubes
The écoute TH2 is not a rethink so much as a careful tightening of the original idea. It preserves the core qualities that defined the TH1—warmth, presence, and a convincing sense of dimensionality—while addressing practical feedback from longer listening sessions. The chassis has been redesigned for better weight distribution, durability, and comfort, making the TH2 easier to live with without changing what made the concept work in the first place.
Sonically, the architecture remains intact but more finely executed, delivering deeper bass, more extended treble, and improved resolution across the frequency range. This is a refinement of a proven platform, not a cosmetic refresh.
What still sets the TH2 apart is its signal-first design philosophy. It remains the only headset to integrate a real vacuum tube preamp and true dual-mono amplification directly into the earcups. Each channel is physically separated from DAC through amplification, reducing crosstalk and preserving stereo separation in a way that mirrors traditional two-channel hi-fi systems rather than typical headphone designs. The internal DAC is 32-bit/384kHz capable.
The tube stage uses a Korg Nutube 6P1 dual triode for voltage gain, supported by discrete Class A/B amplification per channel. This approach prioritizes harmonic structure, microdynamics, and spatial cues at the front of the signal chain, where they matter most, rather than attempting to reintroduce them later through processing.
Beyond sound quality, the TH2 adds meaningful functional upgrades. Noise control has been improved with a lower noise floor for active noise cancellation and a more natural-sounding transparency mode, while better passive isolation reduces bleed both in and out. Additional shielding around the tube stage improves resistance to RF interference, mechanical vibration, and microphonics. Modular construction allows users to swap ear pads and headband wraps for comfort, customization, and long-term serviceability.
Connectivity covers lossless USB-C digital audio, analog 3.5 mm operation in active or passive mode, and Bluetooth 5.3 with AAC and LDAC support. An eight-band adjustable tuning system provides precise customization without undermining the underlying analog architecture. Taken as a whole, the TH2 is a more mature execution of an unconventional idea, grounded in traditional hi-fi principles and adapted carefully for wearable use.
The Bottom Line
The écoute TH2 launches on February 11th at 2:00 pm EST, and the decision to return to Kickstarter is less about desperation and more about control. For a company building something this unconventional, Kickstarter functions as both a direct-to-customer sales channel and a real-time demand test, letting écoute gauge interest, fund production without overextending inventory, and keep the product narrative in its own hands.
Trade show buzz in the U.S. and overseas helps validate the concept, but it does not guarantee scale, logistics, or pricing efficiency. Crowdfunding bridges that gap while rewarding early adopters with launch-day incentives of up to $300 off, which is not insignificant at this level.
This is not for casual listeners or anyone shopping for their first pair of wireless headphones. The TH2 is aimed squarely at experienced listeners who already understand what a proper gain stage does, who value analog signal integrity over convenience-first design, and who are willing to accept a slightly heavier, more complex headset in exchange for sound quality that behaves more like a compact hi-fi system than a lifestyle accessory. If the idea of vacuum tubes, dual-mono architecture, and modular construction inside a wearable product makes immediate sense to you, you are the audience.
Pricing and weight have not yet been disclosed, and based on our CanJam SoCal time with the TH1, listeners should expect a warm, tube-forward sound with some top-end roll-off rather than a bright or analytical presentation. The TH2 is clearly aimed at experienced audiophiles who know exactly what that tradeoff means and are comfortable backing an unconventional design early.
Where to pre-order: kickstarter.com
Related Reading:
- Best Wireless Headphones: Editors’ Choice
- Master & Dynamic And Applied Art Forms Unveil MH40 Wireless Headphones Inspired By The Iconic American Flight Jacket
- Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 McLaren Edition: Luxury Wireless Headphones You’ll Want To Hide On The Subway
- Sennheiser HDB 630 Review: High-Resolution Wireless Headphones With Smart ANC, BTD 700 Dongle, And Exceptional Clarity
