These might call too much attention to themselves on the subway in NYC, but you have to admire this manufacturer for trying to be different. And there are certainly not the first IEM manufacturer who have gone down this road.
Newcomer Zeitgeist Germany, maker of IEMs (In-Ear Monitors) has taken style to the next level with its Trees Collection. This collection consists of four models inspired by the “spirit of nature.”
With the Trees Collection, the goal of Zeitgeist is to “take listeners on a journey around the globe” via the use of exotic woods: Sequoia, Zebrano, Olive, and Redheart. Each in-ear monitor is carved from a single block of wood, with a focus on each wood’s visual characteristics.
From Thomas Halbgewachs, Zeitgeist Germany Founder: “We’re breathing new musical life into trees that have come to a natural end. These trees have seen hundreds, even thousands of years of history: our artisans treat them with the reverence they deserve and ensure their beauty lives on. No pair of Trees earphones are identical – each has its own organic patterns of growth and grain – which just adds to their wonder.”
All wood used in the Trees Collection is responsibly sourced, with respect for the environment. Each piece reflects a commitment to preserving nature’s beauty while crafting products that inspire a deeper connection to the natural world.
California Sequoia
This IEM design celebrates the famed California/Oregon Sequoia trees, the tallest of which are almost 300 feet tall and can be over 1,000 years old. Their red hue and fine, straight grain add elegance to their namesake IEMs.
African Zebrano
Zebrano wood is native to Central Africa. It has dark brown to black streaks with a gold background. With interlocked and wavy grain it is hard to saw and plane, often causing pieces to tear. Its coarse texture and open pores require precise handling but can yield a beautiful finish for its namesake IEM.
Mediterranean Olive
Thriving in the rocky soils of the Mediterranean, olive trees have numerous twisted trunks and side branches. Their wood has wavy, interlocked grain and contrasting hues of brown and yellow streaks, making it a great choice for an IEM entry in the Zeitgeist Germany, Trees Collection
Yucatan Redheart
Redheart tree wood from Central and South America features pink and red hues. The wood is both visually stunning and great to work with. When handled properly, Redheart wood can yield a great finish, which Zeitgeist Germany has incorporated into their Yucatan Redheart IEMs.
More From Zeitgeist Germany
The Trees Collection joins Zeitgeist Germany’s other IEM lines:
- Artisan – Inspired by the Karelian Birch Fabergé Egg
- Whisky – Crafted from Islay Malt whisky barrels
All Zeitgeist Germany IEMs are handcrafted in their workshop near Heidelberg, Germany. No two earphones are identical as there are variations in the different textures, grains, and colors in each material ensuring every earphone is one-of-a-kind. The finished works of audio art come packaged in cushioned display cases.
Specifications
| All Models | |
| MSRP | $814 |
| Fit | Regular, Small |
| Frequency Response | 15Hz to 35kHz |
| Impedance | 17 Ohms |
| Transducers | Proprietary tuned, 2-way balanced armature system (Sonion) |
| Cable | Premium-Cable 3.5mm (single-ended) Premium-Cable 4.4mm (balanced) |
| Cable Specs | 1.2m, monocrystal silver-plated copper, aluminum plugs, gold-plated connectors |
| Bluetooth Ready | With accessory attachment (e.g. iFi Go Blu) |
| Apple Compatible | With accessory (Lightning or USB-C adapter) |
| Samsung Compatible | With an accessory USB-C adapter |
| Eartips included | Final Type E (sizes XS, S, M, L, XL) |
| Optional Eartips Sizes | Spinfit silicone (4 sizes), Comply foam (3 sizes) |
| Ear-Wax Filter | Replaceable high-end filters and spare filters are available as accessories |
| What’s In The Box | Luxury box, reusable for watches, jewelry, and other small stuff |
The Bottom Line
With these new releases, Zeitgeist Germany continues to celebrate the beauty of
natural materials while pushing the boundaries of artisanal audio design.
We do wonder if the different woods impact the overall tonal balance of the IEMs. And we say that having tried a number of high-end headphones over the years that utilize ear cups made from exotic woods.
Grado would be the first that comes to mind on this side of the Atlantic and we have covered a number of models from Eastern Europe and Russia that also sound distinctly different because of the choice of wood.
Price & Availability
All Zeitgeist Germany products are available directly from their online store.
- California Sequoia: £899. €999, $814 (US)
- African Zebrano: £899. €999, $814 (US)
- Mediterranean Olive: £799. €899, $814 (US)
- Yucatan Redheart: £799. €899, $814 (US)
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