NEW: SJY ZEPH OPEN-BACK PLANAR MAGNETIC HEADPHONES
SJY Zeph open-back planar magnetic headphones
The SJY Zeph is an open-back planar magnetic headphone built around a single-piece CNC-machined aluminum structure that houses the driver, chassis, and ear cup as one unit. This design reduces vibration pathways and removes many of the interfaces that introduce resonance in traditional headphones. A 96 × 73mm planar magnetic driver, a 7mm chassis depth, and a dual-profile magnetic ear pad system define how the Zeph approaches speed, control, and tuning flexibility. It is intended for listeners who value low coloration, stable imaging, and a midrange presentation that holds its shape even at low listening levels.
One structure for the driver and chassis
The Zeph’s defining design decision is its one-piece construction. Instead of mounting a planar driver into a separate cup, SJY machines the cup and driver housing from a single aluminum body. Eliminating seams and layered interfaces reduces the ways energy can cycle back into the diaphragm. In practice, this lowers resonant behavior and keeps the magnetic field more consistent across the driver surface. The result is a presentation that stays clear during complex transients because the structure around the diaphragm is not contributing its own motion.
Low-resonance planar operation
Planar magnetic drivers depend on uniform diaphragm movement to maintain low distortion. Any shift in structural rigidity—whether from the cup walls, fastener points, or back-wave reflections—can increase force variation across the diaphragm. By minimizing structural variables and using a rigid 7mm housing, the Zeph keeps mechanical loss low. The internal assembly totals 4mm in thickness—2mm magnet, 1.5mm diaphragm structure, and a 0.5mm grille—allowing SJY to position the diaphragm very close to the magnet array. This layout increases magnetic force efficiency and contributes to the headphone’s fast, quiet baseline.
Dual-profile ear pads
The magnetic pads introduce a controlled way to change the Zeph’s voicing without altering the driver itself. Each pad has two functional faces: a perforated side for a more vented presentation with increased openness, and a non-perforated side for a narrower field with more midrange density. Velour and suede materials are used to manage top-end energy and stabilize treble behavior. Because the pads attach magnetically, switching profiles does not affect the pad geometry or introduce strain points on the mounting surface.
Lightweight CNC aluminum assembly
All load-bearing components—from the ear cup shell to the headband frame—are CNC-machined aluminum. Using a single material system keeps flex predictable and minimizes sympathetic vibration. It also allows the overall mass to remain low without compromising rigidity. A two-layer full-grain leather headband distributes weight through a soft upper strap and a firmer lower layer with stainless steel reinforcement, maintaining consistent pressure across a wide range of head shapes.
Mechanical simplicity and cable integration
The 3.5mm connector mounts directly into a custom ABS socket integrated into the driver structure. This approach shortens the path between the connector and driver terminals and reduces the number of mechanical fasteners required inside the cup. Fewer internal parts mean fewer surfaces that can shift or resonate over time. The stainless steel outer grille completes the acoustic pathway while maintaining a thin profile that avoids loading the diaphragm.
How it presents music in practice
A rigid cup, a shallow driver depth, and a closely coupled magnet assembly shape the Zeph's character. The transients behave like a planar—fast rise times and clear spatial boundaries—while the midrange maintains a cohesive tone that is often associated with dynamic drivers. Vocals and mid-band instruments present with a sense of immediacy because the structure around the driver is not contributing low-level smear. Imaging benefits from the Zeph’s quiet mechanical floor, which keeps background information intact at lower playback levels.
