Clarity Beyond Comparison.

Crystal clear headphones

Experience the future of high-fidelity sound with the world’s first audiophile headphones powered by CrystalCore™ technology

Black over-ear headphones with a honeycomb pattern on the ear cups, displayed against a dark background.
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Redefining Full-Range Driver Technology

Exploded view of a speaker showing internal components, including the cone, voice coil, magnet, spider, dust cap, surround, and grill.
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Dynamic drivers are valued for their high excursion capability and visceral low-frequency impact, but they often exhibit limitations in treble extension and transient precision. Planar magnetic drivers excel in speed, detail retrieval, and spatial clarity, yet can struggle to reproduce the same physicality in the sub-bass and mid-bass regions. Some manufacturers attempt hybrid designs to offset these trade-offs, combining disparate driver types within a single headphone. We’ve pursued a purer solution.

CrystalCore™ is the world’s first full-range crystal composite transducer, engineered from the molecular level to unify high excursion with low mass and structural rigidity. The result is unprecedented bandwidth, delivering both seismic, well-controlled bass and pristine, instantaneous transients across the audible spectrum. No compromises. No hybrids. Just a single driver architecture capable of rendering every genre — from orchestral to electronic — with complete fidelity.

Introducing CrystalCore

CrystalCore™ is a next-generation transducer, developed from first principles with materials highly optimized for audiophile headphone applications (patented).

At its core is a crystal layer, which oscillates in direct response to the input signal. This motion is coupled to the honeycomb composite diaphragm with minimal energy loss, enabling highly linear output and precise waveform reproduction.

Unlike conventional dynamic or planar drivers that rely on magnets, coils, and moving assemblies, CrystalCore™ utilizes a solid-state architecture. The absence of mechanical inertia and magnetic hysteresis yields faster rise times, lower harmonic distortion, and cleaner transient response, while preserving phase integrity and spatial accuracy. The result is a soundstage with true three-dimensionality and micro-detail resolution beyond the limits of traditional driver technologies.

The word 'ONE' written in bold, shiny, gradient rainbow-colored letters.

by Lily Audio

Black over-ear headphones with a modern, open-back design, featuring a honeycomb grille on the ear cups.

Genesis ONE is our debut model and presents a bold redefinition of high-end listening. Powered by our revolutionary CrystalCore™ driver, it delivers uncompromising clarity, lightning-fast response, and an expansive, three-dimensional soundstage. Built for audiophiles, creators, and purists alike, it reveals music in its purest form — exactly as the artist intended.

Every design choice serves the ultimate goal: authentic sound. Its fully open-back architecture enhances transparency, creating a natural, spacious presentation that feels alive, immersive, and true to life.

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Driven by CrystalCore

At the heart of Genesis ONE is our patented CrystalCore™ transducer — a solid-state design with no coils, magnets, or moving parts. Engineered to exceed 55 kHz, it delivers treble with effortless extension and precision, uncovering textures, harmonics, and air that conventional drivers simply can’t reproduce. The result is extraordinary clarity and lifelike detail across the spectrum. Beyond audio, the unique properties of CrystalCore™ also make it capable of ultrasonic applications — proof of its groundbreaking versatility.

Features

Super-Fast Transient Response

Genesis ONE responds to music signals in less than 1μs. This lightning-fast speed captures every transient — from the sharp strike of a snare to the shimmer of a cymbal — with absolute precision, giving you a level of clarity and realism that traditional drivers can’t match.

Extra-Wide Frequency Range

Covering an incredible 20 Hz to 55 kHz, Genesis ONE delivers bass that is deep and controlled, mids that are rich and natural, and highs that extend with airy openness far beyond human hearing — revealing subtle harmonics and spatial cues often lost in conventional headphones.

Low Distortion

With its 75mm honeycomb diaphragm and efficient design, Genesis ONE produces sound with astonishing purity. The diaphragm only needs to move slightly to generate powerful output, reducing distortion across all frequencies.

Ergonomic, Lightweight Design

Despite its large diaphragm and open architecture, Genesis ONE weighs in at under 310 grams. A carefully engineered low clamping force and plush, oversized ear pads provide exceptional comfort, even during marathon listening sessions.

Engineered for uncompromised acoustic transparency

75mm Diaphragm — Our flat-panel honeycomb composite diaphragm combines high stiffness, low mass, and excellent damping. At 75mm, it’s larger than any conventional dynamic driver, functioning more like a miniature loudspeaker on your ears. The result: greater transparency and impactful bass.

120mm Housing & Ear Pads — Generously sized to fully envelop the ear, the housing allows sound to interact naturally with the ear’s shape, enhancing realism and comfort.

Angled Driver — Strategically angled to improve imaging and expand the soundstage, placing instruments and voices exactly where they belong.

Open-Back Architecture — Genesis ONE has no traditional ear cups. Instead, the back of the driver is the back of the headphone, shielded only by precision stainless steel mesh. This radical design maximizes openness and produces the most natural, transparent sound possible.

Coming in at just 310g

A weight class of its own

Weighing just 310 grams, Genesis ONE is an ultra-lightweight audiophile headphone delivering reference-grade sound in a remarkably low-mass design. Every element — from the driver to the frame — has been optimized to reduce weight without sacrificing performance.

A carefully balanced combination of stainless steel, aluminum, leather, and lambskin creates a headphone that feels almost weightless while remaining solid and durable. The result is long hours of immersive, fatigue-free listening with no compromise on acoustic performance.

Black over-ear headphones with a honeycomb-patterned grille and adjustable headband.

Handcrafted in California, Tuned for Perfection

Quality control is everything when it comes to audiophile headphones. That’s why Genesis ONE is produced in small batches at our California facility, where every unit is hand-assembled and inspected with uncompromising care. Each headphone passes directly through the hands of our engineers — tuned, calibrated, and verified to meet the highest standard of performance before it ever reaches yours.

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Tech Specs

Headphone Genesis ONE
Housing Open back
Driver technology CrystalCore™
Diaphragm size 75 mm
Frequency range 20-55 kHz
Sensitivity 102 dB/mW (at 1 kHz)
Nominal impedance >300 ohm
Weight 310 grams
Cable Detachable, 3.5mm (with 6.3 mm screw-on adaptor)

In the box

A person's hands holding a black gift box decorated with a green ribbon, with the word 'NE' and a silver metal grill-like object attached to the front of the box.

Headphone

Dual 3.5mm TRS balanced cable

2 pairs of ear pads

User manual

Kickstarter Perks

Reviews from CanJam Socal 2025

Frequently Asked Questions

  • The CrystalCore™ driver in Genesis One is not like a typical dynamic or planar magnetic driver. It behaves more like a capacitor than a resistor, meaning its impedance is frequency-dependent but usually well above 600 Ω. Because of this, it requires a higher voltage swing to perform at its best, even though it consumes very little current or power.

    For the best listening experience, pair your headphones with a headphone amplifier capable of delivering clean, high-voltage output. Powerful speaker amplifiers can also be excellent matches — particularly classic Class A and Class AB designs.

    Recommended pairings include:

    • Woo Audio WA5-LE

    • Woo Audio WA22

    • Cayin HA-1A MK2

    • Emotiva BasX A2L+ / A2+

    • Schiit Vidar 2F

    • To be updated

    Portable dongles or low-powered headphone outputs may not provide enough voltage to unlock the full potential of Genesis One. For critical listening and demos, we recommend pairing with a proper desktop tube or high-voltage amplifier.

  • The Genesis One does not have a fixed impedance like traditional dynamic headphones.
    Because its crystal driver behaves as a capacitor rather than a resistor, its impedance depends on frequency.

    The driver’s capacitance is about 200 nF, so the impedance ZZZ can be estimated using:

    Z=1/(2πfC) ​

    For example:

    • At 1 kHz, Z≈800Ω

    • At 10 kHz, Z≈80Ω

    • At 100 Hz, Z≈8kΩZ

    So the impedance decreases as frequency increases — unlike most dynamic drivers.

  • The Genesis One has high sensitivity because its crystal driver consumes very little power to produce sound. However, it can still be difficult to drive since it requires a relatively high voltage swing to reach full performance.

    It’s also important to note that the sensitivity of Genesis One isn’t directly comparable to that of traditional dynamic headphones, as the two technologies operate on very different electrical principles.

  • Yes, the pads are fully replaceable. We offer leather, velour, and suede options, all available for direct order. Thanks to the design of Genesis One, changing earpads will not significantly alter the sound signature.

  • Yes! In addition to our premium leather finishes, we also offer a vegan-friendly option made with high-quality synthetic materials. This alternative provides the same comfort and durability without the use of animal products. If you’d like the vegan version, simply send us a note after you back our project so we can make sure you receive it.

  • Genesis One headphones come with a limited warranty that covers defects in materials and workmanship for one year from the date of purchase. If any part of your unit fails under normal use during that period—such as driver issues, build defects, or mechanical failures—we will repair or replace the affected part at no charge to you.

    This warranty does not cover:

    • Damage due to misuse, abuse, or accidents (drops, exposure to water, etc.)

    • Modifications or unauthorized repairs

    • Normal wear and tear (e.g. pads, cables, cosmetic scratches)

    To make a claim, simply contact our support team with your proof of purchase and a description (and photos if possible) of the issue. We’ll guide you through the repair or replacement process.

About Lily Audio

Lily Audio was founded in early 2025 in Santa Clara, California, by Dr. Tony Nguyen (LinkedIn). The company builds on advanced transducer technology originally developed by its sister company, Flora Innovations, a pioneer in crystal-based transducer technology.

While Lily Audio is a young brand, the research and development behind its CrystalCore™ driver has been in progress for many years. The founders recognized that audiophile headphones were the perfect canvas to showcase the true potential of crystal transducer technology, a field long overdue for innovation.

Our mission is simple: to bring pure, transparent sound to everyone.

At Lily Audio, we’re more than engineers. We’re creators and music lovers united by one belief: that true innovation can make you feel closer to the music than ever before.

Contact Us

Interested in Genesis ONE? Fill out the form and we add you to the waitlist, or send us an email at info@lilyaudio.com

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