take
flight
be
immersed
extravagant
prestige
R&W Celestisium Series - "𝗙𝗜𝗥𝗦𝗧 𝗟𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧"
A True Theatrical Live Sound Experience
As the world's first pair of IEMs to adapt Hi-Fi speaker designs from the ground up by Hi-Fi speaker engineers and endorsed by classical musicians, the First Light authentically reproduces the theatrical sound and atmosphere you've experienced in concert halls and cinema, creating the sensory illusion of you being right there in the audience, fully immersing you in the music as if it were performed live.
The Celestisium Series epitomizes our highest craftsmanship and leverages R&W's most advanced technologies. This premium line of products fully embodies the vision and prowess of Rossi&Wing.
CELESTISIUM SERIES
R&W's signature house sound is unparalleled, being the first to adapt hi-fi speaker designs for IEMs. The outcome is an authentic theatrical sound that brings the auditorium to you, no matter where you are.
SPEAKER DESIGN
The greatest merit of our distinctive house sound is providing you with the fidelity you've come to enjoy on your speaker system, along with the freedom to experience it on the go. Whether on business trips or travels, your home theater is always with you.
HOME THEATER ON THE GO
[ FIRST LIGHT ] (n.)
(Cosmology) The moment when the first stars and galaxies formed in the universe, marking the end of the cosmic dark ages. This period is often referred to as the “cosmic dawn.”
TUNED BY CLASSICAL MUSICIANS
Learn about the thoughts and inspirations going into the tuning of the First Light + Morningstar R2216 combo directly from the concertmasters HERE!
WHAT TECHNOLOGIES WE CREATED
Elevate your audio journey with our crowning achievement — the 10mm Rear Electrostatic-Dynamic Driver, a decade in the making.
𝟭𝟬𝗺𝗺 𝗥-𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗗𝗗 (𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗘𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗰-𝗗𝘆𝗻𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗰 𝗗𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿)
Immerse yourself in precision soundscapes with 6 unprecedented Dual Balanced Armature Arrays per side.
𝟲 𝘅 𝗗𝗕𝗔𝗔 (𝗗𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗕𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗔𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗔𝗿𝗿𝗮𝘆)
Free yourself in pure audio bliss with our Floating Parallel Sound Tube Design, offering maximum comfort akin to floating in space.
𝗙𝗹𝗼𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗹 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝘂𝗯𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴n
At the core of our revolutionary technologies lies this proprietary crossover system, meticulously designed to harmonize and unify sound across the entire spectrum.
𝗖𝗠𝗕 (𝗖𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗺 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗿𝗶𝘅 𝗕𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗱) 𝟯+𝟭 𝗖𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺
Personalize your style with a faceplate crafted from aerospace-grade CNC machined aluminum alloy, adorned with a stainless steel/brass Artwork Insert... and more!
𝗠𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗿 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝗲𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲 & 𝗔𝗿𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘁
Want to know more about how do these techs work? Find out in the Q&A section below!
R&W Tech Explained
"FIRST LIGHT" Limited Founder's Edition (30 sets worldwide)
USD$7700.00
* Personalization options and ordering form: HERE
Founder's Edition Includes:
- R&W "First Light" x1 pair (Engraved)
- Stock Cable 1: R&W x Luminox Audio - "Morningstar R2216 Limited" (USD$690.00)
- Stock Cable 2: Vortex Cables - "ANA-VISHUDDHA" (Not sold separately)
- Name-Engraved Display Case x1 (American Black Walnut Wood + Stainless Steel)
- Autographed 24-Page Artbook
- Genuine Leather Case x1
- Eartips x2 sets
* IMPORTANT NOTICE:
As each Founder's Edition is handcrafted and made-to-order with extensive customization options, the estimated delivery time for each order is approximately 2 - 3 months.
Spec:
- 10mm R-ESTDD x 1
- DBAA x 6
- CMB 3+1 Crossover
Frequency Response: 20Hz - 28kHz, ± 2dB
Sensitivity: 113dB spl/mws @ 1 kHz
Impedance: 13.5 Ohms @ 1 kHz
LIMITED FOUNDER'S EDITION
- EXCLUSIVITIES -
MORNINGSTAR R2216
STOCK CABLE I
by
Luminox Audio
Selected and endorsed by the two concertmasters to faithfully reproduce the natural sound of live instruments as heard straight from the front seats of a concert hall.
ANA-VISHUDDHA
STOCK CABLE II
by
Vortex Cables
Crafted in limited quantities, it is uniquely tuned to bring out the pure and heart-warming essence in female vocals, enveloping the listener in a captivating, holographic soundscape.
ARTWORK INSERT
Hand-Painted
by
Doku Paradise
Each enchanting teal-colored chameleon artwork insert is hand-painted by Miss Doku, head artist and founder of Doku Paradise, to match beautifully with the Ana-Vishuddha.
CUSTOM-COLORED
ARTWORK INSERT
by
Doku Paradise
As a Founder's Edition supporter, you are offered the rare chance to take home a custom-colored pair, hand-painted by Miss Doku (with an additional fee). This is the ultimate personal touch for your own First Light.
BLACK WALNUT
DISPLAY CASE
by
EJ Daydream
The First Light comes beautifully packaged in its own display case made of superior American Black Walnut wood and stainless steel, making a statement of its prestigious presence in any room.
24-PAGE ARTBOOK
Autographed
by
Zephon Wing
While all versions come with this premium 24-page artbook, only the Founder's Edition supporters get to own one autographed by Zephon Wing, the CEO / Co-Founder of R&W — the Father of the First Light!
The First Light is the ultimate IEM for classical, string, and orchestral music enthusiasts, as well as those seeking not only exceptional sound quality but also musicality. Representing the world's first pair meticulously designed from the ground up to integrate Hi-Fi speaker principles reminiscent of those found in Dolby Atmos theaters, these headphones aim to capture an authentic live listening experience by faithfully reproducing sound decays as soundwaves traverse through the air.
Endorsed by real classical musicians, the First Light shines in bringing unparalleled depth to live performances, concerts, orchestras, classical music, and even movie soundtracks by recreating the grand atmosphere, immersing you in the experience as if you were seated in the audience.
Unlike other IEMs that emphasize micro-details, the First Light focuses purely on the essence of music itself. It prioritizes delivering an organic musical experience that deeply resonates with true music lovers.
The First Light is offered in three editions:
Limited Founder's Edition - USD $7700.00 (1st Wave sold-out, 2nd Wave ongoing)
Special Edition - USD $5700.00 (TBD) (Final price subject to change)
Standard Edition - USD $5690.00 (TBD) (Final price subject to change)
The Limited Founder's Edition, priced at USD $7700.00, offers exclusive benefits. This edition features not one but TWO distinctive collab cables: The default cable, MORNINGSTAR R2216 LIMITED (USD$690), which comes with all versions is a collab between R&W and Luminox Audio; this particular cable combination is personally endorsed by (and tuned with the help of) both Concertmaster Gilbert Kuo and Concertmaster Lexie Chen to faithfully reproduce the natural sound of live instruments as heard straight from the front seats of a concert hall. The second being the captivating teal cable, ANA-VISHUDDHA from Vortex Cables. Hand-crafted in limited quantities by Vortex Cable's founder personally, this cable is uniquely tuned to harmonize seamlessly with the First Light and is not available for separate purchase. Paired with a set of Artwork Inserts in the same teal color, hand-painted by the artist at Doku Paradise, this highly limited First Light stands out, deserving the spotlight. It also comes beautifully packaged in its own display case made of superior American Black Walnut wood and stainless steel, making a statement of its prestigious presence in any room.
The Special Edition and the Standard Edition, priced with an amusingly minimal $10 difference, reflect our light-hearted approach of "buy us a coffee, and we'll upgrade your purchase." Both versions are essentially identical, featuring the musicians-endorsed MORNINGSTAR R2216 LIMITED, with the Special Edition providing the added benefit of different color options (Black&Gold, Silver&Silver) when ordering. In contrast, the Standard Edition comes exclusively in the default Black&Silver.
The Limited Founder's Edition is currently available for custom orders.Other editions are scheduled for late 2024 or early 2025.
In simple terms, an ESTDD (Electrostatic-Dynamic Driver) is a hybrid tech that integrates electrostatic and dynamic drivers into a single unit. This design aims for exceptional audio quality, combining the crisp trebles and details of an EST with the dynamics and punch of a DD, resulting in a wide frequency response and minimal distortion. However, it is not without drawbacks due to technological limitations.
Traditionally, an ESTDD employs a passive EST design, placing the EST unit in front of a DD. However, this design significantly reduces the efficiency and performance of the EST, leading to a substantial loss in low-frequency response.
In contrast, our patented R-ESTDD (Rear-ESTDD) design prioritizes bringing out the full performance of the EST, utilizing the DD as support to enhance dynamics. Overcoming past challenges related to power conversion losses through a decade of research, our design now stands as a truly viable choice. The result is an easy-to-drive and high-performance ESTDD that achieves true sound balance.
Yet, the full potential of the R-ESTDD's technical prowess would remain unrealized without our CMB (Custom Matrix Blend) 3+1 Crossover System, the heart and soul of our technical innovations that seamlessly integrates them into a cohesive whole, bringing to fruition our vision of "fusing the shell and drivers into one cohesive entity."
DBAA stands for Dual Balanced Armature Array. As the name suggests, it embodies a configuration where two BAs collaborate within a single unit.
While similar composite drivers have been employed in the past, our in-house custom-designed BAs seamlessly integrate with our other technologies, courtesy of our exclusive CMB (Custom Matrix Blend) 3+1 Crossover System.
This integration maximizes efficiency and performance, resulting in a highly detailed and precise sound that maintains cohesiveness and smoothness across all ranges.
Moreover, our 6-unit configuration essentially equates to a traditional 12-BA setup but in a significantly reduced size, making room for the resonance chamber housed within the shell.
In cosmology, CMB stands for Cosmic Microwave Background, which is the cooled remnant of the First Light (also a term in cosmology) dating back to the formation of early atoms after the universe's birth. This ancient light can still be detected today. Given that our distinguished work is named the First Light, we take pride in carrying on this cosmological tradition.
Our CMB, or Custom Matrix Blend, functions as a specialized crossover system, serving as a central nervous system and processing hub. It seamlessly integrates all our diverse technologies, with the "+1" acting as an additional crossover system supporting the R-ESTDD. This redirects scattered mid and low frequencies into the midrange, achieving a balanced midrange while preserving a broad soundstage.
Furthermore, the CMB serves as a vital link between electrical signals and the physical/spatial characteristics of the shell, hence the name "Matrix." Meticulously designed as a resonance chamber reminiscent of a full-size speaker, it accurately simulates and reproduces the sound decay and vibrations of soundwaves traveling through the air. The result is an authentic, natural, and speaker-like auditory experience.
The CMB system embodies the essence of our technical innovations. It is not just a piece of hardware; rather, it is a manifestation of our design philosophy encapsulating the idea of "Shell-and-Drivers As One," rejecting the conventional notion of viewing the shell merely as housing. The "3+1" is a configuration purposefully designed to unlock the full potential of the First Light.
After assessing the overwhelmingly positive reception garnered during the preview event at the expo in Taiwan, we are not only confident but also immensely proud to announce a paradigm shift in categorization for the First Light. No longer confined to the conventional label of an IEM, we proudly christen it as an "IEA (In-Ear Auditorium)" This distinction arises from its nature as nothing short of a "miniaturized Hi-Fi audio system in your ear."
Despite sharing superficial commonalities in appearance, size, and portability with traditional IEMs, the First Light's unique auditory profile distinguishes it from all other in-ear monitors, propelling it into the echelons of Hi-Fi speakers. Therefore, it is only fitting that the First Light be acknowledged and embraced as such, rightfully claiming its place as a pioneering innovation in the world of portable audio.
We are also proud to unveil that the First Light was, from its inception, a daring endeavor to replicate the immersive experience of listening to Hi-Fi tower speakers within the compact confines of an IEM. Judging from the resounding critical acclaim, we are confident in asserting that we have successfully achieved this ambitious goal!
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
"FIRST LIGHT"
Rossi&Wing - Celestisium Series
- 10mm R-ESTDD x 1
- DBAA x 6
- CMB 3+1 Crossover
Frequency Response: 20Hz - 28kHz, ± 2dB
Sensitivity: 113dB spl/mws @ 1 kHz
Impedance: 13.5 Ohms @ 1 kHz