Lime Ears Maris

Lime Ears Maris

Twelve drivers, four transducer technologies – the flagship of the Power Trio series

The Maris is the flagship of the Power Trio series and, at the same time, the most technically elaborate universal model Lime Ears has ever built: twelve drivers spread across four different transducer technologies come together in a so-called quadbrid architecture – dynamic, balanced armature, electrostatic and bone conduction, all in a single shell.

Specifically, it packs two 8mm dynamic drivers for the bass, two Knowles BA drivers for the lower midrange, four vented Knowles BA drivers for midrange and upper midrange, two Sonion electrostatic drivers for the ultra-high frequency range, and two Sonion bone-conduction drivers for additional enrichment of the overall sound. Unlike BA or dynamic drivers, electrostatic units need a permanently pre-polarised diaphragm together with an integrated step-up transformer to turn the audio signal into a sufficiently strong electrostatic field – an effort that typically only pays off in flagship models, but that enables an extremely light, low-distortion drive at the very top of the treble. The bone-conduction drivers, in turn, transmit part of their energy as mechanical vibration directly into the ear, which can add extra tactile depth and body without relying purely on acoustic sound pressure. A passive 5-way hybrid crossover keeps this elaborate ensemble in check; the electrostatic section theoretically extends up to around 40kHz.

The package includes a silver-plated copper cable with a 4.4mm balanced connector, plus, as with the other Power Trio models, Spinfit CP100 and Divinus Velvet eartips, a leather case, cleaning tool and cotton pouch. Despite its technical complexity, the Maris remains a universal in-ear that's ready to wear straight away, with no impression required.

Beyond the Terra and Incognita, the Maris marks the current pinnacle of what Lime Ears builds as a universal IEM: more drivers, more transducer technologies, a considerably more complex build – for listeners who want the Warsaw atelier's full technical potential in a shell that's ready to wear right out of the box.

Technical Specifications