Activo Q1 are the cheap wired earbuds made for our favorite high-resolution budget audio player
- Activo Q1 are wired IEMs made for the July 2024 P1 player
- The IEMs are a collaboration between Astell & Kern sub-brand Activo and Singaporean label DITA Audio
- Activo Q1 costs $349 / £299 (about AU$590)
Do you love Hi-Res Audio, but haven’t heard of Activo? That’s okay, you almost certainly know the parents, Astell & Kern. Last year the sub-brand’s first product, Activo’s P1 music player, really surprised us for its value per pound, proving that it isn’t to have to pay an A&K premium for excellent portable sound. In fact, it was so good that it quickly made its way into our best MP3 player buying guide.
And now the South Korean company has announced the long-awaited companion in-ear monitors. They certainly look good, which is evident when you know that these wired earbuds are a collaboration with Singaporean brand DITA Audio.
A&K says the collaboration “brings together more than 45 years of audio industry expertise between Activo and DITA, culminating in the perfect earbud match for the recently released Activo P1 Digital Audio Player.”
Activo Q1: specifications, prices and availability
The Activo Q1, the company says, is a hybrid IEM with DITA’s new PM1+ 9.8mm dynamic driver with copper housing, plus a single Knowles balanced armature driver.
DITA Audio has a nice habit of custom-designing cables for each earbud model it’s had its hands on, meaning the Q1 is a unique proposition – and the white coating certainly makes the earbuds look like they’re perfect sonic partners will be to the wallet-friendly Activo P1.
To dig a little deeper into that cable, it is the MOCCA2 cable from Cardas, made in the USA. This is custom-made and constructed from 32 strands of Cardas conductors per cable, then twisted according to DITA’s own specifications. Your purchase also includes both 4.4mm balanced and 3.5mm single-ended connectors – the P1 has both ports, along the top edge.
And just in case the earbuds look a bit dainty, the Q1 also comes with an Activo x DITA brand Systainer mini hard case, made by Tanos, plus five different eartip sizes to help you achieve the optimal fit.
Got the player, now want the earbuds? You’re in luck! You can buy the Activo Q1 Amazon today and costs £299 / $349 / €399 (about AU$590). Will they be part of our collection of the best wired earbuds we’ve ever tested? We’re working on it – when we know it, you know it too.