Reference-grade headphones
designed and built in Finland.

Reference-grade headphones — designed and built in Finland.

Hear more deeply. Listen longer. Trust what you hear.

Hear more deeply. Listen longer. Trust what you hear.

REQAL is an open-back headphone built for detail, balance and space — with a natural, effortless presentation.

REQAL is an open-back headphone built for listeners who want detail, balance and space with a natural, effortless presentation that stays easy to trust over long sessions.

Get early access

Sound philosophy

Clarity that keeps the music alive.

REQAL is voiced for clarity, natural tone and long-session focus. Detail is present when the recording calls for it, but the presentation stays coherent: vocals, instruments and room cues remain part of one whole.

Measurements guide the foundation, but listening decides whether the balance works in real use. The goal is a presentation that feels open, natural and easy to trust — not forced, sharp or artificially impressive.

Open-back acoustic design.

The open structure reduces the enclosed pressure of a closed cup and supports a more spacious, breathable presentation.

Angled driver orientation.

The driver is positioned to interact with the ear more naturally, supporting spatial cues that feel less flat and more naturally placed.

Reference-led voicing.

REQAL is built around a defined target response, so openness, balance and clarity are treated as part of one coherent sound rather than separate effects.

Acoustic refinement

The listener is part of the acoustic system.

Every listener brings a different acoustic interface to the headphone. Ear geometry, fit, seal, hair, glasses and listening preference can all affect how balance, space and weight are perceived at the ear — which is why final acoustic refinement can be meaningful.

REQAL begins as a finished reference headphone. When needed, the final balance can be refined within defined acoustic limits to better accommodate listener geometry, fit and preference — while preserving the essential REQAL character.

Dark premium anatomical illustration of a listener's side profile with the ear and ear canal highlighted by subtle acoustic rings.
Ear and canal geometry

Outer-ear and ear-canal geometry affect upper-frequency balance, focus and spatial cues.

Fit and seal

Head shape, hair, glasses and pad contact affect coupling around the ear, shifting weight and low-frequency balance.

Reference refinement

When refinement is needed, balance and presentation can be adjusted within defined limits while preserving the core REQAL sound.

Origin story

The story behind REQAL.

REQAL began from a practical need: a headphone that could be trusted for professional audio work outside a controlled studio environment. It draws on decades of playing musical instruments, high-end hi-fi listening, and more than two decades of audio mastering and acoustic design.

The work that led toward REQAL included Master’s thesis research into headphone history, measurement and physical acoustic modification. Around 50 headphones were modified, measured and evaluated with listeners, revealing how structure, fit and personal preference shape the final listening experience.

Read the work that started the REQAL story

REQAL takes that learning further: a headphone designed from the ground up as its own acoustic system, developed with standard-compliant measurement equipment and evaluated through critical listening.

The result is a reference-grade open-back headphone shaped by professional listening, measured development and the belief that good sound should stay engaging without hiding what is in the recording.

Materials and process

Built in-house. Finished with care.

REQAL is built in small batches, with key components developed and finished in-house. The process allows acoustic, structural and comfort details to be refined closely together, so the final product stays connected to the listening and measurement work that shaped it while remaining focused on precision, comfort and long-term use.

REQAL travel case exterior REQAL travel case interior REQAL headphone parts and materials arranged on a work table REQAL leather headband and brushed metal detail REQAL headphone stand

Measurements

Measured reference. Refined for real ears.

REQAL is developed using professional headphone measurement systems (IEC 60318-4 / IEC 60318-7) and evaluated against established reference targets and selected high-end headphones.

Unlike a loudspeaker measured in free air, a headphone is measured at an ear simulator. The curve therefore reflects the combined acoustics of the headphone, pad seal, pinna and ear canal. A balanced headphone reference is intentionally shaped — not ruler-flat.

REQAL frequency response overview

How to read this graph

  • Measured SPL at an ear simulator — not a free-air loudspeaker response.
  • Amber line — Standard REQAL reference response.
  • Shaded area — Controlled acoustic refinement range, not unit-to-unit variation.

Compare current REQAL measurement data with selected reference headphones and target curves.

Compare frequency responses
Why isn’t it flat?

REQAL is shaped in broad regions, each with a different acoustic role. The aim is a coherent balance at the ear — not equal SPL at every frequency.

Low frequencies

A gentle low-frequency shelf supports weight and foundation. Listener-preference research shows that preferred headphone balances commonly include some bass elevation; the exact amount remains programme- and listener-dependent.

Midrange

The central midrange stays broadly even. This anchors voices, instruments and mix balances, giving the reference a stable tonal centre.

Upper midrange

The broad rise through 2–4 kHz accounts for the way the outer ear and ear canal naturally shape sound before it reaches the eardrum. In a headphone reference, this region supports clarity and tonal balance, while being controlled to avoid glare or excessive forwardness.

Upper treble

The upper treble is shaped rather than forced flat. At these frequencies, fit, pad position, ear geometry and acoustic coupling increasingly influence the measured response.

A local dip around 8–10 kHz can reflect a pinna-related feature, often called the pinna notch. Its exact position and depth vary between listeners, so it is assessed as part of the complete response.

Measurement notes — coming soon

A short series on headphone references, fit and the acoustics behind what you see. First topics: Why isn’t it flat? and The Harman Target, in context.

Details

Built for lasting use, service and future upgrades.

REQAL is designed as a long-term listening tool with serviceability built into its structure. User-replaceable pads and a detachable cable make everyday wear parts easy to refresh, while deeper service, warranty support and part replacement are handled directly by the manufacturer.

Every part can be replaced by the manufacturer when needed. As the headphone develops, compatible upgrade options can also be offered where technically possible.

Technical specifications

Acoustics

DriverMatched 50 mm dynamic drivers

GeometryAngled driver orientation

DesignOpen-back, over-ear design

Impedance35 ohms @ 1 kHz / 60 ohms @ 40 Hz

Sensitivity107 dB / 1 V @ 1 kHz

DistortionTHD: 0.05% @ 1 kHz / 0.05% @ 100 Hz / 0.08% @ 50 Hz, measured at 83 dB SPL

Construction

Ear interfaceReplaceable premium velour earpads

FitSelf-adjusting headband

HeadbandUpholstery-grade antibacterial headband material

CableReplaceable 1.5 m detachable cable with 3.5 mm plug

Included6.3 mm adapter included

Weight298 g without cable

Early access

Get early access to REQAL.

Join the list for launch timing, early listening opportunities and occasional updates. You'll only hear from REQAL when there is something worth sharing.

For direct enquiries, use the chat or email info [at] reqal.fi.

Follow REQAL on Instagram — @reqal.headphones ↗

Follow REQAL on Facebook — @reqal.headphones ↗