Zaylli LYRÖ: Wear Ultra-Natural Hi-Fi, Go Anywhere

World’s 1st open-back headphone with rotary sound-curve switch (not EQ). Thicker bass. Truly portable & feather-light. Dual-wear style.

The Audiophile Headphone That Transforms: Zaylli LYRÖ

Portable headphones usually force you to choose between convenience and quality. You either get a flimsy pair of on-ears that sound muddy, or you lug around a giant studio headset that requires a backpack. Zaylli is breaking this compromise with the LYRÖ, a modular, open-back headphone that brings "reference class" audio to the streets. By combining a unique analog tuning dial with a featherlight, swappable design, they promise a hi-fi experience that adapts to your music and your lifestyle instantly.

Project Overview

Name and Creator: Zaylli LYRÖ: Wear Ultra-Natural Hi-Fi, Go Anywhere by ZAYLLI.

What It Is: The LYRÖ is a high-fidelity, open-back on-ear headphone designed for portability. Unlike static headphones with a fixed sound signature, the LYRÖ features a proprietary "Sound Curve Switch" (SCS) that allows you to mechanically adjust the bass and treble response. It is also modular, featuring a quick-release system that lets you swap the standard headband for a neckband, ensuring it fits your activity (or your hairstyle).

Key Features

Analog Sound Curve Switch: The standout feature is the stepless rotary dial on the ear cup. Instead of using digital EQ apps, this mechanical system physically alters the airflow and damping of the driver. You can twist it to shift from a "Diffuse Field" mode (clean, neutral, monitor-like) to an "On-Ear" mode (warm, punchy, with up to +8dB bass boost).

Dual-Wear Modular Design: The LYRÖ isn't just one headphone. The ear cups detach from the frame, allowing you to switch between a traditional headband for listening sessions and a lightweight neckband for active use or when you don't want to mess up your hair.

Aerospace-Grade Build: Despite weighing only 112g (or 85g in neckband mode), the chassis is built from CNC-machined aluminum and durable bio-leather. It avoids the "plasticky" feel of other portable retro headphones, offering a premium, robust construction.

Bio-Carbon Drivers: At the heart of the sound is a 40mm dynamic driver featuring a bio-carbon nanocomposite diaphragm and N52 magnets. Zaylli claims ultra-low distortion (under 0.02%), ensuring that the sound remains clean even when you dial up the bass.

Open-Back Soundstage: Unlike most portable headphones which are closed-back, the LYRÖ uses an open-back design. This allows for a wider, more natural soundstage and "air" that makes music feel like it is coming from around you, rather than inside your head.

Rewards

Kickstarter Pricing: Backers can secure the LYRÖ at an Early Bird price starting around $139 USD, which is a significant discount from the planned $249 retail price.

Options: The campaign includes options to add premium 4.4mm balanced cables or USB-C cables for modern connectivity.

Delivery: The project has moved quickly through development, with shipping to backers estimated to begin in April 2026.

Concept

The core concept is "Mechanical Adaptability." Zaylli believes that you shouldn't need software or batteries to change how your music sounds. By engineering a physical way to tune the drivers, they aim to give power back to the listener, bridging the gap between critical listening (where you want accuracy) and casual listening (where you want fun, thumping bass).

Inspiration

The LYRÖ was inspired by the "golden age" of portable hi-fi, where devices were tactile and mechanical. The creators wanted to solve the biggest complaint with open-back on-ear headphones: the lack of bass. Instead of forcing a single tuning on everyone, they developed the SCS system to let the user decide whether they want the thump of a Koss Porta Pro or the clarity of a Sennheiser HD600, all in one device.

Zaylli LYRÖ Headphone - Kickstarter