Who is the primary audience for the ACS Eclipse 500?

The Eclipse 500 is designed for professional musicians, sound engineers, and high-fidelity audio enthusiasts who require accurate sound reproduction. It is suitable for both live stage monitoring and critical studio listening.

What type of drivers are used in the Eclipse 500?

It uses a hybrid system consisting of one 8mm dynamic driver for bass, two balanced armature drivers for the midrange, and one dedicated super tweeter for high frequencies.

How does the 3-way crossover benefit the sound?

The passive 3-way crossover splits the audio signal into low, mid, and high frequencies. This ensures each driver only handles the range it is optimized for, resulting in better separation and a clearer soundstage.

What is the purpose of the 17dB ambient filter?

The filter reduces the pressure build-up inside the ear canal that usually occurs with sealed IEMs. It allows for a more natural airflow, creating a more 'open' sound while still offering 17dB of isolation.

Does the Eclipse 500 provide isolation from external noise?

Yes, it provides effective isolation, though the integrated 17dB filter allows some ambient sound and air pressure to pass through to improve comfort and soundstage openness.

What is the size of the dynamic driver in this model?

The Eclipse 500 features a powerful 8mm dynamic driver specifically tuned for rich and controlled bass response.

Is the Eclipse 500 suitable for long listening sessions?

Yes, the design emphasizes lasting comfort through its pressure-reducing ambient filter, which helps prevent the fatigue often associated with long-term IEM use.

How much do the ACS Eclipse 500 monitors typically cost?

The typical price range for these in-ear monitors is approximately £699.

How does the bass response differ from standard IEMs?

Because it uses a dedicated 8mm dynamic driver rather than just balanced armatures, the bass is designed to be richer and more impactful while remaining controlled.

What is a 'super tweeter' in the context of this device?

The super tweeter is a specialized driver dedicated exclusively to high-end frequencies, ensuring that the top-end remains clear and detailed without interference from the mids.

Can the Eclipse 500 be used for professional engineering?

Yes, the accuracy provided by the three-way driver separation and the open soundstage makes them a viable tool for audio engineers who need a reliable mobile monitoring solution.

How does the Eclipse 500 compare to the Etymotic ER2-SE?

While the ER2-SE is a single-driver earphone focused on flat studio response, the Eclipse 500 is a multi-driver hybrid system offering a wider soundstage and more dedicated low-end and high-end drivers.

Gear article

ACS Eclipse 500 In-Ear Monitors

The ACS Eclipse 500 is a high-fidelity in-ear monitor designed for professional musicians, engineers, and audiophiles. It features a hybrid three-way driver configuration and integrated ambient filtering to provide accurate sound reproduction with enhanced long-term wearing comfort.

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Overview

The ACS Eclipse 500 is a premium in-ear monitoring (IEM) solution developed by ACS Custom. Positioned within the high-end hi-fi and professional audio market, these monitors are engineered to balance the needs of live performance, studio engineering, and critical listening. The design focuses on three core pillars: tonal accuracy, physical comfort during extended sessions, and hardware reliability.

Technical Configuration

The Eclipse 500 utilises a hybrid driver system to manage the frequency spectrum. A powerful 8mm dynamic driver is dedicated to producing rich, controlled low-end frequencies. This is paired with dual balanced armature drivers that handle the midrange. To ensure high-end clarity and extension, the system includes a dedicated 'super tweeter'. These components are managed by a passive three-way crossover, which maintains separation between frequency bands and prevents overcrowding within the soundstage.

Ambient Filtering and Comfort

A distinguishing feature of the Eclipse 500 is the integration of ACS's 17dB ambient filter. Standard in-ear monitors often suffer from 'occlusion effect' or pressure build-up within the ear canal, which can cause discomfort or a claustrophobic sonic sensation. The integrated filter allows air to pass naturally in and out of the ear canal. This design choice reduces pressure, creating a more open and relaxed sound profile while still providing significant isolation from external noise.

Sound Character

The sonic signature of the Eclipse 500 is defined by its hybrid architecture. The 8mm dynamic driver provides a foundational bass response that is described as rich yet controlled, avoiding the bloat sometimes found in single-driver designs. The dual mid-range drivers ensure vocal and instrumental clarity, while the super tweeter delivers detailed treble. The overall result is an immersive listening experience with a wide soundstage facilitated by the vented ambient filter system.

Market Comparison

Within the professional audio landscape, the Eclipse 500 occupies a space between traditional over-ear studio monitors, such as the Sennheiser HD 25 or Sony MDR-7506, and specialized earphone designs like the Etymotic ER2-SE. While over-ear models like the AlphaTheta HDJ-F10 or Viscount VHD-1000 offer different form factors, the Eclipse 500 provides the portability and isolation of an IEM with the sophisticated frequency separation typically found in multi-driver stage monitors.

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Frequently asked questions

Who is the primary audience for the ACS Eclipse 500?: The Eclipse 500 is designed for professional musicians, sound engineers, and high-fidelity audio enthusiasts who require accurate sound reproduction. It is suitable for both live stage monitoring and critical studio listening.
What type of drivers are used in the Eclipse 500?: It uses a hybrid system consisting of one 8mm dynamic driver for bass, two balanced armature drivers for the midrange, and one dedicated super tweeter for high frequencies.
How does the 3-way crossover benefit the sound?: The passive 3-way crossover splits the audio signal into low, mid, and high frequencies. This ensures each driver only handles the range it is optimized for, resulting in better separation and a clearer soundstage.
What is the purpose of the 17dB ambient filter?: The filter reduces the pressure build-up inside the ear canal that usually occurs with sealed IEMs. It allows for a more natural airflow, creating a more 'open' sound while still offering 17dB of isolation.
Does the Eclipse 500 provide isolation from external noise?: Yes, it provides effective isolation, though the integrated 17dB filter allows some ambient sound and air pressure to pass through to improve comfort and soundstage openness.
What is the size of the dynamic driver in this model?: The Eclipse 500 features a powerful 8mm dynamic driver specifically tuned for rich and controlled bass response.
Is the Eclipse 500 suitable for long listening sessions?: Yes, the design emphasizes lasting comfort through its pressure-reducing ambient filter, which helps prevent the fatigue often associated with long-term IEM use.
How much do the ACS Eclipse 500 monitors typically cost?: The typical price range for these in-ear monitors is approximately £699.
How does the bass response differ from standard IEMs?: Because it uses a dedicated 8mm dynamic driver rather than just balanced armatures, the bass is designed to be richer and more impactful while remaining controlled.
What is a 'super tweeter' in the context of this device?: The super tweeter is a specialized driver dedicated exclusively to high-end frequencies, ensuring that the top-end remains clear and detailed without interference from the mids.
Can the Eclipse 500 be used for professional engineering?: Yes, the accuracy provided by the three-way driver separation and the open soundstage makes them a viable tool for audio engineers who need a reliable mobile monitoring solution.
How does the Eclipse 500 compare to the Etymotic ER2-SE?: While the ER2-SE is a single-driver earphone focused on flat studio response, the Eclipse 500 is a multi-driver hybrid system offering a wider soundstage and more dedicated low-end and high-end drivers.