The Mini Shangri-La uses an electrostatic driver, where an ultra-thin membrane is stretched between two charged electrodes. This principle, different from planar, aims for extreme responsiveness and very low distortion. It is the technology of the brand's Shangri-La headphones, brought to a more accessible model.
The electrostatic membrane is among the lightest there is, which lets it follow the signal without inertia. Micro-detail and the decay of notes come through clearly. The signature is airy, with no added emphasis.
An electrostatic headphone does not plug into an ordinary headphone amp: it needs an energiser that supplies the high bias voltage. The Mini Shangri-La is used with the Mini Shangri-La amplifier (sold separately or as a system). This is a constraint of the electrostatic principle, not a fault of the headphone.
The open design widens the soundstage and lets the driver breathe. The Mini Shangri-La suits anyone who wants a taste of Shangri-La electrostatics without the flagship's price. It aims at composed listening, on a careful source.
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