(Image credit: Unique Melody)

US audio brand Unique Melody (UM) have unveiled what appears to be a world first – Umbral, a set of full size open-back headphones that combine planar magnetic and MEMS drivers in one product.

We're used to seeing planar drivers in some of the best headphones, and according to UM bringing them together delivers the best of both worlds. MEMS takes care of speed and high frequencies while the planars take care of the rest.

Posting their announcement on Head-Fi.org, UM said, "We wanted to create a sound that feels open, natural, and effortless – where music has room to breathe and details emerge without being pushed. By combining an open-back design, a unique hybrid driver system, and carefully chosen natural materials, Umbral is about enjoying music in a way that feels relaxed, immersive, and genuinely alive."

Umbral headphones: key features

These are UM's first full-sized headphones, although they've been in the IEM business for a while. The drivers consist of a 96mm planar magnetic driver teamed up with UM's own low-voltage MEMS micro-electromechanical driver.

The combination is designed to address common weaknesses of the two technologies – MEMS' lack of bass and planars' occasional trouble with high treble. The MEMS driver goes up to 80Hz to preserve "the shimmer of cymbals, the breath of strings, and the micro textures that lend recordings their emotional nuance." And the planars go down to a subterranean 6Hz.

Impedance is 65 ohms and sensitivity is 84dB/mW.

Each ear cup is made from walnut with a choice of swappable sheepskin leather earpads or "ice-silk slow-rebound" earpads, and the 2m cable comes with 6.3mm, 4.4mm and 4-pin XLR terminators.

Pricing hasn't been announced just yet but the Umbral is likely to be priced similarly to good quality planar magnetic headphones, which means a likely price tag in the low four figures. A launch date is still tbc.