Electrostatic Headphones & Amplifier

Overview

This project explored the design challenges of driving electrostatic headphones, which require high voltage swings (hundreds of volts) with very low current. The investigation covered various amplifier topologies, bias supply design, and the unique load characteristics of electrostatic transducers.

Challenges

• Generating stable high-voltage bias supply (580V DC)
• Achieving sufficient slew rate for audio frequencies at high voltages
• Ensuring amplifier stability with highly capacitive load
• Minimizing distortion in the high-voltage output stage

Results

• Designed stable 580V bias supply with < 1% ripple
• Achieved THD+N below 0.01% at 1 kHz
• Frequency response flat from 20 Hz to 40 kHz
• Validated design through extensive PSpice simulation