More Than Just a Name: The Meaning Behind écoute audio

When naming our brand, we wanted something that wasn’t just a label but an invitation—an invitation to experience music in a way that goes beyond simply hearing. That’s how we arrived at écoute.

What Does Écoute Mean?

Écoute is the French word for “listen.” More specifically, it is conjugated in the imperative familiar form, meaning it is both a command and an invitation "to listen." It simply and concisely captures the essence of what our products are: tools for those who truly listen to music.

More Than Just a Name—a Philosophy

The reason for choosing écoute as our brand name lies in its meaning. We wanted a name that reflected what makes our headphones different and, more importantly, what is different about the people we are making them for.

At écoute audio, we build headphones "for those who listen."

Many people play music in the background, letting it wash over them as they go about their day. But others—musicians, audiophiles, and true lovers of sound—engage with music on a deeper level. They analyze, explore, and appreciate every note, every nuance, every texture. That’s who écoute audio was created for.

Our headphones are engineered with cutting-edge technology to provide an exceptionally detailed and realistic listening experience. From the world’s first built-in vacuum tube preamp in a headset to our precision DAC and dual-mono amplification, every innovation serves one purpose: to help you hear music the way it was meant to be heard.

Why French?

Our two co-founders (an American and a Canadian) both lived in Montréal, Québec, a predominantly French-speaking city. Both speak French and have a deep appreciation for its beauty and expressiveness. They were drawn to the word écoute in French for its sound as well as its look.

How to Pronounce écoute

If you’re not familiar with French pronunciation, écoute is pronounced “ay-koot” (rhyming with “reboot”). The soft elegance of the word mirrors the refined, immersive experience our headphones offer.

An Invitation to Listen

The name écoute isn’t just a label—it’s an invitation. If you’re someone who doesn’t just hear but truly listens, our headphones were made for you. We invite you to listen.

Bonne écoute!