Our Story

Engineering precision. Musical expression.

Sound. In Color.

Eleven Audio, formerly known as XI AUDIO, is an independent designer-led audio brand founded by Michael Xiao in 2016. Drawing on decades of experience in professional recording and high-end audio, Eleven Audio explores the delicate balance between engineering precision and musical expression.

Michael Xiao’s journey began in professional recording, where accuracy and musical truth were the foundation. After years shaping high-end audio products for the international market, he founded Eleven Audio in 2016 to pursue a more personal vision of sound.

We believe sound is more than a technical measurement. It is an experience shaped by texture, depth, emotion, and character.

For us, color is not something you see.
It is something you hear.
The warmth of a voice.
The texture of a violin.
The weight of a piano note.
This is the color we pursue.

Every Eleven Audio product is designed, engineered, and manufactured with a singular focus on creating listening experiences that feel engaging, natural, and enduring.

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Brand

Eleven Audio
Founded in 2016 by Michael Xiao.
The original brand name was XIAUDIO.

Eleven Audio is an independent audio design brand focused on high-performance audio products, combining professional audio experience, advanced analog engineering, and a pursuit of musical realism.

Founder

Michael Xiao
A specialist in analog circuit design, our head engineer honed his technical foundations in Automatic Control at Beijing University of Technology.

Michael Xiao’s audio journey began in the professional recording industry.
He served as:
Chief Representative of Nagra Professional Recorder product line in Mainland China.
This experience gave him deep understanding of:
▸ professional recording standards
▸ signal integrity
▸ sound reproduction accuracy

Lotoo Period
Michael Xiao later joined:
Lotoo
as:
▸Marketing Director
▸Sales Director
As Marketing Director and Sales Director at Lotoo, Michael led the development and global launch of Paw Gold, Lotoo’s first Hi-Fi product, helping the brand enter the international high-end audio market.

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Design, Engineering, Manufacturing — As One

Most audio products are created by multiple departments, often working independently from one another.

Eleven Audio was founded on a different belief:

The best products are created when design, engineering, and manufacturing are not separated.

Michael Xiao has worked across design, engineering, and manufacturing for more than two decades. This integrated approach allows every product to be developed with a clear vision from concept to production.

Nothing is added simply because it is fashionable.

Nothing is removed simply because it is difficult.

Every decision serves a purpose.

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International Recognition

Formula S was recognized as one of the world's finest headphone amplifiers, earning the highest rating in The Absolute Sound Hi-Fi+ Ultimate Headphone Guide. It achieved perfect scores in all sound-quality evaluation categories.

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Independent By Choice

Being a small company is not a limitation.

It is a deliberate choice.

Independence allows us to stay focused, move quickly, and dedicate attention to details that larger organizations often overlook.

Over the past two decades, Michael's work has received more than 30 international design awards. While recognition is appreciated, awards have never been the goal.

The goal has always been the same:

To create products people enjoy using every day.

Products built to last.

Products built to be trusted.

Products built to bring more color to sound.

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Michael Xiao
Founder, Designer & Engineer
20+ Years Experience
30+ International Design Awards

Eleven Audio
Sound. In Color.

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Why eleven？

The name Eleven Audio began as an experiment with words.

Combining my surname, Xiao, with Audio created "XIAUDIO."

Looking closer, the first two letters — XI — form the Roman numeral for eleven.

What started as a simple observation eventually became the foundation of the brand..

Today, Eleven Audio represents the same philosophy that inspired its name: thoughtful design, meticulous craftsmanship, and a relentless pursuit of better listening experiences.

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