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Priced at a modest 149 USD, the FiiO FT1 might initially seem like just another mid-fi option. But don’t let the price tag deceive you—this is an audiophile-grade headphone. The FT1 delivers such impressive sound quality and build craftsmanship that…
The HD800 and HD800S are among the most significant high-fidelity headphones ever produced. Released in 2009, the HD800 set a new standard for detail retrieval, soundstage size, and overall performance, establishing itself as a benchmark in the world of personal…
This is a review and comparison of the five different types of aftermarket pads offered by Dekoni for the Focal full size headphone range. I will be using them on the Focal Clear MG, and all observations on the sound…
The Gemini hybrid headphone amplifier is designed around a tube-based input stage and an op-amp-based output stage. In this review, the Gemini is tested with a multitude of headphones and compared to several other headphone amplifiers. I can say right…
This is a comparison between the Focal Utopia dynamic driver headphone and the Voce electrostatic headphone from Dan Clark Audio, formerly known as MrSpeakers. Both are among my favourite headphones. I chose to do this comparison with the Utopia equipped…
The Hifiman Edition XS is one of Hifiman’s most popular headphones. Launched in 2021, the XS is the latest version of the Edition X-series. The first Edition X was launched in 2015 and the Edition X V2 followed shortly after in…
As the name suggests, the Quintet has 5 drivers per side. There are 4 different types of drivers: 1 Diamond-Like Carbon (DLC) dynamic driver, 2 balanced armature (BA) drivers, 1 planar magnetic driver, and 1 piezoelectric (PZT) bone conductor. A…
The Hifiman Sundara and Edition XS are two of Hifiman’s most popular headphones. The Sundara was launched in 2017, Edition XS was launched in 2021. The XS, however, is based on the previous Edition X, launched in 2015 with…
Headphones
Priced at a modest 149 USD, the FiiO FT1 might initially seem like just another mid-fi option. But don’t let the price tag deceive you—this is an audiophile-grade headphone. The FT1 delivers such impressive sound quality and build craftsmanship that it should make many competitors rethink their pricing strategies and take a hard look in the mirror. MAIN TAKEAWAY FiiO…
The FT3 ($299). was FiiO’s first venture into the world of over-ear headphones. It was launched as recently as in the spring of 2023 Since then, they’ve expanded their headphones lineup with several models: the open-back planar magnetic FT5 ($449), a 32-ohm version of the FT3, the budget-friendly open-back JT1 ($69), and now FiiO’s first wooden closed-back headphone, the FT1…
The HD800 and HD800S are among the most significant high-fidelity headphones ever produced. Released in 2009, the HD800 set a new standard for detail retrieval, soundstage size, and overall performance, establishing itself as a benchmark in the world of personal high-end audio. Nothing came close, arguably with the exception of electrostatics, which cannot be used with normal amplifiers. Sennheiser’s approach…
This is a review and comparison of the five different types of aftermarket pads offered by Dekoni for the Focal full size headphone range. I will be using them on the Focal Clear MG, and all observations on the sound are based on that specific headphone. The results will be different with other Focal models. Dekoni has established itself as…
French high-end speaker manufacturer Focal entered the realm of high-end headphones with the launch of the Utopia in 2016. It utilized Focal’s experience with Beryllium speaker tweeters and was a huge success: The Utopia soon was getting a reputation for being among the world’s best-sounding headphones. Focal followed up and introduced the Elear later the same year. The original Clear…
The Hifiman Edition XS is one of Hifiman’s most popular headphones. Launched in 2021, the XS is the latest version of the Edition X-series. The first Edition X was launched in 2015 and the Edition X V2 followed shortly after in 2016. The Edition X was a “trickle-down” headphone from the HE1000. This was also the case for the Arya (2018),…
IEMs
Headphone amplifiers
The Mytek Liberty Headphone Amplifier is a compact yet powerful device, delivering clean sound with a wide range of input and…
The Gemini hybrid headphone amplifier is designed around a tube-based input stage and an op-amp-based output stage. In this review, the…
The Focal Utopia is one of the best headphones in the world. Naturally, it deserves a good source and a serious…
This is not a review but a guide to the Violectric legacy products and their current lineup. I have so far…
THE GAME CHANGER Violectric V200 is a long-standing reference amp for many, including myself. It is now discontinued. Its successor V202…
This is a group test of the headphone performance as a standalone DAC/amp of the SPL Phonitor xe with the DAC768,…
More Posts
The Kiwi Ears Cadenza is an established, acclaimed, and popular IEM at the $35 mark. However, the newly launched and identically priced Simgot EW200 gives it fierce competition. The Cadenza…
The $55 TRUTHEAR x Crinacle Zero:RED has been a budget reference for more than a year, while the newly released $35 Simgot EW200 already has taken a solid position as…
The Final VR2000 is an IEM designed specifically for gamers, building heavily on its predecessor, the VR3000, which was the first in-ear monitor from Final targeting gaming and VR applications. …
Final introduced the VR3000 in-ear monitor in 2021. It was the first member of the new VR-series, designed specifically for gamers, easily recognized by the microphone on the cable. Final…
In early 2021, Final introduced the VR3000 in-ear monitor. It was the first member of the new VR-series, which is designed specifically for gamers. By late 2023, they released the…
The VR500 is the smallest and least expensive model in Final Audio’s new series of in-ear monitor headphones targeting gaming and VR applications. However, they are, of course, suitable for…