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SENNHEISER HD800S REVIEW – 2024

July 25, 2024 26 Min Read
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…

DEKONI PADS FOR FOCAL CLEAR MG – A REVIEW

July 1, 2024 19 Min Read
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…

HIFIMAN EDITION XS REVIEW 

January 24, 2024 23 Min Read
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…

KIWI EARS QUINTET REVIEW

January 16, 2024 14 Min Read
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…

HIFIMAN HE400SE REVIEW 

December 15, 2023 20 Min Read
Hifiman makes great planar magnetic headphones in all price classes. From the super expensive, ultra high-end Susvara, to the entry-level HE400-series, with the current version being the HE400SE.  The first HE400 came around in 2011/2012 and was Hifiman’s new entry…

Headphones

FiiO FT1 REVIEW – SHOCKINGLY GOOD

September 16, 2024 24 Min Read
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…

FiiO FT3 REVIEW 

September 15, 2024 18 Min Read
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…

SENNHEISER HD800S REVIEW – 2024

July 25, 2024 26 Min Read
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…

DEKONI PADS FOR FOCAL CLEAR MG – A REVIEW

July 1, 2024 19 Min Read
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…

FOCAL UTOPIA REVIEW Featuring Dekoni Fenestrated Sheepskin Pads 

February 23, 2024 23 Min Read
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…

HIFIMAN EDITION XS REVIEW 

January 24, 2024 23 Min Read
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),…

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FINAL VR2000 – For Gaming – Review

July 11, 2024 14 Min Read
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 VR3000 – For Gaming – Review

July 8, 2024 12 Min Read
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…

FINAL VR500 – For Gaming – Review

July 3, 2024 12 Min Read
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…

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