Tyll Hertsens has posted a review of the HiFiMAN Edition X headphones ($1799) at InnerFidelity. His conclusions: “But seriously, this is a wonderfully balanced headphone, and if you’ve got a healthy wallet and are looking for a general purpose can for around the home or office that offers a no-fuss, no-muss solid listening experience...
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Marcusd has posted a review of the AKG K182 headphones ($99) at Headfonics. His conclusions: “Bass heads though should enjoy the AKG K182. It has plenty of mid-bass slam and top end sparkle for EDM in particular non-vocal dance genres and it certainly it looks more mature physically than the older K181DJ for a...
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Michael Piskor has posted a review of the Audeze SINE headphones ($499) at Headfonics. His conclusions: “Audeze hit one out of the park and has satisfied me on nearly every level: emotionally and physically. Their new Sine is the new top dog for on ear headphone needs, looks good, sounds good and performs admirably...
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Jez Ford has posted a review of the MrSpeakers Ether-C planar magnetic headphones ($2499) at AVHub. His conclusions: “But those riveting highs, real and taut bass, spectacular speed and longterm listening comfort proved great joys, and all the more remarkable for coming in a closed design. A delightfully thrilling pair of headphones.” You can...
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Matthew Jens has posted a review of the Sennheiser HD630VB headphones ($799) at StereoNet. His conclusions: “I’m happy to report that overall, the sound of these headphones remains true to the infamous Sennheiser HD6xx line, and is deserving of the title. Sennheiser have proven that they are still faithful to the sound signature of...
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J. Loh has posted a review of the Chord Mojo headphone amplifier-DAC ($599) at audiofi.net. His conclusions: “I’ve tested a fair bit of gear in my time, and few products have impressed to the level the Mojo has. No matter where and how it was called into use, it never disappointed and surpassed all...
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Wayne Robson has posted a review of the Optoma-NuForce Audio DAC80 headphone amplifier-DAC ($750) at Audioholics. His conclusions: “The DAC100 was a well-received headphone DAC/amp combo that used much of the same electronics used today in the DAC80. But the decision to go with separate, discrete components makes the DAC80 a more flexible dedicated...
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Rick Schmidt has posted a review of the Beyerdynamic T1 Second Generation headphones ($1099) at Secrets of Home Theater and High Fidelity. His conclusions: “As an evolution of their top-of-the-line T1 the T1 Second Generation is a clear example of that and represents a clear path to musical enjoyment. Make sure you’ve got an...
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Rob Johnson has posted a review of the ARCAM’s MusicBOOST headphone amplifier-DAC ($189) at TONEAudio. His conclusions: “he sound quality is a major step up, especially considering the cost factor, enough so that we happily award the Arcam MusicBOOST an Exceptional Value Award for 2016. For those just beginning their personal audio journey, this...
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Marcusd has posted a review of the MrSpeakers Ether C headphones ($1499) at Headfonics. His conclusions: “The Ether C closed back planar headphone is an incredible experience and as of writing my absolute favorite closed back full size headphone bar none. It really is a testimony to Dan and his team at MrSpeakers that...
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Tyll Hertsens has posted a review of the Audeze SINE headphones and Cipher Lightning cable (together $499) at Inner Fidelity. His conclusions: “Sound quality is refined and coherent, doing a great job of making the whole of the music nicely integrated. A bit less uneven treble, a bit of bass boost and a smidge...
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S. Andrea Sundaram has posted a review of the Simaudio Moon Neo 230HAD headphone amplifier-DAC ($1500) at SoundStage! Xperience. His conclusions: “While any competently designed solid-state headphone amp should produce a sound that’s close to neutral, audiophiles base their buying decisions on the subtler ways in which amplifiers differ. The 230HAD has prominent but...
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Michael Piskor has posted a review of the AKG N60 noise canceling headphones ($249) at Headfonics. His conclusions: “With the level of raw clarity it offers, which again feels like a step or two behind my ESW9A that you can purchase for $99-150 often in the used market, you can do better if you...
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Alan Taffel has posted a review of the Astell&Kern AK380 portable digital audio player ($3499) at The Absolute Sound. His conclusions: “With the AK380, Astell&Kern has created a flagship that transcends the genre of audiophile-quality portable players. Never, to my knowledge, has such a device incorporated features and parts comparable to those found in...
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Dubstep Girl has posted a review of the Woo Audio WA5-LE headphone amplifier ($2750) at Headphone.Guru. His conclusions: “The sound signature offered increased dynamics while maintaining the same liquid velvety 300B presentation as before. The WA5-LE continues to provide top-level endgame sound at a reasonably and affordable price and is now the better buy...
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Jez Ford has posted a review of the Sennheiser Momentum wireless headphones ($799) at AVHub. His conclusions: “As a high-quality high-tech and relatively high-end design, the Momentum Wireless headphones are not cheap, but they are a great success, especially in showing how the limitations of Bluetooth can be beaten.” You can read the full...
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Michael Piskor has posted a review of the Sony MDR-XB1000 headphones ($300-400 used) at Headfonics. His conclusions: “Sony, please with a cherry on top…bring this headphone back with a new exterior design. Keep what is amazing about them, but improve it. We are 5-6 years later and the technology has improved drastically since then,...
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Marcusd has posted a review of the Chord Mojo headphone amplifier-DAC ($599) at Headfonics. His conclusions: “or now, the Mojo is probably the best all-around portable DAC/Amp proposition with all the correct connectivity on offer for modern devices and an audio quality that should please a large audience most of the time.” You can...
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Peter Pialis has posted a review of the Amps & Sound Kenzie headphone amplifier ($1500) at Headphone.Guru. His conclusions: “The price point of $1500; while not cheap; performs with tube amplifiers costing considerably more. Throw in the fact that you won’t have to donate a kidney for a tube change and its win-win. The...
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SoundStage! Hi-Fi has posted a review of the RBH Sound HP-2 headphones ($249). His conclusions: “There’s no doubt that the RBH Sound HP-2s deserve to be added to our list of Recommended Reference Components, and it’s no wonder Brent ended his review with this: “f you want closed-back, audiophile headphones, the HP-2s are the...
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Steven R. Rochlin has posted a review of the Hum Pristine Reference Custom in-ear monitors ($1299) at Enjoy the Music. His conclusions: “Overall, the HUM Reference CIEMs are extremely dynamic and have the best transparency of any CIEMs here. They may not produce the uppermost and lowermost frequency extremes, yet odds are you might...
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Chris Martens has posted a review of the RHA Audio S500i universal-fit earphones ($49) at Hi-Fi+. His conclusions: “If you sample other models in its immediate price class, it soon becomes clear that RHA’s entry-level earphone is, in a sense, a man among boys. As such, it serves as a delightful way to introduce...
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Marcusd has posted a review of the Focal Spirit Classic headphones (£250) at Headfonics. His conclusions: “For what it’s worth, the Focal Spirit Classic achieves an excellent tonal balance which has highly impressed me. Yes, there are particular nitpicks within each of the parts of the frequency spectrum but the overall sound is cohesive...
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Dave Hanson has posted a review of the Abyss AB-1266 planar magnetic headphones ($5495) at Enjoy the Music. His conclusions: “Overall, the sound comes across to me as highly transparent, tonally beautiful and just a heck of a lot of fun. Much credit is due to Joe Skubinski for knowing his audience and delivering...
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Frank Iacone has posted a review of the Audiobytes Black Dragon headphone amplifier-DAC ($2500) at Headphone.Guru. His conclusions: “Designing a good quality digital-to-analog converter was Audiobyte’s goal for the Black Dragon. The headphone amplifier was not the top design priority yet when Nicolae heard the amplifier he was impressed with its performance. Based on...
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