ClarityOne™ earphones aim to deliver the clearest, truest, best sound on the market today. Developed out of the belief that better speakers are needed to accurately reproduce what the artist has recorded. The technology for sound reproduction has not had any major advancement in decades. It took 12 years, 6-patents with more pending, but they believe they have come up with the perfect solution, enter the PureSound Processor and the ClarityOne™ earphones. Here is the short version of how they do this.

“Your music is a signal. Every other speaker in the world is made the same, based on ideas dating back to before there were cars. When your player sends the signal to your earbuds a field is built around the voice coil and it robs you of harmonics, volume and creates distortion. Our patented processor holds this field in a magnetic gap and does not allow it to alter the signal in any way so you have all the music that was recorded in perfect Clarity. The industry benchmark for testing this is a square wave test. The reason is the only a square wave has all harmonics and the associated sub harmonics. We are THE ONLY audio reproduction company that can achieve this and promise perfect sound quality. Square wave in, square wave out. A bonus is that it actually makes your players battery last longer because we can use 8 ohms, less resistance, and we have no counter EMF back to your player.” - ClarityOne

This is breakthrough technology. The earphones sound incredibly clean - So clean they make you question what you have heard from every single earphone you have previously spent time with. The difference is so shocking its hard to even make comparisons in the same price bracket, in fact, the general feel of Electrostatics and Magna-planers is the closest I can come.

PureSound Processor - IEMs may never be the same!

The PureSound Processor circuit provides an economical solution for achieving perfect phase unity between amplifiers and multiple driver systems, it is not a crossover, it is a coupling unit. Unlike traditional crossovers, PureSound Processor´s patented technology cancels out the Counter EMF and at the same time provides a two way magnetic brake on the voice coil which “couple” it to the amplifier, therefore allowing it to operate freely with no added distortions allowing for pure sound to enter the system (at Crossover) and pure sound to exit (to the speaker).

The sound signature is a gentle smile curve with tons of bottom end and a rich cool feel to the mids and highs. Talking about sound with this product is tough because they really do sound very different, really open and spacious. The result is a very natural sweet sound which is really quite compelling. The worst part is going back to your original earphones, I have what I consider to be very good earphones but it is just not possible to feel that the ClarityOnes’s are anything other than a huge step forward.

“Modern day speakers use a simple voice coil or a single coil crossover, a technology that was developed almost a century ago. Its original design was for electric motors. Early audio engineering pioneers found a way they could make it work in a new speaker design at the time but in doing so they also created audio’s greatest Achilles heel. The reason is that all audio signals that go through a voice coil or a coil crossover are subject to interference. We know of this evil as distortion and loss of harmonics or your sound.” - ClarityOne

ClarityOne™ aim to test all traditionally accepted limits of technical beliefs and design, they say they didn’t want to create just good headphones, they wanted to create the best headphones ever. ClarityOne™ are well aware that sound is a very subjective area, the best IEM in the world is a noble goal, at the moment they will have to be happy with possibly revolutionising the market.

More Information

More information on the full range of ClarityOne™ can be found here.

While using TV Ears headphones, the television volume can be lowered or muted without affecting the volume of the sound through the TV Ears headphones.

“TV ears has made a such a big difference in my life. I now watch TV and films and hear every word better than with my expensive hearing aids.”

- Mr J Barrett

Why TV Ears?

With TV Ears headphones you can set your own volume and tone controls while others can listen at a comfortable level, or even not at all (with the TV speakers muted).

TV Ears headphones are tuned specifically to enhance speech, which makes then perfect for helping you understand dialogue in films and TV shows.

About The TV Ears Headset

The lightweight (1.6 oz/46 grams) ergonomically designed wireless headset rests under the chin providing maximum comfort. It won’t mess your hair or get hot on your head. Resting under your chin makes the volume and tone controls convenient and easy to adjust. With an output power of 120 decibels, TV Ears headphones are strong enough for people with hearing loss. The TV Ears transmitter easily attaches to your television, satellite, or cable box and the base unit can charge up to two headsets at one time.

The TV Ears 2.3 system works with Plasma and LCD flat screen TVs and in the presence of fluorescent lighting. This system can cover up to 600 sq. ft. TV Ears headsets feature the patented Comply™ Foam TV Ears Tips. TV Ears Tips provide an acoustically sealed chamber with the ear that reduces room noise and provides unparalleled comfort, cleanliness, and clarity for outstanding word discrimination so that television dialogue is clear and understandable.

More Information

To buy TV Ears Headphones or to browse our range of TV headphones please visit the HiFi Headphones store.

In our experience the cables with any headphone or earphone is the single most likely item to break during the lifetime of the product.  Occasionally the drivers in the earphone fail, or the earphone body itself breaks, but by far the largest majority of faults are due to cables breaking down - often leading to loss of sound in one or both earpieces.

We think the new Westone models with replaceable cables will become the standard choice for anyone purchasing one of these superb sounding earphones.

More Information

For more information on the Westone UM3x, UM2 or any of the Westone Earphones range please visit the HiFi Headphones store.

ACS have completely redesigned their T1 triple driver Custom In Ear Monitor for 2010, below is our review of this exciting new earphone.

At the top end is a combined unit providing specific drivers for the highs and mids engineered into a single unit with an ultra-compact crossover optimising the response for each, this is then combined with a clear and powerful bass driver to deliver rich and full-bodied bottom end. All driver builds are hand-made and individually tested by the technicians in Banbury to ensure that each configuration is a perfect fit.

Using carefully selected drivers from Knowles Electronics the T1 utilises a combined unit with independent high and mid-range speakers to give the optimum definition, clarity and punch without being overbearing. Next to this, the T1 engages the biggest bass driver in the range providing rich, smooth and deep bass that perfectly compliments its partner drivers. The finishing touches to the T1’s sound are applied by two acoustic filters giving a smooth and balanced signature.

Fit and flexibility

The shape of your ear canal changes with the movement of your jaw and having a flexible earpiece not only gives you the obvious benefits of greater comfort but also helps to maintain a more consistent seal, particularly during vocal performances. Not only that, but using a softer compound means that your monitors warm to body temperature more quickly giving you complete comfort, flexibility and isolation in just a few minutes.

Tailored from top to bottom

Making sure that the right cable is used to deliver your sound is as important as every other aspect in the design of in ear monitors so ACS make sure they are just as well thought out. Starting with the best conductive core they then add kevlar threads for strength and flexibility, each cable is sheathed with a special finish that reduces the transmission of friction noise to the earpieces so there’s as little interference as possible. The cable is then clamped at the Y divide with a custom pressed lengthened binder to give it extra strength where you need it most. Finally, each cable is finished with a custom moulded right-angled plug offering high levels of resilience as well as quality with a gold-plated 3.5mm connector and iPhone compatible shoulder design.

All in the detail

It’s the finishing touches that make every pair of hand-made monitors completely unique from a choice of cable colours to a selection of bespoke silicone finishes. Every monitor can be laser etched with lettering or logo of your choice and is supplied in a customised rugged case to ensure your monitors are protected wherever you might travel.

Your ears on file…

ACS has introduced of a new state of the art scanning technology that means all customers that order custom made hearing protection and in-ear monitoring products from ACS will have their ear shape on file at ACS for up to 4 years. The device will scan the impressions and save as a file on the database so customers can order new products or replacements instantly without the need to have new impressions taken. What’s more, this service will not cost customers anything extra on top of the standard product charge!

The scanning service began on May 1st 2010 so will only apply to customers that ordered thereafter.

ACS T1 Custom IEM Review

What do you get for your money?

Options - Silicone and cable colour
Audiologist appointment for impressions
Ear impressions kept on file
Personalised options - Engraved name / logo
Excellent hardcase

Comfort - Soft silicone helps make the T1 incredibly comfortable, though not immediately. In the first few minutes after insertion they feel weird and intrusive, however this sensation quickly evaporates and within the half hour they feel like a part of your body. Eventually when you remove them it is as if you have lost a finger.

Sound

The ACS T1 reproduces each section of the audio spectrum with subtlety and confident definition. The isolation provided by the medical grade silicon is second to none so nothing gets between you and the music. I gave the T1’s a good 50 hours burn in time which made a significant difference from new.

Bass - There is weight and texture in their reproduction of the bottom end, providing the sensation that the bass notes really move with emotion, that kick drums punch the chest, and that kettle drums and low toms feel full but don’t linger. Bass is felt as tough and visceral in nature, articulate and involving. It is continually enjoyable that they describe so much detail in the lower register - whilst being beefy and solid there is no flab to trim here.

Midrange - A sweet spot here, forward and detailed in their presentation of this part of frequency spectrum, the midrange is a wide powerful backdrop against which the treble is layered carefully over the top. Vocals are sweet, dry and emotional, guitars and strings impressive and never woody, pianos feel real, and horns are particularly vivid without becoming oppressive. I initially worried this power would become fatiguing, but actually the balance is really good and listening compulsive so I really don’t want to remove them from my ears. Make no mistake - the T1’s faithfully reproduce every detail and go about it very boldly.

Treble - Immediately noticeable were the slightly rolled-off highs. The T1’s reproduce treble frequencies faithfully and they do not feel recessed - but some tracks which are normally painfully bright were really tamed. I’m not sure how this is achieved without total relegation of the treble frequencies to the background but there is something very clever at work here. Cymbals and high-hats still cut through and articulate well without becoming harsh and overbearing. To my ears this felt odd at first, I like music bright but I could not detect a loss in detail. As I listened further this initial subjective impression faded as I just really started enjoying the music.

The new ACS T1 is an impressive piece of sonic engineering. With it’s chunky but measured bass, a revealing and solid midrange coupled with a detailed and delicate top end you get the impression the technicians listened to a lot of IEM’s and a lot of peoples criticisms of them. Nothing here feels overcooked and there is no sense that you are missing anything either, the longer I listen the more impressed I become. There is excitement and finesse here in measures that scream musicality.

Stereo imaging - The other point worth mentioning is that they image about as well as I’ve ever heard from any IEM. The music pans through the corridor of Left to Right without stutter, there is a natural ease which stops you from questioning the position of a sound, thereby preventing distraction. The T1’s provide each instrument with it’s own space without completely isolating elements and preventing detailed harmonic interaction. Everything sounds highly intimate and emotional without resorting to the sort of fireworks which detract from the music itself.

Professional application - The first job that the T1’s were invited on was the recording of a live performance music video for a seven piece soul band. I knew it would be a noisy affair as the video part would mean a lot of extra people in the room. There was to be no audience which I initially was pleased with - later I realised the T1’s isolation was so good it wouldn’t have mattered how many screaming folks filled the venue. I took a pair of HD 25’s and some Beyer DT100’s but never touched either, I’m not sure I’ll even pack them in the future. I’ve since rehearsed drums with them and will not be playing using anything else.

Who uses ACS Customs? - Well quite a lot of musicians as you might expect, Pendulum, Pink Floyd, U2, Lily Allen, The Prodigy, Paulo Nutini, Radiohead, Stephen Fry, Ash, Basement Jaxx, Muse, Ladyhawke, The Futureheads, Super Furry Animals, the BBC Symphony Orchestra and lots of other people - I’m sure you get the idea.

Overall - So whether you are purchasing T1’s as a pro audio monitoring tool or an extremely high end headphone, can you be confident that this is £650 well spent? I think this type of purchase isn’t about a product being perfect (for this we would surely all need our own laboratory), it is more about the elimination of imperfection. What ACS have done is to take a wish list common to both the audiophile and the musician of what is necessary, of what is desirable and what is inexcusable to include in an contemporary IEM and worked very hard to balance these elements with clinical precision. Whilst using the T1’s a colleague recently asked me “What do you think of your new monitors?”, over mouthing the words as he knew I couldn’t really hear him. “Yeah! They’re perfect” I shouted back without thinking.

More Information

To read more about the ACS T1 Custom IEM or the rest of the ACS custom range please visit the HiFi Headphones web store.

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The new Audéo PFE Perfect Bass 012 and 022 from Phonak offer music lovers not only perfect bass, but also an extremely natural and defined sound experience.

Audeo PFE earphones suppress external noise for undisturbed musical enjoyment. This guarantees precise, crystal-clear sound even at lower volume, without causing damage to hearing.

All Audéo PFEs offer excellent sound quality and will bowl you over with comfort and their unique design. The ergonomically-shaped earphones sit perfectly in your ear and can be adapted to your ear canal thanks to the different-sized silicone ear tips included.

Audéo PFE is one of the lightest earphones on the market, weighing only 14 grams.

Our Opinion

We think that £ for Pound this must be a future champ, with improved bottom end grunt the PFE sounds chunkier and more contemporary. Having heard the new Audeo 012 Perfect Bass it is hard to believe that such a refined balanced armature earphone will be on the market for less than £80. They also feature the same updated cabling and strengthened materials found on the Award Winning Audeo PFE 111, 112, 121 and 122.

More Information

For more information on the PFE Perfect Bass and the Phonak range please check out the HiFi Headphones web store.

It appears that the high end portable headphone market has recently become the target for the established serious audio brands, with the B&W P5 gaining some very positive reviews and plenty of high profile press.  Beyerdynamic have obviously done their homework and with the launch of the T50p they look set to make their mark with a stylish design and high end audio performance.

Below are some initial impressions of the T50p.  We’ve also included comparisons with the B&W P5 that we recently had on loan for evaluation.

Sound

Well balanced with plenty of accuracy, the T50p will appeal to those who love to hear all the detail in their music.  The clarity is really very impressive, with excellent instrument separation and wide soundstage for a closed back portable headphone. Bass response is well defined and punchy - much less warm and fuzzy than the B&W P5.

The T50p’s sound signature is no surprise when compared with the rest of the Beyerdynamic line up.  We are big fans of the Beyer sound.

Comfort

The headphones themselves weigh very little and the headband has a soft leather pad that runs over the top of the head to keep the headphones comfortably in place. The T50p is an on-ear design, but pressure is actually quite light and the pads are soft. Not as comfortable as a fully over ear (circumaural) headphones, but a lot more practical for using out and about.

Compared with the B&W P5 the Beyer T50p is a little less soft on the ears (the P5 has large, flat, ultra soft ear pads), but we don’t see comfort being a major issue with the T50p.

Noise Isolation

Listening to the T50p in a noisy office with people chattering nearby the sound isolation is good. The ear pads are sufficiently thick and soft to ensure a good seal on the ears. The T50p would be fine to use as a travel headphone because the closed back design prevents sound leakage in and out of the ear cups.

Design

We love the industrial design of the T50p and prefer it over the more reserved design of the B&W P5.  The T50p is designed and built by hand in Germany, with the quality of workmanship being very evident when you hold the headphones in your hands.

More Information

To read more about the Beyerdynamic T50p or the rest of the Beyerdynamic headphones range please visit the HiFi Headphones web store.

Built to last, the SA7 earphone will appeal to those who get through high end earphones at an alarming rate. Replaceable cables and a robustly constructed earphone body ensure the SA7 is maintainable for many years to come.

To top it all off the SA7 has a digital wireless option that has already been very positively reviewed as part of the Sleek Audio SA6 wireless bundle.

The Ultimate Earphone?

If you’re looking for the ultimate in-ear headphone then the SA7 is likely to tick all the boxes:

Milled aluminium earphone body - built to last the SA7’s earphone body will withstand the toughest environment, with the internal speakers wrapped in shock absorbent silicone and able to withstand 14000 G.  The earphone body is shrouded in carbon fibre for a durable finish.

Dual wideband balanced armature drivers - offering complete coverage of the entire audible frequency range the SA7’s dual driver design promises more than enough power for the lowest bass notes, while reproducing high frequencies with clarity and definition.

Wired or wireless options - the SA7 can be hooked up with cables or via the optional wireless adapter that uses the high fidelity Kleer wireless audio transmission protocol (uncompressed and very close to the sound quality offered by cables - also used in Sennheiser wireless headphones).

Adjustable Sound Signature - by changing the treble filter or bass port on the earphone body you can tune the SA7 to suit your musical tastes.  First featured on the Sleek Audio SA6 and later on the SA1, the new SA7 lets you find a sound that suits you perfectly.

Replaceable Cables - as with the entire Sleek Audio range if you break a cable it’s not the end of your earphones.  The SA7’s robust earphone design and replaceable cables means you can expect to keep this earphone for a very long time.

Our Opinion

Sleek Audio have been innovators from the beginning and the SA7 underlines their position as a company willing to push the boundaries of what can be expected from an earphone.

We love the bold design and applaud the fact that Sleek Audio have taken durability so seriously with the SA7.  Earphones are often very easily broken and it’s great to see a manufacturer making such efforts to produce a product that is maintainable over a longer period of time.

We have not yet heard the SA7, but if the SA1 and SA6 are any measure of performance the new flagship earphone from Sleek Audio is set to offer a high end listening experience that will keep audiophiles more than satisfied.

More Photos

More Information

For more information on the Sleek Audio SA7 and the rest of the Sleek Audio earphone range please check out the HiFi Headphones web store.

Grado are well known for their mid to high end Hi-Fi headphones, with the top of the range Grado GS1000i being the benchmark that other high end headphones are measured against.  This last month has seen the surprise release of the first Grado in-ear earphone (In Ear Monitor or IEM) in the USA, with a UK launch set for any time now.

The new Grado IEM has been named the GR8 (or GREAT, in case you hadn’t noticed).  You’ve got to love American marketing departments for their often amusing choice of product names (the Ultimate Ears Triple.fi 10 Pro always makes me smile!).

Grado’s new earphone is based on a balanced armature driver.  This type of driver is very efficient and often exhibits a very clear and smooth midrange, with less powerful bass response than a conventional dynamic driver.

An earphone based on a balanced armature driver generally results in a smaller earphone body (think Klipsch Image X10, Sleek Audio SA6 and Ultimate Ears 700), but in the case of the GR8 the earphone body looks larger (maybe it’s just the photos).  We’re wondering if Grado have been tuning the GR8’s chamber for better bass impact.

Our distributor has told us to expect more Grado earphones to be released over the coming months.  If the GR8 is anything to go by then this new range could be very interesting.

We’re expecting stock of this earphone in w/c 12 October and can’t wait to give them a listen.  Reviews of the Grado GR8 on forums in the USA have been very promising.

More Information

For the full range of Grado earphones and headphones, as well as many other IEM style earphones please visit the HiFi Headphones site.

Beyerdynamic have a long heritage of producing very high quality headphones for home Hi-Fi, professional use (studio and live instrument monitoring) and aviation use.  Now Beyerdynamic have just turned their hand to developing a range of high quality gaming headsets and it looks like they are on to a winner!

As can be expected from Beyerdynamic their gaming headphone range offers no compromises with build  (still hand built in Germany) and sound quality.  As can be expected Beyerdynamic gaming headphones are robustly made and can take daily use by the most avid gamer.

Beyerdynamic’s signature sound is a warm, powerful bass response with lots of detail and clarity in the trebles.  The gaming headsets are no different, offering plenty of rumble at the bottom end and pinpoint positional accuracy in the upper frequencies.  A combination that will put you smack bang in the centre role of your game.

Check out Beyerdynamic’s gaming headset range below.

Beyerdynamic MMX300 Gaming Headphones

Beyerdynamic MMX300

The Beyerdynamic MMX300 is a pair of high end gaming headphones for the serious gamer looking for the best performing headset available.  Based on the highly successful Beyerdynamic DT770 (as used by BBC Radio 1 DJs and guests), with the addition of an ultra high quality aviation class noise cancelling microphone and rather cool carbon fibre finish.  The MMX300 headset takes gaming audio to the extreme, with a closed back design ensuring you can immerse yourself totally in the action without distraction from ambient noise and without annoying other people close by.

While the MMX300 is designed for gaming, it’s studio headphone heritage shines through with high quality audio reproduction.  These headphones are very capable for many applications including listening to music and IP telephony (e.g. Skype), as well as gaming.

Super soft velour earpads and large over ear design ensures you can wear the Beyerdynamic MMX300 for hours at a time in supreme comfort.  The MMX300 offers a truly high end gaming experience.

Supplied two connectivity options, the MMX300 can be directly connected to a PC and Mac via USB (you just plug the headphones in and the computer detects the headset like a soundcard), or alternatively the headset can be connected via 2x 3.5mm jack plugs (one plug for headphone input and the other for microphone output).  Usefully the MMX300 offers the ability to mute the microphone and control the volume of the headphone audio via the supplied USB converter.

Get the Beyerdynamic MMX300 headset today and upgrade to high end gaming audio!

Beyerdynamic MMX2 Gaming Headphones

Beyerdynamic MMX2

The Beyerdynamic MMX2 headphones are built for the serious gamer who needs high quality audio and supreme long term wearing comfort.  Designed just for gamers by Beyerdynamic, the MMX2 headset reproduces sound effects, voices and music with superb clarity and the noise-cancelling microphone ensures a clear and precise voice transmission.  The MMX2 is equally suitable for IP telephony (e.g. Skype) as it is for gaming.

With soft ear cushions made from velour material and a fully adjustable flexible headband the MMX2 is comfortable to wear for the longest gaming sessions.

The MMX2 has two connectivity options, either USB for direct connection to a PC and Mac (you plug the headphones into a spare USB port and the computer detects the headset like a soundcard), or alternatively the headset can be connected via 2x 3.5mm jack plugs (one plug for headphone input and the other for microphone output).  Usefully the MMX2 offers the ability to mute the microphone and control the volume of the headphone audio via the supplied USB converter.

Choose the Beyerdynamic MMX2 today and enjoy high quality gaming audio and comfort.

More Information

For the full range of Beyerdynamic headphones and many other headphones suitable for gaming, please visit HiFi Headphones.

The SoundMAGIC PL30 is an IEM (In Ear Monitor) style earphone with an over ear cable fit system and innovative bass control switch.  The PL30 is priced to compete directly with earphones like the Sennheiser CX300-II, Denon AH-C351 and Ultimate Ears Metro.fi 220.

SoundMAGIC earphones are a relatively new addition to the line-up at HiFi Headphones.  We originally took on the brand after trying out some samples sent directly from SoundMAGIC.  Our initial sceptisism about the fact SoundMAGIC earphones are relatively low cost was soon turned into surprise by the excellent sound and sturdy build quality.  Passing the earphones round the office we quickly decided that the PL11 and PL30 models would be the first we would stock.

The PL30 was the earphone that got SoundMAGIC recognised as a serious contender in the highly competitive in-ear earphone market.  This earphone has been designed entirely by SoundMAGIC engineers and is totally unique to the brand.

This is a review of the some of the attributes of the SoundMAGIC PL30 in ear sound isolating earphone.

What You Get

The first nice surprise when opening the SoundMAGIC PL30 is that you get lots of accessories included.  The following items are included:

• High quality travel case made from high impact fibre material (very similar to Shure supplied earphone cases).
• Many different types of ear tips, including small/medium/large silicone tips, double flange tips and foam tips (harder than Comply Foam, but worth a try).
• 1x pair of silicone over the ear cable guides (for keeping the cable on your ear while running)
• Soft silicone cable wrap for safe storage of the earphone cabling.

It’s great to see a manufacturer really thinking about how the earphones are going to fit in the ear and also considering what is needed to keep earphones safe during every day use.

SoundMAGIC PL30 Package

Comfort and Fit

The PL30 features pro-style over ear cabling (to reduce microphonic cable noise and to provide a secure fit.

Initially the SoundMAGIC PL30’s over ear fit system can take some getting used to if you’v never worn an earphone with this design before.  With the PL30 the cable is designed to run up over the ear and secured at the back of the neck with the sliding cable tensioner.  It sounds complicated, but it’s dead easy with a bit of practice.

I found the fit easier with the PL30 than with earphones like Ultimate Ears Super.fi 3/Super.fi 5 Pro.  The PL30’s earphone body is much smaller than these other designs and I found it simple to get the earphone snug in the entrance to the ear after just a couple of attempts.

Comfort is very good with the PL30.  I found the medium sized silicone ear tips worked OK straight out of the box, but the supplied dual flange ear tips gave me a better seal.  I also tried a pair of Comply Foam T-400 tips that I normally use with my Sennheiser IE8’s and they worked very well with the PL30.  As with all in-ear sound isolating earphones, if you do not get a good seal in the ear then the bass will be seriously lacking.  Get the seal right with the PL30 and it’s unlikely you will be disappointed by the punch of the bass.

Sound Quality

The SoundMAGIC PL30 offers a very well balanced sound, with good kick at the bass end, a forward midrange and good clarity in the higher frequencies.  If anything the lower midrange is a little too forward for my liking, but overall the balance is excellent.

Bass punch is superb and nicely defined.  Much better than the bloated and muddy bass you will find in many entry level earphones.  While this earphone is no bass monster it does represent lower frequency sounds very solidly and I found it very enjoyable listening to tracks with big basslines.  The bass response can be altered by tweaking the bass control rotating switch - I preferred the flat bass setting over the bass boost setting.

Sound stage and separation is something that is immediately striking about the PL30 - you can easily locate different sounds and instruments in the music, without it being analytical.  The PL30 is a very enjoyable listen and presents sounds in a very musical way.

Sound quality is far better than you might expect from an earphone costing less than £40.

Review Summary

For:

• Brilliant sound quality for the price, with excellent clarity and good separation of notes.
• Nearly zero cable microphonic noise and secure fit make the PL30 ideal for running or the gym.
• Well made cabling with good strain relief.

Against:

• Cabling can get tangled due to rubberized coating.

More Information

For more SoundMAGIC earphones and a selection of other earphones please visit HiFi Headphones.

SoundMAGIC have released the PL50 IEM earphone in Asia this week.  The PL50 is an in-ear sound isolating design and looks like it will be competing with higher end IEMs, such as the Shure and Ultimate Ears range.

This is SoundMAGIC’s first step into a balanced armature technology earphone and we’re really keen to give a proper listen.  We are expecting stock here in the UK within the next couple of weeks.

SoundMAGIC has taken the earphone World by surprise over this last year with a stream of new high quality products, including the highly regarded PL30 and PL11.  The PL30 has had plenty of recognition on the Head-fi.org forums since it’s launch and has been getting some excellent reviews.  The PL11 has also rapidly gained acceptance as an entry level earphone to rival the Sennheiser CX300-II, with excellent bass response and robust build quality.  Stuff Magazine recently reviewed the PL11 and seemed to like it a lot.

SoundMAGIC PL50 Photos

See below for photos of the new SoundMAGIC PL50:

SoundMAGIC PL50 IEM Earphones

SoundMAGIC PL50 in Box

More Information

For the full range of SoundMAGIC earphones and many other high quality earphones and headphones, please visit the HiFi Headphones store.

We were recently asked to review a selection of headphones suitable for home Hi-Fi listening by Shortlist (a popular mens lifestyle magazine).

Below is the selection of headphones we offered with the review we gave:

High End Headphones

Grado SR325is Review

Open back on-ear headphones. Retro design.  Excellent sound with brilliant detail and clarity.  SR325is has won many awards.  Very efficient headphone voice coils (low impedance) means it can be driven by pretty much any device (even the humble iPod) and does not need a dedicated headphone amplifier.  Hi-Fi speakers of similar quality would cost thousands.  Hand made by Grado in Brooklyn New York.  Grado has been in business since 1953, making turntable cartridges.

Mid Range Headphones

Audio Technica ATH-AD700 Review

Open back over ear headphones.  Very comfortable over ear design perfect for long listening sessions.  Midrange and high end treble clarity is exceptional.  Japanese brand with pro-audio pedigree (also make studio headphones and microphones).

Beyerdynamic DT770

Closed back over ear headphones.  Very powerful bass response (ideal for gaming and movies).  Replaceable parts (cable and ear pads) make it possible to service the headphone.  Beyerdynamic headphones are used throughout the BBC (look at photos on Radio 1 website).  Made in Germany.

Entry Level Headphones

Shure SRH240 Review

Closed back over ear headphones.  Closed back design ensures good isolation from noise and also means you don’t annoy people sitting nearby.  Good bass response and high degree of accuracy.  Coiled, detachable cable (can be replaced).  Shure is a pro-audio manufacturer of monitoring earphones and microphones.

More Information

For a full range of home listening headphones and many other high quality headphones and earphones, please visit us at HiFi Headphones.

WeSC have just launched some new models in time for the summer holiday season.  The new headphone models are the WeSC Pickup and the WeSC Maraca.

The WeSC Maraca headphone is has a distincly retro design, not that far away from the highly sought after Alp Horn, but is a much smaller headphone and has a headband similar to the Bongo and Oboe models

WeSC Pick-up Headphones

The WeSC Pickup headphone is the coolest looking (in our opinion) of the new models, with circular ear pieces and funky earpads.  The headband is a metallic band with adjustment to allow for all sizes of head.

As ever WeSC have really pushed the boat out and come up with some of the funkiest looking headphones available.  You can be sure you’re wearing the coolest headphones with these new models.

WeSC Maraca Headphones

More Information

For the full range of WeSC headphones and many other cool retro headphones, check out the HiFi Headphones store.

The SoundMAGIC PL11 has pushed the boundaries of what can be expected from an entry level in-ear isolating earphone.  For less than the cost of a Playstation game the PL11 offers high end audio clarity, with enough low end power to satisfy the biggest bass-head.

Looking and feeling like an earphone that comes from one of the established brands, the SoundMAGIC PL11 is a newcomer that deserves a second look.

Sceptical At First

Before we received samples of the SoundMAGIC range to try out we were sceptical about the way they would sound and even more doubtful about build quality.

How wrong we were!  Like the rest of the SoundMAGIC range, the PL11 is very well made and sounds like an earphone with a much higher price tag.  Holding the earphones in your hand you would be mistaken for thinking they are manufactured by one of the well established earphone brands.

SoundMAGIC PL11 with included accessories

Built To Last

With cabling and strain relief that has obviously been thought about by someone who understands how earphones are going to be used, the PL11 is built to a similar specification as high quality brands like Sennheiser and Beyerdynamic.

Here at the HiFi Headphones store we have a pretty good idea how well a headphone or earphone is going to last by looking at the strain relief on the cabling.  Over 90% of faulty returns we receive are caused by cabling faults.  In our opinion the PL11 is an earphone we are not going to see returned often.

The SoundMAGIC PL11 has high quality cabling with a rubberized finish for extra durability.  The strain relief is also well thought through, with highly flexible support where the cable enters the earphone body and at the jack plug.

How Do They Sound?

Most importantly, does the SoundMAGIC PL11 sound any good?  Yes, the PL11 sounds superb!  When we first received samples I spent a week listening to the PL11 on my walk to and from the office.   The sound is immediately appealing as there is plenty of warmth at the bottom end and the trebles are well balanced and clear.

The obvious comparison that is going to be made is with the Sennheiser CX300-II.  In many ways the SoundMAGIC PL11 is very similar to the CX300-II, with plenty of bass and a clear high end.  Just like the CX300-II, the PL11 has a slightly recessed midrange, which actually helps reduce long term listening fatigue.

Many headphone brands, including high end headphone manufacturer Grado, are known to drop the midrange frequency response slightly to provide a more enjoyable listening experience.  The reason for this is that the human ear resonates at 2.9Khz, making it particularly sensitive to mid-range treble notes.  If the headphone or earphone is less responsive around this frequency then the ear tires less quickly and you can enjoy your music for longer.

Summary

The SoundMAGIC PL11 is an earphone that is a very enjoyable listen.  Good bass response and a superb degree of resolution at higher freqencies make the PL11 an earphone to be reckoned with.

The sound is similar in some respects to the highly regarded Sennheiser CX300-II and beats the Sennheiser hands down on price.

Good build quality rounds off a well thought out earphone package that we are happy to recommend.

More Information

For the full range of SoundMAGIC Earphones and many other high quality brands please visit the HiFi Headphones store.

Full size headphones is a new departure for Shure, as they are known best for their in-ear sound isolating earphones.  Initial user reviews suggest that the Shure SRH840 sound like a ‘Shure SE530 with sparklier treble’, which can only be a good thing.

Those lucky enough to get their hands on review samples of the Shure SRH840 have commented on the huge soundstage considering that this headphone is a closed back design.  Read one Head-fi members review of the Shure SRH840.

We’re really excited about this range of headphones and itching to get out hands on initial stock to give them a proper review.

Shure SRH750 DJ Headphones

More Information

For more information on the Shure SRH range of closed back headphones and many other reference quality studio headphones please visit the HiFi Headphones store.

Shure SRH440 Headphones

If you are looking for the perfect in-ear fit for optimum comfort, then custom fitted earphones or sleeves are the answer.  Made from ultra soft silicone material and made specifically for your ears, custom mould earphone gels also offer the best possible isolation from external noise.  With custom earphones fitted it’s possible to totally immerse yourself in the sound of your music without interruption from noisy surroundings.

Custom Sleeves for Earphones

Custom made earphone sleeves are the ultimate upgrade for an existing pair of high quality in-ear sound isolating earphones.  The sleeves are manufactured specifically for your existing earphones your ears.

Custom Earphone Sleeve fitted to Etymotic ER-6i

Custom Earphones

Custom earphones are custom made ear gels with miniature earphone speakers fitted inside at the time of manufacture.  Just like regular earphones, custom earphones come with varying numbers of drivers, with entry level models having a single driver and higher end models having upto three balanced armature drivers.

ACS T2 Custom Earphones with Twin balanced armature drivers

A benefit of opting for a custom earphone with built in drivers is that you only have a single device to think about - no need to worry about the custom ear gels getting split up from your earphones.  The all-in-one design also offers advantages over custom made sleeves by being more compact - the drivers are embedded deep within the ear mould - and therefore providing a neater solution.  Interestingly, it can actually also work out cheaper to purchase a complete custom earphone with drivers built in, rather than a high end standard earphone and then an additional custom sleeve.

More Information

For information on the full range of custom fitted earphones and custom fitted earphone gels for standard earphones please visit the HiFi Headphones store.

At HiFi Headphones we’ve just taken delivery of our first batch of FiiO headphone amplifiers.  The brand new FiiO E5 and FiiO E3 are ultra small headphone amplifiers with a price tag that makes them affordable for anyone with an iPod, MP3 player, laptop or mobile phone.

The FiiO headphone amps promise increased output power (to power hard to drive headphones), added bass response and even better clarity of treble notes.

FiiO E3

The FiiO E3 headphone amp is the perfect introduction to improving your portable audio setup - look out, it’s a slippery slope! :)  At a price point that makes it possible to try without risking to much cash, the E3 has taken the headphone amp World by storm.

Just connect the FiiO E3 between your portable audio device (iPod, iPhone, laptop, mobile phone, etc) and enjoy the improvement in volume and sound quality.

FiiO E5

The next step up from the E3 in the FiiO line-up is the all new FiiO E5.  With an exterior casing that has been redesigned to fit more comfortably in the pocket, and internals completely revised to improve noise figures, the FiiO E5 is a force to be reckoned with.

When compared with higher end headphone amplifiers, such as the iBasso T4 or Graham Slee Voyager, the FiiO E5 does colour the sound to some degree (it definitely warms up the bass response), but with the FiiO E5’s price tag of less than £25 I shouldn’t really be comparing.

More Information

For more information on FiiO Headphone Amps, a range of other Headphone Amplifiers & DACs and iPod Line Out Docks (LODs) please visit the HiFi Headphones shop.

If you’ve been following the world of headphones you may have noticed that headphone amplifiers seem to be cropping up more often than ever, but what’s the point?  Do they just increase volume, or is there more to it?

Below are a few good reasons to upgrade your audio setup with a headphone amp.

Ability To Power ‘hard to drive’ Headphones

Some headphones are notoriously hard to power.  A headphone amplifier gives your audio source a boost in output power, which gives the headphones a more full sound, improves bass kick and often makes trebles more defined.

For example the Sennheiser HD650, HD600, HD595 and many Beyerdynamic headphones have relatively high impedance ratings, which mean they need more power than most to drive the headphone speakers.

Interestingly, many lower impedance headphones and earphones (normally the high end models) also appear to benefit from the use of a headphone amplifier.  For example the low impedance Grado GS1000 or Grado RS1 can be easily be driven by a humble iPod, but add a headphone amplifier such as the Grado Slee Solo to the equation and the improvement in sound can be very satisfying.

Avoiding Cheap Headphone Outputs

The headphone output on many portable audio sources, such as iPods, iPhones and laptops, can be very poor indeed.  The electronics used often leave much to be desired and are obviously designed with budget, rather than sound quality, as the major design factor.  A headphone amplifier offers ways to avoid the noisy headphone output completely.

The iPod and iPhone headphone socket can be avoided completely by using a Line Out Dock (LOD) cable.  These cables take the un-amplified line out signal from the 30 pin dock connector provide a way to drive a headphone amplifier with this better quality signal.

Laptop and computer owners can avoid the often breathtakingly bad headphone output with the addition of a Digital to Analogue Converter (DAC) and headphone amplifier.  The DAC is connected to the computer’s USB port and the conversion to analogue audio signal is done well away from the noisy electronics inside the computer.  Some products, such as the iBasso D2, combine a DAC and headphone amp into a single unit.

More Information

For a full range of headphone amplifiers & DACs and iPod & iPhone line out dock cables (LODs), please visit the HiFi Headphones online shop.

Spares for Sennheiser headphones are now available at the HiFi Headphones store.  You’ll find a big selection of replacement cables for Sennheiser headphones, as well as earpads, headbands and capsules (the speaker or earpiece).

One of the great things about buying headphones or earphones from an established manufacturer like Sennheiser is that it’s possible to service your headphones when components wear out or break.  There’s no need to throw you pride and joy in the bin, just replace the part.

Our selection of spare parts includes a full range of spares for popular consumer models such as the Sennheiser HD600, PX100, and HD595 as well as professional studio models such as the Sennheiser HD25, HD280 and HD250.

Replacement Cables, Earpads and more

If you’ve broken the lead on your Sennheiser headphones, or just worn out the ear pads then browse through our Sennheiser spares section and track down the replacement part.  If your headphones are in need of more serious repair then you will also find spare headbands and even replacement drivers for many popular models.

We were hoping to get the product pages for more Sennheiser spares online before the New Year, but due to the huge workload we’ll be working on filling out this section in January.  Please check back soon or Contact Us if you have a particular requirement.

More Information

For more details on the full range of Sennheiser replacement parts and many other accessories and spares for a range of headphones, please visit the HiFi Headphones store.

Linking to the Klipsch Image X5 product page at HiFi Headphones, Claudine Beaumont of the Telegraph newspaper featured the Klipsch X5 earphone in a 12 Best Gadgets roundup.

Claudine’s review offered enthusiastic comments such as, “incredibly comfortable and lightweight”, “providing a rich music-listening experience, with lovely, crisp tones even when listening at low volumes” and “these headphones are pricey, but worth every penny”.  It seems Claudine likes the Klipsch X5 very much!

For those outside the UK the Telegraph is a national newspaper with just under 1 million daily readers.

Cheaper Alternative to Klipsch X10

The Klipsch X5 has a recommended retail price of £129.99 and is therefore somewhat cheaper than the superb sounding Klipsch X10 (RRP £179.99).  According to Klipsch, the main difference between the X5 and X10 is the size of the earphone casing, which they say reduces their manufacturing costs.

In our tests the X5 does have a slightly less powerful bass response than the X10, but both earphones do have a very similar sound signature.  If £180 seems way to much cash to spend on earphones, then the Klipsch X5 may well convince you to give high end in-ear sound isolating earphones a try.

More Information

For more information on the Klipsch Image X5 or Klipsch Image X10 and a full range of in-ear headphones, please visit the HiFi Headphones store.