Author Archives: John

Campfire Polaris 2 IEM Review & Video

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Campfire Polaris 2 Dual Hybrid Driver Earphone Review & Video

Have you met the new Campfire Audio Polaris?

Hey everyone, John here. Campfire Audio is quickly becoming a big name in the world of earphones. Their bold and creative designs really stand out, and whether you look at their artwork, packaging or the products themselves, it’s obvious Campfire Audio love what they do. The Polaris was recently updated with a new cable, design and improved sound quality! Here’s what we think about them.

Build

As is always the case with Campfire Audio products, the build quality of the new Polaris is faultless. The housings have been constructed using aluminium, with a blue anodized finish. Stainless steel has been used for the black sound tubes and then the whole look is finished off with black screws holding it all together. The new cable is a definite improvement. Campfire’s silver plated copper Litz cable has been given a new smoky jacket and feels more flexible than the previous cable. The ear guides on the cable have also changed, scrapping the memory wire and replacing it with a more comfortable coating that can be moulded to fit your ear nicely.

Campfire Audio Polaris 2 Main

Comfort

The way Campfire Audio has designed the housings on the Polaris makes them very comfortable. They sit nice and snug in my ears and they stay comfortable even after long periods of listening.

Accessories

Included with the Polaris is a number of accessories, including a mixture of silicone and foam eartips of different sizes, small protective cloth bags, a larger blue leather protective carry case, a cleaning tool and a Campfire Audio lapel pin. Thanks to the amount of eartips supplied, you should have no problem finding the right fit. Just make sure you try all of the tips, as getting that good seal makes a huge difference to the sound quality.

Specs

The Polaris is equally impressive inside as they are outside. Campfire’s Polaris has a hybrid driver setup, with each housing containing a balanced armature driver and a 9.2mm dynamic driver. This pairing delivers the best of both worlds, with the balanced armature looking after the higher frequencies, and then the large dynamic driver taking care of the low end. Campfire Audio has developed some of their own technology, and it is present in the Polaris. The balanced armature driver has Campfire’s T.A.E.C. or ‘tuned acoustic expansion chamber’; this helps with treble extension and top end sparkle. Then the Polarity Tuned Chamber brings the most out of the dynamic driver.

Sound Quality

These earphones deliver a high energy sound with plenty of bass power and crisp clarity. These aren’t going to be for those looking for that reference kind of sound, or something neutral. The Polaris has brought fun listening to the high-end audio world.

  • Bass response

Bass is where it’s at with the Polaris. It’s full, weighty and goes really low. Campfire Audio have managed to reign it in enough not to overpower the mids or become bloated: it emphasizes and celebrates bass as opposed to adding more of it.

  • Midrange (instrumental/vocals)

Mids sit very comfortably in the mix. They are crisp without being too forward and gives the bass definition. Vocals nestle nicely in a pillow of low end goodness, coming across clear and well defined.

  • Treble (extension)

Treble on the Polaris extends far, providing space and sparkle. Reverbs tail off naturally and the top end detail makes separation very impressive. There’s a great sense of where instruments are placed and there’s an impressive depth to the sound.

Conclusion

The 4 to 500 pound price bracket has become quite a sweet spot for earphones, with competition coming from the likes of Flare Audio, Final, Westone, Oriveti and Shure. Luckily the Polaris has a lot going for it, and really stands out amongst the crowd. Their bass is like nothing else and Campfire Audio’s design is bold and attractive. If you enjoy good quality bass and want your earphones to deliver a fun and energetic listening experience, then check out the Polaris. Your ears will be happy.

Lypertek PurePlay Z3 True Wireless Earphones Review & Video

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Lypertek PurePlay Z3 True Wireless In Ear Isolating Bluetooth Earphones Review

Hey everyone, John here. Lypertek are new on the scene, and they have arrived with a bang! Their latest model is the PurePlay Z3: True Wireless earphones that look and feel as good as some of the pricier models out there. These are going for £99 so could be quite the steal! Let’s find out.

BUILD

On opening the Lypertek PurePlay Z3, the first thing that strikes me is the supplied charging case; it doesn’t look like your usual £99 product. The case actually reminds me of Sennheiser’s £250 True Wireless model… just saying. The material outer coating feels great to touch and shows that they mean business. There’s nothing cheap about the build here! The case opens and closes with a solid feel, and the battery level lights add to the sleek design. Then there’s the earphones themselves. Lypertek has gone for a simple design that looks attractive and very well built; they have a minimal look that’s been finished nicely.

COMFORT

The PurePlay Z3 sits very comfortably in my ear, they have managed to angle the sound tube perfectly to give a secure and solid fit. Supplied with the earphones are a selection of eartips, including Lypertek’s own Flexifit foam tips. For me, the foam tips provided the best fit in terms of comfort and sound. When trying the PurePlay Z3 yourself make sure to try all of the supplied tips in order to achieve the best fit for you.

FEATURES (size, isolation, accessories)

Lots of features have been packed into the PurePlay Z3. In terms of controls, you can play/pause, skip tracks, increase/decrease volume, take calls and enable your voice assistant all from the buttons on the side of the earphones. I really like the way the buttons have been placed, they are easy to press and do not cause any discomfort when used. Pairing is very easy with the PurePlay Z3. The earphones turn on as soon as they are removed from the case, then with two button presses on either earpiece, the PurePlay Z3 goes into pairing mode, then you can find them on your device. Whether you pair to the right or left earpiece doesn’t matter: once you connect to one of them, the earphones are ready to use.

SPECS

The PurePlay Z3 uses the latest wireless technology, supporting Bluetooth 5.0 as well as aptX and AAC audio codecs. Battery life is very impressive. You get up to 10 hours of use when the earphones are fully charged, and then with a fully charged case you can get a total of up to 70 hours while out and about! This is one of the highest ratings I have come across. You also get an IPX7 waterproof rating which will protect the PurePlay Z3 from sweat and rain, ideal for those long gym sessions or a run in the rain.

SOUND QUALITY

Listening to the PurePlay Z3, I would never have associated this level of sound quality with a sub £100 True Wireless earphone. These instantly grabbed my attention with their crisp and dynamic sound. Lypertek have tuned the Graphene coated 6mm driver extremely well.

Bass Response

Bass comes across well controlled and punchy. There’s power here without getting bloated and I never get the feeling of too much bass. The PurePlay Z3 goes low and provides weight while allowing the mids to breathe.

Midrange (Instrumental/Vocals)

Midrange is crisp and cuts through without being too forward for my tastes. Vocals and snares sit nicely in the mix without getting lost, and whether listening to intricate jazz rock, pop or ambient electronic, the PurePlay Z3 handles different genres well without ever sounding muddled.

Treble (Extension)

Up top, the PurePlay Z3 provides definition and space without harshness or the risk of fatigue. Treble has a smooth edge, which delivers a focused and engaging sound. While they don’t have the widest sound, soundstage provides depth and the level of separation will allow you to pick out where sounds are coming from.

Microphone

Call quality is very impressive with the PurePlay Z3. The microphone does a great job of picking out speech, providing clear call quality.

CONCLUSION

In terms of build and sound quality, I’d say that the PurePlay Z3 definitely competes with the big (and pricier) brands such as Sennheiser, RHA, Samsung, Apple and Jabra. Then when you factor in the £99 price tag, the PurePlay Z3 becomes serious True Wireless competition. In my opinion, the Lypertek PurePlay Z3 is a no brainer for those looking for a new True Wireless earphone.

Video Review: The Difference Between Wireless and True Wireless

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Wireless Vs True Wireless

Hey everyone, John here. We’re all moving into a wire free world. You can get a wireless version of most gadgets now, and to make things confusing, you can even choose whether you want wireless or true wireless. What’ll be next… really true wireless? Or the truest wireless? Anyway, we’re going to explain the differences between wireless and true wireless.

The term wireless, when it comes to headphones, has been around since the late 60’s. Back then, wireless headphones needed their own transmitter in order to get a wire free signal to them. These transmitters used radio frequencies and were mainly used to watch TV with. Earphones were also used in this way but were not very common. The early wireless earphones had a stethoscope design and were mainly used for those who were hard of hearing and needed some assistance, again mainly to watch TV with or listen to the radio.

Then something amazing happened. Bluetooth. This technology named after the 10th century king of Denmark (King Harald Bluetooth) changed the world of wireless listening, and opened it up to everyone to be used anywhere.

With the help of Bluetooth, wireless earphones have become extremely popular. Now the name would suggest that there are no wires, but this is not the case. Wireless earphones can connect to your device wirelessly, however there is always a wire that connects the two ear pieces together.

Wireless Earphones

There are three main design choices for wireless earphones. Possibly the most common type is where the wire is designed to fall behind the back of the head, with a cable tightener used to fit the wire as tight as you like. This design is very good for active users, as the tight fit means there is less chance of the wire moving around while in use, and helps provide a secure fit of the earphones.

Another style of wireless earphone is where the cable is designed to rest along the back of the neck, using a longer wire with a looser fit. This design is potentially more comfortable as you don’t have a wire tight behind your head, it does however move around more as there is nothing securing it in place.

Lastly and recently gaining popularity is the neckband design. Similar to the previous, but these earphones have a solid neck band which holds the wire in place, achieving the best of both worlds. Having the wire secure around the neck is also useful when not in use, as you can just let the earphones dangle without the risk of losing them.

Having a wire between the earphones not only allows them to connect to each other, it also provides space for a microphone, controls and batteries to be placed. This means that the ear pieces can be smaller, controls are easy to use, call quality is very good due to the microphone being placed close to your mouth and battery life is very impressive, with some models achieving up to 30 hours from a single charge.

Now, how do you get more wireless than wireless? You go true wireless.

True Wireless

With true wireless earphones, not only do they connect wirelessly to your device, the ear pieces themselves connect wirelessly to each other. So, no wires at all.

It’s obvious why true wireless earphones have become so popular, as there are many benefits. The main one being: no wires. You get complete freedom. This makes true wireless earphones ideal for active use, as much as general portable use; they can do it all. Having no wires makes them extremely comfortable, so much so that sometimes it’s easy to forget they’re in your ears. No wires also means that there is nothing to get tangled. Hurrah!

True wireless earphones are supplied with their own carry case, which also acts as a portable charger. So when you’re done using them, not only will the case keep them safe, it will also charge the batteries up for when you next need them.

True wireless earphones aren’t all perfect though, there are a few compromises to be made for all of the practical benefits.

As there are no wires, everything needs to be packed into the ear pieces. Speaker driver, amp, DAC, battery, controls, microphone and all the other techy bits needed for them to work. This means that the ear pieces are bigger than normal wireless earphones and there isn’t much space. Batteries are smaller giving less usage time, with around 10 hours being the maximum on a single charge. The microphone is further away from your mouth, which effects call speech quality. Sound quality is compromised, as the drivers need to share space with everything else and there is less power to work with. They are also a lot easier to lose, being so small means they can easily be dropped or misplaced without being careful.

True wireless earphones are still new, and the quality, performance and value for money is constantly improving. So even though it is easy for me to pick at the problems. I can see why the benefits of convenience, comfort, functionality and style outweigh the negatives. Me personally, I’m still a wired earphone kinda guy. But with the rate at which the true wireless technology is advancing, that could one day change.

Final B Series Review & Video

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Final B-Series Review Video

Final Audio’s latest release is their B-Series of earphones, the B1, B2 and B3. Drawing on their years of experience and learning from previous releases such as their E-Series and MAKE series, the new B-Series range of earphones looks to take Final to another level with a brand new concept.

This is new territory for the leading Japanese brand, incorporating multiple driver setups for the first time in their standard range of earphones. As ever, Final like to do things differently, even when it comes to naming their earphones. For the B-Series, they decided to step away from the normal naming order based on price. These models are named based on when they were made. Final believe that price shouldn’t dictate quality, with each model having their own style and characteristic. It’s a philosophy which shows Final’s value in every product they create.

B1

So let’s meet the team. The hybrid dual driver Final B1 comes in at around £600 and in terms of design, stands out the most. The housings are made using stainless steel, with a mirrored rose gold finish. Inside each housing is one balanced armature driver and one dynamic driver, both developed by Final themselves. The silver plated copper cable adds the finishing touch to this stunning earphone. Sound wise, the B1 has been tuned to put you right in the middle of the action, with a lively sound that delivers clean and punchy bass, rich mids, and crisp resolution.

B2

The single driver B2 is priced just under £260, with a more understated design choice. The stainless steel housings this time have a brushed gun metal finish, providing a more sleek and elegant look. Inside is a single balanced armature driver, again developed by Final. The replaceable cable is OFC copper and the cable has a black coating, which compliments the design as much as the sound. Sound quality from the B2 is all about clarity and clean detail. Vocals are realistic and present among the naturally reproduced instruments. Overall the B2 delivers a more neutral and perceivably accurate sound.

B3

Last, but by no means least is the dual driver B3 coming in at just under £440. The Final B3 has their stainless steel housings finished in frosty silver, and along with the replaceable silver coated copper cable they have a bright and fresh look about them. Inside the housings are two of Final’s balanced armature drivers, which have been tuned to provide the most in terms of width and space out of the three. Soundstage is very impressive, and the top end extension will allow you to pick out the most delicate of sounds.

The Range

The B-Series earphones have all been designed to fit perfectly in the ear. The unique shape has obviously been chosen not only for its looks, they are all extremely comfortable (for me, anyway). They are impressively small and the shape allows them to sit in my ear with ease.

All three models are packaged in a very attractive box, and supplied with a silicone carry case, cable ear hooks for added support, and a selection of Final silicone eartips in a number of different sizes. (Check out our unboxing video for the B3 to see what we mean!)

With the B-Series, Final are showing that they mean business, challenging the likes of Shure, Westone and Campfire Audio with their high design and impressive sounding IEMs.

Summer Sounds Guide & Video

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Our Guide to Summer Sounds and Gear

iFi Audio xCAN Portable Wireless Headphone Amplifier

Perfect for those travelers looking to get the best audio while on the move. The iFi Audio xCAN can wirelessly connect to your audio device via Bluetooth, whether you listen to music on your phone, laptop or tablet. The xCAN adds iFi Audio’s high quality amplifier expertise to your setup, able to power some of the more difficult to drive cans with no extra wires. Just plug your favourite earphones or headphones into the xCAN to get the very best out of them.

SoundMAGIC E11BT Wireless In Ear Isolating Earphones

Widely considered to be this year’s best wireless earphones for under £100, the SoundMAGIC E11BT brings years of budget perfection to a Bluetooth neckband design. We’re certain that the E11BT delivers the best sound quality at this price point, with top features like Bluetooth v5.0 technology, AAC audio compatibility and IPX4 water resistance. Then to top it all off, the E11BT has the most impressive battery life going. We’ve experienced over 30 hours of continuous playback from one full charge, which should cover most of your travel needs there and back.

Bowers & Wilkins PX Wireless Full Size Noise Cancelling Headphones

B&W’s PX Bluetooth headphone is still our favourite sounding wireless noise canceler out there. The classic design is tasteful and attractive, showing off the B&W heritage with a modern edge. The earpads are soft and comfortable. They fully enclose the ears and isolation is impressive, blocking out a lot of background noise passively. Then, when you need complete silence, the built-in noise cancelling does wonders. When used with the dedicated app, the PX can be customised to suit most environments. They do it all!

Shanling M0 Portable Wireless Hi Res Audio Player

If you fancy getting better sound on the move, but don’t want to add a large device to your setup, the Shanling M0 could be just what you’re looking for. This tiny player delivers top quality Hi-Res audio and can be used in two different ways. The SD card slot allows you to store your own library of tunes, from MP3 to DSD. It can handle it all. The M0 can also act as a Bluetooth amp and DAC for your headphones. So, if you prefer using Spotify or Tidal on your phone, then wirelessly connect to the M0 to boost the audio quality while using an interface you are comfortable with.

Sennheiser Momentum TW True Wireless In Ear Isolating Earphones

For those that value design and build quality along with great sound, then the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless earphones are worth checking out. Relatively expensive for a true wireless earphone, considering there are plenty of cheaper options available, we believe that the Momentum True Wireless is worth the money. From the supplied charging case, with its fabric outer coating, to the earphones themselves: attractive, stylish and extremely comfortable. Sennheiser have put a lot of work into their True Wireless flagship, and it has truly paid off.

Remember to subscribe to our channel for more weekly content and click the links for information on all of the products mentioned. Thanks for watching and happy sunny listening.

Do You Need A Headphone Amplifier?

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Do I Need A Headphone Amplifier?

What is a headphone amplifier?

Simply put, every device that allows you to plug in headphones has an amp built in. The amp takes the audio signal and boosts it, allowing us to hear sound through the headphones. Amps don’t only boost volume; they can add and improve qualities like soundstage and separation. Adding an amp to a setup can also bring extra warmth or clarity. This all depends on the quality of the amp and how it has been designed.

The reality is that most people won’t need an external headphone amp. That’s not to say that they wouldn’t benefit from one, though. Smartphones are now a very common music source, and with the technology getting better and better, they do a decent job of delivering good quality sound to most portable headphones and earphones.

There are plenty of headphones designed to be used with mobile phones and other low powered portable devices. These headphones generally have a low impedance of up to 32ohm, and high sensitivity of around 100db, so they are very easy to drive and are more likely to go louder. Remember though: not only do amps add extra power but they can also improve the quality of the sound. So, once you start looking at higher quality headphones, improving your amp will start to make more sense as you will want to get the most out of them. No matter how good your headphones are, the sound quality will be limited by how good the amp is.

Choosing a headphone amp

If you’ve decided to go for a headphone amp, you now need to decide which one to go for. There are many to choose from, and they go for anything between £20 to £2000 and more. Amps can be split into two main groups: portable and desktop.

If you want to add some power to your phone or laptop, then you will want to look for a portable amp. These amps can be charged, and will run off batteries, making them ideal for using on the move. They are also small in size, and there are some out there (like the iFi Audio xCAN) which can connect to the source wirelessly using Bluetooth.

 If you only use your headphones at home, or intend to use headphones that are particularly hard to drive, then you will probably want to go for a desktop amp as they are generally more powerful. Not only are they more powerful, they also tend to have a larger amount of inputs and outputs, making them very versatile. They will need to be plugged it at all times, so will need a power socket to work.

As amps can bring their own character to the overall sound quality, it’s worth making sure you choose wisely and pick an amp that will compliment your headphones. For example, if your headphones have a warm or bassy sound then it’s a good idea to go for a neutral or bright sounding amp. This also works the other way around; a warm sounding amp will complement bright headphones and help to balance the sound out.

Get in touch!

If you have any questions about choosing the right amplifier then please feel free to comment below! We’ll be happy to offer advice on this.

Headphones Vs Earphones Guide & Video

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Headphones vs Earphones

Hey everyone, John here. This may seem like an obvious topic, but there are a lot of differences between headphones and earphones… some of which are not as obvious as you may think.

Headphones

Starting with the shape and size. Headphones, as the name suggests, fit on your head, and have a headband that sits on top of your head. At either side of the headband, you have the speaker housings or earcups. The earcups hold the speaker drivers, and are designed in one of two ways: on-ear and over-ear. On-ear headphones have the earcups sitting on the ear and tend to be smaller in size, making them ideal for portable use. Over-ear headphones are larger and have the earcups completely surround the ear. Because of this, they tend to be used mainly indoors or where there isn’t much movement needed.

Earphones

Earphones are a lot smaller, and sit in the ear or in the ear canal. There are three main types of earphones:

Earpods / Earbuds

The older earphone design, or newer earpods, rest in the ear without going into the ear canal. This fit means that you are less likely to create a good seal between the earphone and your ear, resulting in an open sound that can tend to be a bit bass light. This fit also means that they will not isolate sound very well, meaning you are more likely to hear what is going on around you and people nearby will be able to listen to your music. Not ideal for public transport, but liked by sports users as it can be useful to hear your surroundings.

In Ear Earphones

In-ear isolating earphones have a deeper fit and will go into the ear canal, they also have eartips installed. This not only helps to keep the earphones in place, they also help create a good seal which improves isolation and sound quality, especially bass performance. In-ear earphones are the most common fit, and there are two ways of wearing them depending on the design. Cable straight down, and cable over the ear. The cable-over-the-ear design tends to provide a more secure fit and deeper insertion into the ear canal. This way, you will benefit from better isolation. Still, a lot of people prefer the cable-straight-down design as they are easier to use.

A quick note on bass performance. It is very important to make sure that you achieve a good seal when using in-ear isolating earphones. If you do not do this, the main effect to the sound will be a loss of bass… and nobody wants that. When this happens, the sound can come across very tinny and flat, so make sure you try all of the supplied eartips to ensure you’re getting the best sound possible from your new earphones.

Custom In Ears

Lastly, you have custom in-ears. These earphones are customised to fit your ear specifically. This is the best way of achieving a perfect seal, which hugely improves isolation and sound quality. This is done by having a mould of your ear taken, and then used to make an earphone that perfectly fits the shape of your ear. This is a more expensive option and is currently only offered by a small number of manufacturers.

Sound

There is also a big difference between how headphones and earphones sound. I wouldn’t say that one is better than the other. The overall experience is different and people will favour one over the other.

Headphones tend to deliver a more natural listening experience. What I mean by this is that with the speakers being away from the ears, sound is delivered in a more natural way. With our ears playing a part in capturing the sound, similar to how we hear day to day. Headphones can also deliver a bigger or wider sound due to the size of the drivers used and them being away from our ears.

With the speakers being so close to the ear, or even inside the ear canal, the experience from earphones is very different and can take a while for some people to get used to. Due to the fit being so close to the ear, and much smaller speakers being used, earphones are capable of delivering a very high amount of clarity and detail. Sometimes this can be overwhelming, especially for those who have never used earphones before. The close fit also means that sound can come across narrower and feel like it is coming from inside the head when compared to a headphone.

Conclusion

Ultimately, it comes down to taste and how you want to listen to your music. Both headphones and earphones can be used in a large number of situations, and whether you prefer using headphones or earphones – there will be a model out there for you.

ER2-SE and ER2-XR Review & Video

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INTRO

Hey everyone, John here. Etymotic is possibly a brand that a lot of you haven’t heard. Don’t be mistaken, though: Etymotic has been in the audio game for over 35 years. They are acoustic research and hearing aid specialists, and this always comes across in their products. The scientists of the world of portable audio, Etymotic strive to create earphones that deliver clean and undistorted audio as well as market leading isolation and hearing protection. Introducing the ER2-SE and ER2-XR earphones.

BUILD

As you may have guessed from my intro, Etymotic are not ones to cut corners. The build quality on the ER2s is superb. The housings are made of anodized metal with a blue finish; this makes them feel good to touch, and I really like the blue finish. The ER2s come with replaceable cables, which connect using MMCX connectors and have obviously been built to last. Both strain reliefs on the connectors and 3.5mm jack are solid, and the cable itself is flexible with a nice smooth finish. The yoke, or y-split, is covered in the same metal as the housings, which adds to the durability and looks pretty good too.

COMFORT

Comfort is an area that will split opinion when it comes to Etymotic earphones. The ER2s are no exception. These earphones are designed to be inserted deep into your ear canal; this is how you will get the most from the 35dB of isolation that can be achieved. The ER2s come supplied with a selection of different ear tips including Etymotic’s own triple flange and foam eartips. For me, the foam tips work the best, but I recommend you try all of them to find the best fit for you. Once your chosen tips are fitted, this is where it can get tricky. And for some… uncomfortable. The ER2s have a long sound tube which is designed to go deep into your ear. With the foam tips, I pinch them so they go as flat as possible, then gently ease them into my ear and follow my ear canal as deep as they can go.  (You’d be surprised how far they can go.) When the foam expands, it creates a perfect seal and along with the built in isolation of the earphones. The ER2 provides the best isolation I have experienced from a universal earphone. The trade-off here is that you have an earphone stuck deep in your ear, which can take a while to get used to.  Even though I am fine with it, I can imagine a lot of people will find it too uncomfortable. Fear not, you can wear these earphones without jamming them far into your ears. Just be aware that you won’t be getting as much isolation and therefore the full potential of the ER2.

SPECS

The ER2 earphones have a fairly low impedance of 15ohms and a sensitivity of 96dB, making them easy enough to drive from a laptop or smartphone. In my experience the ER2 sounded great out of my laptop, but when used with a dedicated portable audio player or headphone amplifier, the extra power and quality provided better soundstage and dynamic range overall. Etymotic has used custom-tuned dynamic drivers for the ER2 models, a change from the balanced armature drivers used in the previous ER3 and ER4 models. This to me suggests that Etymotic are looking to appeal to a wider audience and along with the £170 price tag. I think they have achieved this. The high isolation rating of 35dB means that you don’t need to play your music as loud as some other earphone models. Background noise is greatly reduced, and having such a good seal means that no audio is lost.

 

 SOUND QUALITY

Now onto the sound quality, another thing about the ER2 that will split opinion. Technically, both the ER2-SE and XR are faultless in terms of sound. This isn’t a quality everyone wants, though. The Etymotic signature has always been flat and neutral, and even with the use of a dynamic driver as opposed to a balanced armature used in both the ER3 and ER4 models. There may not be enough boom and sizzle for lots of people out there. For me, the sound is amazing. It comes across extremely effortless allowing you to hear what I can imagine to be as close to what was made in the studio as possible. Both models provide bass when there’s meant to be, and just the right amount. It manages to go very low without being pushed up. The XR version does, however, give a slight boost to the low end, just enough for those that prefer a warmer sound with more bass presence. Because of the low end control, mids ease through the mix, never sounding too harsh or recessed, providing an uncluttered and dynamic listening experience. Then the treble extends endlessly and brings space and definition. Soundstage is also very impressive, and with no particular frequency being pushed; you get a clean, engaging and intricate sound with no distortion.

CONCLUSION

At £170, there isn’t much competition out there for the ER2s in terms of sound quality, and if sound is your priority then I would highly recommend these. Due to their unique design and fit, they won’t be for everyone, and brands like Shure, Final and Flare Audio are making some very good earphones at this price with a more conventional design.

The Etymotic ER2-SE and XR are very much a Marmite earphone: you’ll either love them or hate them. The fit won’t be for everyone and I think that you will need to have a real appreciation of good sound quality to be willing to get used to the unique fit. Saying that, if you do get used to it, you will be one of the lucky ones.

SoundMAGIC E11BT Wireless Earphone Review

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SoundMAGIC E11BT Earphone Review

SoundMAGIC are on a roll right now with their releases. First the E11 and E11C – already gaining numerous 5 star reviews. Then the E11D – their first USB-C dedicated earphone; and now the E11BT Bluetooth earphones. How do they hold up against the rest of the range?

Aesthetics and Build Quality:

The packaging is pretty standard for SoundMAGIC, with the addition of a front window flap – showing off the earphones along with a nice close up picture of the housing. Inside you get a selection of silicone eartips, USB charging cable and a carry pouch.

SoundMAGIC has gone for a neckband design with the E11BT. The design is neat and feels very well built. The batteries are placed either side of the neckband and there is an inline 3 button control and microphone for playing music and taking calls. The cables are the right length so they don’t flap around, and call quality is also very good as the microphone height is ideal.

SoundMAGIC E11BT

Features and Comfort:

The specs for the E11BT are pretty impressive. You get the latest Bluetooth 5 technology which helps towards the sound quality, a transmission distance of up to 13 meters and improved battery life. The SoundMAGIC E11BT will give you up to around 20 hours of continuous talk time. I have also found out that with general use, battery life lasts and lasts. The manual states that you can expect between 48 and 60 hours of continuous playback and from my experience with the E11BT – this seems to be pretty accurate.

These earphones are AAC compatible which is great news for both Apple and Android users. There is no aptX compatibility. However, like aptX – the AAC codec will transmit your music in CD-like 16bit audio quality.

Connecting the earphones is easy. Once powered on, the E11BT automatically goes into pairing mode, with red and blue lights flashing. Then when the model appears on your device you can connect. I really like the battery level that’s shown on the home screen of my phone – very handy. When you’re not using them, the magnetic housings hang nicely around your neck.

Good news for sporty users. The E11BT has a high water resistance rating of IPX4 – this means that they will be able to withstand water splashes from any direction.

The E11BT is very comfortable to wear. The neckband has a smooth finish and is flexible, sitting nicely behind the neck, and the housings are a good size so no-one should have an issue with fit.

SoundMAGIC E11BT

Sound:

Unlike other earphones at this price point – instrument separation is superb. Every sound comes through clearly and crisp.

  • Bass: There is bass weight and punch coming from the low end – enough to keep the bassheads happy while keeping it controlled so it doesn’t bleed into the higher frequencies.

 

  • Midrange: Mids pop, and cut through effortlessly with an engaging tone. There is a real crispness that is not what you’d normally expect from a lower priced Bluetooth earphone.

 

  • Treble: The treble provides space and clarity and the soundstage is huge. You get a real sense of depth and width from the E11BT.

SoundMAGIC E11BT

Conclusion:

Overall, I can confidently say that these are the best Bluetooth earphones going at this price and possibly even under £100. Their sound quality, technology, design and comfort are normally associated with more expensive models – the SoundMAGIC E11BT should be top of your list when looking for a new Bluetooth earphone.

Sound:  5/5

Features: 5/5

Comfort: 4/5

Build: 4/5

Value: 5/5

Final E4000 Review & Video

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Final E4000 Review & Video

Hailing from Japan, Final have been in the audio game since the 1970’s, where they started off designing and manufacturing high-end hifi equipment. Recently, they have focused on portable audio, and the E4000 is part of their E Series of earphones. Coming in at £120, the Final E4000 sits in the middle of the range and hits a very nice price-to-performance sweet spot.

BUILD

It’s very clear that Final take great pride in what they do, and the E4000 is no exception. The earphone housings are made from aluminium with an alumite coating for added resistances, and then finished in matte black, which I really like. The cable is replaceable and uses MMCX connectors. It’s also flexible and soft to touch, with good strain relief on the 3.5mm jack. The MMCX connectors on the cable could do with a bit more strain relief, however they seem to be pretty durable.

COMFORT

The E4000 is pretty standard when it comes to fit. The earphones are designed to be worn with the cable going straight down, and there are a good amount of eartips supplied to get the best fit. Final design the eartips in house, and their silicone tips are my favourite out of any I have tried. (And I have tried a lot.) For those that are sensitive to cable noise or prefer a cable-over-the-ear fit, Final have supplied the E4000 with ear hooks. These allow you to wear the earphones so the cable goes up and behind your ears. This can provide a more secure fit and will greatly reduce the amount of cable noise; it’s quite a rare thing to have both options.

SPECS

The E4000 houses a small scale 6.4mm dynamic driver, developed by Final themselves. With an impedance of 15ohms and sensitivity of 97dB, the E4000 can be used with a phone or laptop – however they will really benefit from a dedicated headphone amplifier or portable audio player. The extra power will open up the earphones more, improving soundstage and separation.

SOUND QUALITY

When it comes to sound quality, Final’s experience in the world of high end hifi really shows. There is a real musicality with the E4000 and sound comes across smooth and silky. Bass goes deep, and has an organic and rich quality to it. The mids sit nicely in the mix and carry on with that richness. Then up top, the treble provides sparkle and sizzle. Overall, the V shaped signature is smooth and easy to listen to, reminiscent to a lot of hifi setups I’ve heard and very much enjoyed. The E4000 has a big sound and part of this comes from the impressive soundstage, with space and air you wouldn’t normally expect from earphones.

CONCLUSION

Around £100 there are earphones out there from Shanling, Shure, Beyerdynamic and Westone to name a few. None manage to give the same hifi listening experience that the Final E4000 delivers. The E4000 is best suited to be used with a dedicated portable audio player or a setup with a headphone amp. If this is you and you’re looking for some wired earphones for some easy listening, have a go on the Final E4000.

Hi Res Audio Explanation & Video

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What Is Hi-Res Audio – The History of Digital Audio

Hi-Res audio has now become a standard feature when looking for a new audio device, whether that’s headphones, earphones or portable players. It has also become a rating for high quality music files. That little gold logo has become very important… but what does it mean?

Audio Formats

To understand what hi-res audio is, it’s worth having a basic understanding of digital audio and how it’s recorded. The majority of music we listen to these days, at some point during the recording and mastering process, has been made into digital audio. Once upon a time, audio was recorded onto tape and then cut straight onto vinyl, a completely analogue process.

Nowadays music is mainly recorded onto computer drives using software like Protools, Ableton or Logic. Tapes are still sometimes used to record onto, but they tend to be transferred onto the drive as well. The recorded audio is converted into digital audio and then stored on the drive to be edited in the software.

Historically, digital audio has been available in a number of different file types. MP3 and AAC are not hi-res formats. They are early developed file types that compresses audio data in order to achieve small file sizes: convenient for storing on devices with minimal storage, while compromising on sound quality. Nowadays this compression is used on streaming services such as Spotify and Apple Music, so it’s worth knowing that however convenient they are, the sound quality will be compromised.

There are four main file types which are capable of storing hi-res audio. They are WAV, AIFF, FLAC and ALAC. The quality of these file types can range from 16bit CD quality audio up to the highest hi-res audio quality. WAV and AIFF are raw, uncompressed formats which are not commonly used for general listening due to the very large file sizes. FLAC and ALAC are the most common formats for hi-res audio. They are both lossless compression formats, which means the file sizes are much smaller and they can store metadata, which is all the information about the piece of music.

Bit Depth and Sample Rate

Now the complicated part. Before hi-res audio became mainstream, music was typically recorded with a bit depth of 24bits and a sample rate of 44.1khz or 48khz. The bit depth determines the number of bits of information in each sample and the signal to noise ratio, while the sample rate determines the number of samples of audio taken per second. If you want to know more about bit depth and sample rates, I would suggest you do some research online, as there are a lot of articles on this. Alternatively, you can ask us down below and we’ll do our best to answer.

The digital audio on a CD is always 16bits and 44.1khz.  This is a standard process for CD, and was calculated by very smart people to get the best from this format. Before hi-res audio was a format we could easily listen to, CD’s gave us the best digital audio quality, with Super Audio CD’s providing the hi-res audio of its time and an early glimpse of DSD audio.  We’ll save that for another video. Now thanks to portable audio players having high quality DAC chips and also very large, expandable storage, hi-res audio is something we can all experience wherever we want.

Unlike CD quality, hi-res audio has a minimum bit depth of 24bits and a sample rate of up to 192khz. To achieve this, the audio has to be recorded at a much higher sample rate than was done before. This requires a lot more storage, as the data is much larger.

The upside to this is that the higher bit rate provides more dB of dynamic range, meaning the 24bit recording has a dynamic range of 144dB compared to the 96dB provided by the 16bit CD recording. The result is more headroom for peaks at the recording stage, avoiding the risk of clipping. It also gives a greater separation between the recorded audio and the noise floor.

Using a larger sample rate will increase the amount of samples taken of the audio per second, and this is where it gets tricky. The higher the sample rate, the higher frequencies a system can record. So a sample rate of 44.1khz reproduces frequencies of up to roughly 20khz, and increasing the sample rate will increase the frequencies that can be produced. Technically this seems like a no-brainer as more information can be captured during the recording process, making sure to grab all the detail possible.

Conclusion

The argument to this is that we can only hear frequencies up to 20khz, and that’s pushing it. So why would we need more? Well that seems to be a subject where no definite answer has been determined. Please feel free to give your opinions to this below.

Right, here we are. Is hi-res audio worth all the fuss? If you have a very good set of headphones or earphones, and you use them with a very nice portable player or plug them into a high end home system, then I’d say that you will notice the difference between CD and hi-res audio. On the other hand, if you listen to music on your phone using the earphones supplied with it, or you listen to your music wirelessly, CD quality will probably be as good as you need. Saying that, most people still listen to Spotify and seem very happy with it, so what do I know? And don’t even get me started on vinyl or we’ll be here all week.

Bluetooth 5.0 Explanation & Video

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New Video: The History of Bluetooth & 5.0 Explained

Since the invention of Bluetooth, it’s gone through many versions (well, 5 to be exact). But what do they all mean? Before a new version comes out and makes this video old news, here’s a rundown of what makes Bluetooth 5.0 so special.

To fully understand how far the technology has come, here’s a bit of a Bluetooth history lesson.

The History

Bluetooth 1.0

Bluetooth 1.0 was released back in 1999, and as you can imagine, it was pretty limited compared to what we are used to now. Back then, though, it was quite groundbreaking. The technology made it possible for compatible devices to transmit data wirelessly over short distances and using minimal power. It was first used in mobile phones and PC cards, allowing mobiles to connect to Bluetooth headsets for hands-free talking, and for PCs to communicate with wireless mice, keyboards, digital cameras and printers.

Bluetooth 2.0

For all its achievements, Bluetooth 1.0 was limited when it came to audio. Low data speeds meant that speech was just about the limit: transferring music required a higher data transfer speed. Skip to 2004, and we say hello to Bluetooth 2.0 and EDR, or Enhanced Data Rate. The big change here is increased data speeds, from 0.7Mbps to a whopping 3Mbps thanks to the EDR technology. Another improvement was to the maximum wireless range – this was increased from 10m to 30m. To this day, 3Mbps is the maximum connection speed. There have been other improvements over time, though.

Bluetooth 4.0

The next big jump was in 2010 with the release of Bluetooth 4.0, increasing the max range to 60m and introducing the use of Low Energy. This allowed for quick bursts of data transfers to be done with the use of even less power with relatively high data speeds of 1Mbps, opening the doors to Apple and Microsoft: bringing Bluetooth to the big leagues. Version 4.0 went through a few of its own updates, improving security, speed and efficiency until 2016 and the release of Bluetooth 5.0.

Bluetooth 5.0

Bluetooth 5.0 shows how quickly this technology is advancing, with the max range being quadrupled to 240m and Low Energy data speeds doubling to 2Mbps. Boosting the range and reducing power usage has meant that Bluetooth can be used on a larger number of different devices, allowing them to transmit large amounts of data at high speeds with little power being used – and it’s only going to get better. Bluetooth 5.0 also enabled a new dual audio feature – allowing users to stream audio to two different devices at the same time from one source.

Backwards Compatibility

It’s amazing to see how much Bluetooth has improved in just 20 years, and even more impressive is that the smart brains behind it has managed to keep the technology backwards compatible. This means that no matter what version of Bluetooth your devices have – they will be able to communicate with each other. Just remember that being backwards compatible means that you will be getting the benefits of the lowest Bluetooth version – so it’s always worth making sure your devices have the most current version of Bluetooth to get the most out of the technology.

Summary

To summarise, the main improvements gained from Bluetooth 5.0 are:

  • Longer transmission range – Increased to 240m from 60m.
  • Higher data transfer speed – Bluetooth Low Energy speed doubled to 2Mbps, allowing all audio devices to communicate with reduced power usage.
  • Dual Audio – Allowing you to play audio on two devices at the same time from one source.

Shanling ME100 Review & Video

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Shanling ME100 Video Review

OVERVIEW

The ME100 is Shanling’s first step into the world of earphones. Their history goes back a long way, starting off making high-end hifi equipment and then more recently becoming very well known for their portable music players. Now they’ve decided to apply their years of experience to the earphone market.

BUILD

It’s clear to see that Shanling mean business with the ME100. The housings are made using aluminium with a tempered glass outer coating. The aluminium has a matt black finish, which is a nice contrast to the glossy finish of the tempered glass. giving the earphones a very stylish look and feeling like they are built to last. Inside the housing is a 10mm dynamic driver. The drivers have been developed by Shanling themselves, with a nanocomposite diaphragm and a lightweight voice coil, providing more control and speaker efficiency.

COMFORT

Due to the size, weight and finish of the housings, comfort is very good with the ME100. They fit with the cable going over the ear: a typical in-ear monitor design. This provides a secure fit as well as deep insertion into the ear canal which helps with the sound performance and isolation. You also get a range of different eartips, with silicone and foam options. There’s a range of different sized silicone tips; the foam tips are supplied in medium size only. The large range of tips help to ensure that you’re getting a good seal, which is extremely important. I recommend you try all of the tips to make sure you are getting the most from the earphones, as a poor seal will result in a lack of bass and a tinny sound, which nobody wants.

FEATURES

Shanling haven’t scrimped when it comes to the accessories. The replacement cable is made using high purity oxygen free copper, with 8 wires all made up of 18 conductors each. The cable is coated in a TPE material which helps reduce microphonics, meaning cable noise is kept to a minimum. You also get a hard carry case which looks very posh. it’s a shame there isn’t a smaller pouch as well as the case supplied is fairly large. Once you’ve found the best fitting eartips, isolation is decent with the ME100.

SPECS

At 16ohms, the ME100 is designed to be driven well by portable devices, and the 111dB sensitivity means that they can go nice and loud from a phone or laptop. Plug them into a high quality player or amplifier, and the ME100 brings even more in terms of dynamics and soundstage, showing just how well the ME100 has been designed and built.

SOUND QUALITY

Now for the sound quality! The ME100 has really impressed me here. Bass is full and deep with a really enjoyable warmth. The bass stays where it needs to. It re-enforces the midrange without getting in the way. Shanling have nailed the midrange. It’s clear and crisp with a musical tone that’s on the brighter side, so it’s not as rich sounding as some other models out there, yet they do work well with both male and female vocals. There’s a good amount of body there and for me, I experienced no fatigue or sibilance. Up top, the treble extends far and keeps things exciting. Soundstage is very impressive. There’s a lot of space with well defined separation and clear imaging going from left to right.

CONCLUSION

For just under £100, I think the Shanling ME100 is extremely competitive, if not a bit of a steal. There are millions of earphones out there for under £100, including models from big brands like Shure, SoundMAGIC, RHA, Beyerdynamic and more. I think you’d struggle to find another earphone at this price that has the same level of build, with a replaceable cable, and sound verging on audiophile quality. The ME100 isn’t going to please bass heads, or those who want Bluetooth (even though you could attach a Bluetooth cable to the ME100’s MMCX connectors). The Shanling ME100 is well worth considering. You may not have heard of the brand before, but don’t let that put you off. You’ll thank me for it.

SoundMAGIC Vento P55 v3.0 Review & Video

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SoundMAGIC P55 V3.0

The SoundMAGIC P55 v3.0 are helping SoundMAGIC blaze a trail in the world of portable on-ear headphones, looking to build on their success from the award winning E10 and E11 range of in-ears.

BUILD

The P55 v3.0, as the name suggests, is the third update to this model. The build and design have stayed the same, the big change is to the drivers used. SoundMAGIC has developed a brand new dynamic driver for the P55 v3 – using improved materials to increase performance. Starting with the build quality, SoundMAGIC has done a great job here. The steel headband is tough, and is finished in a way to match the look of the brushed aluminum earcups – materials not normally associated with headphones costing under £100. These headphones can fold flat, which is not only useful for storage – it also makes them comfortable to hang around the neck while not in use… if that’s your thing. Plastic is used around the earcups and on the underside of the headband – the matt black finish adds to the high-quality feel.

COMFORT

To provide comfort, there is soft padding used on the headband and the earcups – all covered with a leatherette finish. The soft foam makes the P55 v3 very comfortable to wear and along with the gentle clamping force on the head – these can be worn for long periods without the risk of fatigue.

FEATURES

Like most portable headphones, these are on-ear – so they’ll sit on the ear as opposed to enclosing the ears completely. Isolation is decent and sound leakage is very low, so others nearby won’t be judging you on your choice of music. The headphones are supplied with two replaceable cables, one standard audio cable and one with inline 3 button controls and microphone – compatible with both Apple and Android devices. Both cables are 1.2m and you also get a hard carry case to keep them safe.

SPECS

These headphones are designed for portable use, with a low impedance of 35ohms and fairly high sensitivity of 110dB. This makes them well suited to devices with less power output such as phones, laptops and tablets. Saying that – plug them into a high-quality portable player or headphone amp and hear the headphones really come alive.

SOUND QUALITY

  • Bass response
  • Midrange (instrumental/vocals)
  • Treble (extension)
  • Soundstage
  • Imaging (L/R)
  • Microphone

Now for the sound quality, and for me this is where the P55 v3 really shines. Bass is not what you’d normally expect from a sub £100 portable headphone. There’s a maturity here which delivers weight and punch without any boomyness – bass is tight and doesn’t bleed into the midrange. The midrange is superb on the P55 v3. It’s extremely clear and engaging, and thanks to the controlled bass – it doesn’t get lost in the mix. Thanks to the midrange, male and female vocals both shine and the P55 v3 can also handle intricate instrumental music. The treble provides a good amount of space and gives the whole experience a crispness without sibilance or fatigue that can normally come across. Imaging is very impressive, with a very clear sense of left and right with good width. Soundstage is good, instruments all have their place with well-defined separation.

CONCLUSION

  • Alternatives
  • Best uses
  • Recommendation

At £90 there is a fair bit of competition out there, especially from the likes of Sennheiser, AKG and Sony – with a lot of brands offering Bluetooth at this price point. With the P55 v3.0, SoundMAGIC are doing something different to the ret of them. This headphone provides a high-end experience at a very competitive price, something SoundMAGIC has become very well-known and respected for. Suited to those not wanting to sacrifice sound quality for Bluetooth, who appreciate fine build quality and a hi-fi listening experience without breaking the bank. For me, SoundMAGIC have nailed it, and I would recommend these headphones for anyone looking for a new set of wired portable cans.

Top 10 Audio Best Buys for 2018

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Top 10 Best Buys for 2018

 

It’s that time of year again. So here’s our pick of the best audio gadgets available – with something for everyone.

 

Audeze Mobius

Audeze have created a superb all rounder in the Mobius. Whether music, films or gaming is your thing – the Audeze Mobius does it all extremely well. Inside the housings are planar magnetic drivers, providing sound quality that even the audiophiles out there will appreciate. Then the 3D emulation technology delivers a superb surround sound experience, perfect for watching films or playing Fortnite and thanks to the integrated head tracking – you’ll hear sound effects as if they’re really there.

 

Bower & Wilkins PX

The B&W PX is the ultimate portable headphone. With the latest aptX HD Bluetooth technology, wireless sound quality is of the highest level. Providing a very well balanced sound with tight bass – bass heads may want to look elsewhere – crystal clear clarity and superb soundstage. The PX also has adaptive noise cancelling and uses six microphones to help block out external sounds – allowing you to focus on the music. Along with the advanced technology – the PX has superb build quality and comfort – making them our go to recommendation for wireless headphones.

 

SoundMAGIC P22BT

At under £40 – the SoundMAGIC P22BT Bluetooth headphone provides high quality at a low price. The design is sturdy and comfortable, with a lightweight foldable headband which is great for portable use. These headphones are easy to use with controls conveniently placed on the left earcup. The most impressive feature is the sound quality – audio is crisp and punchy with plenty of energy, making them a lot of fun to listen to.

 

SoundMAGIC E11C

SoundMAGIC seems to have nailed the under £50 earphone. If you’re looking for a wired earphone and want to keep the price down, then we believe that the E11C is the one. SoundMAGIC have gone for a mature design, and used a silver plated copper cable to deliver superb sound quality which will compete with earphones over £100. The E11C has plenty of energy and punch with a dynamic and well detailed sound. There is also a 3 button inline control and mic, which is fully compatible with Apple and Android smartphones.

 

Flare Audio Flares Jet 2

Now, if you’re looking for an earphone with a more aggressive sound then the Flares Jet 2 could be the one. These earphones go loud, and they provide thumping bass and sharp clarity. The housings are made of aluminium and are built to last. There is also an in line single button remote to take calls and the cable itself is strong and tough. The design of the Jet 2 definitely stands out and the shape makes them very comfortable.

 

Final E4000

For those that appreciate their music a bit more and are happy to up their budget,  Final’s E4000 is a superb place to start. Final have been in the audio game for a long time, and their E series shows us what they can do. The E4000 is the sweet spot for me – musical and well balanced sound quality that draws you in, great comfort and design and a nicely made replaceable cable – all for just over £100.

 

Shanling M0

For something so small, the Shanling M0 manages to pack in a load of features. Starting with the design, the M0 looks and feels great. The display is made by LG and is very crisp – and thanks to Shanling’s own MTouch software, the player is extremely easy to use. The sound from the M0 is clear with good bass-weight, punch and fine detail. Thanks to the on board EQ settings, you can add some warmth or sharpness to suit your taste. The M0 can pair with Bluetooth headphones, and the 2-way Bluetooth feature will allow you to connect to your phone to use the player as an external DAC/amp – very clever.

 

Optoma NuForce BE Sport4

The NuForce BE Sport4 is widely regarded as the go to Bluetooth earphone – and we would agree. At just under £90, they combine good value with superb sound quality – the Graphene coated drivers deliver a crisp and punchy sound with plenty of clarity. The BE Sport4 is IPX5 water resistant and can provide up to 10 hours or battery life. And to top it off, you get 2 hours of charge in just 15 minutes thanks to their Fast Charge feature.

 

JDS Labs Element DAC

Whether you like to listen to your headphones at home using your computer, laptop or hifi system – the JDS Labs Element will breathe life into your setup. For a long time now, JDS Labs have been making high quality headphone amplifiers and DACs with a simple design and superb value. The Element shows that not only do they have the technical knowhow – they have a great eye for design too. With analogue RCA inputs and digital USB – the Element is extremely versatile and as expected, provides a clean, expressive and powerful sound.

 

iFi Audio XDSD

Ever wondered if you could have a high quality headphone amplifier connect to your phone or laptop wirelessly? Well wonder no more. The iFi Audio xDSD is the perfect way for you to get the most from your headphones and chosen device – without adding more wires. Use your phone to listen to Spotify, your favourite podcast or play PUBG and let the xDSD wirelessly drive your headphones, giving them all the power they would need to deliver a balanced and dynamic sound.