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Oriveti O400 Quad BA Earphone Review

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Oriveti have a new BA based model, the O400, with a subtle sub-bass lift and a focus on clarity and control.

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Fit and Comfort

The Oriveti O400 have a similar shell design as all the newer O and OH series from Oriveti – a hand crafted resin shell that is smooth and very well finished that has a fairly short nozzle which allows for a shallow to medium insertion depth. They fit well in the ear, but the housings are not the smallest and will stick out a little for those with smaller/odd shaped ears like me.

Comfort is good, the housing shape really helps with this as there are no sharp edges that dig in to your ears, also the nozzle is a good angle and lenght to fit most people securely without the insertion depth being too intrusive. The cable has a pre-moulded section of memory wire which is very comfortable, and the cable is soft and comfortable in use.

Compatibility

The O400 uses 4 Balanced Armature drivers, they are Knowles drivers and split between ultra-low/low-mid/mid-high/high frequencies. The O400 have an impedance of 15Ohms and a sensitivity rating of 110+-3dB/mW @1000Hz – this means they are very easy to drive however being an all BA based model it is best to pair them with a source that has less than 1Ohm output impedance to get the best out of them.

Sound

Bass: The O400 have 2 drivers covering the low end, they split up the sub and mid-bass and allow for a subtle sub-bass lift that doesn’t bleed through and affect the midrange or cause any unwanted resonance and bloat. Oriveti have managed to pull off a really impressive tuning down low, one that has a full and deep sub-bass response yet a tight and impactful mid-bass that always sounds controlled. There is never any warming to the lower midrange, allowing vocals and guitars to shine through with ease, these don’t have a high level of bass and it is well aligned with the rest of the frequency response – so they wouldn’t be my pick for bass-heads – however they do handle bass very well without any discernible roll-off.

Midrange: Due to the exceptional control of the low end, the midrange just cuts through with ease and clarity on the O400 – offering up a revealing yet easy to listen to midrange experience without harshness. For the price these extract an impressive amount of detail from the midrange, you won’t miss a thing yet they are very well balanced too. Male vocals don’t sound dull, female vocals are devoid of sibilance or excess presence, the transition into the treble is handled very well and nothing stands out. These have an effortless and clean midrange that seems to handle anything you throw at them without sounding congested.

Treble: The treble rounds off a really great presentation allowing for plenty of air and ambience, along with detail and sparkle without overdoing it and becoming thin/bright sounding. You won’t miss any cymbal taps or crashes, snares are incredibly snappy and violins are presented with finesse and grace. There is no early roll-off, they aren’t muted or splashy, they have great control and this really does help to make the O400 sound refined, open and clean.

Genres and Soundstaging

The O400 work well with pretty much anything you throw at them, they have a controlled and clean sound with a mild sub-bass boost that adds body and reinforces the low end without affecting other frequencies. However these are not bass heavy and would not be my first pick for more bass oriented genres (the OH500 does a better job with those).

Soundstaging isn’t huge, there is great air though and whilst it may be lacking in absolute width and heigh there is good depth to the sound and positional accuracy is a definite strong point of the O400.

Who are they for?

  • Those wanting a clean and transparent sound without the more typical analytical tuning
  • People who want a comfortable and enjoyable daily IEM

Conclusion

Oriveti have created a unique tuning with the O400, they have a clear and open sound that has a slight sub-bass lift that helps give the sound a solid foundation and adds a bit of body without adding bloat or overall warmth. This works really well and the O400 are a comfortable and easy to listen to daily IEM that offer up a lot of detail for their relatively low price, yet another excellent value for money model from Oriveti and one that I can easily recommend you try if you enjoy a more detail oriented earphone.

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Audeze LCD-5 Review

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The Audeze LCD-5, a new flagship planar magnetic headphone is a phenomenal piece of kit. It offers a brand new Audeze sound, way more than just a simple evolution from the LCD-4. With a natural yet almost reference style tuning they hit all the right marks. They are also lighter and significantly more comfortable than previous models.

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Design: 10/10

Audeze has swapped their signature wood rings for wonderful looking tortoise shell acetate rings. As you can see below, in the right light the rings really pop and they are majestic to look at. Other slight changes, such as a different headband shape with a beautiful looking carbon fibre strab on top among as well as general weight reductions makes the LCD-5 a lot lighter (and therefore more comfortable) than their predecessors. The earcups are another diversion from previous Audeze headphones, with a concave construction (sort of bowl shaped) that tapers in from the lip. This was done to allow the LCD-5 to produce a purer, more detailed soun.d by reducing unwanted sound reflections indside the cups. Overall, all these minor tweaks (plus plenty unmentioned on the inside) have created a definitive flagship, a new sound and arguably redesigned what we used to know as that Audeze Audiophile Sound.

A definitive flagship, with a brand new Audeze Audiophile Sound

Comfort and Fit: 9/10

As mentioned above, the slight changes in the design has resulted in the LCD-5 being much more comfortable than their previous Flagships. As well as being much lighter, the new earpads are soft and spacious. The comfort strap headband is sleeker yet perfectly distributes the weight across the top of your head. There is plenty of adjustment in the headband for heads of all shapes and sizes. They clamp force is moderate, which provides a secure fit but also one that isn’t too tight or uncomfortable. Simply put, the LCD-5 is one of the most comfortable Audeze headphones to date.

Sound 10/10

Not only is the LCD-5 sporting a brand new exterior, but a new driver structure altogether. Naturally, it’s still a planar-magnetic headphone. However, it has dispensed with the LCD-4’s double-sided, 106mm fluxor magnet array in favor of a single-sided, 90mm fluxor magnet array that’s paired with Audeze’s updated Fazor waveguides and their new Parallel Uniforce voice coils to better control diaphragm movement and improve the resolution that can be achieved.

The Result?

An outstandingly neutral and natural sounding pair of headphones whose remarkable speed makes them sound light and precise.

The detail provided by the LCD-5 is simply astounding.

Bass:

Audeze are well renowned for their great bass response and with the LCD-5 they have gone for a more reference style tuning, aiming for neutrality over the warm sound of the LCD-2/3. The LCD-5 still have that slightly fuller sounding low end that Audeze users love. It is now just more controlled and there is less bloom in the bass. The low end is puchy and articulate along with having endless extension. You never miss out on anything ever in the low end. There is an effortless and realistic presentation that never disrupts the lower midrange.

Midrange:

Due to the controlled nature of the bass, there is no bleeding into the midrange allowing all vocals and instruments to come through with precision and clarity. I listened to these back to back with the LCD-4 and the LCD-5 is a lot crisper and more open in the midrange. Subtle details are easy to pick out, yet both male and female vocals sound utterly effortless and natural. Whether it’s an electric or acoustic guitar you hear what is recorded. Powerful crunching riffs or delicate finger picking, you hear it all. Every sound is easily separated from other layers in the mix but form an overall sound that is coherent and whole.

This is one of the most accurate midrange reproductions I have heard to date.

Treble:

The LCD-5 seem to favour the upper treble and don’t have an abundance of energy in the lower treble which is good for those more prone to fatigue. Luckily snares still snap with authority and everything is still very clean and clear. The treble is very airy and open, the extension is incredible with no noticeable early roll-off. One the the standout qualities in the treble is the actual placement. There is really good height to the soundstage so cymbals and the like occupy their own space with expert precision. The detail retrieval again is done with refinement and finesse, rather than throwing it at you, it allows you to hear should you wish to listen for it.

Genres and Soundstaging

The LCD-5 really do lend their hand to anything, they have the power and speed for metal, the visceral punch for electronic, the dynamics for classical and the finesse for acoustic. These will handle anything and everything you throw at them.

The soundstaging is also phenomenal. The LCD-5 are open and airy. They have excellent width and height and there is also superb layering along with pinpoint accuracy. There are so good, that sometimes you will wonder if the sound is truly coming from the headphones.

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About Pairing:

The LCD-5 are a high-end headphone. It is therefore no surprise that these are not built to be used with your smartphone. These really do demand a proper desktop rig to sound their best. We have them paired with the Burson Audio Conductor 3X Reference in our demo room. This really is a superb pairing which we could not put in higher regard. The Burson amp/DAC combo’s work so well with all Audeze products. Providing tons of clean power without any sort of harshness. There is an ever so slight hint of smoothness to the Burson amps that just keeps you wanting to listen more.

Liked our review of the Audeze LCD-5? Then keep up to date with all news Audeze as well as more reviews here.

Audeze LCD-5 Product Release

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For the past decade, Audeze’s LCD series has set the standard for planar magnetic headphone performance. Starting with the LCD-2 that ushered in a new era of planar technology in 2009, they then introduced the LCD-3 in 2011 and LCD-4 in 2015. With the LCD-5, everything has been improved – drivers, earpads, frame design – to set a new standard for performance and comfort.

The LCD-5 sets a new standard for accuracy. Its drivers are engineered with their award-winning Fluxor magnets and updated Fazor waveguides along with their new Patent-pending Parallel Uniforce™ voice coils, which employ varying width parallel traces to keep the impedance low and provide increased voltage headroom by altering the current density within each trace. The uniform force created by this optimization lowers distortion and provides better control over diaphragm movement, resulting in improved sonic resolution.

Weighing in at only 420 grams, the LCD-5 offers hours of listening pleasure. Every part has been re-engineered, using materials such as magnesium, aluminium and acetate which offer light weight and high rigidity. When you put on a pair of LCD-5s, your head and ears are cradled in materials of the finest quality. Supple premium leather and carbon-fibre pull all the elements together into a package of the finest craftsmanship, which are hand-assembled in their California workshop.

The LCD-5 cable is specially tuned with directional OCC high-purity copper strands that provide a low capacitance and low resistance path for the signal to travel from your amp to the drivers, maintaining unsurpassed clarity and precision.

Available to pre-order now: https://www.hifiheadphones.co.uk/products/audeze-lcd-5-open-back-headphones-with-detachable-cable-leather

Final E500 Review

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The Final E500 are the perfect partner for portable use and gaming, for a low price you get exceptionally smooth and refined sound quality backed up by a comfortable fit.

 

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Fit and Comfort

The E500 body is slim and made of plastic, this means it is lightweight yet strong. The included tips are the Final Type-e ones which are excellent and once you find the right size you can wear these for hours. The cable is a little on the thin side, but it seems sturdy and also aids in providing a comfortable fit.

Compatibility

16Ohm impedance and 98dB Sensitivity mean that this earphone will be driven easily out of portable devices and you should get plenty of volume for on the go use. They are not picky with what you connect them to, be it a mobile phone or a games console the sound quality stays the same.

Sound Quality

Bass: The bass is quite linear and very well controlled on the E500, with good punch and extension but never sounding overblown or out of place. If you are looking for a bass heavy earphone, I would not recommend the E500. However they do have a smooth tonality overall which is easy to listen to. It doesn’t really matter what you throw at the E500, they handle it with grace and never become muddy or bloated.
Midrange: The sheer amount of detail present in the midrange surpasses what the £19.99 price would suggest. These are billed as VR and Gaming earphones but they are also great for watching ASMR content. This is due to their smooth and realistic portrayal of voices and sounds, along with excellent spatial accuracy allowing you to easily pinpoint where sounds are coming from. Vocal lovers will really enjoy the E500.
Treble: Again a smooth performance in the treble region but with enough extension and presence to keep things interesting and never dull. It tapers off over 10kHZ but offers enough air and space that really does help when it comes to the soundstage and stereo imaging of the E500. Overall the treble region is quite flat, devoid of nasty fatiguing spikes.


Gaming performance is a highlight of the E500. Final are aiming the E500 at VR and gaming enthusiasts and I will say they are right to do so. Usually a wearer of full-size open back headphones for gaming, I took the E500 for a spin playing Battlefield V on PC. I was not prepared for a £19.99 pair of earphones to provide such accurate spatial feedback. You can hear exactly where bullets are coming from, footsteps are pinpoint accurate and they give a very honest and detailed sound.

Frequency Chart

Below we have the frequency response graph. As you can see the E500 is very smooth overall with very little in the way of dips and peaks. The slight slope down into the midrange is normal as this is where the human ear is most sensitive. You can also see there is little to no peaks in the treble contributing to their even and smooth sound signature.

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SoundMAGIC P23BT Review

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Looking for an affordable, wireless on-ear set of headphones? The SoundMAGIC P23BT might just be perfect for you, with impressive sound quality and easy to use design they are quite the bargain.

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Fit and Comfort

Here we review the new SoundMAGIC P23BT, an on-ear model which are compact in size and lightweight too. They will fit well over a wide range of head sizes due to a good amount of adjustment in the arms and the clamping force is just enough to provide a secure fit without inducing any discomfort.

Comfort is good, with the right amount of clamp to provide a secure yet comfortable fit I had no issues with the P23BT during longer listening sessions. The earpads are soft and provide ample cushioning, the headband has minimal padding but due to their weight this didn’t seem to cause any issues for me.

Features

The P23BT use bluetooth 5.0, a little behind most modern devices that use 5.2 but they do have the benefit of aptX HD / SBC and AAC codec compatibility. They use a 40mm dynamic driver and have an incredible battery life of roughly 54-60hrs of music playback, or 39-45hrs talk time, these are not a headphone you will find yourself needing to charge very often.

They don’t have ANC, instead rely on passive isolation, which is good enough for most daily use. These work wired too and come with a high quality boom mic attached to the analogue cable – this is a brilliant feature that makes them perfect for home office use too. We found that making sure there is no microphone boosting in the windows sound settings worked the best in terms of voice quality – but once set up the quality is excellent for video and voice calls when connected to a PC. These really are very versatile, and the boom mic is not something you see very often when it comes to this kind of product.

Playback controls are really easy to get the hand of, they use a touch pad on the left earcup and a simple double tap will pause the music, swipe up for volume up, down for volume down. Swipe forwards and backwards to skip tracks, you can also answer calls and activate voice assistant too. Call quality over bluetooth is perfectly acceptable in most environments but they are not the best for noisy outdoor calls.

Sound

Bass:

The P23BT is a well balanced headphone with just the right amount of warmth, body and punch down low to keep them engaging and enjoyable without overwhelming the rest of the sound. These are not bassy, they will not appeal to those who want a bass heavy sound, but those who want a daily headphone that works well with a multitude of genres will be happy with their sound and presentation. These do handle EQ well so if you do want a bit more punch, they can deliver, but out of the box they offer up a really enjoyable sound. The 40mm drivers can dig deep when needed, and hit hard too, but they are tuned in such a way that they do all of this with poise and control and never sound muffled or bloated.

Midrange:

Due to the controlled low end, the P23BT actually has a very well presented midrange for a budget, more consumer oriented product. This means that those who enjoy vocal and guitars to sit and and central in the mix will really enjoy the P23BT – these don’t follow the typical v-shaped sound that many consumer models have, this means you get to hear more in your favourite tracks. The bass does a good job at not bleeding into the midrange, which allows the P23BT to sound surprisingly well separated and detailed for the price. .

Treble:

Surprisingly well refined up top, these have a crisp and clean treble presentation but with a smooth transition from the upper midrange into the lower treble they are also not harsh or sibilant. There is a bit of a peak slightly higher up the range, but it’s not really fatiguing and tends to only show up on less well recorded music. There is good detail and extension up top, and the presence is good leaving them with a very pleasing tonal balance overall, never sounding dull. You do have to remember these are only £50, but for that price you get really impressive treble, normally you get muffled and splashy cymbals, instead of crisp and easy to distinguish and place crashes.

Soundstaging and Genres

The P23BT are not masters of soundstaging, but that’s ok, they are on-ears and have quite a direct presentation but instruments are still easy to place within the limited soundstage.

These are a great all rounder, their balanced yet slightly punch sound signature makes rock and pop sound engaging, yet these have enough detail and finesse to render acoustic and jazz brilliantly.

Who are they for?

  • The general listener who wants good sound quality at a modest price
  • Everyday users wanting a feature packed yet quality bluetooth headphone they can use at work and on the go

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64 Audio Duo IEM Review

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The 64 Audio Duo is possibly the best all-rounder UIEM in it’s price range. With a neutral and natural sound that is open and easy to enjoy.

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Fit and Comfort

64 Audio’s Duo shares the same shell shape as the rest of their universal line-up. However the faceplate is now a grill design instead of having the usual Apex module. This is due to the Apex Core technology implemented. The shape of the housing will fit most people well and once you settle on the right size of eartip they provide a secure fit for hours of listening.

Comfort is great due to the shape of the housing, insertion depth and also the new cable which is more flexible and comfortable than previous versions. One thing that I find massively contributes to 64 Audio’s comfort is the Apex modules/core as these relieve any internal pressure which creates a lot less listening fatigue when compared to fully sealed designs.

Compatibility

Whilst the Duo is a low impedance and high sensitivity IEM, they are also a relatively high-end earphone. Therefore they should be paired with a source that is able to bring the best out in them. This means they pair best with proper DAP’s and DAC/Amp combo’s rather than being driven solely by a mobile phone.

Features

64 Audio have included some new tech in the Duo. It uses a hybrid setup featuring a single Dynamic driver and single tia BA driver. The tia driver is a tubeless balanced armature driver. Which in turn allows the sound to travel more freely with less distortion. New to the Duo is the already mentioned Apex Core. Instead of using Apex modules like the rest of their line-up, the Duo isn’t tunable and has an open back style design. This leaves the shell open to the outside atmosphere allowing for a less fatiguing and more natural sound.

Next up is Wave Sync, this is direct from 64 Audio: “Due to the high crossover point between the two drivers, Wave Sync was developed to ensure coherence; another industry first. By using a type of “all-pass” filter, we’re able to introduce a crossover while correcting for time without having to change the physical distance between the drivers.”

All these features focus on making the sound more natural, effortless and distortion free. It’s great to see a company still innovating and finding solutions to problems. The Duo still isolate -12dB from outside noise so they are suitable for outdoor use, they just won’t isolate as much as full sealed designs.

Sound

Bass

64 Audio have long been kings of getting really impressive bass from balanced armatures, but they don’t do a lot of hybrid designs. The Duo is using a single dynamic driver down low which gives you a slightly different presentation than most BA models. Here we have a full and articulate low end that digs deep when needed but that can also keep up with complex mixes too. It has that signature dynamic tonality whilst never sounding slow. There is physicality in the punch, and warmth overall that is really pleasant. I would say these lean towards having a slightly more physical punchy sound over one that focusses more on sub-bass warmth. But the great thing here is that they do both well without encroaching on the midrange.

EDM tracks have plenty of drive down low, yet they still have control and articulation for faster rock and metal. Tonally these really hit the mark down low too with a realistic portrayal of bass frequencies.

Midrange

There isn’t any artificial boosting of the midrange on these. They have a linear lower-midrange which allows male vocals to cut through the mix with ease and little influence from the bass. Moving through the midrange there is great separation and layering. The centre image is very focussed and you can hear each layer of the recording with ease. The upper midrange is also superbly done, having enough bite to allow detail to cut through, without a boost to make them sound peaky or artificial.

The Duo have an open and natural midrange. It doesn’t matter if you are listening to acoustic or heavy rock, they just work well.

Treble

The tia drivers that 64 Audio use are renowned for their effortless presentation and resolution. And the Duo are no different. They have a little forwardness at times but due to their tonality it never comes across as harsh or bright. There is plenty of air and extension up top, but it is refined and never brash. They don’t try and impress you with too much presence. Instead they let the resolving and refined nature of them win you over. These are open and natural. There isn’t any metallic tone to the treble. Or glare for that matter. But this is done without muting the treble and making the Duo sound subdued or dull. These are still exciting and dynamic overall.

Genres and Soundstaging

The Duo are a remarkable all-rounder in my opinion. They do well with genres across the board due to having a relatively linear and balanced sound. The Duo has the punch required for EDM, and tactility for metal and subtlety for jazz/acoustic. They also sound very open and natural, making you want to listen more and more.

The soundstaging is great. These are sort of open back so they do have that benefit, but the sound is expansive yet very well focussed. The soundstaging is accurate and places instruments right where they should be. The sound is very whole and never sound diffuse or detached.

Who are they for?

  • People wanting a complete and natural sound without breaking the bank.
  • Those looking for a cheaper everyday alternative to TOTL models without sacrificing much in terms of sound

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Interested in all things 64 Audio? Check out more news and reviews here.

Lypertek Bevi 2 Wired Earphone Review

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Lypertek have got a new wired model, just like their true wireless models, these are superb value for money with an easy to love sound and great features for their price.

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Fit and Comfort

The Bevi 2 are tiny, their small housing combined with assortment of tips means most people will easily get a good fit with these. They can be worn with the cable straight down, or up and behind your ear. I prefer the over-ear wearing style as it’s more secure for me, but either way these are super easy to get a good fit with due to their slim housings.

Comfort is also great, it is a combination of their design and also the weight of the IEM’s, slim and lightweight makes for a very comfortable IEM that is easy to use for long listening sessions. Find the right tips and you won’t have any comfort issues with the Bevi 2, they are one of the comfiest IEM’s I’ve tested recently.

Features and Compatibility

The Bevi 2 have a detachable MMCX cable which includes a 3-button remote with mic for taking phone calls. This is a great feature for the price and the cable feels well made, they also use a single balanced armature driver which isn’t as common in such budget models.

At 22 Ohms impedance and 106dB sensitivity these are designed for mobile use, and can easily be powered by mobile phones and portable devices. They also sound great out of these devices, so no need for a high-end standalone DAP to get the most out of these.

Sound

Bass: The Bevi 2 is tuned to have a relatively full bodied sound, there is excellent warmth from a single balanced armature here, and more then enough bass presence to satisfy most users. Transient response is always a benefit of balanced armatures, and the Bevi 2 is no exception, being full yet nimble, they don’t get bogged down when the mix gets complex. Depending on what tips you have fitted, you can slightly tune the low end, with silicone tips sounding cleaner and more precise whereas foam are a bit fuller and warmer sounding. These won’t be for the hardcore bassheads, but they are on the warmer side of sound making them the perfect travel or exercise earphone without breaking the bank.

Midrange: The midrange is largely clean and clear, with minimal influence from the low end, these are not the most detailed or transparent earphones out there, and there are others within this price bracket that do better. But that’s not what Lypertek were looking to achieve, they are smooth and enjoyable, everything you need is there, nothing is excessive or forced. The more I listen the more I appreciate that everything comes across relatively well balanced, if not slightly U-shaped. These are a put in and forget earphone, with enough energy and drive to be enjoyable, but without sounding too energetic or standing out at all, they are somewhat unremarkable but remarkable for being so. These are refined, they don’t need peaks or trickery to make them sound good, they just rely on having great sound.

Treble: The treble is sweet and smooth, it may be a little too laid back to be considered neutral and in line with the rest of the sound but it does make the Bevi 2 super easy to listen to. It is there with good articulation, but it is lacking a little bite and energy, there are no nasty peaks that stand out and they do roll off a little early however what is there is done very well. If you are a treble sensitive person the Bevi 2 should be perfect, they have the right amount of presence to be there and noticeable without overstepping the line and becoming harsh or sibilant. There is no lower treble boost to bring out a sense of energy or false detail, instead there is a seamless transition between the upper mids and treble.

Genres and Soundstaging

The Bevi 2 are fairly well suited to most genres, they are notably smooth which works a bit better with softer tracks but they do sound enjoyable with most genres.

The soundstaging isn’t something that stands out as being overly impressive, they have a slightly more up-front sound to them rather than being overly wide and deep.

Who are they for?

  • Those wanting a great value wired earphone
  • People looking for a full bodied and fatigue free earphone under £100
  • Users with narrow/small ear canals who struggle with larger earphones

Conclusion

The Bevi 2 are extremely good value, you get a comfortable and well built earphone with detachable cable and a single BA driver for under £100. On top of this the sound is refined and smooth, without any fatiguing qualities, they are just easy and enjoyable without any traits that could be annoying or painful over long periods of listening. It doesn’t matter what you throw at them, they play it back without missing a beat, yes you can find cleaner and more transparent models at this price, but very few are as good for long listening as the Bevi 2.

Audeze Release the CRBN – Their First Electrostatic Headphone

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The new Audeze CRBN Electrostatic headphones have patented carbon nanotube technology invented by Audeze originally designed to address needs in the medical field

LOS ANGELES, CA, AUGUST 2, 2020 – Audeze, an award-winning premium audio technology company, announces the release of CRBN electrostatic headphones (pronounced “carbon”), Audeze’s first headphone integrating advanced electrostatic transducers and new patented carbon nanotube technology.

The Journey

The concept and technology behind CRBN was originally developed to support neuroscience research, specifically to combat doctor and patient challenges when it comes to MRI machines. In working with Prof. Mark S. Cohen, UCLA School of Medicine, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, and with SMRT Image, a leader in two-way audio-video communication technology for the medical, the objective was to apply noise cancellation, improve patient comfort, and enable better diagnostics within MRI applications.

Conventional headphone driver technologies such as moving coil, planar, and electrostatic cannot be easily used in MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) applications due to the ferrous metals required in the headphone design. Audeze engineers developed an innovative patent-pending driver solution using an ultra-thin film with carbon nanotubes suspended inside the film. The result is a unique driver that has uniform conductivity and is fully MRI compatible, improving patient comfort and communication between doctor and patient.

From Neuroscience to Audiophiles

From this technological advance, Audeze created one of the best sounding transducers. The Audeze CRBN headphones designed using our patent-pending carbon nanotube diaphragm offers extreme neutrality, very light weight, and has an amazingly accurate bass. The proprietary ultra-thin carbon nanotube diaphragm delivers an exceptional level of detail and immersion – it’s as though there’s nothing between you and your music. CRBN comes with newly designed leather earpads, carbon fibre suspension headband, and acetate rings, plus a specially designed premium electrostatic cable and travel case. CRBN is compatible with all STAX-type 580 volt amplifiers.

“CRBN headphones are a chance for us to make not only the best sounding headphones in the world, but headphones that have a purpose and measurable social impact” says Audeze CEO Sankar Thiagasamudram.

Key features:
120 mm x 90 mm Audeze CRBN Electrostatic drivers
Patented Carbon Nanotube diaphragms
Lightweight
Custom designed leather ear pads
Premium electrostatic 5 pin DIN audio cable

Full Specs:

Driver TypePush-pull electrostatic
Headphone typeOpen-back circumaural
Electrostatic capacitance100pF (including cable)
Functional bias voltagePro bias (580 V)
TerminationStandard 5-pin Pro bias connector
Driver size120 mm x 90 mm 
Frequency response15Hz – 40 kHz
Diaphragm materialCustom made CRBN carbon nano-tube film
Earpad materialLeather
Weight300 grams

Available

Cleer Audio Roam NC True Wireless Release

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Cleer Audio introduce the Roam NC their latest True Wireless Headphones with noise cancellation – certain to shake the competition with impressive features, lightweight design and the most affordable True Wireless pricing yet.  

The Roam NC True Wireless Headphone hits the market at a low £59.99, offering consumers a new way to experience, afford and own True Wireless with Active Noise Cancelling technology. Roam NC delivers superior sound for music with 5.8mm custom tuned dynamic drivers by Cleer’s acoustic lab and aptX compatibility, featuring noise cancelling that blocks low frequency noise up to 25dB for distraction free listening.

Users can control noise cancelation and ambient aware levels, set custom EQ levels or choose a preset and customize control with the Cleer+ APP. Roam NC gives users complete control from the earbuds; Play/Pause, control track or volume, or access your voice assistant with simple touch commands.

The new lightweight earbud ergonomic design is sweat resistant (IPX4 rated), fits secure and is built for all-day comfort. Roam NC’s long battery life delivers up to 15 hours of total battery life, 5 hours for earbuds and extra 10 hours charge with the small, pocket friendly charging case. (Case size reduced by 20% compared to Ally).

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Campfire Audio Mammoth Hybrid Earphone Review

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Not neglecting the bass lovers out there, Campfire have brought out an affordable model that hits hard, digs deep but is less recessed in the midrange compared to their old Polaris II.

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Fit and Comfort

Campfire Audio Mammoth Review – These have the same for factor as a lot of Campfire Audio’s models, it’s a tried and tested design that fits well in most peoples ears. The new-ish longer nozzle design means they fit more securely without any difference in comfort for me. The shell is angular on the outside but the inner edges are smooth, the size is also great meaning they don’t stick out too far.

Comfort with the right tips is excellent, the smooth inner housing, the soft cable and correct tips will allow you to listen to these for hours on end without any discomfort.

Compatibility

The Mammoth are not hard to drive, however due to their low impedance and high sensitivity it is best you pair them with a high quality source – this will ensure you hear them as they are designed and also reduces the risk of any unwanted background hiss. Ideally you need a DAP with sub 1 Ohm output impedance to help with this.

Sound

Bass: This is a new hybrid model from Campfire Audio, and we all know that means lot of lovely bass, the Mammoth are no different. There is a real emphasis on the bass, and it is quite a broad emphasis, there is effortless sub-bass extension paired with hard hitting and impactful mid-bass presence. The slight downside to this presentation is that there is inevitable bleed into the midrange, and on certain tracks this does lead to lower male vocals sound a bit muffled. For the most part though these are incredibly energetic and engaging and the bass is just fun yet articulate and detailed.

Midrange: The midrange is surprisingly good, it seems to depend on the mix and genre a lot as to whether it cuts through well or sounds a bit muffled and overly warm. These are no way near as v-shaped as the Polaris II, the midrange is well presented with good detail, female vocals are less affected from the bass bleed and thus sound a little more faithful. Electric guitars have sufficient bite to them, and the midrange is well presented when you take in to account the power from the low end. Just remember these are not tuned for those wanting a neutral and intimate midrange, and you should be pretty impressed with them.

Treble: The treble isn’t as boosted as the old Polaris II, it isn’t quite as sharp or in-your-face however it isn’t laid back and lacking sparkle. These have great detail in the treble region and there is plenty of energy and good extension, they do roll off a little which robs them of a little bit of air and space, but the tonality is very good. They are crisp and responsive, they are snappy and clean without being fatiguing or over the top.

Soundstaging and Genres

The Mammoth may have a warm and thick sound but the sound is quite spacious and has good width and air, the treble presence greatly helps these from sounding closed in. There is excellent stereo imaging too, with a very accurate placement of instruments within the soundstage.

Genre wise these work well with a lot to be fair, rock is engaging and powerful, pop is snappy and full sounding, however they wouldn’t be my first pick to jazz/acoustic/classical just due to them having a more engaging sound that doesn’t really suit these genres. EDM lovers will really enjoy the Mammoth – the amount of bass on show without missing out the midrange and treble works wonders with this kinds of music.

Who are they for?

  • Anyone wanting a more fun and powerful sound
  • Those looking to get in to the Campfire Audio sound without breaking the bank

Conclusion

The Mammoth are really fun, they take a lot of the strengths of the old Polaris II but improve the midrange and tone down the slightly aggressive treble. This leads the Mammoth to have a more refined and slightly better balanced sound signature, but make no mistakes these are still tuned to hit hard and deliver a powerful bass driven sound signature. This is definitely one for those who enjoy a fuller and bolder sound signature but don’t want to lose the midrange and treble. The Mammoth is incredibly engaging yet crisp and detailed at the same time, a very accomplished hybrid earphone.

Cleer Ally Plus II ANC True Wireless Earphones

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Cleer Audio have released an update to the original Ally Plus, with better sound quality along with improved features this is a great true wireless earphone for the everyday commuter.

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Fit and Comfort

The Ally Plus II fit well enough in my ears, they do have quite a large inner housing that houses the driver and a short stem which makes them not as sleek as some other models. Personally I prefer a model with a longer stem as I find they fit better, but these still sit securely in my ears once I settled on the right eartips.

Comfort is good, I do get a bit of pressure on my concha – due to the odd shape of my ears, but for 95% of people out there this design is perfect and provides a secure fit. Once you find the right tips the Ally Plus II are comfortable for long listening sessions and stay put for active usage such as running.

Features

The main feature on the Ally Plus II is ANC – you can switch between a very effective ANC mode and Ambient mode. The ANC is very effective with lower frequency noises, helping drown out traffic and transport noise, making them ideal for commuters that travel by bus, train or plane. Need to hear your surroundings? Just double tap the right side to activate ambient mode allowing you to hear external noise.

The Cleer+ app is really handy too, the app allows you to fine tune the mix between ANC and Ambient sound, by using a simple slider bar. There is a 5-band EQ which lets you tailor the sound to your tastes and you can update the firmware easily too. There is a user manual within the app, along with touch pad controls (you can change what double/triple tap does on the L or R earphone). Overall the app adds an extra layer of functionality, best of all the user interface of the app is super user friendly and easy to navigate.

You can easily control playback via the earphones themselves, double tap the L side to skip track forwards, triple to skip backwards. Double tap the right to switch between Ambient and ANC mode (there is no “off” mode though), volume is done via double tap but on the second tap you press and hold for 1s (Left for volume down, Right for volume up). Play/Pause/Answer calls is done by a single tap on either side.

Codec wise you get SBC and aptX Adaptive – sadly it doesn’t look like there is AAC for Apple users so they will be limited to SBC. Battery life is up to 10hrs with ANC on, and 11hrs with it off. The case provides an extra 20/22hrs playback and a 5 minute charge provides up to an hours playback. Whilst this is far from the class-leaders such as the Lypertek Z3 2.0, it is still more than enough for the average user. The case charges via USB-C but also supports wireless charging which is quickly becoming the norm.

The earphones are IPX4 rated, this means they are good for your average daily use and can survive gym use and rain showers – but you don’t want to submerge them or accidentally take them in to the shower with you.

Mic quality is good when used for calls, again not neccessarily the best in class but a lot better than quite a few true wireless models on the market.

Sound

Bass: The bass on the Ally Plus II is very good for day to day usage, they are a little warm overall with a pleasant amount of body and low-end emphasis. They are not boosted to the point they drown out the rest of the frequency range, however they do have a slight lift which makes them easy yet fun and engaging to listen to. This also helps with outside noise, and when you turn ANC mode on you do notice they increase the low end a little more than with Ambient mode active. The bass is not overly snappy or controlled and is a little slow to react when listening to complex tracks, however modern pop, hip-hop and more mainstream genres are where these shine offering up a bold and punchy sound signature.

Midrange: There is a bit of a dip in the midrange and the bass bleeds in a little, causing male vocals to sound a little too thick and slightly dull. Female vocals lack a bit of bite too, not quite grabbing your attention, there is a veil over the midrange and it is lacking in clarity. Luckily there isn’t anything missing as such, they are just a little too laid back and smooth for my personal tastes, this does however lead to a fatigue free sound. The in-app EQ is quite helpful though, and with a bit of tweaking you can get a bit more from the midrange.

Treble: There is a bit of a dip in the lower treble to ease any sibilance, then there is a bit of a boost immediately afterwards which brings out cymbals quite nicely. There is enough energy but again these lack a certain precision and are not particularly linear in the treble region. They sound quite closed in and lacking air and extension, with a relatively early roll-off.

Genres and Soundstaging

These are tuned to do well with more mainstream genres, so anything pop, hip/hop and slower alternative rock tends to sound fairly good, but they lack the tonal accuracy to bring out the best in acoustic tracks, and lack the speed and control needed for complex metal.

Soundstaging is fairly average, the relatively early roll-off in the treble doesn’t help as this robs the Ally Plus II of some air and space. Whilst they don’t sound overly closed in, they don’t excel in this area either.

Who is it for?

  • Frequent commuters who need excellent ANC
  • Active users looking for comfort and a secure fit

Conclusion

The Cleer Ally Plus II are quite a good true wireless earphone, for the price they have some excellent features including great battery life and excellent ANC. When it comes to the sound they have a warm and smooth sound signature that is fatigue free but lacking a little when it comes to clarity. They are easy and fun to listen to, but also a little too dull to really excite you, the app is really easy to use and with a bit of tweaking of the EQ you can easily tune them to your tastes. So if you are looking for a good earphone for noisy commutes or active use the Ally Plus II is a great choice, if you value sound quality over features though, I personally prefer the Lypertek Z3 2.0.

New O400 Earphone from Oriveti

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Oriveti may fly under the radar for many audio enthusiasts, but they sure do know how to make some of the best value for money earphones in the industry. The new O400 is no different, offering up a high quality finish with excellent sound quality, what’s not to love?

The new Oriveti O400 featuring 4 custom tuned balanced armature drivers with a custom crossover network in a hand made resin shell you can tell a lot of attention has been put in to the earphones. The O400 has been paired with an 8-wire silver plated copper along with a huge selection of tips including the much loved Azla SednaEarfit™ Xelastec. The drivers are split evenly across the range: 1 Treble BA, 1 Bass BA, 1 Mid-treble, 1 Bass-Mid  BA – this allows for minimal distortion and increased range and separation.

The O400 are nice and easy to drive at 10 Ohms and 112dB +-3dB/mW, 1000Hz sensitivity, however as with any multi-driver earphone they do definitely benefit from having a good source powering them.

Oriveti have tuned the O400 to have a balanced, natural and wide sound signature – with a subtle lift in the sub-bass region and a clean and crisp midrange, the treble is airy and transparent but without nasty peaks or induce harshness.

These are available now and for only £399

Campfire Holocene and Mammoth Announcement

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Announcement: Mammoth and Holocene earphones give music lovers two new flavours of high-quality listening experience in an evocative glow-in-the-dark package.

Campfire Audio Mammoth and Holocene Announcement: With support for high-quality lossless formats across the major streaming platforms on the rise, music lovers now must rely more than ever on their choice of earphones to deliver on the promise of the next generation of premium listening experiences. Recognizing the need for audiophile-grade sound and quality in a unique, eye-catching package, Campfire Audio has just announced Holocene and Mammoth — two bold new earphone designs that will connect listeners with their favourite artists better than ever before.

Holocene and Mammoth build off Campfire’s legacy of elegant, handcrafted earphones and in-ear monitors by utilizing Campfire’s signature 3D printed acoustic chambers and precision matched drivers to deliver a peerless listening experience in two distinct sonic flavours. Holocene’s sound profile offers an even, balanced frequency response across its entire range, giving listeners exceptional clarity and a high-fidelity representation of their favourite artist’s sonic vision. Mammoth is bold and vibrant, ideally designed to deliver an enhanced listening experience to the person who likes to turn things up and feel the bass, mid, and treble in all the right places.


Ensuring Campfire’s commitment to crafting products that are both robust and refined, each model is machined from aluminium, connected with black tri-lobe screws, finished with a black PVD stainless steel spout, and completed with the company’s custom beryllium MMCX connectors ensuring years of stable performance. Campfire has also given Holocene and Mammoth a unique and striking visual appeal, with integrated glow-in-the-dark elements on the earphones and cable overmolds, giving them a dynamic look after dark. The units also ship with a custom-designed zipper case made of SEAQUAL® upcycled marine plastic with glow-in-the-dark features and unique patterns on every case.


“When we designed Holocene and Mammoth, we soon discovered each had its unique voice, and both had something special to offer the discerning listener.” said Caleb Rosenau, Vice President of Campfire Audio.


“Holocene gives you all the nuance and detail out of the most layered recordings without intruding on what the artists intended for us to hear. Its clarity and resolution shine a bright light on your favourite recordings, so you hear more than you ever have before. Mammoth is exciting, visceral, and simply an enjoyable sonic signature. You may find yourself turning up the favourite parts of your favourite songs with Mammoth because I certainly did. Both are going to give you an amazing way to listen and connect with your favourite music in an honest and intimate way. These are exceptional products, and we’re excited to get these into people’s hands so that they can enjoy them as much as we do.”


Holocene Key Features

  • Designed and Assembled in Portland, Oregon, USA using globally sourced components
  • Triple Balanced Armature earphone design for a full, balanced frequency response
  • SPL: 94dB @ 6.99 mVrms
  • Earphone Impedance: 5.4 ohm @ 1K
  • Frequency Response: 5Hz – 20kHz
  • ‘Umber’ Color
  • Glow-in-the-dark Overmolds; MMCX and 3.5mm Plug
  • New ‘Smoky Glow’ Silver plated Copper Litz Cable
  • New ‘Epoch’ Carrying Case made with Upcycled Marine Plastic Supporting the SEAQUAL® INITIATIVE and features a unique and one-of-a-kind design

Mammoth Key Features

  • Designed and Assembled in Portland, Oregon, USA using globally sourced components
  • Custom balanced armature for highs, a single custom BA for mids, and a new custom 10mm bio-cellulose diaphragm dynamic driver for a visceral and vibrant sound.
  • SPL: 94dB @ 18.16 mVrms
  • Earphone Impedance: 8.1 ohm @ 1K
  • Frequency Response: 5Hz – 20kHz
  • ‘Frozen Tundra Blue’ Color
  • Glow-in-the-dark Overmolds; MMCX and 3.5mm Plug
  • New ‘Smoky Glow’ Silver plated Copper Litz Cable
  • New ‘Epoch’ Carrying Case made with Upcycled Marine Plastic Supporting the SEAQUAL® INITIATIVE and features a unique and one-of-a-kind design