Author Archives: Oscar

Klipsch R-51M Review

Posted on by
Reply

Aesthetics and Build Quality:

The R-51M are not your typical black box that sits in a corner, take the grills off and you will find their signature spun-copper mid-bass cone along with their Tractrix horn waveguide for the tweeter. All this is housed in an MDF cabinet with wood grain vinyl wrap for a modern yet classy finish, these will definitely attract some attention in your system.

These are well built, the MDF cabinets feel sturdy and on the back you have proper binding plugs which support 4mm banana plugs. The vinyl wrap is applied well without any obvious flaws and they feel and look great for the price. There are no fancy materials here, just well-designed drivers in a rigid cabinet, no complaints from me though.

Setup:

The R-51M are rear ported so do sound best when pulled a little away from the rear wall, however with their horn waveguide the sweet spot is a little wider than normal. They still sound best when toed in, as the sound becomes more detailed and focussed. These are relatively small, which means they will fit on a cabinet or bookshelf well, however as with most speakers of this size they sound best when placed on dedicated stands.

With a Sensitivity of 93dB @ 2.83V/1M these are pretty easy to drive, with your typical 50wpc integrated amp doing a fine job of powering these, alternatively you could use one of the cheaper class-d amps to good effect.

Sound:

From their size, you would expect the R-51M to sound small and a little lean, but you’ll be in for a surprise. They don’t have bottomless extension of larger floorstanders or subs, but they can sure pump out a hefty low end with bundles of energy. Providing they are well placed, the lows will be full without bloat, the lows are punchy and dynamic with stated low frequency extension of 62Hz +/-3dB which in room will sound a bit lower. Perfect for most music genres, however they do favour more energetic music.

The midrange comes across well separated from the lows and with a good amount of clarity on show. They don’t become overwhelming or shouty, however they cut through with a snappy response that wants you to pay attention. The presentation isn’t laid back or warm, these are not a speaker for playing at low levels in the background. This snappy response helps with layering within the midrange, keeping everything well focussed and separated.

The top end is very open, detailed and quite up front. They are not up-front to the point of being harsh, but they are always present in the mix. Snares are particularly prominent, adding great attack to the sound. That horn waveguide really helps focus the upper frequencies and extension is never an issue up top. The R-51M have a liveliness that is similar to how you would hear a live recording rather than a studio one, which will appeal to quite a few people.

Overall they have a good balanced between the frequencies with a full yet punchy low end, open and detailed midrange and energetic treble. These are a pair of speakers that demand your attention when listening to them, and like to be enjoyed at slightly higher volume levels. Match them with the right equipment and you have a very enjoyable system if you favour energy over a smoother sound.

 

Conclusion:

The R-51M are an excellent speaker for the price, with a highly addictive and energetic sound that is sure to get your feet tapping. This does come at the expense of a little refinement, but this slightly rough around the edges sound is more akin to a live performance than a studio one.

 

Aesthetics: 4.5/5

Sound: 4.5/5

Build Quality: 4/5

Value: 4/5

Periodic Audio C (Carbon) Earphone Review

Posted on by
Reply

Aesthetics and Build Quality:

The Carbon are very understated in their look, no flashy colours or anything to make them stand out. Instead they stick to their tried and true polycarbonate housing with coloured metal faceplate to tell the models apart. As per their other models, the Carbon L/R indicators are the wax guards, with red for the Right side and black for the Left. The Carbons don’t have an exciting look, but these are focussed on performance.

Build quality is excellent like all their other models, with a stiff polycarbonate housing and fixed cable they mean business. Most people prefer to have detachable cables, but Periodic are not happy with the current standards and would rather have a durable fixed cable than a failure prone connector. All in all, the Carbon are very well made and are more than up to the job of daily use, just try not to flex the 3.5mm jack too much. Periodic focus on the scientific aspects of the build more than the aesthetics, and I’m honestly fine with this.

Comfort and Isolation:

The housing is smooth and fits well once you find the right size tips, they are lightweight and comfortable to wear for extended periods of time. The cable is soft, and these are designed to be worn with the cable straight down.

Isolation is good but not excellent due to the vented housing for the dynamic driver these use. Perfect for daily use, but something with a little more isolation may be wanted for the noisiest of commutes.

Sound:

Bass: The Carbons are designed to be a darker, more bass-oriented IEM and in this they succeed with effortless extension. They easily dig down into the sub-bass with no noticeable roll-off, the mid-bass has good punch but the focus is on the sub-bass here. This is one that will satisfy the bass heads out there, without offending those who also appreciate the finer details in music. The Carbon have a real heft down low and impart an inherent warmth across the range that makes them incredibly enjoyable and easy to listen to. This is an earphone that allows you to feel and hear kick drums, and they work a treat with EDM.

Midrange: The midrange manages to cut through the mix with impressive clarity when you take into account the warmth from the low end. There is some warming to the midrange that is to be expected, but they do a fair job of remaining focussed. There is a bit of a dip in the midrange that means the Carbon will never sound mid-forward but when it comes to detail there is an impressive amount on show if you listen for it. There is no harshness from sibilance and they transition into the treble region very smoothly.

Treble: There is no doubt about it, the treble is slightly subdued compared to the rest of the sound, but there is still a good amount of energy. Snares have good attack but do sound slightly dull, cymbal crashes fall a little short when it comes to absolute extension. They are still present, and there is still a fair amount of detail up to. These are not tuned as a bright, or overly energetic earphone, they are all about bringing a full and smooth listening experience without falling behind on the technical details.

The soundstage is fairly average but the separation is great. Even with all they low end, they still manage to pick apart complex mixes with relative ease.

Conclusion:

The Carbon from Periodic Audio are a full and fun sounding IEM’s with a focus on bass quantity and quality. Luckily even with this amount of low end, the midrange and treble still cut through with good detail and control. These are a lot of fun, and the perfect partner for any noisy commute.

 

Sound: 4/5

Comfort: 5/5

Build Quality: 4/5

Value: 4/5

Mission QX-2 Bookshelf Speaker Review

Posted on by
Reply

Aesthetics and Build Quality:

Mission have gone for a modern look with the QX-2 and they stand out amongst the more conventional boxy bookshelf speakers out there. Aluminium plates on the top and bottom, rounded corners and the signature tweeter on the bottom design is sure to turn some heads. These will fit really well in most spaces, and they come in a few different colours to match your décor.

Build quality is excellent, the aluminium plates on the top and bottom add weight to the main construction which is vinyl wrapped. The fit and finish of all components is great, there is one pair of binding posts so you cannot bi-wire these. The design has been carefully thought out to increase mass, reduce resonance and provide the best sound possibly whilst looking great doing so.

Setup:

The QX-2 are rear ported so they do like to have a bit of breathing space, sounding their best when positioned slightly away from a rear wall. They are also quite heavy and are best set on a set of dedicated stands.

With a power rating of 25-100w and a sensitivity of 88dB (2.00v @ 1m) they are not the most demanding of speakers however, the nominal impedance is 8Ohm but they do dip to 3.6Ohms so having a good amplifier will help them sound their best. A sub £500 integrated amp would be the perfect place to start with these.

Sound:

For their size, the QX-2 really do know how to get your feet tapping and yet there is a great sense of control and refinement that sticks with you. Sporting a 15cm mid/bass driver the QX-2 are more than capable of pumping out enough low end to satisfy most users, however it is the quality that really shines here. Kick drums sound real, with the perfect balance between hitting hard, yet with the right about of body to back it up. If you are using these in a home theatre setup, you might want to add a sub, but in a normal multi-use 2 channel system they are more than capable of filling a small to medium size room. The lows are controlled and refined, yet have plenty of get up and go when called for, an impressive feat for a speaker of this size.

The midrange has a silky smooth, and effortless quality to it, although I wouldn’t call them the most neutral here. There is a little hint of warmth to the midrange that renders them effortless yet at the same time they are not missing out on technical details. Vocals come across with a more organic tone to them, whilst guitars have excellent placement within the soundstage. Much like the low end, there is plenty of energy here but without presenting itself in an overly enthusiastic way. Micro-detail might not be their strong point, but the sheer fun of these makes me not worry too much about that.

The interesting looking ring dome tweeter does an impressive job of offering up a very open and detailed top end yet steering clear of becoming sharp and fatiguing. They don’t quite have the sheer brilliance or energy of some metal dome tweeters, but they offer up a very refined and smooth top end that really blends well with the rest of the sound of the QX-2. The extension is effortless and they never sound strained or rolled off, adding a real sense of space to the soundstage.

Imaging is very accurate and the sound staging is excellent with a very spacious sound for a small pair of speakers.

Conclusion:

The QX-2 strike the perfect balance between being engaging yet refined, these are sure to appeal to plenty of listeners with their easy to like sound. Careful placement will ensure you get the best out of these, they are exceptionally clean yet always well controlled and refined and a pure joy to listen to. If you are looking for a pair of sub £500 bookshelf speakers, these should be high up on your list of models to try out.

 

Aesthetics: 5/5

Sound: 4.5/5

Build Quality: 5/5

Value: 5/5

64 Audio Custom Model Overview

Posted on by
Reply

These demo models come in a universal shell, but they will give you a good idea of what the custom version will sound like.

A2e

Starting off at the bottom you have a simple dual driver model, but don’t let the driver count fool you. If you want a more mid-forward sound with ample bass and treble the A2e are a great starting point. They have good impact down low, mainly focussed on the mid-bass punch. The midrange is very detailed and clean, and the highs are well presented but lack the air and effortless extension of the tia equipped models.

Separation is really impressive on the A2e and accuracy when it comes to stereo imaging is also excellent. These are a great, slightly mid centric monitor that will give you plenty of tuning flexibility on stage. Headroom and dynamics are compromised a little over the more expensive options, but in their own right the A2e are a great performer.

 

A3e

Coming from the A2e you immediately notice more resolution and extension up top with a more natural tone. The A2e is a little mid forward whereas the A3e is perhaps a little more reference like in their tuning, with a more neutral sound signature. This is a very good 3 driver model when it comes to soundstage width and layering.

The lows have enough impact and extension to keep most people happy, whilst the midrange is clean and well separated with excellent layering. The highs are very well placed with good energy and extension, along with great tonality all round. A great entry level monitor for those looking for a more neutral sound signature.

 

A4t

This is the model where the tia driver starts coming in, steering away from the slightly more neutral A2e and A3e, the A4t offer up a meatier low end and slightly fuller bodied midrange. There is a little more focus on the sub-bass offering up a solid foundation for the mid-bass kick, along with a slightly fuller midrange. The midrange is however well detailed and not masked but the increase in the low end.

The tia driver used for the highs give these a more airy and spacious sound with a more rounded sound stage in terms of width and height compared to the more width oriented A3e. The A4t offer up a slightly fuller sound signature, that is a little more fun, but doesn’t compromise on the technical side.

A6t

The A6t offer up a very smooth, coherent and well-balanced sound with perhaps a little added body for added protection against fatigue. They have a very full yet linear bass response digging deep into the sub-bass without faltering, the midrange is a tad warmer than neutral but still allows you to easily hear all the layers of the recording. Up top they have excellent separation and extension, there is no harsh peak in the upper midrange and these are extremely pleasant to listen to.

A favourite for musicians, the A6t is a great go-to monitor, with a well-balanced but not strictly neutral sound. Many prefer this model with the M15 module as it brings out a little added air and aids separation. This is one model you can easily tune to your liking with EQ if you wish.

 

N8

This one is tuned for the bassists out there, with a dynamic driver for the low end it offers more headroom down low than the other models in the line-up. The lows are articulate and hard hitting with a really natural tonality to them. They are tuned to be quite prominent in the mix, but if you are using these in a professional setting it allows you to cut if needed. This is much better than trying to boost lows which can introduce clipping. With all that bass, the midrange still managed to cut through with good authority and quite a pleasant tonality.

Again, the tia driver here really does define the treble, with the signature extension and air. To most, the N8 will be a little too bass oriented, but for those that need the headroom, and also the tonality of a dynamic driver, the N8 does a superb job at allowing you to hear and feel the low frequencies.

 

For the A12t and A18t you can refer to the Universal Model guide here, as those 2 models are the only ones available in a custom and universal shell.

 

 

Westone W40 V2 Review

Posted on by
Reply

Aesthetics and Build Quality:

The W40 V2 are pretty sleek yet you can change up the colours with the interchangeable faceplates. They come in a variety of colours allowing you to choose which fits your style the best. The Bluetooth cable is black, but the normal cable is silver plated and looks great with the black housing.

The build quality is great, the new silver-plated cable has good strain relief and the IEM’s themselves have a high-quality plastic housing with metal faceplates. The MMCX connectors feel solid when you click the cable into place, and everything is very well put together.

Comfort and Isolation:

Westone know how to make a comfy IEM and the W40 V2 are no different. With a smooth housing and perfect angles for the nozzle to enter your ear, they fit like a glove. Find the right tips and you will enjoy hours of comfort from them. The cable doesn’t have stiff memory wire, instead it has soft, pre-moulded earhooks.

Isolation is a real strong point with these, as they are a fully sealed, multi BA driver design they are perfect for use in noisy environments.

Sound:

Bass: The bass on the W40 V20 is nice and tight yet it still has a fullness to the sound that makes them accurate yet easy to listen to. There is good extension and a little emphasis on the sub-bass, but the speed of the lows means they can keep up with complex mixes with ease. There is great articulation and bass lines are super easy to follow. This style of slightly emphasised low end without bloat works well for an everyday IEM.

Midrange: There is a little dip in the lower midrange which can make certain vocals sound a little masked, however there is great presence and clarity throughout the midrange. The intimacy of the midrange is really pleasant, vocals are up front and centre whilst everything comes in from around them, giving a good sense of space and layering. These do really well with vocal based music.

Treble: The highs don’t let these down, these are not a dark or boring IEM. They have great energy up top bringing out plenty of detail and sparkle, yet they also extend with ease. The transition from the upper midrange to the treble is pretty smooth and devoid of harsh sibilance. Positioning of the highs is great with good directionality and pinpoint accuracy. The W40 V2 are an energetic IEM that want you to enjoy the music, without missing any part of it.

Soundstaging is very good, with a wide stage and excellent layering and separation the W40 V2 really allows you to pick apart the mix.

Conclusion:

If you are looking for a good all-rounder, the W40 V2 are well worth considering. With flexibility and excellent comfort, paired with a warm/neutral sound signature they handle most genres with ease and add a little energy down low for a bit of added enjoyment.

 

Sound: 4/5

Comfort: 5/5

Build Quality: 4/5

Value: 3.5/5

64 Audio Universal Model Overview

Posted on by
1

U12t:

One of the most popular models, the U12t is in the sweet spot for price/performance. The U12t are a superb all-rounder that have enough bass to satisfy most but have plenty of technical prowess too. Almost like a baby U18t, the U12t are very well balanced and even handed with punchy yet dynamic lows, detailed and open midrange and effortless highs. The lows can be tuned with the apex module, the M20 giving a subtle lift in the sub-bass over the default M15. The bass is fast and articulate yet has body and punch too.

The midrange is crisp and clean, expertly separated from the low end it cuts through the mix with excellent detail retrieval. Layering in the midrange is a highlight, it is very easy to separate different layers in the mix. The highs here are perfectly in line with the rest of the sound, with impact, shimmer and extension all with the signature openness of the tia driver.

The U12t are very well balanced overall and handle anything you throw at them. They have a bit more of an up-front sound stage but with great layering. It’s easy to hear why they are so popular.

 

tia Trió:

This model is probably the one that is most forgotten in the 64 Audio lineup, yet they deserve some recognition. Here we have a very accomplished hybrid design, one that is all about engagement and enjoyment. There is a healthy dose of sub-bass extension helped with great articulation in the mid-bass. This low end gives the Trio a bit of fun factor but without overstepping the line to become fatiguing.

The midrange is present, up front and clean, never masked by the more powerful low end.  The highs come from the signature tia driver, which allows effortless extension but they are by no means up front and bright. The highs take a backseat overall, yet they don’t sound dark, with great detail and impact when called for.

The Trio are made for enjoyment, the lows have real dynamic punch to them yet they don’t drown out the midrange or highs. Perfect for those who listen to music with a good bassline to follow. Sound staging is great too, with a good sense of space and perfect imaging.

U18t:

The U18t are for those who love technicalities, cramming a whole 18 balanced armatures per side, the U18t are somewhat of a statement product. If you listen to the U18t for a while, anything else is going to sound veiled and muddy in comparison. They have such a clean and controlled sound signature that is perfect for those who want neutrality. Everything is cranked up to 11, these have headroom to spare and don’t put a foot wrong, whatever you play through them.

This level of detail does have its downfalls, one being they are very unforgiving so be sure to pair them with a good source and good music files. Once you do this, you will be able to pick apart every recording down to the finest detail, all this information is however delivered in an enjoyable package and the U18t are not fatiguing to listen to.

They don’t have the incredibly wide soundstage of the Fourte, but these are designed as more of a monitor like IEM, whereas the Fourte are geared more towards the audiophile market. If you love a detailed and neutral sound signature, the U18t are incredible and definitely worth a listen.

 

tia Fourté:

This model pushes the boundaries and shows what’s possible with only 4 drivers. This is a hybrid design with an intricate inner shell with chambers that help shape the sound. Nothing sounds overly boosted on the Fourte, but they do have a healthy dose of impact down low. The Fourte are very revealing and will throw up flaws in recordings, but the clarity in the midrange is truly astonishing. What’s even more impressive is how the top end just extends without rolling off at all.

The soundstage is one of the standout qualities of the Fourte, you can pick out the mixing techniques as vocals can be dead centre then shift to the sides a little.

Everything sounds very cleanly separated, yet the width and height of the soundstage are unlike any other IEM I have heard.

If you are looking for a true hi-fi experience, the Fourte deliver; with a more musical yet well balanced sound signature, effortless, crystal clear highs and impeccable soundstaging qualities, they truly are TOTL. Just try to stick to high quality recordings to hear the best these can deliver.

 

Fourté Noir:

These are a limited edition of the original Fourte, and sound very similar so I won’t go into as much detail. They do however come with a more premium 8-core cable that terminates in a 2.5mm balanced plug and has a 2.5mm to 3.5mm adaptor with it too. The Fourte Noir are a bit more refined when compared to the Fourte with a slightly smoother upper midrange and a little extra body in the sub-bass.

These differences are small but noticeable when you A/B them side by side. If you enjoy the original Fourte then the Fourte Noir may sound a little less exciting upon first listen but over time their smoother sound might be to your liking. If you’ve never heard either, both models are excellent. I would say that the Noir have a slight edge when it comes to the soundstaging too, but only slight.

Campfire Audio Solaris Review

Posted on by
2

Aesthetics and Build Quality:

The Solaris do not take a low-key approach when it comes to looks, with a gold faceplate and large housing they definitely stand out in the crowd. They do however look great, you can see the craftsmanship in the machining of the shells, and everything feels very premium.

Build quality is superb again, with aluminium shells that are CNC machined, the cable is silver plated and slightly thicker than the one on the Andromeda. Everything is very well built and feels solid, albeit a little on the heavier side.

Comfort and Isolation:

Well there is no escaping just how big the Solaris are, and depending on the size and shape of your ears the fit will vary. I have quite small ears, and the Solaris stick out quite far, but do stay in fine with the right tips. They are not uncomfortable, just a little cumbersome.

Isolation is good on these; they do have a vent for the dynamic driver but this doesn’t seem to affect their isolation and these are great for on-the-go use or commuting and hold up well in loud environments.

Sound:

Bass: Having a single dynamic driver handling bass duties, these have more impact and rumble when compared to a more neutral IEM like their sibling the Andromeda. These have incredible articulation down low, there is a slight increase in presence down low to keep things tilted towards a more fun sound signature. However, the bass does a good job at controlling its body, and it never manages to get in the way of the midrange.

Midrange: The midrange on the Solaris is clean and clear, not suffering from the typical warm lower midrange due to bass bloat. This is where the BA drivers kick in and through out incredibly crisp and detailed mids that sound natural and tonally accurate. The midrange sits perfectly in the mix, without being pushed back, the extra body down low does not translate to a v-shaped sound signature.  The transition from the midrange to the treble is smooth and sibilance is not an issue with the Solaris.

Treble: The treble on the Solaris is very tastefully done, packed full of detail yet with a smooth and effortless extension allowing them to shine yet without fatigue. There is no artificial boosting to create a sense of detail, instead they decide to have a more even-handed approach and allow you to enjoy the music but also the detail is there if you want to listen. The precision of the treble is really impressive and their placement within the soundstage is very accurate.

The soundstaging of the Solaris is a definite highlight, there is great width and height and everything is incredibly well separated.

Conclusion:

The Solaris are incredibly coherent from top to bottom, with a mild emphasis on the bass region. They are a full bodied yet well balanced IEM that handle pretty much anything you throw at them. They may be expensive, but their performance is truly superb.

 

Sound: 5/5

Comfort: 3/5

Build Quality: 5/5

Value: 4/5

Shanling UP2 Bluetooth Receiver / DAC Review

Posted on by
1

Shanling UP2

Aesthetics and Build Quality:

Well what can I say, Shanling know how to make a great looking product and the UP2 is no different. Tempered glass in the front and back with subtle branding and a machined aluminium shell and volume knob/button. On the bottom you have a single USB-C port for charging and DAC duties, on the top you have the headphone socket and small hole where the internal microphone is located. It is sleek, slim and just looks great in person.

Build quality is great, the tempered glass should hold up well over time, along with the main aluminium body feeling strong. Having a USB-C connector is excellent as most new devices have now moved over to this connector. I really cannot fault the UP2 in terms of build.

Features:

Well the UP2 is first and foremost a Bluetooth receiver, it supports all the latest codecs too including LDAC and AptxHD. This really does make a difference when compared to devices that only support SBC and AAC.

The UP2 can also be used as a USB DAC with a PC and does not require drivers to work. The internal headphone amp is powerful enough for most IEM’s and easy to drive headphones.

You can quite easily control the music via the UP2, the volume wheel can be pressed in to play/pause, double click to skip a track forwards, and triple to skip back. You can pick up phone calls and the UP2 has a built-in microphone for that duty. The UP2 has around 11hrs battery life on SBC, when using LDAC or Aptx it is slightly lower.

Sound:

The UP2 is an excellent sounding Bluetooth receiver, using a separate Bluetooth receiver and DAC chip means you really do get high quality Bluetooth audio. I’ve been using the UP2 with some Campfire Audio Andromedas and there is absolutely zero background hiss, match that with the low output impedance and you have an impressive wireless setup. The UP2 doesn’t really have much of a sound signature of its own, being neutral and detailed depending on what you pair it with.

 

With LDAC playing it’s getting harder and harder to tell between Bluetooth and CD quality wired from a DAP (of course you have to be playing CD quality over Bluetooth for LDAC to do its magic). No longer do we have to put up with mushy highs, and one tone bass notes over Bluetooth, now we can have excellent dynamics and detail retrieval, it is making me rethink the whole Bluetooth thing, and that’s a £79 product paired with a £1049 pair of earphones.

 

Of course, there is still an argument to have a dedicated DAP, with a better amplifier and better components, but usually at a much higher cost. For daily use however the Shanling is perfect, the difference in sound quality really isn’t that big and one that is easy to live with if you value convenience. Yes the UP2 + earphones isn’t as slick as a pair of true wireless earphones but the sound quality is superior to all true wireless models we have tested, along with having better battery life.

Conclusion:

Well the UP2 really is a great little device, the sound quality when paired with a device that can transmit LDAC or Aptx HD really is closing the gap between wireless and wired, with no substantial drop in audio quality. The UP2 is the perfect on-the-go partner for a pair of quality earphones or easy to drive headphones, I forgot to add that the UP2 is clean and neutral sounding to boot.

 

Build Quality: 5/5

Features: 4/5

Sound Quality: 4/5

Value: 5/5

 

 

Shanling ME500 Hybrid Earphone Review

Posted on by
Reply

Shanling ME500

Aesthetics and Build Quality:

The ME500 are shiny, very shiny at that with a polished housing and tempered glass faceplates. They stand out and are not the most low-key IEM’s out there, but they do look great in person and feel substantial too. The cable is a made of SPC OFC and lokos great, overall the ME500 do stand out but in a good way.

Build quality is superb, the brass housings have good weight to them and are very well finished. The cable feels strong and have good strain relief all round, the MMCX connectors are nice and tight and I cannot find any issues with the build of the ME500.

Comfort and Isolation:

The ME500’s are pretty small but slightly heavy, luckily once you find the right tips they fit snug in your ear and stay securely fitted during use. The comfort is great and they can be worn for long periods of time.

 

Isolation is really good, perfect for commuting and daily use. The vent for the dynamic driver doesn’t seem to affect the isolation on the ME500 much.

Sound:

Bass: The ME500’s bass is tight yet articulate with great transient response. They have tuned the dynamic driver to fit with the snappier response of the BA drivers. This is a controlled and taught response down low, but one that digs down into the sub-bass when required. I have found these to play best with slightly slower instrumental tracks where they fill out nicely. Even though they have the speed to keep up with quick and busy tracks, they sometimes sound a little too flat. The ME500 is not for those who crave warmth and body, they are for those looking for clarity and control.

 

Midrange: Here is where the clarity shines through with great openness and an airy presentation. Both male and female vocals sound excellent without any major dips or peaks, there is plenty of energy and detail retrieval is superb. The midrange is well layered and the upper midrange doesn’t suffer from sibilance issues. I really like the presentation of female vocals on the ME500, they just sound very natural and effortless. Electric guitars have really power and energy yet the layering means nothing becomes congested. The tonality is a little on the cooler side, but the midrange is never recessed.

 

Treble: These will appeal to treble heads a bit; the overall sound is borderline bright and the highs can become a little overwhelming on certain tracks. They are present in full force, luckily the midrange and bass prevent them from sounding too thin. During slower tracks that are well recorded the ME500’s present an airy and incredibly detailed top end, but put on anything a bit heavier that isn’t as well mastered and they can become a little too hot, bordering on harsh. So play them good quality recordings and you’ll be greeted with an incredible upper end response, but anything that is recorded a little hot could be troublesome without EQ.

 

Soundstaging is excellent, a nice wide stage with pinpoint accuracy, great separation and layering all creates a very holographic presentation.

Conclusion:

The ME500 are very transparent and energetic with a snappy sound that has great control. However, they are also ruthless and will not hold back when you play some poorly mastered music. The top end can be borderline harsh however foam tips and EQ are very handy if you find them a little overenthusiastic up top. Or you could pair them with a cable like the Effect Audio Ares II+ to bring out a little more body.

 

Sound:  3/5

Comfort: 4/5

Build: 5/5

Value: 3.5/5

 

Final B1 Hybrid Earphone Review

Posted on by
Reply

Final B1

 

Aesthetics and Build Quality:

The new B range from Final all share the same shape, but with different finishes. The B1 is rose gold with the signature angular outer and smooth inner shell design. I really like the look of the B1, but they are a fingerprint magnet. Also, I do know that rose gold is not everyone’s cup of tea when it comes to colour but I think it looks pretty classy on these.

The build quality really is superb, the B1 are perfectly finished without a single blemish or flaw. The cable is silver plated and uses regular MMCX connectors, it has great strain relief and feels built to last. The housing is metal, but I do fear the shiny rose gold finish will scratch over time.

Comfort and Isolation:

The inner edges of the B1 are smooth and this makes them extremely comfortable to wear. The angle of the nozzle, matched with the angle of the cable, make these of one the most comfortable IEM’s I have tried. I can’t see anyone having issues with the fit of these.

Isolation is really good; they block out more than enough outside noise for general daily use and commuting. Whilst they don’t quite reach fully sealed BA driver levels of isolation, they have more than enough for daily use.

Sound:

Bass: The dynamic driver of the B1 handles the low frequencies, and does a really good job of filling out the sound yet retaining the speed and control to blend well with the faster BA drivers. The bass is tight yet full when needed, it punches with authority yet when slowed down it has great tonality for acoustic and jazz tracks. Articulate and well layered, the low end injects a sense of energy without becoming over the top. These won’t really suit those looking for a bass heavy sound, but they have enough to suit most people’s needs.

 

Midrange: The midrange is clean with great detail, they have more clarity when compared to the B3, but in presence it is still slightly behind the lows and highs. The lower midrange has a slight dip but it isn’t masked by the bass, and the upper midrange is a little forward which can bring out some sibilance in certain recordings. Despite all of this, the midrange is very open and detailed, with great separation and imaging. Even though the lower midrange is every so slightly dipped, the sound doesn’t come across as V or U-shaped.

 

Treble: The upper midrange forwardness also trails into the lower treble and brings out a lot of energy in the initial crash of cymbals. This is backed up with great extension, but this added energy could be a little too much for more treble sensitive listeners. They have plenty of bite up top which leads to an exciting listen, not one for those who prefer a smoother, more laid-back sound signature. The B1 is packed full of energy, the treble never gets lost in the mix and has great accuracy when it comes to placement within the soundstage and tonality.

 

The soundstaging is good, but I find the B3 to create a more convincing sense of width whereas the B1 does better in terms of height. Coherency is excellent and the imaging is very accurate.

Conclusion:

The B1 are not for the faint hearted, they have an energetic and impactful sound signature that requires your attention. They have heaps of detail, excellent separation and speed along with great comfort. Be sure to give these a listen, as they are incredibly well tuned for a triple driver earphone.

 

Sound: 4/5

Comfort: 5/5

Build: 4/5

Value: 4/5

Final B3 Dual BA Earphone Review

Posted on by
Reply

Final B3

Aesthetics and Build Quality:

The B3 have a really interesting aesthetic, with sharp geometrics on the outside, yet rounded and smooth inner lines for comfort. Their matte silver finish looks great with the gold screws and chrome connector barrels. They have a very unique styling, and one that will stand out in the crowd, yet the colour scheme is fairly low key on the B3 (unlike the B1 which we will cover at a later date).

Build quality is superb, Final know how to make a solid IEM and the B3 are no different, although they are going a step further with the new models by including a detachable MMCX connector cable. The cable is silver-plated copper with excellent strain relief, along with great ergonomics and a shiny finish. Everything about the B3 feels solid and well built, I can’t find a fault with the build.

Comfort and Isolation:

The B3’s inner edges are curved and they fit like a glove in my ears, I personally have awkward ear canals and the B3 are one of the best fitting universal models I’ve ever tried. I can imagine that most users will find them to fit snugly with excellent comfort. The fact they don’t have stiff memory wire really helps too, as the cable effortlessly fits over your ear.

Isolation is good, not top levels due to these having a vent (even though they use BA drivers). They block out enough outside noise for general daily use and commuting duties.

Sound:

Bass: The B3 use 2 balanced armature drivers, this is something a bit different as Final used to only use single drivers. The B3 are somewhat of a fuller sounding BA driver earphone, with great depth and extension down low. The lows have excellent texture to them, they don’t have the sheer slam of some dynamic based models but they have great control and fullness that make them a pleasure to listen to. In terms of balance the lows are quite linear with no specific focus on mid or sub-bass, having good punch that is backed up with rumble and body. The low end is slightly thick, yet well controlled and punchy.

 

Midrange: The B3 have a mild U-shaped sound signature, but vocals have a way of being very well separated within the soundstage. They don’t jump out at you; however, they have great clarity and refinement. Tonality is excellent here, the lower midrange has enough body to sound realistic, yet the upper midrange has a slight lift to bring out a little air without becoming shouty or grating. Overall the midrange has a good level of accuracy, if not ever so slightly behind the lows and highs in absolute presence.

 

Treble: The treble is nice and detailed with great air and extension, the transition from the upper midrange to the treble is smooth and sibilance free. There is a slight boost in the lower treble which brings out a little extra energy however the overall presentation isn’t bright. It’s the air and extension that is most impressive up top, along with the fact they they have accurate tonality in the treble.

 

The soundstaging is really impressive, throwing out a wide soundstage with excellent separation and accurate imaging. The B3 really do excel when it comes to presenting a wide and accurate soundstage, never sounding congested or too up front.

Conclusion:

The B3 are one of those IEM’s that shows driver count is not as important as how you tune the sound. With only 2 drivers, the B3 has excellent top to bottom extension, a wide soundstage, coherency and transparency with a little added energy. They are a great all-rounder with a fairly well-balanced sound and an easy to listen sound that is engaging yet surprisingly accurate.

 

Sound:  4/5

Comfort: 5/5

Build: 4/5

Value: 4/5

Meze Rai Penta 5 Driver Hybrid Earphone Review

Posted on by
1

Meze Rai Penta

Aesthetics and Build Quality:

IEM build quality is really on the rise, and the Rai Penta show off how good well CNC machined shells can look. The Campfire Audio line-up have been using this technology for a while and they have their own twist on styling, whereas Meze have gone for a more rounded look with an understated colour scheme.

The detail on the shells is incredible and you can see a lot of work has gone in to getting the finish as flawless as possible. The small vent for the dynamic driver is a work of art and these feel and look very premium.

Build quality is very good as you would expect, the shells being made out of aluminium are solid and sturdy, the MMCX connectors are tight and rhodium plated for durability. The cable is silver plated copper, with a high strand count helping with ergonomics. You can see the solder joints in the clear MMCX connector strain relief which is a nice touch. The 3.5mm jack is also rhodium plated, and there is good strain relief all round.

Comfort and Isolation:

The Rai Penta has a very ergonomic housing with rounded edges and a soft and flexible cable, this all leads to a very comfortable fit. Once you find the right size tips, you can leave these in and forget about them, they should fit most people’s ears well.

 

The Rai Penta are vented due to the use of a dynamic driver, this means there is no driver flex but the isolation is affected a little. They don’t leak, but isolation is not quite as good as fully sealed BA based designs.

Sound:

Bass: The lows on the Rai Penta has very impressive reach and linearity down low, they hit with authority yet extend without rolling off early. You can easily hear the sub-bass however it is not boosted and only comes out when it’s in the recording. They are very transparent and revealing and will bring out the bass when called for, they do however remain incredibly well controlled at all times and never sound congested or slow. The lows have the ability to be full when needed without affecting the midrange at all, and as they are so transparent the amount of body will change depending on the source.

 

Midrange: The midrange is remarkably well controlled and the lows never bleed in to the lower midrange. This leaves male vocals to cut through with excellent clarity and layering without added body congesting the sound. The tonality is spot on though and the Rai Penta are never lacking in natural timbre. Both male and female vocals excel with perfect presence, falling perfectly in line with the rest of the frequency response. It doesn’t matter how busy the mix gets, the midrange cuts through and is never left behind.

 

Treble: The highs extend effortlessly into the black background of the Rai Penta, yet they have great impact and energy without distortion or fatigue inducing peaks. The transition from the midrange to the treble is smooth with no emphasis so they are devoid of sibilance unless it is in the recording. The highs do nothing wrong, perfectly aligned with the bass and mids, they add great air and openness to the sound. Getting rid of sound tubes, and using CNC machining for the sound bores goes a long way in helping the high frequencies breathe and sound as open as these do. They don’t quite reach Andromeda levels of presence and air, but they are not lacking by any stretch.

 

The soundstaging is very good, with great depth and impressive width as you would expect for the price. Separation is a real strong point due to how controlled the Rai Penta sound, they never lag or sound congested no matter how busy the track gets.

Conclusion:

There are so many great models out at the moment that it is hard to pick which are best and thus we always recommend listening before purchasing. What the Rai Penta delivers are impressive dynamics and a level playing field for all the frequencies. Their transparency allows them to play well with all genres and bring out the best in all of them, it is not a jack of all trades, master of none experience either. Even at low volumes you get the full range and impressive dynamics, yet play them a little louder and they hold the same signature with nothing stepping out of line. The Rai Penta is a high-end IEM in all aspects, and delivers a balanced yet musical and natural listening experience.

 

Sound:  4/5

Comfort: 5/5

Build: 5/5

Value: 4/5

Lypertek PurePlay Z3 True Wireless Earphone Review

Posted on by
2

Lypertek PurePlay Z3

Aesthetics and Build Quality:

The PurePlay Z3 (formerly known as TEVI) are a smooth and discreet, nothing really stands out on them with a small logo and silver trim ring on the faceplate. They smooth black finish looks great, there is a slight difference in colour between the 2 sections of the body but it doesn’t detract from the overall look.

Build quality is excellent, the joins in the housings are very smooth and they are finished to a high standard. The charging case is fabric coated and solid, and the buttons on the faceplates have a very positive click. Overall everything feels very well put together and durable for long term use. They are also IPX7 rated which means they are fine for your daily run and gym use.

Features:

The PurePlay Z3 use the latest Bluetooth 5.0 technology along with support for aptX, AAC and SBC codecs. Pair them with an aptX compatible device and you’ll get slightly better sound quality of course, but AAC also sounds very good.

The controls are easy to learn and intuitive, two click on the right to increase volume, two on the left to decrease. Three clicks on the right to skip track forward, three on the left to skip backwards. Single tap on either will pause the music, and a 2s press on the left will bring up Siri/Google assistant. You can also pick up calls and there are built in microphones that work very well.

Battery is rated at 10hrs per charge (SBC 50% volume), and I would say that figure is quite accurate from testing, using aptX will decrease this slightly but the increase in sound quality is worth the trade-off. The charging case supports another 6 whole charges, making these very impressive compared to the current competition.

Connectivity and signal stability are excellent, they pair easily and only cut out if you go out of range or add objects within the transmitting path (walls etc..). Overall, they work as advertised and don’t cut out if your phone is in your pocket or within a reasonable distance.

 

Comfort and Isolation:

The shape of the PurePlay Z3 is ergonomic with soft rounded edges and the perfect angle nozzle to provide a comfortable and secure fit without sticking out too far. The housings are a little on the larger size, but they never feel cumbersome when in use.

Isolation is pretty good; they do a very reasonable job at muting outside noises and are perfect for daily use and commuting.

Sound:

Bass: The bass on the PurePlay Z3 is full yet well controlled, it has a way of adding body without becoming the centre of attention. In terms of presence they are slightly north of neutral but they always sound very well balanced. There is good extension and kicks are backed up with body. The lows really are impressive, preventing the PurePlay Z3 from sounding thin but without making them sound bloated. They handle most genres with ease and have good articulation, lacking only a little speed during complex mixes.

 

Midrange: The lows are slightly north of neutral in terms of presence, but this does not mask the midrange and make vocals sound pushed back or congested. The midrange is well separated, lower male vocals do have a tiny bit of added body, and female vocals cut through with a little more detail but the overall midrange performance is very well balanced. Most consumer true wireless models have a habit of boosting the bass and treble, whereas the PurePlay Z3 comes across a lot more even handed and more suitable for a wide range of genres. There is great separation and layering, yet the coherency between frequencies is also excellent.

 

Treble: The treble is slightly laid back but luckily there is enough presence to prevent the PurePlay Z3 from sounding overly dark. The thing about the treble is that the tonality is just right, they don’t sound splashy or metallic and have great extension and detail. They have good accuracy when it comes to imaging too and they fit well into the frequency range. I would never call these bright though, and the treble is smooth enough that even the most treble sensitive users won’t have any issues with fatigue.

 

Soundstaging is good, not huge but very acceptable as most TW earphones sound very closed in. The detail present here is excellent and the separation between instruments is great.

Conclusion:

The PurePlay Z3 are very impressive, especially considering their sub £100 price point. Offering up a smooth and detailed sound signature that is well balanced yet slightly full. Add to that great stability and functionality and you have a TW earphone that is so easy to recommend, go out and grab one now as they are a game changer in the TW market.

 

Sound: 5/5

Comfort:5/5

Features: 5/5

Value: 5/5

Kanto YU4 Powered Speakers Review

Posted on by
Reply

Kanto YU4

Aesthetics and Build Quality:

The YU4 are a seamlessly finished product that looks sleek and polished. The rear panel on the left side has the inputs and bass port and the right side has the bass port and speaker wire terminals. The front is clean and smooth, with a power button and volume control on the left side. The size of the YU4 allows them to fit nicely on a larger desk or on a cabinet/windowsill. You could stand mount them but I think they are a little small to be used for a main system.

Build quality is great, the cabinets feel substantial and the inputs on the back are all very sturdy. For an active speaker at this price range, the Kanto’s feel very well made.

Placement:

The YU4’s smaller bass driver means they are best used in a near-field setup rather than in a typical hi-fi setup. Using them in a more typical hi-fi setup you lose a little body and the sound is a little more focussed on the midrange/treble. These are rear ported and placing them close to a wall will reinforce low frequencies, you can play about with the distance between the back of the speakers and the wall to create the best amount of bass without bloom due to resonance. In a near field setup they sound best when they have some room to breathe.

Functionality:

The YU4’s have a 3.5mm aux input, a pair of RCA inputs which can handle a standard line-in or at the flip of a switch it can be used as a phono input from a turntable (there is a built-in phono pre-amp). You also get Bluetooth with AptX support, a subwoofer output and 2 optical inputs. There is a USB port on the back, but this is not for audio use, purely for charging USB devices unfortunately.

You get a remote which allows you to control all the functions of the YU4’s, including inputs, bass and treble controls and standby on/off. The remote allows you to fine tune the sound and is really handy if you are not next to the speakers.

YU4 sound:

Bass: The bass on the YU4’s varies depending on how they are placed, but when you find the right spot, they have good reach (limited by the driver/enclosure size) and the bass is tight yet full bodied, however there is sometimes a little bloom in the mid-bass. Of course, for a speaker of its size, you have to be realistic when it comes to extension and volume, but the bass is present and controlled and gives the sound good overall balance. You can dial in a little more bass with the remote, but I have found that it becomes a little boomy if you do this. Kicks lack a little weight and come across a little dry, but bass guitars have good articulation.

 

Midrange: This is where the YU4’s really shine, with great separation the midrange is given space to breathe and has plenty of insight and detail. The upper midrange is not pushed back, so there will occasionally be a little sibilance if it is present in the recording. Vocals are rendered with excellent clarity and the tonality is good. Acoustic guitars have good reverberation, and the layering of instruments in the midrange is excellent. Overall performance in the midrange is very good with a slight lift in the upper mids that can add a little bit of a hard edge to certain notes, but this is a minor gripe.

 

Treble: The treble is not dialled back on the YU4 and has very good energy in the lower treble region. This makes cymbal crashes stand out with great energy but it might be a little too exciting for those who are a little more treble sensitive. The treble control on the remote works quite well, and just dialling it down a notch or two can help on hotter recordings. There is a slight metallic tone to the highs sometimes, not being the smoothest or most refined, but again at the price point they do a very good job at pulling out finer details and adding air to the sound.

 

Bluetooth: Bluetooth performance when paired with an aptX compatible device is remarkably good, with very much the same core sound signature with slightly compressed dynamics. These work very well with bluetooth devices and the performance doesn’t drop massively compared to a wired connection.

Conclusion:

The Kanto YU4 with matching S4 stands make an excellent near field setup, without the stands they do a good job as a backup/bedroom or kitchen setup. Their size is a good middle ground between real bookshelf speakers and desktop monitors and they have excellent features in a polished housing. All this is backed up with an expressive and open midrange, ample low end to give the sound some warmth and body and an airy and well extended top end. You could add a sub to the system to bring up the lows a little, but as they are, they make a fine pair of desktop speakers.

 

Build Quality: 5/5

Sound Quality: 4/5

Ease of Use: 4/5

Functionality: 5/5

Oriveti OH300 Review

Posted on by
6

Oriveti OH300

Aesthetics and Build Quality:

The OH300 are constructed by hand from acrylic and the new finish is flawless. Smooth rounded edges and an all-black finish make them look professional and understated. The Oriveti logo and name is in silver lettering on the faceplate, and doesn’t stand out too much, I really do love the sleek and smooth look Oriveti have gone for.

Build quality is superb, the housings feel durable, the MMCX connectors are tight and don’t swivel freely which is great. The cable uses 8-cores of silver-plated copper and feels incredible with great strain relief too, I’m very impressed by the quality for the price.

 

Comfort and Isolation:

The rounded edges of the housing, combined with the size and comfortable cable all contributes to a superb fit, once you have found the right size tips. I did find that foam tips tend to make them fit more securely.

The OH300 isolate well, even though the housing is vented I have not found this to negatively affect the isolation. Perfect for daily commuting and general use.

 

Sound:

Bass: The OH300 are a hybrid model, and there is a single dynamic driver looking after the low end. Luckily, they have tuned this driver to be tight and fast, perfectly complimenting the detail of the BA drivers. There is still a little bit of added warmth from the dynamic driver, but this is well controlled and never causes any congestion. There is excellent articulation down low, along with great extension and punch. All in good measure and never becoming the main focus of the sound.

 

Midrange: The mids on the OH300 are spot on, perfectly balanced in the mix with natural yet clean tonality. Vocals are rendered with texture and emotion, yet they are also clear and detailed. Electric guitars have power yet during slower acoustic tracks they exhibit excellent reverberation and subtle detail retrieval. There is a no-nonsense approach to the midrange, it is where it should be with correct tonality and really does just get out of the way.

 

Treble: The treble is airy and extended, with great impact but not a hint of harshness. Cymbals are rendered with great impact and shimmer, yet they don’t have nasty peaks that induce fatigue. They are not toned down to make these a full sounding earphone, but they have an incredibly lively yet smooth treble response that is truly impressive for the price. There is plenty of detail and resolution up top too, it is this mix of resolution yet refinement that really impresses.

 

The separation is really impressive, along with the layering. The soundstage is not huge, but there are plenty of out of head experiences to be had, along with the fact that the imaging is pinpoint accurate.

 

Conclusion:

The OH300 really does a lot right, especially when you take in to account the £299 price tag. With a detailed and even-handed sound signature that is tonally accurate yet not boring. There is power when needed, yet they always have a controlled and refined approach to rendering your favourite tracks.

 

Sound:  5/5

Comfort: 4/5

Build: 5/5

Value: 5/5

 

Test playlist