Author Archives: Oscar

Review- The Beyerdynamic T1 2nd Generation Black Edition

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Beyerdynamic T1 2nd Generation Black Edition

 

The T1 2nd Generation has had a makeover, but don’t worry, it still has the same outstanding sound quality. Grab them quick though, as they’re limited to 50 units in the EU.

 

Beyerdynamic T1 2nd Gen Black

 

Aesthetics, Build Quality and Accessories:

 

These are a meaner, sleeker looking T1 2nd Generation with anodised black yokes, matte black cups and signature silver grills. Internally nothing has changed, but outside they look better than the original in my opinion.

 

Build quality is what you would expect from Beyerdynamic, solid. With a detachable 3m 7N OCC copper cable, metal yokes, protein leather headband and memory foam filled velour earpads these certainly feel the part. The grills are metal, but the rest of the housing is plastic, this keeps the weight down without making them feel cheap. Overall, they are a superbly built pair of headphones, built to give you many years of happy listening.

 

Accessory wise you get a lovely hard carry case; the cable has a screw on adaptor but that is it. To be fair they don’t need anything extra, but a balanced cable in the box would be nice.

 

 

Comfort:

 

The T1 2nd Generation is well known to be one of the most comfortable headphones around, with spacious cups and a secure fit you can listen to these for hours at a time. The earpads are soft and conform to the shape of your head, the headband has generous padding and never creates a hot spot like some other models. They are not heavy, and the fit is secure but not tight and I have easily sat with these on for 3+ hours with no issues.

Sound:

 

Bass: These are not all about the bass, but they do have a little added body to give them some warmth overall. This added warmth does not cloud the rest of the sound, but just prevents them from sounding sterile and harsh. There is enough impact to keep things fun, yet it is always there in a controlled manner never becoming the main focus of the sound. Bass guitar lines are easily distinguished, and everything just sounds right down low.

 

Midrange: Here the thing that stands out is how clean and detailed they are, without sounding thin. Male vocals have that subtle warmth from the bass, which helps them sound more defined and tonally accurate, whilst the upper midrange blends seamlessly into the treble without any big peaks. Everything sounds very natural in the midrange, and the detail is there if you want to listen for it.

 

Treble: Whilst there is a little bit of added energy in the presence region to make cymbal crashes stand out a little, they are not bright or fatiguing. This little bit of added energy just adds a little bit of excitement, but without creating a big peak that sticks out. The treble quantity and quality are excellent, never becoming too hot but at the same time never losing focus. There is plenty of extension and it adds a great sense of air and space, along with being effortless and detailed.

The T1 2nd Generation has very accurate imaging, everything sits in a well-defined space within the soundstage. The soundstage itself is not the widest, but it sounds more natural and accurate instead of trying to be as wide as possible. It’s still far from being narrow or closed in.

 

Conclusion:

 

The T1 2nd Generation are a very well balanced, highly detailed yet slightly smooth pair of headphones. They play well with all genres, and are perfect for sitting back and enjoying.

 

Review- The Periodic Audio Beryllium

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Periodic Audio Be

The Periodic Audio Be are not for the purists, but don’t let this put you off. The level of clarity coming from an earphone this energetic and dynamic is really quite something.

 

Aesthetics and Build Quality:

 

The Periodic Audio IEM’s all look very similar, with a standard bullet shaped housing and machined metal backplate. They may look very simple, but the materials used are carefully selected for their sound properties. So, these may not be the best-looking IEM’s around, but you can rest assured they are built to offer the best sound quality possible.

 

Build quality is excellent with smooth polycarbonate body and metal end plates they are solid. The cable is rubbery with butyl rubber strain relief that is pliable and durable. They may look simple but rest assured they are built to last.

 

 

Comfort:

 

The shape of these means that most will be able to get a good fit, and there is a good range of tips included. Once you find the right size tips for your ears, you will get a comfortable listening experience for hours on end.

 

Sound:

 

Bass: Whilst the Be may have a well-rounded overall sound signature, there is no denying that the lows have some power behind them. They are not overpowering, but they do grab your attention with their speed and articulation making you want to tap your feet along with the beat. There is plenty of depth to the lows, extending down to the sub-bass with ease, yet they punch with great impact when called for too. I would not say the bass is the focus of the sound, as it is always well controlled, but there is a quality to it that makes the Be a lot of fun to listen to.

 

Midrange: The Be manage to have a fun low end, without sounding bloated and interfering with the midrange. Vocals cut through the mix with good detail, they are not upfront, they just sit happily in the middle. There is an openness in the midrange that prevents them from sounding congested, they just get on and do their thing. There is no upper midrange peak that brings out sibilance, and the transition into the treble is smooth.

 

Treble: The treble has good energy and detail retrieval, it extends well and doesn’t come across harsh or overdone. The quantity is enough to satisfy most tastes, and the Be are far from being a dark sounding IEM. The top end really rounds of the sound as being well balanced but at the same time dynamic and punchy. They really do combine a lot of fun into an overall well-balanced sound signature, this is not easy to do. The headphone enthusiasts will enjoy the faithful reproduction of the music, and their ability to uncover hidden details, whereas the average user will appreciate their fun and enjoyable sound.

 

The soundstage of the Be is not very big, but the layering and separation is very good with everything occupying its rightful space within the soundstage.

 

Conclusion:

 

Periodic have managed to make a fun and dynamic sounding IEM, without throwing off the tonal balance and overall sound signature. There are no real peaks or dips, yet the lows have incredible power and control, the midrange is clean and the highs have energy and extension. They are well balanced overall, and come highly recommended to those that are bored of the drier presentation most neutral IEM’s have.

Burson Fun V6 Vivid Review

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Burson Fun V6 Vivid

 

Burson have created an incredibly powerful headphone amp, in a small desktop friendly housing. The sound is simply sublime, helped by its dual mono, Class A topology which is fully discreet if used with V6 op-amps.

 

 

Aesthetics and Build Quality:

The Fun, much like the Play, has a more industrial look with a matte black aluminium enclosure with minimal markings. It is definitely not the most luxurious looking amp, but it is what is inside that counts. On the front you have the 6.3mm headphone out, 3.5mm analogue input, and 3.5mm microphone input, and the microphone input is a pass through to the back plate. On the back you have the 3.5mm microphone pass through output, along with RCA inputs and outputs.

 

 

Build quality is excellent; you get a sturdy metal chassis with a metal volume knob too. There are rubber feet on the bottom, and all the inputs and outputs feel excellent. You can take the top of the case off easily to roll op-amps, and you can even install it into a PC tower.

 

 

Features:

The Fun is mainly a headphone amp, using Class A dual mono circuitry for maximum sound quality. It also features fully discreet components if purchased with the V6 series of op-amps. If not, you can always install them in at a later date.

 

The Fun is incredibly powerful for its size, powering all but the most power-hungry headphones out there. It also features RCA outputs to be used as a pre-amp- this feature makes it a perfect match with the Bang power amplifier.

 

There is a microphone pass through which doesn’t touch the internal components but tidies up the cables on your desk if used with gaming headphones.

 

Sound:

The Fun with V6 Vivid op-amps packs a punch. With most headphones, you won’t need to crank the volume up much to get good listening levels. What is noticeable here is the sheer clarity of the amp: it is focused and controlled, yet the lows hit with incredible authority and power. The midrange is detailed and airy, but not upfront and intimate as some people prefer.  The treble has tons of sparkle and extension, but it never comes across as bright or harsh. The V6 Vivid op-amps make this amp a lot of fun to listen to, and it is incredibly engaging, but it never sounds like there are peaks and dips added to the frequency response to make it this way.

 

This amp is balanced with maybe a hint of added body and sparkle, the soundstage is wide and the separation is superb. There is air between instruments, and the dynamism is really impressive.

 

Conclusion:

If you’re looking for a powerhouse of a headphone amp, a great pre-amp or just something engaging and enjoyable to listen to, the Fun with V6 op-amps should be high on your list. What it does for the price is truly incredible. We highly advise you to come down to our demo room to test it out, especially with the new Sennheiser HD820.

Focal Clear Open Back Headphone Review

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Focal Clear

The Focal Clear is, as the name would suggest, clear. With excellent tonal balance, and plenty of detail to boot, Focal have made one incredible headphone.

Aesthetics, Build Quality and Accessories:

The Clear sport a grey and silver colour scheme, which makes them stand out against the mainly black headphones around. They look great in person with the perforated pads and mesh look, they are refined and sophisticated.

 

The build quality is superb, they are mainly made out of metal with perforated microfibre pads and a mix of leather and microfibre headband. The yokes are aluminium and they just feel extremely well put together when you have them in your hands. They use a recessed 3.5mm detachable cable which means swapping out cables is nice and easy. Overall the Clear are very well put together and I cannot find any weak spots on them.

 

Accessory wise the Clear comes with a brilliant array of extras. Firstly, they come with a lovely hard case, with heavy duty zip and a leather handle. This case is the perfect size for travel, with room for the headphones and cable.

 

Comfort:

The Clear are a well built, medium weight headphone. This mean that padding is a must, I find the earpads to be deep and plush and they fit excellently around the ear. But my one minor complaint is the headband padding is a little thin, and this creates a hot spot on the top of my head. But every one has a different shaped head so this will only be an issue for a select few people.

 

 

Sound:

Bass: The bass on the Clear is well controlled and only comes out when called for, it is quite impressive how the lows can really morph to the recording. If there is a subtle sub-bass line, you will hear it, if the mix has complex bass lines the Clear will allow you to pick them apart and hear every detail. They are not boosted down low, this means some may find them lacking a little body, but they make up for that by being well balanced and controlled.

 

Midrange: Like the rest of the sound, the midrange is open and detailed, expertly handling anything you throw at them. Here you can easily distinguish between different vocal tracks, guitars have the right amount of crunch and body. These really don’t try and flatter you by altering the sound, they try and allow you to enjoy your music through a clear window instead.

 

Treble: The treble isn’t boosted to give you a false sense of clarity, but it is well aligned with the rest of the sound. It is crystal clear, but never fatiguing, they will show up poor recordings but feed them something well recorded and you’ll be astonished by the level of detail these have.

 

The Clear do not have the widest of soundstages, but where they make up for it is in the separation and layering. Yes, they won’t give you a concert hall like soundstage, but they will accurately place the instruments and let you easily pick apart the recording.

Conclusion:

 

The Clear have become one of my recent favourites, purely because they offer such a clear and precise sound without fatigue. They allow you to hear all the finer detail in your music, yet at the same time they are easy to listen to and enjoy, exactly what I personally enjoy in a headphone.

Review- The iFi Audio xDSD

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iFi xDSD

 

The xDSD is tiny but packed full of tech; a must have for the audiophile who listens on the go.

 

Aesthetics and Build Quality:

The xDSD is a lovely little thing, with a shiny gunmetal finish and matte black backplate it is neat and tidy. The finish is a bit of a fingerprint magnet though, so be sure to give it a wipe down from time to time. On the back you have the inputs, on the front you have the volume knob/on-off switch, xBass and 3D+ button, and the 3.5mm headphone output.

 

 

Build quality wise it is a solid unit; the mostly metal construction should help it to survive day to day use along with holding up to the occasional knock that is bound to happen. All the sockets are tight and the buttons all feel sturdy. The volume knob is flush with the main body, meaning there won’t be additional stress added to it.

 

 

Features:

The xDSD accepts all sorts of inputs, you have the main USB input for using with a mobile phone (camera connection kit requires for iOS devices). On the back there is also the 3.5mm coaxial/TOSLINK combo S/PDIF input for DAP’s and CD players. Internally you have Bluetooth connection, allowing you to transmit Bluetooth audio from your device to the xDSD, it supports the regular Bluetooth protocols along with AptX, in the future it would be nice to see it support LDAC.

 

On the back you have a micro-USB port that is for charging only, along with a filter switch. This changes the digital filter from Measure to Listen. The differences between the 2 filters modes is subtle, so play around and see which you prefer. To my ears the Measure is a little more neutral, the Listen is a little more forgiving and better for extended listening.

 

 

The 3.5mm socket on the back can be set as a line-out so you can use the xDSD as a DAC for your hifi system or to connect to a different amplifier. Overall for the size of the device, iFi have managed to pack a lot in.

 

The volume knob has a clear centre that changes colour depending on the volume, starting at blue (low) and going up to red (high). Next to this are LED indicators, showing what input is being used and the bitrate, along with showing if the 3D+ and xBass+ settings are in use.

 

 

 

Sound:

So how does the xDSD sound, well first off, I will say that it pairs equally well with IEM’s as it does with most full-size headphones. It will power most headphones, but may not be the best match for low sensitivity headphones, with 500mw@16 Ohms it really can pack a punch for its size.

 

The xDSD has superb audio quality though, as with most iFi products it is clean as a whistle but with a hint of smoothness to it, this prevents the xDSD from sounding too sterile. There is excellent definition to the sound, with great separation and everything is in its right place. The noise floor is low, you will only notice a tiny bit of noise with extremely sensitive IEM’s.

 

 

The xDSD steers clear of sounding too digital, the bass is controlled with only a slight hint of added body. The midrange is clean and insightful handling everything with ease. The highs are detailed and extended but without a hint of glare, overall it is a well balanced and detailed DAC/Amp.

 

What surprised me here is the Bluetooth quality, the sound quality is very consistent, no matter what input is used. The added convenience of going wireless is handy, and knowing that you don’t lose out on a lot of sound quality makes it ever better.

 

 

Conclusion:

iFi have managed to pack a lot into a small device, and it works in perfect harmony. Unfortunately, there is a tiny bit of background noise with extremely sensitive IEM’s. Overall however the xDSD is clean, detailed and easy to listen to. Nothing stands out, and the feature set is excellent for the price. A must have for the audiophile on the go.

Sennheiser HD820 Audiophile Headphone – Review

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Review: The Sennheiser HD820

 

 

The newly released HD820 do an awful lot right, so come on down and demo them now!

 

 

Aesthetics, Build Quality and Accessories:

The HD820 are a really good-looking pair of headphones, you can easily tell they belong in the HD8xx series due to their space age, angular design. Where they differ is the fact they are now closed back, with a concave Gorilla Glass plate. The black and silver colour scheme screams luxury, not in a bling way but in a sophisticated and technological way. Overall the HD820 definitely looks the part.

 

 

Build quality is much the same as the other HD8xx headphones, with a mainly plastic build to keep the weight down, but without sacrificing durability. If the HD800 in our demo room are anything to go by, these will last a long time and all parts are quite easily replaceable if they wear out or break. The earpads are now half velour for comfort, with leatherette on the outer part to minimise leakage. The cable is much the same as you get with the rest of the range, which uses high purity OCC copper. The Gorilla glass should be relatively scratch proof too, so overall the design is solid and well throughout whilst remaining lightweight.

 

 

Accessory wise you get a nice display box that the headphones come in, 3 cables (6.3mm 3m, 4.4mm balanced 3m, 4-pin XLR balanced 3m), manual, microfibre cleaning cloth and a USB stick with the frequency graph for that particular pair. Sennheiser really pay attention to detail with the accessories here, and you will find everything you need, and you can tell from the cable choices that these are still geared more towards home listening.

 

 

Comfort and Isolation:

The HD820 are light, with good weight distribution, this means you can comfortably wear them for a long time. The cups are spacious and your ears don’t ever touch the driver, the pads are soft as is the headband. Even though they are closed back, I do not fine my ears heating up as quickly as other closed headphones. I think this is due to the earpads being able to breathe a little along with the amount of space there is around your ears in the cups.

 

Just a quick note, these are very dependent on the fit and seal, so getting them to sit right on your head is really important otherwise they may sound thin and lacking bass.

 

Isolation is actually very average, these are closed back but they do not block out a lot of outside noise. They also leak at moderate to loud volumes, but they leak a lot less than the HD800s. Again, these are not designed for portable use, but would be fine in an office environment or at home when you don’t want to disturb people around you with fully open headphones.

 

 

Sound:

Bass: The HD8xx series are never going to be known for their thunderous bass response, but what they do have is accuracy. And the HD820 are still fuller sounding than the HD800s, with a bit more body and warmth to the sound. They are still extremely well controlled down low, but the mid-bass has a little extra presence and fullness to make them sound less analytical. They decay is still well controlled, and extension is never an issue. There is a slight mid-bass hump on these, but it is carefully executed to not interfere with the lower midrange. The bass is not the hardest hitting, but there is excellent layering and separation., not for bass heads but it should satisfy most listeners.

 

 

Midrange: The midrange is where I find the HD820 to really stand out, they are incredible clean and articulate. But they are also very accurate in tonality, the bass doesn’t affect the lower midrange leaving vocals to come across in a neutral and natural way. The separation between layers and the overall resolution is really impressive in the midrange. They handle all genres here with ease, they have the delicacy to bring out the finer detail in acoustic and jazz, yet have the power to render distorted guitars in metal pitch perfectly. The transient response is excellent meaning they never sound congested.

 

 

Treble: The treble response is very linear on the HD820, it does not have any sharp peaks like the original HD800, and is never overbearing or fatiguing. The transition from the midrange to the treble is quite smooth, and sibilance is only a problem if the recording has it. Overall resolution up top does not quite match that of the HD800s, but the overall tonality is much more pleasing to my ears. The HD820 are not a bright headphone, but they do bring out plenty of detail up top and have plenty of extension and sparkle. I don’t think anyone would ever find the HD820 lacking in treble response, the main standout quality up top really is the tonality.

 

 

Sennheiser have done an amazing job at creating a closed headphone that sounds open, the imaging is pinpoint accurate and the soundstage is wide and deep. They sound much more like an open headphone, so colour me impressed here.

 

 

Conclusion:

When I first tested the HD820, I wasn’t that impressed, they sounded a bit dull and lifeless. I then spent some time with them, swapping between a couple of amps and found myself really enjoying what they had to offer. I wanted to find some design flaws somewhere, I didn’t want to like them as much as I do. The HD820 really nail the balanced sound signature with convincing tonality and outstanding resolution. They truly are the best closed headphones I have had the pleasure of spending some time with. Curse you Sennheiser for doing such a great job of making a closed headphone without the typical drawbacks of this design.

Review: The Burson Audio Play V6 Vivid

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Burson Audio Play V6 Vivid

The Play is the perfect all in one solution for PC audiophiles, and avid gamers! With a powerful headphone output, super clean DAC section and mic input it has all you need.

 

 

Aesthetics and Build Quality:

The Play is a more industrial looking unit, with a simple black aluminium casing that feels sturdy and well finished. It is not a fancy looking unit, but it is functional and the size is excellent for desktop use. The LED display on the front looks great, and the volume knob fits in well with the overall design.

Build wise all the sockets are high quality and everything clicks into place tightly, there are sturdy RCA outputs on the back along with the power input. Burson offer a 5-year warranty on their products, so you know this is a unit that is built to last.

 

Features:

The Play is a DAC/Amp, it only has a USB input so you cannot hook up analogue sources unfortunately. On the upside, you can mount the Play in a PC tower by removing the case. It also has a Molex power connector to hook it up to your PC power supply and a backplate with the RCA outputs on it for use as a pre-amp.

The Play has a mic input on the front, which is not a simple pass through but it contains a high-quality pre-amp inside along with an ADC so it shows up as an input when plugged in via the USB. The quality of the mic input is really impressive, super detailed and quiet too.

 

Sound:

The Play with the V6 Vivid op-amps is one super combo, the Vivid op-amps are like the name would suggest. They inject a dynamism into your music and gaming experience like no other amp, and yet it doesn’t sound overly coloured either. The Play has an incredibly powerful class-A output stage that will drive the majority of headphones on the market with ease; it isn’t the best match for sensitive earphones though, and favours full-size headphones.

The sound is crisp, clean, and above all punchy. It has an engaging and highly enjoyable sound without becoming fatiguing. There is a tiny bit more body down low, but nothing that is excessive and the midrange is not affected by this. The same with the treble, there is a tiny bit more sparkle but without becoming harsh, as the sound is very natural.

With the Play you can roll op-amps to your heart’s content, but if you are looking for a great all rounder that injects a little fun into your listening, the V6 Vivid model is perfect.

 

Conclusion:

The Play with V6 Vivid is a versatile and powerful DAC/Amp that fits into a PC tower and includes a great mic pre-amp. Burson know how to make an excellent sounding and well built DAC/Amp, the Play is really an excellent piece of kit for the price.

Upgrade your Grado’s with Shipibo

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Shipibo wood cups, aluminium gimbals, rodblocks and leather headbands are all excellent hand crafted upgrades for your Grado headphones. They also provide a great base for a custom Grado style build for use with 3rd party drivers.

Shipibo Audio is the creation of Przemyslaw Nyczaj and Michal Czok, created to provide perfect products that stand out in the world of custom headphones. They craft all their products in house in Poland.

 

Cups:

Lets start off with the main product, the Zebrawood cups. These cups are Grado RS style that have been CNC milled on the inside, and hand turned on the outside to provide a perfect finish. These cups have tight tolerances inside and this means that your drivers will be a perfect fit. You can use liberated Grado drivers from the Prestige or Reference series; or 3rd party drivers from Symphones, Nhoord, Elleven Acoustics and Turbulent Labs.

In this build I have used Symphones V8 drivers.

The drivers slot right into place, you can use a layer of tape around the edge of the driver to make it a snug fit. The cups have a small opening to route a cable through, alternatively you can drill it out a little and fit connectors for detachable cables.

The grills are press fitted into place, and everything is flawlessly finished, these cups are produced to a very high standard. They have not ruined the grain by using a gloss varnish on them.

Sound wise cups do not change the sound drastically, but I have compared these to a Spalted Tamarind cup and these are ever so slightly fuller sounding. These are however a huge upgrade to your current Grados, and one that does not cost the earth. They will alter the sound a little over Metal or Plastic stock cups, as the resonant frequency is slightly different. I found moving to wood cups brings out a little more air, but also a more realistic timbre and body to the sound.

Rodblocks and Gimbals:

These are a prototype of the slim style rodblocks, and because of this they do have slight differences to the production models. However for a prototype they are perfectly machined with tight tolerances once again. The headband screws into place, and the slider tension can be adjusted by screws to keep them in the same position on your head.

The Gimbals have screws on each side to hold the cups in place, they are sandblasted on one side, and plain aluminium on the other. They are a perfect fit, and feel much more substantial than the stock plastic gimbals.

Apart from the cosmetic upgrade, being able to lock the rods in place to keep them the right size for your head is a huge bonus.

Note: The new rodblocks and gimbals have been treated with microarc oxidation which created a ceramic layer on them. Ceramic microarc coating is generally recognized for high hardness, wear resistance, and corrosion resistance, so you won’t have to worry that your new parts will get scratched. So these parts are scratch-proof, but come only in bright silver matte colour.

Slim + Classic

Leather Headbands:

There are 2 types of headband padding being made, one is a slim size which is similar in width to the original Grado padding, and the other is wide which is also thicker.

For this main build I used the slim pad, as it looks similar to the stock pad, but if you are making a heavier build, or want to upgrade your PS series headband the wide would be perfect.

Both pads are hand made, they are easy to install and offer a large upgrade in the comfort department. The padding and leather is soft and the weight is distributed more evenly, these headband pads are such a simple upgrade, yet one that makes your headphones a lot more comfortable.

 

Conclusion: Firstly it is excellent to see another company producing Grado style parts, there are too few. Also people do not realise that for a modest price you can build a headphone from scratch that will compete with models a lot higher priced, with minimal work involved.

Shipibo parts are well priced in the market, superbly finished and simply excellent.

FiiO X1 II Digital Audio Player Review

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FiiO X1 II DAP Review

The X1 II is a fine little DAP, with an inherently smooth sound, perfect for those wanting a player that is powerful and easy to use.

Pros:

  • Easy to use
  • Powerful headphone output
  • Form factor

Cons:

  • Lacking in detail
  • Slight hiss with sensitive IEM’s

Aesthetics and User Interface

The little X1 II is styled like the iPods of old, with a small screen and scroll wheel, where it differs is the scroll wheel is surrounded by 4 buttons (menu, back, FF, RW). The edges of the player are rounded, making it comfortable to hold, and you will find the volume and power buttons on the side of the player. On the bottom you will find the MicroSD card slot, along with the USB port and the headphone jack.

This DAP feels solid in your hand, the buttons all feel solid and the headphone jack is tight. I have no issues with the build or the look of this player.

The FiiO X1 II is quite a simple DAP to get set up, once you put your MicroSD card with music in the player you will need to go to the system settings and scan the media on the card. This takes a little while, but once done the music should all be easy to find by the normal tags (artist, album, genre etc…).

The main now playing screen shows the album art, along with the band and track playing, if you press on the top left button you will get options to add the track to a playlist, or add it as a favourite. Also in this small menu are options to change the playback mode from shuffle to repeat to normal.

Going back to the main menu you have a folder view along with a category view, now playing, play settings and regular settings.

In the sound settings, you can toggle gapless playback on/off, change the playing order, resume mode, max volume, default volume, EQ, line-out and L/R balance.

In the system settings you have the update library option, Bluetooth, key-lock settings, screen timeout, brightness, idle standby (and timer), sleep, sleep timer, output select (headphones or line-out), USB mode (storage / in-vehicle), USB charge, font size and more.

Getting used to the X1 II won’t take long, it isn’t the snappiest player out there, but for the price it is perfectly functional. The battery life is around 10hrs of continuous playback, perfect for long commutes.

Sound Quality

The FiiO X1 II leans towards Fiios house sound, erring on the side of warmth and smoothness over absolute detail and clarity. This means it is quite an easy listen and you can click play and forget. There is a small amount of hiss in the background when using it with very sensitive IEM’s. The sound has an underlying warmth to it, with a little added body and weight to the low end, but without masking the midrange. The treble is well extended, but it is never bright, there is good detail retrieval but sometimes the smoothness makes the X1 II come across a little too safe.

What Fiio have created with the X1 II is a player for those not wanting the last word in detail, a player for the masses who want good sound at a low price, and in this respect it delivers. It still sounds a fair bit better than your average smartphone, with a full, impactful, but inherently smooth sound that is just easy to listen to. There is nothing missing from the core sound of the X1 II, it has excellent extension on both ends, with a wide soundstage and good layering, all delivered in smooth, harsh free listening experience.

The X1 II is powerful, it can drive IEM’s and portable headphones with ease, it even drives a lot of full-size headphones with authority.

Conclusion

For the price, and size the FiiO X1 II is a great little DAP, it will serve you well on your daily commute or when out and about. It has a smooth, easy to listen to sound that is about enjoyment over ultimate detail.

Edifier W830BT Bluetooth Headphone Review

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Edifier W830BT Bluetooth Headphone Review

READ MORE: Best Headphones Buying Guide

Edifier have created a great grab and go Bluetooth headphone, the W830BT‘s sound is not particularly refined, but for the price they are very fun to listen to.

Pros:

  • Big bass – fun sound
  • comfort
  • Build quality

Cons:

  • Sound is a little thick and congested

Aesthetics, Build Quality and Accessories

The Edifier W830BT is an understated looking headphone, with soft edges and a black and silver colour scheme they won’t stand out. They are not made to be flashy and catch peoples attention, instead they look sophisticated and elegant.

The W830BT feel well built, they are mainly made out of plastic but they feel well put together and the headband is reinforced with metal. There are controls on the right earcup, and the charging port is on the left earcup along with the 3.5mm socket for wired use. All the joints are smooth, and with a bit of care, these headphones should last a while.

Accessory wise you get a 3.5mm to 3.5mm cable to use them when the battery runs out, a micro USB charging cable and a carry case. The included accessories are excellent and nothing is missing out of the box.

Comfort and Isolation

The W830BT are comfy in use, the clamping force is not too tight, and they are lightweight which means there is not too much pressure on the top of your head. The headband has plenty of adjustment, the top is adequately padded and the earpads are plush and deep preventing your ear from touching the driver.

Isolation is really good on these, they block out moderate outside noise well, and would be perfect for daily commuting. They also don’t leak sound so you won’t be annoying the person next to you.

Battery Life and Bluetooth Connectivity

One of the major selling points of the Edifier W830BT is nearly 95hrs of battery life when playing, this obviously depends on the volume but it is still very impressive and means you won’t be needing to charge them every day.

The W830BT can have 2 devices connected at the same time, they use Bluetooth 4.1 and are AptX compatible. The range is excellent, and I had no issues with audio dropouts.

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READ MORE: Best Over Ear Headphones – Wired and Wireless

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Sound Quality

  • Bass

The bass on the W830BT is full and carries great body and impact, but isn’t overemphasized. The bass presence is a little over neutral, and these are a fuller sounding headphone, but the bass does not drown out the rest of the sound. Kick drums are easily separated from bass guitars, and there is great depth to the bass, it is not there in basshead quantities but the amount will likely be more than enough for most people.

  • Midrange

The midrange is lacking a little bite and clarity, it sits behind the bass and does not have a lot of air and separation. However the midrange is smooth and fatigue-free, these do lend themselves to modern pop recordings over genres which require a detailed midrange.

  • Treble

The treble here again is smooth and would never cause listening fatigue, the treble does not extend very far but it does have some presence and is not completely drowned out. Luckily the treble has an inoffensive tone and doesn’t come across harsh or metallic.

  • Separation and Soundstage

Instrument separation is fairly average on these, nothing special but there is enough to distinguish different instruments. The soundstage is not very wide, these have a more fun and up-front presentation.

Conclusion

The Edifier W830BT is not a headphone for the seasoned audiophile, they are for the average person looking for a quality Bluetooth headphone for out and about use. For this purpose, you cannot go wrong with them, easy to use and fun to listen to, along with effectively blocking out most ambient noise. Perfect for the daily commute, or office listening.

Effect Audio Ares II vs Eros II Comparison Review

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Effect Audio Ares II vs Eros II Comparison Review

 

If you are having a hard time trying to decide between the Ares II and the Eros II, we have written up a little comparison between the two. You cannot go wrong with either cable.

 

Aesthetics and Build:

These cables look superb, they finish is perfect and the braid is even, they are an excellent accessory for every on the go audiophile. They are not all about the looks though, the sound offered by both the Eros II and the Ares II is truly excellent for the price.

Both Effect Audio cables are built the same, with excellent quality jacks, a lightweight and slim y-split and soft over ear moulds that are much more comfortable than regular memory wire. The 2-pin connectors are sturdy, and the braid is tight and even, overall an expertly finished product.

Sound:

The Ares II is a lively and fun cable, the lows are still impactful and full but well controlled and not over the top. The midrange retains clarity and is not overshadowed by the slight increase in bass fullness. Where the Ares II goes against the typical copper sound is in the upper midrange/lower treble section, where it injects a little extra spakle and presence.
This makes this cable well detailed, but also fun and engaging to listen to. It pairs well with multiple IEM’s and if you are looking to get into the world of custom cables, the Ares II is the perfect place to start.

 

The Eros II paints quite a different picture, it leans towards the neutral side of sound and doesn’t go in to change anything drastic about the sound signature. What the Eros II does is increase the air between instruments, adding an extra layer of separation and allows the finer detail to shine through. The Eros II does add a tiny bit of presence in the treble, but it is not what I would consider a brighter sounding cable. The Eros II is clear, transparent and refined with excellent soundstaging.

Conclusion:

So there you have it, two beautiful cables both with different sound signatures. Which will be for you depends on synergy and what differences you want out of your current IEM’s. If you are in need of any cable pairing advice, give us a call!

Whizzer A15 Earphone Review

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Whizzer A15 Earphone Review

The Whizzer A15 are well worth considering for their £69.99 price; detailed and fun sounding, with great build quality make them a winner.

Pros:

  • Well balanced
  • Detailed
  • Separation
  • Soundstage

Cons

  • Highs are not the most refined
  • Cable is a little thin (replaceable)

Aesthetics, Build Quality and Accessories

The Whizzer A15 is an interesting IEM, with a brushed metal outer shell and the company logo stamped in black on it. They look and feel excellent for the price and have a nice slim profile.

Build quality is very good, especially considering the price. The outer housing is metal, the cable has a soft and flexible section of memory wire and is sheathed in fabric below the y-split. The cable is detachable and uses the popular MMCX connection, so you can use aftermarket cables should you wish. The cable has good strain relief, my only concern is it is a little on the thin side where it enters the section of memory wire.

Accessory wise you get plenty of added extras, first off you get a nice faux leather carry pouch which is small and perfect for storing the IEM’s in. Next you get a metal tip holder with a variety of ear-tips. You get S, M and L in 2 different types of single flange tips, and also a pair of S and L foam tips. The A15 have removable dust filters, and come with a pair of tweezers to remove the old foam, and 5 pairs of new foam filters. Overall everything you need is included, along with some bonus extras.

Comfort, Isolation, Cable noise and Driver flex

The A15 are really comfy, the housing has no sharp edges and the memory wire is supple and easy to shape. Once in they are secure and comfortable for all round usage. I do find the angle of the cable does slightly push them out of your ear and foam tips offer a more secure fit.

Isolation is quite average on the A15, due to the large vent on the inside of the housing. They would be fine for most general usage, but if you are looking to block out loud noises, a fully sealed IEM would be better.

Cable noise is not an issue due to the behind the ear cable routing.

Driver flex is not an issue, I believe this is due to the venting of the housing.

Sound

Bass

The A15 are tuned for fun listening, with a strong and punchy low end but without excess or bloat. The bass will satisfy most people and lends its hand to all genres well. The bass is well controlled; during rock tracks bass guitars are easy to follow, and kick drums hit with authority and good body. Acoustic has excellent body and warmth with good tonality, and EDM is just fun and energetic. The bass does not bleed into the midrange, and extends right down to the sub-bass regions with ease.

Midrange

The midrange has excellent bite and clarity, as stated the bass does not cause excessive warmth to the midrange adding only a hint of warmth to the lower midrange. The midrange is also not pushed back in the mix which can happen with some of the more fun sounding headphones out there. A highlight of the midrange is the air and separation, allowing everything to shine through with delicacy and detail. Luckily there isn’t an upper midrange peak, allowing them to be fatigue free with no sibilance.

Treble

The treble is well presented in the mix, not being subdued or left behind. There is a slight peak which gives greater presence to the lower treble region and they don’t quite extend as effortlessly as some more expensive models. But putting them up against similarly priced models, you will find these sound more complete than the usual warm bassy sound of others. Initial cymbal hits have excellent energy but are not sharp, and do not become too bright and fatiguing.

Instrument separation is excellent, the A15 never becomes congested through faster more complex tracks, and the soundstage is above average with great width. Imaging is convincing with good spatial cues and directionality.

Conclusion

The Whizzer A15 lends its hand to all music, and does a great job at being a good all rounder. Stick on some rock and they are energetic and fun, well recorded acoutstic and you can hear subtle detail and warmth. Presenting a well balanced sound across the frequency range, the A15 is a well built IEM for the price with excellent sound to boot.

Sennheiser HDV 820 Headphone Amplifier / DAC Review

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Sennheiser HDV 820 Headphone Amplifier / DAC Review

Sennheisers new HDV 820 is a smooth, powerful and versatile DAC/Amp that is all about musical enjoyment and flexibilty.

Pros:

  • Smooth effortless sound
  • Detail retrieval
  • Versatility

Cons:

  • A little pricey for some

 

Aesthetics and Build Quality:

Sennheiser have gone away from the silver colour scheme with their latest products, opting instead for a matte black finish. In my opinion the products look a lot sleeker now, and the matte black aluminum casing of the HDV 820 looks superb. The LED status lighting is white and perfectly blends with the whole look.

The build quality is as you would expect from Sennheiser, flawless. The casing is superbly finished and put together, all the sockets are tight and have no play in them. I could not find a single fault with the build and finish of the HDV 820.

Features:

The HDV 820 can be used as a pure amp, pre-amp and also as a DAC/Amp. It has balanced and unbalanced inputs and outputs and supports DSD playback.

On the front panel you have a 6.3mm/3 pin XLR combo single ended headphone out, a balanced 4-pin XLR output and a pair of 4.4mm balanced pentaconn outputs. You also have the power button, source select knob and volume knob.

On the back you have the balanced analogue inputs and outputs, single ended analogue input, gain knob, and finally the optical, coaxial and USB digital inputs.

It is a very versatile unit that can be fitted into any system.

Sound:

The HDV 820 is plenty powerful for most headphones out there, and even does a decent job at driving the HiFiMan HE-6. It is no wonder that it pairs wonderfully with Sennheisers own HD800, bringing out plenty of body, dynamic punch and detail without becoming shouty. The HD800 sound smooth and effortless when paired with the HDV 820, a pairing that is revealing with heaps of detail but never brash or too in your face.

The highlights of the HD800 are accentuated by the HDV 820, offering one of the airiest and widest soundstages of any headphone, orchestral passages are simply sublime. The HDV 820 has no trouble with separating more complex tracks, offering up a textured and well layered sound.

The HDV 820 is not the most neutral and analytical sounding unit out there, it does have a certain smoothness to it but without taking away detail. It won’t become fatiguing to listen to, and is the perfect companion to the HD800.

Conclusion:

The HDV 820 is powerful and versatile making itself at home in any system. It pairs well with many different headphones and has a slightly smoother more laid back sound than some of the other more neutral amps. The HDV 820 is all about musical enjoyment, just sit back and enjoy the effortless sound of your headphones.

Questyle CMA400i DAC / Headphone Amplifier Review

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Questyle CMA400i DAC/Headphone Amplifier Review

The Questyle CM400i proves that neutrality really works when it comes to an all in one desktop device. One that works well with sensitive IEM’s all the way up to full size planar magnetic headphones.

Pros:

  • Neutrality
  • Detail
  • Power

    Cons:

  • May sound clinical to some
  • No analogue inputs

    Aesthetics and Build Quality:

    The CMA400i is a sleek, matte black DAC/Amp which looks very professional and understated. There are orange LED’s on the front along with the outputs and volume knob; the inputs are on the back. It looks superb, but if you want to change the looks up a little you can buy an optional clear top cover to show off the internals. You can also get an optional desk stand that stands the CMA400i upright to save space.

    The CMA400i has a solid CNC machined aluminium shell and feels extremly well built. All the connectors are solid, the buttons precise and the volume control is super smooth. Questyle have made a superbly built unit here, with no flaws in the finish whatsoever.

    Features:

    The CMA400i is a DAC/Amp, and does not have any analogue inputs, for that you will need the CMA600i which offers a pair of RCA analogue inputs.

    The CMA400i has 2 coaxial inputs, 1 optical input and a USB input, so it can be used with a wide range of devices. On the back you have outputs that can be used as line-outputs to an external amplifier or pre-amp output to powered speakers. You get a pair of balanced XLR outputs and a pair of RCA outputs, along with a spdif digital output (USB to spdif converter use).

    On the front you have the 4-pin balanced XLR output, a standard 6.3mm singled ended output and a 2.5mm balanced output. This covers the most common single ended and balanced connectors. You have the volume knob and also 2 buttons, one to switch between inputs and one to switch between Amp mode (for headphone and pre-amp use), or DAC mode (DAC mode switches the outputs on the back to line-outputs).

    On the bottom you have gain switches, for standard or low gain, this means it can be used with a wide variety of headphones and IEM’s (standard is roghly 2.47x and low is roughly 1.1x)

Sound:

The CMA400i as a pure DAC is superb, it is one of the more detailed and neutral DACs out there not adding any sweetness to the sound. The separation is one of its strong points, and its ability to show up fine detail is also excellent. The DAC won’t smooth over imperfections in recordings, it is very revealing and presents the recording to you as it should be.

Going on to the amp section this is also a more neutral and revealing amplifier, one that could be used in a reference system. The CMA400i could sound cold and clinical to those that are used to smoother sounding amps, however it is not. It is revealing and will show up flaws in the recording, and it will let you hear the real sound of your headphones of choice.

The sound is tight, controlled and detailed, there is no added warmth so careful system matching is a must. The CMA400i is powerful enough for most full size headphones, yet also has a low gain option which can be used in conjuction with sensitive IEM’s and it has a 2.5mm balanced output. The resolution and detail of the sound is superb for the price, you will hear details you have not heard before.

Conclusion:

For an all in one unit the CMA400i is remarkably clean, crisp and detailed. It has excellent control and balance throughout the frequency range and is a great reference setup for testing headphones. It also makes a great desktop setup for most headphones, especially those that lean towards a smoother, warmer sound. Pairing the CMA400i with the Audeze LCD-2 for example really shows what they are capable of with a fun and punchy but not bloated sound. However pairing with the Sennheiser HD800 is perhaps a little too clinical for some tastes.

Effect Audio Horus Review – Fit for a King

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Effect Audio Horus Review – Fit for a King

The Effect Audio Horus definitely deserves its TOTL status, bringing added dynamics, layering and detail to your IEM’s.

Pros:

  • Holographic
  • Natural
  • Organic
  • Detailed

Cons:

  • It costs a lot

Aesthetics and Build quality:

To start with the Horus comes in a leather presentation box, fitting of it’s price and big enough to store your IEM’s in too. First impressions are excellent, then you look at the cable and it is simply beautiful. An even braid with a slight gold tint to the cable, with a rose gold splitter and chin slider.

The 2-pin connectors are standard and the jack plug is the usual carbon fibre Effect audio one, I would have liked to seen the jack in rose gold like the splitter. Everything feels very well built, with good strain relief and this is a beautiful cable that is built to last.

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READ MORE: Effect Audio Thor Silver II Review

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Sound:

The Horus has a pitch black and deep background, sounds emerge from thin air to immerse you in a richly textured and expertly layered sound.

Bass notes have an effortless quality to them being full in nature but not bloated, they extend with ease bringing out the quality of the bass tones of your IEM’s. The main thing about the bass that stands out is the natural and organic texture that doesn’t bleed into the midrange.

The midrange is well separated from the lows but also has a slightly smoother tonality, without losing out on the finer detail. The midrange has excellent micro detail retrieval, yet still retains a more organic and non fatiguing sound. Air and separation is superb, vocals come across with superb clarity and layering.

The highs gain a little presence over most stock cables, but here the quality is outstanding. They take the highs of your IEM’s of choice, take away the harshness and add extension and detail without hard edges. The Horus is not a bright cable, it is open sounding but at the same time engaging and dynamic. Cymbal taps and crashes are better defined within their own space, fading effortlessly into the black background.

The Horus is a deep sounding cable, adding a real sense of air and space to the sound both depth and height wise. During Pink Floyd – The Dark Side of the Moon different instruments swirl around the stage creating a holographic soundstage with excellent imaging and accurate placement.

This is a cable for those who want to get every last bit out of their favourite IEM’s, you have to come in and demo this to believe it.

 

Conclusion:

Horus is a cable that is incredibly dynamic sounding, it is full and impactful, yet at the same time it is open, airy and detailed. It may sound contradictory, but that is really how I hear this cable. The tone is natural and organic and is never fatiguing, bringing out every subtle detail in the recording without throwing it at your face.