Also See: Read our in depth review of the Final Audio Design Pandora VI
Final Audio Design Pandora Hope VI – Video Review
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Author Archives: Shaun-HiFi
Final Audio Design FI-BA-SS Earphones – Video Review
Final Audio Design FI-BA-SS Earphones
Watch our video review of the incredible Final Audio Design FI-BA-SS earphones. With a price tag of over £1000 it is easy to be sceptical about the FI-BA-SS from Final Audio, but this is more than your average earphone. See for yourself in the following review:
Crafted by hand from stainless steel and with a truly innovative approach to the controlling the movement of air in the earphone, it is obvious how much care and attention has gone into developing this earphone.
Press Reviews
HiFi+ Magazine Appraises Final Audio Design FI-BA-SS
“A truly impressive degree of you-are-there clarity, plus an uncanny quality of effortless, top-to-bottom coherency.”
Indestructible Headphones – GermanMaestro Hand Built In Germany
They are very sturdily built, with steel headbands and ear cups made from a robust PU material that can be wiped clean easily. These headphones are built for maximum durability.
We’ve tried some really quite severe tests, e.g. kicking the headphones, stamping on the headphones, twisting the headband in all directions, and so far we haven’t been able to leave any mark on the headphone. It’s clear that GermanMeastro aimed to have buid the most robust headphone on the market.
These German Maestro headphones are the toughest we have ever seen.
Reviews
Headfonics: Review of the German Maestro GMP 8.35D
Dale on HiFi Headphones forum: Review of the German Maestro GMP 8.35D
More Information
To find our more about the nearly indestructible headphones from GermanMeastro please visit the HiFI Headphones store.
Headphones for watching TV for the hard of hearing
While using TV Ears headphones, the television volume can be lowered or muted without affecting the volume of the sound through the TV Ears headphones.
“TV ears has made a such a big difference in my life. I now watch TV and films and hear every word better than with my expensive hearing aids.”
– Mr J Barrett
Why TV Ears?
With TV Ears headphones you can set your own volume and tone controls while others can listen at a comfortable level, or even not at all (with the TV speakers muted).
TV Ears headphones are tuned specifically to enhance speech, which makes then perfect for helping you understand dialogue in films and TV shows.
About The TV Ears Headset
The lightweight (1.6 oz/46 grams) ergonomically designed wireless headset rests under the chin providing maximum comfort. It won’t mess your hair or get hot on your head. Resting under your chin makes the volume and tone controls convenient and easy to adjust. With an output power of 120 decibels, TV Ears headphones are strong enough for people with hearing loss. The TV Ears transmitter easily attaches to your television, satellite, or cable box and the base unit can charge up to two headsets at one time.
The TV Ears 2.3 system works with Plasma and LCD flat screen TVs and in the presence of fluorescent lighting. This system can cover up to 600 sq. ft. TV Ears headsets feature the patented Comply™ Foam TV Ears Tips. TV Ears Tips provide an acoustically sealed chamber with the ear that reduces room noise and provides unparalleled comfort, cleanliness, and clarity for outstanding word discrimination so that television dialogue is clear and understandable.
More Information
To buy TV Ears Headphones or to browse our range of TV headphones please visit the HiFi Headphones store.
Westone Earphones With Removable Cables – UM2 & UM3X
In our experience the cables with any headphone or earphone is the single most likely item to break during the lifetime of the product. Occasionally the drivers in the earphone fail, or the earphone body itself breaks, but by far the largest majority of faults are due to cables breaking down – often leading to loss of sound in one or both earpieces.
We think the new Westone models with replaceable cables will become the standard choice for anyone purchasing one of these superb sounding earphones.
More Information
For more information on the Westone UM3x, UM2 or any of the Westone Earphones range please visit the HiFi Headphones store.
Beyerdynamic T50p Headphones – a B&W P5 beater?
It appears that the high end portable headphone market has recently become the target for the established serious audio brands, with the B&W P5 gaining some very positive reviews and plenty of high profile press. Beyerdynamic have obviously done their homework and with the launch of the T50p they look set to make their mark with a stylish design and high end audio performance.
Below are some initial impressions of the T50p. We’ve also included comparisons with the B&W P5 that we recently had on loan for evaluation.
Sound
Well balanced with plenty of accuracy, the T50p will appeal to those who love to hear all the detail in their music. The clarity is really very impressive, with excellent instrument separation and wide soundstage for a closed back portable headphone. Bass response is well defined and punchy – much less warm and fuzzy than the B&W P5.
The T50p’s sound signature is no surprise when compared with the rest of the Beyerdynamic line up. We are big fans of the Beyer sound.
Comfort
The headphones themselves weigh very little and the headband has a soft leather pad that runs over the top of the head to keep the headphones comfortably in place. The T50p is an on-ear design, but pressure is actually quite light and the pads are soft. Not as comfortable as a fully over ear (circumaural) headphones, but a lot more practical for using out and about.
Compared with the B&W P5 the Beyer T50p is a little less soft on the ears (the P5 has large, flat, ultra soft ear pads), but we don’t see comfort being a major issue with the T50p.
Noise Isolation
Listening to the T50p in a noisy office with people chattering nearby the sound isolation is good. The ear pads are sufficiently thick and soft to ensure a good seal on the ears. The T50p would be fine to use as a travel headphone because the closed back design prevents sound leakage in and out of the ear cups.
Design
We love the industrial design of the T50p and prefer it over the more reserved design of the B&W P5. The T50p is designed and built by hand in Germany, with the quality of workmanship being very evident when you hold the headphones in your hands.
More Information
To read more about the Beyerdynamic T50p or the rest of the Beyerdynamic headphones range please visit the HiFi Headphones web store.
Sleek Audio SA7 – high end, durable earphone made from military grade aluminium
Built to last, the SA7 earphone will appeal to those who get through high end earphones at an alarming rate. Replaceable cables and a robustly constructed earphone body ensure the SA7 is maintainable for many years to come.
To top it all off the SA7 has a digital wireless option that has already been very positively reviewed as part of the Sleek Audio SA6 wireless bundle.
The Ultimate Earphone?
If you’re looking for the ultimate in-ear headphone then the SA7 is likely to tick all the boxes:
Milled aluminium earphone body – built to last the SA7’s earphone body will withstand the toughest environment, with the internal speakers wrapped in shock absorbent silicone and able to withstand 14000 G. The earphone body is shrouded in carbon fibre for a durable finish.
Dual wideband balanced armature drivers – offering complete coverage of the entire audible frequency range the SA7’s dual driver design promises more than enough power for the lowest bass notes, while reproducing high frequencies with clarity and definition.
Wired or wireless options – the SA7 can be hooked up with cables or via the optional wireless adapter that uses the high fidelity Kleer wireless audio transmission protocol (uncompressed and very close to the sound quality offered by cables – also used in Sennheiser wireless headphones).
Adjustable Sound Signature – by changing the treble filter or bass port on the earphone body you can tune the SA7 to suit your musical tastes. First featured on the Sleek Audio SA6 and later on the SA1, the new SA7 lets you find a sound that suits you perfectly.
Replaceable Cables – as with the entire Sleek Audio range if you break a cable it’s not the end of your earphones. The SA7’s robust earphone design and replaceable cables means you can expect to keep this earphone for a very long time.
Our Opinion
Sleek Audio have been innovators from the beginning and the SA7 underlines their position as a company willing to push the boundaries of what can be expected from an earphone.
We love the bold design and applaud the fact that Sleek Audio have taken durability so seriously with the SA7. Earphones are often very easily broken and it’s great to see a manufacturer making such efforts to produce a product that is maintainable over a longer period of time.
We have not yet heard the SA7, but if the SA1 and SA6 are any measure of performance the new flagship earphone from Sleek Audio is set to offer a high end listening experience that will keep audiophiles more than satisfied.
More Photos
More Information
For more information on the Sleek Audio SA7 and the rest of the Sleek Audio earphone range please check out the HiFi Headphones web store.
Phonak Audéo PFE Reviews
Designed by Swiss hearing device manufacturer Phonak, the Audéo PFE is a lightweight earphone that fits comfortably in the ear and thanks to a high quality balanced armature driver delivers crystal clear sound.
Below is a summary of the some of the reviews this excellent earphone has collected:
Audéo PFE Review at CNET.com
Review Summary:
The Phonak Audeo Perfect Fit Earphones are an excellent choice for anyone looking for clear and balanced audio, a secure and comfortable fit, and a useful array of extras. All in all, they’re a great value for the money.
Read the full review of the Audéo PFE at CNET.com
Phonak Audéo PFE Review at Anythingbutipod.com
Review highlights:
…better treble than the Shure SE530, better midrange than the q-Jays, and a decent soundstage for an IEM. They are definitely worth their price.
Read the full Audeo PFE review at Anythingbutipod.
More Information
For more information on the Phonak range of headphones and in particular the Audéo PFE please visit the HiFi Headphones store.
Grado GR8 Earphones – high end balanced armature IEMs
Grado GR8 Earphone Gets UK Launch
Grado are well known for their mid to high end Hi-Fi headphones, with the top of the range Grado GS1000i being the benchmark that other high end headphones are measured against. This last month has seen the surprise release of the first Grado in-ear earphone (In Ear Monitor or IEM) in the USA, with a UK launch set for any time now.
The new Grado IEM has been named the GR8 (or GREAT, in case you hadn’t noticed). You’ve got to love American marketing departments for their often amusing choice of product names (the Ultimate Ears Triple.fi 10 Pro always makes me smile!).
Grado’s new earphone is based on a balanced armature driver. This type of driver is very efficient and often exhibits a very clear and smooth midrange, with less powerful bass response than a conventional dynamic driver.
An earphone based on a balanced armature driver generally results in a smaller earphone body (think Klipsch Image X10, Sleek Audio SA6 and Ultimate Ears 700), but in the case of the GR8 the earphone body looks larger (maybe it’s just the photos). We’re wondering if Grado have been tuning the GR8’s chamber for better bass impact.
Our distributor has told us to expect more Grado earphones to be released over the coming months. If the GR8 is anything to go by then this new range could be very interesting.
We’re expecting stock of this earphone in w/c 12 October and can’t wait to give them a listen. Reviews of the Grado GR8 on forums in the USA have been very promising.
More Information
For the full range of Grado earphones and headphones, as well as many other IEM style earphones please visit the HiFi Headphones site.
Beyerdynamic Gaming Headphones – MMX300, MMX2 and MMX1
Beyerdynamic High End Gaming Headphones
Beyerdynamic have a long heritage of producing very high quality headphones for home Hi-Fi, professional use (studio and live instrument monitoring) and aviation use. Now Beyerdynamic have just turned their hand to developing a range of high quality gaming headsets and it looks like they are on to a winner!
As can be expected from Beyerdynamic their gaming headphone range offers no compromises with build (still hand built in Germany) and sound quality. As can be expected Beyerdynamic gaming headphones are robustly made and can take daily use by the most avid gamer.
Beyerdynamic’s signature sound is a warm, powerful bass response with lots of detail and clarity in the trebles. The gaming headsets are no different, offering plenty of rumble at the bottom end and pinpoint positional accuracy in the upper frequencies. A combination that will put you smack bang in the centre role of your game.
Check out Beyerdynamic’s gaming headset range below.
Beyerdynamic MMX300 Gaming Headphones
The Beyerdynamic MMX300 is a pair of high end gaming headphones for the serious gamer looking for the best performing headset available. Based on the highly successful Beyerdynamic DT770 (as used by BBC Radio 1 DJs and guests), with the addition of an ultra high quality aviation class noise cancelling microphone and rather cool carbon fibre finish. The MMX300 headset takes gaming audio to the extreme, with a closed back design ensuring you can immerse yourself totally in the action without distraction from ambient noise and without annoying other people close by.
While the MMX300 is designed for gaming, it’s studio headphone heritage shines through with high quality audio reproduction. These headphones are very capable for many applications including listening to music and IP telephony (e.g. Skype), as well as gaming.
Super soft velour earpads and large over ear design ensures you can wear the Beyerdynamic MMX300 for hours at a time in supreme comfort. The MMX300 offers a truly high end gaming experience.
Supplied two connectivity options, the MMX300 can be directly connected to a PC and Mac via USB (you just plug the headphones in and the computer detects the headset like a soundcard), or alternatively the headset can be connected via 2x 3.5mm jack plugs (one plug for headphone input and the other for microphone output). Usefully the MMX300 offers the ability to mute the microphone and control the volume of the headphone audio via the supplied USB converter.
Get the Beyerdynamic MMX300 headset today and upgrade to high end gaming audio!
Beyerdynamic MMX2 Gaming Headphones
The Beyerdynamic MMX2 headphones are built for the serious gamer who needs high quality audio and supreme long term wearing comfort. Designed just for gamers by Beyerdynamic, the MMX2 headset reproduces sound effects, voices and music with superb clarity and the noise-cancelling microphone ensures a clear and precise voice transmission. The MMX2 is equally suitable for IP telephony (e.g. Skype) as it is for gaming.
With soft ear cushions made from velour material and a fully adjustable flexible headband the MMX2 is comfortable to wear for the longest gaming sessions.
The MMX2 has two connectivity options, either USB for direct connection to a PC and Mac (you plug the headphones into a spare USB port and the computer detects the headset like a soundcard), or alternatively the headset can be connected via 2x 3.5mm jack plugs (one plug for headphone input and the other for microphone output). Usefully the MMX2 offers the ability to mute the microphone and control the volume of the headphone audio via the supplied USB converter.
Choose the Beyerdynamic MMX2 today and enjoy high quality gaming audio and comfort.
More Information
For the full range of Beyerdynamic headphones and many other headphones suitable for gaming, please visit HiFi Headphones.
SoundMAGIC PL30 Earphones Review
The SoundMAGIC PL30 is an IEM (In Ear Monitor) style earphone with an over ear cable fit system and innovative bass control switch. The PL30 is priced to compete directly with earphones like the Sennheiser CX300-II, Denon AH-C351 and Ultimate Ears Metro.fi 220.
SoundMAGIC earphones are a relatively new addition to the line-up at HiFi Headphones. We originally took on the brand after trying out some samples sent directly from SoundMAGIC. Our initial sceptisism about the fact SoundMAGIC earphones are relatively low cost was soon turned into surprise by the excellent sound and sturdy build quality. Passing the earphones round the office we quickly decided that the PL11 and PL30 models would be the first we would stock.
The PL30 was the earphone that got SoundMAGIC recognised as a serious contender in the highly competitive in-ear earphone market. This earphone has been designed entirely by SoundMAGIC engineers and is totally unique to the brand.
This is a review of the some of the attributes of the SoundMAGIC PL30 in ear sound isolating earphone.
What You Get
The first nice surprise when opening the SoundMAGIC PL30 is that you get lots of accessories included. The following items are included:
- High quality travel case made from high impact fibre material (very similar to Shure supplied earphone cases).
- Many different types of ear tips, including small/medium/large silicone tips, double flange tips and foam tips (harder than Comply Foam, but worth a try).
- 1x pair of silicone over the ear cable guides (for keeping the cable on your ear while running)
- Soft silicone cable wrap for safe storage of the earphone cabling.
It’s great to see a manufacturer really thinking about how the earphones are going to fit in the ear and also considering what is needed to keep earphones safe during every day use.
SoundMAGIC PL30 Package
Comfort and Fit
The PL30 features pro-style over ear cabling (to reduce microphonic cable noise and to provide a secure fit.
Initially the SoundMAGIC PL30’s over ear fit system can take some getting used to if you’v never worn an earphone with this design before. With the PL30 the cable is designed to run up over the ear and secured at the back of the neck with the sliding cable tensioner. It sounds complicated, but it’s dead easy with a bit of practice.
I found the fit easier with the PL30 than with earphones like Ultimate Ears Super.fi 3/Super.fi 5 Pro. The PL30’s earphone body is much smaller than these other designs and I found it simple to get the earphone snug in the entrance to the ear after just a couple of attempts.
Comfort is very good with the PL30. I found the medium sized silicone ear tips worked OK straight out of the box, but the supplied dual flange ear tips gave me a better seal. I also tried a pair of Comply Foam T-400 tips that I normally use with my Sennheiser IE8’s and they worked very well with the PL30. As with all in-ear sound isolating earphones, if you do not get a good seal in the ear then the bass will be seriously lacking. Get the seal right with the PL30 and it’s unlikely you will be disappointed by the punch of the bass.
Sound Quality
Bass punch is superb and nicely defined. Much better than the bloated and muddy bass you will find in many entry level earphones. While this earphone is no bass monster it does represent lower frequency sounds very solidly and I found it very enjoyable listening to tracks with big basslines. The bass response can be altered by tweaking the bass control rotating switch – I preferred the flat bass setting over the bass boost setting.
Sound stage and separation is something that is immediately striking about the PL30 – you can easily locate different sounds and instruments in the music, without it being analytical. The PL30 is a very enjoyable listen and presents sounds in a very musical way.
Sound quality is far better than you might expect from an earphone costing less than £40.
Review Summary
For:
- Brilliant sound quality for the price, with excellent clarity and good separation of notes.
- Nearly zero cable microphonic noise and secure fit make the PL30 ideal for running or the gym.
- Well made cabling with good strain relief.
Against:
- Cabling can get tangled due to rubberized coating.
More Information
For more SoundMAGIC earphones and a selection of other earphones please visit HiFi Headphones.
SoundMAGIC PL50 IEM Earphones Launched
SoundMAGIC PL50
SoundMAGIC have released the PL50 IEM earphone in Asia this week. The PL50 is an in-ear sound isolating design and looks like it will be competing with higher end IEMs, such as the Shure and Ultimate Ears range.
This is SoundMAGIC’s first step into a balanced armature technology earphone and we’re really keen to give a proper listen. We are expecting stock here in the UK within the next couple of weeks.
SoundMAGIC has taken the earphone World by surprise over this last year with a stream of new high quality products, including the highly regarded PL30 and PL11. The PL30 has had plenty of recognition on the Head-fi.org forums since it’s launch and has been getting some excellent reviews. The PL11 has also rapidly gained acceptance as an entry level earphone to rival the Sennheiser CX300-II, with excellent bass response and robust build quality. Stuff Magazine recently reviewed the PL11 and seemed to like it a lot.
SoundMAGIC PL50 Photos
See below for photos of the new SoundMAGIC PL50:
SoundMAGIC PL50 IEM Earphones
SoundMAGIC PL50 in Box
More Information
For the full range of SoundMAGIC earphones and many other high quality earphones and headphones, please visit the HiFi Headphones store.
Home Listening Headphones Review – Staff Picks
Home Listening Hi-Fi Headphone Mini Review
We were recently asked to review a selection of headphones suitable for home Hi-Fi listening by Shortlist (a popular mens lifestyle magazine).
Below is the selection of headphones we offered with the review we gave:
High End Headphones
Open back on-ear headphones. Retro design. Excellent sound with brilliant detail and clarity. SR325is has won many awards. Very efficient headphone voice coils (low impedance) means it can be driven by pretty much any device (even the humble iPod) and does not need a dedicated headphone amplifier. Hi-Fi speakers of similar quality would cost thousands. Hand made by Grado in Brooklyn New York. Grado has been in business since 1953, making turntable cartridges.
Mid Range Headphones
Audio Technica ATH-AD700 Review
Open back over ear headphones. Very comfortable over ear design perfect for long listening sessions. Midrange and high end treble clarity is exceptional. Japanese brand with pro-audio pedigree (also make studio headphones and microphones).
Closed back over ear headphones. Very powerful bass response (ideal for gaming and movies). Replaceable parts (cable and ear pads) make it possible to service the headphone. Beyerdynamic headphones are used throughout the BBC (look at photos on Radio 1 website). Made in Germany.
Entry Level Headphones
Closed back over ear headphones. Closed back design ensures good isolation from noise and also means you don’t annoy people sitting nearby. Good bass response and high degree of accuracy. Coiled, detachable cable (can be replaced). Shure is a pro-audio manufacturer of monitoring earphones and microphones.
More Information
For a full range of home listening headphones and many other high quality headphones and earphones, please visit us at HiFi Headphones.
WeSC Headphones – new models available for summer!
WeSC Pickup & Maraca – New Models
WeSC have just launched some new models in time for the summer holiday season. The new headphone models are the WeSC Pickup and the WeSC Maraca.
The WeSC Maraca headphone is has a distincly retro design, not that far away from the highly sought after Alp Horn, but is a much smaller headphone and has a headband similar to the Bongo and Oboe models
WeSC Pick-up Headphones
The WeSC Pickup headphone is the coolest looking (in our opinion) of the new models, with circular ear pieces and funky earpads. The headband is a metallic band with adjustment to allow for all sizes of head.
As ever WeSC have really pushed the boat out and come up with some of the funkiest looking headphones available. You can be sure you’re wearing the coolest headphones with these new models.
WeSC Maraca Headphones
More Information
For the full range of WeSC headphones and many other cool retro headphones, check out the HiFi Headphones store.
SoundMAGIC PL11 Earphones – big bass and high end clarity
The SoundMAGIC PL11 has pushed the boundaries of what can be expected from an entry level in-ear isolating earphone. For less than the cost of a Playstation game the PL11 offers high end audio clarity, with enough low end power to satisfy the biggest bass-head.
Looking and feeling like an earphone that comes from one of the established brands, the SoundMAGIC PL11 is a newcomer that deserves a second look.
Sceptical At First
Before we received samples of the SoundMAGIC range to try out we were sceptical about the way they would sound and even more doubtful about build quality.
How wrong we were! Like the rest of the SoundMAGIC range, the PL11 is very well made and sounds like an earphone with a much higher price tag. Holding the earphones in your hand you would be mistaken for thinking they are manufactured by one of the well established earphone brands.
SoundMAGIC PL11 with included accessories
Built To Last
With cabling and strain relief that has obviously been thought about by someone who understands how earphones are going to be used, the PL11 is built to a similar specification as high quality brands like Sennheiser and Beyerdynamic.
Here at the HiFi Headphones store we have a pretty good idea how well a headphone or earphone is going to last by looking at the strain relief on the cabling. Over 90% of faulty returns we receive are caused by cabling faults. In our opinion the PL11 is an earphone we are not going to see returned often.
The SoundMAGIC PL11 has high quality cabling with a rubberized finish for extra durability. The strain relief is also well thought through, with highly flexible support where the cable enters the earphone body and at the jack plug.
How Do They Sound?
Most importantly, does the SoundMAGIC PL11 sound any good? Yes, the PL11 sounds superb! When we first received samples I spent a week listening to the PL11 on my walk to and from the office. The sound is immediately appealing as there is plenty of warmth at the bottom end and the trebles are well balanced and clear.
The obvious comparison that is going to be made is with the Sennheiser CX300-II. In many ways the SoundMAGIC PL11 is very similar to the CX300-II, with plenty of bass and a clear high end. Just like the CX300-II, the PL11 has a slightly recessed midrange, which actually helps reduce long term listening fatigue.
Many headphone brands, including high end headphone manufacturer Grado, are known to drop the midrange frequency response slightly to provide a more enjoyable listening experience. The reason for this is that the human ear resonates at 2.9Khz, making it particularly sensitive to mid-range treble notes. If the headphone or earphone is less responsive around this frequency then the ear tires less quickly and you can enjoy your music for longer.
Summary
The SoundMAGIC PL11 is an earphone that is a very enjoyable listen. Good bass response and a superb degree of resolution at higher freqencies make the PL11 an earphone to be reckoned with.
The sound is similar in some respects to the highly regarded Sennheiser CX300-II and beats the Sennheiser hands down on price.
Good build quality rounds off a well thought out earphone package that we are happy to recommend.
More Information
For the full range of SoundMAGIC Earphones and many other high quality brands please visit the HiFi Headphones store.