Unboxing and Setup

The unboxing experience of the Cleer ARC 3 speaks volumes about its attention to detail. The outer packaging, wrapped in eco-friendly plastic, houses a beautifully designed inner carton that greets you with the words “OWN THE MOMENT.” As you slide open the carton, you’ll find the sleek charging case, a cleaning cloth embossed with the Cleer logo, and clear instructions for setup. The process is straightforward: pair via Bluetooth, connect to the Cleer+ App, and follow simple on-screen prompts. The case screen is responsive and bright, making it easy to navigate through language settings and Bluetooth pairing, ensuring an effortless setup.

The case itself feels incredibly premium. With its high-quality plastic materials, smooth finish, and sturdy hinges, it exudes sophistication and durability. The mirror-like interior is both functional and aesthetic, giving you a magnified view while showcasing the earbuds in all their glory. The earbuds themselves are well-built and secure in the case, making them easy to take on the go.

These earbuds stay in place, even during intense movement, offering a comfortable yet secure fit.

Comfort and Fit

Comfort is key when it comes to wearable tech, and Cleer has excelled here. The adjustable earhooks ensure a secure and customizable fit, while the lightweight design makes wearing them for hours a breeze. They sit comfortably even with glasses on, making them ideal for everyday wear, workouts, or outdoor activities. The earbuds stay in place, even during intense movement, offering a comfortable yet secure fit. Whether you’re running, cycling, or just relaxing, the Cleer ARC 3 ensures that the fit remains perfect throughout.

Sound Quality and Dolby Atmos

When it comes to sound, the Cleer ARC 3 doesn’t just meet expectations – it exceeds them. The sound is rich and immersive while maintaining the open-ear design that lets you stay aware of your surroundings. The bass is deep and impactful, something often lacking in open-ear headphones, while the midrange is clear, and the treble sparkles with detailed clarity. The overall sound profile leans slightly brighter, providing great detail without being harsh.

Changing sound profiles is incredibly easy – either through the case or the Cleer+ App

The real magic comes with the Dolby Atmos optimization. This feature enhances your listening experience, particularly for videos and gaming, by offering a wider soundstage and more immersive audio. The difference is clear when switching between Music Mode and Movie Mode. Music Mode offers a vibrant, dynamic sound, while Movie Mode provides a more cinematic, immersive experience. The Sport EQ profile slightly tames the frequencies, offering a more controlled experience during exercise.

Changing sound profiles is incredibly easy – either through the case or the Cleer+ App – with presets like Rock, Pop, Jazz, and Classical available at your fingertips. You can also create your own Custom profile, fine-tuning the sound to your exact preferences.

Additional Features

The Cleer ARC 3 comes packed with intuitive features that make it stand out in the crowded earbuds market:

• Head Gesture Control: You can control volume and playback using simple head gestures, making it easy to adjust your listening experience without ever touching the earbuds.
• Step Tracker: The built-in step tracker monitors your daily activity, adding a touch of fitness functionality to the ARC 3. Whether you’re out for a walk or hitting the gym, it’s a nice bonus feature for fitness enthusiasts.
• Touch Controls: The earbuds feature easy-to-use touch controls, allowing you to play/pause music, skip tracks, and manage volume with a simple tap.
• Long Battery Life: With up to 50 hours of total battery life (10 hours on a single charge and an additional 40 hours with the case), you can enjoy your music or video content for long periods without needing to recharge. A quick 5-minute charge gives you an extra 1.5 hours of playback.

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What’s the most common solution? Turn it up!

However effective this may be for many viewers, others in the room may not be as open to this tactic. And making everything louder can only make things worse in the long run. There are plenty of ways to improve the overall sound quality coming out of your TV such as soundbars, home theatre systems and TV headphones (wired or wireless).

With the way most of these shows are mixed, the speech can still get lost very easily…

What about soundbars?

Soundbars will certainly improve the sound quality of your TV, the problem here is that they improve the sound as a whole. Soundtracks and effects included. Now most of these soundbars and AV setups will improve overall clarity, which will in effect make dialogue clearer. Yet, with the way most of these shows are mixed, the speech can still get lost very easily, and for those with hearing loss, the extra clarity more than likely will not be enough.

Will TV headphones come to the rescue?

For a lot of situations – yes. TV headphones do a great job of improving sound quality for the user, not only improving the sound as a whole, plenty of TV headphone models out there will have features and settings that focus on speech, making it a lot easier to understand dialogue. So, what’s the issue here then? Headphones are great for solitary TV sessions. They are not as well suited for watching TV with others – and many of us like to watch TV with our family, friends and even pets. Don’t tell me you have never had a little chat with your furry friend in front of the TV.

Not great when others want to watch the TV too.

The problem with wires

Another issue with headphones, is that wired headphones require a headphone socket to be used. Not all TV’s have a headphone socket and for the ones that do, using that socket tends to cut the sound from the speakers entirely. Not great when others want to watch the TV too. Wireless TV headphones on the other hand manage to get around this problem by using an optical connection which does not cut the speakers off.

What if you struggle with hearing TV dialogue, enjoy watching TV with others and have been told that if you turn the TV volume up again, you’re out!

Well, there is another option

There are a handful of brands releasing TV speakers catered to those with hearing loss and designed to enhance TV speech. One of those brands comes out of Germany and is called Faller, who has just released the OSKAR TV speech enhancing speaker here in the UK. This is not a soundbar, and unlike typical soundbars, the faller OSKAR is much smaller, and sits on top of a docking station that charges the speaker and also acts as a wireless transmitter. This allows you to use the speaker up to 30 meters away from the TV or any other audio source you choose such as a radio, computer or even a smartphone. The beauty of this is that you can place the OSKAR close to where you sit, bringing the speech enhancing technology directly to you. This type of speaker ticks all of the boxes:

• Improve speech clarity and enhance dialogue
• Watch TV with others without affecting their viewing
• Sit in comfort with no need for headphones or straining to hear the TV

Making TV a lot more enjoyable

In testing the Faller OSKAR myself – full review here – I realised that I was using this speaker a lot more than I thought I would. The OSKAR makes watching sports on TV a lot more enjoyable. I have always found that the commentary can easily get lost to the background crowd noise. Using the OSKAR meant that the commentary was crystal clear, while my TV still brought the stadium sounds to the room. Then, when I needed to go into the kitchen, I could bring the speaker with me so I didn’t miss anything.

Whether you watch TV on your own or with others, the flexibility, comfort and ease of using the Faller OSKAR makes it the ideal TV viewing companion…

I found that it also works great for late night viewing, especially when you don’t want to wake up the kids! I could keep the TV volume low while using the OSKAR to deliver its enhanced audio without sound leaking into the other room.

So what am I trying to say here?

If you suffer from hearing loss, are annoyed with not being able to hear dialogue on TV and want to enjoy watching your favourite shows with friends or family (or pets), then there are options out there. Just make sure you know what you are buying, and that more volume and better sound quality does not always mean easier to understand speech. Whether you watch TV on your own or with others, the flexibility, comfort and ease of using the Faller OSKAR makes it the ideal TV viewing companion for those who have had enough of resorting to subtitles.

Interested in all things Faller? Check out more News and Reviews here!

More about Faller here!

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Faller has the perfect story. Brought to life by the founder of German audio system specialists Sonoro, Marcell Faller, Faller was conceived as a way of providing a solution to his father’s loss of hearing and the need for a way to be able to enjoy family TV time again. The Faller OSKAR was the result. A portable wireless TV speaker that focuses on speech and dialogue clarity so that people who struggle to hear can easily watch and listen to TV again. Now I don’t struggle with this issue personally, yet I have tested the OSKAR to see if it does what it intends to achieve.

Faller OSKAR: The Presentation

Firstly, the presentation is very high quality, with a professional and elegant packaging design that clearly speaks to the desired market. Open the box and the OSKAR looks great with its aluminium frame and handle, and premium cloth speaker covering. The design of the OSKAR is very simple, and for this kind of product I believe that this is ideal. It is not over complicated in any way, there is just one large control dial on the top of the speaker which adjusts volume as well as turning the unit on and off.

Other than that, there is a button on the side that allows me to activate the speech filter and scroll through the three modes, where each one increases the focus onto speech. That is it for controls, and I find this to be great. Especially as this kind of device has the potential to be complicated, yet Faller has avoided this entirely without compromising on usability.

Connectivity

In addition to the controls, there is a USB-C input for power and a 3.5mm headphone socket if you wanted to use headphones instead of the speaker. Along with the speaker, the OSKAR comes with a docking station. This connects to the TV or audio source via 3.5mm AUX jack or Optical Toslink, and also has a USB-C power input. The speaker can then be charged while on the docking station for wireless use, where a full charge gives you up to 16 hours of wireless use. Thanks to its dedicated transmitter, the OSKAR can achieve a wireless distance of up to 30 metres which should be more than enough for most uses.

The Inside

Internally, the OSKAR uses two full range 35mm speakers in a stereo setup as well as a passive bass driver for the lower frequencies. I found that even though the OSKAR is very much designed to focus on speech, the quality of the speakers provided good sound when playing music on them too. Now, that’s not to say that the Faller OSKAR would compete with TV soundbars for their audio quality. They do deliver good enough sound in my opinion to be used as a general speaker though alongside their main purpose as a speech amplifier.

Functionality

The Faller OSKAR is very easy to setup, and once up and running I tested it with a number of different types of content. I found the sound quality to be very well detailed with the speech filter de-activated. The tuning of the speakers brings dialogue and speech to the forefront when compared to other speakers I have listened to.

Many TV shows and films have very loud soundtracks or use sound effects that can sometimes get in the way of dialogue. The OSKAR is a good way around this sometimes annoying feature of TV.

Activate the filter and that’s when things get impressive. For the first mode, speech is clearly enhanced while the background noises are reduced. I found it to be subtle at this setting, and I could imagine occasions where I would find it useful even though I don’t struggle with hearing. Many TV shows and films have very loud soundtracks or use sound effects that can sometimes get in the way of dialogue. The OSKAR is a good way around this sometimes annoying feature of TV.

The second mode pushed the enhancement further, this time making the effect a lot more noticeable with speech becoming crisper and seemingly louder while the background noises being suppressed further. The third setting really makes speech stand out. So much so that for me it was too sharp and sounded unnatural, however for those that struggle hearing these frequencies I can imagine that this effect is necessary. At the same time, background sounds were kept very low while there was dialogue on screen.

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Final x Dragon Ball Z Frieza: First impressions

Taking them out of the packaging box for the first time, it becomes clear just how small these earphones are. Both the earbuds and case are very slim. The charging case is the perfect shape to not be felt in your pocket. It provides an extra 15 hours of battery per charge to the earphones. Although not the longest, the shape and size of it is worth the compromise in my opinion.

The hinge on the case is again rigid and durable. You can even open and close the lid on the case singlehandedly with ease. The case is also smooth and stylish. The colourscape is a bit simpler than the Goku/ Vegeta versions, but the purple gives off enough Frieza vibes to know what it is representing and it really has an elegant aura to it overall.

Just like in my previous review, putting the buds in your ears for the first time is a great experience, especially if you watched Dragon Ball Z in Japanese with subtitles! More on the voice commands below.

The earphone body is also the smallest and lightest in this series of earphones. Weighing about 3.5g per earphone. They are so light and comfortable that you forget you’re wearing them. They fit perfectly in the ear canal and there is nothing protruding out. So even if you lay on your ear with them in, you won’t feel any pressure or a feeling of a foreign object. The size and shape make it an excellent earphone for sleeping too (if that is your thing!).

The original Japanese voiceover brings you straight into the action!

Voice Guidance Prompts for the Frieza Model

The voice prompts are very fun and make it a joy to turn them on and put them in your ears. Here is a low down of them below. I have written the Japanese in English so you can phonetically read them (what text cannot do is convey the emotion in the lines, but that is why you have these earphones, right?)

• When the earphones are turned on: Matte Imashitayo – I’ve been waiting for you. – No idea, but it sounds nasty and is a brilliant hello.
• When it is turned off: Chi…Chikisho!!!! CHIKUSHOOO!!!! – Blast him, Blast him to infinity. – I think this is when he blasts Krillin out of the lake, but it could also be when he rips through Vegeta, or something else entirely. Any leads?
• When pairing mode is activated : Kakugo wa yoroshii desune… – Prepare yourself for death! – Part of Frieza’s angry monologue as he prepares to face Vegeta, Gohan, Krillin, and Dende.
• When pairing is successful: Watashitomo aroumonoga dokidoki shite kimashita – Even my heart is pounding. – I cannot find this for the life of me, it must be something between Frieza and Goku during their first epic fight.
• When pairing is complete and you can now use the earphones: Watashi no sentoryoku wa Gojusamman desu – My battle strength is 530,000. – Says first form Freiza before he wrecks Vegeta, Gohan and Krillin.
• When pairing has been disconnected: Zettai ni yurusanzo mushikera domo!!!! You worms, I’ll never forgive you. – Another line from Frieza’s angry monologue as he prepares to face Vegeta, Gohan, Krillin, and Dende.

Packaging

The packaging is a picture of Frieza in front of his spaceship, looking as menacing as always. The print is vibrant and the box itself is one that you will always want to keep.

Sound

The sound quality really is superb, considering the size of these buds. The focus on ASMR / Voice is easily noticeable as soon as you put on a film or anime. There is a surprising amount of detail offered with these buds (only 3.5 grams each!). Vocals are crisp and well presented, with both male and female sounding excellent. Voice actors’ emotions are clearly conveyed. You really get that sense of distance between the characters when they talk with each other and they really help you immerse yourself in the world you are watching (or playing).

That Final ariness is also there. The Soundstage is absolutely huge for such a little device. Overall this is a great product for any DBZ fan or people who have small ears / want small earphones. They are great for watching shows/ movies/ Anime, playing games, listening to music, audiobooks and of course any ASMR content you fancy.

They sound realistic and natural and easily capture emotion in voice however it is spoken or sung

Battery life & Comfort/Fit

The battery life really is the only slight downside to these earbuds. They last between 4-5 hours on one charge and can be recharged 3 times from the case giving you a maximum 20 hours total playback. That does not bother me too much as it is plenty of time and thankfully way longer than my daily commute. However, when on an anime binge, 1 charge equates to about 15 episodes tops. Not necessarily a bad either thing mind you, as it is good to walk about and take a break every now and again!

For me, the comfort is unbelievable and these earphones have quickly become my daily choice. The case fits perfectly in your pocket and the earbuds . Playing with the eartips and choosing the bigger size created even more comfort. At this moment in time, there is no earphone in my repertoire that is as comfortable and as enjoyable as my little purple Frieza’s.

Specs

• Communication method: Bluetooth®5.2
• Chipset: Qualcomm® QCC3040
• Reproduction frequency band: 20Hz – 20kHz
• Supported codec: SBC, AAC, Qualcomm® aptX audio
• Correspondence profile: A2DP, AVRCP, HSP, HFP
• Continuous music playing time: 5 hours (20 hours including charging case)
• Charging time: 1.5 hours (earbud) / 2 hours (case)
• Battery capacity: 30mAh (one earbud) / 220mAh (charging case)

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Final x Dragon Ball Z Vegeta: First impressions

As expected from final, the build quality for the case and earbuds is fantastic. Taking them out of the packaging box for the first time, it is clear that the hinges of the case and the USB-C connector are rigid and durable. You can even open and close the lid on the case singlehandedly. The case has a smooth look on the surface and the shape / compactness of it means it sits in your pocket really easily. It is very cool, you need to see it with your own eyes.

Putting the buds in your ears for the first time is a great experience, especially if you watched Dragon Ball Z in Japanese with subtitles. More on the voice commands below. They are styled a bit like the ZE3000, in that the earbuds do not fully enter the canal, but sit very comfortably at the entrance. The shape of them means your outer ear also supports their position. They are also very lightweight and comfortable to wear for hours on end (up to 6 hours, more on that further below)

Goku’s earbuds are coloured after his classic look, so naturally, they are orange and blue. As for Vegeta’s earbuds, they have a little bit more. Inspired by his Saiyan battle armor from Dragon Ball Z, they are colored white, blue, and gold and when you turn them on The original Japanese voiceover brings you straight into the action!

Final has also gone big on the details, for each model the eartips are also colour themed, a great little edition that separates these out from your regular black/white TWS earbuds on the market. Not forgetting that the style of the case is designed on a Saiyan sleep pod as well.

Voice Guidance Prompts for the Vegeta Model

The voice prompts are very fun and after a month still do not bore/ irritate me. Here is a low down of them below (I have written the Japanese in English so you can phonetically read them (what text cannot do is convey the emotion in the lines):

• When the earphones are turned on: Ore wa Super Vegeta da!! (I am super Vegeta) – Episode 156 of Dragon Ball Z uncut, Vegeta telling Cell who is boss as he rages in. A great quote for turning them on.
• When it is turned off: Fun, sukini shiro (Do what you want.) – The only line I have not yet found on my Dragon Ball Z rewatch adventure. If you know where it is from let me know!
• When pairing mode is activated : Gambare Kakarot… (Hang in there Kakarot…) A fantastic line that begins the quote finished with the next prompt.
• When pairing is successful: Omae ga Number one da! (You are the number one!) This finishes the quote from when Vegeta has a monologue while Goku is fighting Boo and finally accepts Goku as the most powerful´”Gambare Kakarot, Omae ga Number one da!”
• When pairing is complete and you can now use the earphones: FINAL FLASH!!! – Vegeta’s signature move, enough said. Always gets a smile.
• When pairing has been disconnected, He! Kitanee Hanabi da (Hmph! Dirty fireworks) – Another great line and also one of Vegeta’s techniques. We all know how he loves to kill with dirty fireworks!

Packaging

The packaging for the Goku and Vegeta models is inspired by the scene before their first battle (episode 30), with Goku and Vegeta glaring at each other in the Gizard Wasteland. By arranging the packages of the Goku and Vegeta models together, you can reproduce the entire scene. (as seen below).

Sound

The sound quality is great, of course it is because these are made by Final. They are tuned with a slightly emphasized treble and mid-high range but overall they have a natural, fatigue free sound signature to them. The bass is also really good. It is there when you need it but it never sounds like the main focus of the sound.

There is loads of detail on offer with these buds. Vocals are crisp and well presented, with both male and female sounding excellent. They never sound congested as there is great layering and space between the instruments and/or sound effects. The Final X Dragon Ball Z buds are great for watching shows/ movies, playing games and listening to music & audiobooks.

They sound realistic and natural.

They also have that signature Final airiness to them. This means you get a sense of space that many earphones fail to capture. Overall, the soundstage is mightily impressive (especially for a themed collab product), they really can handle anything you throw at them. A great win especially for Dragon Ball Z fans for sure.

Battery life

The battery life is the only slight downside to these otherwise great pair of earbuds. They last for about 6 hours on one charge and can be recharged 3/4 times from the case giving you a maximum 22 hours of playback. That does not bother me too much as it is plenty of time. However, When on an anime binge, 1 charge equates to about 17/18 episodes top. Not necessarily a bad either thing mind you, as it is good to walk about and take a break every now and again! This slight drawback is compensated by everything else from the overall look to the sound quality and solid build of the earbuds / case and provided accessories.

Specs

• Communication method: Bluetooth®5.2
• Chipset: Qualcomm® QCC3040
• Reproduction frequency band: 20Hz – 20kHz
• Supported codec: SBC, AAC, Qualcomm® aptX audio
• Correspondence profile: A2DP, AVRCP, HSP, HFP
• Continuous music playing time: 5.5 hours (22 hours including charging case)
• Charging time: 1.5 hours
• Battery capacity: 35mAh (one earbud) / 220mAh (charging case)

Final x Dragon Ball Z Vegeta: Verdict

Ben M.

“Gambare Kakarot, Omae ga Number one da!”
These earphones are brilliant. The voice prompts are from the original Japanese voice actor for Vegeta from Dragon Ball Z and they make me smile every time I hear one. They are extremely comfortable in my ears and they sound really good too. I love the Vegeta aesthetic. The case is smooth and rounded and sits in my pocket well. The bluetooth connection is also solid. Really a must have for any Dragon Ball fan!

4.5

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Trifecta ‘Astral Plane’: Packaging sent from above

Firstly, let’s talk about the packaging. Campfire Audio want to offer the ultimate user experience as soon as their IEMs are unboxed, and this is certainly the case with the new Trifecta. The box is made out of wood and can be transformed into a display stand for your earphones. Just attach the brass hand to the backplate and you have an angelic design, holding the Trifecta ‘Astral Plane’ up to the heavens.

Inside the box you get two carry pouches, useful to store the IEMs as well as the extra cables that are also supplied. The cables are Campfire’s new Time Stream design, provided with 2.5mm, 3.5mm and 4.4mm termination options. There is also an impressive amount of eartips provided with silicone and foam options is all sizes.

Beautifully constructed

Now for the earphones, and this new Trifecta is a work of art. They resemble luxury jewellery as much as high-end IEMs. The new ‘Astral Plane’ version comes with a blue tint to the transparent housings which somehow makes them look clearer and ties in very well with the artwork that comes along with this model. Images of a beautiful blue sky. Peering through the glass-like outer shell, it is amazing how much of the internals are on show. It looks so neat in there. Inside the housing, Campfire Audio has placed three custom 10mm full-range dynamic drivers in a triangle configuration. This is stunning, and completely unique.

Comfort is key

The shape of the housings are surprisingly comfortable considering they are on the large side due to the three dynamic driver inside. This level of comfort must be down to the shape of the housings and the expert build quality as weight balance is spot on, allowing the earphones to sit securely in my ears. I personally prefer the silicone tips, and I found a great fit with the large ones. Definitely try the silicone and foam tips in order to find your best fit and sound, as the material of the tips does impact the audio tuning.

Trifecta ‘Astral Plane’ – How do they sound?

As for the tuning, Campfire Audio has gone for fun, fun, fun. It is unusual for an IEM brand to have their flagship model be this much fun. The Trifecta ‘Astral Plane’ has one job, and that is to put a smile on your face. The three dynamic drivers do exactly what you would imagine them to do. Bass is luscious and moreish. I’m so impressed with how Campfire Audio managed to harness the power of this driver configuration without allowing it to go out of control. The bass is big and enveloping, yet it is also controlled and manages to stay out of the way of the higher frequencies. The richness doesn’t stop at the bass, the mids are equally moreish. There’s a warm tone that makes guitars, vocals and snare drums pour into my ears like liquid gold. I almost feel naughty enjoying these earphones. Surely music isn’t supposed to sound this delicious.

Other Features at a Glance:

• Three custom 10mm ADLC diaphragm gold-plated dynamic drivers
• Ultra light and rigid ADLC Diaphragms
• Optically clear nylon body styling
• Transparent Housing with Gold PVD Accents
• Time Stream Cables with 3.5mm, 2.5mm and 4.4mm terminations
• Dimensional Folding leather carrying case
• Stainless steel spout and MMCX capture
• Custom beryllium copper MMCX components 

The post Campfire Audio Trifecta ‘Astral Plane’ Review appeared first on HiFiheadphones.

The sound from these headphones for gaming is beyond phenomenal

Sound Quality: 12/10

Sound is subjective, but the sound from these headphones for gaming is nothing short of phenomenal. The detail is outrageous. The soundstage and direction are astonishing, simply beyond description. They work so well with spatial audio programs (such as Tempest) to deliver an immersive sound that you can now not live without. With the Audeze HQ app, you can create custom presets (coming soon!) and create sound profiles for specific games. The pre-installed presets offer a great variety of tuning and are easy to change with a few clicks and swishes on the volume wheel. This is the best sound from a gaming headset that I have ever heard. I am not sure if it can be topped.

Design: 10/10

The Audeze Maxwell gaming headset design is an upgrade to the Penrose in every conceivable way. It has a perfect balance of a simple, sleek looking headset with an air of quality that is captivating, but not ostentatious in the slightest. The smokey grey / black colour palette provides a subtlety that this is stylish and the small Audeze logo above the ear cups reminds you just how lucky you are that Audeze make gaming headsets. Finally, the earpads look almost fluffy and robust at the same time, you just want to squeeze them.

The longest I have used them in a one-er was 8 hours and I could have really worn them for 8 more.

Comfort: 9.5/10

Another subjective topic but these headphones fit great. Despite the weight (450-500 grams) they are extremely comfortable. The new headband design really spreads the weight out and they do not feel as heavy as they objectively are. After adjusting the strap by one notch, they sit on my head in between tight/ loose, Maybe I got lucky but I felt like Goldilocks when I put them back on my head.

The earpads are extremely comfortable and they fit my big ears fine. I could really wear them all day. They lose half a point because sometimes my ears can get a bit too heated (I am not sure if this is really a result of the earpads getting a bit stuffy or a result of the total immersion making me sweat more). A bit more testing is required here ;). The longest I have used them in a one-er was 8 hours and I could have really worn them for 8 more. They are also very flexible and rest perfect around your neck due to the swivel on the cups.

Wireless Signal: 10/10

People used to complain about the poor range of the wireless signal for the Penrose. Let’s just say the Maxwell has eliminated any lingering issues here. If my eyes were good enough, I am pretty sure I could play my Playstation from my neighbours house and the sound would still be lossless. The connection is 100% stable via dongle or bluetooth. With capabilities for Bluetooth 5.3 as well as LE Audio, LC3plus, LDAC codecs, it all but guarantees these headphones are going to be viable for years to come.

Mic: 10/10

The boom mic is fantastic and the AI noise suppression tech is beyond incredible. People can always hear me clearly and for in-game chat it is perfect. The mic is in fact so good, I have started using the headset to answer calls at work. You can turn the sidetone on or off, as well as having 3 settings for the AI filter system (low, high or off).

Let’s Talk about the Sound

The Soundstage of the Maxwell is absolutely fantastic. Simply put you have to try them out to understand. Playing Apex legends, I can perfectly pin point where the bullets are coming from and work out if the players footsteps are above or below me. With Tempest audio on, you even get a sense of perception of just how far (or near) they are to you. I am pretty sure I can now work out what character I am chasing/ be chased by just from the footsteps! Those sweaty Wraiths now stand no chance against me (Huwah ah ah). It is like having a second controller but not only that, a second controller which brings you directly into the world you are playing.

Away from competitive gaming and into the wonderful world (and surroundings) of Hogwarts, my mind was shattered into pieces. I do not normally play single player games with a headset. But naturally I had to give it a go with the Maxwell. The music from the 4 different vivariums was literally flowing through me. When I turned my character in a different direction in a dungeon and heard something behind me, I had the urge to look behind me IRL. In two words: Absolutely captivating.

The bass is boomy when it needs to be and the sub-bass is colossal. Gunshots, explosions & footsteps are more realistic than ever before. There are actual textural details that can be heard (and felt!) with said impacts, explosions and things such as your character interacting with inanimate objects.

The scurrying of the spiders around the next upcoming corner literally sent shivers up my spine. Flying my Night Dancer Broom under moonlight with the Maxwells on allowed for a sense of immersion I never experienced in my living room before. The wind was blowing my hair, the 360 degree-ness of what you can hear and just how every detail can be heard as well as felt, made a fantasy game about witches and wizards into a quasi hyper-realistic experience.

In not so emotional terms:

The Audeze Maxwell has great width, but its height and depth is where it truly shines. It is really rare for a wireless headphone to have such good imaging as well as such a massive dynamic soundstage. This also means that these headphones are not just for games. They are suitable for listening to music too and I highly recommend it!

Presets and my love of the V shape sound for gaming

I have used the Maxwell nearly exclusively with the “immersive” preset. Which essentially EQ’s it into a “V” shape. For myself and others who are not really Audiophiles, this means the immersive preset for the Audeze Maxwell has an amplified low end, a toned down mid range, and an amplified high end. This tuning works very well for games and with the Audeze Maxwell this essentially means that sound effects are more vivid and memorable. These sound effects get clear detail from the treble boost and a roar of energy from the boosted lows. In-game actions such as swapping guns, reloading, jumping, opening and closing doors, sheathing or unsheathing your sword (or wand!) have a satisfying crispness that I never knew existed. These are the perfect gaming headphones for me, I have peaked.

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Solaris ‘Stellar Horizon’: Improved Ownership Experience

In terms of packaging and presentation, this 2023 version of Solaris has had the same treatment as the Andromeda. Provided in a new box made from lightweight wood that acts as a display unit once opened. The level of detail here is so impressive, with striking artwork and even an elegant hand which is used to hold the earphones when not in use.

As for accessories. You get an impressive bunch of silicone and foam eartips in a range of sizes. My personal favourite is the large foam tips for the Solaris, and the rest of the review will be written using these. Do make sure to try all tips provided so you can find the best comfort and sound quality for you, as eartips play a big role in both. You also get three new ‘Time Stream’ silver plated copper cables in a range of terminations: 2.5mm, 3.5mm and 4.4mm.

Two carry pouches are also provided, one leather and one material. Having two really makes sense here, as you can use one to keep your earphones safe and the other to store your extra cables and any other accessories that you would like to keep secure.

Strikingly Compact

Now for the earphones. The Solaris ‘Stellar Horizon’ has a very similar shape and size to the previous version of Solaris, providing a compact design that sits nicely in my ear. The housings are made using brushed stainless steel which looks great, especially along with the gold and black faceplate which is striking and really stands out.

Brand New Technology

Internally there have been big changes too. Campfire Audio has developed new technologies for the Solaris ‘Stellar Horizon’, with custom dual-diaphragm balanced armature drivers and their new radial venting which surrounds the 10mm dynamic driver. The configuration consists of three custom dual-diaphragm BAs and one 10mm ADLC dynamic driver inside each housing.

Solaris ‘Stellar Horizon’ – How do they sound?

The Solaris ‘Stellar Horizon’ has a sound that I haven’t experienced before. They are the realest sounding IEMs I have heard. If I didn’t know better, I would assume that the audio was coming from a huge acoustically treated chamber filled with musicians all playing just for me. Bass sounds real. No boom or overdoing it. Mids sound real. The tone, texture and timbre match exactly with my experience of listening to drums, guitars and vocals being performed live and in person. This is something I haven’t heard before from any set of IEMs. There’s an edge to each sound that is so pleasing, and the Solaris delivers audio quickly and clearly. Highs extend endlessly and help to create space which provides an impressively wide and deep soundstage. The overall experience seems so effortless that it would be easy to assume that the earphones are doing nothing, and that’s the beauty. It’s like a great actor. The best ones seem as though they aren’t acting at all.

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Andromeda ‘Emerald Sea’: Improved Ownership Experience

Not only have the earphones been given a makeover, the entire ownership experience has been enhanced. The main addition here is the wooden presentation box that the Andromeda is packaged in. Reminiscent of a cigar box, this packaging is like no other. Remove the lid and slot it into the base, then attach the bronze hand and you have the most original earphone presentation stand I have ever come across. In the words of Campfire Audio, nicely done.

As for accessories, the selection provided is equally impressive. You get a wide range of eartips with a mixture of foam and silicone. You get two carry pouches. One for the earphones and one to store the extra cables that come with the Andromeda. Campfire Audio has included three Time Stream cables: 2.5mm, 3.5mm and 4.4mm. These new cables feel great and house silver plated copper conductors. Providing three shows how dedicated Campfire Audio is to the experience.

Complete Re-Design

The earphones themselves is where Campfire Audio really make their statement. Gone is the severe, angular shape of the old Andromeda. For the ‘Emerald Sea’, the housings are smaller, smother and more streamlined. This is also a new shape for Campfire Audio, and this really adds to the comfort of the earphones. This shape works perfectly for me, nestling nicely into my ears with no feeling of pressure even after a long listening session.

Low distortion and superior stability.

Internally, the engineers have also gone to work, using brand new drivers and also redesigning the interior chamber. Five custom, dual-diaphragm balanced armature drivers are housed inside each earphone. These drivers have been chosen for their low distortion and superior stability. These drivers have been placed within a newly designed internal 3D-printed chamber.

Less Sensitivity. More Flexibility.

Another change that I think is worth mentioning is that the Andromeda ‘Emerald Sea’ is less sensitive than previous Andromeda versions. This is a big change, as one of the issues I found previously is that the Andromeda was always very picky about which devices it worked well with, and part of that pickiness was down to its sensitivity. The new ‘Emerald Sea’ is less picky, meaning there will be more people out there who can enjoy this stunning earphone.

An overall more balanced and believe it or not; an even more enjoyable listen.

Andromeda ‘Emerald Sea’ – How do they sound?

Now, what does all of this mean? The result of this overhaul is a listening experience that has taken an already sublime sound provided by the older Andromeda, and added a new layer of fluidity and finesse in the ‘Emerald Sea’. Bass is as present as ever, this time with an improved roundedness and coherence which allows the mids to sound more effortless than before, especially in the higher end.

This Andromeda has kept the organic quality that made has made the Andromeda so successful over all these years, yet there is something new here, a new smoothness in the higher peaks which now allows other frequencies to show themselves even more for an overall more balanced and believe it or not; an even more enjoyable listen.

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ZE8000: Presentation

I am a big fan of the ZE8000 presentation. The box is smart and shows the design of the earbuds in a subtle and inviting way, urging me to want to see more. Open the box and Final has provided a number of useful accessories including five sizes of eartips (SS, S, M, L, LL), a USB-C charging cable and a handy set of dust filters.

The Earbuds

Delve further and you’ll find the earphones along with their handy portable charging case. The earphones have been designed in a completely unique way. Final has developed their ‘division design’ so that the bulk of the components are separated from the part that fits into the ear. This means that those with smaller ears will be able to find a secure fit. This design choice is not only clever, it is attractive to look at too (for me anyway). With the ZE8000, Final has taken the common true wireless ‘stem’ and created a classy and stylish alternative. Due to the divided design, the ZE8000 is extremely comfortable. I have large ears, and the LL eartips create a tight seal and secure fit with no fear of the earphones moving around or falling out.

Maybe Final are onto something.

The Case

The case is on the larger side, yet the size seems justified considering the unique shape of the earphones. The lid slides open easily enough and has a pleasant action. Putting the earphones into the case and removing them is easy to do, even with gloves on. I am however slightly disappointed with the overall feel of the case. It is very light and has a plasticy feel to it which I would not normally have expected from Final – especially with a product at this price. Saying that, maybe Final are onto something. The case will either be in my pocket or bag, so being this light does have its uses. There is no wireless charging here, so you will need to use the USB-C charging port on the back which my be annoying for some. I personally don’t use wireless charging, so this did not affect my use of the ZE8000.

ZE8000: Impressive Hardware

The Drivers

Final has developed a bunch of new technologies for the ZE8000. The driver used is their ‘f-CORE for 8K SOUND’ ultra-low distortion driver, which has been newly designed by Final’s in-house engineers. The 13mm driver has a lightweight aluminium dome which results in very low total harmonic distortion (THD) when compared to other true wireless models.

Class-AB Amplifiers

Another impressive hardware choice is the use of Class-AB amplifiers, known for their superior balance between sound quality and power efficiency. This is a big step for Final, as usually true wireless earphone products tend to use Class-D amplifiers which sacrifice audio quality for power efficiency. The result is a lower battery life when compared to some of the competition, but the benefits to sound quality will make up for that.

Battery Life

Speaking of battery life, the ZE8000 will give you 5 hours of listening time when fully charged, with an additional 10 hours (15 hours total) with the case. This is with noise cancelling activated, so while not being the best in terms of numbers, I find it acceptable given the benefits to sound quality from the Class-AB amps. You can fully charge the earbuds in 1.5 hours from 0, and fast charging will give you 45 minutes of playback from a 5 minute charge.

Call Quality

Thanks to the positioning of the earpieces, and the quality of the internal microphones used, voice quality on the ZE8000 is very clear. I found these earphones to work well outside while on the move and even better inside. I tried them when there was a fair amount of wind and still managed to make a few calls with no problems. Indoors, where there is no weather interreference, the call quality is extremely clear and along with their comfort, ideal for a day of long videos calls.

ZE8000: Software done right

Active Noise Cancellation

No corners were cut when it comes to the software either. For the ZE8000, Final has developed their noise cancelling technology to prioritise sound quality, and from what I can hear this is most certainly to be the case. The ANC may not block out as much noise as some of the competition, but what I do get is total silence coming from the earphones. There is no hiss anywhere to be heard, and the ANC certainly does create a quiet listening environment for me to enjoy some tunes, podcast interview or audiobook. The ANC also feels very natural to me. I tend not to use ANC on headphones or earphones because I find the effect to be very unnatural, usually affecting audio quality too.

Finally, there is Wind-Cut mode which gives you the benefit of Noise Cancelling while also completely reducing wind noise

Ambient Sound and Wind-Cut Mode

With the ZE8000, ambient noise is blocked out in a very natural way – as though the world just got quieter. If you want to hear your surroundings, Final has you covered. There are other settings including Ambient Sound and Voice Through. Both allow you to hear what is going on around you, with the Voice Through mode reducing the level of music coming through in order to be able to focus on talking. Finally, there is Wind-Cut mode (my favourite) which gives you the benefit of Noise Cancelling while also completely reducing wind noise – something I have not experience this well before. All of these models can be easily selected on the ‘Final Connect’ app along with a few other handy features including Final’s newly developed Volume Step Optimiser and 8K Sound.

Volume Step Optimizer

Volume Step Optimiser is a way of being able to easily fine tune your volume. This is setup via the app, where you can set a reference point, and then from there you can adjust the volume at much smaller intervals when compared to the standard volume controls. I personally didn’t use this much – however I know that there will be a lot of users out there who would appreciate this as an option.

8K Sound

8K Sound utilises the hardware choices within the ZE8000 in order to deliver audio in a new way. When selected, I noticed a change to the sound. It is subtle, and there definitely seems to be an improvement to my ears – as though a veil was lifted and more information was pulled out of the audio. Those who prefer to keep things natural may not use this setting, I found myself keeping it on as I really enjoyed the benefits, however subtle.

Within the app you can also see the individual battery levels and easily perform firmware updates when available.

Compatibility

The ZE8000 supports all the main codecs AAC, aptX and aptX Adaptive, and is compatible with Snapdragon Sound – so anyone with devices using this technology will be able to benefit from this. My device does not so I could not test this out. I’ll just have t take their word for it.

‘But John, how do they sound?’ – Good question. They sound very good!

I listen to so many headphones and earphones, wired and wireless, and at some point I realised that once you get to a certain level – they all sound pretty good. So, is the ZE8000 any different? Yes. Why? I am glad you asked…

A listening experience that I can best describe as ethereal

In my experience, true wireless earphones tend to favour smooth, unoffensive or bass heavy sound signatures. This makes sense, as it is probably what the majority of users really want. I love bass. If I listen to an earphone that has a lot of bass, and has balanced it well among the other frequencies, I will be a fan. Then I try the ZE8000 and I quickly remember that there’s a lot more to music than these popular sound signatures tend to deliver. Firstly, these are not bassy, nor are they smooth – they are effortless. The bass is very much there, and it stays well in its lane. The lack of noise makes for a silent canvas, which means that the finest details can come across in a way that is noticeable and yet perfectly subtle. Each sound is so tight and well controlled, that this leaves an impressive amount of space within the mix for reverbs and other effects to really make an impact. The combination of an extremely comfortable fit and effortlessly delivered audio makes for a listening experience that I can best describe as ethereal.

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Audeze MM-500: The Sound

First impressions when paired with FiiO E07K headphone amp shows the MM-500‘s neutral and balanced character. With a closer listen slight lifts in frequencies can be heard while still keeping the tone natural and harmonious. There is slight warmth and vividness while keeping the sound realistic and natural sounding. Listening to EDM and heavy metal revealed new, unheard layering to music. Switching to funk and jazz made the music shine and pop in pleasant ways keeping me entertained for hours.

These headphones really make me feel like I am in the club or studio, so much to love.

Although designed to be used in professional mixing environments, listening to different music genres really highlights the multi-talent of the Audeze MM-500 being a jack-of-all-trades. Low impedance and sensitivity make the MM-500 easy to drive from most sources, even when plugged straight to my Oppo A57s smartphone – although they do benefit greatly when paired with some form of amplification.

The MM-500 does not shy away from electronic music with deep rumbling bass that shows no distortion when listening to Drum & Bass – while funk and jazz sparkles and shines with an ‘alive’ sound. These headphones really make me feel like I am in the club or studio, so much to love.

Comfort

As soon as the MM-500 are placed on my head I could feel that this is a quality headphone. It seems quite heavy at first, but the headband distributes the weight evenly. The slightly sloped ear pads encase the ears and gently hug the sides – again with just the right clamping force. Even after using for 2+ hours, there is nothing to complain about in the comfort zone – I just want to listen more!

Build Quality

As soon as these Audeze headphones are taken out of the box it becomes clear this is a serious headphone. The materials used throughout feel luxurious, the sturdy headband and folding ear cups blend perfectly together in a medley of sensations when holding. An understated, minimalistic look on the ear cups completes the indulgent feel of the MM-500. They feel and look extraordinary.

A surprising talented headphone in the studio and on a home Hi-Fi system

It is initially quite heavy in the hands – but the ease of which the earcups swing and fold flat – the cranking of the headband pins before placing on the head – and the way the leather headband sits snugly on the head – makes the MM-500 virtually vanish when the music kicks in.

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The Looks

In true Campfire Audio fashion, the Orbit is presented in a beautifully simple and yet visually striking box. There is something quite retro about the colour and font choices for the Orbit, with a very neutral and natural colour palette for the font, box and earphone housings – then there’s a bright splash of green to shake things up a bit. Just a reminder that this is indeed a Campfire Audio product.

Very eco-friendly and also very attractive

The packaging is all made of what looks like recycled cardboard, with no plastic in sight. Very eco-friendly and also very attractive. Open the box and there an explosion of gold which looks like sunbeams coming from out of the centre, with a deep blue box containing all of the goods.
Along with the Orbit, Campfire Audio has included a number of silicone and foam eartips in small, medium and large sizes. There is also a USB-C to USB-C charging cable, user guide and the coveted pin badge.

Campfire Audio has designed the Orbit from scratch, resulting in a unique style like no other. The case is nice and small and is finished with a smooth matte finish that feels very pleasing to touch. The two-tone colour style is in all neutral, earthy tones which is new to me – and I really like it. The shape is also interesting, with smooth angled edges along the sides, and the case tapers towards the bottom which makes for easy entry into a tight pocket when on the move. Lift the lid and there’s that lovely green colour again! Nestled in the case are the earphones, which fit very securely and regardless of their compact size. They are easy to remove too.

As for the earphones, their shape reminds me of the Saber with is small housing size and comfortable fit. The Orbit housings are again using the matte finish and two-tone colour style. There is also a stainless-steel sound nozzle which not only looks great – this surely adds to the Orbit’s durability.

The Inside

The Orbit uses 10mm custom full-range dynamic drivers, with a Liquid Crystal Polymer (LCP) film diaphragm. They are also packed with impressive tech: Bluetooth 5.2, AAC and AptX Adaptive codec support handling up to 24bit/48KHz audio, Qi wireless charging and 8.5 hours playtime plus a whopping 30 hours of reserve power from the carry case.

A Word of Advice

In trying the Orbit, I noticed that the housing shape made it slightly tricky to get that fit right in my ear, so I made sure to move them around until I felt a good seal. Once in place and with the right tips, the Orbit is very comfortable and secure with an airtight seal.

The sound is massive. It slams when needed with bass that drops low and punches high

The Sound

As for the sound – I had to keep reminding myself that this was a wireless earphone. We know Campfire Audio can create incredible wired earphones, having released some of the best sounding IEMs in history. The Orbit not only manages to carry on this tradition without the need for cables. There is now a Campfire Audio product that delivers their well known bombastic and engaging audio in a more affordable and convenient to use package.

The Orbit makes full use of the custom 10mm drivers, and it is as though they have wrung every bit of quality out of them. The sound is massive. It slams when needed with bass that drops low and punches high. Details come across with crispness and clarity, yet they are still very much a part of the overall listening experience. There has always been an organic quality to Campfire Audio earphones, and the Orbit is certainly this.

It’s hard to imagine that there is just one 10mm driver (per side) creating what sounds like a whole production suite in my head. The higher frequencies appear effortlessly, bringing everything together and helping to create space and depth – which there is plenty. Vocals are smooth and natural sounding, yet very present. They never get lost in the mix, they manage to be the focus when needed and if I didn’t know any better – I would think they were singing directly to me. Words that come to mind are lush, liquid, edgy, smooth, impact, moreish, quick, yum… I think you get the picture.

To top things off, Campfire Audio has also developed an app for the Orbit. Here you can view the individual battery levels, edit the touch controls, set the EQ (presets and custom) and update the firmware. This is all done very easily and the app is simple yet visually bold with quick response and connection.

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The Outside

First off, looking at the packaging it is clear that the Cleer SCENE is out there to challenge the premium speakers available right now. The box is sleek, has a lovely soft feel matte finish, and is extremely well designed. Inside the box you get a user manual, charging cable and the speaker itself.

As for the speaker – it’s stylish, elegant and feels very robust. The SCENE provides an alternative to the majority of speakers out there from the likes of Ultimate Ears, JBL, Bose, Anker and Soundcore. Where most other brands offer either party-time boom boxes, or plain and minimal designs – Cleer has gone for a more mature and refined design. Now, this won’t appeal to a lot of potential customers out there. However, the SCENE offers something that the current competition does not at a price that is extremely competitive and provides great value.

There are a number of rubber coated buttons that run along the top of the speaker. They provide useful controls such as play/pause, adjust volume and activate the built-in microphone. On the back there are a few more buttons, this time to turn the speaker on/off and a button to activate Bluetooth. There is also a USB-C charging port on the back.

Looks great, and gives the Cleer SCENE its refined look as well as feeling high quality to touch.

The majority of the speaker is covered in a textured – fabric similar to typical speaker grilles – and it goes over the speaker from front to back. This looks great, and gives the SCENE its refined look as well as feeling high quality to touch. The tough plastic rim provides contrast to the design, and then there is a light on the front that indicates power as well as notifying you when the battery is low.

The Inside

Inside the housing are dual 48mm dynamic drivers, and this is paired with two passive radiators. These radiators can be seen from the outside, and they look like mini subwoofers either side of the SCENE’s housing – this looks great and adds an extra element to the premium design.

The Sound

Audio in a refined and sophisticated manner

How does this speaker arrangement sound? Well, like the design – the Cleer SCENE delivers audio in a refined and sophisticated manner. There’s a focus on clarity and definition, which is something that is generally missed in most Bluetooth speakers out there. That’s not all you get though. Thanks to the dual driver setup and two passive radiators – bass is tight and punchy with power and distortion-free depth. The SCENE also provides a high level of detail that give insight into the music you listen to; moving away from the typical bass heavy approach to speaker tuning. This certainly won’t be for everyone, and the lack of boomy bass may also disappoint the bass heads out there. However, those that prefer bass accuracy over volume – I’d say the SCENE could be just right for you.

In addition to the impressive audio performance, the Cleer SCENE is also IPX7 waterproof rated. So there’s no risk of water damage on those rainy days. You can also expect 12 hours of playback time when fully charged. When taking calls – the SCENE’s built-in echo and noise-cancelling microphone is well suited to personal and conference calls alike.

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Fit and Comfort

The Lypertek PurePlay Z7 is a little larger than the SoundFree S20 and the PurePlay Z3 2.0 due to the increase in driver quantity. But they have an ergonomic shape which means they fit securely even if they do stick out a little more than normal (worth it for the sound quality!).

Comfort is good. The earphones are nice and lightweight which helps along with a good selection of tips included. Meaning most people will find a set that fits well and provide a good seal in the ear.

Features

The PurePlay Z7 offer up an excellent 10hrs battery life per charge and the case provides 7 full charges. This gives 80hrs in total which is market leading by industry standards. They also have a quick charge function that will give you 2hrs of play time from just 15 minutes of charging.

The PurePlay Z7 offer up an excellent 10hrs battery life per charge and the case provides 7 full charges

They have 3 drivers, 1 dynamic along with 2 Balanced Armatures. Are IPX5 rated which isn’t quite as good as the PurePlay Z3 2.0 but should still be more than enough for most users. There is a physical button on ear earphone which allows you to control playback along with the voice passthrough, (This mode allows you to hear your surroundings without removing the earphones). The buttons are easy to use and less likely to be accidentally pressed unlike touch buttons.

PureControl App

The Z7 are fully compatible with the Lypertek PureControl app. This app allows you to control the EQ, change the button functions and voice pass through, amongst other things. This app is a really handy partner to the Z7 and offers up a lot of flexibility and allows you to really fine tune the sound to your personal tastes.

The app is a really handy partner to the Z7. It offers up a lot of flexibility and allows you to really fine tune the sound to your personal tastes.

On the subject of tuning the sound, Lypertek have developed a sound pre-set in their app called LDX mode (Lypertek Definition Expander). Switching this on in the app instantly changes the sound profile to one that is more engaging, exciting and spacious. There is a little bump in the bass quantity but the sound overall becomes more fun and dynamic with a wider and more open soundstage. This is definitely worth trying out. I can see a lot of people using this mode to bring out a little more fun in the Z7.

A note about ANC..

Lypertek have not gone down the ANC route with the Z7 which is slowly becomming the expected standard. They do however have excellent passive noise isolation, so they cut you off from your surroundings very effectively. To try and shoehorn ANC into these would jeopardise the sound quality which is honestly the crown jewel of these beauties. It is a bold decision but Lypertek have invested where it matters, the sound. And the resulting earphone is something a bit magic.

The PurePlay Z7 case supports wireless charging too and Lypertek have released a super slim charging pad to go with it. The charging pad is super sleek and is a perfect partner for these earphones. All in all the Z7 has a lot of useful features pakced in. But it must be said the biggest focus is on audio quality(more below). The addition of the AptX Adaptive codec is welcome too and really makes a difference.

Sound

The Pureplay Z7 is a really good all rounder

Bass:

Lypertek are using a single dynamic driver for the low end and it is tuned really well. Having just the right amount of punch, body and extension to always be there and audible, but not enough to make them sound dark or bloated. There is really good extension when called for, yet they retain a controlled and smooth presentation. The midbass has moderate kick, not enough to really please those who want a more engaging sound, but enough to sound realistic and audible. The EQ in the app will help those who want more.

Midrange:

The midrange sits where it should. Whilst the Z3 and S20 have perhaps a slightly recessed midrange, the Z7 has a more balanced and neutral approach. While there is a little added body down low, it doesn’t really have too much of an impact on the midrange. Male vocals sound a touch warmer than a strictly neutral monitor. However they have great tonality and a smooth yet balanced presentation that just makes them enjoyable to listen to for hours on end. They won’t throw every little nuance at you. But they sound effortless and realistic which to me is a great quality in a portable earphone. The upper midrange is devoid of any fatiguing peaks. There is a smooth transition to the lower treble yet female vocals still cut through with great clarity and authority.

Treble:

The treble is very refined and not overdone. It is detailed and has good extension but it is not upfront in the mix. They are perhaps a tiny bit subdued for my personal taste, but this means that more people will enjoy the smooth presentation. This is also easily tuneable in the app to be honest, and you can dial in more or less depending on your preference. But the stock sound out of the box is quite smooth and safe yet still present and enjoyable. They are not exciting and do lack a little energy, but this will also vary depending on what music you listen to.

Genres and Soundstaging

The Z7 are a really good all rounder. They do have quite a smooth and refined sound that lend their hand to slower genres. Acoustic and softer alternative rock sounds excellent due to the natural midrange. However turning on LDX mode does make the Z7 a little more exciting and dynamic. This is a must if you listen to more upbeat genres like pop/hip-hop.

Soundstaging is quite impressive with good width and air. The separation is also very impressive with plenty of air between layers. Yet it all comes across in a very coherent manner.

Who is it for?

• People looking for the best sound quality in a true wireless earphone for an exceptional price
• Those who want superior sound without sacrificing battery life
• People who like to tweak the sound to their personal preference

The post Lypertek PurePlay Z7 Triple Hybrid TWS Earphone Review appeared first on HiFiheadphones.

Built like a sci-fi tank

The Gravastar Venus is built like a literal sci-fi tank. With a Zinc alloy shell and sturdy rubberized feet, it sits firmly planted on whatever surface you plant it on. It features two rubberized buttons and a total of 6 RGB lights which tie the look of the speaker together.

For such a small speaker, I was surprised at the volume and clarity…

Being such a small unit, weighing in at only 1lb, makes this speaker feel incredibly dense, and this shows in the build quality. There is no creak or moan as you handle the speaker. Even though it offers incredible details, it doesn’t feel fragile.

Remarkable sound quality

For such a small speaker, I am impressed at the volume and clarity of the sound it could produce. Even at higher volumes, it had little to no distortion and could still offer clear vocals whilst also giving the satisfying thump of the bassline.

The Nerd Stuff

As for the numbers, the Gravastar Venus offers a respectable 10 hours of battery life with a full charge achieved in 3 hours. It houses a full-range subwoofer driver which, paired with its vibration chamber allow it to deliver excellent sound clarity. It also utilises Bluetooth 5.0 which gives the speaker a range of around 10 meters.

The shell features 6 RGB lights which cycle to various colours by a button press. These colours dance in rhythm to the music or the setting, adding to the overall robotic feel of the speaker.

The speaker also offers a ‘True wireless stereo’ mode, offering deeper immersion and allowing you to have the edge when playing games. As for connections, the speaker uses USB-C to charge which is a must nowadays. I would have liked to also see a 3.5mm jack, but with the battery life and price point, it’s not a deal breaker.

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Sturdy and Well Built

The Gravastar Sirius Pro are small lightweight and extremely well built making them perfect for long gaming sessions without the fatigue that would normally come from a more standard in ear.

they immerse you in whatever content you are viewing …

They feature a zinc alloy case with a “siriusly” satisfying flip top making them ultra durable to throw into a pocket or a bag without fear of damage or scratching.

The earbuds themselves are lightweight but still have a great feeling in the hand weighing in at only 6g per earbud, pair this with the small, medium and large ear tips included you will find a fit that avoids fatigue in long gaming sessions.

“Siriusly” Good Features

The Sirius Pro have a plethora of features to give you the edge in games but also immerse you in whatever content you are viewing. They feature three different modes to tailor the listening to your content.

Gaming Mode – Allowing you to hear directional sound with extreme clarity using 5.1 virtual surround sound.

Movie Mode – Become fully immersed even on the move with HD surround sound allowing you to hear every explosion and whoosh.

Music Mode – With clean natural vocals and bass you can feel music mode makes you feel the music as much as hearing it.

These earbuds aren’t just good for consuming media they are great for communication too, they use environmental noise cancelation to cut out annoying background noise and give strong natural voices giving you great call quality no matter the environment.

The Nerd Stuff

Now the technical stuff, the earbuds use Knowles balance armatures and 7.2mm dynamic drivers. This allows them to perform great in the lower ranges with great bass as well as the mids and highs. Using cutting edge Bluetooth 5.2 Technology means the earbuds pair faster and last longer.

The earbuds have a 4h battery life and a solid 3 more charges with the 400mAh charging case. The case also features a USB Type-C charging case which is a must for all modern gadgets and a 3 hour charge time gets you back in the game as soon as possible.

The Sirius Pro‘s case also uses an incredibly pleasing looking LED bar to indicate the charge status of the case and earbuds which fits perfectly with the sci fi theme.

…even works as a bottle opener!

But wait there is more … no “Siriusly”!

The packaging really fits with the theme of the Sirius Pro with an almost hand painted look this is a box case you will want to display proudly, they also include a chain allowing you to wear your earphones for easy access.

The charging case even works as a bottle opener which is an interesting feature but it does really highlight the sturdy nature of the zinc alloy case.

Like the style but don’t need all the features? The Gravastar Sirius is perfect for you!

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Fit and Comfort 9/10

The Lypertek PurePlay Z5 have quite a different design to previous Lypertek models. They have a rounded body and a stem which greatly improves ANC effectiveness along with mic placement for calls. This design also works really well in terms of fit. Even for smaller ears they are easy to put in and get a solid, secure fit for everyday use.

These are really comfortable & super easy to wear for long listening sessions

Comfort wise, once you find the right eartips (and there are plenty included to choose from) they are easy to wear for long listening sessions. This is not only due to the smooth housings but the light weight of the earpieces as well. There are no issues wearing these for a few hours at a time. The Z5 is also an optionl for light sports use due to their comfy and secure fit.

ANC 9/10

The ANC is a huge new feature for Lypertek, and one that works very well. When using these in areas with a constant stream of noise (such as sitting on a train) they do a great job to drown it out. It is easy to toggle on and off with the touch controls or via the app. Lypertek have absolutely nailed it with the Z5.

Purecontrol ANC App 10/10

The app is fantastic and easy to use. It allows the user to also fine tune the earphones to their tastes. With EQ curves (including custom ones), ANC on/off and also an Ambient mode which allows outside noise to be heard. LDX (Lypertek Definition eXpander) mode is also supported on the Z5. It has a dedicated button within the app to turn it on and it works well to enhance the space, depth and clarity of the sound. An absolute must try!

Mic 9/10

The stem is perfect for better microphone placement than normal true wireless designs. Resulting with the call quality on the Z5 being truly excellent. At home or out and about, the other person will hear your voice with great tone and clarity. It goes without saying these are some of the best we have tried when it comes to call quality.

It goes without saying these are some of the best we have tried when it comes to call quality.

Auto Ambient Mode 10/10

Simply one of the best features from the App. This turns ambient mode on automatically when you pause music & is such a handy feature to have. It means you don’t have to take the Z5’s out of your ears to hear people or announcements.

Sound 10/10

The below assessment is with all sound enhancements turned off. You can easily tune the PurePlay Z5 to your tastes with EQ. Not forgetting that the LDX mode is a great one click boost for those wanting and more spacious and engaging sound.

Bass: The perfect amount for out and about listeners in my opinion. These are punchy and fun whilst retaining good body and control. The bass is well controlled and keeps up with complex mixes with ease

Midrange: Open, spacious and natural, the midrange is portrayed in excellent fashion on the Z5’s never sounding drowned out or pushed too far back in the mix. Vocals manage to cut through the mix with great clarity and presence without sounding peaky or harsh.

Treble: Well extended yet not overly hot or in your face. The transition from the upper midrange in to the lower treble is well controlled without any unwanted sibilance. Yet there is still good energy in the lower treble to stop them from sounding dull or dark.

Instrument separation is really impressive, especially for a true wireless model.

Soundstaging and Instrument Separation

There is a good amount of air around instruments and good layering overall. They might not throw out the widest of soundstages but they manage to sound quite airy and open. Instrument separation is really impressive, especially for a true wireless model. these sound very controlled and well separated even when listening to complex music tracks.

Other Notable Features:

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Fit and Comfort

The Campfire Audio Saber follows a very similar design to the Satsuma and Honeydew. However, this time they have used Damascus steel for the faceplate and ABS for the inner shell. This means they have the slightly narrower and longer stem which actually helps when it comes to fit. These fit really well once you settle on the right tips. The nozzle allows for a medium insertion depth that is secure yet comfortable. The inner edges of the shell are smooth and the included cable is lightweight. My only gripe is the cable is the OFC one that uses mouldable memory wire instead of the more comfortable pre-moulded earhooks on the newer smokey litz cables. However it must be said this is a personal preference and most will get on fine with the included cable.

Comfort is excellent due to the housing shape. These are easy to wear for hours on end with no discomfort, making them great for long journeys or just general commuting and daily use. Just take some time to find the right tips for your preference and you’ll have no problems with the Saber.

Compatibility

The Saber are quite low impedance for an earphone, 8.2 Ohms @1kHz, this means they are very sensitive to source changes and benefit from a source with low output impedance. They have a sensitivity of 94 dB SPL @ 1kHz: 25.4 mVrms. These are very sensitive and work well out of portable devices provided they have low output impedance. Saying that, these sound great out of most devices as is.

Sound

Bass:

The Saber uses two dynamic drivers to cover the low and mid frequencies. The largest 8mm dynamic driver adds an impressive amount of depth to the bass but it still retains a tight and controlled response. One that is not as full as the Mammoth yet doesn’t lean too far into the analytical camp either. The Saber manages to have a solid bass foundation with impact and extension without bloat or emphasised warmth. They don’t fulfil a bass-head tuning like the Mammoth but there should be more than enough presence and oomph for most listeners. They are impressively punchy and I doubt anyone could be bored with this presentation.

Midrange:

Wonderfully placed and well detailed without sounding cold and lifeless. The midrange has great tonality and vocals cut through the mix with ease. There is a little thinness at times in the upper midrange but not enough to cause fatigue and sibilance is well handled only becoming problematic on poorly mastered/hot tracks. The Saber have the ability to be snappy and controlled yet utterly fun to listen to. You never lose track of anything going on in the mix, they handle whatever you throw at them and just turn it in to an enjoyable listen.

Treble:

The treble is sparkly, and razor sharp, but not to the point they sound fatiguing. With great air and placement they successfully manage to avoid being too hot for my tastes. These do not hold back, they are not the smoothest or most refined earphones for sitting back and relaxing with, instead they are dynamic and energetic and want you to tap along to the music. There is no lack of extension, no lack of detail whatsoever at the top end of the Saber. They could never be described as dull and that is exactly how Campfire wanted them to be. Fun!

Instrument Separation and Soundstaging

The Saber easily pick apart complex mixes and don’t become congested or muffled with fast tracks. The layering is excellent and they are very responsive in terms of transient response.

The soundstaging is also impressive. It’s intimate with a tightly focussed centre image and good width and space. The treble positioning is very impressive and there is realistic yet accurate staging.

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Fit and Comfort

64 Audio have used the same universal shape for the U6t as their other models (U12t / tia Trio etc…) and this is a tried and tested design. Offering up smooth edges with a good length nozzle for a secure fit and great comfort. Once you settle on the right size tips for your ear canals, they fit securely with the new included cable being more ergonomic and comfortable.

The U6t fit comfortably in your ears. They are also extremely comfortable for long listening sessions. The new cable is softer and has pre-moulded earhooks which, in my opinion are always more comfortable than stiff memory wire. 64 Audio provide plenty of eartips with the U6t. So try them all to find which suits you best!

Compatibility

Whilst the U6t is easy to drive, and has 64 Audio’s LID technology meaning there won’t be drastic sound signature changes between sources. However, an IEM of this quality still deserves a good source. Lossless tracks and the use of an external DAC/Amp with a mobile phone, or a dedicated DAP would definitely be my preferred choice of source.

Apex modules and tia drivers

64 Audio have a few interesting technologies they employ in their lineup. the U6t uses their apex technology that relives inner ear pressure whilst also allowing a certain amount of noise through. In turn this also tunes the sound slightly. The U6t comes with the m20, m15 and mX modules, which offer -20dB/-15dB and -10dB of noise reduction respectively. The more isolation results in more lower bass response and a warmer sound signature too. Along this logic, you get minor variations in soundstaging too. The more open being the more open sounding. Personally I do find the apex modules reduce listening fatigue and 64 Audio IEM’s are always perfect for long listening sessions.

The U6t also includes a single tia high driver. This high frequency driver is an open-top BA driver which is tube-less too and sits in the nozzle. This provides an increase in air and space in the treble region along with a more realistic treble presentation. Quite a while ago I listened to the original U6 against the new A6t. The tia driver definitely delivers a smoother and more realistic treble response than a typical BA with tube and damper design.

Sound

(M15 module as installed out of the box)

Bass:

The U6t have a nice and full low end that is exceptionally well tuned for a BA model with six drivers. There is enough warmth to add pleasant body to the sound and enough punch to be engaging. But it’s always composed and controlled, there is never excess bass, or unwanted bloat. Bass guitars are articulate. Kick drums hit with impact and have excellent body to back them up. They are not in your face. They also don’t try and impress with overblown bass, instead focussing on making the low end sound accurate and realistic with a little hint of warmth to ease those long listening sessions.

If you want a little more low end than the m15 module, the m20 offers up even more body. This in turn tricks your brain into thinking there is less treble. I.e this module is one for those who prefer a warmer and thicker sound. On the opposite end, the mX module leans out the low end. Making the U6t sound like a more typical reference tuned device. Allowing the mids and highs to cut through a little better with a tighter and slightly less thick bass response.

Midrange:

The midrange is superb on the U6t. It nails the natural yet not analytical presentation, being detailed and nuanced without being clinical. Vocals have an intimate quality without being up-front and central. There is such a pleasant balance overall that nothing sounds out of place or forced. More aggressive tracks have good bite, yet softer tracks have a sweetness that is intoxicating. Heavily distorted or acoustic, it doesn’t matter to the U6t, they can do it all with ease. Something lacking in many earphones. Both male and female vocals sound excellent, with maybe a slight nod to female vocals having the upper hand. The transition from upper mids to lower treble is handled superbly. They are not pushed to sibilance yet there is no discernible dip robbing them of energy and presence.

Regardless of the module used, the midrange is always very well presented. However it does sound warmer with the m20 and slightly thinner with the mX. So take your pick! For most the m15 is probably going to be just right.

Treble:

The treble is airy and well extended. It is also very well balanced in the mix, with the right amount of attack and energy without sounding bright or harsh. The tia driver provides exceptional treble response. One that sounds tonally accurate without nasty peaks or dips. You never lose track of the treble, it simply never gets lost in the mix. Snares are snappy and cymbals crash with authority. Yet, I never find them to be edgy or uncomfortable. 64 Audio are experts of pulling off the correct balance in the treble, and they are not lacking detail at any point either.

If you want well presented treble that isn’t harsh or fatiguing I highly suggest testing one of the 64 Audio models. These are utterly fatigue free. Should you wish for a little more bite, toning down the bass helps the mids and highs cut through a bit better (mX module).

Soundstaging and Genres

The U6t have a wider than average soundstage, but it’s not huge as these are still based on a pro-audio model. They are very accurate with their placement of instruments within the soundstage and everything is very well separated. I.e never sounding congested during complex tracks.

These are a superb all-rounder to be fair. They might not have the bass quantity many EDM listeners might crave, but they lend their hand to most genres. These have a slightly smooth presentation. Meaning they might lack a little energy for some. But on the other hand they are super easy to listen for long sessions.

Apex Modules

With the U6t you almost get 3 different signatures in one IEM. Whilst the core sound presentation will be similar between the three there are distinctive differences which allow you to fine tune them to your preference. The apex modules mainly affect the bass region. But an increase here will lead to a perceived lowering of the treble/midrange so take this in to account.

Using the most closed module (m20) you get quite a thick, warm and laid back sound. One that has good body and warmth overall but still with the signature tia driver an airy top end.

Using the m15 you get slightly less bass. Which in turn leads to a more balanced but still slightly smooth sound that is a great compromise and likely the sound that most users will prefer. It is well balanced but not lacking in punch and body.

The mX module will give you a more analytical presentation. More akin to a studio monitor sound that might be lacking a little body for some listeners. But it is the one that will sound the cleanest in the mid-range and treble due to less body overall.

It is down to each listener as to which module they will prefer, but the overall signature refinement and balance is present over all modules.

64 Audio U6t vs A6t

Should you go for the custom version? In short, not really. The custom version is for those who are using these professionally or who want increased comfort. The universal is much more accessible for the average user and it retains resale value should you want to change in the future. The U6t gives you 98% of the sound of the A6t. The custom version has a tiny bit better instrument separation and the seal means you get a bit fuller low end, but the difference is subtle and not in the extremes.

Who are they for?

• People wanting a high quality everyday earphone
• Those looking for a balanced but not clinical sound
• Lovers of a natural sound that it tonally accurate
• Conclusion

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Compact and Comfortable for listening all day

The Cleer Enduro ANC has enough clamp force to sit tightly on your head without being uncomfortable. they would stay on during moderate exercise which is good too.

Cleer’s Enduro ANC is a compact headphone, and they don’t sacrifice the comfort. Whilst wearing the Enduro ANC, I noticed that the earpads are deep enough that my ears are were pressed against the driver. They are soft enough to be comfortable over long periods of time. I really liked the headband, as it is well padded and the weight distributed evenly.

How good are the features?

The Cleer Enduro ANC is a wireless headphone that is compatible with most Bluetooth devices. Cleer has made an app for them too which allows you to fine tune the ANC and Ambient noise control. There is also an EQ in the app along with a battery percentage indicator. The app is available from Google Play and the App Store so both Android and Apple devices are supported.

Call quality is a standout feature here, whether it’s a zoom call whilst working from home, or a phone call when out and about. The microphone quality is superb. I tested it a few times, and the other person could always hear every word with clarity. Another impressive feature for the price.

Huge battery life!

They have a stated battery life of 60hrs with noise cancelling on. This will vary depending on the volume you listen at, but you can expect excellent battery life from them. They have Active Noise Cancelling which works well in environments where you have a constant background noise (like public transport).

They are also closed back, so the passive isolation is already very impressive. Unlike many ANC headphones, the ANC on these doesn’t seem to affect the sound quality. This is quite surprising and very impressive.

The Enduro ANC also has Ambient Noise Control. This allows you to hear your surroundings without taking the headphones off. This works really well if you need to listen out for announcements on public transport or planes, and don’t want to take the headphones off. It could also come in handy for active use where you want to be semi-aware of what’s around you.

The Cleer Enduro ANC come with an Aux to USB-C cable for when you need to use them with a wired device, which is really handy. Overall Cleer have packed a lot in to these headphones. Do they impress when it comes to the actual sound quality?

How do they sound? (the important bit)

Bass

Plenty of punch and extension. There is a definite lift in the bass compared to a neutral tuned headphone, which is ideal for a portable headphone. These are engaging and fun to listen to. You will never lose track of the beat. Yet at the same time it’s not overly emphasised so as to drown out the mids and highs. I really enjoy how full and punchy the low end is, without being bloated. Not something that’s easy to get right in my opinion.

Midrange

Vocals and guitars still cut through the mix. They are slightly recessed overall, with a mild U shaped sound signature. There is enough detail to keep you focussed on the music, and they don’t have a single hint of harshness or peaks in the midrange that could cause fatigue. They are energetic and smooth at the same time, with fun being the best way to describe their presentation. The Enduro ANC has been tuned for you to enjoy the music.

Treble

These don’t do the typical lower treble boost to introduce a false sense of sparkle and energy. They are smooth in their transition from the upper midrange into the treble region. They instead boost it a little farther up the frequency range, which means there is still a great sense of air. Cymbals have good presence, without any fatigue inducing properties. They might roll off slightly early, but the treble presentation is very well done with without any harshness.

Genres and Soundstaging

The Cleer Enduro ANC handles most genres well. Engaging enough for rock, yet punchy and full enough for modern pop and hip-hop. They sound best with genres that are more up-beat.

Soundstaging is average, which is not a problem. They have a more direct and punchy delivery, you don’t need concert hall width for that.

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