Category Archives: Full Reviews

Oriveti O400 Quad BA Earphone Review

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

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Fit and Comfort

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

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

Compatibility

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

Sound

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

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

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

Genres and Soundstaging

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

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

Who are they for?

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

Conclusion

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

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Audeze LCD-5 Review

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

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Design: 10/10

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

A definitive flagship, with a brand new Audeze Audiophile Sound

Comfort and Fit: 9/10

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

Sound 10/10

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

The Result?

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

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

Bass:

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

Midrange:

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

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

Treble:

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

Genres and Soundstaging

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

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

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About Pairing:

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

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

Final E500 Review

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

 

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Fit and Comfort

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

Compatibility

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

Sound Quality

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


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

Frequency Chart

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

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SoundMAGIC P23BT Review

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

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Fit and Comfort

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

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

Features

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

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

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

Sound

Bass:

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

Midrange:

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

Treble:

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

Soundstaging and Genres

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

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

Who are they for?

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

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64 Audio Duo IEM Review

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

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Fit and Comfort

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

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

Compatibility

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

Features

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

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

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

Sound

Bass

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

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

Midrange

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

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

Treble

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

Genres and Soundstaging

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

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

Who are they for?

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

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Lypertek Bevi 2 Wired Earphone Review

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

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Fit and Comfort

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

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

Features and Compatibility

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

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

Sound

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

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

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

Genres and Soundstaging

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

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

Who are they for?

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

Conclusion

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

Campfire Audio Mammoth Hybrid Earphone Review

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

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Fit and Comfort

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

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

Compatibility

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

Sound

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

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

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

Soundstaging and Genres

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

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

Who are they for?

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

Conclusion

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

Cleer Ally Plus II ANC True Wireless Earphones

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

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Fit and Comfort

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

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

Features

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sound

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

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

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

Genres and Soundstaging

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

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

Who is it for?

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

Conclusion

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

Etymotic Evo Triple BA Driver Earphone Review

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Etymotics first venture into the wonderful world of multiple BA driver earphones, and boy have they done it right.

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Fit and Comfort

The Evo are unlike any other Etymotic model, they have gone for a more traditional in-ear monitor fit with the cable looping behind your ear and the shell filling the concha. The nozzles are however the same length and width as the ER series, and they include plenty of tips to get the right fit. I am a big fan of the new bi-flange tips and these still favour a medium to deep insertion to get the best isolation and sound along with a secure fit. The cable is very thin, however being a linum one it should hold up well over time, this does help with the fit.

Comfort is good, again they like a slightly deeper fit than other similar earphones, but they are not quite as bad as the ER series if you hate the fit of those. The housings are smooth and comfortable, only the weight of them could cause issues with some people over long sessions.

Compatibility

The Evo are pretty easy to drive, at 47 Ohms and 99dB SPL @0.1v, they should work well out of most devices. However they have very good resolution and will definitely benefit from being used with a good source, they should make it easy to distinguish between sources as they are quite a revealing earphone.

Sound

Bass: These follow a similar trend to the XR series that Etymotic released, giving a subtle low frequency boost that is noticeable but never causes the bass to become overbearing or too full. These have better depth than their single driver counterparts, with a noticeable yet subtle additional body to the sound overall that still isn’t enough to make them sound full as such. For a daily driver this amount of additional low end is superb, and makes these just a little bit more enjoyable over the accuracy of the ER4-SR for example. The low end is responsive and keeps up with complex mixes without putting a foot wrong, it also cuts through when required yet always maintains a controlled and balanced nature.

Midrange: The Evo has a very crisp and insightful midrange, the low end doesn’t bleed in to the lower midrange which allows male vocals and guitars to cut through the mix with excellent clarity and faithful tonality. They don’t have any boost in the upper midrange to try and make them sound exciting or artificial, instead they opt for a more linear approach which means you never lose track of any part of the mix. The thing that sets these apart from the other models from Etymotic is the separation and dynamic range, these have a sense of scale and space that the single driver models struggle with. They have that same accuracy but with a bit more power and drive, better space and overall they are more engaging.

Treble: The top end is very smooth and refined, with accuracy high up on Etymotics priorities they sound very realistic up top which isn’t something a lot of earphones do right. Cymbals crash and decay with impressive realism, every detail well presented without being pushed forward in the mix. Never fatiguing the treble is devoid of any nasty peaks, the extension is superb and they don’t miss a thing, yet the body down low makes sure the sound is never bright. The treble does a wonderful job of rounding off a superb tuning, and is definitely one of the most realistic sounding earphones when it comes to tonality.

Genres and Soundstaging

The Evo lend themselves to all genres, they have a very well rounded sound that is detailed, balanced yet also dynamic and engaging. They are however quite revealing of bad recordings and sources, so pair them carefully.

The soundstaging is really impressive, there is a real sense of air and width to the Evo that is slightly lacking on the ER series. These have better dynamics and separation, they are less flat and more engaging but without sounding too coloured either.

Conclusion

Etymotic have done a brilliant job with the Evo, it still retains that signature Etymotic clarity and control yet adds a little body, widens the soundstage and increases the dynamics. This is a superb everyday IEM that fits securely and is very well built too, those who enjoyed the XR series from Etymotic should consider the Evo if they are looking for a step up in the IEM world.

Campfire Audio Honeydew Review

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Today we take a look at the Campfire Audio Honeydew, a new introductory budget model in their lineup that focuses on bass without forgetting the rest.

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Fit and Comfort

Much like the Satsuma, the Honeydew has an ABS housing which is durable and lightweight, along with a stainless steel nozzle that has a good length for a secure fit. Campfire are great at offering a wide selection of tips, and once you find the right ones for your ears the Honeydew fit really well. The new Smoky Lite cable is a little more supple too which all contributes to the excellent fit.

Comfort is also great on these, the housings have smooth inner curves and the nozzles have a good length to provide a comfortable yet secure fit. The cable doesn’t have stiff memory wire which is a blessing, and all in all they are perfect for long listening sessions.

Compatibility

Whilst the sensitivity is quite low on the Honeydew (94dB) they do have quite a low impedance and they are certainly easier to power with a mobile phone than the Satsuma. These work well with lots of sources, but do benefit from something cleaner with good headroom, a dedicated DAP will make a difference over a mobile phone but they are still enjoyable out of a phone.

Sound

Bass: Campfire Audio have put a focus on the low end with the Honeydew, these are incredibly hard hitting and full bodied yet they don’t overshadow the midrange or treble. When called for the Honeydew will hit with incredible impact in the mid-bass, yet the kicks are backed up by a good amount of body in the lower bass region. These don’t disappoint when it comes to the sub-bass either, with plenty of audible rumble. These push a lot of air for an earphone, the dynamic driver made for these is really impressive as it hits hard, but also maintains good control and articulation.

Midrange: Whilst the midrange doesn’t stand out on these due to the impressive low end, it should be noted that the midrange is actually quite impressive on these. Yes there is some bleed from the low end that warms up male vocals a little more than I would like, the midrange still manages to cut through and guitars/female vocals really do sound quite good. The midrange is definitely little recessed but these are not tuned to be accurate monitoring earphones, instead they are punchy and fun.

Treble: Fatigue free yet enough presence to be enjoyable and not overly dark sounding, the treble is always present but utterly smooth and surprisingly realistic. There isn’t an upper midrange/lower treble peak that brings out sibilance, yet there is a good quantity of treble presence that cuts through the mix and extends quite effortlessly. The quality of the recording plays a part in the treble region, sounding very crisp and detailed with good recordings.

Genres and Soundstaging

Due to the big and full low end, these sound very fun with EDM and pop music, yet the bass is well controlled that it isn’t overbearing during softer acoustic tracks, and slower alternative rock. They also do a very good job with metal, with great impact yet a midrange that still cuts through with authority.

Soundstaging is great on the Honeydew, with a spacious yet full sound and great positioning. Whilst they do have a more engaging and up-front sound signature, they don’t lack separation and air.

Who is it for?

  • Those looking for a fun and energetic sound
  • Bass lovers that also enjoy clarity
  • Bass players looking for a stage monitor

Conclusion

This earphone is undoubtedly a Campfire Audio model, with impressive bass impact and body whilst retaining good midrange and treble presence and clarity. This is a bass oriented earphone, no mistaking that, but it is also quite versatile and highly enjoyable. These make a great travel partner, along with a good monitor for bassists and drummers, they are also extremely comfortable and well built.

Lypertek PurePlay Z3 2.0 True Wireless Earphone Review

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Lypertek have revised and renamed the Tevi for 2021, say hello to the PurePlay Z3 2.0 – packing in more features and the same excellent sound quality without increasing the price.

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Fit and Comfort

The PurePlay Z3 2.0 have the same housing as the original Z3 and Tevi, they fit well in the ear but depending on the size of your ears they do stick out a little. They are however very secure in your ear once you find the right size of tips, and I have never found the fit to be a problem. They are lightweight and you don’t really feel them once inserted in your ears, the smooth surfaces ensure no discomfort too.

Comfort wise the smooth housings sit nicely in your ear and the nozzles are a good length to ensure a snug and secure, yet comfortable fit. I find the Z3 2.0 to be comfortable for long listening sessions, and they are ideal for casual everyday use.

Features

The new PurePlay Z3 2.0 packs in more features for the same price as the original Tevi, the battery life is the same with 10hrs from the earphones per charge, and an additional 7 full charges from the case which gives 80hrs total. They now run on bluetooth 5.2 for even more signal stability and lower power consumption, along with the case now supporting wireless charging alongside the normal USB-C charging port (Lypertek sell a charging pad separately). They are also still IPX7 rated, this means you don’t have to worry about them when using them in the gym or out in the rain.

The button is the same as on the original, which means a single press on either for play/pause, double press the right to increase the volume, on the left to decrease. Triple press on the right to skip tracks forward, on the left backwards. There is another new feature though, if you press and hold the button for 2 seconds you’ll hear 2 chimes, this turns on/off ambient pass-through allowing you to hear announcements and your surroundings without having to take them out of your ears; This is a really useful feature for use on public transport.

App

Lypertek have also launched an app with the new PurePlay Z3 2.0, the app works best with this model but it is compatible with some older models after a firmware update (although the features will vary, as ambient pass through is not available for older models).

With the Z3 2.0 you will need to do a firmware update – this is especially important for Android 11 users – within the app when you first install it, to get the best out of them. The update is easy to do and ensure smooth functionality of the app. The app allows you to set custom EQ curves and has some presets too, along with switching on/off the ambient pass through and changing the function of the buttons (you can change the function of the double / triple press actions).

There is a “find my earphones” bit in the app which will show you where the earphones were last connected to your phone, quite handy if you often misplace them.

The app also has a new LDX Audio mode (Lypertek Definition Expander), this is a new custom audio profile for the Z3 2.0, tuned by the audio engineers at Lypertek. It definitely adds more clarity and space to the stock sound and is quite a nice little sound profile if you don’t want to mess with normal EQ modes. Overall the new app has introduced a lot of tweaking potential for audio lovers and it really is an valuable tool for PurePlay Z3 2.0 users.

Sound

Bass: Much like the original, the Z3 2.0 are relatively balanced in their tuning and they don’t accentuate then low end and it always sounds controlled and tight yet has enough body to satisfy most users. The new app will definitely help those who want a bit more power down low, they are incredibly responsive to EQ and you can bring out quite a lot of punch and depth without them sounding bloated or distorted. The DSP in these is really impressive, it pairs perfectly with the hardware and allows full control over the sound signature.

Midrange: I quite like these with a relatively flat EQ, or the LDX mode enabled, as the sound is very well balanced with a good level of detail. The midrange has a way of cutting through the mix with great layering and a realistic tonality. Out of the box, those who enjoy an upfront and intimate vocal performance will really enjoy these, they really get the midrange presentation spot on. Turn on LDX and the sound gets a little more fun and spacious without taking away too much of the midrange focus.

Treble: The treble is never overdone, it does a great job at adding some air and sparkle to the sound without ever sounding peaky or bright and fatiguing. Just like the midrange, the Z3 2.0 have great tonality in the treble region, cymbals don’t sound splashy or overly metallic and they have good extension with only minor roll-off that’s often attributed to bluetooth compression rather than the earphones themselves. There is a good amount of space and air up top and are really enjoyable whilst remaining smooth too.

Soundstaging and Genres

The soundstage with the Z3 2.0 EQ set as flat is fairly average, there’s good layering and separation but the width and height are relatively average. Turn on the LDX mode and it gets quite a bit wider giving a more out-of-head presentation which is really impressive.

The PurePlay Z3 2.0 work well with most genres, out of the box with no EQ they render vocals especially well and work with acoustic and alternative rock well, with a bit of EQ you can bring out more depth and punch which helps when listening to modern pop and rock/metal.

Conclusion

The PurePlay Z3 2.0 have quite a few added features over the original Tevi, this means better bluetooth connectivity, wireless charging and the accompanying app. This isn’t just a minor tweak, the PurePlay Z3 2.0 are a real upgrade over the Tevi and still offer up a detailed and balanced sound signature with incredible scope for tweaking via EQ, all for exactly the same price, these really are the best true wireless earphones for under £100 in my opinion.

Audeze Euclid Planar Magnetic In-Ear Review

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Audeze’s first sealed planar earphone are exciting and bold, with excellent resolution and impactful bass response.

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Fit and Comfort

The new Audeze Euclid are a little on the larger side, this is down to the fact they house an 18mm planar magnetic drive inside. However Audeze have managed to make them as ergonomic as possible with soft contoured inner faces, and a good size nozzle. I found them to fit fairly well in my small ears, and they worked best with the supplied Comply tips for me. The cable fits over your ears well and helps with the overall fit of the Euclid.

The comfort is ok for me personally, I found after longer listening sessions I had some mild discomfort where they sit in your ear, but I do have relatively small ears and narrow canals. The supplied Comply tips worked well for me, and definitely help when using them for longer periods of time.

Compatibility

With relatively high sensitivity (105 dB/1mW) and low impedance (12 Ohms) they should be relatively easy to drive in theory. And whilst you do get listening volumes from portable sources, they do sound better when fed a bit more power, as is the case with most planar magnetic models (desktop amps, or higher end portable players are almost a necessity in my opinion).

Just a note on eartips and burn-in with the Euclid – I found that with silicone tips and listening to them right out of the box they sounded quite harsh with a shouty midrange and quite unnatural tonality. After 2 days of burn-in and fitting the Comply tips, the sound is completely different and they are far more enjoyable to listen to. These are quite picky so make sure to try all the different tips and try them out of a few different sources if possible.

Sound

Bass: The bass on the Euclid is impactful and hard hitting when needed, and being a planar they have quite a linear response all the way down to the sub-bass region. This means you won’t miss a beat with these, yet they are also nimble and have snappy transients to keep up with complex mixes. They have a relatively full low end, yet it doesn’t add any real warmth to the midrange, in fact the midrange could use a little more body in my opinion. The low end manages to stay faithful to the recording for the most part, only coming out when called for, but never lost in the mix.

Midrange: The midrange is a bit tricky on the Euclid, there are a few peaks and dips but for the most part they are well presented. There is a little bit of a lack of body at times, and there is a lift in the upper midrange which means they don’t always sound the most natural in terms of tonality. There is tons of detail to take in from the Euclid, and they show impressive transparency. This level of transparency, mixed with the impressive transient response means the mix is clearly separated and it’s easy to distinguish the different layers.

Treble: The treble is well presented, there is a bit of a lower treble lift which brings out some energy and sparkle but it’s the overall extension where they fall short a little. When compared to something that’s airy and extended like the Andromeda, the Euclid roll off a little too early and don’t sound quite as refined up top. But there’s still lots to enjoy here, they have a sense of energy that is quite addictive whilst perhaps not the most “studio accurate”.

Genres and Soundstaging

The Euclid lend their hand to most genres, but they are a bit hot sometimes when it comes to poorly mastered tracks. The soundstaging isn’t huge, but there is a nice sense of space and air to the Euclid that make them more open sounding than most sealed IEM’s.

Conclusion

What Audeze have done here is create a fun yet relatively well balanced planar earphone, which I appreciate is no easy feat. They do fall behind slightly when it comes to tonality, sometimes sounding a little thin in the midrange. But overall they have some great qualities including excellent bass response, brilliant detail retrieval and transparency. These won’t be for everyone, but I am sure there are a lot out there who will enjoy the Euclid, just remember they are very picky when it comes to the tips and source used.

Final A4000 Earphone Review

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Final have released a new model in the A series, a more budget offering than their flagship but a nice contrasting model against their current E series, with a focus on clarity, air and control.

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Fit and Comfort

The Final A4000 sport a lightweight ABS housing which has a 6mm dynamic driver inside, the shape is contoured to fit your ears comfortably and securely. In use, I found the Final A4000 to fit securely and comfortably in my ears for everyday use.

Be sure to try all the different size tips, luckily Final include a better range than many brands so everyone should find a tip that fits them well.

Compatibility

The Final A4000 have an impedance of 18Ohms and a sensitivity of 100dB/mW so they are fairly sensitive and are driven fine out of portable sources. Despite their low price, they are one of those models that does benefit from better sources such as a dedicated DAP.

Sound

Bass: Whilst the bass on the Final A4000 isn’t strong in presence, it makes up for it in extension and control. There is moderate punch but slightly more focus in the sub-bass, with a subtle lift that provides adequate body. These have a brighter leaning sound signature so they won’t be suitable for those who enjoy a bit more bass. The transient response is however excellent, they can keep up with complex mixes without issue and always come across controlled. No matter what you throw at them, they can easily keep up, with great articulation too.

Midrange: The midrange is clean and crisp in it’s presentation, the bass doesn’t bleed in and muddy the vocals and separate vocal tracks are easily distinguished. Where they don’t do as well is in the sibilance region, there is a peak sadly which could be a little fatiguing. This peak though is easily lowered with the use of EQ, which definitely helps. There is a lot of detail in the midrange, it’s just that peak in the upper midrange that needs taming a little.

Treble: Plenty of energy and sparkle here, and to some it could be a little too much, but for the most part the treble is always present however rarely sharp. These are a slightly bright leaning earphone but the treble isn’t too metallic or splashy so it doesn’t come across as grating. There is good extension in the treble too, and it doesn’t drop off too sharply.

Genres and Soundstaging

The neutral/bright sound of the Final A4000 could make certain energetic genres sound a little harsh, but anything that benefits from good detail and control sounds great, especially slower rock and acoustic tracks. The nice thing is that the A4000 respond very well to EQ so you can get rid of any peaks quite easily.

Soundstaging is actually very good for the price point, you get a very coherent centre image with good separation, along with accurate width and height. They don’t sound closed in at all, which is really impressive at this price point.

Conclusion

Well the Final A4000 are certainly very technically impressive, with excellent transient response, clarity and control. The upper midrange peak is a little harsh, but overall they provide a clean sound presentation with brilliant soundstaging for the price. These are a good contrast to the slightly more fun and v-shaped Final E4000.

Cleer Goal true wireless sports earphones review

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The Cleer Goal true wireless earphones are designed for active users, allowing you to hear your surroundings as you work towards your personal best.

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Fit and comfort

The Goal is completely unique when it comes to fit. They have a hybrid design, with Apple Airpod style earbuds held in place using replaceable rubber fins. This combination is intended to keep the earphones secure while in use, allowing you to hear what’s going on around you while you listen. With that in mind, don’t expect the Goal to create a seal around the ear – they are designed to sit in place with the help of the provided fins. There is a selection of different sized fins, and it is important that you try them all to find the best fit for you. I used the large size, and they worked a treat – saying that, they do take a bit of getting used to as it is such a different experience when compared to standard earphones. Once you have twisted them into place, they stay put and you’ll barely notice you’re wearing them.

Features

Being a true wireless earphone, the Goal uses touch sensitive controls to play/pause, skip tracks, take calls, adjust volume and activate voice assistant. The controls are very easy to use, as the touch area is easy to find thanks to it being scooped slightly into the housing – the perfect size for finger tips. The earphones are IPX4 rated, so they are sweat proof and water resistant which is ideal for working out. You also get a total of 20 hours of battery life from the Goal – with 6 hours from the earphones and them a further 14 hours from the supplied charging case. The case itself works very well, and the design isn’t the smallest – yet it is shaped in a way that is easy to slip into a pocket.

Sound

Due to the fit of the Goal, the sound is airy and spacious. As there is no seal created, you’d expect there to be no bass. Cleer have managed to avoid that though. By using a custom tuned 14mm dynamic driver, bass is punchy and very present – providing depth and body. The mids are very cleer, and they allow vocals and snare hits to really stand out and bring rhythm to the experience. The treble brings air and space to the mix, which overall is wide and well defined.

Conclusion

The Cleer Goal is obviously designed for active use, and perform very well in this setting. Once you have found the right fit, they will stay in place and the added benefit of hearing your surroundings makes them ideal for jogging or even going for a long walk while listening to your favourite podcast.

Oriveti O800 8-Driver Earphone Review

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Packing in 8-BA drivers per side the O800 are set to take on the big brands; Oriveti have done an excellent job at tuning these for a natural and coherent sound that is packed full of detail.

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Fit and Comfort

The O800 have a smooth resin shell with a metal nozzle for the eartips, the housing is on the larger size which is to be expected, but they fit very well in the ear once you find the right size of tips for your canals. In my small ears they don’t sit all that flush and stick out a little, but most people with normal size ears won’t have this problem. They are comfortable once inserted though, and the housings are not heavy so they sit securely too. The cable is the same as the OH series and features pre-moulded earhooks which I find to be very comfortable in use. Overall they are comfortable and fit securely for long listening sessions.

Compatibility

With an impedance of 15? and a sensitivity of 110dB (+-3dB/mW) @1000Hz they are quite sensitive and will be a little picky with sources. They will pick up hiss from noisier devices, and being an all BA design it would be best to pair them with a dedicated DAP with lower than 1? output impedance. Whilst easy to drive, they are sensitive so careful pairing is best with the O800.

Sound

Bass: The O800 have excellent bass response, it’s not your typical fast and dry response like many of the lower end BA based models. There is real depth and body down low when needed, they extend down to the sub-bass without any real noticeable roll-off but do have slightly more mid-bass punch than sub-bass rumble. And whilst there is plenty of body to the low end, it is always controlled and never bleeds into the midrange or dominates the sound. Kick drums have impact and body, bass guitars have great articulation and they have the speed to keep up with even the most complex of tracks.

Midrange: The midrange is well presented and ever so slightly forward, there is great layering which allows you to pick apart the recording with ease. Whilst there isn’t any major colouration, there is a slight hint of warmth to the midrange that keeps things from sounding sterile and cold. The O800 have a slightly rounded and organic tone to them which helps them sound real and natural. The detail retrieval is superb, you can hear every breath, every little detail and nuance. The upper midrange is handled well too, without sibilance or harshness.

Treble: Whilst there is loads of sparkle and extension up top, it is always delivered in a smooth and enjoyable way. It is expertly rendered with subtlety and refinement whilst not being pushed to the background. The treble is never pushed forwards in the mix, and there is plenty of detail in the treble. The tonality once again is spot on too, never do they sound metallic or artificial. I really appreciate this presentation, they don’t push the treble forward to create a sense of artificial detail, instead they actually have the detail should you listen for it.

Genres and Soundstaging

The O800 having a natural and coherent sound signature lend their hand to pretty much anything you throw at them, they are controlled and can handle complex mixes yet also have enough body for modern pop. However they are quite revealing and do sound better with tracks that are mastered well, yet they don’t render poorly recorded music unlistenable at the same time. The O800 are a great all-rounder.

Soundstaging is good, there is a real depth to the sound and the superb layering definitely helps here. Whilst they are not the widest sounding earphones out there, they do have superb coherency and don’t sound detached.

Conclusion

The O800 are one of the best earphones I’ve heard lately, they have an effortlessly smooth and coherent sound with the midrange being ever so slightly forward. They are not a studio neutral sound, yet they have a great balance overall that makes them highly enjoyable to listen to. They sound convincing and are not lacking in an area, they are also comfortable and very well built, and a real gem under the £1000 price point.