Fantastic news for all you Audiophiles out there. The 64 Audio U4s is now available for pre-order with Hifiheadphones. Priced at £1099.00, it comes with every Apex module, Including the all new m12 apex module which is currently exclusively available with the all new U4s.
64 AUDIO U4s
Pre-Order the 64 Audio U4s Now!
U4s sounds light on its feet while effortlessly delivering physically engaging sub-bass without bleeding into the mid-bass. Balanced mid frequencies and a pleasant high-mid band respond well to a wide array of music and recording styles at every volume level; present but not fatiguing. The tia high-driver’s open airy quality couples with the extended sound-stage provided by apex for a lifelike sonic experience.
64 Audio Press release
About the U4s
The U4s is a quad driver hybrid UIEM featuring ground-breaking patented technologies originally developed for 64 Audios flagship products in order to bring a wider audience closer to their music. U4s explores a bold new color aesthetic for 64 Audio. The Slate Blue shell color was influenced by some of the world’s most beautiful blue- dial timepieces while the unique faceplate pattern is inspired by Muonionalusta meteorite fragments. Both the faceplate and shell’s illuminant properties give it a unique tone in varying lighting conditions.
Diver Composistion & Technology
Its ergonomic anodized aluminum shell houses a single dynamic driver, two balanced-armature drivers, and one patented tia driver; all weaved together with 64 Audio’s patented Tia, LID, and Apex technology. The four-way crossover is elevated with the use of 64 Audio’s proprietary electronic low-pass filter; reducing low- frequency distortion. The assortment of included apex modules and ear tips are an invitation to further shape the sound based on preference and source material while the ultra- low impedance premium silver-plated copper cable ensures unimpeded signal transmission. The dissemination of tia technology within their product range brings that classic 64 Audio sound signature to a new price-point.
Final have teamed up with Dragon Ball Z. Yes, you read that right! The result of this collaboration are 3 unique pairs of earphones inspired from the characters Goku, Vegeta and Freiza from the legendary anime Dragon Ball Z. This review will be focusing on the Vegeta version (although Goku sounds exactly the same, other than the prompts). A must have for any Dragon Ball fan, these earphones are not just about aesthetics. The focus on sound quality and modern specs makes them relevant too in the ever changing world of TWS audio.
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.
Vegeta earphones, case & packaging
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).
Vegeta & Goku packaging together
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)
They say all good things come in threes, and three is the magic number. Who are they? Well, Campfire Audio must have been listening because not only have they released three new wired IEMs; one of them has three dynamic drivers inside each housing. Welcome to Trifecta ‘Astral Plane’ and the celebration of everything three.
For 2023, Campfire Audio has launched their latest, and permanent update to the previously released limited edition Trifecta, where for its original release had only 333 units made. This time around, the new Trifecta ‘Astral Plane’ is here to stay and has had a stunning makeover to celebrate.
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.
Campfire Audio Trifecta ‘Astral Plane’
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.
The Audeze Maxwell is quite literally a masterpiece. After years of relentless innovation building first class gaming headsets, Audeze has finally released the successor to the Penrose, The Maxwell. This is a serious piece of kit for serious gamers (and us casuals too!). An upgrade to the Penrose in every conceivable way, the Maxwells sound quality, wireless performance & battery life have all been pushed to the limits of possibility. So welcome to our Audeze Maxwell Review! Do they stand up to the hype? Are they the best gaming headset of 2023? In a word and three: Yes, yes they are.
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.
Other Features at a Glance:
Audeze HQ –10 band graphic EQ, sidetone toggling, saving/editing presets (coming soon!), the place to easily upgrade the firmware. A great app to perfect your desired sound signature and a must for any competitive gamer out there.
Brand new chassis – Built with aluminium and steel.
Award-winning – Audeze 90mm planar magnetic drivers
Wired Connection –Absolutely Top Notch with the AUX cable into a controller or via a USB into the PC.
Volume control – Separate controls for the Volume and the Mic which allows for great control of sound mix.
Pre-installed Presets – Easy to toggle through the EQ presets. the Immersive preset is a must try, phenomenal.
80hr+ Battery Life – With Fast Charge for All Day Play in 20 min
Bluetooth 5.3 – Also supports LE Audio, LC3plus, LDAC
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See more reviews and news about Audeze products here!
Thanks to Sony, Bose and Apple, the thought of spending close to £300 on true wireless earphones is far from unheard of. Thank you! What does this mean? Well, this now opens the gates for smaller, hi-fi and audiophile focused brands to release their take on true wireless without having to cut corners. Now we can see brands that have historically released high-end speakers, headphones and IEMs apply their years of hi-fi experience into the popular world of TWS.
It may seem like these brands have come out of nowhere, and apart from those who have previous experience of high-end audio; in some ways they have. This is very much not the case though.
Who are these brands then?
Final
Final is one of those brands. What most people do not know is that Final has been creating some of the finest audio products since 1974. In their home of Japan, Final is regarded as hi-fi royalty. Over their long history, Final has developed a wide range of products from turntable cartridges, hi-fi stereo amplifiers, speakers and more recently, headphones and earphones. Their latest venture is wireless audio, where they have had huge success releasing the UX3000 wireless headphones, ZE3000 true wireless earphones and most recently, their flagship ZE8000 ANC true wireless earphones.
Final ZE8000 ANC True Wireless Earphones
Final’s flagship true wireless earphones are their most advanced release to date. Almost 50 years of hi-fi experience has been packaged into this portable gem. The ZE8000 gives us an insight into the passion and drive towards excellence that is at the core of why Final do what they do. For the ZE8000, Final has developed a number of new technologies from custom made drivers, Class-AB amp integration with dedicated signal processing and software breakthroughs such as 8K Sound, Volume Step Optimisation and sound quality prioritised ANC. The ZE8000 is the closest you can get to wired IEM sound quality from an ANC true wireless earphone.
Another ‘new’ brand on the scene is Campfire Audio. They are new when it comes to the world of true wireless, however they have been making some of the finest, and highly regarded IEMs since 2015. Even before 2015, the team behind this creative boutique brand came out of ALO Audio; leaders in developing headphone amplifiers, interconnects, and cables to audiophiles all over the world. Their history and experience, paired with a passion for art and bombastic creativity has resulted in some of the most stand-out IEMs the audio world has seen. Legends such as the Andromeda and Solaris are still regarded as some of the best, and now it is time for Campfire Audio to do the same to the world of wireless with their first ever true wireless earphone: Orbit.
Campfire Audio Orbit True Wireless Earphones
Staying true to their eye for striking design and love of sound quality that aims to please, Campfire Audio’s Orbit perfectly encapsulates these values. This is no ordinary audiophile product; the tuning of the Orbit aims to please all music lovers with a rich and luscious sound. The Portland, Oregon team developed a custom 10mm full range dynamic driver to sit at the heart of the Orbit, with the internal chamber designed to bring out every ounce of detail. This along with the unique design and colour choice means that the Orbit is well suited to those who appreciate style, originality, and creativity for an enhanced musical experience.
Last up is Noble. For 10 years now, Noble has been creating some of the most beautiful and technically marvellous IEMs money can buy. Headed up by the ‘Wizard’ himself, John Moulton, who is one of the main players when it comes to the IEM industry we know today. Noble specialise in both custom-fit IEMs as well as universal-fit, using only the finest materials and managing to effortlessly pack multiple driver configurations into their models. Only magic can explain this. Noble first released a TWS model in 2019, gaining high praise and multiple awards. Now we have the latest, and most impressive true wireless earphone model: FoKus Mystique.
Once you get over the stunning craftsmanship of the FoKus Mystique, there are plenty of other ways for you to be well and truly stunned. Firstly, Noble has packed one 8.2mm dynamic and two Knowles balanced armature drivers inside each earphone. This hybrid configuration not only uses the finest driver technology, the result is sound quality that most wired IEMs would struggle to compete with. The design is very unique, resembling a custom IEM with the shape and contours crafted to fit perfectly in your ear. The Noble FoKus Mystique is for those wanting the very best, and the most beautiful when it comes to what is possible in wireless audio. You will have to pay for it, however those who are willing to will not be disappointed.
Last week I had a good listen to the new Campfire Audio Andromeda ‘Emerald Sea’, and this week I have the pleasure of trying out the new Solaris ‘Stellar Horizon’. The new Solaris comes in at £2669. That’s over £1000 more than the new Andromeda and also over £1000 more than the previous version of Solaris. Campfire Audio has moved into the highest of high-end audio. Is the price justified? Let’s find out.
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.
Campfire Audio Solaris ‘Stellar Horizon’ – Display Box
Campfire Audio Solaris ‘Stellar Horizon’ – Box Content
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.
Campfire Audio Solaris ‘Stellar Horizon’
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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Introducing Campfire Audio‘s new iteration of the Trifecta, the `Astral Plane´. Available March 2023! The new generation of IEM’s released by Campfire Audio in 2023 have realised their new vision. The new Trifecta looks fantastic. It also brings Captain Francis Aristarchus’ latest discovery to a whole new audience.
Campfire Audio Trifecta Astral Plane
Campfire Audio Trifecta `Astral PLane´
The Trifecta is a masterpiece that is known to envelop the listener in rich, towering waves of sonic impact. Its stunning presentation and head-turning style produce an astounding experience in form, function, and aesthetic. Furthermore, optically clear nylon housing provides a window to its internal components, revealing the Trifectas three 10mm ADLC diaphragm dynamic drivers with gold-plated cases. As well as this, individually vented drivers face one another in a unique triangular configuration ( a design that is patent pending). On top of this, their performance is further enhanced by an acoustically tuned chamber. Together the three custom drivers create a breathtakingly massive sound. Now with a new colourscape, Campfire Audio discovery number five can be yours this March!
Trifecta “Astral Plane”
Accessories and More
It is known that good things come in threes. So it is no surprise that with The Trifecta Astral Plane you get Campfire’s new Time Stream cables with 2.5mm, 3.5mm, and 4.4mm terminations all included. In addition to this, it comes supplied with an impressive amount of accessories and a newly designed carry case, (as seen in the pictures below).
To complete the experience, the Astral Plane is also shipped in a completely unique presentation box. Campfire Audio have spent the last few years creating a new way to present their products in a way that authentically communicates their creative vision. To conclude, it is safe to say that the Astral Plane delivers in spades here and realises the evolution of the brand. As well as promoting exactly who they are. Captain Francis Aristarchus could only be proud.
Like the phoenix, risen from the flames to be born again. If there was one IEM that held legendary status for Campfire Audio, it would be the Andromeda. This bright green wonder has impressed audiophiles and music lovers for years, having had minor updates throughout its lifetime yet holding onto the same design it had when first developed. Now, something has changed. The legend has been entirely re-imagined, with not only new technologies internally, this new Andromeda ‘Emerald Sea’ has also been redesigned with a new shell shape too. Do not fear though. The Andromeda from 2023 is still that lovely shade of green.
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.
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.
Campfire Audio Andromeda ‘Emerald Sea’
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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Well, finally, Final has decided to take true wireless seriously. Final has never been one to rush, and the release of their latest ZE8000 flagship true wireless earphone will be a cause for celebration by many audio fans out there. It is clear they mean business, as just from looking at the design, we are dealing with something never seen before. Will they sound like no other too? Let’s find out.
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.
Final ZE8000 Black – Charging Case and Earbuds
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.
Final ZE8000 White – Charging Case and Earbuds
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.
Final ZE8000 Active Noise Cancelling
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.
Final ZE8000 Active Noise Cancelling
‘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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The audio world has been anticipating this moment, and now the wait is over. Japanese audio specialists final has announced the launch of their new flagship ZE8000 true wireless earphones.
Since 2009, final has been at the forefront of portable audio, and their most recent flagship releases have influenced the creation and development of the ZE8000. In 2017, final released their D8000 flagship headphone which incorporated their very own planar magnetic technology (AFDS); developed in-house by final engineers. Later in 2019, the A8000 flagship wired earphone was released, utilising final’s truly pure Beryllium diaphragm driver; again designed and developed in-house.
These discoveries have allowed final to foresee the untapped potential of wireless portable audio, and apply their years of development and engineering prowess into creating the flagship ZE8000 true wireless earphones; proudly included within their 8000 series lineup.
Final ZE8000
Introducing 8K Sound technology – developed by final
For the ZE8000, final has developed their new ‘f-CORE for 8K Sound’ ultra-low distortion driver with a large 13mm diaphragm. This driver is extremely lightweight, using an aluminium-magnesium dome injection moulded onto a highly flexible silicone surround, with a floating mechanism used for the voice coils. The impressively low total harmonic distortion (THD) from this driver is unique amongst other true wireless earphone models, providing the highest precision in digital signal processing results and allowing the fullest possible portrayal of sound texture and detail.
Final ZE8000 Black
Class-AB Amplifier and Dedicated Digital Signal Processing
In order to achieve 8K Sound and fully utilise the new f-CORE driver, final has paid focused attention to the hardware nestled within the ZE8000. Class-AB amplifiers are known for their superior balance between sound quality and power efficiency, and is another element of the ZE8000 that sets it aside from the many TWS models typically using Class-D amplifier technology. Paired with the Polymer Multilayer Capacitors (PML CAPs) designed by Rubicon for digital signal processing, final’s 8K Sound is fully realised in the ZE8000.
Impressive hardware matched with state-of-the-art software and final Connect app
The ZE8000 has been loaded with an impressive amount of features, some of which never before available until now. In order for music quality to always be the focus of the ZE8000, final has developed their sound quality prioritised Active Noise Cancelling (ANC). This ANC does not degrade the audio in any way, and the low-noise helps to create a quiet environment for listening; removing irritating ambient noise and enabling a stress-free listening experience.
With the ZE8000, final has shown that high-end, hi-fi audio quality is possible from a wireless earphone; and this flagship is the first step towards realising the full potential of portable audio.
Introducing Campfire Audio‘s all-new Andromeda ‘Emerald Sea’ and Solaris ‘Stellar Horizon’ earphones. Unlike past updates, Campfire Audio has completely redesigned both the Andromeda and Solaris from the ground up. Using newly developed technologies and creating an enhanced ownership experience, Campfire Audio is forever looking forward. Exploring new horizons for a better sounding future.
Campfire Audio Andromeda ‘Emerald Sea’ and Solaris ‘Stellar Horizon’
Campfire Audio Andromeda ‘Emerald Sea’
The Andromeda ‘Emerald Sea’ has been completely redesigned inside and out. While drawing from their past experience, the tides of the Emerald Sea bring both fond memories and warm waves of optimism for the future.
Andromeda ‘Emerald Sea’
New Ergonomic Shell Design
An all-new machined aluminium shell in the classic Andromeda Green. Updated with a smaller shape and smooth contours, this is arguably the most comfortable Andromeda yet. The new shape, coupled with their new stainless-steel fasteners and MMCX capture, creates a sleek, striking, wearable earphone while staying true to the legacy of the Campfire flagship.
New Acoustic Design
Five all-new, custom, dual-diaphragm balanced armatures bring the latest in driver technology to the Andromeda. With lower distortion and greater stability and resilience. Coupled with re-engineered internal acoustic geometry and newly designed 3D-printed driver housings, this iteration of Andromeda delivers an exceptional sonic experience.
New Sound
Andromeda ‘Emerald Sea’ features an expanded acoustic range. Lower sensitivity that puts the listener in control, and a sweet analogue glow to its sonic signature.
The Solaris ‘Stellar Horizon’ represents a full re-envisioning of another classic Campfire Audio IEM. This top-to-bottom revolution captures the essence of what makes the Solaris the legend it is today. While simultaneously elevating it to a brand-new horizon.
Solaris ‘Stellar Horizon’
New Ergonomic Shell Design
The Solaris ‘Stellar Horizon’ combines elegance and durability with precision machined and brushed stainless steel housing. Accented by brass fasteners and MMCX capture. A custom gold PVD inlay contrasts with black, laser-cut acrylic to round out Solaris’ stunning presentation and immaculate build quality.
New Acoustic Design
Revolutionising Solaris’ internal components are two new pieces of driver and driver treatment technology. Three custom dual diaphragm balanced armatures create more output, high-end extension and less distortion. This is coupled with their new Radial Venting surrounding the 10mm ADLC dynamic driver. Creating a greater air volume and expanding the physical space in which the driver operates. This creates a greater soundstage and a more even dynamic driver performance.
New Sound
Ascending to a new peak of sonic performance, this iteration of Solaris creates an undeniable energetic flow. Incredible versatility means that Solaris will melt through any genre in its way. Powerful, accurate bass drives rhythm to your core. Tracks erupt into a massive chasm of soundstage, with high-end extension, detail, and imaging unprecedented in the lineage of Solaris.
Both models are supplied with an impressive amount of accessories (as seen below). They are also supplied with Campfire‘s new Time Stream cables. Silver-plated copper conductors with Berylium copper MMCX connectors. You get three cable types: 2.5mm balanced. 3.5mm stereo and 4.4mm balanced terminations.
To complete the experience, the new Andromeda and Solaris are both shipped in a completely unique presentation box. Created individually by the Campfire Audio team in their Portland Oregon workshop. This is something that has to be seen to be fully appreciated.
One of the most anticipated collaborations of 2023 in the audio scene is officially on sale in the UK. Final have teamed up with Dragon Ball Z and have launched 3 products inspired by the iconic characters Goku, Vegeta and Frieza. With original and unique designs, they also incorporate that Final magic we love. The result is a product that encompases the essence of everyones favourite animation from the late 80’s- to 90’s. Naturally, they sound fantastic too.
Goku and Vegeta squaring up
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 above).
As you can see, the Goku version is based on his iconic outfit and Vegeta likewise with his very traditional Saiyan battle armour.
Original Voiceover Announcements
Announcements such as power ON / OFF are made by the voices of Goku (Masako Nozawa) and Vegeta (Ryo Horikawa). Familiar lines such as “Kamehameha” and “Final Flash” are also assigned to the guide voice.
“Dragon Ball fans can fully immerse themselves in the world of Dragon Ball Z”
Frieza COTSUBU Model
Frieza’s model is co-branded with ag. The Dragon Ball Z x ag COTSUBU uses Frieza’s purple and white body for the case and earphones, making a particular use of Frieza’s fourth form. Furthermore, the box design combines Frieza’s evil atmosphere at the time of his first appearance against the backdrop of Frieza’s spaceship arriving on Namek.
Freiza’s Purple and White inspired colour combination for the earphones
This earphone is tuned more towards ASMR content. But it is also suitable for animation, watching videos, movies, listening to audiobooks, podcasts and of course music too. The system voice prompts also feature the original voice of Frieza (Ryuusei Nakao), again allowing the user to immerse into the Dragon Ball Z universe.
With a history of releasing award-winning true wireless products, Lypertek has quickly become a household name. Praised for their looks, functionality, price and application of technology, Lypertek has created a fantastic foundation to build a world-beating brand in the Audio space. Most famous for their Pureplay Z3 (Formally TEVI), They are at the forefront of technological innovations in the TWS sphere and continue to offer great, new products at competitive prices.
Lypertek PurePlay Z3 2.0
About Lypertek
Founded in 2017, Lypertek is an award-winning technology company specialising in true wireless earphones. Their mission is to create high quality, audio focused products at an affordable price. Their first TWS earphone release realised this mission and it was the multi award-winning TEVI in 2019. It must be said that the TEVI was a resounding success around the world and quickly became the go to choice of TWS earphones for their audiophile sound, battery life and overall value. Later releases from Lypertek built upon this initial success. From the SoundFree S20, PurePlay Z3 2.0, PurePlay Z7 and Pureplay Z5, they have all received awards themselves and are praised on their own merit. On top of this, more recently Lypertek have released the very successful PureControl ANC app with LDX™ Audio, solidifying Lypertek’s reputation as one of the leading true wireless audio brands in the world today.
Lypertek has established itself as the go-to audio brand for high-quality and great-value products.
The successor to the multi award-winning PurePlay Z3 (TEVI), the PurePlay Z3 2.0 took the performance of Lypertek’s first true wireless earphones to a whole new level. By utilising newer technology such as Qualcomm’s QC3040 chipset, The Pureplay Z3 2.0 has Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity. Additional features such as wireless charging, Hear Through mode and compatibility with the new Lypertek PureControl app guaranteed that the foundations on what the TEVI was built upon were surpassed. It has been critically acclaimed worldwide and its price to performance ratio has never been surpassed.
Lypertek continues to punch above its weight and outside of its pricing bracket with the PurePlay Z3 2.0 true wireless earbuds, a stellar-sounding and well-priced package.
The Purplay Z5 is Lypertek’s first ever ANC TWS earphone and their most recent release. To push the boundaries of what is possible in wireless audio even further, Lypertek also developed their PureControl ANC app from the ground up. The App was especially designed to unleash the full potential of the PurePlay Z5 for everyone who owns a pair. Simple to use and packed full of features, it even has its own personalized service that helps you create your own individual setup.
Notable Features Of The Z5:
PureControl ANC App for Android and iOS feat. LDX™ audio, Ambient mode, 7-band EQ.
Touch controls – you can modify the touch controls in the app to your liking in the App.
Safe mode! a touch control configuration that helps you not to accidentally do something you didn’t want to.
Supports high-speed wireless charging and Fast Charge (15min. charging = 2h play time)
Battery life is 7hrs (+28 from the case) with ANC off, and 4hrs (+16 from the case).
High performance 10mm drivers deliver premium sound with engaging sound image and powerful bass control.
Three microphones on each earbud with cVc 8.0 echo cancellation and noise suppression for enhanced call quality.
Hybrid Active Noise Cancelling technology.
Bluetooth 5.2 with SBC, aptX, aptX Adaptive and AAC codecs.
A wide assortment of silicone and foam tips provide perfect fit and best possible sound experience.
IPX5 water-resistant design provides protection from rain and sweat
Pureplay Z7
The Pureplay Z7 is aimed more towards the Audiophile/ serious listener. Lypertek incorporated a triple hybrid driver configuration for the PurePlay Z7. With two specially designed balanced armature drivers and one titanium coated dynamic driver inside each housing. All in all, this driver arrangement offers the dynamic range needed to achieve the PurePlay Z7’s known superior sound quality. Delivering powerful and well controlled bass, midrange that provides a rich clarity to vocals and clear and expansive highs for an overall unique true wireless listening experience. Add to this the long battery life, 10hrs per charge (+70 additional hours from the charging case) and a plethora of other features; you have yourself one mighty TWS earphone.
With its excellent sound quality, long battery life, stable connection, and comfortable fit, it is a great TWS that is tuned to impress audiophiles who want more on the go. Additionally it comes with a great charging case that looks chic and elegant. The whole package has brilliant build quality.
Users of Lypertek’s Pureplay products can take advantage of the new LDX™ audio mode (Lypertek Definition Expander). Which adds a new dimension to the user’s listening experience. Lypertek’s engineers have designed this audio profile specifically for the PurePlay Z3 2.0 / Pureplay Z5 / Pureplay Z7. The PureControl app / Purecontrol ANC app makes it very easy to activate LDX™ audio mode. With the simple press of a button, you can expect an improved soundstage with added depth, increased definition and a greater sense of space.
Accessories, Wireless Charging pad and more!
FromFlexfit foam eartips to a Super Slim Wireless Charging Pad, Lypertek accessories have also got you covered. Included with every model is a wide range of eartips with different styles, materials and sizes because Lypertek actually wants you to experience the best sound possible. For example, with the Pureplay Z5, you get 3 pairs of PurePower™, 3x PureSpace™ and 3x PureComfort™ silicone and foam tips included in the package itself. The tips are designed to give each user the perfect fit and the best possible sound, to allow each user to have their own ideal listening experience.
Lypertek Super Slim Wireless Charging Pad
Lypertek SoundFree S20
Lypertek PurePlay Z7
Milestones
2017: Lyptertek founded.
2019: Multi awarding winning TEVI launched. Receivedgenuine worldwide praise. 5* Tech Radar Review, 5* Gamesky Video Review.
2020: SoundFree S20 budget TWS launched and well received. 4.5* Trusted Reviews.
The Lypertek PurePlay Z5 are one of the best, if not the best, true wireless models for daily use. They have ANC, Ambient mode, wireless charging, accompanying app and more. Add into the mix the superb sound quality and a fantastic low price. The sound is clean yet punchy, with great detail and layering without sounding boring. It’s also highly tuneable via the Lypertek app. The ANC is very effective on public transport, and the microphone quality is amongst the best we have used.
The PurePlay Z3 2.0 has quite a few added features over the original Tevi. This means better bluetooth connectivity, wireless charging and an accompanying app. This isn’t just a minor tweak, the PurePlay Z3 2.0 is a real upgrade over the Tevi and still offers up a detailed and balanced sound signature with incredible scope for tweaking via EQ. All for exactly the same price!
Lypertek is renowned for making excellent budget true wireless models. This is their first higher end release and they don’t disappoint. The fact that they have now been reduced to £89 makes these TWS earphones even more appealing. They are a brilliant sounding earphone with an abundance of clarity. The Z7’s are easy and very pleasant to listen to. A real audiophile true wireless earphone at its finest. The fact that you can tune the sound to your preference via the PureControl app is a bonus and it works wonders. This means you can get quite a few different sound signatures from one earphone. One that is designed for sound quality, which it delivers in spades.
For everyday use the SoundFree S20 is a superb true wireless earphone. It’s comfortable and convenient to use with excellent sound quality and long battery life to boot. The sound is energetic and fun, whilst having good detail retrieval and separation too. And for that price! *Chef’s Kiss*
Boah, what a mouthful! A very stylish piece of kit that will look great on any desk and suitable for most wireless charging devices. It is also compatible with all wireless devices using the QI standard by WPC (Wireless Power Consortium) and supports wireless charging on all QI-enabled devices. Devices that are fast charge compatible are able to charge using the fast charge feature.
Latest Lypertek Updates and News:
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Audeze have teamed up with legendary mixing engineer Manny Marroquin to create the special MM-500 planar magnetic headphones. Designed to be used in the studio as well as for audiophile listening the Audeze MM-500 are meant to be an all-rounder headphone. Tuned for a natural and balanced sound with slight leaning to the mid-low range and light sparkle in the high frequencies.
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.
Audeze MM-500 Earcup Grill
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!
Audeze MM-500 Earpads
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.
Audeze MM-500 Cable
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64 Audio is an American brand that since 2010 produces custom and universal fit In Ear Monitors. Their product range goes from their most affordable custom A2e (around £600) all the way up to the very high end universal IEM the Fourté Blanc (£3,899.00). Their target market is split in two. First, Custom IEM’s for professional musicians and music makers across the board. (It is known that Beyonce wore 64 Audio Customs for the superbowl performance in 2016!). 64 Audio’s Custom IEM offering has every type of musician covered and the customisation options allow you to personalise your choice until it is a unique, one off. Secondly they aim also at the High End Audiophile market with their universal range, offering most of their Custom IEMs in universal form as well as having a few unique models such as the Nio, Trio & Fourté.
64 Audio Fourté Blanc
About 64 Audio
64 Audio’s Mission/Vision is to ultimately redefine the connection the world has with music & inspire musicians and music lovers to unearth a deeper connection with music through their spectacular product range. Founded by Vitaliy Belonozhko, 64 Audio began their journey in 2010 as 1964 Ears. They have been alive and kicking for over 12 years already! They renamed themselves to 64 Audio in 2015. Along the way to today, they have worked with artists such as Beyonce, Jay Z, John Mayer, Nathan East, Black Eyed Peas, Bon Jovi and more, Just to name a few.
64 Audio is a provider of custom In-Ear Monitors aimed at the working musician & has a universal range aimed at the High End / Audiophile niche.
64 Audio is a family-owned business, composed of musicians and music lovers who are passionate about the power of sound and premium craftsmanship. It might sound cliché, but as they say on their website “we’re a family”. Together, they are helping artists connect with their work in new and innovative ways. Their focus on working musicians has also had the intended effect of making them supremely popular in the consumer market too. 64 Audio’s didcation to improving and innovating in the audio space has not gone unknown. They have earned recognition worldwide and secured patents for award-winning tech, like tia™, apex®, LID™, and 3D-Fit™ (more info on these below). Over the last decade 64 Audio have essentially reinvented what it means to build IEMs with flagship universal designs such as their tia Fourté™ and tia Trió™.
The team at 64 Audio believes that “when the walls between you and music come down, you do your best work and live your life most truly.” This is reflected by the passion and supreme effort that goes into every single earphone they create.
Product Overview
Their products are classified into two categories: Custom & Universal . Their most affordable option is the A2e, which is a dual driver custom only IEM. In their custom portfolio you will also find the A3t, A4s ( t indicating it uses a tia driver), the A6t (the number after the letter indicates how many drivers..), the N8 (A unique CIEM designed in collaboration with Nathan East), the A12t, the A18t and finally the A18s.
In addition to their custom range, they also offer an extensive list of universal models. Many of which replicate some of their best selling CIEMs but of course, in universal form. Such as the U6t, U12t, U18t & U18s. Unique models include the Duo, Nio, Trio & Fourté.
Custom 64 Audio A12t
64 Audio Duo
The Wonderful World Of Custom IEM’s
The current core business of 64 Audio is custom fit IEM’s. CIEMs are musicians’ work tools and an essential component for live performing. In 2022, there has been an astonishing increase in demand for 64 Audios CIEM’s across the world. This is definitely in part to musicians finally being allowed to play live again post worldwide lockdown and upgrading their gear along with it. But it is also the result of the direction 64 Audio have taken in marketing their product. By changing their categories from Studio, Stage & Audiophile to simply Custom and Universal, they have essentially reduced the veil between the two different markets (Musician/Producer &Consumer/Audiophile) and now everyone seems to want their own. By offering a custom option starting at £600, 64 Audio Custom IEM’s are accessible to anyone who wants them.
64 Audio have reduced the veil between two different markets (Musician/Producer &Consumer/Audiophile) and now everyone seems to want their own Customs.
Should you go for the custom version if you are not in the music industry? In short: It is up to you! Customs are great for those who are using these professionally or who want increased comfort (they are made to fit your ears like a tailored glove). One thing to note however is that Universal models retain resale value should you want to change your equipment in the future, whereas unless you have an identical twin a Custom IEM is for you and you alone. Which is not a bad thing either really, considering how many customization options they have and how you can really create something one of a kind for yourself.
Customization Options
This is definitely one of 64 Audio’s most unique selling points. The plethora of options to choose from when building your own CIEM’s can seem overwhelming at first. Do you go with Ripple Abalone faceplates or your own custom Artwork? Have both earphones the same colour scheme or entirely opposite? Rose Gold or Mother of Pearl? Wood or Glitter? With so many options to choose from, you really can get something created that is absolutely unique to your personality and style.
As mentioned throughout, ever since their inception in 2010, 64 Audio have kept pushing the boundaries with new technologies for in-ear monitors. They introduced their tia™ drivers, which are openly radiating balanced armature drivers. In addition, they also introduced LID™ (Linear Impedance Design) and apex®. LID™ basically sets an almost linear impedance curve throughout the entire frequency range, while apex® helps mitigate ear-fatigue by simulating a secondary ear-drum. This is an open module that eliminates pneumatic pressure that builds up in an otherwise closed room and can be swapped out for more or less sound reduction based on the user’s circumstances.
Handcrafted Comfort
A new way of manufacturing custom in-ear monitors preserves the details of your ear impressions for the most comfortable-fitting IEMs possible.
Fatigue-Free Listening
This pneumatically interactive vent relieves air pressure in a sealed ear canal, alleviating listener fatigue and opening the soundstage.
Consistent Sound
Enjoy a steadfast sound at any venue. From studio to stage, this proprietary circuit ensures your IEM’s sound signature stays the same no matter what it’s plugged into.
Tubeless Transparency
64 Audio’s industry-first, tubeless technology eliminates sound-altering dampers and tubes. This reduced resonance reveals a new level of resolution and transparency.
Universals & Limited Editions
As 64 Audio has grown over the last decade, it has continuously improved upon its own ideas and technology. In turn, this has led to the development of many different products over the last 12 years (most of which have already been mentioned above). Their Limited edition models, the Fourté Noir & in 2022 the Fourté Blanc are living proof that 64 Audio has the means and vision to tap into their creativity and inspire the High End market as a whole.
The sound signatures are so varied between each model that there is sure to be something for everyone in the High End / Audiophile niche. This is one of the reasons why 64 Audio are so popular, with unique sound signatures across their range as well as high resale value, 64 Audio have something to offer that entices every Audiophile out there.
In some cases you can even edit the sound signature yourself and tweak it to your tastes by changing the Apex models. The U6t, U12t & U18t/s are essentially 3 IEMs in one. Internally, each model is a work of decadent craftsmanship and a physical display of what can be achieved when you put your mind to it. We will not go into a detialed list here, but check out reviews on our Blog or the general internet to see just how revered 64 Audio Universals are around the world.
We all know the hidden fact behind IEMs. Yes, they get dirty, sometimes really dirty! And such expensive devices deserve the time and effort to maintain and keep in perfect working order. Blocked nozzles from earwax and lint / other debris is one of the leading causes for IEMs to stop functioning properly. Most people are too afraid to acknowledge any blockage when making warranty claims for IEMs or do not even know what to look for (look inside the nozzle, it will probably be dark yellow/brown and potentially a bit crusty). Ahem, Introducing 64 Audio’s IEM VAC. It won’t stop earwax getting on your in-ears, but it will suck it off them! Watch it in action and learn how to clean your own 64 Audio Customs below.
Milestones
2010: Vitaliy Belonozkho Establishes 1964 Ears, LLC. Quad Model released.
2011: 1964 Ears Introduces Real Wood Faceplates as an Industry first
2012: Attend First CanJam
2013: Released the V6 and V6 Stage
2014: Kickstarter campaign lauched for the A & U Series. apex module in development
2015: 3DFit technology introduced, Beyonce & Jay Z join the brand. Rebranded to 64 Audio
2016: apex technology launched, Fourté, A18t & U18t released
One of the most popular models, the U12t is in the sweet spot for price/performance. The U12t is a superb all-rounder that has enough bass to satisfy most and has plenty of technical prowess too. Almost like a baby U18t, the U12t is very well balanced and even handed with punchy yet dynamic lows, detailed and open midrange and effortless highs. The lows can be tuned with the apex module. The M20 giving a subtle lift in the sub-bass over the default M15. The bass is fast and articulate yet has body and punch too.
The A18t are for those musicians / Audiophiles who love technicalities. Cramming a whole 18 balanced armatures per side, the A18t are somewhat of a statement product. Especially with all the customization options avaliable. If you listen to the A18t for a while, anything else is going to sound veiled and muddy in comparison. They have such a clean and controlled sound signature that is perfect for those who want neutrality. Everything is cranked up to 11. These have headroom to spare and don’t put a foot wrong, whatever you play through them.
The Fourté pushes the boundaries and shows what’s possible with only 4 drivers. The clarity in the midrange is truly astonishing. What’s even more impressive is how the top end just extends without rolling off at all. Everything sounds very cleanly separated, yet the width and height of the soundstage are unlike any other IEM you will ever hear. If you are looking for a true hi-fi experience, the Fourté deliver. With a more musical yet well balanced sound signature, effortless, crystal clear highs and impeccable soundstaging qualities, they truly are top of the line.
For the price, 64 Audio have created a brilliant everyday earphone that allows great insight into the recording. With superb clarity and detail retrieval, wrapped up in a smooth, coherent and easy to listen to sound. They are such an easy earphone to live with. Providing a comfortable fit and refined sound that many fail to match, this is proof that 64 Audio really do know what they are doing when it comes to sound. A superb model for the price.
Here we have a very accomplished hybrid design. One that is all about engagement and enjoyment. There is a healthy dose of sub-bass extension helped with great articulation in the mid-bass. This low end gives the Trio a bit of fun factor but without overstepping the line to become fatiguing. The midrange is present, up front and clean, never masked by the more powerful low end. The highs come from the signature tia driver. Which allows effortless extension but they are by no means up front and bright. The highs take a backseat overall. Yet they don’t sound dark, with great detail and impact when called for. The Trio is perfect for those who listen to music with a good bassline to follow. Sound staging is great too, with a good sense of space and perfect imaging. A forgotten gem indeed!
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