We’re happy to share the great news that we’ve just received from one of our suppliers, Polar Audio. Beyerdynamic, the prestigious pro-audio company from Germany have released a new headphone amplifier called the A20.
Find out more by visiting Beyer’s website:
We’re hoping to have these in within the next two weeks. Keep an eye out on both the website and blog!
Our next episode of our video review series features the Munich HighEnd Show which we were lucky enough to visit this year. We were kindly invited by the Japanese HiFi brand, Final Audio Design for the launch event of their headphones in Europe. We saw plenty of interesting things at the show and also had the chance to have a brief chat with FAD President, Kanemori Takai and FAD Europe representative, Christoph Umbricht.
Stay tuned for some more videos, watch this space!
After our video review for the Sennheiser Momentum, we decided to take a closer look at SoundMAGIC’s fantastic full size, open back headphones, the SoundMAGIC HP200 Headphones. I hope you’ll find the review useful, we sure had lots of fun making it!
SoundMAGIC’s HP200 headphones give a great sound and are a fantastic addition to any audiophile’s set-up. With natural sound, wide soundstage and excellent detail resolution the HP200 has an engaging sound that will satisfy even the most discerning music lover.
The open design gives the music some breathing space, giving it a natural sound which is warm and balanced, while the low impedance of the HP200 makes them suitable for use with portable players without the need for further amplification.
Generously padded earcups and adjustable headband provide for a comfortable listening experience, even during longer listening sessions. The design and build of the HP200 is very solid, and the earcups swivel so the HP200 can easily be stored in the included hard case.
Along with the HP200’s 1.2m cable there is a 3m extension cable and 6.3mm adaptor included for home listening, while those with the travel bug might take advantage of the flight adaptor, along with the sturdy case.
The HP200 is an open-back model; this headphone type is generally though of as better for natural-sounding music, but if isolation is required (for instance for use while commuting) then I would recommend the SoundMAGIC HP100.
Mark from HighEnd Workshop, distributor and maintenance man for some very serious audio brands was kind enough to have a chat with me about headphones. Among others, he looks after HiFiMAN‘s distribution in the UK and is in the know about their exciting new range of planar magnetic headphones. This technology is also known as orthodynamic, or magnetostatic driver technology.
Lauri – Hello Mark, it’s nice to see you. Did you have any trouble getting here?
Mark – We are communicating by email.
Lauri – Of course. Perhaps then, I should ask what led you to be in your current position and what do you like best about it?
Lauri – How does orthodynamic (or planar magnetic) technology work and does it have any advantages over dynamic driver technology in your opinion?
Mark – Orthodynamic headphones have drivers with flexible plastic film diaphragms (like cling film) into which a flat voice coil is imprinted in the shape of an S. It is embedded this way for an even distribution of the drive force. This allows the diaphragm to be driven equally over its surface, so you therefore do not need to make a stiff driver or cone; it is very lightweight and with this you have a faster reacting driver. These drivers or diaphragms are tensioned to supply returning force. The magnets are on one or both sides of the diaphragm and supply the magnetic field against which the flat voice coil reacts. This makes the diaphragm vibrate causing sound, the design of an orthodynamic headphone is somewhat similar to an electrostatic design and produces a similar sound characteristic.
Lauri – There are lengthy threads on headfi.org for instance, which describe how to go about modifying headphones such as the HE-400 in order to change the sound signature/fit etc. Do you feel that this is going against the ‘vision’ of the designers, or do you welcome such tinkering? Would HiFiMAN consider incorporating the ideas of modders into future designs?
Lauri – What future do you see for orthodynamic headphones? Are they making an impact on the ubiquitous dynamic versions?
Mark – HiFiMan’s orthodynamic headphones are a very good choice and I hope they will make an impact on the overall market; but we still have a long way to go in educating customers that there are options other than dynamic headphones. People who follow Hifi understand the technology, but outside this bubble we still have work to do. It does help when dealers have them in their shop on show to demo, as normally once a customer hears the HiFiMan headphones it is hard to miss how good they are.
Lauri – How robust is this technology when compared to dynamic drivers? Is it easy for the careless to ‘blow’ a driver like with dynamic drivers sometimes?
Mark – Like all speakers, if you feed a driver with a distorted waveform or sound then you are reducing the life of that driver. I have been distributing HiFiMan since 2010 and up to now we have not had a driver fail! As I would say, it is down to the care that HiFiMan put into these ear speakers, and also you will find the customers who are purchasing these products are not normally the ‘head banging’ type and therefore are more careful of their products too!
Lauri – Why did HiFiMAN decide to include a dynamic-driver technology headphone (the HE-300) in the series?
Lauri – I see there are aftermarket cables available, consisting of pure copper and pure silver cores for instance. What do you think of this market?
Mark – Again this is down to personal taste. Getting a cable made to do a job, say XLR to BNC, well then that’s a great thing to offer as we all need cables made for different things.
Lauri – Is the low impedance of the HE- range a deliberate part of the design, or does it come with the orthodynamic technology?
Mark – As we understand how to build better and cheaper diaphragms as in the HE400, then the orthodynamic headphones will come more in line with the normal impedance headphones but the inherent design of orthodynamic headphones makes this a very big learning curve.
Lauri – Would you recommend headphone amplifiers with this range of headphones (for home and portable use)?
Mark – This is also down to personal taste but I would say the HiFiMAN amps go well obviously, then Schiit Audio, Trilogy Audio and I have heard good reports from customers who are also using the following: Icon Audio, Bryston and Epiphany Acoustics. But have a play and listen, as this is what it’s all about and I think some people forget this is supposed to be fun as well!
Lauri – Truer words have never been said. Thanks for the interview, Mark!
Mark can be contacted via:
The HiFiHeadphones team is pleased to announce the new Sound Isolating In-Ear Monitor Earphone from HifiMAN, the RE-400 Waterline is now available to be purchased on our website.
The RE-400 Waterline by HiFiMAN is a premium quality, high-performance in-ear monitor (IEM) that sets the standard for others to follow. Featuring advanced ergonomics for superb fit, and premium materials, the RE-400 represents best-in-class performance and comfort. The RE-400 has extremely wide frequency response with superb dynamics and features an incredible 102dB sensitivity thanks to its 8.5mm driver with Neodymium magnet and can be powered with virtually any type of amplifier. The drivers have been designed and manufactured exclusively by HiFiMAN.
To purchase the unit, please visit our website:
Buy HiFiMAN RE-400 Waterline Premium Sound Isolating In-Ear Monitor Earphones
The HifiHeadphones team are happy to announce that EarSonics have released a new universal In Ear Monitor (IEM) called the SM64, and it will be available to buy from us very soon.
The EarSonics SM64 earphones were made to handle music of all intensities on any device. Absolute control of the audio spectrum, incredible stereo image and maximum headroom will let you crank it up without distorting the sound.
With the new HQ crossover process, impedance corrector and triple driver combination; the SM64 provide a perfectly balanced sound at high volumes, this makes it very musical and accurate.
The SM64 comes with:
Studio headphone enquiries are becoming more and more common, especially with people being able to set up their own home studios on a low budget and with limited space. Depending on what you will be using the headphones for, there a few qualities you should look for.
For mixing, the best would be a neutral headphone which doesn’t colour the sound – this way you will get a clear representation of your mix. You will also want good separation and a wide sound stage, this will help with panning and getting an accurate stereo image.
For recording, the main quality to look for is isolation – better isolation will stop sound from leaking and will also block out other sounds from the studio. Comfort and a secure fit is also important, you may be using the headphones for long periods of time and you don’t want them slipping off (mainly for drummers).
Either way you want them to sound great! Here is my choice of the best Studio Headphones:
These Headphones are quite possibly the best you can get for mixing. They are extremely accurate, they have a very wide and natural sound stage and they are very comfortable – you barely realise that they are even on your head!
Beyerdynamic is one of my favourite brands, and the T1s are their flagship model. They are superb for mixing. Slightly darker sounding than the HD800s, they are very popular as a studio headphone. Having a darker sound just means that they are a bit smoother and not quite as bright, which can be a good thing as some people don’t like headphones being too accurate. The T1s are also very comfortable and will get more so over time.
The Ultrasone Signature Pro is possibly the best all round studio headphone we do. The Signature Pro has great isolation due to it being a closed back headphone and having high quality leather pads, they are also extremely comfortable so you can have them on your head for long periods of time. Not only are they great for recording, they are also great for mixing. Ultrasone use S-Logic technology to give the listener an open back headphone experience, giving you a wide sound stage and superb separation.
If you are looking for a mixing headphone on a budget then this is the one to go for! The DT880 has a very neutral sound and being a semi open headphone, they have good sound stage and separation. The sound is very detailed and uncoloured, bass notes are clear without being muddy and the top end sparkles. The velour pads supplied also make the DT880 very comfortable.
TOP PICK! – In my opinion, GermanMAESTRO have created the best value for money studio headphone you can get. The GMP 8.35 D has the best isolation I have experienced and it is practically indestructible. They can also be used for tracking and mixing due to them having great detail, punchy bass that doesn’t bleed into the rest of the mix and very crisp midrange.
The DT770 is an old studio favourite, they have a very clear, airy sound with a wide sound stage. Great separation and imaging lets you hear the most complex recordings with great detail and warmth. They have great isolation and are very comfortable. Very hard to fault at this price.
The new uHA-120DS also operates as a fantastic DAC and the improvement over my little Behringer UCA202 USB soundcard was plain, even when using passive loudspeakers.
There is the option to switch between battery power and USB power if used as a DAC, and between ‘Normal’ and ‘Fast’ charging depending on which USB standard is possible with your set up. Installation is easy, I tried the 120DS with Windows 7 and good old XP and both were fine; the PC recognised the unit and had it working with no extra work necessary, only to chage the settings to make the unit the PC’s default audio output. I’m told that there is a similarly smooth experience waiting for mac users too.
The Just Audio unit came across as being more relaxed; it didn’t break a sweat under the pressure and gave some very convincing testimony. Perhaps given that the uHA120DS is 4 times the cost of the FiiO, there’s no surprise here. You always get what you pay for when it comes to witnesses.
An absolute discharge is called for in this case, which is a relatively rare event. The battery can last anywhere up to 40 hours, depending on which headphones are used with the device and the amplification used, etc.
Before you ask, there is no ‘dock’ for an iPod however. Take him down!
We strive to be the very best place to buy headphones – we love testing headphones ,including the superb Sennheiser Momentum Headphones ,we love reviewing headphones and sharing our thoughts through our headphone top 10s, blog articles, staff picks or know-hows. In order to be even more useful for our ever-growing community, we have decided to start making video reviews!
Our first review features Sennheiser’s brilliant portable set, the Momentum. Without further ado, enjoy the video!
So are the Momentums all looks and expensive leather? The short answer is no. Sennheiser have worked just as hard on the sound as well as the looks and come up with a comfortable yet fun sound which is on the right side of relaxed. Plenty of detail and instrument separation in the sound but they never step into fatiguing territory, soundstage is short but imaging impressive for the size of the cups. This sound fits very well with the target group of commuters and business travellers who will use them. It’s certainly not boring, tons of bottom end is there when needed, bass drums have a satisfying thump without ever kicking you in the eardrum. Altogether the sound is warm and smooth without becoming sluggish – a hard balance to find!
Final Audio Design‘s new mid-price range is topped with the Final Audio Design Adagio V, a sleek looking and robust in-ear monitor which is designed to be worn down (perhaps earoded?) as opposed to worn over the ear. The driver housings themselves are relatively weighty and feel as though they are likely to fall out of the ears, but when in position this fear is short lived.
I always considered that a shiny barrel of metal going into my ear would lead to trouble, but maybe I’ve watched too many Mafia films. The Italian name Adagio certainly helps to conjure up the picture of a whacking, but the price doesn’t look too much like extortion.
The cable feels like a bit of a mismatch; as while it would not look out of place on other IEMs, the extra weight of the driver housings make it seem a little weedy. The lack of strain relif is a concern too, but I’m thinking that there’s likely some form of reinforcement within the housing. The weight of the Adagio V’s drivers would make it very tempting to use as a bola; fortunately there’s no shortage of people running away from me so I’ll be trying this soon.
When I had figured out the correct sized tip for my ears (which are smaller than average) the drivers sat in the ears happily enough, but I did look a little like my mother had an affair with a soda syphon.
Sound-wise, the Adagio V is forward in the midrange and I find myself tempted to lose a couple of dB in the 2-5k region; this is more a reflection of my own tastes and I feel that a lot of equipment aimed at the audiophile has a similar sound signature. The bass is there and extends very low, but there is no accentuation or bloating, if anything it is understated (again, my tastes are speaking here).
The soundstage is impressive, and it can sometimes really feel as if the sound is emanating from without, with some good instrument separation.
There is plenty of air, and a little play with an EQ shows a lot of response in the 14kHz region where a lot of earphones give very little difference. This is definitely an earphone for those who like detail over bass.
We get a lot of people looking for headphones to use in an office environment, mainly to block out the sound of other colleagues so they can concentrate on their own work. A common misunderstanding is that Noise Cancelling Headphones are best for this purpose – this is not the case. Noise Cancelling Headphones are good for cancelling out low frequency humming such as airplane engine noise but they don’t do so well with the higher frequencies that come along with people talking while you’re trying to work.
Depending on whether you want in-ear or full size, the main quality to look for is passive sound isolation – this will essentially block out external sounds without the need of active noise cancelling. It’s worth noting that you probably won’t get complete sound isolation from a pair of earphones or headphones, they are designed mainly for sound quality – but certain models do this better than others.
For those of you on a budget, the Shure SRH240 A are extremely hard to fault. They sound great, as good as headphones going up to £100. They are also closed back and due to having leatherette earpads they also supply a good amount of isolation for the price.
These are probably the best if you want to go down the in-ear route. The Etymotic hf5 is the next step up from the mc5. They do everything their little brother does, but better. The overall sound has more body to it, clearer mids-highs and a wider sound. The isolation has also been improved with an upgraded housing design and a more durable cable.
These headphones are designed with drummers and bass players in mind, so the build quality is extremely good and so is the isolation. The sound quality is impressive, with their own S-Logic technology they deliver a wide and crisp sound with deep bass.
TOP PICK!!! The GermanMAESTRO GMP 8.35Ds are my favourite all purpose headphone. They are practically indestructible, their sound quality is stunning with a neutral sound that delivers a great punch with the lower frequencies and great levels of detail on the higher end. Most importantly (for this article) they have superb sound isolation, possibly the best I’ve experienced from a headphone.
A strong contender to the GermanMAESTROs, the Beyerdynamic Custom One Pros are stylish, comfortable and “drumroll please…” have great sound isolation. They also have superb sound and this can be customised with the use of the bass ports on the ear cups. They are also very sturdy and come with a replaceable cable.
And finally… Now if you still feel that you want active noise cancelling then this is my recommendation. The PSB M4U 2 has it all! As well as its built in active noise cancelling, it has amazing passive sound isolation. They are very comfortable and the sound quality is superb – deep bass and sparkly highs without being fatiguing. Also keep an eye out for their little brother, the PSB M4U 1. They are they same design but without the active noise cancelling, so they will also be cheaper.
The HiFi Headphones team is pleased to announce that the new In-Ear Isolating Earphone from Audiofly, the AF56 is now available to be purchased on our website.
To purchase the unit, please visit our website:
Buy Audiofly AF56 In-Ear Isolating Earphones
The HiFi Headphones team is pleased to announce that the new Portable Headphone Amplifier from FiiO, the E12 Mont Blanc is now available to be purchased on our website.
To purchase the unit, please visit our website:
Buy FiiO E12 Mont Blanc High Performance Portable Headphone Amplifier
Verdict – Good for pop, great with hip hop and dance music.
Pro’s – Big contemporary warm sound from these lightweight but sturdy on ear headphones. Perfect for commuting or travelling.
Cons – On ear headphones just do not work for some ears – they can become painful after long periods but there is an obvious advantage to this smaller style over full size headphones. Not for most Classical music fans unless you like more bass than average.
Introduction – Audio Technica was established in 1962, Audio-Technica is a worldwide group devoted to the design, manufacture, marketing and distribution of problem-solving audio equipment. They started out making phonograph cartridges and now create microphones, mixers and electronic products for home and professional use. Winner of numerous industry awards, Audio-Technica manufactures quality products that are used in professional and personal audio around the world.
Description -The ATH-ES55 is available in White and Black and has a closed back design, therefore cutting out external noises which may distract from your listening. Although they have impressive sound isolation this has the effect of reducing the sound stage and stereo image width and gives a slightly warm tone with an elevated bottom end.
Included peripherals – Both White and Black versions come with a carry pouch to help with transporting them.
Application – The ES55 are excellent everyday use headphones. Sturdy with decent sized pads, very comfy for an on ear, these would make sense for commuting, listening whilst working or as headphones for someone who does not like in ear headphones but wants to keep their portable audio small and light.
Describe the sound – Contemporary feel, warm as with most closed backs, they are relaxed but feel detailed and exciting too, the overall sound is slightly laid back but not dull. Nice and easy to power from an iPod/MP3 player or Laptop so no volume problems.
Comparisons – The alternatives to ES55 are other well made on ears like the Beyerdynamic DTX501p, the AiAiAi Capital, the Audio-Technica ATH-WS55i, the RHA SA950i and the SoundMAGIC P30.
Product -Audio-Technica ATH-ES55
Product Type – On-Ear Portable Headphones
Price – £86.95
Verdict – For contemporary music fans who want to replace iPod ear buds with better fitting, fun and contemporary in-ears at a wallet friendly price.
Pro’s – Warm and bass rich with some definition, fans of Hip Hop, Dance and contemporary Rock and Metal will enjoy the full and immediate sound.
Cons – Fans of Folk or Classical music or detail fanatics will need to up the budget and maybe take a look at the SoundMAGIC PL50 or to jump up to another tier, the Westone UM1 or Etymotic HF5.
Introduction – Sennheiser is the best known German headphone manufacturer. They make Studio, Audiophile and everyday headphones and even some technology used with the hard of hearing. German quality control is observed rigorously and a 2 Year warranty is given with all their products. Sennheiser seem to have a generally warm feel to their sound with a similar sonic idea running through their whole range.
Description -The CX300II is available in five colours (Black, Chrome, White, and Silver) and is a small, light in-ear isolating headphone. The cabling is copper, has a nice quality feel with anti tangle material used, it terminates in a 3.5mm right angle jack. There is adequate strain relief at the jack plug and driver units, the cable is asymmetrical which means it doesn’t evenly split in half under your chin but instead wraps around the neck.
Included peripherals – Inside the box – Small, Medium and large silicone tips, Cable clip, a little carry pouch.
Application – The CX300II is an obvious Apple ear bud upgrade, many people find the apple earbuds fit badly and sound weak with little detail or bottom end. Weighing in at 14g and with different tips and a clothing clip getting a good comfortable fit is easy.
Describe the sound – Fit is all important with in ear headphones as without a good seal on the ear you will hear very little bass. Once you have found the correct tips there is plenty of bass. Very smooth and warm with a bit of control of the bottom end. Great for Contemporary music styles like Hip Hop and Dance, the bass line from London Girl by The Invisible feels massive, punchy and driving. The bass can be untidy and this lack of the subtlety doesn’t help Acoustic or Classical, Jazz does a bit better but lacks a natural feeling of space.
Comparisons – What are the alternatives? SoundMAGIC’s excellent PL11 is a little cheaper with a few more accessories. Another model from the Chinese brand, the E10 offers a bit more clarity and a little less bass while keeping the fun approach. The Audiofly AF33‘s are great if you prefer more neutrality and less bottom end strength.
Product – Sennheiser CX300-II
Product Type – In-Ear Isolating Headphones
Price – £35.95
