Some of you may have seen that there are a few earphones sporting a USB-C connector, or even a Lightning connector for Apple devices, but how do these actually work?
Well, all devices that have a headphone jack have internal circuitry that uses a DAC (digital to analogue converter) and then a headphone amplifier. The quality of these components varies a lot between devices, but most suffer from a certain amount of noise and hiss that is detrimental to the overall sound quality.
USB-C or Lightning earphones have this circuitry built into the connector itself, meaning the phone sends the digital data to the earphones and the conversion is done there. This gives the earphone maker a chance to match the specific circuit to a specific pair of earphones/headphones for optimal power and quality. This also means that the circuit is detached from the main board which is a common source for interference and noise.
Whilst not as common as Bluetooth models, USB earphones are on the rise and are an excellent choice if you have a device that has no headphone jack. They offer better sound quality than Bluetooth models along with being more convenient than using a dongle or external DAC/Amp.
Within our range of headphones, we have the new SoundMAGIC E11D which includes a 24bit capable DAC, along with a 4-core cable for balanced signal transmission. These have been getting great reviews in the press, being some of the best USB-C earphones available on the market.
If you don’t mind adding an extra device to get that extra bit of quality out of your regular wired earphones, then take a look at the Cyrus SoundKey. This little DAC/Amp gives you a great step up in clarity and control.
Initially developed thanks to an ultra-successful kickstarter campaign, the Soundkey by Cyrus promises to upgrade the audio quality of mobile handsets and anything else able to feed it audio data, such as tablets and desktop computers.
Pros:
Huge audio upgrade for handsets and tablets
Excellent value
Tiny!
Cons:
Camera kit required for use with iPhones
Design and Appearance
This little device is sleek, light and simple; there is nothing much to remark on other than the micro-B USB input and the 3.5mm output. The device is the size of a small cigarette lighter and is available in various colours. Included are two cables (one for micro USB-B and another for USB-A connections); these appear to be decent enough, but are each composed of differing materials. The micro USB-B cable is a fabric covered affair, whilst the USB-A cable is white and plastic coated. Given that this is to be used by Apple users in connection with the often required camera kit, it kind of makes sense.
The Soundkey is powered by the internal battery of the connected device; it does not have its own battery, but its low power consumption will not tax the device’s battery very much.
Durability and Build Quality
The device itself is solid and well constructed; it’s surprising that it only weighs 18 grams. The included cables are robust, and should stand up to a fair bit of use.
Suitability for intended application
The Cyrus Soundkey is designed mainly to be used on the go, and the tiny size reflects this. It used to be that any external DAC would need to be strapped to the handset to keep things simple, but the Soundkey can sit on, and just be treated as part of a slightly extended cable given its diminutive presence.
It provides a boost to volume, so ensure your volume level is low on your handset when initially plugging in your earphones. The Soundkey is designed for portable headphones between 16 and 64 ohms which is a great majority of portable headphone/earphone models.
Sound
The Cyrus Soundkey provides a much cleaner signal than many in-built DACs; many of which prove to be sound quality bottlenecks in any portable audio chain. This will be more apparent on higher quality earphones and headphones, and of course will open the way for anyone wanting to upgrade their earphones as these will no longer be limited by the internal DAC quality of portable devices.
Tighter, better audio control results in more noticeable harmonics to give music more texture, improved imaging and greater impact. It’s a good alternative to a separate, dedicated audio player if you are happier keeping all your tunes in one place, on your phone.
Summary
If you are wanting to upgrade your portable audio but don’t have bottomless pockets, the Cyrus Soundkey is a clear winner.
Looking for a new pair of on-ear headphones? We’ve collected the best on ear, open back, closed back and portable headphones to buy in 2017 and reviewed them to help you choose.
SoundMAGIC takes a lot of beating in this price category – the brand is a natural at making low cost headphones which sound much pricier.
The P22C model is a lightweight portable with a flat tangle-free cable and good isolation. Ideal for travel and holidays, these will fit right in to any bag or backpack when stored in their low profile travel case. The P22C included a microphone for phone usage and the remote is compatible with both Android and Apple devices.
Sound is impressive for this price point, with plenty of detail and a good kick to the bass without overpowering the mid range.
Engaging and fun-sounding, the P22C will make the absolute most of the output from any portable player.
The Edifier P650 is a smartphone friendly, easy to carry portable headphone that punch above their weight and price.
Offering a well balanced sound with a little added kick down low, the midrange is clean and detailed and the treble isn’t far behind. The bass does not have the most sub-bass rumble but for a quick and easy to use, on the go headphone they offer great sound.
What impresses most is their ability to portray the whole frequency range in a well controlled and balanced manner, too many budget headphones overload you with muddy bass, yet these offer plenty of detail but are also easy to listen to; a no brainer at this price point.
The simple design and great sound keeps them viable while the open-back design, whilst not being the best for isolation of course, is perfect for those who wish to be aware of what’s going on around them such as joggers, and muggers.
The sound is generally well balanced between bass and treble, although the midrange can seem a bit distant and mushy. Bass is perhaps a bit on the heavy side, but it will definitely satisfy those who want a bassy sound. The Koss Porta Pro Classics offer a warmish sound overall.
Be aware though that their open-back nature means that they will be of limited use in noisy environments.
B&W have a long history of making excellent hifi products, and this has trickled down into their headphones.
The P3 are superbly built with an elegant and sophisticated look, the P3 really do impress. Lucikly they are not all about the look either, as the P3 offer a smooth and effortless sound that is akin to their house speaker sound. Offering excellent full bodied bass response with a non fatiguing and slightly sweet midrange and treble.
Comfortable, well built with a smooth and pleasing sound signature, the P3 are perfect for on-the-go use.
The HD25-1 II are one of the most well known on-ear headphones, this is partly due to their popularity as a DJ headphone. Used by DJ’s and sound engineers globally the HD25-1 II are a rugged portable headphone that will last for years.
Offering an immediate and aggressive sound they won’t give you a wide soundstage but will give you an engaging and detailed signature. The bass is tight and digs deep with excellent control and presence, the midrange is smooth yet very detailed and the treble has good extension and is very well placed in the mix.
If you are looking for a smooth laid back sound, the B&W are probably a better choice, but if you want a fun, upfront and engaging listen the HD25-1 II is for you. All parts are easily replaceable too, should anything ever break.
The Grado SR80e are a definite improvement over the SR80i, with a slightly warmer, more balanced sound. Their retro styling may not appeal to all, but underneath the looks is a fine sounding open-back headphone. The undisputed king of headphones for rock music, these are sure to get you toe tapping and head banging in no time.
These will not appeal to bass heads, they fair better with music that is played on real instruments. They have long been favourites for people that enjoy rock music due to the speed and control of the sound.
At the price point I still think Grado hold their own with a well balanced, aggressive and detailed sound, there is nothing quite like them.
The Momentum series are hugely popular with on the go commuters, and for good reason. Offering stylish looks, a comfortable fit and a smooth easy to listen to sound.
Built to last with replaceable parts, the Momentum has slightly retro looks and comes in an array of colours. With playback controls on the cable you no longer have to take your phone out of your pocket. The sound is dynamic and punchy, offrering a slightly bass driven sound without sacrificing the midrange and treble. Engaging and fun are the best word to sum up the Momentum 2.0i.
Good looks and great sound, it is easy to see why the Momentum 2.0i is so popular with commuters. For Android users there is also the Sennheiser Momentum 2.0G.
The T51i have been around for a while now and are still excellent on-the-go headphones. They have a sturdy and sophisticated look, and offer a well balanced and detailed sound.
The T51i again tilts towards an easier to listen to sound, with a slight bass boost that gives the whole sound a little added body. There is sufficient detail across the range to keep them from sounding boring and what comes to mind when you put the T51i on is refinement.
With excellent build, comfy fit and refined sound the T51i has a lot to offer.
Leather earpads and a metal headband, the P5 Series 2 screams quality and luxury. The earpads are soft lambskin leather with memory foam inside, like cushions against your ears.
Like the P3 the P5 Series 2 has the typical B&W house sound, which is smooth and effortless. Offering a well balanced but slightly rich sound with superb separation and articulation, from highs to lows these sound very refined and grown up.
The P5 Series 1 look stunning, have replaceable cables and a smooth effortless sound, what is not to like?
Built from leather and metal, the Audeze Sine are built to last and also come with detachable cables. Using planar magnetic drivers they take a little more power than most phones can output, so they are best used with a high quality music player.
Give them a good source and the Sine in return give you excellent audio with snappy dynamics that can keep up with the most demanding of music. The bass is full yet superbly controlled, the midrange is where these excel not allowing the lows to affect them. Guitars have excellent power, and vocals come across with plenty of detail. The highs are present and well defined, but never become too hot and harsh.
The Sine are a mighty fine sounding on-ear headphone when driven well, and give you a full and detailed sound all
The Hifiheadphones team is pleased to announce the new Portable Apple/Android DAC and Headphone Amplifier from Beyerdynamic, the A200p is now available to be purchased on our website.
Detailed audio signal without the loss of sound quality when using portable devices. Compatible with smartphones, tablets and computers, the A200p offers high definition sound that was previously not possible for travelling audiophiles.
Designed to circumvents the internal signal processing, the integrated Wolfson DAC chip of the A200p receives the pure digital music data first. After converting the digital data to analogue music signals, a high-quality amplifier controls the output to the connected headphones. All this results in previously unheard details, better contoured and deeper bass, as well as natural instrument and vocal reproduction.
Beyerdynamic A200p supports iPhone 5, iPad Air, iPad (4th generation), iPad mini and iPod touch (5th generation) and most smartphones with Android 4.1 or higher, which have a digital USB audio output. The A200p is currently the smallest mobile DAC and amplifier that can work with all of these devices on the digital level.
Features
Crystal-clear sound with portable players
Compatible with Apple and Android devices
Digital connection via Apple lightning or Micro-USB
3.5mm mini stereo jack headphone connection
Volume control with 135 levels
LED display for charging, operation and volume
Three buttons for music playback/pause and skipping forward and backward
On/off switch with locking function
DAC with up to 24 bit resolution at 96 kHz sampling frequency
Integrated rechargeable battery with up to 11 hours operating time
