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Audeze EL-8 Open-Back – Land of Open Glory – Expert Review

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Audeze EL-8 Open-Back – Land of Open Glory – Expert Review

Intro

Based in Sunny California, Audeze have endeavoured to spread a little spare sunshine around; even to the point of piercing the gloom here in the UK! We’re all aware of the effect The Golden State’s orange juice has on us in the mornings, and it appears that its headphones aren’t far behind in being able to part the clouds, if only in terms of dazzling audio resolution.

The planar magnetic EL-8 Open-Back is a bit of a departure from Audeze’s other designs; it’s smaller, lighter and and more travel friendly with an ability to be folded flat – not that the idea of stopping listening and packing these headphones away is particularly alluring.

audeze el-8 Headphones-1

Design and appearance (e.g. attractiveness, feel)

I say that the Audeze EL-8 Open-Back is lighter than the other models; and while that may be the case, they still have a fair bit of weight. When compared to the average portable out there they won’t win any Oscars unless there is a strong supporting cast. But if viewed as a headphone for any quiet scenario such as for home use too, the EL-8 Open-Back returns to the podium like something out of Ben-Hur.

They’re decorated with a wood-like veneer design around the edge of the earcups, which looks a little more understated when compared to the LCD range, but still follows the Audeze theme of natural wooden tones.

Durability & build quality (e.g. cabling, connectors, materials)

Despite the initial surprise at the headband which consists of a relatively thin band of steel with a sprung pad in the middle, plus the departure from other Audeze designs where the yokes are concerned (the pivoted parts holding the earspeakers), we were reassured of the solid build quality when handling the headphones. Nothing about the Audeze EL-8 Open-Back goes against Audeze’s pedigree where build quality is concerned.

Even taking the design of the headphones into account, the cable is perhaps the greatest departure from previous designs. It’s ribbon-style and the connectors are more reminiscent of those you might find on a memory card, with 4 separate contacts on each side. Being 2m/6.5 feet long, an extension cable may be required for home use with full-sized amplifiers as the Audeze EL-8 Open-Back was primarily designed for portable players.

Comfort

When nestled on the head the Audeze EL-8 Open-Back is quite comfortable and does not feel heavy, but we all have different opinions where weight is concerned. At 460g (or just over a pound) they are lighter than the LCD range by a fair margin. The headband cushion is comfortable too, but when adjusting the headband back or forward there may be a tendancy for the headband’s rubber coating to pull on the hair.

Suitability for intended application

Being an open-backed portable, this EL-8 version is obviously for those who want a low profile way of taking great quality music to the office or to enjoy in quiet spaces outdoors. These headphones may run into problems in noisy environments, or if the wearer wishes to not cause a nuisance to those nearby. There is a EL-8 Closed Back for such scenarios, so take your pick!

Portability

The earcups on the Audeze EL-8 Open-Back fold down flat and so can reduce the size of the headphones in a bag or case; however the travel case supplied with them could be more substantial, amounting to a soft cloth pouch which will protect the headphones from dust.

Sound characteristics

Bass (e.g. punch, low extension):

Being a planar magentic model, bass comes naturally to the Audeze EL-8 Open-Back! It’s all in proportion of course, there’s no bloat for the sake of it. It’s emphatic when called for and never steals the show. It is tight and detailed, enhanced by harmonics within the unfettered midrange and upper frequencies.

Mids (e.g. vocals, acoustic instruments):

The mid-range can be zoomed in on and enjoyed whether there’s a lot of action or not; it is all taken in the EL-8 Open-Back’s stride. This headphone can certainly keep its head.

Nuance is not lost and every tremelo and vibrato within a vocal performance is faithfully served up along with accompanying reverb trails, making for a very convincing and moving presentation.

Treble (e.g. high hats):

The upper frequencies are a perfect complement to the rest of the range, neither too bright or too dark. This is a personal opinion of course as we all have a differing amount of sensitivity to this region, but Audeze have obviously put some thought into this and hit a perfect balance between sharpness and dullness; they sparkle without glare, and massage auditory systems in a non-drowsy way.

Soundstage & Separation

Soundstage may suffer a little from the grill on each side; the larger earcups of the LCD range give audio a good chance to breath but this should have been scaled down for the EL-8 Open Back along with the earcup size itself, with a greater chance of any otherwise reflected audio escaping.

Separation is as good as any open backed headphone in the EL-8’s price range; even bringing out details I had never conciously noticed before such as that rhythm guitar low down in the mix, or that backing singer who was multi-tracked and not the subject of a delay effect.

Music genres good for and why

Genres from classical to slow and heavy EBM were tested with the EL-8 Open-Back; the headphones are sensitive and precise enough to convey the finer touches and emotion of the Brandenburg Concherto, as well as vibrating the skull with Rhesus Factor’s ‘Commando 242’, an unremitting heavy synth track of little subtlety! The relatively neutral tuning of the Audeze EL-8 makes it a perfect jack of all trades, and a master all of them as well.

Pros:

Removable/replaceable cable
Sounds amazing
Small and light (in comparison to Audeze LCD Series)
Ver comfortable to wear

Cons:

Some may still find them just a little heavy on the head
Carry pouch not as substantial as a hard case
6 foot / 2 metre cable only

Please take a look at our video review for the Audeze EL-8 Headphones below:

 

 

 

 

Fidue A83 Earphones Review – Hybrid Unbridled

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Verdict

What’s not to like about the Fidue A83? From the unassuming ‘try me’ design to the expansive sound, the A83 could take us down many rabbitholes!

Pros

  • Instantly engaging
  • Lovely cable

Cons

  • Case is a little ungainly

Fidue is another of those makers who are peppering the market with all sorts of models at various pricepoints, and the A83 occupies their top spot just now. Despite sharing its name with a minor road up in Scotland, the Fidue A83 is warm, fast and hardly ever congested. The Fidue A83 can however bring you to ‘The Mull of Kintyre’ if you really want to go that far.

Key Features

The left and right sides are denoted by the blue and red housings of the Fidue A83; they simply beg to be worn and seem to offer a fun experience just by looks alone. Supplied tips are what can be expected for a model in this price category; there’s a good range along with the nearly ubiquitous free Comply foam tips, but don’t differ that much from those given away with budget models. The case is of the chunky ‘Pelican’ style and along with the hard foam winder/storage insert will certainly protect the earphones. The case will not easily fit in the pocket however.

First Impressions

The clear translucent red/blue plastic of the housings is matched by the outer-facing housing part which although metallic-looking, is also plastic. However the overall impression is of a solid and well-built IEM along with the best of them. The cable is the most striking feature; it is braided and is coated to avoid too much friction. It’s nice and loose so tangles are unlikely.

Sound Quality

Far from a neutral sound, the Fidue A83 certainly packs a fun punch with deep and powerful bass when called for, adding weight beneath kick drums and basslines, but steering well clear of midrange bleed. There’s no more bass than dictated by the music. Midrange is clear with a lush hint; space is well preserved and harmonics make instruments shine. Up top, the Fidue A83 is not as rolled off as most universal IEMs but there is no hint of anything which might cause fatigue in the ear. Separation and imaging are very good for an in-ear too.

The A83 is amazingly faithful to your chosen genre; trying these with some 1970s production music, the dynamic compression used is beautifully rendered and makes the bass and midrange really work together. Conversley, with some clean and clear Level 42 from the 1980s, the presentation is as fresh and clean as a new pin. The A83 takes what’s good, and makes it even better.

Summary

The Fidue A83 really are as fun as they look; but don’t let this kid you into thinking they cannot be serious too. Think perhaps of looking in a mirror and actually seeing the person you imagine yourself to be – 10 years younger, spritely and in your best light – it’s the Fidue makeover!

Score – 9.5/10

The Fidue A83 features in our BEST HEADPHONES OF 2015 REVIEW

Final Audio Heaven VII Earphones Review

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Verdict

Any Final Audio earphone in the Heaven series is fantastic at its pricepoint, and for the asking price the Final Audio Heaven VII offers angelic audio quality. Soundstage and detail are stunning, while the frequency response gives a presentation which is both delicate and authoritative.

Pros

  • Sounds amazing
  • Looks amazing!
  • Good strong metal case

Cons

  • Microphonics
  • Cable can be worn down from the ear only

Being British here we’re no strangers to what the heavens can provide (lots of rain!); however we’ve been enjoying a few distractions lately. Final Audio’s Heaven series is no less than a perfect fusion of detail and comfort; starting from the entry-level Heaven II. The range leaves us spellbound, and a lot drier as well.

The appearance and sound of the Final Audio Heaven VII is a contrast to its stablemate the Heaven VIII, which is the fuller sounding of the two models. While the Heaven VII lies in neutral-airy territory, the golden Heaven VIII gives a lusher presentation with a little more bass. A review of the Heaven VIII is coming soon.

As well as the Heaven VIII, the Heaven VII is one of the latest in this series; it is based on a similar design to the rest of the Heavens, but borrows the capsule design from the limited edition dual balanced armature ‘LAB-1’ model which is not generally available outside of Japan and the Far East.

Key Features

Using a single full-range balanced armature driver produced by Final Audio themselves, the Heaven VII is detailed but never gets fatiguing. Bass is fully represented, mainly due to both the balanced armature and Final Audio’s BAM (Balanced Air Movement) technology which incorporates some clever tricks to improve the frequency response in the lower region, when compared to other makers’ single BA designs.

Also, the Heaven VII has been designed with ‘resonance dispersion’ in mind. According to Final Audio, this helps prevent vibrations and reflections in the housings which may lead to a detrimental effect on the sound. The casings are made using a metal-plating technique so that the colour won’t wear away or chip.

First Impressions

It’s the styling which is first to be noticed; there’s a medieval feel about them – particularly the black Heaven VII. While the design is of course down to a high-tech process, they still give the impression that they were produced by an enchanted artisan a few hundred years ago!

The jack differs from others in this range however; it’s more like the straight jack which comes with the Final Audio Hope VI full-size headphones.

Sound Quality

With an Astell & Kern K120, the Final Audio Heaven VII gives a totally immersible experience – soundstage is well beyond the physical confines of the housings, and separation is superb. Bass, as already mentioned, is not typical for a single balanced armature design; it is very well balanced with the rest of the sound and is well controlled, allowing the midrange a good amount of space to impress. The sound is very clean and exact; it neither is boosted or recessed and works very nicely. Sense of space is very real, and together with the soundstage, very big! There are moments with the K120 where high frequencies threaten to cross into strident territory, but never do. With a Fiio X3, due to the nature of the player’s sound, the Heaven VII is smoother which I prefer personally.

Summary

We’ve come to expect very high standards from Final Audio – in terms of audio quality, build quality and presentation too. The Heaven VII still pushes the envelope, giving a touch of glamour without ostentatiousness, toughness without bulk, and detail without sharp edges.

Score 9.5/10

 

Audio-Technica ATH-MSR7 Review – The Dark Horse From Tokyo

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Verdict

Exceptional quality for the price. The Audio-Technica ATH-MSR7 renders every detail clearly and leaves no sonic stone unturned, but steers just clear of being overbearing at the top end of the frequency range.

Pros

  • 3 cables for all scenarios, including one for smartphones
  • Solid but light construction
  • Carry pouch

Cons

  • There must be something..!

The new Audio-Technica ATH-MSR7 has escaped from Japan and has made it to our eager earholes in the UK; but can we expect a bigger version of the M50, or something else? The styling is reminiscent of the M50, but can we expect the recessed mid range that the M50 is known for?

Key Features

The ATH-MSR7 features ‘True Motion’ Hi-Res audio drivers with a diameter of 45mm; this according to Audio-Technica’s website improves response times and minimises distortion for a clearer and and more detailed sound, due to the inclusion of a super-light voice coil and precision diaphragm. Also ‘Dual layer air-control technology’ is described as a method for reducing vibrations within the housing; together with a triple-vent on each side, virtually all extraneous sound can be dealt with. Audio-Technica have been generous with extra cables in the box; there’s both a 3m and 1.2m cable and for those of us with friends, a cable featuring a mic and smartphone controls. For those without, we can always place the plush and well-made carry pouch over our heads.

First Impressions

The headphones don’t inspire much in the way of excitement on first seeing them; they’re pretty standard and much like the M50 with a less broad headband and larger earcups. The build quality is superb however, exuding a feeling of solid reliability. I’m reminded of a Beyerdynamic DT250.

Sound Quality

Under the ATH-MSR7’s dour and business-like appearance beats the heart of a party animal; ready to draw you in for the time of your life! The sound of these cans really must be heard to be believed; for under £200 the ATH-MSR7 represents some amazing value for money. There’s no ‘effortless’ feeling of headphones at the high end of the market, but everything else is there. A very pleasing bass which knows its place but is very impactful and rich, leaves room for a stunningly clear midrange with bright treble extending high, but with a smoothness which does not stray near harshness.

Soundstage is good for a closed back headphone, but it’s the imaging and speed which really makes the ATH-MSR7 shine. It certainly seems that the mysterious techniques that Audio-Technica have implemented here have paid off. I can think of headphones this good which cost twice as much as the ATH-MSR7! Little harmonic details and hard-panned instruments vie for attention, and the ATH-MSR7 demands pretty much all of it!

Summary

All too often we’re forced to find new exciting ways to say something is very good, and this is another of those times. The Audio-Technica ATH-MSR7 just does everything well. Understated enough to be worn in public, vented enough to provide a great sound, but also with a good amount of isolation. The ATH-MSR7 is just heavy enough to give the impression of solid build quality, but light enough to be enjoyed in great comfort. And as above, the sound is immersive.

Score – 9.5/10

Click Below to see our Audio-Technica ATH-MSR7 Unboxing video

LINDY HF-100 Headphones Review – Low Cost, High Value.

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 LINDY HF-100 Hi-Fi Headphones Review – Low Cost – High Value.

Verdict

In return for money spent, the sound quality that the Lindy HF-100 Premium Hi-Fi Headphone puts out is no less than stunning. When guessing what these headphones cost, we overshot like England penalty-takers; we never guessed that this sound would be available for well under £100. If you want to keep someone convivial, buy them these headphones and you will have a friend for life; albeit a very preoccupied one. Perfect for use at home or on the move, but an amp or dedicated music player is required. At 60ohms impedance/100dB sensitivity these will not be sufficiently powered by a phone alone for example.

Pros

  • Ridiculously Good Value
  • Comfortable
  • Travel Case
  • Alternative earpads
  • Removeable cable
  • A taste of audiophilia for under £100!

Cons

  • Not suitable for use straight from a phone
  • Cable runs to both left and right earcups

Intro

Headphones for £100 and under have been a mixed bag generally; at this price point, designs have been compromised in some way in order to keep down costs and the more substanial the headphones looked, the more substandard they sounded. So with all this baggage the Lindy HF-100 had its work cut out and impressed us despite it all.

Key Features

Being a full size headphone, the Lindy HF-100 includes the expected accessories such as jack adaptor and storage case but with a nice pair of alternative earpads too – these are a little firmer than the earpads which are fitted to the headphones when new and will change the sound signature, try these if the original pads do not suit you.

First Impressions

The Lindy HF-100 is a low-cost full size headphone from the Lindy brand, a name perhaps linked with a plethora of gadgets, connectors and peripherals. Our surprise at how good these headphones sound may have been partly due to them being new on the headphone scene, but now that they have come out again for this review I have only the cost in mind, and we’re still delighted.

Sound Quality

The Lindy HF-100 Premium Hi-Fi Headphone has a fun sound; very engaging, and with a decent bass. Not woolly and voluminous, but well controlled and balanced. They respond very well to EQ, the bass boost on my FiiO E12 not being lost on them. Midrange is clear and spacious, with a good amount of detail. Higher up in the midrange the sound is a little uncompromising in terms of stiffness – there is no peak here to cause the listener discomfort but the HF-100 can seem a little starchy and unyielding where a more expensive headphone would be smooth, for example the SoundMAGIC HP-150. With good quality recordings this is a minor detail, but low bitrates and poor recordings may get fatiguing to listen to after a while.

Summary

As with everything you get what you pay for. Although I should make that ‘most things’ as there are exceptions to this rule; not least the Lindy HF-100. A while ago, I would have expected to achieve a sound like this if I were to spend £150 or over. But not any more.

Score 8.5

 

 

Shure SRH1840 Review – Yes We Shure Can!

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Verdict

Totally immersive – don’t forget your life jacket and emergency flares for when you inevitably get lost in there. It’s unusual for a highly esteemed brand’s flagship headphone such as the Shure SRH1840 to be going for under £500 (particularly headphones as good as this), so take advantage of Shure’s generosity!

Pros

  • Sound Superb
  • Comfort
  • Spares included
  • Removable cable

Cons

  • Some may find headband underpadded

Despite the recent growth of the headphones market and the high standards attained by makers generally, it’s easy to recognise products Shure puts out; always nice to the touch as well as the ear, solidly built and sounding great. So with heavy hearts we find another predictably fantastic pair of headphones for review!

Key Features

Shure has seen fit to include some spare earpads and a spare cable with this model, as it has with the SRH1540. Spending this kind of money on headphones probably gets people searching for extra value and they won’t be disappointed here. Also a storage case is included.

First Impressions

Having not long put down the SRH1540, it was surprising how light the SRH1840 still felt. These headphones are almost not even there, particularly when worn. Some would prefer more padding on the headband, but the negligible weight is borne mostly by the earpads.

Sound Quality

Warm without being bassy, crisp without being strident – Shure has really done a good job here. Things can get a little harsh with a raft of flutes playing, but that’s the nature of the sound which the SRH1840 brings out faithfully. Also an amp will be an advantage – the impedance and sensitivity of the SRH1840 is not suited to being used straight out of a portable player or phone. My Fiio X3 can power them but seem as if it is straining a bit. An E12 gave a more relaxed presentation, and the bass boost was not lost on the SRH1840, giving some added weight to proceedings. There may be a bit of a bump on the SRH1840 at the top and bottom ends of the range, but midrange is still fully represented.

Summary

Close to perfect. For those who want just a little more detail without spilling over into strident territory the Shure SRH1840 is certainly worth considering. Together with the modest price and incredible comfort, the SRH1840 is a flagship model indeed!

Score 9.5/10

Shure SRH1540 Review – Light Luxury

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Verdict

As I come to appreciate slightly brighter headphones and presentations, the Shure SRH1540 is one of the guiding lights along the way. The balance of lightness and impactful bass makes for a wonderful sense of space, realism and.. fun! Even the heaviest rock can be made to prance, skip and gambol yet retain its innate power.

Pros

  • Great comfort
  • Light
  • Solid Build

Cons

  • No carry case as such

Shure’s recently released SRH1540 follows some very good quality headphones and experiences in general with Shure’s products. Does this top notch closed-back deserve to be at the top of this pleasant pile?

Key Features

The Shure SRH1540 comes with a removable cable of good quality, and porous earpads – this may improve soundstage over the more traditional style but it does leak sound a little. Also Shure has provided a spare cable and a further pair of earpads which is always a good touch. A great quality case brings up the rear; this is more of a storage case than a carry case however.

First Impressions

As with most of Shure’s range, the feel of quality is apparent; but not at the expense of weight. It’s a little like a sports car; the available power is hidden away in preference of styling but it’s obviously under the hood, and in spades.

Sound Quality

Straight away, the sports car analogy comes back. The presentation is one of speed, agility and lightness. The Shure SRH1840 is not what I would call top heavy, but the upper frequencies are well represented in relation to the bass. Snares give a good realistic crack, but this doesn’t spill over into anything too bright. The rubber still meets the road in terms of bass however – it’s well controlled, impactful, and goes low if called for. Midrange doesn’t take a backseat exactly, but there is a slight recess in that range. Soundstage and separation are very good, with plenty of space left in the presentation for subtler parts such as reverb tails.

Summary

The Shure SRH1540 has its work cut out when it comes to outshining its esteemed siblings. But for me, the SRH1540 is a current favourite. It gives good weight and rich harmonics are brought out adding realism and depth to vocals and the like. It’s a full-size headphone which thinks it’s a portable, and it’s just as at home in either scenario.

Score 9.5/10

Audeze LCD-XC Review – Take a Shine to Closed Backs!

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Verdict

The Audeze LCD-XC is definitely one of the top-tier headphones available now, and is a worthy stablemate to the similarly closed-back but smoother Fostex TH900.

Pros

  • Exceptionally comfortable
  • Sumptuous build quality
  • Amazing detail
  • Well balanced
  • Separation and imaging fully immersive
  • Sturdy travel case

Cons

  • May be too heavy for some

In the world of headphones we get the odd celebrity now and again; the flagships sail in and are esteemed due to their value if nothing else. But as with everything, a high price needn’t necessarily equate with a good product. Is this particualr celebrity just famous for being famous, or do they actually have some talent?

Key Features

Those shiny wooden earcups are a treat for the eyes, and the build quality is exceptional. Solid is definitely the word, but this may count against the Audeze LCD-XC as some necks may suffer under the 650g/1.4lb weight; those with the fortitude to ‘press a head’ should be well rewarded though. The tough carry case protects them in transit, and the supplied ribbon-type cable is ‘tangle free’. Also in the case is a little bottle of wax for keeping the shine on the earcups.

First Impressions

Having tried Audeze’s offerings before, my appetite was suitably whetted and it was not disappointed. By now the obvious build quality and good looks are meeting with blasé reactions – we all know what to expect from Audeze! The weight issue was in my mind, but since I’ve been enjoying the HifiMAN HE-400 for some time now with no issues I was not worried, and indeed the LDC-XC’s weight did not bother me.

Sound Quality

I first tried the Audeze LCD-XC with a Chord Hugo; both to feed as good a signal in as possible, and to try the Hugo’s resolution with the LCD-XC. The presentation was very accurate and crisp; I found it just a little too far into bright territory for my tastes. Then I tried the LCD-XC with my humble Fiio X3; the X3’s output is a little warmer than that of the Chord Hugo, and this was reflected within the sound of the headphones. Where before it was a little cold and uncompromising with the K120, it came to life and into colour for me with the X3. The LCD-XC is like a mirror for the amp; it brings out the best traits of the available equipment.

The closed-back nature of this model is possibly a down side, if only because so many great headphones in this price range are open and so have an advantage in terms of soundstage. As we all know however, isolation is often necessary if we aren’t to be distracted (and don’t want to disturb others), and the LCD-XC does not sound like a closed headphone. The soundstage is appreciably wider than the physical limits of the headphones, and the closed nature of them does not remain so obvious when in use.

Summary

With the asking price in mind, it’s no surprise to learn that this is an exceptionally competent headphone which can hold its own among some cutting-edge competition. If you are considering a highend closed-back model and you find the Fostex TH900 a little smooth, the Audeze LCD-XC may be just for you.

Score: 9.5/10

Beyerdynamic T51i Review – Premium Portable Perfection

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Verdict

High quality needn’t be a feature only of high-end, open-backed headphones, as we’ve recently seen with the likes of the KEF M500 and the Musical Fidelity MF100. With their solid but light aluminium construction, yielding earpads and flawless sound, the Beyerdynamic T51i allows you to take true Hi-Fi sound wherever you go.

Pros

  • Solid build quality
  • Very comfortable for an on-ear
  • Exceptional Sound quality
  • Ideal carry case included
  • Good isolation

Cons

  • Fixed cable
  • Buttons a little small and recessed, may be tricky with gloves on

German headphone company Beyerdynamic’s latest offering, the T51i, features iDevice compatibility for trouble-free calls as well as superior sound quality. The overall impression is that these will last for years; there is simply nothing to fall apart or get loose.

Key Features

Obviously the iControls are what marks this headphone out as different to the T51p; other than that it’s the usual package from Beyerdynamic. Just solid and dependable construction and sound, along with a soft but sturdy case and the usual 6.3mm/flight adaptors. Also included is an adaptor to convert Apple’s preferred CTIA jack terminal spec to OMTP for older handsets. In this market it’s tempting to add a gimmick or two, but Beyerdynamic know that these headphones can easily stand on their own merits.

First Impressions

The build quality is a fine introduction to the general theme here, just pure enjoyment. The Beyerdynamic T51i headphones are lovely to touch; the strong cool metal and leathery earpads definitely give the idea that there’s nothing to worry about and it’s all under control. The cable is more akin to their IEM cables; more suitable for the portable crowd, but non-removeable. Conceivably, they could have had a removeable cable and introduced alternative cables with controls for specific handset types, but that’s just nit-picking.

Sound Quality

Sound quality is about what can be expected from Beyerdynamic’s full size headphones; well represented bass without bloat or bad definition, clean midrange and detailed highs. Some models such as the DT880 can lean toward the bright side, but the T51i has the detail along with smoothness. I’ve been listening at a fair volume for an hour and am quite comfortable.

Summary

Highly esteemed makers with long pedigrees like Beyerdynamic raise one’s expectations accordingly. Nevertheless the Beyerdynamic T51i is still a surprise, and an absolute pleasure to use. The build, feel and sound of them all scream quality; the way they are put together comes from 50 years ago, but the sound is definitely 21st century.

Score: 9/10

Aedle VK-1 Portable Closed Back Headphone Review

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Verdict

A great newcomer to the Portable Headphone range – The Aedle VK-1 has real punch with weighty bass and cracking midrange. Not only do they sound exciting, they look it too! They are easy enough to drive off a portable device and are very comfortable. So if your looking for a portable on ear headphone with an exciting sound, great bass and stylish looks then look no further.

Pros

  • Great bass quality
  • Stylish and well built
  • Replaceable cable

Cons

  • Don’t isolate as well as other portable headphones
  • No headband padding

Key Features

  • Driver diameter – 40mm
  • Impedance – 32 Ohms
  • Weight – 216 g
  • Replaceable cable (optional smartphone cable – not included)
  • Aluminium driver housing
  • Cable length – 1.3m and 2.4m (both included)

First Impressions

Everything about these headphones – including the packaging – oozes style. The VK-1’s come very well packaged, they even have that ‘new shoe’ smell. In the box you get a very smart carry bag, two cables (1.3m and 2.4m), a 3.5 to 6.3mm jack adapter, an airline adapter and an Aedle ID card which allows you to ‘discover surprises’ on their website.

The headphones look great! The aluminium housing and brown leather really compliment each other and they are a perfect portable size – it’s obvious that lots of work has gone into designing the Aedle VK-1. The cables supplied are coated and even though they are a little thicker than some other headphones, they are very flexible.

The headband uses a spring steel structure so it’s very flexible and tough. To adjust it you just bend it into shape – this gives a very secure fit that will perfectly fit your head.

Sound Quality

Straight away you pick up on the quality of bass that comes out of the VK-1 – it’s punchy without being bloated or overkill. The midrange also stands out, especially snare drum crack. There is probably a slight top end roll off, but with such great quality mids you forget about this very quickly. Overall the sound is exciting and edgy and thanks to the venting on the driver housing there is a great sense of space in the sound.

Listening to Dire Straits – Your Latest Trick, the opening trumpet sounds rich and the cymbal comes in effortlessly in the far left. Once the track gets going there is a snare rim shot that really cuts through and the keyboards add the right amount of emotion, then the vocals come in sitting perfectly on top of the instruments. Once the song is in full swing you can pick out every instrument with ease and enjoy every one of them.

Next up was Slipknot’s Duality (obviously). These headphones are made for this track! When the stereo guitars kick in they completely surround you and then the drums… WOW. The snare and kick have real impact and the bat on beer keg sounds as though its being hit right next to you. Metal can sometimes be a tough test for headphones, but these seem to handle it with ease.

Lastly is Break by Jurassic 5 – this one really tests the bass. From the off there’s a massive kick drum and snare sample, the kick drum resonates very naturally and the snare has a great ring to it that comes across perfectly on the VK-1. The vocals come in and there is no confusion, everything has its place.

The Aedle VK-1 is rhythmic, edgy and punchy. They have a wide sound for a closed portable headphone and there is no harshness or sibilance.

Summary

The Aedle VK-1 comes into Sennheiser Momentum territory and it definitely gives you something different. They’re not as relaxed or controlled – they have more oomph and punch without having a harsh top end. The midrange cuts through more and as they are on ear they won’t have the same fit issues that the Momentum has. I would recommend these to anyone who wants a pair of headphones that look great, sound exciting with weighty bass and crisp mids and don’t completely cut you off from your surroundings. If you prefer a more neutral sound with top end detail then I would consider the KEF M500 as an alternative.

Score – 9/10

KEF M500 Portable Closed Back Headphone Review

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Verdict

KEFs addition to the portable range of headphones is sleek, comfortable and most importantly sounds great! Clear detail with tight bass and crisp mids – They also fold up for easy storage and come with a spare cable for iDevices. The KEF M500 is extremely well built and feels solid, the pads are  soft and they isolate very well.

Pros

  • Foldable
  • Solidly built
  • Extra cable with in-line mic and controls for iDevices

Cons

  • Earpads are fully on the ear so can get warm

Key Features

  • Driver diameter – 40mm
  • Impedance – 32 Ohms
  • Weight – 208 g
  • Replaceable cable (iDevice cable included)
  • Foldable headband
  • Cable length – 1.3m

First Impressions

From the start you can see that KEF have gone for an elegant design. The packaging is simple, and follows the M500s colour pallet of silver and black. Inside you get a hard case – again very simple and well designed, 2 1.3m tangle-free flat cables (one with 3 button remote and microphone for iDevices), a flight adapter and a 6.3mm jack converter.

The M500 is very well built, and thanks to the aluminium frame not only are they light weight but they look great too! The headband padding is very soft and the earpads are made from breathable memory foam –  this provides great isolation. KEF has not only designed a headphone that feels good – they also look great and they’re extremely comfortable.

Sound Quality

The KEF M500‘s are well balanced without being boring – clean, clear and crisp with tight bass, well defined mids and lots of top end detail. Having a well balanced sound makes them sound great with all genres and the top end detail works really well with acoustic music or any songs with plenty going on. The separation is superb – you can hear the edge of every instrument, and considering these are fully closed back they have great soundstage.

Summary

For a portable headphone the KEF M500 is gives you everything – stylish, compact, well built, iPhone compatible, comfortable and it sounds great. The sound will suit anyone looking for a clean, balanced and detailed sound – especially in the higher frequencies. For a warmer sound I would suggest the Sennheiser Momentum or for something with more bass impact the Aedle VK-1 would be a good choice.

Score – 9.5/10

Sennheiser Momentum Full Size Portable Headphone Review

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Verdict

The Full-size Sennheiser Momentum is the big brother to the smaller on-ear Momentum; the last word in luxurious, portable listening with sumptuous earpads made from real leather. These headphones are fantastic for separation, and they have a very wide soundstage which belies their closed back design. Sound isolation is high; the leather pads excel in keeping unwanted noises out, while social isolation is low due to the handy Apple mic and controls.

Pros

  • Comfy Earpads
  • Smart/Stylish
  • Rich Bass
  • 5 year warranty

Cons

  • Top end detail
  • Relatively unforgiving headband

Key Features

  • Coupling: Over Ear
  • Transducer principle: Dynamic, closed
  • Frequency response: 16Hz – 22kHz
  • Impedance: 18?
  • Weight: 190g
  • Cables: (no mic) 1.4m, (Apple mic) 1.3m

First Impressions

The Momentum headphones have a solid feel with a steel and leather construction. At the same time they are quite light to wear; I don’t imagine being fatigued with these during extended periods of use. They have a style reminiscent of Aviator sunglasses; rounded, tinted and very cool with a touch of 80s chic.

As well as the 1.3m Apple-compatible cable, there’s a spare 1.4m cable (without mic) and a semi-solid case for keeping them in good condition whilst on the go. The headband pad could do with plumping up a little, but the earpads are very comfy indeed. For an ‘over-ear’ design however, the spaces in the earpads are limited so comfort may be dependent on an individual’s own ear shape and size.

Sound Quality

The Sennheiser Momentum excels at bass warmth without being bloated, and the soundstage appeared to be shoulder-wide; the ‘breadth’ of the music far exceeds the physical size of the headphones. Separation is very good also with each instrument in its own space. Mid range is involving and enjoyable, but there is a slight lack of high-end detail which some may prefer to keep. I’d summarise the frequency response as akin to the design; very comfortable indeed but not likely to send you to sleep in a hurry!

Dance music is particularly suitable, and although the Momentum can be used straight from a portable device they respond really well to amplification. Sub bass is plentiful, indeed awesome with the Fiio E12‘s bass boost. The Momentums really respond well to EQing.

Summary

If you like to relax in the bath with a box of chocolates, these are the headphones for you! This is not to say that these headphones are suitable for relaxing music only of course. Dance, rap and R&B all come across really well; acoustic music will be good due to the midrange but may lose a little something at the top end. Soundstage and separation will make up for this however; any performance will not feel any less real.

Score – 9/10

HIDIZS AP100 Digital Audio Player (DAP) – HifiHeadphones Mini Review

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RRP – £230-£250

If you like your brand names to look like the first line of an optician’s eye chart, the Hidizs AP100 is certainly worth considering – the name might take some getting used to, but it’s plain to see that this player is getting some covetous glances!

The AP100 has some stiff competition in the low-cost DAP (Digital Audio Player) market, not least from Fiio’s ‘X’ range. The AP100 appears to be a halfway house between the X3 and X5 in terms of size and cost, but how about sound quality?

The same can easily be said – compared to the Fiio X3, the AP100 is a little more accurate and coolish but this is not to say that the Hidizs AP100 is harsh. Listening to unyielding and brittle-sounding early 80s pop such as Duran Duran is fine on the AP100 but the X3 just gives it a bit more warmth and roundness to a presentation – the AP100 wins in terms of detail.

With the default firmware, tracks stood a good chance of having the first second chopped off if selected from the track list on the device, but this was fixed after upgrading to V1.31067. One problem I had after upgrading was that the unit reverted to its native Chinese language – there was no clue how to get it back to English again. Luckily I found the option in the menu as the only item with 2 Chinese characters. Select this and you’ll see ‘English’ in the sub menu.

The buttons on the Hidizs AP100 are lovely to press; there’s a great chunky feel to them and they are good solid buttons which will last. The only problem is that Hidizs saw fit to add separate buttons for ‘fast forward/rewind’ – I’m so used to using the same buttons for track skip and forward/rewind that I keep skipping tracks by accident. Also the ‘back’ button is on the right of the other navigation controls, which makes it feel like a forward/select button; this may lead to a few wrong turns for the uninitiated but it’s easy to get used to.

There’s a little flap in the case which is held shut by velcro. It took a while to figure out but this is for spare micro SD cards; just be aware that you may need tweezers to remove them again. SD cards can be changed simply in the device, however a tool or long fingernail is required to ‘click’ it into place and retrieve it.

I did also notice a problem with the track list on the player – select ‘track 1’ for instance on the track list and skip forward a couple of tracks via the play screen. Then on going back to the track list, ‘track 1’ is still highlighted as if it is still playing. Perhaps this will be addressed in future firmware updates.

Summary

A good little player; I look forward to future firmware updates but in the meantime the UI is quite useable, and the unit gives a clear uncluttered sound with a good amount of power. A great first effort which begs the question: whatever next from Hidizs?

Chord Cable Interconnects – To The Test

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The overriding opinion of those who stick with their free RCA interconnects (often provided with Hi-Fi seperates) is that any money spent on upgrading them is wasted. Quality cabling is a slightly alien concept to be fair; the signal passes from A to B anyway, why spend money on cables which will achieve the same end?

Speaking as someone who has thought exactly this in their time, I was interested to know the actual difference between some of Chord’s offerings, and the skinflint equivalent. Is any improvement noticeable at all, how is it better, and is it worthwhile?

To determine this, my colleague John set up a blind test between a studio grade RME audio interface taking a signal from a computer, and a Graham Slee Solo Ultra Linear. These great amplifiers can switch between two inputs using a control on the front of the unit so is perfect for A/B tests. The inputs of the Slee amp came from the same source but using either the high end Chord Anthem Reference cable, or the entry-level Crimson cable.

Being an informal and quick test, rigorous procedures were not followed; I was aware of the cables being compared and it was just me doing the test. I operated the switch myself to select the cables, but I did not know which cable was feeding which input.

Feeling a little nervous, I noted down some of the impressions I got from listening to Level 42’s ‘Something About You’ through a Fostex TH900, with a Grado PS1000 ready for another listen later. I was encouraged to find that perceived differences were quite easy to spot.

  • Bell sounds which are pure and stand clear of the mix sound flatter and harder to pick out.
  • A synth with a bit of distortion on it (starts on beat 3 of the song) sounds as if it is going through a bit-depth reduction effect or ‘bitcrusher’.
  • The bass is slightly muddier with less definition.
  • Backing vocals are blended together and less distinct; voices are cleanly separated with the Anthem Reference cables.
  • Hi-Hats are more splashy and ill-defined.

Not surprisingly I guessed the correct channel for the cheaper Crimson cable; the blind test showed very clearly the differences between the cables.

I then swapped headphones to the Grado PS1000 – an open headphone of similar quality to the TH900. I found that the PS1000 made it more of a challenge to spot differences but they were still there. Another thing I noticed was a loss of soundstage height with the PS1000 when listening to audio through the cheaper Crimson cable.

In the spirit of further thorough experimentation, the “free with hifi separates” cable was tried. Predictably, the differences were more marked.

  • The bells sounds are flat and dull.
  • The distorted synth sound requires focused attention to hear through the mix.
  • Bass is flatter and flabbier.
  • Backing vocals are more blended; both blended together and with the rest of the music.
  • Hi-Hats sound more like brief bursts of white noise than cymbals.

The overall impression was of an old cassette recording, relatively speaking. The soundstage was practically limited to the width of the headphones , and high frequencies are messy and splashy. There was a large portion of distortion throughout.

Verdict

Although premium cables like the ‘Anthem Reference’ cables may be out of immediate reach for the average listener, I found that the entry-level ‘Crimson’ model is certainly a worthwhile improvement over the generic black/grey RCA cables. At £55, it is clear to see that this represents great value considering the sonic improvements it offers.