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HiFiHeadphones Best Buy list

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Here at HiFiHeadphones we really are passionate about audio and listen to the products we offer. Our headphone guru and Youtube star John has put together a HiFiHeadphones best buy list, so read on to find out what our best headphones, earphones and headphone amps in 2022 are!

Best True Wireless with ANC

Lypertek PurePlay Z5 – £79.00

The 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 along with truly suburb sound quality for a low price. – Full Review

lypertek Z5
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Best True Wireless for Sound Quality

Final ZE3000- £119.00

These don’t have a lot of features, no AThese don’t have a lot of features, no ANC, ambient mode or wireless charging. However they are designed for ultimate sound quality and in that they succeed, They also look awesome and fit perfectly. What more could you ask for at £119? – Full Review

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Best Wired Earphones under £100 

SoundMAGIC E11C Silver – £52.99

A Brilliant Budget Earphone that Sounds MAGIC. We have found the E11C to be a grown-up earphone with a keen knack for giving a clear and accurate presentation across the board. It is a true bargain and certainly a very good IEM for everyday use. The mic and controls are an added bonus and making use of the included case as well as regular cleaning ensures that these earphones last well beyond their warranty. Perfection? Not quite. But at £52 you will struggle to find a similar product worthy of your investment. – Full Review

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Best Wired Earphones £100-£300

Oriveti OH300 – £299

The OH300 really does a lot right, especially when you take into account the £299 price tag. With a detailed and even-handed sound signature that is tonally accurate yet not boring. There is power when needed, yet they always have a controlled and refined approach to rendering your favourite tracks. – Full Review

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Best Wired Earphones £300-£1000

Campfire Audio Holocene- £649.00

The Holocene are almost a scaled down Andromeda, but with a twist of their own of course, they are slightly warmer and less airy in the top end but still have a very enjoyable sound. The Holocene are fairly linear with a slight bass lift that doesn’t bleed into the midrange, allowing that to cut through with clarity and accuracy. The lower treble is dipped slightly, robbing them of some energy but also meaning they don’t sound fatiguing or sibilant, yet the upper treble is well presented with great extension and air. Overall they are a really impressive earphone, and make a superb daily driver. – Full Review

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Best Wired Earphones £1000-£2000

64 Audio U6t- £1,299.00

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.

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Best Wired Earphones £2000+ 

64 Audio tia Fourte – £3,599.00

This model pushes the boundaries and shows what’s possible with only 4 drivers. This is a hybrid design with an intricate inner shell with chambers that help shape the sound. Nothing sounds overly boosted on the Fourte, but they do have a healthy dose of impact down low. The Fourte are very revealing and will throw up flaws in recordings, but 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.

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Best Wired Studio Earphones 

Etymotic ER-4SR – £305.95

If you are looking for neutrality, the ER-4SR are the industry standard – they do not flatter you with a smooth sound or hide any mistakes in recordings, so not great for everyday listening but superb if you want to hear every detail.

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Best Wireless Headphones under £100 

SoundMAGIC P23BT – £49.96

SoundMAGIC once again show that they are unrivalled when it comes to creating budget models with excellent sound quality, the P23BT has such an enjoyable sound that you quickly forget they only cost £50. Full Review

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Best Wireless Headphones £100+ 

Final UX3000- £119.00

The Final UX3000 ANC is a fantastic product for its price. Final have really worked their magic here. Solid build quality, paired with great sound and effective ANC for under £120 is something rarely heard of. Add to that fantastic mic quality and you have an absolute bargain on offer. The UX3000 can be recommend to anyone looking for a portable over-ear headphone. Full Review

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Best Headphones £100-£500

Sennheiser HD660s – £429.00

The latest addition to the HD6xx series comes with improved clarity, these are detailed and open sounding and paired with the excellent comfort the HD6xx series are known for, make these a superb headphone for the price.

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Best Headphones £500-£1000

Audeze LCD-2 Classic – £749.00

The LCD-2 Classic are a well controlled, but ultimately warm sounding headphone. They offer up a fatigue free sound with good width and height. If you listen to electronic centred music, old school rap/hip-hop and smoother more acoustic music they are a joy to listen to. Full Review

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Best Headphones £1000-£3000 

Final D8000 – £2,999.00

Instead of going for the usual neutral-ish sound signature of most high-end models, Final instead decided to make the D8000 enjoyable, with very punchy and dynamic bass and impressive clarity across the board, the D8000 stand out from the crowd.

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Best Headphones £3000+

Audeze LCD-5 -£3,999.00

These are resolving yet enjoyable, they have a reference like tuning without coming across clinical, they have an honest presentation without too much colouration or sweetness to the sound. Full Review

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Best Headphone DAC/Amp under £100

Periodic Audio Rhodium – £49.00

The Periodic Audio Rhodium is brilliant for the money, a USB-C dongle DAC/Amp that has a clean sound, even if the output power is a little limited.

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Best Headphone Amp £100-£300

JDS Labs Atom Amp+ – £129.00

The Atom Amp+ is a neutral and linear sounding amp that will pair well with most headphones and earphones on the market – it measures well and doesn’t cost a lot, what more could you want? – Full Review

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Best Headphone Amp £300-£1000

JDS Labs Element III -£499.00

The Element III comes with an all new digital volume encoder and optical input, you get perfect channel balance for sensitive IEM’s along with auto-gain and enough output power for most over-ears too – backed by that same linear sound JDS Labs are known for. They even added an opitical input, very handy for gamers or those who listen to CD’s . Full Review

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Best Headphone Amp £1000+ 

Burson Soloist 3X GT – £2,499.00

This amp is perfect for those who need the best from their hard to drive headphones, the perfect pairing for those select few headphones that need multiple watts of power – it’s dual mono, fully discrete design doesn’t compromise when it comes to sound quality either. 

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CanJam London 2022: News, Sale and Best Headphones Guide

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CanJam London 2022

CanJam London 2022 Update: It’s that time of year again!

We are very excited to be attending CanJam London 2022 on July 30th and 31st at Park Plaza, Westminster Bridge.

We will of course be attending with some of our favourite brands and showcasing some of their amazing products. From new releases to old favourites, it is going to be a blast.

Undoubtably, this will be a CanJam to remember. Due to the Covid pandemic, we have been without the show for the last few years (check out our review/ interviews from the last one in 2019 here). We are absolutely frothing at the bit to get amongst the action again! Indeed, CanJam is the place to try all of the best headphones, earphones, DACs, AMPs, DAPs and IEMs under one roof with likeminded people. Obviously we are all there to discover how best to listen to our favourite recordings.

To celebrate, we are running a sale on our brands that are going to CanJam London 2022! Make sure to check out our sale page over on Hifiheadphones for big discounts for a limited time only:

Hifiheadphones CanJam London 2022 Sale

Not only is this a chance to try out these amazing products. It’s also your chance to meet the people behind your favourite brands. Here is a list of just a few brands attending CanJam London 2022:

Audeze, 64 Audio, Focal, HifiMan, Campfire Audio, final, Rupert Neve, Burson, Westone, Chord, Roon, dCS, Meze, Rosson Audio and many many more.

CanJam Sneak Peek Time with Important Updates

As a matter of fact, the reason for this is to give you an idea of what brands we will be representing at CanJam 2022. Below are also some of the products you can expect to see.

Audeze

Audeze are going big this year. In addition to six tables of goods (SIX!) showcasing lots of favourites, there is also a very special newcomer! On show will be LCD-5. CRBN, LCD-X, LCD-XC, LCD-3, LCD-2 Classic. Euclid, Penrose and the brand new MM-500. All products will be powered by some of the finest equipment from the likes of Chord, Burson, Weiss and Eksonic.

Campfire Audio

This year, Campfire Audio is all about the Trifecta! Don’t worry though. There will be enough for everyone to try this new, completely unique IEM from one of the most interesting audio brands of today. For those that want to try other legendary favourites, we will also have Andromeda, Holocene and Supermoon samples there too.

final / Hifonix

Also, our friends over at Hifonix will be showcasing the brand new final D8000 Pro Limited edition. In all of it’s stunning, goldlike lovlyness, it is going to be a crowd pelaser. Certainly make sure to make your way over to their table to check out this rare, majestic work of headphone art!

64 Audio

You can meet the 64 Audio team this year as well as and try some of their finest IEMs. Absolutely make sure to check out the U6t, DUO, U12t, Tia Fourte, U18s, Nio and even more (these are only the universals) from the worlds best pro and custom IEM specialists.

Burson

Burson will be supplying headphone amps and DACs to a number of our brands this year. So you will not only get the chance to try out their incredible products, they will be paired with some of the best headphones in the world!

Westone Audio

With the recent release of the MACH Series of IEMs. Westone Audio will be showcasing the full range at this years CanJam. This is a rare opportunity to test out all 8 models in this impressive and diverse line-up.

Lastly but not Finally..

To celebrate the return of CanJam London, we will also be having a special CanJam 2022 page setup on Hifiheadphones with exclusive offers on some of the best products showing at this years event. Be sure to check out the CanJam 2022 Special page on Hifiheadphones from 30th July to 1st August to get some amazing deals on the best audio gear out there!

Campfire Audio Release Supermoon Planar CIEM

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Campfire Release a Solid-body Custom-Fit In-Ear Monitor featuring a new custom Planar Magnetic Driver

Campfire have released the Supermoon, a Planar Magnetic custom IEM; they are a brand that often takes risks, be it in design or sound signature. It is notoriously hard to make a small planar sound good, and offering it in a custom fit earphone makes it even more interesting, Campfire Audio have done this so they can optimise the performance of the driver for each individuals ear shape.

Campfire Audio have tuned the Supermoon to sound coherent and balanced, but I would not say they are a studio neutral sounding earphone, with a mild sub-bass lift and effortless treble they are mildly u-shaped without making vocals sound recessed. We have a demo set in universal fit, so book an appointment if you want to hear these (they will also be at CanJam London).

Campfire Audio offer two different fit options, artist-fit and audiophile-fit, with artist fit offering up a more traditional deeper fit and audiophile offering up a more comfortable fit due to a shorter nozzle, perfect for long listening sessions.

Campfire Audio use a unique Solid-Body design – When crafting the solid body of the earphone, the design is 3D printed as a single component before being meticulously hand-finished. Putting the work into the earphone design before the print means the only moving part in Supermoon is the diaphragm. This also means that the earphones you will receive will be a robust and reliable partner.

Full Details HERE

Buy them now: https://www.hifiheadphones.co.uk/products/campfire-audio-supermoon

64 Audio Nio Review

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64 Audio’s latest hybrid creation give you a bit of everything, from studio neutrality to hard hitting bass, all the while retaining a very refined sound signature.

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Fit and Comfort

The Nio are the same shape as the rest of the 64 Audio universal line-up, which have quite an interesting shape and is a tried and tested design. Offering up smooth edges with a good length nozzle for a secure fit and great comfort. Once you settle on the right size tips for your ear canals, they fit securely with the new included cable being more ergonomic and comfortable.

Compatibility

With high sensitivity (105db dB/mW) and low impedance (6? @1kHz) the Nio are easy to drive out of most sources, and they use 64 Audio’s LID technology which means the sound signature shouldn’t drastically change beween sources. This isn’t to say they don’t benefit from higher end sources though, as things like resolution and detail are important and they definitely scale up with better source equipment.

The Nio use 64 Audio’s apex modules, these help relieve internal ear pressure along with offering different levels of isolation and also slightly different sound signatures. Normally you get an M15 and M20 module, which offer 15dB and 20dB reduction in outside noise respectively, by new for the Nio is the MX module which offers a mere 10dB reduction of outside noise. The more isolation, the more bass is the rough rule of thumb, and the lower the isolation the more open and airy the sound is.

Sound

Bass:

The low end on the Nio is very dynamic and depending on the module used you can range from full bodied to neutral in presence. One thing that always stands out on 64 Audio models is how well controlled and refined the sound is. They can offer up more than enough punch to satisfy most needs but the bass never becomes bloated. It offers a solid foundation for the rest of the sound, and is very articulate. There is great depth to the Nio, and the use of a dynamic driver here works really well here. The M20 module gives you a slight lift in sub-bass and moderately more mid-bass punch over the M15 which is more linear and the MX which is very controlled and not boosted. One thing that stands out here is the coherency and fluidity of which the bass blends in to the midrange.

Midrange:

Depending on the module used the lower midrange changes slightly, with the MX giving the most neutral and least coloured presentation whilst the M20 adds a little body and smoothness to the lower midrange that makes things sound a little fuller. The Nio has excellent control overall and the midrange is crisp and clean, yet tonally accurate. There isn’t any peak in the upper midrange to bring out sibilance, instead you get a linear and intimate insight into the recording. The layering is good and you can easily pick apart the recording without any difficulty. The MX definitely sounds like it reveals a bit more micro-detail over the M20, so it greatly depends on your personal preference.

Treble:

64 Audio are using their usual tia driver up top and these drivers really do offer up excellent resolution and an openness that other BA drivers fall short of. The M20 gives the smoothest sounding treble due to the increased bass response but it still has good presence and resolution. Using the MX still gives the most open and airy treble as would be expected but it never falls onto the side of being harsh or bright. There is refinement up top without sounding too present, yet there is excellent detail retrieval and effortless extension on hand. Overall the treble is always present, allowing the Nio to sound well balanced without any fatigue inducing spikes.

Genres and Soundstaging

The Nio is a superb all-rounder, due to the different Apex modules. The M20 giving you a full bodied sound with good impact while the M15 gives a well balanced and refined sound. In addition, the MX giving a close to neutral presentation without much emphasis on any part of the spectrum. This means they play well with pretty much anything you throw at them, the control down low and the layering means they don’t sound congested with complex mixes either.

The soundstaging varies slightly with the modules, with the MX giving the most air and space. But overall it is wider than it is tall and there is good separation between instruments and layers.

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HiFiHeadphones Top 10 Audio Products of 2021

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We have had some fantastic products this year, including the new Audeze LCD-5 which are some of the best headphones on the market. The 64 Audio U6t which brings their most popular custom IEM to the masses for a very reasonable price and the SoundMAGIC P23BT proving that you really can get excellent sound from a budget pair of headphones. We want to hear your questions about audio and headphones, so leave them in the comments and we will try and do a Q&A in the near future.

ALL FEATURED PRODUCTS:

Audeze LCD-5 Product Release

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For the past decade, Audeze’s LCD series has set the standard for planar magnetic headphone performance. Starting with the LCD-2 that ushered in a new era of planar technology in 2009, they then introduced the LCD-3 in 2011 and LCD-4 in 2015. With the LCD-5, everything has been improved – drivers, earpads, frame design – to set a new standard for performance and comfort.

The LCD-5 sets a new standard for accuracy. Its drivers are engineered with their award-winning Fluxor magnets and updated Fazor waveguides along with their new Patent-pending Parallel Uniforce™ voice coils, which employ varying width parallel traces to keep the impedance low and provide increased voltage headroom by altering the current density within each trace. The uniform force created by this optimization lowers distortion and provides better control over diaphragm movement, resulting in improved sonic resolution.

Weighing in at only 420 grams, the LCD-5 offers hours of listening pleasure. Every part has been re-engineered, using materials such as magnesium, aluminium and acetate which offer light weight and high rigidity. When you put on a pair of LCD-5s, your head and ears are cradled in materials of the finest quality. Supple premium leather and carbon-fibre pull all the elements together into a package of the finest craftsmanship, which are hand-assembled in their California workshop.

The LCD-5 cable is specially tuned with directional OCC high-purity copper strands that provide a low capacitance and low resistance path for the signal to travel from your amp to the drivers, maintaining unsurpassed clarity and precision.

Available to pre-order now: https://www.hifiheadphones.co.uk/products/audeze-lcd-5-open-back-headphones-with-detachable-cable-leather

Campfire Audio Mammoth Hybrid Earphone Review

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

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Fit and Comfort

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

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

Compatibility

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

Sound

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

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

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

Soundstaging and Genres

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

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

Who are they for?

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

Conclusion

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

New O400 Earphone from Oriveti

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Oriveti may fly under the radar for many audio enthusiasts, but they sure do know how to make some of the best value for money earphones in the industry. The new O400 is no different, offering up a high quality finish with excellent sound quality, what’s not to love?

The new Oriveti O400 featuring 4 custom tuned balanced armature drivers with a custom crossover network in a hand made resin shell you can tell a lot of attention has been put in to the earphones. The O400 has been paired with an 8-wire silver plated copper along with a huge selection of tips including the much loved Azla SednaEarfit™ Xelastec. The drivers are split evenly across the range: 1 Treble BA, 1 Bass BA, 1 Mid-treble, 1 Bass-Mid  BA – this allows for minimal distortion and increased range and separation.

The O400 are nice and easy to drive at 10 Ohms and 112dB +-3dB/mW, 1000Hz sensitivity, however as with any multi-driver earphone they do definitely benefit from having a good source powering them.

Oriveti have tuned the O400 to have a balanced, natural and wide sound signature – with a subtle lift in the sub-bass region and a clean and crisp midrange, the treble is airy and transparent but without nasty peaks or induce harshness.

These are available now and for only £399

Oriveti O800 8-Driver Earphone Review

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

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Fit and Comfort

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

Compatibility

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

Sound

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

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

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

Genres and Soundstaging

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

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

Conclusion

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

Shanling release new M8 digital audio player (DAP) – Now available

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The Shanling M8 has been announced, and it looks to be a very impressive portable audio solution. With all of the latest specs and packed with features, the Shanling M8 is definitely a DAP to look out for.

The M8 adopts a brand new system of interchangeable headphone sockets, developed by Shanling themselves. This system makes it possible to provide all the needed connection standards, while keeping cleaner looks and a better optimized internal design. Four different options are available and come supplied with the M8 – 2.5, 3.5, 4.4 and 3.5 pro.

With a massive 7000 mAh battery, the M8 can manage up to 14 hours of continuous playback once fully charged. The M8 also comes with a bigger, brighter and sharper screen than their previous models – for an even better user experience in all conditions.

The analogue circuit of the Shanling M8 was designed around a pair of high-performing AKM flagship DACs, with in house developed I/V conversion stage and fully balanced amplifier. Offering reference class performance, while keeping to Shanling’s smooth, pleasing and slightly warm sound.

Qualcomm’s Bluetooth 5.0 chipset assures stable connection and low latency. And the best sound quality is achieved thanks to the support of advanced Bluetooth Codecs.

Transmit: LDAC / LHDC / aptX HD / SBC

Receive: LDAC / LHDC / aptX HD / aptX LL / aptX / AAC / SBC

Features

  • Hi-Res Audio + Hi-Res Wireless Audio certification
  • Perfect match for all headphone types
  • Equipped with top of the line AKM AK4499EQ DACs
  • Interchangeable socket system with 3.5mm, 2.5mm, 4.4mm and 3.5 Pro
  • 24GHz/5G Wi-Fi streaming with MU-MIMO technology
  • Wirless file transfer, remote control, DLNA, airplay and OTA firmware updates
  • 5-inch full HD touchscreen
  • 14 hours continuous play on single charge + QuickCharge
  • Graphite cooling system

The Shanling M8 is available to buy now for £1649

Campfire Audio Dorado 2020 Review

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The Dorado 2020 combine the power of the Atlas driver, with the clarity from an added BA driver to provide a clean yet impactful sound signature.

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Fit and Comfort

The Dorado 2020 follow the same shape as the Vega 2020 previously reviewed, I find the shape of the housing and the length of the nozzle both contribute to a well fitting and comfortable earphone. There are no sharp edges to cause discomfort or create pressure points and once you find the right tips they are easy to wear for hours on end. The smoky litz cable is soft and this helps with the overall wearing comfort of the Dorado 2020.

Compatibility

The Dorado 2020 has similar sensitivity to the Vega 2020 (94 dB SPL @ 1kHz: 18.52 mVrs), meaning they will just about work out of your regular mobile phone but definitely sound their best when paired with a more powerful dedicated portable player.

Sound

Bass: The Dorado 2020 uses a similar dynamic driver to the Atlas and the Vega 2020, meaning you have that excellent low end warmth and extension whilst also having control when called for. This particular dynamic driver has incredible depth, digging deep in to the sub-bass without any distortion or roll-off. It has moderate punch but it focusses more on warmth and body, compared to overall visceral punch. Play the right tracks and the low end is excellent with real presence and thickness to it. Sometimes however it can be a little too much and overwhelm the overall balance, but for the most part it imparts warmth without taking too much away overall.

Midrange: The midrange is overall quite clear on the Dorado 2020, not as laid back as the Vega 2020 there is a more upfront presentation along with more apparent detail due to the addition of the extra driver. This BA driver really starts to come out in the midrange, giving a clean cut vocal and guitar presentation, however this is a bit of a lift in the upper midrange that tends to bring out a bit of sibilance in certain recordings. This can be toned down with the right ear tips though and isn’t overly problematic. The bass does sometimes overwhelm the midrange in certain tracks but the midrange is a lot cleaner here than the more relaxed Vega 2020.

Treble: Here we have a lot of energy and presence, with a mild u-shaped sound signature overall the Dorado 2020 have a couple of little peaks that bring out a bit more sparkle in the treble. They are not what I would consider to be bright, but they don’t hold back and can be a little brash during certain tracks. They are a bit more up front and exciting than the Vega 2020, and get your feet tapping a bit easier. You definitely don’t miss a beat up top with the Dorado, but those who are a little more treble sensitive might want to use some foam ear tips to tone it down a little.

Genres and Soundstaging

Well the big low end lends itself well to electronic music and modern pop, but the clarity overall is good for most rock music too. Acoustic works well and the bass becomes a little more behaved with such tracks, but if you listen to jazz and classical these are not really the right kind of earphone for that.

The soundstaging is really good on the Dorado 2020, with plenty of space and the BA driver helps open it up and place instruments.


Vs Solaris 2020

It only feels right to compare these to the Solaris 2020 but first off keep in mind Solaris 2020 is more expensive and has more drivers. But saying that, the Solaris sounds much more refined and grown up than the brash and energetic Dorado 2020. They have quite a different presentation but both aim for a more fun and bassy signature, the Solaris is smoother and there are fewer peaks in the treble, the Dorado 2020 are much more in your face and energetic.

The low end on the Solaris 2020 is a bit more impactful, whereas the Dorado 2020 have more of a sub-bass focus, with more warmth. Picking between the two is not necessarily easy, but I feel the Solaris 2020 is the better all-rounder, whereas the Dorado 2020 is more energetic at the risk of sounding a bit unrefined and thus less smooth and balanced overall.

Conclusion

The Dorado 2020 is an interesting proposition from Campfire Audio, you have the more balanced Andromeda 2020 for the same price if you want a closer to neutral sound, and you have the more expensive Solaris 2020 for an extra £400 that gives a similar signature in a more refined package. Then again we have the Vega 2020 for less, which is more laid back and less energetic than the Dorado 2020. They have designed the Dorado 2020 to be fun, in your face, energetic and a little brash, which can be a lot of fun, but also sometimes fatiguing depending on your threshold. If you are tired of boring earphones, the Dorado 2020 might be just what you are looking for.

You can see from the graph that the Dorado 2020 has a healthy bass boost but the treble is a bit more present and sparkly with the Dorado 2020 compared to the previously reviewed Vega 2020, along with a bit more presence in the midrange.

Campfire Audio Vega 2020 Review

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The Vega 2020 are fun. They hit hard and dig deep with good detail retrieval and a coherent yet full bodied sound signature overall.

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Fit and Comfort

The Vega 2020 are ergonomically designed, with a slim and smooth housing allowing for a comfortable fit. Once you find the right tips they fit in securely and the smoky litz cable is still one of my favourite stock earphone cables. The ceramic shell is really well finished and looks great in white, the stainless nozzle is similar to other Campfire models and helps with getting the right insertion depth and angle.

Compatibility

The Vega 2020 are not the most sensitive earphones around (94 dB SPL @ 1kHz: 19.86 mVrs), which means they do enjoy a little more power than some out there. They will be driven ok with a smartphone but definitely work best when paired with a clean and neutral sounding DAP with good power output.

Sound

Bass: The Vega 2020 are tuned with bass in mind, these are not a balanced or remotely neutral sounding earphone. Providing you give them the right music they really can be a lot of fun, the sub-bass presence is truly impressive and there is moderate punch too. They don’t slam quite as hard as the Polaris II, but they have better sub-bass performance, leading to a fuller and more mellow presentation over the more visceral punch of the Polaris II. If you enjoy a full bodied earphone the Vega 2020 might well suit your needs, but the sub-bass can be a little dominating on certain tracks.

Midrange: The midrange is quite relaxed on the Vega 2020, it takes a step back from the bass and just kinds sits there doing nothing particularly remarkable. The bass does occasionally throw off the balance of the midrange due to it’s power, but overall the midrange is well layered and separated with good detail retrieval. Where it does do well is smoothness, there is never a hint of harshness or sibilance in the midrange, it’s very easy going. Acoustic tracks seem to play well on the Vega 2020, as the sub-bass doesn’t come out and overpower the midrange as much, leaving guitars and vocals to shine through with a pleasant warmth.

Treble: The treble, much like the midrange, has a fatigue free presentation with a slight lift in the upper treble to bring out some sparkle. There is good energy up top but ultimately it is still not up front or overly exciting. There is good tonality in the treble region with realistic sounding cymbal crashes and synths sound great too. They are not tuned to be overly critical up top, and that’s not a problem here because they are supposed to be a laid back, full bodied and warm sounding earphone whilst retaining good detail and clarity overall.

Genres and Soundstaging

The Vega 2020 lend their hand to modern pop / R&B / Hip-Hop and also electronic based genres, the bass really shows what it can do with these genres whilst the midrange and treble stay fatigue free and smooth. Acoustic music also sounds impressive with a pleasant warm tilt overall. The sub-bass can be a little too dominating when listening to things like jazz.

Soundstaging is usually a strong point for Campfire Audio, the Vega 2020 doesn’t disappoint with pinpoint accuracy but I wouldn’t say they are the widest sounding IEM’s for the price. Imaging, separation and layering however are all great.

The Vega 2020 have me torn, during some slower rock tracks I find the bass too strong and overwhelming, however I have a feeling someone at Campfire Audio is a Slipknot fan. It happened with the Solaris 2020 and now the Vega 2020, they suddenly sound tight and controlled with great clarity and speed whilst still retaining a highly energetic and fun sound. It also shows how different recordings make a big difference in the end presentation, there’s some sort of synergy between Slipknot’s mixing and Campfire’s tuning and it rocks!

Conclusion

The Vega 2020 are not an earphone I would recommend to people looking for a balanced all rounder, but they would be the perfect addition to someone’s collection if they are looking for something fun. Big bass followed by smooth mids and treble all come together to create a coherent, full and warm sound signature. They are incredibly fun to listen to with the right music and the right source, along with being extremely comfortable.

In the frequency graph we can see the sub-bass lift that provides body and warmth, along with a good treble performance to prevent them from sounding overly dark. The peak at 6kHz does bring out some energy in the treble, and the 10kHz aids with the airy extension.

Shanling MW200 Review

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The Shanling MW200 allows you to listen to your IEM’s wirelessly, with excellent Bluetooth implementation and sound quality.

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Design and Functionality

The MW200 is a neckband Bluetooth cable that allows you to convert your MMCX earphones into a Bluetooth set. It’s a flexible rubber neckband with solid plastic end parts that house the electronics and controls, these are finished with a tempered glass faceplate. It’s a well built, and good looking neckband that is also comfortable in use. The cable sections I feel are a little too long though, and could have about 3-4cm cut off without hindering the fit. The cable section has moulded ear hooks so it is for use with earphones that fit over-ear rather than straight down.

Feature wise you get full controls on the left side of the MW200, with volume controls (these are separate from the sources volume), play/pause and on/off. You can also use the play/pause to skip tracks, and there is a microphone on the unit for calls. The MW200 supports all the latest Bluetooth codecs for the highest quality Bluetooth playback (Aptx and LDAC etc…). The MW200 paired easily and the range seems very good, battery life is also great at up to 11hrs in LDAC mode and 14 in SBC. There is plenty of volume to power most IEM’s currently on the market too.

Sound

I’ve mainly been using the MW200 with Final’s flagship IEM the A8000, because they really are ruthlessly revealing of the source material and also enjoy a bit of power behind them. I’m glad to report that the MW200 doesn’t have any problems with noise, and there isn’t any noticeable hiss when using it. I will mention that I have also been using it with LDAC from my Pixel 3a using Qobuz streaming.

The MW200 has good power and volume, there is plenty of detail and an overall crisp and clean sound. Of course, Bluetooth is still limited and there was a drop in resolution over playing the A8000 out of a high-end DAP. However when out and about this drop is not as noticeable as when critically listening, and the MW200 does a truly great job at decoding and amplifying the signal. I was really testing the limits of the MW200 by using it with the A8000, but pair it with something a bit more affordable like the Oriveti OH300 and you get a superb sounding wireless setup for under £500. Much better than any current wireless offering on the market at least.

The MW200 really doesn’t impart much of it’s own sound on to the IEM’s of choice, which is great in my opinion, you can get the Shanling app though which includes an EQ. This EQ does not work when using LDAC codec though. If you are used to using your IEM’s with an excellent source, please remember there will be slightly lower resolution, mostly in the treble region, again this is more a limitation of Bluetooth and not necessarily the MW200’s fault.

Conclusion

There are not a lot of good solutions for making wired IEM’s wireless, at least not with good quality anyway. The MW200 is excellent when it comes to the sound and functionality, it is also comfortable. The only drawback I see if the length of cable that goes to your ear, it is just a little too long. If you have good IEM’s and want a convenient solution for portable use, the MW200 comes highly recommended, with only a slight dip in sound quality over wired use.

Campfire Audio Spring 2020 Product Launch – New Releases

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Campfire Audio announces spring 2020 product launch, with new additions to their earphone range.

Available to PRE-ORDER now

Campfire Audio, the Portland, Oregon based boutique headphone and earphone specialist, has announced their new releases for spring 2020 – the newly updated Solaris 2020 and Andromeda 2020, and the brand-new Ara 7-driver earphone.

As part of the product launch, Campfire Audio has updated two of their most popular earphone models – Andromeda and Solaris.

Campfire Audio Andromeda 2020 – £1099 – $1099

The new Andromeda 2020 has been updated with the new solid-body internal acoustic chamber, which has been designed to enhance the sound of the classic Andromeda with more detail retrieval and improved vocal presence.

Included with the Andromeda 2020 is the new cork zipper case in Green – hand made in Portugal.

Campfire Audio Solaris 2020 – £1499 – $1499

The new Solaris 2020 will be 20% smaller than the original version, with a new all black finish and a new solid-body internal acoustic chamber design – 3D printed to provide more controlled tuning and even more reliability.

There are also new updates to the included accessories, with a new ‘Super Smokey Litz’ silver plated copper cable fitted with moulded ear hooks (no memory wire), and a new sustainably harvested cork zipper case in Brown – hand made in Portugal.

Commenting on the new updates, Caleb Rosenau, Campfire Audio’s VP said: “This is our first significant refresh of Andromeda and Solaris since their original product launch. Both models are appreciable improvements upon their predecessors, and we think people will enjoy the changes we’ve made to them.”

Campfire Audio Ara – £1299 – $1299

A brand-new addition to Campfire Audio’s range has also been announced – the Ara.
The new Ara uses titanium shells which house seven balanced armature drivers inside each earphone, with dual high, single mid and quad low drivers arranged inside the new solid-body internal acoustic chamber design. Campfire Audio’s most ambitious release to date.

Commenting on the Ara, Caleb Rosenau added: “Ara is a new design with seven drivers that has a very resolving and appealing sound signature for the audiophile.”

Tech Specs

Andromeda 2020

  • 5 BA drivers + T.A.E.C.™ (Dual High + Single Mid + Dual Low)
  • All new Solid-Body internal acoustic chamber design
  • ‘Emerald’ Green Anodized Finish with Stainless Steel Screws
  • New Stainless Steel Spout
  • Updated Round MMCX
  • SPL: 112.8 @ 1k
  • Frequency Response: 10Hz – 28kHz
  • Earphone Impedance: 12.8 Ohm @ 1k

Solaris 2020

  • Hybrid Design;
    Dual Balanced Armature + T.A.E.C.™
    Single Mid Balanced Armature,
    10mm ADLC Diaphragm Dynamic Driver + Polarity Tuned Chamber.
  • All new Solid-Body internal acoustic chamber design
  • Black PVD Finish with Gold PVD Screws.
  • Stainless Steel Spout
  • Round Beryllium / Copper MMCX
  • SPL: 115dB @ 1k
  • Frequency Response: 5Hz – 20kHz
  • Earphone Impedance: 15.5 Ohm @ 1k

Ara

  • 7 BA drivers + T.A.E.C.™ (Dual High + Single Mid + Quad Low)
  • The solid-Body internal acoustic chamber design
  • Titanium Shell (Grade 2 Titanium) with Black PVD Screws
  • Black Stainless Steel Spout
  • Round Beryllium / Copper MMCX
  • SPL: 93dB @ 1k
  • Frequency Response: 10-26kHz
  • Earphone Impedance: 8.5 Ohm @1k

 

 

Campfire Audio Solaris 2020 Review

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Refreshed for 2020 the classic Campfire Audio Solaris have been reshaped to be 20% smaller along with a new Solid-Body internal acoustic chamber. Don’t worry though, that famously energetic sound is here to stay.

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Aesthetics and Build Quality

The new 2020 Solaris now sport a more understated colour scheme, but don’t worry they are finished in a lovely glossy black that is incredibly reflective. They will still catch your eye, but now don’t stand out quite so much which in my opinion is a bonus. They come with the newer smoky jacket super litz cable which is more ergonomic over the previous design. Personally I like the new colours, but I feel some will still prefer the previous gold colour scheme.

Build quality is like every other Campfire Audio model, superb. They know how to pull off some impressive designs, with incredible CNC skills and an impeccable finish. You cannot faulty the all metal build quality, and the cable is well relieved, all this leads to an IEM that should see you through for a long time.

Comfort

With the old Solaris, the most common comment and complaint was about their size and fit. The new 2020 edition slims down their shell size by 20% whilst keeping the same driver configuration. Now I personally suffer from small ears and narrow canals, and the original never fit me too well. The new 2020 edition fit better, they don’t quite fit flush and that will be reserved for those with bigger ears; however they do fit securely and comfortably so this is a big bonus.

Sound

Bass: That hard hitting, all powerful Solaris bass is here to stay, for all but the most hardcore bassheads there will be more than enough low end grunt. They are however still very well controlled, there is always going to be a sense of warmth and body to the sound thanks to the generous low end, however it manages to not interfere with the rest of the sound too much. Sub-bass is easily audible, the mid-bass hits with authority when asked to, however they are articulate and handle most genres with ease. The Solaris 2020 are tuned for fun, not for reference listening like the Andromeda, and they sure do deliver a very engaging and enjoyable sound.

Midrange: As previously stated the low end might be full bodied, but it does stay well controlled with minimal impact on the rest of the sound. The transition into the midrange is very well handled, there is a little bleed but the midrange still manages to cut through with great clarity and separation. The midrange might not be up front and centre stage, however it is well placed, slightly behind the lows, and has good tonality. It is impressive how layered and detailed the midrange manages to be, and yet at the same time it is always smooth, the transition into the treble is very well handled with no harsh sibilance. The midrange comes across as natural and real, and the layering really helps place instruments and vocal tracks within the soundstage.

Treble: These are not a bright earphone, they are also not incredibly v-shaped which tends to be a trend with a more bass oriented tuning. The top end is smooth, organic and refined, there is enough presence to keep things from sounding dull but they never overstep the line to becoming fatiguing. Cymbals are just where they need to be and come crashing in around the midrange with great precision and tonality and they extend with ease. They always maintain expert control without any peaks, there is a great sense of air up top and overall I really enjoy how real they sound.

Whilst reviewing these, I had Override by Slipknot come on, and this track really highlights what the Solaris 2020 can do. A heavy wall of drums and guitars, all perfectly layered but with such a powerful presentation. Corey’s vocals are perfectly isolated and hauntingly realistic, they handle every bit of the mix with ease yet it all comes together in a powerful and coherent sound.

The soundstaging and imaging of the Solaris 2020 are a strong point, with great accuracy when it comes to width, height and placement, yet they remain coherent throughout.

Conclusion

The Solaris 2020 are more comfortable and ergonomic, they are also a little more refined in their sound delivery with a slightly wider soundstage and more focused midrange. They are most definitely still a Solaris, but are now a little more refined, yet still manage to produce an impressively hard hitting sound. Definitely an IEM to demo in the sub £1500 price range.