Tag Archives: audiophile

Shure SRH1840 Review – Yes We Shure Can!

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Shure 1840

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

Audiofly Performance Series In-Ear Monitors and Snugs Ear Docks

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How do the Audiofly performance series with Snugs sleeves sound? As you would expect, the whole range has superb detail retrieval and very impressive instrument separation, calm but with crisp highs. Bass is deep and textured but sits accurately in the mix. A great combination of beautifully designed products. – See more at: http://www.hifiheadphones.co.uk/reviews/?p=3109&preview=true#sthash.HJBdHl8v.dpuf

Audiofly Performance Series In-Ear Monitors

 

Australian earphone manufacturer Audiofly, have recently released thier range of four beautifully designed Professional In Ear Monitors. Taking on Shure and Westone in this growing Professional monitoring corner of the market is a big job, but the Performance Series IEMs are more than up to the task. The Performance series have been designed to be used by touring musicians or music lovers who demand the very best sound in a tiny package. They all feature multi driver arrangements, with the top two models also sporting a super tough replaceable version of the cable and leather carry case.

 

Snugs Ear Docks

The Snugs story began like a lot of product innovations, out of dissatisfaction with what was available on the market and a feeling that there must be a better way to do this. Snugs wanted earphones to fit perfectly and never fall out, ever! To shut the noisy modern world and feel like wearing a soft pair of gloves. By creating soft silicone custom fitted sleeves for their favourite brands, as used by musicians and TV presenters, they’ve really nailed it!

 

How do the Audiofly performance series with Snugs sleeves sound? As you would expect, the whole range has superb detail retrieval and very impressive instrument separation, calm but with crisp highs. Bass is deep and textured but sits accurately in the mix. A great combination of beautifully designed products.

 

Snugs Sound Revolution featuring The New Union

 Audiofly Performance Series In-Ear Monitors and Snugs Ear Docks

 

 

 

 

 

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.

Beyerdynamic T51i Portable Headphones With Mic – Announcement

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The Beyerdynamic T51i is one of the best portable headphones out there. Now they have gone a step further by adding an in-line microphone and smartphone controls – making them the ultimate portable headphone!

HifiHeadphones are happy to announce that the Beyerdynamic T51i is now in stock.

Buy Beyerdynamic T51i Closed Back Headphones with Apple Controls & Mic here

Price – £245.95

Features

  • Convenient 3-button remote control and microphone for phone calls and media playback
  • Outstanding balanced and powerful sound quality
  • Brilliant treble and deep bass reproduction
  • Tesla technology with highest efficiency
  • Excellent ambient noise attenuation
  • Swivelling earcups 90°
  • Foldable headband design
  • Made in Germany

DUNU DN-900 Earphone Review

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Verdict

The DUNU DN-900 is a well built, hybrid in-ear headphone. The bass is punchy without overcrowding, with spacious mids and smooth highs – these earphones perfectly combine power and detail.

Pros

  • Frequency response can be fine tuned
  • Generous range of extras/accessories
  • Very clear bass and mid-range

Cons

  • High-frequency roll-off (if you like a brighter sound)
  • Case oversized for everyday use
  • Tuning rings easily lost if not careful
  • Cable can get tangled

As with all segments of the headphone market, the £100 – £200 bracket is hotly contested with innovation pushing sales as well as gimmicks. The hybrid drivers within the DUNU DN-900 are becoming commonplace among IEMs, but the tuning rings which are supplied with the DN-900 are not so commonly found. Given that we all have our pet sound signatures and preferred frequency responses, have DUNU released a self-adjustable gem?

Key Features

Perhaps most unusual about the DN-900 is the inclusion of the tuning rings; it’s always nice to have a bit of tweakability and it’s fun to experiment. However, be sure that you are changing the eartips and rings while sat at a table, or similar. The rings can jump off the nozzles and roll out of your life for ever if you aren’t careful. It would have been better to have a more ‘trouser clip’ style ring which stays on the nozzle.

First Impressions

Naturally enough, once out of the packaging, the first thing I noticed was the professional quality Pelican-style case. It’s a lovely item if bright yellow is your thing but it won’t fit in a pocket, nor is having your IEMs packed away in a bag or case the most practical place to have them. I would be utilising another case or pouch from somewhere else, while this case might lie unused in a drawer.

Sound Quality

The sound seems very mid-centric at first, with strong yet well shaped bass response. The most noticeable thing is the higher-frequency roll-off but this takes only a minute to get used to. I tried the rings in turn..

Silver gives a good bass grunt with midrange clear and even, and the higher frequencies rolled off. Blue appears bassier in the mid-bass area with a more pronouced and open midrange, while red is bassier again with some more low-bass creeping in and mellower mids. High frequencies are not affected by any of the rings but the blue’s effect on the midrange sits next to the highs better for me.

After trying the DN-900 with the Astell&Kern K120, I was very happy with the sound. Driving bass underpinned some very fluid and involving mids, with higher frequencies just managing to show their faces enough to keep the party atmosphere going.

The following impressions were gained using the blue rings and the AK120:

Frankie Goes to Hollywood – Two Tribes (Blank and Jones reconstruction)

The bass has good texture and impact going into the sub-bass slightly, mid range works well with male vocals and backing. Soundstage is good and wide with a great sense of space. Imaging is also good. The rolled-off highs did not give any problems.

Dub Syndicate – Mafia

Bass is very full and impactful with good slam. It is quite boomy on this track but dub calls for it! Midrange is still clear and separate – the piano parts are very distinct. Highs lend a touch to harmonics but otherwise linger in the background. Soundstage is as wide as the music requires, delay is headshaking.

Summary

The DUNU DN-900 is perfect for the tracks that were tried with them. They will satisfy any basshead but will not add bass which is not there and cloud things – midrange is spacious and lively. Again, the higher frequencies may be a problem for fans of this part of the frequency spectrum; but if like some you’re a little sensitive to it, the DN-900 should fit like a glove.

Score – 9/10

Dita Audio The Answer IEM Earphones – Truth Edition – Review

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Dita Audio The Answer IEM Earphones – Truth Edition – See more at: http://www.hifiheadphones.co.uk/dita-audio-the-answer-iem-earphones-truth-edition.html#sthash.UQLlq1VS.dpuf
Dita Audio The Answer IEM Earphones – Truth Edition – See more at: http://www.hifiheadphones.co.uk/dita-audio-the-answer-iem-earphones-truth-edition.html#sthash.UQLlq1VS.dpuf

Dita Audio The Answer IEM Earphones – Truth Edition – Review

Summary

The Answer Truth Edition is a dynamically driven IEM with a single 10mm driver; Dita Audio wanted to go for the simplest design in order to deliver the purest audio, according to their literature. Since balanced armature technology requires crossovers, multiple drivers and all the related gubbins, Dita went for the less complicated dynamic route. And why not? We’ve all been shown the power and finesse of the dynamic principle through Sennheiser’s excellent IE800s – they can be every bit as detailed and impactful as any well put together BA based driver.

Price – £599.95

HifiHeadphones rating – 9/10

Dita Audio The Answer IEM Earphones – Truth Edition

New company Dita has made a splash lately with two significant IEMs; ‘The Answer’ and ‘The Answer (Truth edition)’ – the cable being ‘The Truth’. ..and I thought telling lies could get complicated!

If you forgot what the question was, it’s something like ‘what’s the best IEM man can come up with’? I reckon this response is fitting.

A benevolent deity has bestowed a pair of each model upon us and we have dutifully had a go; for this review I have stuck to the pricier ‘Truth Edition’ but for a quick impression of the non-Truth Dita, please scroll down to the ‘verdict’ part.

Pros

  • Well built with solid capsules
  • Weighted to lean into the ear – unlikely to fall out
  • Stout strong cable
  • Good range of eartips which can fine tune frequency response
  • Good extras – 2 quality travel cases included

Cons

  • Cable can be a little stiff but not too bad
  • Some might prefer a removeable cable

Key Features

The cable on the ‘Truth Edition’ is what gives the IEM its name; it is a Van Den Hul cable with whom Dita cooperated in order to get the best signal to the driver. The cable covering has a little window on it so the quality can be seen – it is certainly substantial. Other than that, there are no features other than the end product – the sound. Much like record players, the less you get on them as extras and gadgets, the better the sound will generally be. This is Dita’s philosophy.

First Impressions

The build quality is the first thing to be noticed. These are not heavy or unweildy IEMs, but the impression I have is that they were designed to be used in a war of some kind, or by very careless people. The build quality is very solid.

Sound Quality

The Answer (Truth Edition) lives up to expectations for a premium IEM; detail is exceptional and there is plenty of space in the presentation whether things are busy or not; there’s an effortless quality. Harmonics are not lost on these IEMs, everything is reproduced, and faithfully.

Not to say that these Answer/Truths are neutral; they have a sound which is on the fun side but it is done with real adroitness. There’s an analogue quality which reminds me of the Sennheiser IE800.

Soundstage is generous and imaging is great; it all just hangs together and as per the marketing/literature, the strengths of the single dynamic driver design are right here.

When comparing the two, the IE800 is just a little less forward which suits me. So if you feel that the IE800 is a bit laid back for you, try and dally with the ‘Truth’!

Verdict

Given the quality of Dita’s answers, we should be upping the quality of our questions. ‘How much money have I got?’ might be one such question. The ‘Answer/Truth Edition’ is not cheap, but the best things often aren’t. Given the price, the phrase ‘to be economical with the truth’ may not be so accurate, but there are savings to be made by choosing the ‘Non-Truth’ version which is the same but for a little less detail and a slightly smoother presentation. A very close match for the IE800, and only two thirds of the price at £399.

Chord Electronics Hugo review

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Chord Electronics Hugo review

Introducing the unassuming Hugo from Chord Electronics; the company which is now causing ripples in the portable audio world with this fantastic device.

Time and again we hear that headphones can mean a huge leap in sound quality; but equal to that is the process by which a particular signal reaches the headphones. Get both right and the effect is no less than sublime.

The Hugo is both a DAC and an amp, with a battery which can last a good while between charges, considering the processes it has to power. There are numerous options when it comes to connectivity, even a bluetooth input is available among the more traditional ins and outs.

The Hugo is built from aircraft-grade aluminium and it almost feels as if it designed for military purposes. Also the input controls are in keeping with this theme; they are obviously built to last also, particularly the large recessed volume control which is hard to knock or move accidentally.

 

 

The sound of the Hugo is probably better than a lot of people can imagine; the level of detail and sense of space one can glean from a given recording is out of this world. This is due to the DAC in the Hugo being designed for the Hugo; other designs take pre-existing DAC chips and implement them the best they can.

It consists of a field-programmable gate array, which is configured from the ground up by Chord. Basically it is a custom-made computer which specialises in the highest quality signal conversion.

Inputs include Optical/Toslink, Coaxial, bluetooth, and USB; with an extra HD USB input for operation to 384kHz in PCM format. Outputs feature 2 x 3.5mm sockets (these are slightly recessed and may give trouble, for instance with Earsonics in-ears), one 6.35mm socket and stereo RCA outs. Chord is aware that the Hugo is likely to be used as a DAC for full-size systems and accordingly it is possible to set the output volume to line-level for this purpose.

The effect of all this extra detail (even with 44.1kHz/16-bit recordings) is to vastly increase the sense of space and movement within the performace or recording, making it so much more realistic and captivating. Frequency response is virtually unchanged, so your favourite headphones should not take any rapid departures from their usual sound if used with the Hugo.

 

 

It is difficult to get across how much better music sounds with the Hugo, while nobody is a stranger to the potential benefit of the money this item costs! Therefore we welcome enquiries about our listening room; we are confident that the sound of the Hugo will alter your perceptions..!

Beyerdynamic A2 Headphone Amp

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Beyerdynamic A2 Headphone Amp

The Beyerdynamic A2 Headphone Amp is now available to purchase from our on-line store. (please call 01903 768910 for further information.

The A2 is Beyerdynamic’s new addition to their range of audiophile headphone amplifiers. Newly developed from scratch and already awarded with the renowned”Red Dot Award: Product Design 2014″, the A2 headphone amplifier does not only impress with its unbelievably natural and powerful airy sound, but also with its clear and high-quality design.

Main Features

  • Discrete electronics for best audio reproduction
  • Amazingly natural and brilliant sound reproduction with an excellent resolution and spatiality
  • Two parallel headphone outputs for two listeners to enjoy music simultaneously
  • Convenient remote control for all functions
  • Slide switches for selectable gain and impedance
  • Headphone stand included (can be mounted to the A2) for compact storage of headphones
  • Elegant design with transparent glass cover enabling you to look at the illuminated interior