Tag Archives: earphones

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:

Eartips! The guide by HiFiHeadphones

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So you’ve just invested in some good earphones, but you have no idea whether you are getting the most out of them?

Here is our definitive guide on eartips and first thing first: There are a lot of people who take their earphones out of the box, put them in their ears and think that’s it, let’s listen to some tunes. Little do most people know is that taking a bit time to figure out which eartips fit best. Will help a long way to get the best sound quality from along with a secure fit.

Most earphones have a set of tips fitted to them out of the box, these tend to be a medium size silicone tip – which will fit quite a few peoples ears but it’s worth looking in the box or case for the rest of them to try out the different sizes.

eartip guide

Finding the right Seal

Ear canal width doesn’t seem to depend on how big or tall a person is, so we would recommend trying the smallest size first to see if this provides a good seal – you should be able to tell you have a good seal as they will effectively block out outside noises and when you speak it will sound very odd (occlusion effect). The earphones should not fall out of your ear either, if the tip is too small they will have a tendency to fall out, so try the next size up.

Another way you will tell you have achieved a good seal is the bass should be present, if there is a distinct lack of bass (unless the earphones are specifically tuned this way) a poor seal is often the cause of this problem. A poor seal often is the cause of earphones sounding thin, tinny and lacking body – this is because in-ear earphones rely on an air-tight seal to deliver the sound pressure waves to your eardrum, disrupt this and the pressure isn’t there so you lose out on a big part of the sound.

Lack of Bass?

This is also one of the most common reasons for people returning earphones – lack of bass – and often we find that the other sizes of eartips are still in their packet and haven’t been touched.

When it comes to actually inserting the earphones, with silicone tips you can sort of just push them in, but using the below method to gently pull the top of your ear up and back will allow the canal to open slightly and makes it easier to insert your earphones. With memory foam tips, you need to roll them between your fingers to compress them before inserting and letting the foam expand, there is a small window before them start to expand and with practice you should get used to compressing and inserting them swiftly and efficiently.

Materials – Silicone

The most common eartip material will be silicone, but not all silicone tips are created equal and they come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. More budget earphones will often come with just 3 pairs of standard single flange silicone tips (Small, Medium and Large), more premium products sometimes include different types of silicone tips (different grades / consistency of silicone) or different shapes (bowl, bullet, double and triple flange). Etymotic are well known for their triple flange eartips that offer a deep insertion depth and excellent isolation, at the expense of some comfort. There are a few aftermarket brands of silicone tips that are popular such as Azla SednaEarfit and Spinfit, these both offer premium made tips that are often more comfortable and provide more size options than come in the box of most earphones.

Memory foam

Often also included are memory foam eartips, these have a very different consistency than silicone and often conform to odd shaped ear canals better. Depending on the consistency of the memory foam, these tips do change the sound a little more than silicone tips, often absorbing some of the treble making the earphones sound a little warmer/fuller – this can be a benefit to some but may also rob other models of a little clarity and openness.

Custom tips?

In addition to the above you can often get custom made eartips for many models of high-end earphones, this is something to consider if you wish to have the best comfort and isolation for a pair of earphones you plan to be using for a long time. Doing this means that selling the earphones in the future will be easier than if you decided to go full-custom.

Conclusion

Here at HiFiHeadphones we test and demo a lot of earphones and each member of staff has their go-to eartips. As well as a healthy collection of random ones they have acquired over time it should be added. Some earphones work best with silicone tips, others with foam. But what we do know is that spending some time to find the best tips for your ears definitely helps you to enjoy your music to the fullest. By providing the most comfortable and secure fit for yourself you also get that optimal sound.

Oriveti O400 Quad BA Earphone Review

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Oriveti have a new BA based model, the O400, with a subtle sub-bass lift and a focus on clarity and control.

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Fit and Comfort

The Oriveti O400 have a similar shell design as all the newer O and OH series from Oriveti – a hand crafted resin shell that is smooth and very well finished that has a fairly short nozzle which allows for a shallow to medium insertion depth. They fit well in the ear, but the housings are not the smallest and will stick out a little for those with smaller/odd shaped ears like me.

Comfort is good, the housing shape really helps with this as there are no sharp edges that dig in to your ears, also the nozzle is a good angle and lenght to fit most people securely without the insertion depth being too intrusive. The cable has a pre-moulded section of memory wire which is very comfortable, and the cable is soft and comfortable in use.

Compatibility

The O400 uses 4 Balanced Armature drivers, they are Knowles drivers and split between ultra-low/low-mid/mid-high/high frequencies. The O400 have an impedance of 15Ohms and a sensitivity rating of 110+-3dB/mW @1000Hz – this means they are very easy to drive however being an all BA based model it is best to pair them with a source that has less than 1Ohm output impedance to get the best out of them.

Sound

Bass: The O400 have 2 drivers covering the low end, they split up the sub and mid-bass and allow for a subtle sub-bass lift that doesn’t bleed through and affect the midrange or cause any unwanted resonance and bloat. Oriveti have managed to pull off a really impressive tuning down low, one that has a full and deep sub-bass response yet a tight and impactful mid-bass that always sounds controlled. There is never any warming to the lower midrange, allowing vocals and guitars to shine through with ease, these don’t have a high level of bass and it is well aligned with the rest of the frequency response – so they wouldn’t be my pick for bass-heads – however they do handle bass very well without any discernible roll-off.

Midrange: Due to the exceptional control of the low end, the midrange just cuts through with ease and clarity on the O400 – offering up a revealing yet easy to listen to midrange experience without harshness. For the price these extract an impressive amount of detail from the midrange, you won’t miss a thing yet they are very well balanced too. Male vocals don’t sound dull, female vocals are devoid of sibilance or excess presence, the transition into the treble is handled very well and nothing stands out. These have an effortless and clean midrange that seems to handle anything you throw at them without sounding congested.

Treble: The treble rounds off a really great presentation allowing for plenty of air and ambience, along with detail and sparkle without overdoing it and becoming thin/bright sounding. You won’t miss any cymbal taps or crashes, snares are incredibly snappy and violins are presented with finesse and grace. There is no early roll-off, they aren’t muted or splashy, they have great control and this really does help to make the O400 sound refined, open and clean.

Genres and Soundstaging

The O400 work well with pretty much anything you throw at them, they have a controlled and clean sound with a mild sub-bass boost that adds body and reinforces the low end without affecting other frequencies. However these are not bass heavy and would not be my first pick for more bass oriented genres (the OH500 does a better job with those).

Soundstaging isn’t huge, there is great air though and whilst it may be lacking in absolute width and heigh there is good depth to the sound and positional accuracy is a definite strong point of the O400.

Who are they for?

  • Those wanting a clean and transparent sound without the more typical analytical tuning
  • People who want a comfortable and enjoyable daily IEM

Conclusion

Oriveti have created a unique tuning with the O400, they have a clear and open sound that has a slight sub-bass lift that helps give the sound a solid foundation and adds a bit of body without adding bloat or overall warmth. This works really well and the O400 are a comfortable and easy to listen to daily IEM that offer up a lot of detail for their relatively low price, yet another excellent value for money model from Oriveti and one that I can easily recommend you try if you enjoy a more detail oriented earphone.

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Lypertek Bevi 2 Wired Earphone Review

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Lypertek have got a new wired model, just like their true wireless models, these are superb value for money with an easy to love sound and great features for their price.

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Fit and Comfort

The Bevi 2 are tiny, their small housing combined with assortment of tips means most people will easily get a good fit with these. They can be worn with the cable straight down, or up and behind your ear. I prefer the over-ear wearing style as it’s more secure for me, but either way these are super easy to get a good fit with due to their slim housings.

Comfort is also great, it is a combination of their design and also the weight of the IEM’s, slim and lightweight makes for a very comfortable IEM that is easy to use for long listening sessions. Find the right tips and you won’t have any comfort issues with the Bevi 2, they are one of the comfiest IEM’s I’ve tested recently.

Features and Compatibility

The Bevi 2 have a detachable MMCX cable which includes a 3-button remote with mic for taking phone calls. This is a great feature for the price and the cable feels well made, they also use a single balanced armature driver which isn’t as common in such budget models.

At 22 Ohms impedance and 106dB sensitivity these are designed for mobile use, and can easily be powered by mobile phones and portable devices. They also sound great out of these devices, so no need for a high-end standalone DAP to get the most out of these.

Sound

Bass: The Bevi 2 is tuned to have a relatively full bodied sound, there is excellent warmth from a single balanced armature here, and more then enough bass presence to satisfy most users. Transient response is always a benefit of balanced armatures, and the Bevi 2 is no exception, being full yet nimble, they don’t get bogged down when the mix gets complex. Depending on what tips you have fitted, you can slightly tune the low end, with silicone tips sounding cleaner and more precise whereas foam are a bit fuller and warmer sounding. These won’t be for the hardcore bassheads, but they are on the warmer side of sound making them the perfect travel or exercise earphone without breaking the bank.

Midrange: The midrange is largely clean and clear, with minimal influence from the low end, these are not the most detailed or transparent earphones out there, and there are others within this price bracket that do better. But that’s not what Lypertek were looking to achieve, they are smooth and enjoyable, everything you need is there, nothing is excessive or forced. The more I listen the more I appreciate that everything comes across relatively well balanced, if not slightly U-shaped. These are a put in and forget earphone, with enough energy and drive to be enjoyable, but without sounding too energetic or standing out at all, they are somewhat unremarkable but remarkable for being so. These are refined, they don’t need peaks or trickery to make them sound good, they just rely on having great sound.

Treble: The treble is sweet and smooth, it may be a little too laid back to be considered neutral and in line with the rest of the sound but it does make the Bevi 2 super easy to listen to. It is there with good articulation, but it is lacking a little bite and energy, there are no nasty peaks that stand out and they do roll off a little early however what is there is done very well. If you are a treble sensitive person the Bevi 2 should be perfect, they have the right amount of presence to be there and noticeable without overstepping the line and becoming harsh or sibilant. There is no lower treble boost to bring out a sense of energy or false detail, instead there is a seamless transition between the upper mids and treble.

Genres and Soundstaging

The Bevi 2 are fairly well suited to most genres, they are notably smooth which works a bit better with softer tracks but they do sound enjoyable with most genres.

The soundstaging isn’t something that stands out as being overly impressive, they have a slightly more up-front sound to them rather than being overly wide and deep.

Who are they for?

  • Those wanting a great value wired earphone
  • People looking for a full bodied and fatigue free earphone under £100
  • Users with narrow/small ear canals who struggle with larger earphones

Conclusion

The Bevi 2 are extremely good value, you get a comfortable and well built earphone with detachable cable and a single BA driver for under £100. On top of this the sound is refined and smooth, without any fatiguing qualities, they are just easy and enjoyable without any traits that could be annoying or painful over long periods of listening. It doesn’t matter what you throw at them, they play it back without missing a beat, yes you can find cleaner and more transparent models at this price, but very few are as good for long listening as the Bevi 2.

Campfire Audios Andromeda, Ara and Solaris Podcast With The Curiosity Project

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Caleb Rosenau has sat down with The Curiosity Project  once more. But this time for a chat about Campfire Audios high end IEMs, The Andromeda, The Ara and The Solaris.

The Ara is an earphone well suited for the audiophile and reference listener

As the title states, Campfire Audios Caleb Rosenau has sat down with Omar once more to broaden his musical horizons.

“As part of Omars IEM journey Caleb suggested it was a good idea to have a listen to their highest end products. It didn’t take a lot of convincing for me. Brew a cup and join Omar and Caleb for a chat about high-end IEMs. What goes in to making them and what kind of audio experience can you expect for a £1500 IEM.”

Without further ado, the whole podcast can be listened to via Spotify here.

The Andromeda 2020: Their newest version allows you to enjoy a refined musical presentation, with clarity and resolution that can’t be missed

Oscar and John have obviously also spent some time with many Campfire Audio models. You can read Johns review of the Andromeda here and Oscars of the Solaris here. If videos are more your thing then we also have you covered! We have video reviews of all models on our youtube channel here.

Campfire Audio Honeydew and Satsuma Podcast!

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Omar, the creator of The Curiosity Project has managed to sit Caleb Rosenau of Campfire Audio down for a chat about IEMs, how they work and what makes Campfire Audio so special. They discuss Campfire Audio’s new releases, the Honeydew and Satsuma and how they are both “Perfect gateway products to the world within Campfire Audio”.

Caleb talks emphatically about taking a less is more approach when designing their new budgeting offerings. The Satsuma has been fitted with a single balanced armature (BA) driver and the Honeydew packs a 10mm Dynamic driver inside. Both IEMs focus on comfort, fit, and a each IEM has a tailored sound signature to reflect customers feedback. They also provide a significantly different listening experience from device to device. Make sure to listen to the Podcast to find out more!

Omar and Caleb start talking in detail about the Honeydew and Satsuma around 75 minutes into the show. Before that, they talk about all manner of topics within the Audio world. Ranging from current trends to expectations and why Campfire Audio has not jumped on the TWS bandwagon. It is an interesting listen and well worth the time investment. You really feel that Caleb wears his heart on his sleeve. In addition to Omars thoughtful questioning and dedication to the topics at hand, there is a lot to learn and marvel about this fascinating brand and to ponder just what heights they will surely reach.

The whole podcast is available to listen to via Spotify here: Conversations With: Caleb Rosenau of Campfire Audio

Oscar has obviously also spent some time with these beauties. You can read his review of the Honeydew here and the Satsuma here. If Videos are more your thing then we also have you covered! We have just released a comprehensive video review of them both together on our Youtube channel here.

Cleer Ally Plus II Reviews- True Wireless Earphones that are Cleerly something special

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As you are probably well aware, the Cleer Ally Plus II are a new iteration of the Ally Plus true wireless earphones that were first released back in November 2020. The Ally Plus II now offers wireless charging and a new hybrid noise cancellation feature. It also comes with the Clear+ app used to adjust the EQ and to personalise controls.

The Cleer Ally Plus II have been doing the rounds across the reviewing world over the last few months and are being praised not only for their affordability but also for their excellent audio quality and overall ease of use. If you are in the market for a new pair of True Wireless ANC earbuds, then these are a no brainer for £130!

Coming in two colours, Midnight Blue or Stone, the Cleer Ally Plus II are touted as a perfect companion for on-the-go lifestyles by Jabba Reviews.

What Gadgets 4.5/5 star review points out how Cleer have cleerly thought about the comfort and fit for users of the Ally Plus II. The inclusion of 8 pairs of ear tips, both round and angled makes certain that you will be able to get a good fit and perfect seal. Read their opinion in full here: Cleer Ally Plus 2 True Wireless Review

Mobile Tech Talk comments on the Cleer Ally Plus II having a “a unique look”. Their 4.5 star review can be found here. Mighty Gadgets 9/10 review for the Ally Plus II centers around The Ally Plus II’s “excellent sound quality with a slight bass emphasis, Its Superb battery and the aptX Adaptive.”. A full review from them can be accessed here.

If videos are more your thing then don’t forget to check out an excellent, in depth video review of the Ally Plus II with music and mic samples from Brian Unboxed on Youtube.

Lastly, but by no means least important, our very own in house guru Oscar gives his verdict of the Ally Plus II here

Click here for a full breakdown of the features and specs of the Ally Plus II

Cleer Ally Plus II ANC True Wireless Earphones

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Cleer Audio have released an update to the original Ally Plus, with better sound quality along with improved features this is a great true wireless earphone for the everyday commuter.

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Fit and Comfort

The Ally Plus II fit well enough in my ears, they do have quite a large inner housing that houses the driver and a short stem which makes them not as sleek as some other models. Personally I prefer a model with a longer stem as I find they fit better, but these still sit securely in my ears once I settled on the right eartips.

Comfort is good, I do get a bit of pressure on my concha – due to the odd shape of my ears, but for 95% of people out there this design is perfect and provides a secure fit. Once you find the right tips the Ally Plus II are comfortable for long listening sessions and stay put for active usage such as running.

Features

The main feature on the Ally Plus II is ANC – you can switch between a very effective ANC mode and Ambient mode. The ANC is very effective with lower frequency noises, helping drown out traffic and transport noise, making them ideal for commuters that travel by bus, train or plane. Need to hear your surroundings? Just double tap the right side to activate ambient mode allowing you to hear external noise.

The Cleer+ app is really handy too, the app allows you to fine tune the mix between ANC and Ambient sound, by using a simple slider bar. There is a 5-band EQ which lets you tailor the sound to your tastes and you can update the firmware easily too. There is a user manual within the app, along with touch pad controls (you can change what double/triple tap does on the L or R earphone). Overall the app adds an extra layer of functionality, best of all the user interface of the app is super user friendly and easy to navigate.

You can easily control playback via the earphones themselves, double tap the L side to skip track forwards, triple to skip backwards. Double tap the right to switch between Ambient and ANC mode (there is no “off” mode though), volume is done via double tap but on the second tap you press and hold for 1s (Left for volume down, Right for volume up). Play/Pause/Answer calls is done by a single tap on either side.

Codec wise you get SBC and aptX Adaptive – sadly it doesn’t look like there is AAC for Apple users so they will be limited to SBC. Battery life is up to 10hrs with ANC on, and 11hrs with it off. The case provides an extra 20/22hrs playback and a 5 minute charge provides up to an hours playback. Whilst this is far from the class-leaders such as the Lypertek Z3 2.0, it is still more than enough for the average user. The case charges via USB-C but also supports wireless charging which is quickly becoming the norm.

The earphones are IPX4 rated, this means they are good for your average daily use and can survive gym use and rain showers – but you don’t want to submerge them or accidentally take them in to the shower with you.

Mic quality is good when used for calls, again not neccessarily the best in class but a lot better than quite a few true wireless models on the market.

Sound

Bass: The bass on the Ally Plus II is very good for day to day usage, they are a little warm overall with a pleasant amount of body and low-end emphasis. They are not boosted to the point they drown out the rest of the frequency range, however they do have a slight lift which makes them easy yet fun and engaging to listen to. This also helps with outside noise, and when you turn ANC mode on you do notice they increase the low end a little more than with Ambient mode active. The bass is not overly snappy or controlled and is a little slow to react when listening to complex tracks, however modern pop, hip-hop and more mainstream genres are where these shine offering up a bold and punchy sound signature.

Midrange: There is a bit of a dip in the midrange and the bass bleeds in a little, causing male vocals to sound a little too thick and slightly dull. Female vocals lack a bit of bite too, not quite grabbing your attention, there is a veil over the midrange and it is lacking in clarity. Luckily there isn’t anything missing as such, they are just a little too laid back and smooth for my personal tastes, this does however lead to a fatigue free sound. The in-app EQ is quite helpful though, and with a bit of tweaking you can get a bit more from the midrange.

Treble: There is a bit of a dip in the lower treble to ease any sibilance, then there is a bit of a boost immediately afterwards which brings out cymbals quite nicely. There is enough energy but again these lack a certain precision and are not particularly linear in the treble region. They sound quite closed in and lacking air and extension, with a relatively early roll-off.

Genres and Soundstaging

These are tuned to do well with more mainstream genres, so anything pop, hip/hop and slower alternative rock tends to sound fairly good, but they lack the tonal accuracy to bring out the best in acoustic tracks, and lack the speed and control needed for complex metal.

Soundstaging is fairly average, the relatively early roll-off in the treble doesn’t help as this robs the Ally Plus II of some air and space. Whilst they don’t sound overly closed in, they don’t excel in this area either.

Who is it for?

  • Frequent commuters who need excellent ANC
  • Active users looking for comfort and a secure fit

Conclusion

The Cleer Ally Plus II are quite a good true wireless earphone, for the price they have some excellent features including great battery life and excellent ANC. When it comes to the sound they have a warm and smooth sound signature that is fatigue free but lacking a little when it comes to clarity. They are easy and fun to listen to, but also a little too dull to really excite you, the app is really easy to use and with a bit of tweaking of the EQ you can easily tune them to your tastes. So if you are looking for a good earphone for noisy commutes or active use the Ally Plus II is a great choice, if you value sound quality over features though, I personally prefer the Lypertek Z3 2.0.

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

64 Audio Release The U6t – Their most popular custom IEM in a universal shell

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64 Audio’s most popular CIEM now available in a universal form. Drawing from the sonic palette of U12t, U6t is their most affordable audiophile monitor to date. Boasting the same ground-breaking technology as their flagship IEMs in an ergonomic aluminium shell to make it more accessible than ever.

SOUND

In standard 64 Audio fashion, U6t is a balanced natural sounding earphone, slightly set apart from their other UIEM models by offering a softer presentation of a mix. Beautiful upper-mid imaging, realistically presenting instruments like guitars and piano as well as breathing life into saturated mid-bass mixes, especially when vocal focused. Using the various included apex modules and ear-tips allows the listener to further customize the sound of the U6t based on the needs of the music.

IN THE BOX

  • U6t Universal In-Ear Monitors
  • 64 Audio Premium Leather Case
  • TrueFidelity Eartips (S,M,L)
  • Silicone Eartips (S,M,L)SpinFit Eartips (S,M,L)
  • Black Premium Cable
  • m20 apex Modules
  • m15 apex Modules
  • Round Sticker

Available to pre-order now!

Campfire Audio Honeydew Review

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Today we take a look at the Campfire Audio Honeydew, a new introductory budget model in their lineup that focuses on bass without forgetting the rest.

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Fit and Comfort

Much like the Satsuma, the Honeydew has an ABS housing which is durable and lightweight, along with a stainless steel nozzle that has a good length for a secure fit. Campfire are great at offering a wide selection of tips, and once you find the right ones for your ears the Honeydew fit really well. The new Smoky Lite cable is a little more supple too which all contributes to the excellent fit.

Comfort is also great on these, the housings have smooth inner curves and the nozzles have a good length to provide a comfortable yet secure fit. The cable doesn’t have stiff memory wire which is a blessing, and all in all they are perfect for long listening sessions.

Compatibility

Whilst the sensitivity is quite low on the Honeydew (94dB) they do have quite a low impedance and they are certainly easier to power with a mobile phone than the Satsuma. These work well with lots of sources, but do benefit from something cleaner with good headroom, a dedicated DAP will make a difference over a mobile phone but they are still enjoyable out of a phone.

Sound

Bass: Campfire Audio have put a focus on the low end with the Honeydew, these are incredibly hard hitting and full bodied yet they don’t overshadow the midrange or treble. When called for the Honeydew will hit with incredible impact in the mid-bass, yet the kicks are backed up by a good amount of body in the lower bass region. These don’t disappoint when it comes to the sub-bass either, with plenty of audible rumble. These push a lot of air for an earphone, the dynamic driver made for these is really impressive as it hits hard, but also maintains good control and articulation.

Midrange: Whilst the midrange doesn’t stand out on these due to the impressive low end, it should be noted that the midrange is actually quite impressive on these. Yes there is some bleed from the low end that warms up male vocals a little more than I would like, the midrange still manages to cut through and guitars/female vocals really do sound quite good. The midrange is definitely little recessed but these are not tuned to be accurate monitoring earphones, instead they are punchy and fun.

Treble: Fatigue free yet enough presence to be enjoyable and not overly dark sounding, the treble is always present but utterly smooth and surprisingly realistic. There isn’t an upper midrange/lower treble peak that brings out sibilance, yet there is a good quantity of treble presence that cuts through the mix and extends quite effortlessly. The quality of the recording plays a part in the treble region, sounding very crisp and detailed with good recordings.

Genres and Soundstaging

Due to the big and full low end, these sound very fun with EDM and pop music, yet the bass is well controlled that it isn’t overbearing during softer acoustic tracks, and slower alternative rock. They also do a very good job with metal, with great impact yet a midrange that still cuts through with authority.

Soundstaging is great on the Honeydew, with a spacious yet full sound and great positioning. Whilst they do have a more engaging and up-front sound signature, they don’t lack separation and air.

Who is it for?

  • Those looking for a fun and energetic sound
  • Bass lovers that also enjoy clarity
  • Bass players looking for a stage monitor

Conclusion

This earphone is undoubtedly a Campfire Audio model, with impressive bass impact and body whilst retaining good midrange and treble presence and clarity. This is a bass oriented earphone, no mistaking that, but it is also quite versatile and highly enjoyable. These make a great travel partner, along with a good monitor for bassists and drummers, they are also extremely comfortable and well built.

Audeze Euclid Planar Magnetic In-Ear Review

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Audeze’s first sealed planar earphone are exciting and bold, with excellent resolution and impactful bass response.

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Fit and Comfort

The new Audeze Euclid are a little on the larger side, this is down to the fact they house an 18mm planar magnetic drive inside. However Audeze have managed to make them as ergonomic as possible with soft contoured inner faces, and a good size nozzle. I found them to fit fairly well in my small ears, and they worked best with the supplied Comply tips for me. The cable fits over your ears well and helps with the overall fit of the Euclid.

The comfort is ok for me personally, I found after longer listening sessions I had some mild discomfort where they sit in your ear, but I do have relatively small ears and narrow canals. The supplied Comply tips worked well for me, and definitely help when using them for longer periods of time.

Compatibility

With relatively high sensitivity (105 dB/1mW) and low impedance (12 Ohms) they should be relatively easy to drive in theory. And whilst you do get listening volumes from portable sources, they do sound better when fed a bit more power, as is the case with most planar magnetic models (desktop amps, or higher end portable players are almost a necessity in my opinion).

Just a note on eartips and burn-in with the Euclid – I found that with silicone tips and listening to them right out of the box they sounded quite harsh with a shouty midrange and quite unnatural tonality. After 2 days of burn-in and fitting the Comply tips, the sound is completely different and they are far more enjoyable to listen to. These are quite picky so make sure to try all the different tips and try them out of a few different sources if possible.

Sound

Bass: The bass on the Euclid is impactful and hard hitting when needed, and being a planar they have quite a linear response all the way down to the sub-bass region. This means you won’t miss a beat with these, yet they are also nimble and have snappy transients to keep up with complex mixes. They have a relatively full low end, yet it doesn’t add any real warmth to the midrange, in fact the midrange could use a little more body in my opinion. The low end manages to stay faithful to the recording for the most part, only coming out when called for, but never lost in the mix.

Midrange: The midrange is a bit tricky on the Euclid, there are a few peaks and dips but for the most part they are well presented. There is a little bit of a lack of body at times, and there is a lift in the upper midrange which means they don’t always sound the most natural in terms of tonality. There is tons of detail to take in from the Euclid, and they show impressive transparency. This level of transparency, mixed with the impressive transient response means the mix is clearly separated and it’s easy to distinguish the different layers.

Treble: The treble is well presented, there is a bit of a lower treble lift which brings out some energy and sparkle but it’s the overall extension where they fall short a little. When compared to something that’s airy and extended like the Andromeda, the Euclid roll off a little too early and don’t sound quite as refined up top. But there’s still lots to enjoy here, they have a sense of energy that is quite addictive whilst perhaps not the most “studio accurate”.

Genres and Soundstaging

The Euclid lend their hand to most genres, but they are a bit hot sometimes when it comes to poorly mastered tracks. The soundstaging isn’t huge, but there is a nice sense of space and air to the Euclid that make them more open sounding than most sealed IEM’s.

Conclusion

What Audeze have done here is create a fun yet relatively well balanced planar earphone, which I appreciate is no easy feat. They do fall behind slightly when it comes to tonality, sometimes sounding a little thin in the midrange. But overall they have some great qualities including excellent bass response, brilliant detail retrieval and transparency. These won’t be for everyone, but I am sure there are a lot out there who will enjoy the Euclid, just remember they are very picky when it comes to the tips and source used.

Final A4000 Earphone Review

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Final have released a new model in the A series, a more budget offering than their flagship but a nice contrasting model against their current E series, with a focus on clarity, air and control.

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Fit and Comfort

The Final A4000 sport a lightweight ABS housing which has a 6mm dynamic driver inside, the shape is contoured to fit your ears comfortably and securely. In use, I found the Final A4000 to fit securely and comfortably in my ears for everyday use.

Be sure to try all the different size tips, luckily Final include a better range than many brands so everyone should find a tip that fits them well.

Compatibility

The Final A4000 have an impedance of 18Ohms and a sensitivity of 100dB/mW so they are fairly sensitive and are driven fine out of portable sources. Despite their low price, they are one of those models that does benefit from better sources such as a dedicated DAP.

Sound

Bass: Whilst the bass on the Final A4000 isn’t strong in presence, it makes up for it in extension and control. There is moderate punch but slightly more focus in the sub-bass, with a subtle lift that provides adequate body. These have a brighter leaning sound signature so they won’t be suitable for those who enjoy a bit more bass. The transient response is however excellent, they can keep up with complex mixes without issue and always come across controlled. No matter what you throw at them, they can easily keep up, with great articulation too.

Midrange: The midrange is clean and crisp in it’s presentation, the bass doesn’t bleed in and muddy the vocals and separate vocal tracks are easily distinguished. Where they don’t do as well is in the sibilance region, there is a peak sadly which could be a little fatiguing. This peak though is easily lowered with the use of EQ, which definitely helps. There is a lot of detail in the midrange, it’s just that peak in the upper midrange that needs taming a little.

Treble: Plenty of energy and sparkle here, and to some it could be a little too much, but for the most part the treble is always present however rarely sharp. These are a slightly bright leaning earphone but the treble isn’t too metallic or splashy so it doesn’t come across as grating. There is good extension in the treble too, and it doesn’t drop off too sharply.

Genres and Soundstaging

The neutral/bright sound of the Final A4000 could make certain energetic genres sound a little harsh, but anything that benefits from good detail and control sounds great, especially slower rock and acoustic tracks. The nice thing is that the A4000 respond very well to EQ so you can get rid of any peaks quite easily.

Soundstaging is actually very good for the price point, you get a very coherent centre image with good separation, along with accurate width and height. They don’t sound closed in at all, which is really impressive at this price point.

Conclusion

Well the Final A4000 are certainly very technically impressive, with excellent transient response, clarity and control. The upper midrange peak is a little harsh, but overall they provide a clean sound presentation with brilliant soundstaging for the price. These are a good contrast to the slightly more fun and v-shaped Final E4000.

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.