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Top 10 Audio Best Buys for 2018

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Top 10 Best Buys for 2018

 

It’s that time of year again. So here’s our pick of the best audio gadgets available – with something for everyone.

 

Audeze Mobius

Audeze have created a superb all rounder in the Mobius. Whether music, films or gaming is your thing – the Audeze Mobius does it all extremely well. Inside the housings are planar magnetic drivers, providing sound quality that even the audiophiles out there will appreciate. Then the 3D emulation technology delivers a superb surround sound experience, perfect for watching films or playing Fortnite and thanks to the integrated head tracking – you’ll hear sound effects as if they’re really there.

 

Bower & Wilkins PX

The B&W PX is the ultimate portable headphone. With the latest aptX HD Bluetooth technology, wireless sound quality is of the highest level. Providing a very well balanced sound with tight bass – bass heads may want to look elsewhere – crystal clear clarity and superb soundstage. The PX also has adaptive noise cancelling and uses six microphones to help block out external sounds – allowing you to focus on the music. Along with the advanced technology – the PX has superb build quality and comfort – making them our go to recommendation for wireless headphones.

 

SoundMAGIC P22BT

At under £40 – the SoundMAGIC P22BT Bluetooth headphone provides high quality at a low price. The design is sturdy and comfortable, with a lightweight foldable headband which is great for portable use. These headphones are easy to use with controls conveniently placed on the left earcup. The most impressive feature is the sound quality – audio is crisp and punchy with plenty of energy, making them a lot of fun to listen to.

 

SoundMAGIC E11C

SoundMAGIC seems to have nailed the under £50 earphone. If you’re looking for a wired earphone and want to keep the price down, then we believe that the E11C is the one. SoundMAGIC have gone for a mature design, and used a silver plated copper cable to deliver superb sound quality which will compete with earphones over £100. The E11C has plenty of energy and punch with a dynamic and well detailed sound. There is also a 3 button inline control and mic, which is fully compatible with Apple and Android smartphones.

 

Flare Audio Flares Jet 2

Now, if you’re looking for an earphone with a more aggressive sound then the Flares Jet 2 could be the one. These earphones go loud, and they provide thumping bass and sharp clarity. The housings are made of aluminium and are built to last. There is also an in line single button remote to take calls and the cable itself is strong and tough. The design of the Jet 2 definitely stands out and the shape makes them very comfortable.

 

Final E4000

For those that appreciate their music a bit more and are happy to up their budget,  Final’s E4000 is a superb place to start. Final have been in the audio game for a long time, and their E series shows us what they can do. The E4000 is the sweet spot for me – musical and well balanced sound quality that draws you in, great comfort and design and a nicely made replaceable cable – all for just over £100.

 

Shanling M0

For something so small, the Shanling M0 manages to pack in a load of features. Starting with the design, the M0 looks and feels great. The display is made by LG and is very crisp – and thanks to Shanling’s own MTouch software, the player is extremely easy to use. The sound from the M0 is clear with good bass-weight, punch and fine detail. Thanks to the on board EQ settings, you can add some warmth or sharpness to suit your taste. The M0 can pair with Bluetooth headphones, and the 2-way Bluetooth feature will allow you to connect to your phone to use the player as an external DAC/amp – very clever.

 

Optoma NuForce BE Sport4

The NuForce BE Sport4 is widely regarded as the go to Bluetooth earphone – and we would agree. At just under £90, they combine good value with superb sound quality – the Graphene coated drivers deliver a crisp and punchy sound with plenty of clarity. The BE Sport4 is IPX5 water resistant and can provide up to 10 hours or battery life. And to top it off, you get 2 hours of charge in just 15 minutes thanks to their Fast Charge feature.

 

JDS Labs Element DAC

Whether you like to listen to your headphones at home using your computer, laptop or hifi system – the JDS Labs Element will breathe life into your setup. For a long time now, JDS Labs have been making high quality headphone amplifiers and DACs with a simple design and superb value. The Element shows that not only do they have the technical knowhow – they have a great eye for design too. With analogue RCA inputs and digital USB – the Element is extremely versatile and as expected, provides a clean, expressive and powerful sound.

 

iFi Audio XDSD

Ever wondered if you could have a high quality headphone amplifier connect to your phone or laptop wirelessly? Well wonder no more. The iFi Audio xDSD is the perfect way for you to get the most from your headphones and chosen device – without adding more wires. Use your phone to listen to Spotify, your favourite podcast or play PUBG and let the xDSD wirelessly drive your headphones, giving them all the power they would need to deliver a balanced and dynamic sound.

Flares Jet 1 & Jet 2 Review – Here Come the Cool Jets

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Flare Audio Flares Jet 1 and Jet 2 Earphone Review

Flare Audio is a British firm which was founded a few years ago by inventor and all-round clever chap Davies Roberts; they’ve been busy developing new patented technology in order to more precisely reproduce the music (see below)..

Pros:

  • Great sound for both with great detail
  • Good construction
  • Light and comfortable

Cons:

  • Grills not present so syringe those ears

Design and Appearance

Both models are very light compared to other in-ear designs; the Jet 1 capsules being constructed of a polymer material and the Jet 2 capsules aluminium. The nozzles or soundports themselves form an attractive shape as they narrow from the capsule to the eartip end, giving them a very unique look. They sport Flare’s patented design called ‘Jet technology’ which apparently both equalises pressure on both sides of the driver, and maximises efficiency.

Durability and Build Quality

Both models sport a light but tough-looking cable which is pliable; the coating is a little bit grippy which can be annoying should the cable become tangled, so no putting into your pocket between uses (a rule which is worth following with any earphone). Strain reliefs are quite adequate, and these are black and red where the cable meets the capsules, for left and right respectively.

There’s also a single button control and mic on each model so the Jets are suitable for phone calls.

One point of concern is the lack of grills on both models; knowing how some earphones can end up after prolonged use, earwax can get in and interfere with the sound, or stop it altogether. The long and narrow design of the nozzles on both the Jet 1 & Jet 2 does lend itself well to a deep-insertion wearing style which could exacerbate the issue, so a shallow fit is recommended unless you’re wax free.

Comfort

The capsule design and placement of the mic/control on the cable suggests that the Flares Jet 1 & 2 are meant to be worn with the cable hanging down from the ear, as opposed to the ‘over the ear’ wearing style. Given how light both models are (Jet 1 is just under 12 grams and Jet 2 is 14 grams), they draw little attention to themselves other than by the sound they provide, although microphonics (vibrations travelling up the cable through movement) can be an issue.

Sound Characteristics

The Jet 1 and Jet 2 are slightly different beasts; the former has a little more emphasis on bass (or rather, a slightly reduced midrange) and the Jet 2 has a more neutral sound to it.

  • Bass

Bass is well controlled on both models; sub bass has good extension and the control factor has it feeling really tangible. Mid and upper bass has good impact and good speed too. These earphones are giving up details down low which seem quite new to me on some tracks, so if you’re a fan of tight and textured bass then these Jets are certainly worth a punt.

  • Mids

This is where the two models diverge in terms of what they offer; the Jet 1 has midrange which is a little more reserved than the Jet 2, so if you’re more a dance music and r&b listener then the Jet 1 may be more your thing. Also if you’re a little bit sensitive to midrange presence as this reviewer is, then the Jet 1 is the one to go for.

The Jet 2 is the more grown up-sounding of the pair, but both are more than capable of rendering strings and rhythm guitars with aplomb. Both models have a very strait-laced midrange sound which is neither too dry nor too luxuriant, though it is slightly on the dry side if we were forced too choose. This is not a criticism, think of dry sherry vs. sweet sherry!

  • Treble

Both Jets are not warm-sounding earphones (in terms of a lack of treble presence) but there is a certain restrained quality about the treble here. It’s not there in any quantity which draws attention to itself, and carries on the midrange’s good work without overshadowing it.

Soundstage and Separation

Soundstage is rather good for both of these models; if an instrument is panned hard left or right in the mix, it seems to stand a good few inches clear of the ear. Imaging and separation is similarly good; with subtle harmonics not lost on the listener.

Music genres good for and why

The Flare Jet 1 and Jet 2 are not fussy regarding the music they handle. However we’d say that the Jet 1 is more for commercial recordings such as pop and similar, whilst the Jet 2 is the more grown-up sibling which may be more appropriate for live recordings and classical genres.

Summary

UK firm Flare is definitely one to watch; matching interesting technology with good manufacturing and resulting in some very good-sounding earphones in the Jets – Jet 1 and Jet 2.