Tag Archives: headphones

Final UX3000 ANC Bluetooth Headphones Review

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Hot off the release of the ZE3000, Final have gone one step further and released their first ever wireless headphone, and it comes with ANC. The Final UX3000 ANC offers a universal user friendly sound whilst retaining that Final magic we love.

UX3000 ANC

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Design 10/10:

These Headphones are simply stunning. The Shibo coating provides the UX3000 with a beautifully textured finish that acts as a finger print deterrent. The use of physical buttons over touch controls to play/pause, power on/off control the volume as well as turning the ANC on/off is reassuring and nicely implemented. The included 3.5mm audio cable that allows them to be used as a wired headphone without any battery is a marvel. They also fold up for easy storage and come with a soft carry pouch.

Fit and Comfort: 9/10

These are a very comfortable headphones. The earcups surround my ears with room to spare and the padding is soft yet dense enough to provide really good passive isolation and a very secure fit. The clamping force is moderate at most and the padding does a great job at alleviating any pressure. They  feel very secure when on the move.

Sound: 8/10

The Headphone essentially has two unique sound signatures. ANC on and ANC off. I find the UX3000 with ANC off to be an engaging and fun headphone, that handles most genres with ease. Sure it can be said that the UX3000 lacks a tiny bitof finesse and clarity overall, but for everything else offered its price point, I am not one to argue.

Fun, dynamic, engaging and full sounding

And here comes the ANC: 9/10

Turn the ANC on and the bass gets an extra helping of that sub-bass boost, with more focus on the bass and treble overall. When using these in high noise environments and with the ANC on – the sound is really enjoyable and upbeat.

So with ANC on you have a really fun, dynamic, engaging and full sounding headphone for on the go use. When you want a bit more clarity and detail you can turn ANC off and have a more linear yet fun and enjoyable sounding headphone.

Incredible microphone for an over-ear headphone

Mic: 10/10

The built in mic for taking calls is incredible for an over-ear headphone. The quality of the voice is outstanding. I even tested them out in strong wind and managed to have a full call with no major issues. They do a fantastic job at suppressing noise on your end so the other party can hear you loud and clear, with great tone too. Noise cancelling can also be activated while on calls, which will allow you to hear voices even more clearly without the fear of outside noise creeping in.

These are also perfect for working from home with very accurate and faithful voice reproduction, it doesn’t sound like you are using the mic from the headphones, they are that good.

Notable other Feautures:

  • ANC on its own mode. You can have the ANC turned on but the headphone turned off. Really good for scenarios such as being in a Library and wanting that extra silence.
  • Support AptX, AptX LL, SBC & AAC Codecs which is great for the audio quality side of thing.
  • 35 hour Battery life with ANC off or 25 hours with it on – More than enough for most of us out in the world.
  • Multipoint connection – You can stream music from once device and take calls from another
  • Wired mode – as mentioned above very useful if you run out of battery, or just what to try something different.

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Interested in what else final has to offer? Check out our other reviews and news of their products here.

Top 5 sub £100 Portable Audio Devices

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We often show off high end equipment, but here are our top 5 sub £100 bargains!

Periodic Audio Rhodium – £49

To begin with our top 5 sub £100 bargains we have the Periodic Audio Rhodium. It’s a compact USB-C DAC/Amp perfect for getting better quality audio from your phone. It undeniably increases the clarity and separation. While it has not been designed to drive some of the more demanding over-ear headphones, for earphone users this is an excellent choice to improve your portable setup.

Final E500 – £19.99

The Final E500 show that you don’t have to spend a lot of money to get good clarity and a controlled sound. These are not designed to impress you with massive bass, or an exaggerated v-shaped sound. Instead opting for balance and detail. This means that the sound provided is very refined for the price and while these small earphones might not look like much, they sure do kick out a lot for the money.

SoundMAGIC E11c – £52.99

SoundMAGIC are kings at making affordable earphones and headphones. Furthermore, their products consistently win awards and they really do know how to make an excellent sounding product. The E11c is no exception. Originally designed an upgrade to the E10c, it has delivered in every single way. Coupled with more modern looks and a sound that is more controlled yet still punchy and fun: It is a fantastic earphone for everyday use.

Lypertek PurePlay Z3 2.0 – £99

Another fantatic product and the only wireless model in this list, there is simply no better option for under £100. Overall, these earphones offer up a very fun and enjoyable sound. The PurePlay Z3 2.0 has a 70 hour battery life and an extremely stable bluetooth connection. In addtion to this they’re comfortable and look great, without compromising at all on audio quality.

SoundMAGIC P23BT – £49

Finally, it is SoundMAGIC once again that have made a killer headphone for a super price. The P23BT doubles up as a headset too with the included cable. In addition, the headphone is lightweight and comfortable. On top of that it has an incredibly impressive battery life and is super easy to use. The sound is full and warm yet never bass heavy. They really do sound incredible and can easily take on the big brands should they wish to.

Enjoyed our Top 5 Sub £100 list? Check out more from our Best Of Series HERE

Bonus round: Other great products that deserve their own Top 5 Sub £100 list!

final UX3000 Recommended by Everyone!

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final UX3000 : final’s foray into the world of wireless audio kicked off in 2022 with a bang. Adopting a rarely used Hybrid ANC system and featuring dynamic drivers that deliver clear and accurate details with rich and vast soundstage. The final UX3000 is an absolute bargain at £120. With a stylish, soft touch “Shibo” finish and support for AAC, SBC, aptX and aptX LL Codecs, this headphone is amazing for any situation. Whether gaming, listening to your favourite tunes, or even just to block out the background hum in the library for that blissful silence rarely heard in the modern age.

Before we get to the reviews, the microphone on the final UX3000 is also something that should be talked about. It’s simply incredible for an over-ear headphone. When outside they do a great job at suppressing noise on your end so the other party can hear you loud and clear. With great tone too. When used indoors these are perfect for working from home with very accurate and faithful voice reproduction. It doesn’t sound like you are using the mic from the headphones, they are that good.

THE REVIEWS

Forbes: “The UX3000 are a genuine Bargain” Ear Fidelity: final UX3000: Reccomended

ZReivews: “I like the sound signature of these…” Jabba Reviews: “Where have the UX3000 been all my life?!”

Makeuseof: “Excellent ANC, Trademark Sound” MightyGadget: “For £120, these are a superb pair of ANC headphones”

The final UX3000 also comes with an AUX cable and has a wired mode! (see the picture above).

Do not forget to check out all of our reviews and news of Final products throughout our blog!

HiFiHeadphones Top 10 Audio Products of 2021

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

ALL FEATURED PRODUCTS:

Audeze LCD-5 Review

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The Audeze LCD-5, a new flagship planar magnetic headphone is a phenomenal piece of kit. It offers a brand new Audeze sound, way more than just a simple evolution from the LCD-4. With a natural yet almost reference style tuning they hit all the right marks. They are also lighter and significantly more comfortable than previous models.

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Design: 10/10

Audeze has swapped their signature wood rings for wonderful looking tortoise shell acetate rings. As you can see below, in the right light the rings really pop and they are majestic to look at. Other slight changes, such as a different headband shape with a beautiful looking carbon fibre strab on top among as well as general weight reductions makes the LCD-5 a lot lighter (and therefore more comfortable) than their predecessors. The earcups are another diversion from previous Audeze headphones, with a concave construction (sort of bowl shaped) that tapers in from the lip. This was done to allow the LCD-5 to produce a purer, more detailed soun.d by reducing unwanted sound reflections indside the cups. Overall, all these minor tweaks (plus plenty unmentioned on the inside) have created a definitive flagship, a new sound and arguably redesigned what we used to know as that Audeze Audiophile Sound.

A definitive flagship, with a brand new Audeze Audiophile Sound

Comfort and Fit: 9/10

As mentioned above, the slight changes in the design has resulted in the LCD-5 being much more comfortable than their previous Flagships. As well as being much lighter, the new earpads are soft and spacious. The comfort strap headband is sleeker yet perfectly distributes the weight across the top of your head. There is plenty of adjustment in the headband for heads of all shapes and sizes. They clamp force is moderate, which provides a secure fit but also one that isn’t too tight or uncomfortable. Simply put, the LCD-5 is one of the most comfortable Audeze headphones to date.

Sound 10/10

Not only is the LCD-5 sporting a brand new exterior, but a new driver structure altogether. Naturally, it’s still a planar-magnetic headphone. However, it has dispensed with the LCD-4’s double-sided, 106mm fluxor magnet array in favor of a single-sided, 90mm fluxor magnet array that’s paired with Audeze’s updated Fazor waveguides and their new Parallel Uniforce voice coils to better control diaphragm movement and improve the resolution that can be achieved.

The Result?

An outstandingly neutral and natural sounding pair of headphones whose remarkable speed makes them sound light and precise.

The detail provided by the LCD-5 is simply astounding.

Bass:

Audeze are well renowned for their great bass response and with the LCD-5 they have gone for a more reference style tuning, aiming for neutrality over the warm sound of the LCD-2/3. The LCD-5 still have that slightly fuller sounding low end that Audeze users love. It is now just more controlled and there is less bloom in the bass. The low end is puchy and articulate along with having endless extension. You never miss out on anything ever in the low end. There is an effortless and realistic presentation that never disrupts the lower midrange.

Midrange:

Due to the controlled nature of the bass, there is no bleeding into the midrange allowing all vocals and instruments to come through with precision and clarity. I listened to these back to back with the LCD-4 and the LCD-5 is a lot crisper and more open in the midrange. Subtle details are easy to pick out, yet both male and female vocals sound utterly effortless and natural. Whether it’s an electric or acoustic guitar you hear what is recorded. Powerful crunching riffs or delicate finger picking, you hear it all. Every sound is easily separated from other layers in the mix but form an overall sound that is coherent and whole.

This is one of the most accurate midrange reproductions I have heard to date.

Treble:

The LCD-5 seem to favour the upper treble and don’t have an abundance of energy in the lower treble which is good for those more prone to fatigue. Luckily snares still snap with authority and everything is still very clean and clear. The treble is very airy and open, the extension is incredible with no noticeable early roll-off. One the the standout qualities in the treble is the actual placement. There is really good height to the soundstage so cymbals and the like occupy their own space with expert precision. The detail retrieval again is done with refinement and finesse, rather than throwing it at you, it allows you to hear should you wish to listen for it.

Genres and Soundstaging

The LCD-5 really do lend their hand to anything, they have the power and speed for metal, the visceral punch for electronic, the dynamics for classical and the finesse for acoustic. These will handle anything and everything you throw at them.

The soundstaging is also phenomenal. The LCD-5 are open and airy. They have excellent width and height and there is also superb layering along with pinpoint accuracy. There are so good, that sometimes you will wonder if the sound is truly coming from the headphones.

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About Pairing:

The LCD-5 are a high-end headphone. It is therefore no surprise that these are not built to be used with your smartphone. These really do demand a proper desktop rig to sound their best. We have them paired with the Burson Audio Conductor 3X Reference in our demo room. This really is a superb pairing which we could not put in higher regard. The Burson amp/DAC combo’s work so well with all Audeze products. Providing tons of clean power without any sort of harshness. There is an ever so slight hint of smoothness to the Burson amps that just keeps you wanting to listen more.

Liked our review of the Audeze LCD-5? Then keep up to date with all news Audeze as well as more reviews here.

Audeze LCD-5 Product Release

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

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

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

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

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

SoundMAGIC P23BT Review

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Looking for an affordable, wireless on-ear set of headphones? The SoundMAGIC P23BT might just be perfect for you, with impressive sound quality and easy to use design they are quite the bargain.

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Fit and Comfort

Here we review the new SoundMAGIC P23BT, an on-ear model which are compact in size and lightweight too. They will fit well over a wide range of head sizes due to a good amount of adjustment in the arms and the clamping force is just enough to provide a secure fit without inducing any discomfort.

Comfort is good, with the right amount of clamp to provide a secure yet comfortable fit I had no issues with the P23BT during longer listening sessions. The earpads are soft and provide ample cushioning, the headband has minimal padding but due to their weight this didn’t seem to cause any issues for me.

Features

The P23BT use bluetooth 5.0, a little behind most modern devices that use 5.2 but they do have the benefit of aptX HD / SBC and AAC codec compatibility. They use a 40mm dynamic driver and have an incredible battery life of roughly 54-60hrs of music playback, or 39-45hrs talk time, these are not a headphone you will find yourself needing to charge very often.

They don’t have ANC, instead rely on passive isolation, which is good enough for most daily use. These work wired too and come with a high quality boom mic attached to the analogue cable – this is a brilliant feature that makes them perfect for home office use too. We found that making sure there is no microphone boosting in the windows sound settings worked the best in terms of voice quality – but once set up the quality is excellent for video and voice calls when connected to a PC. These really are very versatile, and the boom mic is not something you see very often when it comes to this kind of product.

Playback controls are really easy to get the hand of, they use a touch pad on the left earcup and a simple double tap will pause the music, swipe up for volume up, down for volume down. Swipe forwards and backwards to skip tracks, you can also answer calls and activate voice assistant too. Call quality over bluetooth is perfectly acceptable in most environments but they are not the best for noisy outdoor calls.

Sound

Bass:

The P23BT is a well balanced headphone with just the right amount of warmth, body and punch down low to keep them engaging and enjoyable without overwhelming the rest of the sound. These are not bassy, they will not appeal to those who want a bass heavy sound, but those who want a daily headphone that works well with a multitude of genres will be happy with their sound and presentation. These do handle EQ well so if you do want a bit more punch, they can deliver, but out of the box they offer up a really enjoyable sound. The 40mm drivers can dig deep when needed, and hit hard too, but they are tuned in such a way that they do all of this with poise and control and never sound muffled or bloated.

Midrange:

Due to the controlled low end, the P23BT actually has a very well presented midrange for a budget, more consumer oriented product. This means that those who enjoy vocal and guitars to sit and and central in the mix will really enjoy the P23BT – these don’t follow the typical v-shaped sound that many consumer models have, this means you get to hear more in your favourite tracks. The bass does a good job at not bleeding into the midrange, which allows the P23BT to sound surprisingly well separated and detailed for the price. .

Treble:

Surprisingly well refined up top, these have a crisp and clean treble presentation but with a smooth transition from the upper midrange into the lower treble they are also not harsh or sibilant. There is a bit of a peak slightly higher up the range, but it’s not really fatiguing and tends to only show up on less well recorded music. There is good detail and extension up top, and the presence is good leaving them with a very pleasing tonal balance overall, never sounding dull. You do have to remember these are only £50, but for that price you get really impressive treble, normally you get muffled and splashy cymbals, instead of crisp and easy to distinguish and place crashes.

Soundstaging and Genres

The P23BT are not masters of soundstaging, but that’s ok, they are on-ears and have quite a direct presentation but instruments are still easy to place within the limited soundstage.

These are a great all rounder, their balanced yet slightly punch sound signature makes rock and pop sound engaging, yet these have enough detail and finesse to render acoustic and jazz brilliantly.

Who are they for?

  • The general listener who wants good sound quality at a modest price
  • Everyday users wanting a feature packed yet quality bluetooth headphone they can use at work and on the go

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Like all things that SoundMAGIC? Take look at more news and reviews here.

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

Open or Closed Back? – How to Choose the Right Headphones

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What is the difference between Open and Closed headphones?

Looking for a new pair of headphones can be very confusing, there are so many to choose from – how do you know you are getting the best for your money?

There are lots of things you can look at when deciding, and the main place to start is whether you will benefit from Open or Closed Back headphones. It’s easy for some people to say that one is better then the other, but this isn’t the case – it really depends on how you will use them. If you are looking for a pair of headphones to commute to work with then an open back design won’t be ideal, unless you want the whole carriage to listen to your guilty pleasures. So here is a quick run down on the differences between Open and Closed back headphones.

Closed back headphones

The main benefit you get from a closed back headphone is sound isolation, this reduces the amount of sound that leaks out for others to hear and it also helps block outside noises so they won’t interfere with your listening. This is something that is very important when using headphones in public e.g. commute to work, travelling or even at home with other people in the room. Generally closed back headphones have a narrower soundstage (compared to open back) but you tend to get a punchier sound with heavier bass from a closed back headphone. One downside of closed back headphones is that your ears can get warm very easily, especially compared to open backed headphones – using velour earpads instead of leather can reduce this but this will reduce the amount of sound that is isolated.

Closed back headphones we recommend:

Open back headphones

These headphones certainly don’t isolate sound, being open back the sounds comes out from them like mini speakers – some more than others. They will also allow you to hear what’s going on around you, so this won’t be ideal for noisy environments. The benefit from this is that you get a very natural sound, your ears will keep cool due to the air flow and they give a wide soundstage – this is particularly good for live recordings as you really feel like you’re right there. Being open backed you will sometimes notice a loss of bass compared to a closed back alternative, however the bass has a more natural feel to it because the driver housing is vented so the sound can breathe.

Open back headphones we recommend:

How to choose?

The best question to ask yourself first is “how will I use these headphones?” and from there you will know whether to go for open or closed back. So if you’re using them at home and there won’t be anyone else around then open back will be a good place to look, but if there is a chance that you will also want to use them on the odd commute to work – then overall a closed back will be the most suitable.

Headphone Buying Guide – How to choose the right headphones

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A guide on how to buy the right headphones for you

We get to try out more headphones than most, so this article is where we at Hifiheadphones share some of that experience with you. In a simple world you could buy a set of ‘known brand’ headphones at a certain price point and expect to receive a product that you can be happy with. In other words, you may think that spending a certain amount on headphones will guarantee that you get a product you will like. Unfortunately with headphones it can be a little more complex.

In this headphone buying guide is a quick summary of some of the major factors when purchasing a pair of new headphones or earphones.

Audio Quality

The first question asked by many people when buying headphones and earphones is “Do they sound good?”. It’s also often the most difficult question to answer. We human beings are very subjective creatures. What is described by one person as “precise and detailed” will be “lacking in bass and clinical” by another. What one listener likes another will find irritating.

The best advice we can give is to do plenty of research and try to understand what you are purchasing. Search the Internet for reviews of the headphones you like the look of – we have plenty of product reviews in our Blog as well as on our Youtube Channel. Ask for advice on forums where people discuss headphones such as Head-Fi or AVForums. You will likely find plenty of information and opinions, often from different points of view. If you make your headphone or earphone purchase with good knowledge of what to expect it’s less likely you will be disappointed.

Design and Aesthetics

High up the list for many people is the looks and aesthetics of the headphones. After all you will have to be wearing the headphones you choose on your head for all to see! Unless you plan to use your new headphones alone at home then it’s likely you will be interested in how they look. Of course the quality of sound is also near the top of most lists, but with such a wide selection of good headphones to choose from it’s also likely that you will want your headphones to reflect your style.

Manufacturers such as Audeze and Campfire Audio have really gone to town with the styling of their headphones and earphones. These brands have a unique look with a wide selection of stunning designs.

If you are looking for headphones that look a little more sophisticated and refined then Bowers & Wilkins‘ range of headphones are a good choice. While only relatively new to the headphone market in the UK, it’s not without reason that B&W are quickly becoming market leaders. B&W’s selection of headphones look stunning and perform equally well. The B&W PX5 headphones are a highly recommended set of stylish portable wireless headphones with a rich, clear sound.

Ease of Portability

If you are going to be travelling or moving around with your headphones or earphones then the size, weight and ability to pack away (fold or collapse) may be important to you. There will also be the choice of going wired or wireless, and with the rise of True Wireless earphones – convenience has become a very popular feature.

Many travellers and commuters like the in-ear earphone type as wired ones can easily be wound up and put into a pouch or pocket, and wireless models tend to come with their own cases that make them easy to carry around. Sound isolating earphones have the added benefit that they can cut down outside noise by up to -20dB, which can be a godsend when travelling on a train, bus or underground. The SoundMAGIC range of sound isolating earphones is a good place to start. Also worthy of mention is Final, Shure and Etymotic who all have a good range of the in ear sound isolating variety.

If wireless is your thing, then True Wireless earphones are the way to go for portable use. These earphones have ditched the wires so there’s no risk of tangled cables getting in the way. We highly recommend Lypertek True Wireless earphones, and the award-winning PurePlay Z3 is a great place to start for under £100.

You will also find a good selection of headband headphones that collapse or fold for stowing away when needed. The SoundMAGIC P22 for a great budget wired option or the B&W PX5 wireless headphones are a superb example of quality lightweight travelling headphones that fold away for transporting.

Sound Isolation vs Noise Cancelling

When listening to your headphones will you need to block out external noise, or do you need to prevent your music from annoying others around you? Ask yourself where, when and how you will be using your headphones.

If you will be listening to your headphones in an office or on public transport you will probably want to keep your music to yourself. In this case you will want to avoid open-back ear cup designs. Although open back headphones are often sonically superior to closed back headphones the sound leaks out and people around you will be listening to a tinny version of what you are listening to – very annoying indeed.

If you travel on buses, trains or planes you might be thinking about noise cancelling headphones, but you may also want to consider in-ear sound isolating earphones instead as they are often able to reproduce a clearer more accurate sound. The extra electronics between your audio source and your ears means that noise cancelling headphones often colour the sound and reduce the clarity.

Closed back headphones tend to passively isolate sound very well without the need for batteries and the noise cancelling technology, and the Dan Clark Aeon 2 Closed Back would be a good audiophile option. If you travel a lot, then active noise cancelling (ANC) headphones like the B&W PX7 would be worth considering as they do a very good job of blocking out the sound of low frequency engine hum.

DJs and studio engineers also have a unique set of requirements when it comes to selecting headphones. A good set of DJ headphones should normally provide maximum isolation from outside sounds, so that you can concentrate on the mix you are putting together. Whereas a studio engineer may be more interested in being able to reproduce a good stereo sound image with sonic clarity and may not be so interested in sound isolation.

Summary

When it comes to purchasing headphones there are so many options and possibilities, but at the end of the day your choice will be down to a few key factors. Factors such as budget, design and whether or not you want sound isolation may be more significant than trying to find headphones with the best audio quality possible.

Please feel free to contact us with any questions on 01903 768 910 or you can email us on support@hifiheadphones.co.uk

Best Running Headphones 2020: Headphones, Earphones, True Wireless and Bluetooth

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Our pick of the best headphones for running to motivate your outdoor workout or in the gym

True Wireless earbuds have become the go-to choice for fitness users, whether its running, gym use, outdoor workouts or just going for a nice long walk. For this list, we decided to include a range of different earphones and headphones to suit all your needs from wired, wireless, Bluetooth and True Wireless – we have you all covered from as little as £20.

BEST RUNNING HEADPHONES UNDER £50

1. Final E500 – £19.99 – BUY HERE

The Final E500 is not a typical sports earphone, yet they have features that come in handy for your daily run. Firstly, they are the best value for money earphones we have tried. At just under £20, nothing else we have listened to in this price range comes close to the sound achieved from the E500. They are also very small, which means you will get a great fit and the E500 is less likely to fall out of your ears when sprinting towards your personal best.

2. Flare Audio Flares Jet 1 – £49 – BUY HERE

Flare Audio Flares Jet 1

To help you push through and motivate a big run, the Flares Jet 1 has the sound to keep you going. Big and powerful bass with crisp, snappy clarity means that music will really pop! These earphones have a big sound, so your favourite running tunes will do their job. The Jet 1 is also built to withstand constant use, with a robust design – you can be sure that they will last and last.

BEST RUNNING HEADPHONES UNDER £100

3. SoundMAGIC E11BT – £69.99 – BUY HERE

SoundMAGIC E11BT

The award winning SoundMAGIC E11BT has been a firm favourite since its release – gaining praise for its design, comfort and most importantly – sound quality. The E11BT is ideal for those wanting a Bluetooth earphone, that prefer a neckband design. The neckband provides added support while in use, then when you’re finished using them – they can conveniently hang down so there’s no need to keep packing them away.

4. Lypertek PurePlay Z3 – £99 – BUY HERE

Lypertek PurePlay Z3

Lypertek’s first True Wireless release – the PurePlay Z3 – exploded onto the TWS scene, quickly gaining awards and the label of ‘best under £100’. Today it is still considered one of the best, and just so happens to make a good running partner too. ThePurePlay Z3 has a few standout features which will come in handy during your workout such as 70 hours battery life (including the charging case), IPX7 waterproof rating for those rainy days and audiophile worthy sound quality – to get the most from your tracks.

BEST PREMIUM RUNNING HEADPHONES

5. Bowers & Wilkins PI3 – £169 – BUY HERE

Bowers & Wilkins PI3

For those after a more premium feel to their wireless earphones, then B&W has you covered with the PI3. Another neckband design, the PI3 will blow you away with its superb build, design and comfort, with only the best materials being used. Then the sound – using the latest codecs you can be sure that you get your money’s worth. To make these suited to running, there are ear fins included with the PI3, which will improve comfort and provide a secure fit for active listening.

6. Bowers & Wilkins PX5 – £269.99 – BUY HERE

Bowers & Wilkins PX5

If you prefer a traditional headphone fit instead of in-ears, then the B&W PX5 would be our top pick for running. They are small and fit on the ear – not over and around the ear like larger sized headphones. This means they will be less bulky for running and will stay nice and secure on your head. These wireless headphones have active noise cancelling (ANC), so they will do a great job of keeping you focused on your fitness goals.

 

Have We Missed Anything Out?

Please feel free to leave a comment below and let us know…

Dan Clark Audio Aeon II Open Review

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Aesthetics and Build Quality:

The Aeon II come in a new colour in my opinion they look great, the finish on the cups is perfect with a similar leather headband strap and headband as the original. The grills are also very similar to the original, but the arms now allow the Aeon II to fold up into a more compact size, although being open back I’m not sure how handy it’ll be for this model. It’s certainly a good feature for their closed back sibling.

Build quality is excellent as always, the supplied cable is soft and the connectors are solid. The headband is flexible and it all feels very well put together. Nothing here feels cheap, Dan Clark Audio have thought carefully about the materials used, and it shows.

Comfort:

The Aeon II are lightweight with a suspension strap and deep earpads, this all leads to a super comfortable headphone that is a pleasure to wear for extended periods. The earpads are however made of leather, so you may find your ears getting a little hot during extended listening sessions.

Sound:

Bass: For an open back headphone the Aeon II really do deliver down low, with plenty of body and adequate punch. They have a slightly full bodied sound to them but with better extension over their predecessor, they are also very well controlled as is the case with most planar headphones. The body comes out when called for and lends a lovely tone to acoustic recording, yet throw on something heavier and they can easily keep up. There is good layering down low and nuances are easily picked out, these are not bass heavy but they are a slightly warm and full bodied headphone.

Midrange: The midrange now has better detail retrieval and spaciousness, there is more air around vocals, yet everything is delivered with a pleasant smoothness. The midrange is effortless and natural, instruments sound real and sibilance is very well controlled. For those who want a little more bite, the Aeon II might be a little too safe sounding, but for those who enjoy a relaxed listen these are great to kick back and listen with.

Treble: The treble has good extension and air, but it is quite safe with regards to quantity, they have enough bite to bring out good detail however they do not jump out at you. They do however hit the mark with their tonality, reproducing the top end with a fairly realistic tone that is sure to please a lot of people. Placement within the soundstage is very accurate in the treble region, and the transition from midrange to treble is smooth, if not a little subdued.

The soundstaging on the Aeon II is good, with plenty of width and good height, the positioning of instruments is what stands out the best though with excellent layering.

Conclusion:

The new Aeon II are a technically excellent headphone with a warm, refined and smooth sound and plenty of detail to boot. Great build quality and comfort add to the overall package, but those who want a more punchy and exciting sound may want to look elsewhere.

 

Sound: 4/5

Comfort: 5/5

Build Quality: 4/5

Value: 4/5

Audio Gear For Your Home Office – Headphones, Earphones, DACs and more

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WFH Headphones, Earphones, Speakers and more

People deciding to work from home is on the rise – and why not? There are lots of perks to be had when working from home, and along with being able to stay in your PJ’s – you can listen to music all day without disturbing the office. Here’s our pick of some the best audio tech that every home office could benefit from.

Lypertek PurePlay Z3

There are many reasons why the Lypertek PurePlay Z3 is a solid favourite for true wireless earbuds under £100, and many of the PurePlay Z3’s features are well suited for use in your home office. The 70 hour battery life means they’re unlikely to die during an important call, and the microphone quality is impressive. The PurePlay Z3 is IPX7 waterproof rated, so they’ll survive if you spill your morning coffee on them and you can give them a full wash if needed – you can even take them into the shower with you! Most importantly, they sound superb with people even describing them as audiophile worthy – so they must be good!

B&W PX7

For the ultimate package, then the B&W PX7 is a complete solution for your audio and isolation needs. These full sized, noise cancelling Bluetooth headphones will give you freedom from wires, able to connect wirelessly to devices supporting Bluetooth. Being B&W, you can expect the sound quality to be up there with the best. The PX7 is energetic and clear, with deep and well controlled bass and a great sense of space. Then the features give you 30 hours of listening, Bluetooth 5, AAC, aptX and aptX-HD codecs and B&W’s leading noise cancelling technology for uninterrupted listening.

JDS Element II

If it’s a desktop option you need, then the JDS Labs Element II will not only bring an audio upgrade – it will look great too. Beautifully designed with a simple yet striking look – the Element II headphone amplifier and DAC will fit into any setup. Historically, JDS Labs has been known for their functional design and great sound – now with the Element II, they have shown that they can make great looking equipment too.

Flare Isolate 2

There will be some of you out there that prefer complete silence when working from home – don’t worry, we have you covered. Flare are leading the way when it comes to hearing protection, and their newest model – the Isolate 2 – is going to be the one we recommend. These are made of aluminium and not only do they do a great job of blocking out unwanted noise – they look stunning too. The Isolate 2 is CE certified and has a high sound protection rating of SNR32, so you can be confident they’ll do a good job.

Campfire Audio Cascade

If you’re not ready to ditch the wires, and you want to listen comfortably with maximum isolation, the Campfire Audio Cascade closed back headphones will do just that. The Cascade is extremely comfortable, which is ideal for wearing for long periods of time while getting your work done. These are closed back headphones, so they will also do a great job of blocking out external noise – allowing you to enjoy your music in peace. Then the sound is what you’d expect from Campfire Audio – engaging, punchy and very enjoyable. The Cascade uses filters which can be changed to suit your taste in sound – allowing you to customise your listening.

Audeze LCD-GX

Those of you who want the very best headphones that can double up as communication headsets may be interested in the Audeze LCD-GX. This is a high end gaming headphone aimed at audiophiles. The attachable microphone will give you superb voice quality and can be used for those all important business calls. Then, when you’re done with work – fire up your favourite game and enjoy the real to life spatial awareness and clarity provided by these all purpose open backed cans.

Final E500

The Final E500 is the ideal earphone for those wanting to upgrade from the ones supplied from your device – without breaking the bank. At £20, these are the best value performers we’ve come across. Sound quality is the E500’s main focus, and their level of detail, separation and imaging challenges models twice the price and more. The earphones themselves are small so they are very comfortable, and the supplied Final eartips will ensure you get a good seal which really helps isolation – blocking out background noise to help you focus.

B&W PI3

If you want some wireless earphones, and true wireless doesn’t appeal to you – then B&W has you covered with the PI3. These hybrid dual driver wireless earphones use a neckband design, and come with all of the latest features including Bluetooth 5, AAC, aptX and aptX-HD codecs, 8 hours of playtime, and very impressive microphone call quality – perfect for those video conferences. The dual hybrid driver setup means you get a 9.2mm dynamic driver and a balanced armature driver inside each housing. This driver combination delivers sound that’s packed with detail and space – with an almost 3D quality.

Kanto YU4

While you’re going to be at home a lot more, you may want to improve your audio setup. The Kanto YU4 is an ideal speaker for desktop use. They are powered speakers, so don’t require a separate amplifier, and they have Bluetooth functionality – so you can connect them to other Bluetooth devices wirelessly. Their compact and stylish design means they’ll fit into most setups and their sound will really impress you. They pack a lot of punch for their size, and deliver a tight and detailed sound. A great all-rounder for those days working from home, and to enjoy once the work is done.

Shanling UP2

Want to go wireless but are not ready to stop using your favourite wired headphones? Fear not. The Shanling UP2 is a Bluetooth headphone amplifier and DAC, meaning that you can plug your headphones in and then connect wirelessly to your Bluetooth compatible device. This is perfect for use with PC’s, laptops, tablets and mobile phones. The UP2 also has a built in microphone, so you can take calls even if your headphones do not have a built in mic. Fully charged you can expect up to 11 hours of playback and the UP2 will support all popular audio codecs including LDAC, aptX, aptX-HD and AAC.

64 Audio Custom Model Overview

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These demo models come in a universal shell, but they will give you a good idea of what the custom version will sound like.

A2e

Starting off at the bottom you have a simple dual driver model, but don’t let the driver count fool you. If you want a more mid-forward sound with ample bass and treble the A2e are a great starting point. They have good impact down low, mainly focussed on the mid-bass punch. The midrange is very detailed and clean, and the highs are well presented but lack the air and effortless extension of the tia equipped models.

Separation is really impressive on the A2e and accuracy when it comes to stereo imaging is also excellent. These are a great, slightly mid centric monitor that will give you plenty of tuning flexibility on stage. Headroom and dynamics are compromised a little over the more expensive options, but in their own right the A2e are a great performer.

 

A3e

Coming from the A2e you immediately notice more resolution and extension up top with a more natural tone. The A2e is a little mid forward whereas the A3e is perhaps a little more reference like in their tuning, with a more neutral sound signature. This is a very good 3 driver model when it comes to soundstage width and layering.

The lows have enough impact and extension to keep most people happy, whilst the midrange is clean and well separated with excellent layering. The highs are very well placed with good energy and extension, along with great tonality all round. A great entry level monitor for those looking for a more neutral sound signature.

 

A4t

This is the model where the tia driver starts coming in, steering away from the slightly more neutral A2e and A3e, the A4t offer up a meatier low end and slightly fuller bodied midrange. There is a little more focus on the sub-bass offering up a solid foundation for the mid-bass kick, along with a slightly fuller midrange. The midrange is however well detailed and not masked but the increase in the low end.

The tia driver used for the highs give these a more airy and spacious sound with a more rounded sound stage in terms of width and height compared to the more width oriented A3e. The A4t offer up a slightly fuller sound signature, that is a little more fun, but doesn’t compromise on the technical side.

A6t

The A6t offer up a very smooth, coherent and well-balanced sound with perhaps a little added body for added protection against fatigue. They have a very full yet linear bass response digging deep into the sub-bass without faltering, the midrange is a tad warmer than neutral but still allows you to easily hear all the layers of the recording. Up top they have excellent separation and extension, there is no harsh peak in the upper midrange and these are extremely pleasant to listen to.

A favourite for musicians, the A6t is a great go-to monitor, with a well-balanced but not strictly neutral sound. Many prefer this model with the M15 module as it brings out a little added air and aids separation. This is one model you can easily tune to your liking with EQ if you wish.

 

N8

This one is tuned for the bassists out there, with a dynamic driver for the low end it offers more headroom down low than the other models in the line-up. The lows are articulate and hard hitting with a really natural tonality to them. They are tuned to be quite prominent in the mix, but if you are using these in a professional setting it allows you to cut if needed. This is much better than trying to boost lows which can introduce clipping. With all that bass, the midrange still managed to cut through with good authority and quite a pleasant tonality.

Again, the tia driver here really does define the treble, with the signature extension and air. To most, the N8 will be a little too bass oriented, but for those that need the headroom, and also the tonality of a dynamic driver, the N8 does a superb job at allowing you to hear and feel the low frequencies.

 

For the A12t and A18t you can refer to the Universal Model guide here, as those 2 models are the only ones available in a custom and universal shell.