Tag Archives: high end

64 Audio Nio Review

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

64 Audio Nio

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Fit and Comfort

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

Compatibility

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

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

Sound

Bass:

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

Midrange:

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

Treble:

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

Genres and Soundstaging

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

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

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Focal Stellia Review

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Focal Stellia

 

Aesthetics, Build Quality and Accessories:

The Stellia are quite bold when it comes to looks, the colour scheme is unlike most high-end headphones. The brown/copper look is quite out there, some will love it, some will hate it. I like how Focal have been bold, and it is definitely refreshing to see something other than black/silver.

 

The build quality is excellent, using pretty much the same headband as all the other Focal models (bar the Utopia with its carbon fibre yokes). The headband has genuine leather padding, and the cups have spots of tan leather on them. The included cables are great, but do create a little noise when rubbing against clothing. Overall the Stellia is a solidly built headphone.

 

Accessory wise you get the usual Focal carry case, along with a short single ended cable, and longer 4-pin XLR balanced cable. The manual comes in a leather case and everything just feels luxurious, as it should for this price.

Comfort:

The Stellia are not the lightest of headphones, again due to the excellent build quality. But just like the Clear and Elegia, I do not find them to have enough padding on the headband, and this does create some discomfort for me personally after a short time listening to them. This is not an issue that affects everyone, but I wish the weight was distributed better. The earcups are spacious and the genuine leather earpads feel great.

Sound:

Bass: Those looking for energetic and full lows might want to look elsewhere, however those who appreciate accuracy over quantity will really enjoy these. The lower priced Elegia have more fun factor, the Stellia are more reserved with a focus on clarity. The definition and control down low is superb, they are not lacking in quantity and there is a subtle amount of body being added to the sound, which makes these sound smooth and refined compared to the livelier Elegia.

 

Midrange: The midrange can be described as natural, open and detailed. Never lacking in any part of the midrange, the resolving capabilities are showcased best in the midrange, with excellent insight into recordings. They work well with all genres, the midrange isn’t pushed forward but it sits perfectly central in the mix, sounding well separated but never detached. The layering really stands out, along with a smooth transition into the treble region.

 

Treble: The treble is smooth and well extended, I cannot detect any nasty spikes which is a relief. They don’t rely on peaks to create an artificial sense of detail, instead they just have the detail without trying to grab your attention. I cannot find any fault with the treble to be honest, it is well presented but without drawing attention to itself. It’s resolving capabilities are natural rather than forced, and this really shows when listening to them.

 

The soundstaging capabilities are a little limited on the Stellia, but there is fairly good height compared to the width. Separation and imaging however are superb and the Stellia never lose focus, even with the most complex of mixes. These don’t suffer from a boxed in sound, the engineering that has gone in to remove cup reflections really works well and they don’t have any nasty resonances that I can detect.

Conclusion:

The looks of the Stellia may divide opinion, but the sound is sure to impress anyone looking for a refined and resolving closed back headphone with incredible technical capabilities and an overall easy to listen to sound.

Indulgence Show 2017 – London

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Indulgence Show 2017 – London

Hifiheadphones will be at the Indulgence show in London later on this month, so here is some info about the show:

Where?

Hammersmith Novotel London West

When?

29 Sept-1 Oct (10am-6pm on Friday and Saturday, 10am-5pm on Sunday)

Effect Audio

We will be showing off the range of luxury handmade upgrade cables from Effect Audio which are sure to turn some heads.

Starting at £149 and going up to over £1000, there are cables to suit all tastes and headphones. Come by and hear the difference yourself!

Final

Alongside them will be the latest offerings from Final, including a prototype of their D8000 planar magnetic headphone.

Since 1974, Final have been producing hi-fi equipment that reflects a musician’s passion for art, as well as their own passion for engineering. Truly unique, Final’s headphones combine sleek retro styling and ground-breaking technology.

Oriveti

We will also be taking along the superb Oriveti New Primacy triple hybrid in-ear headphones, and their Basic model too.
The New Primacy sets a new standard for sub £300 headphones, offering excellent value for money with a highly resolving and detailed sound.
The Basic is a fun everyday in-ear headphone that is superbly built and costs under £100.

Beyerdynamic A2 Headphone Amp

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Beyerdynamic A2 Headphone Amp

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

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

Main Features

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

 

Fostex TH600 Premium Closed Back Reference Headphones – Announcement

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The HifiHeadphones team is pleased to announce the new Premium Closed Back Reference Headphone from Fostex, the TH-600 is now available to be purchased on our website.

Introducing the latest addition to the highly acclaimed Fostex high-end headphone line: TH-600. With reputable bio-dynamic diaphragm drivers, Tesla magnetic flux circuit and magnesium die-cast housing the TH-600 delivers supreme audio reproduction. Special textured earpads and headband made of soft ‘Idemitsu Grancuir’ material offers a comfortable listening experience.

The TH-600 features Fostex’s renowned bio-dynamic 50mm diaphragm and powerful 1 Tesla magnetic circuit as well as the magnesium die-cast housing to deliver supreme audio reproduction. With unique bio-dynamic diaphragm the TH-600 offers rich lows, natural mid range and smooth highs.

Fostex TH600 headphones incorporate an innovative Piezo sheet inside the housing for dispersion of resonance as well as high damping treatment. Thin vacuum sputtered nickel electrodes produce extremely low current leakage and low magnetic permeability.

Earpads and headband of the TH600 are made of ‘Idemitsu Grancuir’ material with comfortable textured protein combination derived from egg, which is 60% lighter than genuine leather.

  • 50mm driver units with 1 Tesla (1000 gauss) magnetic circuit
  • Superior audio reproduction with low distortion and wide dynamic range
  • Bio-dynamic diaphragm that offers rich lows, natural mid range and smooth highs
  • Light-weight and highly rigid magnesium die-cast used for the housing material
  • Piezo sheet inside the housing for dispersion of resonance as well as high damping treatment
  • Earpads and headband made of ‘Idemitsu Grancuir’ material

To purchase the unit, please visit our website:

Buy Fostex TH-600 Premium Closed Back Reference Headphones

Final Audio Design Piano Forte X Earphones – Review

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Final Audio’s high end in-ear, the Final Audio Design Piano Forte X, is causing a stir, and it’s not all due to the price or styling. Lauri Cular takes them home after leaving his sister behind as security.

FINAL AUDIO PIANO FORTE X

Piano Forte, when directly translated into English, means ‘soft and loud’. With appropriate amplification they certainly go loud, but in terms of their outward design they struggle with softness. Indeed they could be used to mug someone – and with the hefty price tag here the proceeds of a few muggings could come in handy.

If only these were available years ago. All those hours spent collecting conkers and ruining my mum’s roast dinners by sneaking them in the oven to harden them could have been more fruitfully spent. Never mind pretending to miss, and hitting your mate’s hand on a cold morning, what fun!

More seriously, the ‘soft’ is quite accurate when describing the sound of these. The first thought which struck me was ‘where’s the treble?’ followed closely by ‘surely these are the Emperor’s new headphones, has everyone gone mad?’ but I’m glad I reserved my judgement. I collected together some pieces of music which would bring out the strengths of the Piano Fortes – a recording of Hariprasad Chaurasia’s bansuri (with genuine jungle sounds accompanying), Handel’s Music for the Royal Fireworks and a work which I think reflects Beethoven’s best period – Beethoven’s Greatest Hits. Added to this is the Temperance Seven, which is just perfect – the music brings to mind the huge acoustic horn speakers of the 1920s and the Piano Forte Xs really bring this quality to it. Not the scratchiness or the narrow frequency range, but the liveliness of it all – it really gets me involved. Also tagging along is my Wurlitzer CD from Blackpool Tower ballroom and my fairground Gavioli LP. Rockin’!

These don’t do electronica or pop, and rock is not recommended – unless particularly atmospheric, that is. The Piano Fortes are designed to be at their best for one type of performance or production only – the acoustic. Hence my selection of twiddly stuff.

Now I’m not one to go for the classical or acoustic out of habit, so it made quite a change to don these gold blobs and be immersed. The usual half life for this stuff is about 10 seconds with me, so it’s a feather in the Final Audio cap to keep me listening. Closing my eyes, I could imagine the space and myself in it very easily. The classical, and music of a higher-brow-than-mine variety is all very well but I don’t know it intimately – these aren’t reference tracks for me. The Temperance Seven CD full of them though, and I thoroughly enjoyed the various instruments involved. I was hit with as much information as any great headphone; it was just that the emphasis here is on the midrange and it matches the music perfectly.

It’s like the best of both worlds – the charm and ease of an old-style phonograph presentation, but with the sound quality and convenience of 21st Century technology. These are not necessarily designed for the hectic lifestyles of now, as evidenced by their tendency to drop out when leaning forward or moving the head rapidly. This may be more to do with my ears than anything; I checked Final Audio‘s website to check how they were fitting me, and the chap on the page had managed to ingest the things almost completely. On me, most of the body tended to balance half in and half out of my concha, and the nozzle up against the opening of my ear canal kept it in. They stayed there and would offer no trouble if used in the same manner as full-size headphones of the same calibre.

In summary, these headphones may not be the most practical for our busy modern lives, but they are not meant to accompany any activities other than relaxation. With the Piano Forte X, it might be said that any foul mood can easily be conkered!