Tag Archives: hybrid

Final B1 Hybrid Earphone Review

Posted on by
Reply

Final B1

 

Aesthetics and Build Quality:

The new B range from Final all share the same shape, but with different finishes. The B1 is rose gold with the signature angular outer and smooth inner shell design. I really like the look of the B1, but they are a fingerprint magnet. Also, I do know that rose gold is not everyone’s cup of tea when it comes to colour but I think it looks pretty classy on these.

The build quality really is superb, the B1 are perfectly finished without a single blemish or flaw. The cable is silver plated and uses regular MMCX connectors, it has great strain relief and feels built to last. The housing is metal, but I do fear the shiny rose gold finish will scratch over time.

Comfort and Isolation:

The inner edges of the B1 are smooth and this makes them extremely comfortable to wear. The angle of the nozzle, matched with the angle of the cable, make these of one the most comfortable IEM’s I have tried. I can’t see anyone having issues with the fit of these.

Isolation is really good; they block out more than enough outside noise for general daily use and commuting. Whilst they don’t quite reach fully sealed BA driver levels of isolation, they have more than enough for daily use.

Sound:

Bass: The dynamic driver of the B1 handles the low frequencies, and does a really good job of filling out the sound yet retaining the speed and control to blend well with the faster BA drivers. The bass is tight yet full when needed, it punches with authority yet when slowed down it has great tonality for acoustic and jazz tracks. Articulate and well layered, the low end injects a sense of energy without becoming over the top. These won’t really suit those looking for a bass heavy sound, but they have enough to suit most people’s needs.

 

Midrange: The midrange is clean with great detail, they have more clarity when compared to the B3, but in presence it is still slightly behind the lows and highs. The lower midrange has a slight dip but it isn’t masked by the bass, and the upper midrange is a little forward which can bring out some sibilance in certain recordings. Despite all of this, the midrange is very open and detailed, with great separation and imaging. Even though the lower midrange is every so slightly dipped, the sound doesn’t come across as V or U-shaped.

 

Treble: The upper midrange forwardness also trails into the lower treble and brings out a lot of energy in the initial crash of cymbals. This is backed up with great extension, but this added energy could be a little too much for more treble sensitive listeners. They have plenty of bite up top which leads to an exciting listen, not one for those who prefer a smoother, more laid-back sound signature. The B1 is packed full of energy, the treble never gets lost in the mix and has great accuracy when it comes to placement within the soundstage and tonality.

 

The soundstaging is good, but I find the B3 to create a more convincing sense of width whereas the B1 does better in terms of height. Coherency is excellent and the imaging is very accurate.

Conclusion:

The B1 are not for the faint hearted, they have an energetic and impactful sound signature that requires your attention. They have heaps of detail, excellent separation and speed along with great comfort. Be sure to give these a listen, as they are incredibly well tuned for a triple driver earphone.

 

Sound: 4/5

Comfort: 5/5

Build: 4/5

Value: 4/5

Oriveti OH300 and OH500 First Impressions

Posted on by
3

Oriveti OH300 and OH500 First Impressions

These 2 new models from Oriveti have just arrived in our office and will be available very soon. Due to the popularity of the New Primacy, we thought we should give you guys a quick first impression of them.

The OH300 is set to replace the New Primacy, sporting a new dynamic driver, along with the familiar dual Knowles balanced armature drivers. The OH500 is the new flagship model, sporting a dynamic driver along with 4 balanced armature drivers. Both come with a new 8-core braided silver-plated copper cable and leather carry case.

Both come with a cleaning tool, airplane adaptor, 3.5mm to 6.3mm adaptor along with an assortment of tips: S, M and L single flange silicone tips in 2 styles, along with 2 pairs of bi-flange tips and 2 pairs of M foam tips. Overall an excellent array of accessories.

Build quality is very impressive, Oriveti have now changed to a resin housing which is super smooth and makes them feel like a really premium product. The new 8-core cable is excellent and feels really durable, along with nice tight MMCX connectors. There really isn’t anything to fault here, both look and feel excellent.

The New Primacy always was quite a sensitive monitor, and these are no different so you may get slight hiss with certain sources, but it should be minimal. Pairing them with a good clean DAP is best though.

Sound:

The OH300 has a more neutral leaning sound signature, with excellent clarity and resolution. These are set to be priced around £300 and for that you get a really superb IEM. The midrange clarity is one of the main things that grabs your attention, with details coming across easily and effortlessly. The lows are tight and controlled but fill out the low end when required. They don’t bleed into the midrange, but they sound more coherent when compared to the New Primacy. These are not lacking when it comes to punch and extension, but they are those who like a bit of extra bass might want to look elsewhere. Up top you get great energy and sparkle, but they are a little less bright when compared to the New Primacy. They sound a little more refined without taking away the extension and detail that the New Primacy was famed for.

 

The OH500 has a slightly more organic tilt, favouring smoothness and slightly full tonality over a more analytical approach. The OH500 are one of those monitors you can put in and just relax, without missing out on technicalities. On the low end you get more pronounced sub-bass than the OH-300, but still a quick and tight mid-bass region preventing too much bleed into the lower midrange. The sub-bass is powerful and comes out of a black background when called for. The midrange is clean and has excellent layering, but it is presented in a natural way, without being pushed up front. There are no real peaks favouring male or female vocals, and the transition into the treble is incredibly smooth. The treble has a rise in the upper region creating a more airy, refined and extended sound rather than being more energetic and in your face. The soundstaging on the OH500 is truly superb, there is a really excellent sense of space with great placement of instruments.

 

These 2 models are definitely worth keeping an eye on, with the OH300 giving you a more neutral yet coherent sound, and the OH500 offering up a slightly lush but well extended and detailed sound. Oriveti are one of those brands who know how to tune a great earphone, so the competition better watch out.

DUNU DN-900 Earphone Review

Posted on by
1

Verdict

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

Pros

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

Cons

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

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

Key Features

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

First Impressions

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

Sound Quality

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dub Syndicate – Mafia

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

Summary

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

Score – 9/10