Tag Archives: in-ear headphones

Best Earphones 2023: IEM, Bluetooth, Wireless, Budget, Audiophile

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BEST EARPHONES 2023

We know how important it is to find the right earbuds; whether they are for your smartphone, music player, DAP, laptop, tablet or hi-fi system. Whether you call them in ears, IEM, in-ear headphones, earphones, earbuds, or anything else, this is the post for you. We’ve gathered our picks for the best earbuds that you can buy today. Welcome to our Best Earphones 2023 breakdown!

BEST EARPHONES UNDER £50

1. final E500 Wired Earphones – £19.99

Final E500

Designed with gaming and VR users in mind, the E500 delivers impressive spacial awareness and pin point accuracy. These qualities don’t only favour gamers – they give music an edge with clear imaging and a soundstage that brings you right into the mix. All of this for under £20 makes them a no brainer for those looking for a budget wired earphone.

READ MORE: Final E500 In-Ear Headphones Review

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2. SoundMAGIC E11/E11C Wired Earphones – £41.99/£52.99

With various SoundMAGIC models already available, what can the E11/E11C bring to the table? Well, Everything! We have found the E11 to be a grown-up earphone with a keen knack for giving a clear and accurate presentation across the board.  A truly impressive earphone for the price and in 2023 it is still the wired budget king.

READ MORE: SoundMAGIC E11C In-Ear Headphone Review

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BEST EARPHONES UNDER £100

3. final VR2000 Virtual Reality In Ear Isolating Gaming Earphones – £59.99

The VR2000 builds on the immense success of their gaming earphone predecessor the VR3000, which is known for their overwhelming spatial expression. The VR2000 focuses on the rapid response and aims to make object sounds within game audio more noticeable. Many typical gaming earbuds and headphones emphasize an exaggerated sound quality, aiming to accentuate sound effects for a more dramatic experience for the user. But in competitive gaming such as arcade fighting (Tekken), FPS (Apex Legends), Third person shooters such as Fortnite or rhythm games sich as Osu! it’s no exaggeration to say that the player’s quick judgment in reacting to sound effects can largely influence the outcome of each round. The VR2000 is a set of professional-grade earbuds developed specifically for players who are serious about winning.

READ MORE: final VR2000 Gaming Earphones

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4. final x Dragon Ball Z – Frieza – £70.00

Final Audio have collaborated with Dragonball Z to produce 3 iconic and unique models based on main characters. The Frieza model is specifically designed for ASMR content. But it is also perfect for watching movies, animations and videos In general. Absolutely one to consider, if you use your earphones more for Audiobooks/ Movies over music (although they are great at that too!). They are also really small and light, so perfect for those with smaller ears or those who find it difficult to find a pair of buds that are comfortable and a great sleeping buddy (for when listening to music in bed is your thing)!

READ MORE: final x Dragon Ball Z – Frieza

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BEST EARPHONES UNDER £200

5. final ZE3000 True Wireless Earphones – £119.00

True wireless earphones for the audiophiles and purists out there. The final ZE3000 don’t have many of the bells and whistles. They have no ANC, no ambient mode nor wireless charging. However they were designed from the bottom up for ultimate sound quality and in that they totally succeeded. They also look abolutely fantastic and fit perfectly. What more could you ask for at £119!

READ MORE: final ZE3000 True Wireless Earphones Review

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6. Campfire Orbit TWS Earphones– £199.00

Considering you can spend the same on Sony, Bose, Sennheiser and Apple – the Orbit provides audio that surpasses what the other popular brands would only dream of. Yes, you don’t get noise cancelling or fancy app tech with 1,000,000 features. What you do get is a product made by one of the best in the audio biz, and sound that you would normally need to pay over £1000 for…

READ MORE: Campfire Orbit Review

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BEST EARPHONES UNDER £500

7. Westone Audio Pro X20 Professional Earphones – £400.00

Stage musicians rejoice! Musicans of the past were limited to selecting either an isolated in-ear monitor mix or an immersive wedge based experience for monitoring. With the Am Pro X20 you can now enjoy both the energy and input from the audience, as well as from other performers and the stage. With Westone Audio’s exclusive StageSense Ambient Technology you are in total control of your musical environment. You can enjoy full-range frequency response from your in-ear monitor signal, hear and feel your surroundings and engage with fellow performers and your audience like never before. The AM Pro X series is a recommended universal solution for on-stage monitoring and band practice.

READ MORE: Westone Audio Pro X20

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8. Final ZE8000 – ANC TWS Earphones £299.00 (Currently on Special Offer for £199.00!)

Final’s flagship TWS earphone is finally here and a cause for celebration by many audio fans out there. The design is like nothing else out there today. The looks and comfort of these earphones are unique and extremely effective. Add to that a fantastic sound quality that challenges some of the finest wired earphones out there as well as all the bells and whistles you expect from a TWS earphone these days and you have quite the package.

READ MORE: Final ZE8000 Review

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9. Final A5000 – £259.00

Final’s new addition to the “A” series, The A5000 is a wired IEM that punches far above it’s price in terms of sound quality. Style aside, the bass is powerful and tight, the mids and the highs fabulous. Final have proven time and time again that you do not need to spend an arm and a leg for a quality earphone. For anyone looking to upgrade their gear on a budget, look no further. Final Magic for £259.00? Yes please.

READ MORE: Final A5000

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BEST EARPHONES OVER £1000

10. 64 Audio U4s -£1,099.00

The U4s is 64 Audio’s new, blue & cheapest UIEM coming in at £1099.00. The hybrid construction delivers a richer and deeper sub-bass then their next cheapest universal model the U6t (which is made up from a full BA driver set up) thanks to the dynamic driver under its hood. The U4s comes with 64 Audio’s all new M12 Apex module, meaning you essentially get four different sound signatures out of the box. You are after an open sound with as wide an image as possible? Then slot in the MX or the M12. Want more bass? Say hello to the M20 or M15. The versatility of these is great and the energetic sound from the U4s will keep your attention for years to come.

READ MORE: 64 Audio U4s

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11. final A8000 Audiophile Custom-Driver Earphones – £1999

With the A8000, final prove that multiple drivers aren’t necessary for producing mind blowing audio. One driver is all that’s needed! Final don’t settle with any old drivers either. For the A8000, Final has developed their custom made ultra thin Beryllium foil driver. Along with Final’s four chamber housing design, the A8000 gives high resolution a whole new meaning. These need to be heard to be believed.

READ MORE: final A8000 Custom-Driver Audiophile Earphones Review

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12. 64 Audio Volür – £2369.05

What started out as the Nio 2 evolved into a whole new word (and a UIEM) that never existed before. The Volür. The newest Universal IEM from 64 Audio. The pulsating heart of which is made up of two new custom 9mm dynamic drivers set in a True Isobaric configuration that delivers unprecedented low-frequency capability. The low end of the Volür will simply blow you away. It is easily one of the best technical performing earphones that has a “fun” sounding signature. Those purple abalone faceplates also look fabulous.

READ MORE: 64 Audio Volür

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13. Campfire Audio Solaris Stellar Horizon – Quad Hybrid Drivers IEM Earphones £2669.00

The Solaris ‘Stellar Horizon’ has a sound that arguably has not existed before. They are the realest sounding IEMs out there today. If you didn’t know better, when they are in your ears, you would assume that the audio was coming from a huge acoustically treated chamber filled with musicians all playing just for you. Bass sounds real. No boom or overdoing it. Mids sound real. The tone, texture and timbre match exactly the experience of listening to drums, guitars and vocals being performed live and in person. A must have.

READ MORE: Campfire Audio Solaris Stellar Horizon Earphone Review

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14. 64 Audio Fourté Blanc – Limited Edition Earphones- £3899.00

With only 500 units avaliable worldwide, and only 2 left for sale in the UK, this unique IEM is already a collectors Item. With the second and final reimagination of the Fourte, it is better than ever. The boundaries have been pushed even further in showing what’s possible with only 4 drivers. If you are a fan of 64 Audio, this is a must have and reviewers are are claiming this is one of the best UIEM’s ever made. See Ulf Kaiser’s review from Kopfhoerer.de below!

READ MORE: 64 Audio Fourté Blanc Review

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Have We Missed Anything Out?

Honourble mentions to the Trifecta, Fourté , LCD i3, OV800, and many more out there! What is your favourite? Please feel free to leave a comment below and let us know…

Best Headphones 2023: Earbuds, Noise Cancelling, Wireless, Premium

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BEST HEADPHONES 2023

We know how important it is to find the best headphones for you; whether they are for your smartphone, music player, laptop, console or hi fi system. Here you can see the best of the best earphones, on ear, full size, Bluetooth, wireless and audiophile headphones to buy right now.

BEST EARPHONES

READ MORE: Best Earphones 2023

1. 64 Audio Volür – £2369.05

What started out as the Nio 2 evolved into a whole new word (and a UIEM) that never existed before. The Volür. The newest Universal must have IEM from 64 Audio. The pulsating heart of this new creation is made up of two new custom 9mm dynamic drivers set in a true isobaric configuration that delivers unprecedented low-frequency capability. The low end of the Volür will simply blow you away, not that the highs or the mids are ignored whatsoever. This new hybrid UIEM from 64 Audio is easily one of the best technical performing earphones that has a “fun” sounding signature in existence today. Those purple abalone faceplates also look fabulous. A must have in 2023.

READ MORE: 64 Audio Volür

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BEST WIRELESS EARBUDS

READ MORE: Best Wireless Headphones 2022

2. Lypertek PurePlay Z5 ANC True Wireless Earbuds – £99.00

Coming hot off the heels of Lyperteks now world famous PurePlay Z3, The Pureplay Z5 has changed the game completely. This is probably the best TWS ANC earphone you can buy for under £100. They have ANC, Ambient mode, wireless charging, accompanying PUREPLAY ANC app with LDX Audio, sound customisation profiles and more. Add to that a fanstastc sound quality and brilliant mics and you can instantly see why the Z5 has made the cut.

READ MORE: Lypertek PurePlay Z5 ANC TWS Review

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BEST WIRELESS HEADPHONES

READ MORE: Best Wireless Headphones 2022

3. final UX3000 ANC Wireless Headphones – £119

Final have really worked their magic here. Solid build quality, paired with great sound and effective ANC for under £120 is something rarely heard of. Add to that fantastic mic quality and you have an absolute bargain on offer. The UX3000 can be recommend to absolutely anyone looking for a portable over-ear headphone and you will only see smiles on their faces.

READ MORE: Final UX3000 ANC Wireless Headphones Review

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BEST ON EAR HEADPHONES

4. SoundMAGIC P23BT Portable Wireless Headphones – £49.99

How do they do it? SoundMAGIC have once again made a killer headphone for a super price. The P23BT doubles up as a headset too with the included cable and boom mic (great for home office or even gaming). In addition, the headphone is lightweight and comfortable. Add into the mixer an incredibly impressive battery life and a simple ease of use and you have got yourself a bargain. They sound full and warm yet never bass heavy. They really do sound incredible and for a Wireless on ear headphone what more could you want?

WATCH VIDEO: SoundMAGIC P23BT Wireless On Ear Headphone Review

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BEST OVER EAR HEADPHONES

READ MORE: Best Over Ear Headphones 2023

5. Audeze LCD-X Planar Magnetic Full Size Headphones – £1149

The Audeze LCD-X are a real eye-catching headphone. For a retail price that seems crazy at first glance, the bottom line is that the price-performance ratio of this headphones is absolutely fantastic. Not only due to the impeccable manufacture, but also a robust construction, use of high-quality materials and wonderful, detailed sound Loved by Audiophiles and sound engineers alike. If you want to give yourself a birthday or Christmas present, you can safely consider surprising yourself with the Audeze LCD-X.

READ MORE: Audeze LCD-X Planar Magnetic Headphones

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BEST STUDIO HEADPHONES

READ MORE: Best Over Ear Headphones 2020

6. Audeze MM-500 Planar Magnetic Full Size Studio Headphones – £1699

Audeze MM-500 is designed to suit the requirements of long daily listening sessions under almost any condition. World-class studio monitor? Check. Quick reference on-the-go? No problem. Deep late-night listening? Done. With its ease of drive, comfortable fit and trustworthy sound, you can count on the MM-500 to deliver in every situation. The MM-500’s planar magnetic drivers provide realism that audio professionals like Manny “can’t live without.” With lightning-fast transients, accurate frequency response and trusted mix translation.

READ MORE: Audeze MM-500 Planar Magnetic Studio Headphones

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BEST RUNNING HEADPHONES

READ MORE: Best Wireless Headphones 2023

7. Cleer Audio Arc II Sport – Open-Ear True Wireless Sports Earphones- £199

Following the runaway success of the Cleer Audio‘s open ear Arc earphones, the Cleer Arc II SPORT has taken the concept of an open wireless earphone to a whole new level. The new Arc II Sport is superior to its predecessor in every single way. It has a longer battery life, a better, even more secure fit with an improved earhook design and supports wireless hands free and head gesture controls for answering calls and the like. This earphone has been designed from the bottom up for those who want to listen on the move while being simultaneously aware of their surroundings. One of the most stand out changes to the case is the addition of UV-C light that sanitises the earbuds while not in use. How great is that!?

READ MORE: Cleer Audio ARC II Sport – Open-Ear True Wireless Sports Earphones

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BEST GAMING HEADPHONES

READ MORE: Christmas Gift Guide 2023

8. Audeze Maxwell Ps5/Xbox – £319.00/£349.00

With the advent of the PS5 and Xbox X consoles, gamers will want some headphones to maximise their experience. The Audeze Maxwell is a supercharged, reimagined Penrose. Now with 80hr+ battery life, Ultra-Low Latency Wireless with 3X range of traditional 2.4Ghz. As well as first-in-class Bluetooth 5.3. Including an Improved build with an all-new reinforced chassis from aluminium and steel. As well as The adoption of Audeze’s FILTER™ noise reduction technology for clear communications on top of their Award-winning Audeze 90mm planar magnetic drivers. This is the must have gaming headset of 2023.

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Have We Missed Anything Out?

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

Brand Story: Audeze

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We’re all looking for acoustic perfection and that is something Audeze has strived to achieve from the very beginning. Their first headphone, the LCD-2, received high praise worldwide and the word Audeze became synonymous with any sentence including the word Audiophile. The LCD-2 was and still is heralded in some quarters as the greatest headphones ever made. But Audeze was never never going to be a one hit wonder and stop there. Where there is room for improvement, so too is the strive to create that end-game perfection. That’s the defining characteristic of Audeze: The strive to innovate. With now over 20 products out there it is nearly impossible to not find an Audeze headphone that is 100% tailored to your listening style.

Audeze CRBN

All About Audeze

As you are well aware, Audeze is a California based high-end audio manufacturer known for delivering some of the most accurate sound reproduction products available today. In other words, they specialise in making luxury high-end planar magnetic headphones. Founded in circa 2009 by Alexander Rosson and Sankar Thiagasamudram, their products are designed from the ground up and engineered with the latest innovations in materials & technology. This is paired with precision craftsmanship to produce products with an astonishingly dynamic and immersive sound. Audeze’s commitment to research and development is reflected in every one of their products from the CRBN, LCD-5 to the Maxwell, Euclid and beyond.

What Does Audeze Mean?

Everyone

Audeze’s mission is to “create the best headphones in the world”, that much is clear. But everyone hears differently, so how can there possibly be “The One Headphone to Rule Them All” so to speak? Drumroll…. There’s not! Audeze’s real mission is to create the best headphone in the world for everyone out there, this is why there is not one Flagship Model but 4 and all manner of products in between.

Audeze LCD-5 Earcup Elements

Making Planar Magnetic Fashionable Again

Audeze’s continued innovation in planar magnetic driver technology has produced plenty of options for audiophiles, gamers, music makers alike. A popular thing in the 70’s, Audeze has managed to bring back / reinvent this technology not only as a USP but with the belief that Planar Magnetic is the way to go for great sounding headphones. This hunch, or commitment has been justified by not only the brand’s success but how others are now emulating what Audeze does day to day. Audeze’s continued innovation in planar magnetic driver technology in open or closed back, over-the-ear & in-ear products has produced plenty of options for everyone, with both small and large budgets.

Just what are planar magnetic drivers? Instead of a coil of wire, there is a thin membrane separated by an array of magnets in front and behind. When electrical sound signals are sent to the membrane it starts to move/ vibrate, thanks to the magnetic field and as a result it produces sound. For the benefits and negatives of this technology, you will need to go down a rabbit hole on the internet.

The Odyssey of Audeze: How do you pronounce it?
…is it Awwdeez or Awe-de-ze or Oh-de-sea?

Please let us know in the comments, we would really like to know!

Flagship Models

Just what are they? “The culmination of decades of research and development. Featuring our Nano-scale or carbon nanotube diaphragms, Fluxor™ magnet arrays, and Uniforce™ voice coils, Audeze’s Flagship series represents the pinnacle of audiophile technology.

LCD-5 – “The very definition of Uncompromised Audio. Representing more than 40 years of research and development in planar magnetic headphone technology, the LCD-5 stands in a class of its own.”

LCD-4Z – “Experience the unrivaled audio quality of our Flagship LCD-4 without the need for an amplifier. No other headphone in the world features such a robust and musically engaging sound signature in such an efficient package.”

CRBN ELECTROSTATIC – “Featuring the most advanced electrostatic technology in decades, the CRBN electrostatic headphone features a new Patent-pending polymer film with suspended carbon nanotubes for sparkling clarity, incredible transparency, transient speed, and bass response.”

LCD-i4 – “Represents the pinnacle of both audio quality and technological innovation for In Ear Monitoring. This groundbreaking in-ear headphone features the same Nano-Scale Uniforce diaphragm found in our LCD-4 and 4z. Paired with our powerful Fluxor magnet array to offer one of the most responsive, detailed, engaging, and immersive listening experiences in the world.”

Audeze LCD-5
LCD-i4

Audeze Artists

You will find Audze’s reference series models in world-class studios and listening rooms all over the world. Audeze Artists and listeners everywhere use words like neutral, trustworthy and game-caning to describe them. So you know you will be hearing exactly what the artists themselves intended. The models in their reference series are the LCD-X, LCD-XC, LCD-MX4 & the MM-500. They are trusted and well reviewed around the entire world and if you’re a sound producer needing an upgrade, look no further!

You can read more about Audeze Artists, watch reviews, explanation videos and find out exactly why Audeze headphones are the professional’s go to choice here.

Gaming

It is safe to say that Audeze have been expanding their headphone product line a lot within the past few years. Not only is there an Origins Series; LCD-2, LCD-2 classic, LCD-2 Closed & the LCD-3. There is also an In-Ear Series featuring the Euclid, LCDi4 & the LCDi3. On top of these wonderful products there is a whole other beast in Gaming. Gaming is a fast rising market trend and has become an explosive market in the last 10 years. Audeze have managed to tap into this gaming-orientated audiophile quality headphone market, where hearing footsteps is the one thing between life and death (online).

Some of the top gaming headphones out there!

Both the Mobius and the LCD-GX are very different gaming headsets from each other, but that’s part of the beauty of them. Not only have both been considered some of the top gaming headphones out there (thanks to their state-of-the-art technology, design and that remarkable Audeze sound quality). They are both designed with specific uses and people budgets in mind. So gamers can really get the best quality possible within their means.

Introducing Maxwell

Maxwell is an evolved (and seriously upgraded) successor to the Audeze Penrose gaming headset. The great news for gamers out there is that all their feedback from the Penrose/ Penrose X has been absorbed by Audeze and the changes made with the Maxwell are considerable. It has a chassis made of aluminum and steel (longevity +++). The integrated battery will also last up to 80 hours and if you forget to charge your headset, a 20 minute charge will get the headset to work for a full day (Battery +++! In addition to this, a new noise filter has been integrated (FILTER™ is Audeze tech).

Dolby Atmos is also supported, but this only applies to the Xbox version or for use on the PC. The microphone is also detachable. It is a boom microphone with hypercardioid characteristics (think broadcasting microphones) that has 5 beamforming mics integrated too. So yes, when it gets sweaty on the battlefield, you will still sound clear as day. More info here

Audeze Mobius
Audeze LCD-GX
Audeze Maxwell

Timeline of Releases

  • 2009: LCD-1 and LCD-2 prototypes revealed at CanJam
  • 2010: LCD-2 launched
  • 2011: LCD-3 Launched
  • 2012: LCD-2 gets updated connectors and cable
  • 2013: LCD-X Launched, LCD-3 & LCD-2 get Fazors
  • 2014: product of the year awarded to LCD-2 by headphone.guru
  • 2015: LCD-4 Released
  • 2016: LCD-X LCD-2/ LCD-3/LCD-4 get new drivers, iSine 10 released
  • 2017: LCD-MX4 / LCD-2 Classic, LCD-i4, iSine 10 Black/Steel Edition released. Sine headphones win Red Dot award
  • 2018: LCD-4z launched
  • 2019: Limited Edition LCD-24, LCD-GX gaming headphone, LCD-1, LCD i3, Audeze Mobius wireless PC gaming headset come to market
  • 2019: LCDi3 wins best UIEM from Headfonia
  • 2020: Penrose / Penrose X launched. LCD-5 wins best open headphone award from headfonia, LCD-1 wins best portable over ear from Tech Radar
  • 2021: Limited Edition LCD-R, CRBN Electrostatic, LCD-5, Euclid, LCD-XC are released
  • 2022: MM-500, FILTER Bluetooth Conference Speakerphone released
  • 2023: Maxwell drops in Q1 23

Our Top 5 Audeze Product Picks

1.Audeze LCD-5 – £3,999.00

For the price you would expect these to be some of the best headphones on the market. Guess what? They absolutely are indeed. The LCD-5 have that gorgeous textured and full Audeze bass response you would expect, but it is so much more controlled now. The midrange is open, clear and detailed and the treble extends effortlessly without ever becoming harsh. These are resolving yet enjoyable. They have a reference like tuning without coming across clinical. They have an honest presentation without too much colouration or sweetness to the sound. Their greatest attribute is that they can simply play whatever you throw at them with ease.

2.Audeze LCD- X – £1,149.00

If you want to give yourself or someone you know a birthday or Christmas present, you can safely consider surprising yourself/them with the Audeze LCD-X. The Audeze LCD-X is a real eye-catching headphone. For a retail price that seems crazy at first glance, the bottom line is that the price-performance ratio of this headphones is absolutely fantastic. Not only due to the impeccable manufacture, but also a robust construction, use of high-quality materials and wonderful, detailed sound Loved by Audiophiles and sound engineers alike.

3. Audeze CRBN Electrostatic– £4,500.00

Watch our video review of the CRBN here.

4. Audeze LCD-2 Classic – £649.00

The LCD-2 Classic are a well controlled, but ultimately warm sounding headphone. They offer up a fatigue free sound with good width and height. If you listen to electronic centred music, old school rap/hip-hop and smoother more acoustic music they are a joy to listen to. Full Review

5. Audeze Maxwell – £319.00-£349.00

“After years of relentless innovation building the world’s best wireless gaming headset, Audeze presents Maxwell, designed from the ground up for serious gamers. Sound quality, wireless performance, and battery life are all pushed to new extremes, along with the latest spatial audio features and multi-platform compatibility.” – We cannot wait to get our hands on them in Q1 2023.

Latest Audeze Updates and News:

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Brand Story: SoundMAGIC

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SoundMAGIC design and manufacture award-winning headphones and earphones. They are famous worldwide for their flagship earphones, the E Series. This includes many types of earphones that are known to consistently outperform similar products from established competitors, often even more than twice the price! This is backed up with awards and recommendations for this range from 2011 to today. From What Hi-Fi?, Stuff magazine, T3 to Trusted Reviews, SoundMAGIC have continuously impressed and continue to do so. They provide great value for money and are much loved around the world.

About SoundMAGIC

Tony Xu founded SoundMAGIC in 2005. As mentioned above, their main products include in-ear headphones, professional HiFi headphones, Bluetooth headphones and more. They are one of the only Chinese earphone brands that is widely recognized worldwide. Having been deeply involved in the industry for more than ten years, a lot of their success can be attributed to their brand purpose:

Providing consumers with high-quality audio products that have the ultimate cost / performance ratio. 

SoundMAGIC are particularly famous worldwide for their flagship earphones, the E Series. The E series in-ear headphones are known to be fun and exciting while producing clarity and definition rivalling earphones twice the price. The E Series consists of earphones like the SoundMAGIC E11C, SoundMAGIC E10C, SoundMAGIC E11BT, SoundMAGIC E80, E10, E11 & more!

Many “E” products from SoundMAGIC have been highly praised by the world’s two famous industry magazines “WHAT Hi-Fi” and “Stuff” for the last 12 years and have repeatedly won the “Best Product of the Year Award”. Since 2018 the “E11C” has been best in class in its product category. Proving that you can get immersive sound quality, outstanding durability and stylish aesthetics on a budget.

SoundMAGIC E10 – In-Ear Isolating Earphones
SoundMAGIC E11C – In-Ear Isolating Earphones with Mic and Remote

Product Highlight: SoundMAGIC E11C – “Natural Born Winner That Sounds MAGIC “

Sophisticated Sound
As well as Providing refined and accurate sound from redesigned 10mm dynamic drivers, SoundMAGIC E11C delivers a balanced sound image with extended transparent detail and warm, textured bass.

Elegant Aluminium Housing
Furthermore, E11C are completely crafted from aluminium in a high-precision cutting process and finished with a unique hand painting process. The lightweight and robust housing of the E11C displays a delicate texture with refined and elegant appearance.

Another great pair of SoundMagic budget earphones, the E11C in-ears continue the fine work of their predecessors and deliver an entertaining, upfront sound, complete with a remote control and mic. And we can’t argue with that.

What Hi-Fi 2022 Award Winner Review

Comfortable Isolating Design
Likewise, the E11C combines ergonomic angled sound tubes with an in-ear fit that seals the ear canal totally with soft silicone eartips to provide a secure fit with total sound isolation and immersive listening.

Complete Communication
In addition to the above, they are able to pair with any type of smartphone. The SoundMAGIC E11C has been equipped with a unique technology in the 3-button control unit that switches automatically between Apple and Android smartphones for management of volume, track control and telephone calls. Though some remote features may have limited functionality on Google Pixel 3a/4a and Sony Xperia devices.

SoundMAGIC P23 – Portable Wireless Bluetooth Headphones
SoundMAGIC HP151 – Full Size Closed Back Headphone
SoundMAGIC S20BT – Wireless In-Ear Headphones

Brand Culture

In essence, a good brand is established by the accumulation of time and the spread of word of mouth. By and large, providing customers with high-quality products and services is how you succeed. This is what SoundMAGIC is. As well as focusing on the performance of their products they also focus on their customers with a both come first approach. Hence pursuing original product design, aiming for perfect quality, listening to customer feedback and providing end products that are cost effective & high quality, is what has helped them create a world renowned brand.

All “SoundMAGIC” products present the best cost to performance ratio in their respective categories.

SoundMAGIC Philosophy

Milestones

  • 2005: Shenzhen SoundMAGIC Technology Development Co., Ltd. was founded and “SoundMAGIC” trademark registered
  • 2006: Comprehensive overhaul design, research and development, manufacturing and sales system
  • 2007: SoundMAGIC’s first earphone sold overseas won a four-star recommendation from the influential magazine “WHAT Hi-Fi”
  • 2009: The SoundMAGIC PL11 earphones received a five-star recommendation from the world-renowned magazine “Stuff”
  • 2010: The SoundMAGIC PL50 received five-star recommendation from “Stuff” and created a best-selling myth
  • 2011-2013: The SoundMAGIC E10 has been voted “Best In-Ear Headphones Under £40” by WHAT Hi-Fi for three consecutive years
  • 2014-2015: SoundMAGIC E10S was voted “Best In-Ear Headphones Under £50” by WHAT Hi-Fi for 2 consecutive years
  • 2016: SoundMAGIC E10C voted “Best In-Ear Headphones Under £50” by WHAT Hi-Fi
  • 2018: SoundMAGIC E11 received five-star recommendations from “Stuff” and “WHAT Hi-Fi”
  • 2019: SoundMAGIC launches the first closed-back HiFi headphone HP1000 with a unique design and an open-back sense of hearing
  • 2019-2022: SoundMAGIC E11C has been voted “Best In-Ear Headphones Under £50” by WHAT Hi-Fi for four consecutive years

Our Top 5 SoundMAGIC Product Picks

1. SoundMAGIC E11C In Ear Isolating Earphones with Mic – £52.99

Launched in 2018, the SoundMAGIC E11C is still reaping rewards for being a great pair of affordable in-ear headphones, complete with remote and mic. It’s not often that budget consumer goods stand the test of time but the E11C continues to deliver a great sound for an outstanding price.

2. SoundMAGIC P23BT Portable Wireless Bluetooth Headphones – £49.96

SoundMAGIC once again show that they are unrivalled when it comes to creating budget models with excellent sound quality, the P23BT has such an enjoyable sound that you quickly forget they only cost £50. The addition of a boom mic on the wired cable is really impressive for home working or office use, along with insane battery life for everyday use.

3. SoundMAGIC S20BT In Ear Isolating Wireless Earphones with Controls & Mic – £39.95

The S20BT is the perfect exercise partner. For just under £40 you get a warm and enjoyable wireless set of earphones that sound fun and fit securely for any kind of active use. These are specifically designed for out and about use, and for that purpose they tick all the right boxes.

4. SoundMAGIC E11 In Ear Isolating Earphones– £42.99

The E11 is perfect for somebody who likes what is offered by the E11C but has no use for a microphone or volume controls.

5. SoundMAGIC E10 In Ear Isolating Earphones – £31.99

SoundMAGIC’s acoustic engineers carefully configured the drivers of the E10 to produce exciting sound with powerful bass and balanced musical detail. It is a beautifully finished in-ear sound isolating earphone made from brushed metal with a choice of four vibrant colours.

Lastest SoundMAGIC Updates and News:

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Brand Story: Final

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Coming from Japan, Final is a High-end audio brand with a minimalist style and an aim to give their customers the best in class when it comes to audio quality. No matter the price point. Well loved and with a loyal fan base in its native Japan, Fnal has been making strides into Europe and the USA over the last decade. Becoming a household name for Audiophiles, they have recently broken into the more mainstream consumer markets with their Wireless product range. Winning awards for their affordability, style and sound quality along the way.

About Final

Established in 2007, Final’s first earphones were released onto the market in 2009 and their first Final branded headphone was released in 2013. They are a very modern company, making use of high precision Japanese engineering and adopting cutting edge technology such as 3D printing. This in turn aids their now famous and unrivalled focus on finesse and accuracy. 

A name for itself amongst the audiophile world over the last 10 years

This company wide attention to detail, alongside their stylistic minimalist approach to their products has resulted in Final carving a name for itself amongst the audiophile world over the last 10 years. In addition to this, further recognition amongst the general consumer market, most recently with their “Best Most Affordable Wireless Headphone 2022” award from TechRadar for their UX3000 has further enhanced the brands image in the western world’s mainstream.

They are finally starting to get the recognition they deserve in this general consumer space. This is because their products in all price categories from £19.99 to £4000+ fulfil their mission to provide the highest quality of audio design. That “Final magic” reviewers often write about is something very real, and it would be remiss to not try out what they offer.

Final D8000 Pro Limited Edition

Collaboration series

As Final gained more renown worldwide and a reputation for producing great audio devices, they have begun to collaborate with other Japanese cultural exports to create unique products. Without a doubt, these are as collectable as they come and they are great “Final” products themselves. For example, the collaboration between Final and the anime show Evangelion uses the characters Mechas as a motif. So each model (there are now 6 in the wild!) are totally unique with the earphone chassis and case. Not only can people get something that reflects their favourite character, the voice signals in each device, such as “power on” are also recorded by the actors that play the characters these devices represent.

Final have taken this approach further with a recent collaboration with Ultraman and in the coming months, there is sure to be even more collaborations with other Japanese cultural icons that are already popular culture in the western world. As big as Naruto or Pokémon? Hold your breath, because it is going to blow your mind.

Final UX3000
Final Collaboration Series: EVA2020 x Evangelion

Fun FACT

Final has a state-of-the-art “Final STORE” located in Kawasaki, Japan. This is open to all music lovers and audio enthusiasts to come in and experience Final’s range of headphones & earphones. You can even reserve a table or even a soundproof room to try out their products. In addition to this, they offer on the spot, repair / support consultations on your Final products.

Furthermore, they offer various events such as limited edition sales or “The MAKE series tuning experience”. The MAKE series is a DIY earphone kit that allows you to find “your own sound” by changing the internal tuning with the included kit. As well as the option to be able to purchase the kit on the spot, the experience includes staff recommended tunings and advice on how to get the earphone to create more of the sound you desire. Worth a visit if you ever find yourself in Tokyo, Japan!

Ethos

Final strongly believe in creating products that are highly revered by people. They design and build their products with the intention for the customer to have an affinity towards them and continue to use in the same way as for example with mechanical wristwatches; The kind of products that will continue to be valued and seen as antiques in the future.

Final aspire to make their name synonymous with Earphones/Headphones. Much like the countries Switzerland being famous for wristwatches or Germany for their cars. To that end, Final embody the design of their products with their core values and mission, unrivalled craftsmanship precision and accuracy.

Milestones

  • 2007: Founded.
  • 2009: The manufacture and sales of earphones under the Final audio design brand began in conjunction with the beginning of an earphone. / headphone OEM / ODM business.
  • 2011: Sales of Final audio design branded products began overseas focused in Europe and Asia.
  • 2013: The first headphones under the Final brand were released onto the market.
  • 2014: The brand name was standardized to “final”, and the company logo was revamped. Joint development of LAB I, the first earphones with a titanium housing created using a 3D printer.
  • 2015: The company’s head office expanded and relocated from Shinagawa, Tokyo to Kawasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture.
  • 2016: LAB II, earphones with a titanium housing, were developed in collaboration with NTT Data Engineering Systems using a 3D metal printer.
  • 2017: Released the bestseller the E3000, the result of research on the correlation between hearing and physical characteristics. The D8000 planar magnetic headphone is also released.
  • 2018: Scaled down ODM and OEM businesses in line with the growth of the Final brand.
  • 2019: Created the ag brand that handles wireless products and opened a directly managed Final store
  • 2020: Name changed from S’NEXT Co., Ltd. to Final Co., Ltd.
  • 2021: Head office and directly managed Final store expanded and relocated to Nakasaiwai-cho, Saiwai-ku, Kawasaki.
  • 2022: Released Final wireless range the UX3000 and ZE3000 to critical success. Major review platforms such as Trusted Reviews, T3 Magazine, Techradar and Hi-Fi Choice chose the UX3000 as one of the best affordable headphones 2022.
  • Late 2022: A limited edition of the D8000 pro is released.

Our Top 5 Final Product Picks

1. Final UX3000 ANC Wireless Headphones – £119.00

Final have really worked their “magic” here. Solid build quality, paired with great sound and effective ANC for under £120 is something rarely heard of. Add to that fantastic mic quality and you have an absolute bargain on offer. The Final UX3000 can be recommended to absolutely anyone looking for a portable over-ear headphone. You will only see smiles on their faces.

2. Final A8000 Audiophile Custom-Driver Earphones – £1,999.00

With the A8000, Final prove that multiple drivers aren’t necessary for producing mind blowing audio. One driver is all that’s needed! Final don’t settle with any old drivers either. For the A8000, Final has developed their custom made ultra thin Beryllium foil driver. Along with Final’s four chamber housing design, the A8000 gives high resolution a whole new meaning. These need to be heard to be believed.

3. Final E500 Wired Earphones – £19.99

Designed with gaming and VR users in mind, the E500 delivers impressive spatial awareness and pin point accuracy. These qualities don’t only favour gamers. They give music an edge with clear imaging and a soundstage that brings you right into the mix. All of this for under £20 makes them a no brainer for those looking for a budget wired earphone.

4. Final VR3000 – £69.98

Final VR3000 gaming earphones enable complete immersion into the VR and gaming world by reproducing the acoustic spatial sound as intended by the game creator. Most earphones for games and 3D sounds are made with exaggerated low and high frequencies, emphasising the surprise when you listen to them. VR3000 is very different.

5. Final D8000 Pro Limited Edition Planar Magnetic Headphones – £4,789.00

Final have released a Limited Model of the flagship D8000 Pro Edition headphones, with a new stylish finishing concept and further upgrades. A luxurious and authentic matte black finish is applied throughout, and dry gold-plated perforated metal is used for the AFDS driver. The structural and acoustic design of the driver, and dedicated housing construction which optimizes sound, have been retained.

Latest Final Updates and News:

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Gravastar Sirius Pro True Wireless Review

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The Gravastar Sirius Pro True Wireless earphones impress with impeccable design, build quality and sound quality to match. With dedicated listening modes up to 5.1 virtual surround sound, a very compact form factor and four unique colour options available they siriusly have a lot to offer.

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Sturdy and Well Built

The Gravastar Sirius Pro are small lightweight and extremely well built making them perfect for long gaming sessions without the fatigue that would normally come from a more standard in ear.

they immerse you in whatever content you are viewing …

They feature a zinc alloy case with a “siriusly” satisfying flip top making them ultra durable to throw into a pocket or a bag without fear of damage or scratching.

The earbuds themselves are lightweight but still have a great feeling in the hand weighing in at only 6g per earbud, pair this with the small, medium and large ear tips included you will find a fit that avoids fatigue in long gaming sessions.

“Siriusly” Good Features

The Sirius Pro have a plethora of features to give you the edge in games but also immerse you in whatever content you are viewing. They feature three different modes to tailor the listening to your content.

Gaming Mode – Allowing you to hear directional sound with extreme clarity using 5.1 virtual surround sound.

Movie Mode – Become fully immersed even on the move with HD surround sound allowing you to hear every explosion and whoosh.

Music Mode – With clean natural vocals and bass you can feel music mode makes you feel the music as much as hearing it.

These earbuds aren’t just good for consuming media they are great for communication too, they use environmental noise cancelation to cut out annoying background noise and give strong natural voices giving you great call quality no matter the environment.

The Nerd Stuff

Now the technical stuff, the earbuds use Knowles balance armatures and 7.2mm dynamic drivers. This allows them to perform great in the lower ranges with great bass as well as the mids and highs. Using cutting edge Bluetooth 5.2 Technology means the earbuds pair faster and last longer.

The earbuds have a 4h battery life and a solid 3 more charges with the 400mAh charging case. The case also features a USB Type-C charging case which is a must for all modern gadgets and a 3 hour charge time gets you back in the game as soon as possible.

The Sirius Pro‘s case also uses an incredibly pleasing looking LED bar to indicate the charge status of the case and earbuds which fits perfectly with the sci fi theme.

…even works as a bottle opener!

But wait there is more … no “Siriusly”!

The packaging really fits with the theme of the Sirius Pro with an almost hand painted look this is a box case you will want to display proudly, they also include a chain allowing you to wear your earphones for easy access.

The charging case even works as a bottle opener which is an interesting feature but it does really highlight the sturdy nature of the zinc alloy case.

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Like the style but don’t need all the features? The Gravastar Sirius is perfect for you!

Interested in all things Gravastar? Check out more News and Reviews here!

Check out our top picks for wireless Earbuds and Headphones here!

Lypertek PurePlay Z5 ANC TWS Review

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The Lypertek PurePlay Z5 was released in the first half of 2022. This is their first ANC model and what an absolute treat they are. Feature packed & with impressive sound quality to boot. How do they do it for such a competitive price?

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Fit and Comfort 9/10

The Lypertek PurePlay Z5 have quite a different design to previous Lypertek models. They have a rounded body and a stem which greatly improves ANC effectiveness along with mic placement for calls. This design also works really well in terms of fit. Even for smaller ears they are easy to put in and get a solid, secure fit for everyday use.

These are really comfortable & super easy to wear for long listening sessions

Comfort wise, once you find the right eartips (and there are plenty included to choose from) they are easy to wear for long listening sessions. This is not only due to the smooth housings but the light weight of the earpieces as well. There are no issues wearing these for a few hours at a time. The Z5 is also an optionl for light sports use due to their comfy and secure fit.

ANC 9/10

The ANC is a huge new feature for Lypertek, and one that works very well. When using these in areas with a constant stream of noise (such as sitting on a train) they do a great job to drown it out. It is easy to toggle on and off with the touch controls or via the app. Lypertek have absolutely nailed it with the Z5.

Purecontrol ANC App 10/10

The app is fantastic and easy to use. It allows the user to also fine tune the earphones to their tastes. With EQ curves (including custom ones), ANC on/off and also an Ambient mode which allows outside noise to be heard. LDX (Lypertek Definition eXpander) mode is also supported on the Z5. It has a dedicated button within the app to turn it on and it works well to enhance the space, depth and clarity of the sound. An absolute must try!

Mic 9/10

The stem is perfect for better microphone placement than normal true wireless designs. Resulting with the call quality on the Z5 being truly excellent. At home or out and about, the other person will hear your voice with great tone and clarity. It goes without saying these are some of the best we have tried when it comes to call quality.

It goes without saying these are some of the best we have tried when it comes to call quality.

Auto Ambient Mode 10/10

Simply one of the best features from the App. This turns ambient mode on automatically when you pause music & is such a handy feature to have. It means you don’t have to take the Z5’s out of your ears to hear people or announcements.

Sound 10/10

The below assessment is with all sound enhancements turned off. You can easily tune the PurePlay Z5 to your tastes with EQ. Not forgetting that the LDX mode is a great one click boost for those wanting and more spacious and engaging sound.

Bass: The perfect amount for out and about listeners in my opinion. These are punchy and fun whilst retaining good body and control. The bass is well controlled and keeps up with complex mixes with ease

Midrange: Open, spacious and natural, the midrange is portrayed in excellent fashion on the Z5’s never sounding drowned out or pushed too far back in the mix. Vocals manage to cut through the mix with great clarity and presence without sounding peaky or harsh.

Treble: Well extended yet not overly hot or in your face. The transition from the upper midrange in to the lower treble is well controlled without any unwanted sibilance. Yet there is still good energy in the lower treble to stop them from sounding dull or dark.

Instrument separation is really impressive, especially for a true wireless model.

Soundstaging and Instrument Separation

There is a good amount of air around instruments and good layering overall. They might not throw out the widest of soundstages but they manage to sound quite airy and open. Instrument separation is really impressive, especially for a true wireless model. these sound very controlled and well separated even when listening to complex music tracks.

Other Notable Features:

  • IPX4 rating means they’ll be fine for most sports use, but they are not ideal for use in areas of high moisture or heavier rain.
  • The case has the usual USB-C charging port & also supports wireless charging.
  • Touch controls – you can modify the touch controls in the app to your liking. But of the box they are fool-proof (2 taps on the right to skip track forwards. 2 taps on the left to skip backwards. 3 on the right for volume up. 3 on the left for volume down. 2s press on either to turn ANC on/off. 1 tap then long press on either to activate voice assistant. 2 taps then long press to manually turn them off).
  • Safe mode! a touch control configuaration that helps you not to accidently do something you didn’t want to.
  • Bluetooth 5.2
  • All the main codecs (AAC, aptX Adaptive, SBC).
  • Battery life is 7hrs (+28 from the case) with ANC off, and 4hrs (+16 from the case)

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Enjoy all things Lypertek? Check out more News and Reviews here

HiFiHeadphones Best Buy list

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Here at HiFiHeadphones we really are passionate about audio and listen to the products we offer. Our headphone guru and Youtube star John has put together a HiFiHeadphones best buy list, so read on to find out what our best headphones, earphones and headphone amps in 2022 are!

Best True Wireless with ANC

Lypertek PurePlay Z5 – £79.00

The PurePlay Z5 are one of the best, if not the best, true wireless models for daily use. They have ANC, Ambient mode, wireless charging, accompanying app and more along with truly suburb sound quality for a low price. – Full Review

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Best True Wireless for Sound Quality

Final ZE3000- £119.00

These don’t have a lot of features, no AThese don’t have a lot of features, no ANC, ambient mode or wireless charging. However they are designed for ultimate sound quality and in that they succeed, They also look awesome and fit perfectly. What more could you ask for at £119? – Full Review

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Best Wired Earphones under £100 

SoundMAGIC E11C Silver – £52.99

A Brilliant Budget Earphone that Sounds MAGIC. We have found the E11C to be a grown-up earphone with a keen knack for giving a clear and accurate presentation across the board. It is a true bargain and certainly a very good IEM for everyday use. The mic and controls are an added bonus and making use of the included case as well as regular cleaning ensures that these earphones last well beyond their warranty. Perfection? Not quite. But at £52 you will struggle to find a similar product worthy of your investment. – Full Review

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Best Wired Earphones £100-£300

Oriveti OH300 – £299

The OH300 really does a lot right, especially when you take into account the £299 price tag. With a detailed and even-handed sound signature that is tonally accurate yet not boring. There is power when needed, yet they always have a controlled and refined approach to rendering your favourite tracks. – Full Review

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Best Wired Earphones £300-£1000

Campfire Audio Holocene- £649.00

The Holocene are almost a scaled down Andromeda, but with a twist of their own of course, they are slightly warmer and less airy in the top end but still have a very enjoyable sound. The Holocene are fairly linear with a slight bass lift that doesn’t bleed into the midrange, allowing that to cut through with clarity and accuracy. The lower treble is dipped slightly, robbing them of some energy but also meaning they don’t sound fatiguing or sibilant, yet the upper treble is well presented with great extension and air. Overall they are a really impressive earphone, and make a superb daily driver. – Full Review

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Best Wired Earphones £1000-£2000

64 Audio U6t- £1,299.00

For the price, 64 Audio have created a brilliant everyday earphone that allows great insight into the recording with superb clarity and detail retrieval, wrapped up in a smooth, coherent and easy to listen to sound. They are such an easy earphone to live with. Providing a comfortable fit and refined sound that many fail to match. This is proof that 64 Audio really do know what they are doing when it comes to sound. A superb model for the price.

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Best Wired Earphones £2000+ 

64 Audio tia Fourte – £3,599.00

This model pushes the boundaries and shows what’s possible with only 4 drivers. This is a hybrid design with an intricate inner shell with chambers that help shape the sound. Nothing sounds overly boosted on the Fourte, but they do have a healthy dose of impact down low. The Fourte are very revealing and will throw up flaws in recordings, but the clarity in the midrange is truly astonishing. What’s even more impressive is how the top end just extends without rolling off at all.

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Best Wired Studio Earphones 

Etymotic ER-4SR – £305.95

If you are looking for neutrality, the ER-4SR are the industry standard – they do not flatter you with a smooth sound or hide any mistakes in recordings, so not great for everyday listening but superb if you want to hear every detail.

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Best Wireless Headphones under £100 

SoundMAGIC P23BT – £49.96

SoundMAGIC once again show that they are unrivalled when it comes to creating budget models with excellent sound quality, the P23BT has such an enjoyable sound that you quickly forget they only cost £50. Full Review

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Best Wireless Headphones £100+ 

Final UX3000- £119.00

The Final UX3000 ANC is a fantastic product for its price. Final have really worked their magic here. Solid build quality, paired with great sound and effective ANC for under £120 is something rarely heard of. Add to that fantastic mic quality and you have an absolute bargain on offer. The UX3000 can be recommend to anyone looking for a portable over-ear headphone. Full Review

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Best Headphones £100-£500

Sennheiser HD660s – £429.00

The latest addition to the HD6xx series comes with improved clarity, these are detailed and open sounding and paired with the excellent comfort the HD6xx series are known for, make these a superb headphone for the price.

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Best Headphones £500-£1000

Audeze LCD-2 Classic – £749.00

The LCD-2 Classic are a well controlled, but ultimately warm sounding headphone. They offer up a fatigue free sound with good width and height. If you listen to electronic centred music, old school rap/hip-hop and smoother more acoustic music they are a joy to listen to. Full Review

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Best Headphones £1000-£3000 

Final D8000 – £2,999.00

Instead of going for the usual neutral-ish sound signature of most high-end models, Final instead decided to make the D8000 enjoyable, with very punchy and dynamic bass and impressive clarity across the board, the D8000 stand out from the crowd.

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Best Headphones £3000+

Audeze LCD-5 -£3,999.00

These are resolving yet enjoyable, they have a reference like tuning without coming across clinical, they have an honest presentation without too much colouration or sweetness to the sound. Full Review

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Best Headphone DAC/Amp under £100

Periodic Audio Rhodium – £49.00

The Periodic Audio Rhodium is brilliant for the money, a USB-C dongle DAC/Amp that has a clean sound, even if the output power is a little limited.

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Best Headphone Amp £100-£300

JDS Labs Atom Amp+ – £129.00

The Atom Amp+ is a neutral and linear sounding amp that will pair well with most headphones and earphones on the market – it measures well and doesn’t cost a lot, what more could you want? – Full Review

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Best Headphone Amp £300-£1000

JDS Labs Element III -£499.00

The Element III comes with an all new digital volume encoder and optical input, you get perfect channel balance for sensitive IEM’s along with auto-gain and enough output power for most over-ears too – backed by that same linear sound JDS Labs are known for. They even added an opitical input, very handy for gamers or those who listen to CD’s . Full Review

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Best Headphone Amp £1000+ 

Burson Soloist 3X GT – £2,499.00

This amp is perfect for those who need the best from their hard to drive headphones, the perfect pairing for those select few headphones that need multiple watts of power – it’s dual mono, fully discrete design doesn’t compromise when it comes to sound quality either. 

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CanJam London 2022: News, Sale and Best Headphones Guide

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CanJam London 2022

CanJam London 2022 Update: It’s that time of year again!

We are very excited to be attending CanJam London 2022 on July 30th and 31st at Park Plaza, Westminster Bridge.

We will of course be attending with some of our favourite brands and showcasing some of their amazing products. From new releases to old favourites, it is going to be a blast.

Undoubtably, this will be a CanJam to remember. Due to the Covid pandemic, we have been without the show for the last few years (check out our review/ interviews from the last one in 2019 here). We are absolutely frothing at the bit to get amongst the action again! Indeed, CanJam is the place to try all of the best headphones, earphones, DACs, AMPs, DAPs and IEMs under one roof with likeminded people. Obviously we are all there to discover how best to listen to our favourite recordings.

To celebrate, we are running a sale on our brands that are going to CanJam London 2022! Make sure to check out our sale page over on Hifiheadphones for big discounts for a limited time only:

Hifiheadphones CanJam London 2022 Sale

Not only is this a chance to try out these amazing products. It’s also your chance to meet the people behind your favourite brands. Here is a list of just a few brands attending CanJam London 2022:

Audeze, 64 Audio, Focal, HifiMan, Campfire Audio, final, Rupert Neve, Burson, Westone, Chord, Roon, dCS, Meze, Rosson Audio and many many more.

CanJam Sneak Peek Time with Important Updates

As a matter of fact, the reason for this is to give you an idea of what brands we will be representing at CanJam 2022. Below are also some of the products you can expect to see.

Audeze

Audeze are going big this year. In addition to six tables of goods (SIX!) showcasing lots of favourites, there is also a very special newcomer! On show will be LCD-5. CRBN, LCD-X, LCD-XC, LCD-3, LCD-2 Classic. Euclid, Penrose and the brand new MM-500. All products will be powered by some of the finest equipment from the likes of Chord, Burson, Weiss and Eksonic.

Campfire Audio

This year, Campfire Audio is all about the Trifecta! Don’t worry though. There will be enough for everyone to try this new, completely unique IEM from one of the most interesting audio brands of today. For those that want to try other legendary favourites, we will also have Andromeda, Holocene and Supermoon samples there too.

final / Hifonix

Also, our friends over at Hifonix will be showcasing the brand new final D8000 Pro Limited edition. In all of it’s stunning, goldlike lovlyness, it is going to be a crowd pelaser. Certainly make sure to make your way over to their table to check out this rare, majestic work of headphone art!

64 Audio

You can meet the 64 Audio team this year as well as and try some of their finest IEMs. Absolutely make sure to check out the U6t, DUO, U12t, Tia Fourte, U18s, Nio and even more (these are only the universals) from the worlds best pro and custom IEM specialists.

Burson

Burson will be supplying headphone amps and DACs to a number of our brands this year. So you will not only get the chance to try out their incredible products, they will be paired with some of the best headphones in the world!

Westone Audio

With the recent release of the MACH Series of IEMs. Westone Audio will be showcasing the full range at this years CanJam. This is a rare opportunity to test out all 8 models in this impressive and diverse line-up.

Lastly but not Finally..

To celebrate the return of CanJam London, we will also be having a special CanJam 2022 page setup on Hifiheadphones with exclusive offers on some of the best products showing at this years event. Be sure to check out the CanJam 2022 Special page on Hifiheadphones from 30th July to 1st August to get some amazing deals on the best audio gear out there!

Lypertek PurePlay Z5 award-winning wireless earbuds price drop

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Lypertek Summer Sale

Since its release, the Lypertek PurePlay Z5 has gained praise for its superior sound quality and range of impressive features – resulting in a number of awards and ‘recommended’ achievements. 

For this summer period, Lypertek has decided to roll out its first ever sale on the PurePlay Z5 with a massive summer deal! As of Monday 25th July, the price of the PurePlay Z5 will be reduced from £119 to £79! This offer will be available on Hifiheadphones and across all main platforms including Amazon (UK/US/EU), eBay and the Lypertek online store. The offer will carry on throughout the summer while stock lasts.

Not only is this the first time the PurePlay Z5 has gone on sale, this is also the biggest sale Lypertek has ever done. Here is a great chance for music lovers to grab one of the best ANC wireless earbuds out there at this incredible price for a limited time only.

Impressive Features

  • Driver: 10mm Dynamic Drivers
  • Battery: Up to 7 + 28 hours 
  • Audio Codecs: aptX / aptX Adaptive / AAC / SBC
  • Microphone: 3 microphones on each earbud with Hybrid ANC and cVc8.0 support
  • Chipset: Qualcomm QCC3046 / Bluetooth 5.2
  • Water Resistance Rating: IPX5

Check out our review – Here’s what we had to say

We said:

“The Lypertek PurePlay Z5 is one of the best, if not the best, true wireless models for daily use. They have ANC, Ambient mode, wireless charging, accompanying app and more. Add into the mix the superb sound quality and a fantastic low price. The sound is clean yet punchy, with great detail and layering without sounding boring. It’s also highly tuneable via the Lypertek app. The ANC is very effective on public transport, and the microphone quality is amongst the best we have used.”

Buy the Award-Winning PurePlay Z5 NOW for only £79*

*While stock lasts

Westone MACH Series Release

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Westone Audio release their new MACH series, a comprehensive range starting with an entry level single BA driver, right up to an 8-driver model. MACH is the latest in sound engineering that is bridging the gap between professional performance products and a product for the truest of music lovers. With its unique ergonomic fit, MACH is a product for everyday use and enjoyment.

All the new MACH models come with the T2 connector from Linum, and all of them come with Linum cables too. These are substantially better than older MMCX connectors and are more durable in a wide range of environments.

The MACH10 is a single BA model with a focus on detail, the sound signature is flat and accurate and using them with foam tips will make the sound a little more “natural”. This is the entry level model and is suited to those who don’t want an overly coloured sound.

The MACH20 is more balanced sounding with more neutral bass than Mach10, however they do have a slightly mid-forward sound that brings vocals and guitars into focus. Again they have aimed for a clear and detailed sound with the first two models.

The MACH30 changes this a little, with a more energetic sound signature – they have a subtle lift in the bass and some upper midrange forwardness. This leads to a slightly more fun, yet still well balanced sound signature.

The MACH40 goes for a warmer sound, one for those who enjoy full bodied and organic sound, the mid-bass has added punch whilst the mids and treble take a step back. They also have a slightly more direct sound, the soundstage is more focussed and less open than some other models in the series.

The MACH50 goes for a smooth, open and natural sound – it doesn’t have any fatigue inducing traits and focuses on an organic presentation that is the perfect “everyday” earphone. It has a slightly forgiving sound that doesn’t make poor recordings sound bad, this could be quite the hit for many people.

MACH60 has reference-like characteristics but with ever so slightly elevated bass and treble, the soundstaging is very holographic and these offer up a wide and balanced sound. The treble is crisp, the midrange is smooth and natural and the bass has great punch, a superb all-rounder.

MACH70 has been made with a mild W-shaped signature, with great mid-bass punch, well presented midrange and effortless treble, these are punchy and fun yet well controlled and resolving. The soundstaging again being a highlight with their open sound and excellent separation.

MACH80 is the flagship model in this range, and it’s tuned to be an audio tool. Westone state the Mach80 has no obvious colouration, it is designed to be a flat sounding reference model.

This range looks quite interesting with plenty of different sound signatures to suit different tastes – we can also expect excellent comfort, as this is one area where Westone always do well. We have all of these ready to demo, so book an appointment to be one of the first to hear this new range of earphones.

Available to order NOW

Campfire Audio Release Supermoon Planar CIEM

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Campfire Release a Solid-body Custom-Fit In-Ear Monitor featuring a new custom Planar Magnetic Driver

Campfire have released the Supermoon, a Planar Magnetic custom IEM; they are a brand that often takes risks, be it in design or sound signature. It is notoriously hard to make a small planar sound good, and offering it in a custom fit earphone makes it even more interesting, Campfire Audio have done this so they can optimise the performance of the driver for each individuals ear shape.

Campfire Audio have tuned the Supermoon to sound coherent and balanced, but I would not say they are a studio neutral sounding earphone, with a mild sub-bass lift and effortless treble they are mildly u-shaped without making vocals sound recessed. We have a demo set in universal fit, so book an appointment if you want to hear these (they will also be at CanJam London).

Campfire Audio offer two different fit options, artist-fit and audiophile-fit, with artist fit offering up a more traditional deeper fit and audiophile offering up a more comfortable fit due to a shorter nozzle, perfect for long listening sessions.

Campfire Audio use a unique Solid-Body design – When crafting the solid body of the earphone, the design is 3D printed as a single component before being meticulously hand-finished. Putting the work into the earphone design before the print means the only moving part in Supermoon is the diaphragm. This also means that the earphones you will receive will be a robust and reliable partner.

Full Details HERE

Buy them now: https://www.hifiheadphones.co.uk/products/campfire-audio-supermoon

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!

Oriveti OV800 – Product Release

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The Oriveti OV800 brings the incredible sound of O800 but adds switches to allow users to tailor the sound to their liking.

The OV800 are handmade, this means there is a high level of attention to detail and each set are a masterpiece. The driver setup consists of 2x BA woofers, 4x BA midrange drivers and 2x BA tweeters. The woofers are from Knowles while the mid and high BA drivers have been produced in-house to Oriveti’s desired specifications. This is impressive, and has allowed Oriveti to really tune the sound of the OV800 to their specification.

The OV800 come with all-new stained wood faceplates, these look incredible in person and are sure to stand out in your collection. The new 8-wire SPC cable is supple and comfortable in use and elevates the sound too. The port on the earphones alleviates listening fatigue along with improving the soundstage, with out impacting the excellent isolation these provide.

The sound is tuned to be smooth and resolving, much like the O800, but this time Oriveti have incorporated tuning switches. These allow you to add a little more sub-bass presence for a warmer sound, or a little added treble brightness for increased presence and clarity. You can also turn both of these on for a slightly more v-shaped sound signature – so you can choose what you personally prefer.

You’ll be able to own a pair very soon: https://www.hifiheadphones.co.uk/products/oriveti-ov800-eight-drivers-balanced-armature-iem-earphones-with-sound-mode-switch-and-detachable-cable?