Faller has the perfect story. Brought to life by the founder of German audio system specialists Sonoro, Marcell Faller, Faller was conceived as a way of providing a solution to his father’s loss of hearing and the need for a way to be able to enjoy family TV time again. The Faller OSKAR was the result. A portable wireless TV speaker that focuses on speech and dialogue clarity so that people who struggle to hear can easily watch and listen to TV again. Now I don’t struggle with this issue personally, yet I have tested the OSKAR to see if it does what it intends to achieve.

Faller OSKAR: The Presentation

Firstly, the presentation is very high quality, with a professional and elegant packaging design that clearly speaks to the desired market. Open the box and the OSKAR looks great with its aluminium frame and handle, and premium cloth speaker covering. The design of the OSKAR is very simple, and for this kind of product I believe that this is ideal. It is not over complicated in any way, there is just one large control dial on the top of the speaker which adjusts volume as well as turning the unit on and off.

Other than that, there is a button on the side that allows me to activate the speech filter and scroll through the three modes, where each one increases the focus onto speech. That is it for controls, and I find this to be great. Especially as this kind of device has the potential to be complicated, yet Faller has avoided this entirely without compromising on usability.

Connectivity

In addition to the controls, there is a USB-C input for power and a 3.5mm headphone socket if you wanted to use headphones instead of the speaker. Along with the speaker, the OSKAR comes with a docking station. This connects to the TV or audio source via 3.5mm AUX jack or Optical Toslink, and also has a USB-C power input. The speaker can then be charged while on the docking station for wireless use, where a full charge gives you up to 16 hours of wireless use. Thanks to its dedicated transmitter, the OSKAR can achieve a wireless distance of up to 30 metres which should be more than enough for most uses.

The Inside

Internally, the OSKAR uses two full range 35mm speakers in a stereo setup as well as a passive bass driver for the lower frequencies. I found that even though the OSKAR is very much designed to focus on speech, the quality of the speakers provided good sound when playing music on them too. Now, that’s not to say that the Faller OSKAR would compete with TV soundbars for their audio quality. They do deliver good enough sound in my opinion to be used as a general speaker though alongside their main purpose as a speech amplifier.

Functionality

The Faller OSKAR is very easy to setup, and once up and running I tested it with a number of different types of content. I found the sound quality to be very well detailed with the speech filter de-activated. The tuning of the speakers brings dialogue and speech to the forefront when compared to other speakers I have listened to.

Many TV shows and films have very loud soundtracks or use sound effects that can sometimes get in the way of dialogue. The OSKAR is a good way around this sometimes annoying feature of TV.

Activate the filter and that’s when things get impressive. For the first mode, speech is clearly enhanced while the background noises are reduced. I found it to be subtle at this setting, and I could imagine occasions where I would find it useful even though I don’t struggle with hearing. Many TV shows and films have very loud soundtracks or use sound effects that can sometimes get in the way of dialogue. The OSKAR is a good way around this sometimes annoying feature of TV.

The second mode pushed the enhancement further, this time making the effect a lot more noticeable with speech becoming crisper and seemingly louder while the background noises being suppressed further. The third setting really makes speech stand out. So much so that for me it was too sharp and sounded unnatural, however for those that struggle hearing these frequencies I can imagine that this effect is necessary. At the same time, background sounds were kept very low while there was dialogue on screen.

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Trifecta ‘Astral Plane’: Packaging sent from above

Firstly, let’s talk about the packaging. Campfire Audio want to offer the ultimate user experience as soon as their IEMs are unboxed, and this is certainly the case with the new Trifecta. The box is made out of wood and can be transformed into a display stand for your earphones. Just attach the brass hand to the backplate and you have an angelic design, holding the Trifecta ‘Astral Plane’ up to the heavens.

Inside the box you get two carry pouches, useful to store the IEMs as well as the extra cables that are also supplied. The cables are Campfire’s new Time Stream design, provided with 2.5mm, 3.5mm and 4.4mm termination options. There is also an impressive amount of eartips provided with silicone and foam options is all sizes.

Beautifully constructed

Now for the earphones, and this new Trifecta is a work of art. They resemble luxury jewellery as much as high-end IEMs. The new ‘Astral Plane’ version comes with a blue tint to the transparent housings which somehow makes them look clearer and ties in very well with the artwork that comes along with this model. Images of a beautiful blue sky. Peering through the glass-like outer shell, it is amazing how much of the internals are on show. It looks so neat in there. Inside the housing, Campfire Audio has placed three custom 10mm full-range dynamic drivers in a triangle configuration. This is stunning, and completely unique.

Comfort is key

The shape of the housings are surprisingly comfortable considering they are on the large side due to the three dynamic driver inside. This level of comfort must be down to the shape of the housings and the expert build quality as weight balance is spot on, allowing the earphones to sit securely in my ears. I personally prefer the silicone tips, and I found a great fit with the large ones. Definitely try the silicone and foam tips in order to find your best fit and sound, as the material of the tips does impact the audio tuning.

Trifecta ‘Astral Plane’ – How do they sound?

As for the tuning, Campfire Audio has gone for fun, fun, fun. It is unusual for an IEM brand to have their flagship model be this much fun. The Trifecta ‘Astral Plane’ has one job, and that is to put a smile on your face. The three dynamic drivers do exactly what you would imagine them to do. Bass is luscious and moreish. I’m so impressed with how Campfire Audio managed to harness the power of this driver configuration without allowing it to go out of control. The bass is big and enveloping, yet it is also controlled and manages to stay out of the way of the higher frequencies. The richness doesn’t stop at the bass, the mids are equally moreish. There’s a warm tone that makes guitars, vocals and snare drums pour into my ears like liquid gold. I almost feel naughty enjoying these earphones. Surely music isn’t supposed to sound this delicious.

Other Features at a Glance:

• Three custom 10mm ADLC diaphragm gold-plated dynamic drivers
• Ultra light and rigid ADLC Diaphragms
• Optically clear nylon body styling
• Transparent Housing with Gold PVD Accents
• Time Stream Cables with 3.5mm, 2.5mm and 4.4mm terminations
• Dimensional Folding leather carrying case
• Stainless steel spout and MMCX capture
• Custom beryllium copper MMCX components 

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The sound from these headphones for gaming is beyond phenomenal

Sound Quality: 12/10

Sound is subjective, but the sound from these headphones for gaming is nothing short of phenomenal. The detail is outrageous. The soundstage and direction are astonishing, simply beyond description. They work so well with spatial audio programs (such as Tempest) to deliver an immersive sound that you can now not live without. With the Audeze HQ app, you can create custom presets (coming soon!) and create sound profiles for specific games. The pre-installed presets offer a great variety of tuning and are easy to change with a few clicks and swishes on the volume wheel. This is the best sound from a gaming headset that I have ever heard. I am not sure if it can be topped.

Design: 10/10

The Audeze Maxwell gaming headset design is an upgrade to the Penrose in every conceivable way. It has a perfect balance of a simple, sleek looking headset with an air of quality that is captivating, but not ostentatious in the slightest. The smokey grey / black colour palette provides a subtlety that this is stylish and the small Audeze logo above the ear cups reminds you just how lucky you are that Audeze make gaming headsets. Finally, the earpads look almost fluffy and robust at the same time, you just want to squeeze them.

The longest I have used them in a one-er was 8 hours and I could have really worn them for 8 more.

Comfort: 9.5/10

Another subjective topic but these headphones fit great. Despite the weight (450-500 grams) they are extremely comfortable. The new headband design really spreads the weight out and they do not feel as heavy as they objectively are. After adjusting the strap by one notch, they sit on my head in between tight/ loose, Maybe I got lucky but I felt like Goldilocks when I put them back on my head.

The earpads are extremely comfortable and they fit my big ears fine. I could really wear them all day. They lose half a point because sometimes my ears can get a bit too heated (I am not sure if this is really a result of the earpads getting a bit stuffy or a result of the total immersion making me sweat more). A bit more testing is required here ;). The longest I have used them in a one-er was 8 hours and I could have really worn them for 8 more. They are also very flexible and rest perfect around your neck due to the swivel on the cups.

Wireless Signal: 10/10

People used to complain about the poor range of the wireless signal for the Penrose. Let’s just say the Maxwell has eliminated any lingering issues here. If my eyes were good enough, I am pretty sure I could play my Playstation from my neighbours house and the sound would still be lossless. The connection is 100% stable via dongle or bluetooth. With capabilities for Bluetooth 5.3 as well as LE Audio, LC3plus, LDAC codecs, it all but guarantees these headphones are going to be viable for years to come.

Mic: 10/10

The boom mic is fantastic and the AI noise suppression tech is beyond incredible. People can always hear me clearly and for in-game chat it is perfect. The mic is in fact so good, I have started using the headset to answer calls at work. You can turn the sidetone on or off, as well as having 3 settings for the AI filter system (low, high or off).

Let’s Talk about the Sound

The Soundstage of the Maxwell is absolutely fantastic. Simply put you have to try them out to understand. Playing Apex legends, I can perfectly pin point where the bullets are coming from and work out if the players footsteps are above or below me. With Tempest audio on, you even get a sense of perception of just how far (or near) they are to you. I am pretty sure I can now work out what character I am chasing/ be chased by just from the footsteps! Those sweaty Wraiths now stand no chance against me (Huwah ah ah). It is like having a second controller but not only that, a second controller which brings you directly into the world you are playing.

Away from competitive gaming and into the wonderful world (and surroundings) of Hogwarts, my mind was shattered into pieces. I do not normally play single player games with a headset. But naturally I had to give it a go with the Maxwell. The music from the 4 different vivariums was literally flowing through me. When I turned my character in a different direction in a dungeon and heard something behind me, I had the urge to look behind me IRL. In two words: Absolutely captivating.

The bass is boomy when it needs to be and the sub-bass is colossal. Gunshots, explosions & footsteps are more realistic than ever before. There are actual textural details that can be heard (and felt!) with said impacts, explosions and things such as your character interacting with inanimate objects.

The scurrying of the spiders around the next upcoming corner literally sent shivers up my spine. Flying my Night Dancer Broom under moonlight with the Maxwells on allowed for a sense of immersion I never experienced in my living room before. The wind was blowing my hair, the 360 degree-ness of what you can hear and just how every detail can be heard as well as felt, made a fantasy game about witches and wizards into a quasi hyper-realistic experience.

In not so emotional terms:

The Audeze Maxwell has great width, but its height and depth is where it truly shines. It is really rare for a wireless headphone to have such good imaging as well as such a massive dynamic soundstage. This also means that these headphones are not just for games. They are suitable for listening to music too and I highly recommend it!

Presets and my love of the V shape sound for gaming

I have used the Maxwell nearly exclusively with the “immersive” preset. Which essentially EQ’s it into a “V” shape. For myself and others who are not really Audiophiles, this means the immersive preset for the Audeze Maxwell has an amplified low end, a toned down mid range, and an amplified high end. This tuning works very well for games and with the Audeze Maxwell this essentially means that sound effects are more vivid and memorable. These sound effects get clear detail from the treble boost and a roar of energy from the boosted lows. In-game actions such as swapping guns, reloading, jumping, opening and closing doors, sheathing or unsheathing your sword (or wand!) have a satisfying crispness that I never knew existed. These are the perfect gaming headphones for me, I have peaked.

The post Audeze Maxwell Review appeared first on HiFiheadphones.

Solaris ‘Stellar Horizon’: Improved Ownership Experience

In terms of packaging and presentation, this 2023 version of Solaris has had the same treatment as the Andromeda. Provided in a new box made from lightweight wood that acts as a display unit once opened. The level of detail here is so impressive, with striking artwork and even an elegant hand which is used to hold the earphones when not in use.

As for accessories. You get an impressive bunch of silicone and foam eartips in a range of sizes. My personal favourite is the large foam tips for the Solaris, and the rest of the review will be written using these. Do make sure to try all tips provided so you can find the best comfort and sound quality for you, as eartips play a big role in both. You also get three new ‘Time Stream’ silver plated copper cables in a range of terminations: 2.5mm, 3.5mm and 4.4mm.

Two carry pouches are also provided, one leather and one material. Having two really makes sense here, as you can use one to keep your earphones safe and the other to store your extra cables and any other accessories that you would like to keep secure.

Strikingly Compact

Now for the earphones. The Solaris ‘Stellar Horizon’ has a very similar shape and size to the previous version of Solaris, providing a compact design that sits nicely in my ear. The housings are made using brushed stainless steel which looks great, especially along with the gold and black faceplate which is striking and really stands out.

Brand New Technology

Internally there have been big changes too. Campfire Audio has developed new technologies for the Solaris ‘Stellar Horizon’, with custom dual-diaphragm balanced armature drivers and their new radial venting which surrounds the 10mm dynamic driver. The configuration consists of three custom dual-diaphragm BAs and one 10mm ADLC dynamic driver inside each housing.

Solaris ‘Stellar Horizon’ – How do they sound?

The Solaris ‘Stellar Horizon’ has a sound that I haven’t experienced before. They are the realest sounding IEMs I have heard. If I didn’t know better, I would assume that the audio was coming from a huge acoustically treated chamber filled with musicians all playing just for me. Bass sounds real. No boom or overdoing it. Mids sound real. The tone, texture and timbre match exactly with my experience of listening to drums, guitars and vocals being performed live and in person. This is something I haven’t heard before from any set of IEMs. There’s an edge to each sound that is so pleasing, and the Solaris delivers audio quickly and clearly. Highs extend endlessly and help to create space which provides an impressively wide and deep soundstage. The overall experience seems so effortless that it would be easy to assume that the earphones are doing nothing, and that’s the beauty. It’s like a great actor. The best ones seem as though they aren’t acting at all.

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ZE8000: Presentation

I am a big fan of the ZE8000 presentation. The box is smart and shows the design of the earbuds in a subtle and inviting way, urging me to want to see more. Open the box and Final has provided a number of useful accessories including five sizes of eartips (SS, S, M, L, LL), a USB-C charging cable and a handy set of dust filters.

The Earbuds

Delve further and you’ll find the earphones along with their handy portable charging case. The earphones have been designed in a completely unique way. Final has developed their ‘division design’ so that the bulk of the components are separated from the part that fits into the ear. This means that those with smaller ears will be able to find a secure fit. This design choice is not only clever, it is attractive to look at too (for me anyway). With the ZE8000, Final has taken the common true wireless ‘stem’ and created a classy and stylish alternative. Due to the divided design, the ZE8000 is extremely comfortable. I have large ears, and the LL eartips create a tight seal and secure fit with no fear of the earphones moving around or falling out.

Maybe Final are onto something.

The Case

The case is on the larger side, yet the size seems justified considering the unique shape of the earphones. The lid slides open easily enough and has a pleasant action. Putting the earphones into the case and removing them is easy to do, even with gloves on. I am however slightly disappointed with the overall feel of the case. It is very light and has a plasticy feel to it which I would not normally have expected from Final – especially with a product at this price. Saying that, maybe Final are onto something. The case will either be in my pocket or bag, so being this light does have its uses. There is no wireless charging here, so you will need to use the USB-C charging port on the back which my be annoying for some. I personally don’t use wireless charging, so this did not affect my use of the ZE8000.

ZE8000: Impressive Hardware

The Drivers

Final has developed a bunch of new technologies for the ZE8000. The driver used is their ‘f-CORE for 8K SOUND’ ultra-low distortion driver, which has been newly designed by Final’s in-house engineers. The 13mm driver has a lightweight aluminium dome which results in very low total harmonic distortion (THD) when compared to other true wireless models.

Class-AB Amplifiers

Another impressive hardware choice is the use of Class-AB amplifiers, known for their superior balance between sound quality and power efficiency. This is a big step for Final, as usually true wireless earphone products tend to use Class-D amplifiers which sacrifice audio quality for power efficiency. The result is a lower battery life when compared to some of the competition, but the benefits to sound quality will make up for that.

Battery Life

Speaking of battery life, the ZE8000 will give you 5 hours of listening time when fully charged, with an additional 10 hours (15 hours total) with the case. This is with noise cancelling activated, so while not being the best in terms of numbers, I find it acceptable given the benefits to sound quality from the Class-AB amps. You can fully charge the earbuds in 1.5 hours from 0, and fast charging will give you 45 minutes of playback from a 5 minute charge.

Call Quality

Thanks to the positioning of the earpieces, and the quality of the internal microphones used, voice quality on the ZE8000 is very clear. I found these earphones to work well outside while on the move and even better inside. I tried them when there was a fair amount of wind and still managed to make a few calls with no problems. Indoors, where there is no weather interreference, the call quality is extremely clear and along with their comfort, ideal for a day of long videos calls.

ZE8000: Software done right

Active Noise Cancellation

No corners were cut when it comes to the software either. For the ZE8000, Final has developed their noise cancelling technology to prioritise sound quality, and from what I can hear this is most certainly to be the case. The ANC may not block out as much noise as some of the competition, but what I do get is total silence coming from the earphones. There is no hiss anywhere to be heard, and the ANC certainly does create a quiet listening environment for me to enjoy some tunes, podcast interview or audiobook. The ANC also feels very natural to me. I tend not to use ANC on headphones or earphones because I find the effect to be very unnatural, usually affecting audio quality too.

Finally, there is Wind-Cut mode which gives you the benefit of Noise Cancelling while also completely reducing wind noise

Ambient Sound and Wind-Cut Mode

With the ZE8000, ambient noise is blocked out in a very natural way – as though the world just got quieter. If you want to hear your surroundings, Final has you covered. There are other settings including Ambient Sound and Voice Through. Both allow you to hear what is going on around you, with the Voice Through mode reducing the level of music coming through in order to be able to focus on talking. Finally, there is Wind-Cut mode (my favourite) which gives you the benefit of Noise Cancelling while also completely reducing wind noise – something I have not experience this well before. All of these models can be easily selected on the ‘Final Connect’ app along with a few other handy features including Final’s newly developed Volume Step Optimiser and 8K Sound.

Volume Step Optimizer

Volume Step Optimiser is a way of being able to easily fine tune your volume. This is setup via the app, where you can set a reference point, and then from there you can adjust the volume at much smaller intervals when compared to the standard volume controls. I personally didn’t use this much – however I know that there will be a lot of users out there who would appreciate this as an option.

8K Sound

8K Sound utilises the hardware choices within the ZE8000 in order to deliver audio in a new way. When selected, I noticed a change to the sound. It is subtle, and there definitely seems to be an improvement to my ears – as though a veil was lifted and more information was pulled out of the audio. Those who prefer to keep things natural may not use this setting, I found myself keeping it on as I really enjoyed the benefits, however subtle.

Within the app you can also see the individual battery levels and easily perform firmware updates when available.

Compatibility

The ZE8000 supports all the main codecs AAC, aptX and aptX Adaptive, and is compatible with Snapdragon Sound – so anyone with devices using this technology will be able to benefit from this. My device does not so I could not test this out. I’ll just have t take their word for it.

‘But John, how do they sound?’ – Good question. They sound very good!

I listen to so many headphones and earphones, wired and wireless, and at some point I realised that once you get to a certain level – they all sound pretty good. So, is the ZE8000 any different? Yes. Why? I am glad you asked…

A listening experience that I can best describe as ethereal

In my experience, true wireless earphones tend to favour smooth, unoffensive or bass heavy sound signatures. This makes sense, as it is probably what the majority of users really want. I love bass. If I listen to an earphone that has a lot of bass, and has balanced it well among the other frequencies, I will be a fan. Then I try the ZE8000 and I quickly remember that there’s a lot more to music than these popular sound signatures tend to deliver. Firstly, these are not bassy, nor are they smooth – they are effortless. The bass is very much there, and it stays well in its lane. The lack of noise makes for a silent canvas, which means that the finest details can come across in a way that is noticeable and yet perfectly subtle. Each sound is so tight and well controlled, that this leaves an impressive amount of space within the mix for reverbs and other effects to really make an impact. The combination of an extremely comfortable fit and effortlessly delivered audio makes for a listening experience that I can best describe as ethereal.

The post Final ZE8000 Review appeared first on HiFiheadphones.

Audeze MM-500: The Sound

First impressions when paired with FiiO E07K headphone amp shows the MM-500‘s neutral and balanced character. With a closer listen slight lifts in frequencies can be heard while still keeping the tone natural and harmonious. There is slight warmth and vividness while keeping the sound realistic and natural sounding. Listening to EDM and heavy metal revealed new, unheard layering to music. Switching to funk and jazz made the music shine and pop in pleasant ways keeping me entertained for hours.

These headphones really make me feel like I am in the club or studio, so much to love.

Although designed to be used in professional mixing environments, listening to different music genres really highlights the multi-talent of the Audeze MM-500 being a jack-of-all-trades. Low impedance and sensitivity make the MM-500 easy to drive from most sources, even when plugged straight to my Oppo A57s smartphone – although they do benefit greatly when paired with some form of amplification.

The MM-500 does not shy away from electronic music with deep rumbling bass that shows no distortion when listening to Drum & Bass – while funk and jazz sparkles and shines with an ‘alive’ sound. These headphones really make me feel like I am in the club or studio, so much to love.

Comfort

As soon as the MM-500 are placed on my head I could feel that this is a quality headphone. It seems quite heavy at first, but the headband distributes the weight evenly. The slightly sloped ear pads encase the ears and gently hug the sides – again with just the right clamping force. Even after using for 2+ hours, there is nothing to complain about in the comfort zone – I just want to listen more!

Build Quality

As soon as these Audeze headphones are taken out of the box it becomes clear this is a serious headphone. The materials used throughout feel luxurious, the sturdy headband and folding ear cups blend perfectly together in a medley of sensations when holding. An understated, minimalistic look on the ear cups completes the indulgent feel of the MM-500. They feel and look extraordinary.

A surprising talented headphone in the studio and on a home Hi-Fi system

It is initially quite heavy in the hands – but the ease of which the earcups swing and fold flat – the cranking of the headband pins before placing on the head – and the way the leather headband sits snugly on the head – makes the MM-500 virtually vanish when the music kicks in.

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Fit and Comfort

The Lypertek PurePlay Z7 is a little larger than the SoundFree S20 and the PurePlay Z3 2.0 due to the increase in driver quantity. But they have an ergonomic shape which means they fit securely even if they do stick out a little more than normal (worth it for the sound quality!).

Comfort is good. The earphones are nice and lightweight which helps along with a good selection of tips included. Meaning most people will find a set that fits well and provide a good seal in the ear.

Features

The PurePlay Z7 offer up an excellent 10hrs battery life per charge and the case provides 7 full charges. This gives 80hrs in total which is market leading by industry standards. They also have a quick charge function that will give you 2hrs of play time from just 15 minutes of charging.

The PurePlay Z7 offer up an excellent 10hrs battery life per charge and the case provides 7 full charges

They have 3 drivers, 1 dynamic along with 2 Balanced Armatures. Are IPX5 rated which isn’t quite as good as the PurePlay Z3 2.0 but should still be more than enough for most users. There is a physical button on ear earphone which allows you to control playback along with the voice passthrough, (This mode allows you to hear your surroundings without removing the earphones). The buttons are easy to use and less likely to be accidentally pressed unlike touch buttons.

PureControl App

The Z7 are fully compatible with the Lypertek PureControl app. This app allows you to control the EQ, change the button functions and voice pass through, amongst other things. This app is a really handy partner to the Z7 and offers up a lot of flexibility and allows you to really fine tune the sound to your personal tastes.

The app is a really handy partner to the Z7. It offers up a lot of flexibility and allows you to really fine tune the sound to your personal tastes.

On the subject of tuning the sound, Lypertek have developed a sound pre-set in their app called LDX mode (Lypertek Definition Expander). Switching this on in the app instantly changes the sound profile to one that is more engaging, exciting and spacious. There is a little bump in the bass quantity but the sound overall becomes more fun and dynamic with a wider and more open soundstage. This is definitely worth trying out. I can see a lot of people using this mode to bring out a little more fun in the Z7.

A note about ANC..

Lypertek have not gone down the ANC route with the Z7 which is slowly becomming the expected standard. They do however have excellent passive noise isolation, so they cut you off from your surroundings very effectively. To try and shoehorn ANC into these would jeopardise the sound quality which is honestly the crown jewel of these beauties. It is a bold decision but Lypertek have invested where it matters, the sound. And the resulting earphone is something a bit magic.

The PurePlay Z7 case supports wireless charging too and Lypertek have released a super slim charging pad to go with it. The charging pad is super sleek and is a perfect partner for these earphones. All in all the Z7 has a lot of useful features pakced in. But it must be said the biggest focus is on audio quality(more below). The addition of the AptX Adaptive codec is welcome too and really makes a difference.

Sound

The Pureplay Z7 is a really good all rounder

Bass:

Lypertek are using a single dynamic driver for the low end and it is tuned really well. Having just the right amount of punch, body and extension to always be there and audible, but not enough to make them sound dark or bloated. There is really good extension when called for, yet they retain a controlled and smooth presentation. The midbass has moderate kick, not enough to really please those who want a more engaging sound, but enough to sound realistic and audible. The EQ in the app will help those who want more.

Midrange:

The midrange sits where it should. Whilst the Z3 and S20 have perhaps a slightly recessed midrange, the Z7 has a more balanced and neutral approach. While there is a little added body down low, it doesn’t really have too much of an impact on the midrange. Male vocals sound a touch warmer than a strictly neutral monitor. However they have great tonality and a smooth yet balanced presentation that just makes them enjoyable to listen to for hours on end. They won’t throw every little nuance at you. But they sound effortless and realistic which to me is a great quality in a portable earphone. The upper midrange is devoid of any fatiguing peaks. There is a smooth transition to the lower treble yet female vocals still cut through with great clarity and authority.

Treble:

The treble is very refined and not overdone. It is detailed and has good extension but it is not upfront in the mix. They are perhaps a tiny bit subdued for my personal taste, but this means that more people will enjoy the smooth presentation. This is also easily tuneable in the app to be honest, and you can dial in more or less depending on your preference. But the stock sound out of the box is quite smooth and safe yet still present and enjoyable. They are not exciting and do lack a little energy, but this will also vary depending on what music you listen to.

Genres and Soundstaging

The Z7 are a really good all rounder. They do have quite a smooth and refined sound that lend their hand to slower genres. Acoustic and softer alternative rock sounds excellent due to the natural midrange. However turning on LDX mode does make the Z7 a little more exciting and dynamic. This is a must if you listen to more upbeat genres like pop/hip-hop.

Soundstaging is quite impressive with good width and air. The separation is also very impressive with plenty of air between layers. Yet it all comes across in a very coherent manner.

Who is it for?

• People looking for the best sound quality in a true wireless earphone for an exceptional price
• Those who want superior sound without sacrificing battery life
• People who like to tweak the sound to their personal preference

The post Lypertek PurePlay Z7 Triple Hybrid TWS Earphone Review appeared first on HiFiheadphones.

Built like a sci-fi tank

The Gravastar Venus is built like a literal sci-fi tank. With a Zinc alloy shell and sturdy rubberized feet, it sits firmly planted on whatever surface you plant it on. It features two rubberized buttons and a total of 6 RGB lights which tie the look of the speaker together.

For such a small speaker, I was surprised at the volume and clarity…

Being such a small unit, weighing in at only 1lb, makes this speaker feel incredibly dense, and this shows in the build quality. There is no creak or moan as you handle the speaker. Even though it offers incredible details, it doesn’t feel fragile.

Remarkable sound quality

For such a small speaker, I am impressed at the volume and clarity of the sound it could produce. Even at higher volumes, it had little to no distortion and could still offer clear vocals whilst also giving the satisfying thump of the bassline.

The Nerd Stuff

As for the numbers, the Gravastar Venus offers a respectable 10 hours of battery life with a full charge achieved in 3 hours. It houses a full-range subwoofer driver which, paired with its vibration chamber allow it to deliver excellent sound clarity. It also utilises Bluetooth 5.0 which gives the speaker a range of around 10 meters.

The shell features 6 RGB lights which cycle to various colours by a button press. These colours dance in rhythm to the music or the setting, adding to the overall robotic feel of the speaker.

The speaker also offers a ‘True wireless stereo’ mode, offering deeper immersion and allowing you to have the edge when playing games. As for connections, the speaker uses USB-C to charge which is a must nowadays. I would have liked to also see a 3.5mm jack, but with the battery life and price point, it’s not a deal breaker.

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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.

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

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Aesthetics and Build Quality

Campfire Audio’s Andromeda is about as bold as you can get when it comes to its design. The housings are made from machined aluminium, with a deep forest green anodised finish. The finish has been updated in this new version of the Andromeda, with a much smoother coating and a slightly richer shade of green.

The sound tube is made using stainless steel, which I am sure not only benefits the acoustics. It looks very striking too. Overall the Andromeda feels robust and built to last, while managing to stand out with its unique character.

Features and Comfort

Campfire Audio earphones have a very distinctive look, and the Andromeda is their champion. The design is very unusual, with a slightly futuristic shape to them. The shell’s design allows it to catch the light at different angles, which gives off a multitude of different shades of green. That is not the only purpose of this shape, the angled design provides superb comfort. The Andromeda sits perfectly in my ear, and with the included Final silicone eartips – the fit is snug and they seal extremely well which also helps towards isolation.

Another great feature of the Andromeda is the supplied cable. An upgrade on the older version, this time the Andromeda comes with their popular Silver Plated Copper Litz wire covered in a new smoky jacket. The cable is also more flexible than the previous version and uses a lightweight moulded ear hook design instead of memory wire – a definite improvement.

Campfire Audio don’t stop there, the Andromeda comes supplied with a newly designed leather carry pouch, foam and silicone eartips, a cleaning tool and even a fancy Campfire Audio lapel pin.

Sound Quality

The best way I can describe the sound of the Andromeda is organic. Sound comes across effortless, well balanced and with an impressively natural soundstage.

Bass

Bass comes across with authority and punch. It goes low and manages to keep controlled, even with more bass heavy tracks. Bass performs equally well with intricate instrumental, heavy rock and electronic music. This shows that the bass has been tuned to do what is needed, letting the quality of the production do the talking.

Midrange

Thanks to the controlled bass, there is no risk of the midrange getting over shadowed. Mids come across extremely clear with a musical richness – this is a welcome change from the analytical sound that is common amongst high-end earphone models. Vocals have presence and whether male or female, they sound uncoloured, engaging and with emotion.

Treble

Campfire Audio uses their very own Tuned Acoustic Expansion Chamber in the Andromeda, designed to improve treble extension and soundstage. This is very clear and noticable. Thetreble provides just the right amount of definition without going harsh or sibilant. Then, in addition the extension provided by the T.A.E.C. goes on and on, creating width and space with superb separation.

The post Campfire Audio Andromeda IEM Review appeared first on HiFiheadphones.

Audeze Penrose Review – 1.5 years on: Now more than ever, console gamers are seeing the importance of quality Audio. Lockdowns and Pandemics aside, the rise in online competitive gaming is relentless and we are all seeking that extra edge that will take us to victory. With the onset of “Spatial Audio”, A quality headset that can take full advantage of Sony’s “Tempest” or Microsoft’s “Dolby Atmos” is now an absolute must.

How else am I supposed to hear the footsteps behind me?

Design: 10/10

I would say the Audeze Penrose gaming headset has a perfect balance between an in-your-face over the top gaming design and a not too flashy, sleek looking headset. The all black colour with the blue stripes, provides a bit more subtlety that stops the Logo and decals from popping too much. The honeycomb/ hexagon finish on the ear cups is a nice touch that eschews quality.

Comfort: 9/10

As subjective as comfort is, these headphones fit great. Some people refer to a tight clamping force and a noticeable weight, but I find if you make minor adjustments while they are on your head they are extremely comfortable. They are also very flexible. I find that there is very little to no discomfort for gaming sessions lasting up to 3 hours or so. (I can rarely play more these days but I think even longer would also be fine.)

The sound from these headphones for gaming is phenomenal

Sound Quality: 10/10

Again sound is subjective, but the sound from these headphones for gaming is phenomenal. The detail is impeccable, the soundstage and direction superb. They work extremely well with Spatial Audio Programs to deliver that immersive sound we have always wanted. With the Audeze HQ app, you can adjust the presets and create sound profiles for specific games. They even provide some presets for you that you can try out (Check them out here). This is the best sound from a headset I have used with my PS5. You will never *not* hear a footstep again!

Wireless Signal: 8/10

People complain about the poor range of the wireless signal as a draw but hardly ever have issues and nearly always a stable connection. Okay, if I move into my kitchen or bathroom the signal is weak, but how can I play Apex legends without being in front of my TV? The range is suitable for the requirements.

Mic: 8/10

The boom mic is great, people can always hear me clearly and for game chat it is near enough perfect. I position my mic a bit lower than my chin because I can sometimes hear my breathing on the sidetone. You can turn the sidetone off to eliminate this issue completely should you wish (I only leave it on to make sure I am not shouting!)

1.5 years on from its release is undoubtedly still at the top of the table

You can buy the Penrose (For Playstation or the Penrose X for Xbox here. If you would like to read more About Audeze Products take a look on our blog here

P.S. In case you were wondering about that Sony Playstation 5 design / skin, well let’s just say Etsy is your best friend here. I love the 80’s (obviously)and this graphic has the sunset, it has the neon grids and the palm tress. In fact the only thing it is missing is an 80’s sports car. It gives me that same feeling as when you watched the first episode of Stranger Things season 3. Pure nostalgia, and yes, I absolutely love it!

The post Audeze Penrose Gaming Headset Review – 1.5 Years On appeared first on HiFiheadphones.

Design 10/10:

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

Fit and Comfort: 9/10

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

Sound: 8/10

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

Fun, dynamic, engaging and full sounding

And here comes the ANC: 9/10

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

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

Incredible microphone for an over-ear headphone

Mic: 10/10

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

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

Notable other Feautures:

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

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

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ALL FEATURED PRODUCTS:

• Campfire Audio Satsuma – https://www.hifiheadphones.co.uk/prod…
• Campfire Audio Honeydew – https://www.hifiheadphones.co.uk/prod…
• Burson Audio Conductor 3X Reference – https://www.hifiheadphones.co.uk/prod…
• JDS Labs Atom Amp+ – https://www.hifiheadphones.co.uk/prod…
• JDS Labs Atom DAC+ – https://www.hifiheadphones.co.uk/prod…
• Lypertek Z3 2.0 – https://www.hifiheadphones.co.uk/prod…
• SoundMAGIC P23BT – https://www.hifiheadphones.co.uk/prod…
• Audeze LCD-5 – https://www.hifiheadphones.co.uk/prod…
• 64 Audio U6t – https://www.hifiheadphones.co.uk/prod…
• Final D8000 Pro – https://www.hifiheadphones.co.uk/prod…
• Cleer Enduro ANC – https://www.hifiheadphones.co.uk/prod…
• Etymotic Evo – https://www.hifiheadphones.co.uk/prod…

The post HiFiHeadphones Top 10 Audio Products of 2021 appeared first on HiFiheadphones.

Fit and Comfort

The Oriveti O400 have a similar shell design as all the newer O and OH series from Oriveti – a hand crafted resin shell that is smooth and very well finished that has a fairly short nozzle which allows for a shallow to medium insertion depth. They fit well in the ear, but the housings are not the smallest and will stick out a little for those with smaller/odd shaped ears like me.

Comfort is good, the housing shape really helps with this as there are no sharp edges that dig in to your ears, also the nozzle is a good angle and lenght to fit most people securely without the insertion depth being too intrusive. The cable has a pre-moulded section of memory wire which is very comfortable, and the cable is soft and comfortable in use.

Compatibility

The O400 uses 4 Balanced Armature drivers, they are Knowles drivers and split between ultra-low/low-mid/mid-high/high frequencies. The O400 have an impedance of 15Ohms and a sensitivity rating of 110+-3dB/mW @1000Hz – this means they are very easy to drive however being an all BA based model it is best to pair them with a source that has less than 1Ohm output impedance to get the best out of them.

Sound

Bass: The O400 have 2 drivers covering the low end, they split up the sub and mid-bass and allow for a subtle sub-bass lift that doesn’t bleed through and affect the midrange or cause any unwanted resonance and bloat. Oriveti have managed to pull off a really impressive tuning down low, one that has a full and deep sub-bass response yet a tight and impactful mid-bass that always sounds controlled. There is never any warming to the lower midrange, allowing vocals and guitars to shine through with ease, these don’t have a high level of bass and it is well aligned with the rest of the frequency response – so they wouldn’t be my pick for bass-heads – however they do handle bass very well without any discernible roll-off.

Midrange: Due to the exceptional control of the low end, the midrange just cuts through with ease and clarity on the O400 – offering up a revealing yet easy to listen to midrange experience without harshness. For the price these extract an impressive amount of detail from the midrange, you won’t miss a thing yet they are very well balanced too. Male vocals don’t sound dull, female vocals are devoid of sibilance or excess presence, the transition into the treble is handled very well and nothing stands out. These have an effortless and clean midrange that seems to handle anything you throw at them without sounding congested.

Treble: The treble rounds off a really great presentation allowing for plenty of air and ambience, along with detail and sparkle without overdoing it and becoming thin/bright sounding. You won’t miss any cymbal taps or crashes, snares are incredibly snappy and violins are presented with finesse and grace. There is no early roll-off, they aren’t muted or splashy, they have great control and this really does help to make the O400 sound refined, open and clean.

Genres and Soundstaging

The O400 work well with pretty much anything you throw at them, they have a controlled and clean sound with a mild sub-bass boost that adds body and reinforces the low end without affecting other frequencies. However these are not bass heavy and would not be my first pick for more bass oriented genres (the OH500 does a better job with those).

Soundstaging isn’t huge, there is great air though and whilst it may be lacking in absolute width and heigh there is good depth to the sound and positional accuracy is a definite strong point of the O400.

Who are they for?

• Those wanting a clean and transparent sound without the more typical analytical tuning
• People who want a comfortable and enjoyable daily IEM

The post Oriveti O400 Quad BA Earphone Review appeared first on HiFiheadphones.

Design: 10/10

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

A definitive flagship, with a brand new Audeze Audiophile Sound

Comfort and Fit: 9/10

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

Sound 10/10

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

The Result?

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

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

Bass:

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

Midrange:

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

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

Treble:

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

Genres and Soundstaging

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

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

About Pairing:

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

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

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Fit and Comfort

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

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

Features

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

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

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

Sound

Bass:

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

Midrange:

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

Treble:

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

Soundstaging and Genres

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

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

Who are they for?

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

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

The post SoundMAGIC P23BT Review appeared first on HiFiheadphones.

Aesthetics and Build Quality

It probably won’t take many people long to figure out where the LCD-4’s come from, with their big bold look and chrome grills, you guessed it the USA. They are not subtle, they are not low key, they have lovely dark wooden housings, shiny chrome grills and a carbon fibre headband. Big leather pads and a silver/black braided cable, the LCD-4 look stunning if not a little OTT.

Build quality is superb, as would be expected at this price range. They are solid and well put together, with good materials and not a blemish in sight. The included cable is also excellent with great strain relief and thickness. They also come with an excellent case to store them in when not in use, the LCD-4 sure feel like they are built to last.

Comfort

The LCD-4 are heavy, there is no doubting that. But the headband is well made to distribute the pressure well, and the pads are soft and well cushioned. Depending on your resilience to the weight of headphones, the LCD-4 are surprisingly comfortable for relatively long listening sessions. This all comes down to personal thresholds though.

Sound

Bass: Audeze are usually known for making headphones that have a warmer, more bass oriented sound signature, and that is true for a few of their models. The LCD-4 and LCD-X however follow a more reference style tuning, these handle the low end with effortless extension and punch without any bleeding or bloat. The low end is tight and controlled, and very accurate to the source. Every bit of the recording can be heard, the layering down low is expertly handled and they never step out of line. There is always a slight underlying warmth to the LCD-4, but they are not a dark sounding headphone.

Midrange: The LCD-4 don’t tend to accentuate any part of the midrange, allowing them to portray it in an open and natural way. Again the layering really stands out, allowing every instrument and vocal track sit in it’s own space whilst always sounding coherent. Guitars sound exceptionally good, you can hear each finger pick of an acoustic guitar, yet throw on something heavier and they have good crunch and energy. The same goes for vocals, every little detail is present and can be heard without much effort, this does mean they pair best with well recorded material as they do show up compression artefacts.

Treble: Snares snap, cymbals crash, violins sing, the top end is open and extended yet they have an incredibly smooth and fatigue free delivery. They are not exaggerated to sound more detailed or energetic, instead they offer up a refined and open sounding top end that is not distracting yet offers up plenty of insight into the recording. Tonality up top is spot on, they have great control and an excellent sense of space, helping open up the soundstage.

The soundstage is very holographic with good width, depth and height, it also has pinpoint precision.

The post Audeze LCD-4 Review appeared first on HiFiheadphones.

Mission have gone for a modern look with the QX-2 and they stand out amongst the more conventional boxy bookshelf speakers out there. Aluminium plates on the top and bottom, rounded corners and the signature tweeter on the bottom design is sure to turn some heads. These will fit really well in most spaces, and they come in a few different colours to match your décor.

Build quality is excellent, the aluminium plates on the top and bottom add weight to the main construction which is vinyl wrapped. The fit and finish of all components is great, there is one pair of binding posts so you cannot bi-wire these. The design has been carefully thought out to increase mass, reduce resonance and provide the best sound possibly whilst looking great doing so.

Setup:

The QX-2 are rear ported so they do like to have a bit of breathing space, sounding their best when positioned slightly away from a rear wall. They are also quite heavy and are best set on a set of dedicated stands.

With a power rating of 25-100w and a sensitivity of 88dB (2.00v @ 1m) they are not the most demanding of speakers however, the nominal impedance is 8Ohm but they do dip to 3.6Ohms so having a good amplifier will help them sound their best. A sub £500 integrated amp would be the perfect place to start with these.

Sound:

For their size, the QX-2 really do know how to get your feet tapping and yet there is a great sense of control and refinement that sticks with you. Sporting a 15cm mid/bass driver the QX-2 are more than capable of pumping out enough low end to satisfy most users, however it is the quality that really shines here. Kick drums sound real, with the perfect balance between hitting hard, yet with the right about of body to back it up. If you are using these in a home theatre setup, you might want to add a sub, but in a normal multi-use 2 channel system they are more than capable of filling a small to medium size room. The lows are controlled and refined, yet have plenty of get up and go when called for, an impressive feat for a speaker of this size.

The midrange has a silky smooth, and effortless quality to it, although I wouldn’t call them the most neutral here. There is a little hint of warmth to the midrange that renders them effortless yet at the same time they are not missing out on technical details. Vocals come across with a more organic tone to them, whilst guitars have excellent placement within the soundstage. Much like the low end, there is plenty of energy here but without presenting itself in an overly enthusiastic way. Micro-detail might not be their strong point, but the sheer fun of these makes me not worry too much about that.

The interesting looking ring dome tweeter does an impressive job of offering up a very open and detailed top end yet steering clear of becoming sharp and fatiguing. They don’t quite have the sheer brilliance or energy of some metal dome tweeters, but they offer up a very refined and smooth top end that really blends well with the rest of the sound of the QX-2. The extension is effortless and they never sound strained or rolled off, adding a real sense of space to the soundstage.

Imaging is very accurate and the sound staging is excellent with a very spacious sound for a small pair of speakers.

Conclusion:

The QX-2 strike the perfect balance between being engaging yet refined, these are sure to appeal to plenty of listeners with their easy to like sound. Careful placement will ensure you get the best out of these, they are exceptionally clean yet always well controlled and refined and a pure joy to listen to. If you are looking for a pair of sub £500 bookshelf speakers, these should be high up on your list of models to try out.

Aesthetics: 5/5

Sound: 4.5/5

Build Quality: 5/5

Value: 5/5

The post Mission QX-2 Bookshelf Speaker Review appeared first on HiFiheadphones.

The W40 V2 are pretty sleek yet you can change up the colours with the interchangeable faceplates. They come in a variety of colours allowing you to choose which fits your style the best. The Bluetooth cable is black, but the normal cable is silver plated and looks great with the black housing.

The build quality is great, the new silver-plated cable has good strain relief and the IEM’s themselves have a high-quality plastic housing with metal faceplates. The MMCX connectors feel solid when you click the cable into place, and everything is very well put together.

Comfort and Isolation:

Westone know how to make a comfy IEM and the W40 V2 are no different. With a smooth housing and perfect angles for the nozzle to enter your ear, they fit like a glove. Find the right tips and you will enjoy hours of comfort from them. The cable doesn’t have stiff memory wire, instead it has soft, pre-moulded earhooks.

Isolation is a real strong point with these, as they are a fully sealed, multi BA driver design they are perfect for use in noisy environments.

Sound:

Bass: The bass on the W40 V20 is nice and tight yet it still has a fullness to the sound that makes them accurate yet easy to listen to. There is good extension and a little emphasis on the sub-bass, but the speed of the lows means they can keep up with complex mixes with ease. There is great articulation and bass lines are super easy to follow. This style of slightly emphasised low end without bloat works well for an everyday IEM.

Midrange: There is a little dip in the lower midrange which can make certain vocals sound a little masked, however there is great presence and clarity throughout the midrange. The intimacy of the midrange is really pleasant, vocals are up front and centre whilst everything comes in from around them, giving a good sense of space and layering. These do really well with vocal based music.

Treble: The highs don’t let these down, these are not a dark or boring IEM. They have great energy up top bringing out plenty of detail and sparkle, yet they also extend with ease. The transition from the upper midrange to the treble is pretty smooth and devoid of harsh sibilance. Positioning of the highs is great with good directionality and pinpoint accuracy. The W40 V2 are an energetic IEM that want you to enjoy the music, without missing any part of it.

Soundstaging is very good, with a wide stage and excellent layering and separation the W40 V2 really allows you to pick apart the mix.

Conclusion:

If you are looking for a good all-rounder, the W40 V2 are well worth considering. With flexibility and excellent comfort, paired with a warm/neutral sound signature they handle most genres with ease and add a little energy down low for a bit of added enjoyment.

Sound: 4/5

Comfort: 5/5

Build Quality: 4/5

Value: 3.5/5

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Aesthetics and Build Quality:

The ME500 are shiny, very shiny at that with a polished housing and tempered glass faceplates. They stand out and are not the most low-key IEM’s out there, but they do look great in person and feel substantial too. The cable is a made of SPC OFC and lokos great, overall the ME500 do stand out but in a good way.

Build quality is superb, the brass housings have good weight to them and are very well finished. The cable feels strong and have good strain relief all round, the MMCX connectors are nice and tight and I cannot find any issues with the build of the ME500.

Comfort and Isolation:

The ME500’s are pretty small but slightly heavy, luckily once you find the right tips they fit snug in your ear and stay securely fitted during use. The comfort is great and they can be worn for long periods of time.

Isolation is really good, perfect for commuting and daily use. The vent for the dynamic driver doesn’t seem to affect the isolation on the ME500 much.

Sound:

Bass: The ME500’s bass is tight yet articulate with great transient response. They have tuned the dynamic driver to fit with the snappier response of the BA drivers. This is a controlled and taught response down low, but one that digs down into the sub-bass when required. I have found these to play best with slightly slower instrumental tracks where they fill out nicely. Even though they have the speed to keep up with quick and busy tracks, they sometimes sound a little too flat. The ME500 is not for those who crave warmth and body, they are for those looking for clarity and control.

Midrange: Here is where the clarity shines through with great openness and an airy presentation. Both male and female vocals sound excellent without any major dips or peaks, there is plenty of energy and detail retrieval is superb. The midrange is well layered and the upper midrange doesn’t suffer from sibilance issues. I really like the presentation of female vocals on the ME500, they just sound very natural and effortless. Electric guitars have really power and energy yet the layering means nothing becomes congested. The tonality is a little on the cooler side, but the midrange is never recessed.

Treble: These will appeal to treble heads a bit; the overall sound is borderline bright and the highs can become a little overwhelming on certain tracks. They are present in full force, luckily the midrange and bass prevent them from sounding too thin. During slower tracks that are well recorded the ME500’s present an airy and incredibly detailed top end, but put on anything a bit heavier that isn’t as well mastered and they can become a little too hot, bordering on harsh. So play them good quality recordings and you’ll be greeted with an incredible upper end response, but anything that is recorded a little hot could be troublesome without EQ.

Soundstaging is excellent, a nice wide stage with pinpoint accuracy, great separation and layering all creates a very holographic presentation.

Conclusion:

The ME500 are very transparent and energetic with a snappy sound that has great control. However, they are also ruthless and will not hold back when you play some poorly mastered music. The top end can be borderline harsh however foam tips and EQ are very handy if you find them a little overenthusiastic up top. Or you could pair them with a cable like the Effect Audio Ares II+ to bring out a little more body.

Sound:  3/5

Comfort: 4/5

Build: 5/5

Value: 3.5/5

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