Headphone Reviews

House of Marley Exodus

Tyll Hertsens Nov 11, 2011 First Published: Nov 11, 2011

This story originally appeared at InnerFidelity.com

Bob Marley's "Exodus" ... wow, what a great album. I must have heard it a thousand times. It's a total classic. Prior to receiving these, I wondered skeptically if Bob Marley "Exodus" the headphone would be a classic. Time will tell ...

... but I think they're off to a good start.

Headphone Reviews InnerFidelity

Soul by Ludacris SL100

Tyll Hertsens Nov 07, 2011 First Published: Nov 07, 2011

This story originally appeared at InnerFidelity.com

At the bottom end of the Soul by Ludacris headphone line is the SL100. I was impressed by the more expensive SL150, and hopeful for another good showing here.

Um ... didn't quite work out.

Headphone Reviews InnerFidelity

Soul by Ludacris SL150

Tyll Hertsens Nov 03, 2011 First Published: Nov 03, 2011

This story originally appeared at InnerFidelity.com

After spending time with the Beats by Dre Solo HD (high definition or heavily distorted, I'm not sure) it was a real pleasure to acquaint myself with the Soul by Ludacris SL150.

Surprisingly satisfying!

Headphone Reviews InnerFidelity

More Stax Measurements: SR-009; SR-007; SR-507; SR-404 Ltd; SR-404; and SR-003

Tyll Hertsens Oct 11, 2011 First Published: Oct 11, 2011

This story originally appeared at InnerFidelity.com

I'm making ready to head off to RMAF, but I certainly didn't want to shirk my duties measuring Stax headphones, and getting them back to their rightful owners.

Here we go ...

Headphone Reviews InnerFidelity

Lauding Jobs's Least Loved Product: The Basic Apple Ear-Bud

Tyll Hertsens Oct 06, 2011 First Published: Oct 06, 2011

This story originally appeared at InnerFidelity.com

Editor's Note: This article was nearly complete when I read of Steve Jobs's death last night. I think the conclusions herein are telling of his passion for making "insanely great" products ... right down to the last detail.

A couple of weeks ago, Steve Guttenberg wrote an article on his Audiophiliac blog entitled, "The Worst-Sounding Audio Product." In it he "aimed [his] sights on the worst sounding product regularly used by millions of people:" the stock Apple iPod ear-bud headphones. There may be some truth in that, but he also said, "Apple is an amazingly innovative company, but it's incapable of selling a decent set of headphones under its own name."

With this, I'm going to have to disagree ...

Headphone Reviews InnerFidelity

Three Modified Grados

Tyll Hertsens Oct 04, 2011 First Published: Oct 04, 2011

This story originally appeared at InnerFidelity.com

Some modified Grado cans have shown up in the lab. I don't know what my problem was getting to them in a timely manner, maybe it's my dislike in general for Grado cans, maybe it was the trouble I was having getting my corporate shipping set up, but I've finally managed to get around to listening and writing this post.

Oh, well, here we go ...

Headphone Reviews

Polk Audio UltraFit 3000

Ariel Bitran Sep 29, 2011 First Published: Sep 29, 2011

The outer walls of the Cooper Square Hotel reflect blue sky and angle gently as they rise to the penthouse suite. When construction on the hotel began, New Yorkers cried “Abomination!” at the idea of a glass-sheathed high-rise towering over the short brick buildings of the East Village. Now that the Cooper Square Hotel has integrated itself into the Bowery’s landscape, it is the ambitions of the building’s architects that are remembered, not New Yorkers’ gripes.

Headphone Reviews InnerFidelity

Comparing World-Class Headphones

Tyll Hertsens Sep 25, 2011 First Published: Sep 25, 2011

This story originally appeared at InnerFidelity.com

It's not often one get's to set-up $37,000+ worth of the world's best headphone gear on the dining room table. I should do a little comparative listening test and report my findings, methinks.

Wasn't easy to write with all the good music going on in my head, though.

Headphone Reviews InnerFidelity

Soul by Ludacris SL300 Noise Canceling Headphone

Tyll Hertsens Sep 16, 2011 First Published: Sep 16, 2011

This story originally appeared at InnerFidelity.com

Today, I start a journey into the wisdom of pop-culture ... oy vey. In the last few years of economic upheaval and outright disaster, the headphone market has flourished ... blossomed even ... it's the fastest growing product type in consumer audio. Why?

Damned rappers!

Headphone Reviews InnerFidelity

The Venerable Koss Porta Pro

Tyll Hertsens Sep 14, 2011 First Published: Sep 14, 2011

This story originally appeared at InnerFidelity.com

Long before I became professionally involved with headphones, the Koss Porta Pro was a great little portable headphone. In fact, it was one of the first headphones designed particularly for portable applications. It has remained relatively unchanged to this day ...

... thank goodness. If it ain't broke ...