InnerFidelity

Sonoma Acoustics Model One Electrostatic Headphone and Amplifier System

Tyll Hertsens May 23, 2017 First Published: May 23, 2017

This story originally appeared at InnerFidelity.com

One hell of a story here. Interesting roots in a buncha places. I'm going to power through it with pics and links if you're interested in a deeper dive. Here we go!

Headphone Reviews InnerFidelity

Massdrop Nobel X Earphones

Tyll Hertsens May 08, 2017 First Published: May 08, 2017

This story originally appeared at InnerFidelity.com

Dag nab it! I got so busy last week with the Focal Utopia measurements that I neglected to get the new Massdrop Noble X measured and listened to for a quick report before the drop. Sorry about that.

Katz's Corner InnerFidelity

Katz's Corner Episode 16: The Smoking Gun

Bob Katz May 01, 2017 First Published: May 01, 2017

This story originally appeared at InnerFidelity.com

After those episodes, conspiracy theories have abounded: Did somehow my brainwaves have managed to influence five strong-minded individuals in my direction. Was it valid for Bob to use different amplifiers for the two headphones? And why did Bob and Tyll's findings on the Utopia and LCD-4 differ so much?

Let's find out!

Headphone Reviews InnerFidelity

ZMF Atticus Sealed Over-Ear Headphones

Tyll Hertsens Apr 21, 2017 First Published: Apr 21, 2017

This story originally appeared at InnerFidelity.com

To my eyes, the Atticus is one half of a two part experiment by Zach Mehrbach, Founder and CEO of ZMF Headphones. His past has been dominated by the venerable, but in my opinion underperforming, Fostex T50RP planar magnetic driver. I guess Zach sees his future with a more modernthough more commondynamic driver. It seems to me he's designed these latest two headphones as an experiment to find out just how good a headphone he can build using two different types of dynamic driver: the Atticus with a TPE (Thermoplastic Elastomer) diaphragm driver; and the Eikon with its bio-cellulose cone and rubber surround.

Headphone Reviews InnerFidelity

ZMF Eikon Sealed Around-Ear Headphones

Tyll Hertsens Apr 18, 2017 First Published: Apr 18, 2017

This story originally appeared at InnerFidelity.com

On the one hand you have Sony, Sennheiser, AKG, and the like mounting big bucks R&D efforts to grab at the various brass rings in the headphone world; and on the other hand you have a guy like Zach Mehrbach, Founder, CEO, and Chief Cook and Bottle-Washer at ZMF Headphones, who's artisanal approach is less mental and measurement, and more heart and art...lots more.

Headphone Reviews InnerFidelity

Meze 99 Neo Around-Ear Sealed Headphones

Tyll Hertsens Apr 07, 2017 First Published: Apr 07, 2017

This story originally appeared at InnerFidelity.com

A first look at this new headphone from Meze...what a difference a pad makes.

Headphone Reviews InnerFidelity

Sony MDR-1000X Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones

Tyll Hertsens Apr 05, 2017 First Published: Apr 05, 2017

This story originally appeared at InnerFidelity.com

Wow, these headphones are bee-you-tee-full! Not at all in a flashy way at allthey're understated; elegant; shapely. It's as if someone drew the perfect idealized headphone, and then Sony brought it to life.

Katz's Corner InnerFidelity

Katz’s Corner Episode 14: Guest Listeners Shoot out Audeze LCD-4 vs. Focal Utopia

Bob Katz Mar 18, 2017 First Published: Mar 18, 2017

This story originally appeared at InnerFidelity.com

It’s nice to hear different listeners’ perspectives: Each listener brings something different to the table. I learned a lot about how different people perceive sound and their preferences when putting together this post about experienced listeners listening. Come enjoy our quintet of expert listeners' take on the Audeze LCD-4 vs. the Focal Utopia.

Headphone Reviews InnerFidelity

AKG N90Q Noise Canceling Auto-Calibrating Over-Ear Headphones

Tyll Hertsens Mar 13, 2017 First Published: Mar 13, 2017

This story originally appeared at InnerFidelity.com

Oh my! What an extraordinary headphone. The N90Q represents the first real effort to deliver seriously good sound quality using DSP corrections. It's my feeling that in the long run this type of headphone may eventually be able to deliver a superior subjective listening experience compared with passive headphones of the same price. On the other hand, I also have a little saying, "The first one is usually the worst one." Seems to me the proper perspective here is that the N90Q will be a good indicator of where we're starting on the road to DSP headphones, and how far they're likely to take us in the future. Let's get to it!

Headphone Reviews InnerFidelity

Beyerdynamic T 51 i and T 51 p On-Ear Sealed Headphones

Tyll Hertsens Mar 05, 2017 First Published: Mar 05, 2017

This story originally appeared at InnerFidelity.com

Quite a few years ago now I reviewed the Beyerdynamic DT 1350 ($289) quite positively. This headphone is sold into Beyer's pro audio distribution channel, primarily to DJs. Subsequently, Beyer produced a T 50 p to sell into their consumer channel that looked quite similar, but didn't have the split headband. It didn't sound nearly as good, either...I was bummed. Then, a couple of years ago, Beyer updated the model to produce the T 51 i, which I heard at a show and thought sounded quite a bit better than the T 50 p. After years of hounding them at every show they finally sent one my way.