The Inexpensive and Terrific Noontec Zoro
This story originally appeared at InnerFidelity.com
Out of the blue I get an email from an operations and logistics manager at an electronics distribution company I've never heard of about a headphone made by a company I've never heard of claiming these $100 Chinese Beats Solo look-alike headphones will likely make it to my Wall of Fame. Yeah, right.
Then I heard them.
The Koss Tony Bennett Special Edition TBSE1 Headphone
This story originally appeared at InnerFidelity.com
With about 27% of the population over age 50, and roughly 30% of all headphone purchases influenced by celebrity endorsement, I can understand why Koss turned away from the heavy competition for the younger generation's wallet and focussed their attention on the baby boomers with the introduction of their Tony Bennett headphones. Personally I prefer Tony Bennett to Dr. Dre, Ludacris, and 50 Cent, but I'm not sure the geriatric headphone buyers are really part of the 30% of purchasers who are influenced by celebrity endorsement.
Let's see how they sound.
The Legend Continues: The Audio Technica ATH-M50x
This story originally appeared at InnerFidelity.com
Like sand on a beach, the number of times the Audio Technica ATH-M50 has been recommended would be hard to count. This headphone has reached legendary status among headphone enthusiasts, and with this latest refresh its position in the pantheon of great headphones is assured.
Think the ATH M-50 is old news? Time to listen again!
The Luscious Denon AH-D2000, AH-D5000, and AH-D7000
This story originally appeared at InnerFidelity.com
Boy, do I love it when a manufacturer builds a great product and then sticks with it. I've been listening to, and recommending the Denon AH-D2000, AH-D5000, and AH-D7000 headphones for years. I welcomed the chance to get some fresh samples of these fine cans from Denon, and I was double happy to find they've gotten even better over the years.
Even better? Yes! It does appear they've made some improvements over time. Let's have a look...
The Meze 99 Classics, Very Fun, Very Tasty
This story originally appeared at InnerFidelity.com
I'd love to meet a super-model with a good head on her shoulders. But being an old dude, I'll happily settle for the way-more-than-skin-deep beauty of the Meze 99 Classics.
The Most Excellent Sennheiser Amperior and HD 25-1 II
This story originally appeared at InnerFidelity.com
The latest in a long, long line of HD 25 variants, Sennheiser puts new clothes on the Amperior with milled aluminum cups and a new cable. Is it just bluff and bluster, or are these new cans worth nearly double the price of the HD 25-1 II?
I'm thinking so.
The Oppo PM-3 A Competent Comfortable Mobile Headphone
This story originally appeared at InnerFidelity.com
Third in a series of planar magnetic headphone releases from Oppo Digital, and at $399 their lowest cost entrant to date, the PM-3 is intended as a planar magnetic headphone for portable use...and it delivers.
The Outstanding Bose Quiet Comfort 35 Wireless Noise Canceling Headphone
This story originally appeared at InnerFidelity.com"Value packed" is not a word I typically use to describe a headphone. I really thought the Beyerdynamic DTX 350 m was great for the money; definitely a good value...but not packed with value. Sennheiser's HD 600 is an extraordinary value...but no carry case; doesn't have a mic/remote; isn't useful portably. Still a great headphone and an extraordinary value, but packed with value? Okay, maybe. HD 800 S? Great headphone, but no friggen way anything over $700 is "value packed." The Quiet Comfort 35, on the other hand? Oh yeah, this thing will be a delightful traveling companion with technological, comfort, convenience, and solid sound quality characteristics abundantly.
The Pioneer HDJ-2000 Headphone
This story originally appeared at InnerFidelity.com
I've been listening to a lot of mid-priced, sealed headphones lately, and these just keep jumping out at me. They say DJ on the side and have a mono switch, but I'm not buying it ... these are just plain good headphones.
Pioneer, eh? Who'da thunk it.
The Scrumptious Oppo Digital PM-1 Planar Magnetic Headphone
This story originally appeared at InnerFidelity.comOh boy. This one's going to be a tough one for me. I love the sound of the PM-1...heck I love almost everything about them. But they're not neutral, and many won't like them.
Oh well...here we go...