Does music help you get to sleep? Bedphones will work just fine!
This story originally appeared at InnerFidelity.comOne of the things that, it seems to me, separates headphone enthusiasts from traditional audiophiles is an interest in good inexpensive stuff, or devices with unusual utility. Think Koss Porta Pros or the Riva Turbo X. The Porta Pro has been delivering excellent sound quality for its very low $49 price for decades and for decades headphone enthusiasts have been praising their worth. And when the Riva Turbo X Bluetooth speaker showed up at CanJam a year or so ago, headphone hobbyists embraced it immediately as a great sounding portable speaker. These are cool little gadgets, and it seems to me headphone enthusiasts are more than willing to have a good hard look at them....no matter the cost.
Enter the Next Generation: Focal Elear Headphone
This story originally appeared at InnerFidelity.com
THIS is what a $1000 headphone should be. Unapologetically masculine styling...and sexy; confidently strutting exquisite materials and build-quality; and delivering sound of a quality I've not heard before on any headphone. It walked in my office, swept all the headphones off my desk in one grand gesture, and said, "Here I am. Deal with it."
Evaluation of Grado Stock and Modified Ear-Pads
This story originally appeared at InnerFidelity.comPromises Kept
My first post was an exercise in getting all the bits-and-pieces together to create content. In many ways this is my first real post here ... and I want to keep a promise. For years I've said I would measure the effects of the various headphone pads on Grado headphones; well, I am very glad to say finally: here it is.
My first post was an exercise in getting all the bits-and-pieces together to create content. In many ways this is my first real post here ... and I want to keep a promise. For years I've said I would measure the effects of the various headphone pads on Grado headphones; well, I am very glad to say finally: here it is.
Extraordinary DIY Electrostatic Headphones by Chinsettawong
This story originally appeared at InnerFidelity.com
Headphone hobbyists are an ongoing source of amazement. A couple of years ago I spent a year measuring DIY headphones and the work was often very cool indeed. But this...I don't even know what to say.
Welcome to a couple of spectacular DIY electrostatic headphone builds by Chinsettawong!
First Apple W1 Wireless Chip Headphone: The Beats Solo3
This story originally appeared at InnerFidelity.comThe Solo3 is the first headphones to have the Apple W1 wireless chip. (Followed shortly thereafter by the Beats Powerbeats3 and the soon to come BeatsX and Apple AirPods.) In this review I'll take a close look at the features and functions of this W1 based wireless headphone, and how it differs from typical contemporary Bluetooth headphones.
Focal Clear Over Ear Open Headphones
This story originally appeared at InnerFidelity.comHeadphone manufacturers pay attention: If you want to build a high-end headphone, this is the way to do it.
Focal Spirit One
This story originally appeared at InnerFidelity.com
The bad news is that there's been a bit of a manufacturing glitch with Focal's introduction of their first headphone: The Spirit One. The good news is they've stepped up to the plate and fixed it, and the cans perform quite nicely.
Wanna hear the whole story?
Great Motorcycling Headphones: Jays q-JAYS and Etymotic ER6i
This story originally appeared at InnerFidelity.com
Whenever I can, I spend time on the back of this beast: a 2005 Yamaha FJR 1300 super sport touring bike. This baby eats continents. I once left Bozeman, Montana in the morning and slept in a cornfield in Iowa that night. I really dig long-distance travel --- the gradual and ever-changing scenery, weather, and geology punctuated with little towns and churches is mesmerizing. Nonetheless, I need my tunes to complete the experience, and it took me a good long while to find just the right headphones to accompany me on my journeys.
Headphones from United Airlines Flight 962
This story originally appeared at InnerFidelity.com
When the stewardess asks me if I'd like to buy a pair of headphones for two dollars, I usually say no thanks and smile. She has no idea how good a pair of custom in-ear monitors sound.
And then I thought, "Well, I really have no idea how good her headphones sound either." So, I bought a pair, and brought them home to test.
Oh my!
HiFiMAN HE-5, HE-5LE, HE-6, and HE500 Planar Magnetic Headphones
This story originally appeared at InnerFidelity.com
Just a year and a half ago I walked into the CanJam area of RMAF, and right smack-dab in the middle was Fang Bian, head of Head Direct and the HiFiMAN brand of headphone gadgetry. Fang always has something new going on; I wondered what it would be this time. He smiled, stood, and cheerfully greeted me, then pointed towards center-stage on one of his tables.
"Would you like to hear my new planar magnetic headphones?"
You’ve got to be kidding me, I thought.