"The Empiric" a DIY Headphone Worth a Shout-Out!
This story originally appeared at InnerFidelity.com
When I get stopped in my tracks I just need to say something.
1More Triple Driver Over Ear Headphones
This story originally appeared at InnerFidelity.comShow impressions are always suspect, but I did like what I heard when I visited the 1More booth at CES early this year. They're well known for their in-ear monitors and last year introduced their first over-ear headphone, the MK801, which I found a bit too thick sounding for my taste.
Generally 1More has been offering headphone in the affordable end of the spectrum. With this new headphone they're making a move into the meaty midsection of the headphone world. And an interesting move it is!
2013 Munich High End Show: HiFiMAN RE-400 and RE-600
This story originally appeared at InnerFidelity.com
You know what's funny about this job? You travel half way around the world and then talk to people you know well. Fang is one of those people. I'm thinking I should go to China one of these days and talk to him again.
Anyway, HiFiMAN had a couple of cool dynamic IEMs that were a good listen. Check it out.
Ed. Note: I've posted my show impressions for Stereophile, you can read them here.
25 Years of Making a Good Thing Better: The Etymotic ER4sr and ER4XR
This story originally appeared at InnerFidelity.com"Dude, I just got off an airplane with this guy who had these cool insert headphones. He's a location sound recordist for movies and uses them for their isolation and good sound. I gave them a try...I need a pair badly! Do you know where I can get some Etymotic ER4 earphones?"
64 Audio A18t In-Ear Monitor
This story originally appeared at InnerFidelity.com64 Audio has a special place in my heart.Perhaps that's an odd way of introducing a review, as it makes me sound totally biased, but allow me to explain.
A Basshead's Delight: The V-Moda Crossfade M-100
This story originally appeared at InnerFidelity.com
Steve Guttenberg and I have gone back and forth on whether measurements are useful to consumers, but we both agree that the measurements don't tell you whether it's a good headphone or a great one. The V-Moda M-100 doesn't measure great, but that sure as heck doesn't mean they don't sound great.
I'll untangle all those double negatives in the article.
A Better Traveler's Sanctuary: The Bose Quiet Comfort 25
This story originally appeared at InnerFidelity.comIt must be going on 5 or 6 years now that I've been recommending the Bose Quiet Comfort 15 as the best noise canceling headphone. Time after time when comparing the QC15 with newcomers to the field, they either slayed the competition with their ability to isolate from outside noise, or with their competent sound...usually both.
Then last year at about this time, Bose introduced their Quiet Comfort 20, a shallow insertion in-ear noise canceling model. I thought it was awesome. The shallow fit is remarkably comfortablesimilar to just gently putting your finger against your ear canaland their ability to isolate astonishing. When recently I heard that Bose was about to introduce a new over-ear model to replace the QC15 I emailed my contact at Bose immediatelywhen it comes to noise canceling headphones, Bose is the maker to keep an ear on. They did not disappoint.
A Big Bottom and a Lively Top: The Philips Fidelio X1
This story originally appeared at InnerFidelity.com
It's warm and fuzzy, with a big bottom and a lively top.
No, it's not my girlfriend silly, it's the new Philips Fidelio X1. And while it may not be a mate for life, it's sure fun to have for a little fling.
A Comparative Review of High-End Noise Canceling Headphones
This story originally appeared at InnerFidelity.com
With the recent spate of noise cancelers appearing from all corners, I thought I'd bring them together for a little workout in the lab. The Bose Quiet Comfort 15 has long been my favorite, but newcomers like PSB, Polk, and Klipsch are launching frontal attacks, so I think it's time for a re-evaluation.
Going in, I figured it would be hard to beat Bose. What's your guess?
A Comparison of Beyerdynamic DT 880 32 ohm, DT 880 250 ohm, and DT 880 600 ohm Headphones
This story originally appeared at InnerFidelity.comBack before the Sennheiser HD 800 broke the $1000 high-end headphone barrier and started a flurry of ground-breaking new reference cans, there were three staples for enthusiast searching for great sound: the Sennheiser HD 650 ($649.95 MSRP); the AKG K701 (now reincarnated as the Quincy Jones Q701; $399 MSRP); and the Beyerdynamic DT 880 ($313.95 MSRP). All three, in my mind, remain good value when properly chosen for your listening tastes. (HD 650 – warm and smooth, though somewhat lacking in detail; AKG K701 – articulate, but slightly hard; DT 880 – detailed with depth and air, but somewhat lacking weight through the mids.)
A rather cool and unusual feature of the Beyer DT 880 is that it is available in three different impedance values in order to give you better options in suiting them to your needs. I thought it would be fun to have a look at the three different versions, and evaluate their suitability to home, portable, and general use.
Read on for the techno-geekly details, but go ahead and skip to the summary if you just want the recommendations….