Katz's Corner

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Katz’s Corner Episode 13 - The Big Shootout: Audeze LCD-4 vs. Focal Utopia

Bob Katz Feb 20, 2017 First Published: Feb 20, 2017 0 comments

This story originally appeared at InnerFidelity.com

In my previous episode, I threw down the gauntlet: Can the world’s best headphones hold up to the world’s best loudspeakers in a perfectly-treated room? Of course we know that headphones image completely differently from loudspeakers. The transient impact of transducers lodged on your ears is distinctly different from loudspeakers at 9 foot distance. The loudness ratios of forward and distant elements, direct and reverberant sound are also different between phones and speakers. But we certainly can compare the tonal accuracy of the two presentations.

Katz's Corner InnerFidelity

Katz’s Corner Episode 12: Throwing Down the Gauntlet

Bob Katz Dec 07, 2016 First Published: Dec 07, 2016 0 comments

This story originally appeared at InnerFidelity.com

This kind of performance leads us to this question: Can a pair of state-of-the-art loudspeakers placed in the far field of a room sound as transparent, defined, impacting and pure as the world’s best headphones? These Dyns give my Stax 007 MkII headphones a good run for their money. The Stax are driven by a KGSS amplifier. And what about dynamic headphones? I upped my game here, selling my Audeze LCD-X to invest in a pair of LCD4’s. And I borrowed a Deckard headphone amp on reviewer’s loan. No slouches here!

Katz's Corner InnerFidelity

Katz's Corner Episode 11: The Oppo Explosion

Bob Katz Mar 08, 2016 First Published: Mar 08, 2016 0 comments

This story originally appeared at InnerFidelity.com

Bob Katz has fallen in love with the Oppo PM-3 and HA-2. A rather long review, but hey, he's in love. Waxing prosaic is part of the deal.

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Katz's Corner Episode 10: Mid-Priced Sealed Headphone Survey

Bob Katz Feb 16, 2016 First Published: Feb 16, 2016 0 comments

This story originally appeared at InnerFidelity.com

Hooo boy! Bob pulls out all the stops in his latest episode.

This is a little treasure trove of incisive opinion on a bunch of pretty darn good $150-$500 full-size sealed headphones.

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Katz's Corner Episode 9: Astell & Kearn AK T1p Headphones and AK380 Music Player

Bob Katz Feb 02, 2016 First Published: Feb 02, 2016 0 comments

This story originally appeared at InnerFidelity.com

I'm not a shy guy. If I don't like a headphone, I'll pull it off my ears within five minutes! So far, I've had the Astell & Kearn AK T1p on for over 40 minutes and I keep wanting to check them outso there must be something about them that's keeping me listening.

Katz's Corner InnerFidelity

Katz's Corner Episode 8: My Current Affair

Bob Katz Nov 10, 2015 First Published: Nov 10, 2015 0 comments

This story originally appeared at InnerFidelity.com

This episode is full of ideas on what makes audio sound better (or worse). If you're like me, constantly searching for scientific reasons, you'll enjoy this episode. Join me in trying to make audible sense of it all.

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Katz’s Corner, Episode 7: Mosfet Magic

Bob Katz Aug 25, 2015 First Published: Aug 25, 2015 0 comments

This story originally appeared at InnerFidelity.com

Something had to give: Tyll has given me the assignment of evaluating a bunch of midprice phones. But I feel that the amps I have to drive them are not completely up to the task. The Burson Soloist is fun, punchy and “tubey”. The O2 sounds comparatively transparent and is a great bargain, but how would it compare to the big guys? So I knew I needed to include a transparent high class amp to drive and test these phones. But Mary would divorce me if I proposed buying yet another expensive headphone amp. Instead I found a solution: Build one instead. The process has proved to be very rewarding in all respects. Let me tell you about it here.

Katz's Corner InnerFidelity

Katz's Corner, Episode 6: Things Are Looking Up

Bob Katz Jul 31, 2015 First Published: Jul 31, 2015 0 comments

This story originally appeared at InnerFidelity.com

I am certain that sound quality improves when we sample at higher rates.

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Katz's Corner: The Great Headphone Shootout. Part 5: The Revisions

Tyll Hertsens Jun 17, 2015 First Published: Jun 17, 2015 0 comments

This story originally appeared at InnerFidelity.com

I've seen some reports that the Stax 007 MkII (the "Omegas") sound a bit bassy and dull, but I don't have that reaction with the KGSS amp and a superior DAC. My precious Stax is clearly missing something in the bass department and I wanted to see if I could transfuse the slam of the Audeze into the Stax and have the best of both worlds.

Katz's Corner InnerFidelity

Katz's Corner: The Great Headphone Shootout - Part 4

Bob Katz May 13, 2015 First Published: May 13, 2015 0 comments

This story originally appeared at InnerFidelity.com

On Monday it was raining lions and tigers all day, but four of the faithful eventually arrived, between an hour and two late. Except Mitch Corbin, musician (Suzy Bogguss, David Bromberg, Byron Berline, David Grisman) and project studio owner, arrived early. That was a good thing, because I gave him a solo audition. When the four others arrived, they each had a headphone to check out and shuffle around. Mitch stuck around to learn everyone's reactions and schmooze for the evening, and a wonderful time was had by all.