I will try to keep this short.   Firstly, to disclose: I purchased the NWZ-ZX1 with a 25% off discount coupon given to me by Sony Australia after attending a demonstration event for their high resolution audio products. I was invited to this event in my capacity as a Youtube reviewer.   The Sony NWZ-ZX1 is a beautifully built piece of hardware. Hardware music controls are wonderful. The interface is by and large easy to use.   The LCD is quite reflective and not particularly bright in direct sunlight. This seems to be because it appears Sony...

This is my video review of the NAD VISO HP50 with some short notes to follow. Please note that I received this headphone as a loaner unit from NAD!     Build   The VISO HP50 is a well built headphone that is a surprisingly mature design for a first effort from NAD. Since the design is so simple and the materials used are good quality, it feels like a well built premium product. I am not a big fan of the black glossy plastic because it gets fingerprint smudges very easily, and I am not so sure about look of the lettering and branding on the...

Here is my video review of the XBA-H1. If you like the video please check out my channel :) Below the video is a quick summary of my opinions.     Design & Comfort   The XBA-H1's earpieces are quite large, and may not suit every user's ears. Thankfully they are quite lightweight. The cable is good quality and doesn't tangle easily, and microphonics / cable noise is reasonable even when worn down. Isolation is good, but with the large earpieces wind noise can be a problem. Given the large size of the earphone, Sony should perhaps had gone for a...

Disclosure: I received these headphones from Sony Australia as a review sample to keep.    Here is my video review of the 10R, as well as some brief notes about the sound and build of the headphone. Please check out my channel if you enjoyed the video!     Summary:   The 10R has a comfortable, lightweight design that is pretty much best in class for the ~$99 street prices I've seen for this headphone. However, the sound is extremely unbalanced, skewed towards a very boomy low end with vocals that sound muffled, while simultaneously having a...

This written review was essentially my script for the following video review, so the information contained in both is more or less identical. If you want a closer look at the H3, watch the video review! :)     INTRO   The H3 was something of an aspirational purchase for me, as ever since I began getting interested in audio I was always fascinated by Bang and Olufsen’s fantastic speaker and telephone designs. In recent years Bang and Olufsen have been releasing products targeted at a younger market under the ‘Beoplay’ name, and the H3 is the...

*Please ignore the audio quality / comfort / design / isolation / value sliders for this review. As far as I can tell, they seem broken*   This is a universal in-ear monitor with a two balanced armature drivers and a dynamic driver. This earphone costs $1250 IEM with a cable that costs about $800, or as a package together, about $1400. I'm part of an Australian listening tour for this earphone and I spent 2 weeks with it. Let me say this first: I found this IEM really hard to review for a number of reasons, and all of them are related to the...

Along with the summary below, I have posted a Youtube video review of the Skullcandy Navigators. If you like the video, check out my channel for more reviews :)     Summary   BUILD   The Navigators have good build quality, with metals used in most parts of the headphone frame. They are lightweight and fold up into a more compact shape. The earpads are very isolating, though perhaps a little stuffy. The detachable flat cable is somewhat prone to tangling. They are comfortable headphones but I found I had to use the maximum headband...

Along with the summary below, I have posted a Youtube video review of the UE4000. If you like the video, check out my channel for more reviews :)     Summary   BUILD   The UE4000, like all the new Logitech UE headphones, has some really nice build quality for the price. Solid feeling headband with metal parts, supple synthetic leather earpads. The detachable cable with iPhone remote is a great touch because it terminates in a 3.5mm jack and can be replaced with any off-the-shelf cable. The earcups pivot in all directions which makes...

I'd like to think RHA for sending me these earphones for review.   Along with the summary below, I have posted a Youtube video review of the MA450i. If you like the video, check out my channel for more reviews :)       Summary   BUILD   The MA450i has an interesting build, with a reverse horn / funnel shape. This is actually the opposite of a horn speaker design in principle, and means that the MA350 fits very comfortably in the ear. The aluminium in the earpieces is very welcome and makes the earphone feel quite durable, but...

I'd like to think RHA for sending me these earphones for review.   Along with the summary below, I have posted a Youtube video review of the MA350. If you like the video, check out my channel for more reviews :)     Summary   BUILD   The MA350 has an interesting build, with a reverse horn / funnel shape. This is actually the opposite of a horn speaker design in principle, and means that the MA350 fits very comfortably in the ear. The aluminium in the earpieces is very welcome and makes the earphone feel quite durable, but the...

The below review is a summary of a full comparison of the AD1000X to the AD900X and Sony MA900 found here:   http://www.head-fi.org/t/654161/review-comparison-ath-ad900x-vs-ath-ad1000x-vs-mdr-ma900-its-still-over-900   I also made a Youtube review of the AD1000X. If you like the video check out my channel for more reviews! :)     Summary   BUILD   The AD1000X has fantastic build quality with a magensium alloy frame. The 3D wing design is comfortable, though it does not work for everyone's head. The AD1000X features angled...

Along with the summary below, I have posted a Youtube video review of the ATH-CKN70. If you like the video, check out my channel for more reviews :)     Summary   BUILD   The build on the CKN70 body is quite nice, with a lightweight plastic / aluminium body, though not as good as the similar (in price and concept) JVC FXD80-Z. The rubber earloop mechanism does help to stabilise the IEM in the outer ear and makes the CKN70 quite comfortable despite the quite wide nozzle of the earphone. The J-Cable cable is of a very poor quality; it...

Along with the summary below, I have posted a Youtube video review of the K550. If you like the video, check out my channel for more reviews :)     Summary   BUILD   The AKG K550 has excellent build quality, with a great fit and finish and a solid, durable feel to the materials. The earpads are very large and may not fit everybody's head; despite being very comfortable and supple the earpads are sensitive to seal and small changes to positioning will affect the already quite lean bass. The headband padding is quite sparse and because...

Along with the summary below, I have posted a Youtube video review of the RE-400. If you like the video, check out my channel for more reviews :)     Summary   BUILD   The RE-400 has a sensible, well thought out design. Of special note is the half-rubber / fabric cord which cuts down on microphonics. The RE-400 is comfortable to wear with cable up and the metal earpieces seem quite durable. However I find the plug to be overly large and can be difficult to accomodate in some pockets. The included accessory selection is quite poor...

Along with the summary below, I have a review thread comparing the Sony EX1000, 7550, XBA-4 and XBA-40 here: http://www.head-fi.org/t/608553/review-comparison-two-flagships-pass-in-the-night-sony-xba-4-review-vs-the-mdr-ex1000-updated-with-7550-and-xba-40   I also posted a Youtube review video of the XBA-40. If you like the video please check out my channel for more reviews :)     Summary   BUILD   The XBA-40 has quite a comfortable design. Despite the large size of the earpieces they fit in my ear well and the light weight...

Along with the summary below, I have a review thread comparing the Sony EX1000, 7550, XBA-4 and XBA-40 here: http://www.head-fi.org/t/608553/review-comparison-two-flagships-pass-in-the-night-sony-xba-4-review-vs-the-mdr-ex1000-updated-with-7550-and-xba-40   BUILD   The XBA-4 has quite a comfortable design. Despite the large size of the earpieces they fit in my ear well and the light weight makes them quite comfortable. However, depending on the shape of your ear the large body may be uncomfortable with your outer ears. I found the...

Along with the summary below, I have posted a comparison review of the MA900, Audio Technica AD900X and AD1000X here: http://www.head-fi.org/t/654161/review-comparison-ath-ad900x-vs-ath-ad1000x-vs-mdr-ma900-its-still-over-900   I've also got a youtube review of the MA900. If you like the video check out my channel for more reviews :)     Summary:   BUILD   The build of the MA900 is interesting. The headphone feels very light weight and almost flimsy in the hand. This isn't because it is badly built - on the contrary build...

Along with the summary below, I have posted a comparison review of the AD900X, AD1000X and MA900 here: http://www.head-fi.org/t/654161/review-comparison-ath-ad900x-vs-ath-ad1000x-vs-mdr-ma900-its-still-over-900   I've also got a youtube review of the AD900X. If you like the video check out my channel for more reviews :)     Summary   BUILD   The AD900X has excellent build quality (astounding for the price) and great wearing comfort provided the 3D wing design works for your head.    SOUND   The AD900X has an airy and...

Along with the summary below, I have posted a Youtube review of the Sony XBA-1. If you like the video, please check out my channel for more reviews :)     Summary   BUILD   The XBA-1 is very practically designed, with a narrow nozzle and a thoughtful selection of tip sizes with Sony's great hybrid tips. They are very lightweight and feel comfortable in the ear, but because they stick out they are not suitable for sleeping on your side with. Whether or not you like the J-cable is a preference thing.   SOUND   The...

Along with the summary below, I have posted a Youtube video review of the XB900. If you like the video, check out my channel for more reviews :)     Summary   BUILD   The XB800 has a very chunky design which looks pretty neat and offers high isolation. It is also easy to adjust and folds up into a nice compact shape However they have a very high clamping force and are somewhat uncomfortable. They are difficult to wear around the neck because the cups prevent you from moving your head too much. The build is overall a little plasticky...