Brainwavz S1 The S1 is another new offering from Brainwavz, who seems to have unleashed an army of new iems recently, including the budget king, Delta. The S1 is a 10mm dynamic driver in a larger barrel style housing that vaguely resembles the UE TF10 frankenbolts (note: these are designed for over the ear wear). It also sports a heavy duty flat cable with generous stress reliefs at the housings and connector. Personally I can’t stand flat cables, as to me they are more bulky and heavy than normal round cables, but this one is pretty flexible...

Brainwavz Delta The Brainwavz Delta is a new benchmark in the budget iem market. For an asking price of $22, you get metal housings, a very pliable but sturdy cable and good strain reliefs all the way around. Size wise the housings are reminiscent of the new Hifiman RE series and they come with a decent selection of tips; I prefer the stock white tips. Wear style is over the ear or down but I prefer them over the ear. While the Deltas do not come with a case or pouch, they really look to be able to take a beating and best of all- they sound...

Signature Acoustics C-12 - From India! A few months back I was contacted by a representative of Signature Acoustics asking if I’d like to audition their Elements Series C-12. They’ve already been selling them in their home based country of India and are preparing for a worldwide release. I thought, Why not? Sounds like fun! The C-12 is going to retail somewhere around the $45 to $60 range and the manufacturer describes the offering as follows: Wooden enclosure / housing for a natural warm sound and strong build quality 10...

Disclaimer: The following is a review from a sample provided by NuForce First I’d like to thank NuForce, for reaching out and allowing me the opportunity to review their new IEM, the NE-650M. The 650 is described by the manufacturer as “a uniquely enhanced version of the original NE-600 series earphone. Their high-efficiency design offers an even greater level of performance that delivers exceptional bass via aerodynamic acoustic porting, harmonically correct tonality, a deeply layered soundstage and superb acoustic isolation.”...

This is not a proper review, just really some rambling from the appreciation thread... ________ I have no idea why I didn't really like them so much the first time. I guess it is their unorthodox nature. They are a bit impetuous, however I have really been enjoying them the last couple days, prompting me to write some unorthodox impressions. Please excuse their rambling and possibly incoherent nature. _______ The SS is a dirty little vixen, devoid of etiquette. She can turn on a dime from prim and proper to screeching...

BTG-Audio: The Sunrise Cable Everyone seems loves the look and feel of aftermarket and boutique cables. Just one look on the different threads dedicated to pictures of Head-Fi members’ gear and you will see countless pictures of headphones and custom IEMs with aftermarket cables. In many cases these cables look like pieces of art, and unless you are handy and can create your own cables, buying one can quickly become an expensive venture. I’ve priced IEM cables of varying wire and craftsmanship anywhere from $150 to $400 or more. Until...

MEElectronics A161P     Introduction:   The A161P is a new single balanced armature from MEElectronics.  Meelec markets their new flagship as: “Relentlessly accurate to the source, the A161P delivers precisely what is in your music - nothing more and nothing less. High levels of clarity and resolution mean you won’t have to strain to hear the details while excellent handling of spatial cues delivers the ultimate concert-in-your-head experience.”   The A161P is a very competent entry into the world of neutrality but don’t let that word scare...

Hisoundaudio Golden Crystal First I’d like to thank Jack at Hisoundaudio for giving me the opportunity to purchase the Golden Crystals, or GC as I’ll reference them, as they are not yet available from any US dealer. Meet the super tiny Golden Crystals. They are the smallest dynamic driver on the planet (I think the Monster Tributes are 5mm as well, if their claims of also having the world’s smallest dynamic driver are accurate). IMPEDANCE 16 Ohm SENSITIVITY 110dB FREQUENCY RANGE 15 - 23,000 Hz...

Fischer Audio Tandem I was recently able to hear a loaner pair of Fischer Audio Tandem’s and was so impressed, I ended up buying a pair off another head-fier. The FA Tandem is a dual micro dynamic driver phone, which retails for $130. It comes with a velveteen pouch and abundant selection of tips. I often prefer pouches for stuffing in a jacket or jean pocket but this is a pretty cheap pouch, so I picked up a MEElectronics case to carry them in. Even with the plethora of tips, I really didn’t like any and found the best sound with...

SoundMAGIC E10 Soundmagic is building up quite a reputation for budget-fi products. Their latest entry into the fray is the E10. It is a barrel styled dynamic driver offering at just $35. Is it a giant killer? How good can a $35 phone be? Let’s find out… Soundmagic seems to have phased out the hard case they used to include and instead offer a pleather pouch with drawstring. While I know many prefer hard cases, I really like nice pouches for toting in a jacket or jean pocket. This pouch is very nice but a little larger than...

Westone UM3X mini-review You might say I’ve been on a quest of sorts. I’ve tried many mid and top tier universals, searching for something I can be content with for the long haul; something I can use on my daily commute that’s not only satisfying aurally but also in build and fit, with a pleasing aesthetic. Sound wise, I thought I might have found it in the Hifiman RE262 but ultimately is was too light in bass for my tastes and the new modular cable was too heavy and flopped around, constantly reminding me of its presence. From...

AKG K3003 Before jumping into the sound, I want to make a few comments on build and accessories, which I feel are important to discuss, due to how they may affect the sound and/or durability of the product. Accessories include 3 pair of stock single flange tips that are very comfortable and well made with a good combination of thickness and flexibility. My only issue with them is that I require a bit deeper insertion due to the shape of the housings and tip length; I can’t quite reach optimal positioning. I had some extra Meelec triple...

Unique Melody Merlin     Foreword:   At the time I ordered the UM Merlin, I had been a registered Head-Fier for right at a year, and like many members who have been around any length of time, had run the gamut of mid and top tier universals.  I have had a great time buying, selling, trading and borrowing all kinds of universals with different sound signatures, ergonomics, materials and drivers, and still to this day continue to enjoy doing so.  I’ve also come to enjoy putting my experiences into reviews, impressions and random posts as the mood...

Future Sonics MG6Pro       Foreword:   If you’ve read any of my previous reviews or impressions, you know I’ve been a fan of dynamic drivers for a long time.  In general, I find them to be more textured in the low end and overall portray a more natural or realistic sound for most instruments.  As of recently I’ve rediscovered a love for the separation, layering and intimacy many great balanced armature designs bring to the table.  Some have believed that hybrid designs could possibly bring out the best of both worlds.  I guess you could say that I’m...

  I’m a little late to the Hifiman RE series party but I thought it was time to get this party started and I did with the RE262.  Wow!  This level of musicality and refinement was not expected.   The RE262 is an odd shaped phone.  It is made to wear down or up.  The housings are plastic with rubber end pieces on the strange elbow shape and metal around the nozzles.  The cable is pretty supple and pretty thick.  It is also a modular cable and Hifiman supplies 3 different extensions.  One is a balanced extension and for wearing the IEM down.  The...

  I’m not going to waste your time talking about accessories, fit, packaging, what songs I listened to or any other boring stuff because frankly none of that stuff matters when it comes to the JVC HA-FX700’s.  The only thing that matters is the unbelievably good sound coming from these, so without further adieu-   The sound: MASSIVE.  That’s the first thought that comes to mind when I put the JVC’s in my ears.  Everything is massive; the bass, the treble, the sound stage, the notes and the musicality.  For me these redefine what kind of sound can...

I bought these as an upgrade from the W3, which while extremely fun, I soon became disappointed in, due to mid bass bleed into the midrange. This caused vocals to become too chesty and distortion rock guitar notes too rounded instead of hard edged. Enter the W4. Fit and Isolation: Westone 4 is extremely comfortable. I love their size and weight. They only fill up a small portion of the ear. On the downside the nozzle is very short, making them very tip dependent to achieve their great sound. Isolation is slightly above average with the right...

  I bought these on a whim, due to a deal too good to pass up, and with the interest to hear something with more bass presence. (Edit: I purchased these a second time from atrio.me and received them in Jan 2012)  Here is my review.   Fit and Isolation:  The Atrios are pretty light weight and when properly seated do not touch the ear.  They are very comfortable and provide very good isolation with the right tips.  Isolation is above average and they most you can get from a vented dynamic driver.   Build Quality:  The Atrios are built from a...