Above is my video review of the earphones, including how they are worn: Like, Subscribe and Comment!
 
I know what most are probably thinking… They look a lot like a the Shure SE215. In many ways they are! I’d like to think of them as a Bluetooth Se215, which can be very desirable in today’s “headphone-jackless” world (I’m looking at you, IPhone 7). 
However, they also come with the standard “wired” cable, that we are all familiar with. As you probably guessed, the Model 3 has detachable cables (catering to both the “old school” wired and the “modern day” wireless listener).
Disclaimer- I was provided with the Model 3 earphones from Advanced for review.
 
Accessories and Features:

1. Hard-shell carrying case
2. 3 sets of silicone eartip (only S and M)
3. 3 sets of foam eartips (overly fast expanding foam)
4. 1 wired mmcx cable with a 1 button remote/mic
5. 1 mmcx Bluetooth cable with a neck-charging dongle – with range up to 10m and a battery life of 5 hours (connecting via magnet)
6. Green micro USB cable (Amazingly made cable, supple, and well relieved)

Accessories: 7/10 (I would like a bit more variety (double/triple and different shapes) (and sizing) for the eartips
*note for this review I used the westone star tips (I was able to get a much better seal with them, then what came in the box)
Features- 9/10 (can easily go wired or wireless in a (mmcx) snap) pun intended
 

 
 
Design:
The Model 3 was “modeled” (pun) after the generations of ergo-fit stage monitor style that’s popularized after customs, the Model 3 turned to a cross hatched, transparent earpieces. (I’m very lukewarm with the cross hatched design, but the transparent housing allowed for viewing the inside the earpieces was very interesting!)
Overall: 7/10
 
    
 
 
Build Quality:
The earpieces are made of entirely plastic, however my concern lies mostly on the long and thin nozzle, require a bit of care when removing them from the ear (or when changing eartips).
The detachable  (universal) mmcx cable sockets feel nicely made, sturdy and solid. I never had any issues with the (a shoddy) connection with either of the provided or my previously owned mmcx cables.
The Bluetooth cable is long and beefy (with a fixed memory shape). The cable is very thick and the buttons have nice click to them.
I have a few criticisms towards the Bluetooth cable that include:

1. Improving the tactility between the buttons, (maybe with a raised top and bottom button? Or including big tactile bump to prevent “misclicking” the wrong button)
2. Another criticism is that I felt the earguide section connecting the earpieces to the Bluetooth receiver is a few inches too long (the cable tends to flop around when turning  the head).
3. Maybe also replace the current fixed earguides with more flexible ones (to easily mold them according to the user’s preference).

While, the stock/wired cable very nicely reinforced at the headphone termination, the majority of cable itself while lightweight (carrying no cable noise) is quite thin.  (I would have liked a slightly thicker cable).
Overall: 8/10
    
 
 
 
Comfort:
Ridiculously comfortable! They felt the closest, (I would imagine) to custom- in ears. They slip into my ears easily and I could easily lie on my side with them. I can definitely see myself using them on stage (if I was a performer), simply because they can be used for hours on end because of their smooth and seamless fit.
Overall: 10/10
 
  
 
 
Isolation:
Scarily good! Dangerously good (with the right tips), I used the westone star tips (the foam tips included expanded too quick), and I was in between the sizes for the included silicone ones. Hence, why  I used the westone star tips
The completely enclosed earpieces, fend off outside noises with ease.  (with the added Bluetooth conveniences, I easily used during commutes).  
Overall: 10/10
         
 
 
 
 
Sound Quality:
Advanced has clearly designed and tuned the Model 3 to be a good wired earphone first, that just happens to have a “Bluetooth or a wireless” functionality. To that I they have succeed!
The Model 3 sounds very rich and work well for jazz and vocal centric music.
 
Bass:
The bass is full with a chunky mid bass, with solid extension down low.
 
Midrange:
The warm midrange sounds bit veiled but voices have great body, that sounds very smooth and soothing. Sometime, the Model 3 can be a bit too smooth, especially restricting female vocals from “soaring” in a sense, thus sounding a bit restrained.
 
Treble:
The treble is very laid back, and can sound dark and somewhat lacking shimmer. However, I would be hesitant to call them completely rolled off, maybe just conservatively so. I would imagine this tuning to be favored when performing on stage (where they would be used at higher volumes for music play back and monitoring, thus the listener would not be bombarded with aggressive and sharp treble after a long extended concert).
 
An admirable trait for Model 3, is that I felt Advanced did a wonderful job matching the “Bluetooth” with its “wired” configuration.  The Model 3 sonically bested my very popular Bluetooth set, the ($169-200) Jaybird Freedoms, easily twice the price.
Quick comparison to the Sennheiser Momentum In Ear ($99)
The Momentums while boasting more clarity doesn’t sound as full and natural as the Model 3. The bass appears to be better extended on the Momentums, with less mid-bass bloat. Piano keys seem to jump out a bit more on the Momentums, where as the Model 3 is a bit more reserved, and sound more closed.
Overall: 8/10
 
    
 
 
 
Conclusion:
As the world continues going more and more wireless, audio companies have to keep up. However, its nice to see that Advanced still has considerations for the “old school purists” out there, by designing the Model 3 to easily swap between its Bluetooth and it’s wired configurations.  A versatile product that would make for a great holiday gift!
 
Possible feedback:
A shorter upper half (silver section) connecting the earpieces the charging dongle (maybe 1-1.5 inches shorter). --> and maybe forgoing the  ear guides entirely
Changing the layout of the Bluetooth controls  (for better tactility, raising the bottom and top button considerably, or adding a large bump to each button). Preventing incorrectly using controls.
This can probably be changed via the firmware- but instead of long pressing to increase/decrease the volume, changing it to a short press. Therefore, swapping it out with the media controls (fast- forward,rewind  by long pressing). (I’m not sure why Advanced chose to do this differently from the rest of the industry.)
 
 
            

The Fiil Diva headphone is probably one of the most intuitive headphones south of $200.  They have features that make them almost 3-4 headphones in one, currently they can be had for about $129 on Kickstarter before their official release, and will retail for $149.
 
I want to thank Fiil for sending me a prototype model of the Diva before the official release (I would imagine that the official version would have English voice prompts) Currently, the version I have only has Mandarin and Cantonese voice prompt in the PIIL smartphone app or the prompts can be turned off completely. (A good way to brush up my Cantonese, I guess).
 
Below is my video review, Like, Subscribe and Comment!
 

 
Accessories:
They come with:

1. A well made protective hard-shell carrying case (moulded to fit the headphones)
2. 1 audio cable
3. 1 USB Cable

Overall: 8/10- I wish for the inclusion of a smartphone remote cable (1 button would be nice) and a pouch on the inside of the moulded headphone case (between the earcups perhaps?) to hold the cables).
 
Features:
The Diva is intuitive and rich with features that can appeal to a wide range of users. The headphones are equipped with both touch sensitive and physical buttons media controls on the right earcup, along with a wide variety of settings available on the included free FiiL app (available on both App Store (iOS) or the Google Play Store (Android).
 
Bluetooth:
With Bluetooth 4.1, I was able to get slightly over 30 feet in complete open space, with about 15-20 metres with walls present.
Using the MAF (My AudioFiilter) features in the FiiL app, gives access a wide variety of settings from wireless, noise cancelling (also ambient noise aware).
The great thing is that the MAF features can be accessed even WITHOUT the smartphone app as well, (when tested on my Macbook), using the toggle switch on the right earcup.
 
First and foremost, these can be used wirelessly via Bluetooth and wired (without battery), with the inclusion of a detachable 3.5mm- 3.5mm user replaceable audio cable.
 
Noise Cancelling or NC mode:
Effectively dim the ambient noise, to a stated 28dB (which I think is a bit of stretch). It does works but a far cry from the Bose Quietcomfort series.
 
Open mode:
Amplifying the higher (and lower??) frequencies allowing for better awareness of the surrounding area, thus making them basically a pair of open headphones.
 
Monitor Mode:
Similarly with the open mode, but it filters out some noise allow the voices to slightly be more emphasized, allowing for conversing with others, even with the headphones on.  
(I’m lukewarm about this feature, because I’m not sure what situations would you turn on this feature just to talk to others with the headphones on. (perhaps in the cold winter months?) It’d be much easier to take off the headphones.
 
Windy Mode:
Intended use is for windy areas, from blasting air conditioner or fan in the background, to a windy day outside. (I felt personally this feature could’ve been easily integrated in the noise-cancelling feature).
 
Extras!
All of the following features are or can be combined with the different MAF presets to tailor fit the sound profile to each user.
 
3D Sound:
The 3D sound gives the impression of listening in a larger room, from a “living room”, “theatre”, and a large “hall”.  Giving the user a nice level of customization, with their current music library, however it sounds like it gave the music an artificial sense of space and sounded distant. (I left this off)
 
EQ
As an added inclusion, an simple EQ feature was included allowing for increased bass or treble, allowing for the changes to be monitored in real time.
 
Motion Sensor:
The headphones also feature a smart sensor, which pauses the music when the user takes off the headphones (which takes a second longer then expected, but does work effectively each time).  (only when powered)
The music resume when put back on (its very fast in this regard), regardless of the music app used.  This feature makes the “Monitor mode” obsolete. 
But oddly, when music was paused on my macbook, as I took off the headphones it resumed again. Not sure why this is though.
 
Fiil Light:
A light up Fiil Logo on each earcup for fun in the dark!
 
HD Voice:
Used to increase the intelligibly for phone conferences. (Which I found just satisfactory for phone calls).
 
Touch Senstive Controls ( on the right earcup)
Used to control Media Playback. Swipe forward to skip, Swipe back to rewind, Swipe up and down to control volume. I found this feature works better using multiple fingers rather then just 1. This feature is a bit finicky, and sometimes needs an extra flick to register. Click the bluetooth button to pause music
 
Battery indicator:
An easily accessible companion app has a battery indicator feature indicating the percentage and real time of the remaining battery (when used wirelessly).
 
Battery life:
They headphones are rated to have over 30 hours of battery life. I have not had to recharge the headphones in over 5 days of light usage. Also, the app keeps track on the battery life of the headphones in real time without having to plug them in.
 
Foldable Earcups:
For better storage and greater portability
 
Overall: 8/10
 
Design:
Streamlined, modern and sleek. I had the glossy white and silver version, and pairs well with my macbook pro, superbly gender neutral. The Diva’s looks like they belong on runway, they are slim fitting and unobtrusive on the head, (especially with all the buttons at the rear and out of sight).  
Overall: 10/10
 
Build Quality:
The Diva’s feature a nice mixture of metals and nice polymer (plastic). Commonly stressed areas (hinges, headband adjustments) are reinforced heavily with metal, without looking bulky. The earcups slide and pivot based on friction (no notches), to adjust to the user’s head size.
Overall: 9/10
 
Comfort:
I think Fiil did a very nice job consider the amount of technology utilized in the headphones. The weight is very evenly distributed throughout the headphones (along with ample padding on the headband), preventing hotspots. The soft, plush, adjusting memory foam earpads, lightly hug your head and ears, enough for a stable seal.
Overall: 10/10
 
Isolation:
When used without any electronics on, the headphones are fairly average for an on-ear headphone. As mentioned above, the “Open” feature allows for more ambient noise to be heard, and the “Noise cancelling” does the opposite in cancelling external noise (and does an adequate job).
Overall: 7.5/10
 
Sound:
I was not expecting the seeing the “High Res Audio” sticker on the box, and this immediately raised my eyebrows, as well as my expectations.
The Diva’s are forward and euphoric. They have a merry bass bump, that sounds pleasing and fun when playing pop music. With slightly forward upper mids, voices come through well through the energetic bass line.
 
Bass: Punchy albeit just slightly thick, with a nice sense of dynamism to beats . The bass texture is more punchy then tactile, but far from offensive and bloated.  Nicely balanced as a portable headphone.
 
Midrange: The lower mids and the upper mids are slightly forward, enough to help increasing lyric intelligibly but avoids from sounding sharp or piercing at louder volumes, and enough to prevent them from sounding veiled.
 
Treble: Good Detail with a nice snap that works well with electronic-eques music.
The sounds changes just slightly with the NC on, with a slight hiss and a slight bass bump
 
Quick Comparison with the Sennheiser Amperior
The Amperiors have considerably more aggressive treble that can sound papery and dry in comparison. While the Amperiors’ bass is tighter and more defined,  it lacks the same impact the Diva’s convey.
 
Quick Comparison with the Beats Solo2
Bass wise, they are more inline with each other, however the Solo2s is still chunkier and deeper. However, the upside of the Diva’s lies with the treble, sounding more open and less congested then the Solo2.
Overall: 8/10
 
I think FiiL Tech has done a great job in constructing a really nice  portable headphone. They easily covered the design, comfort and even the sound aspect.
Plus the accompanied FiiL app is also very intuitive and easy to use. (Still waiting for the English version in the update though). 
 
The Bluetooth and technology in them is quite impressive, though some of the features I felt is a bit gimmicky (Monitor mode). Some feedback I have:
1) Tweak the sensitive of the touch sensors on the right earcup
2) Increase the sensitivity of the sensor (there is a slight lag when pausing the music, when the headphones are removed from the head).  Also, Fiil should work on the firmware that ensures that the sensor only works for pausing music (when the headphones are removed) and resuming ONLY with the headphones on the head.
 
Overall: 50.5/60= 84.1%

The Momentum Series was a collection of lifestyle audio products aimed towards the marriage between style and sound. Since the release the Over Ear Momentums, this collection quickly gained a large following. Fast forward to late 2015-2016, Sennheiser has both updated the both the Over and On Ears.  However, it’s the affordable In Ear Momentums that has received wide praises from the average consumer, with its more affordable price between $70-129 USD/CAD and great sound.  Let’s see if the praise is well deserved!
Disclaimer- Before we start this review, I want to thank Rosmadi and Sennheiser for sending a pair of the Momentum IE for review. Below a link to my youtube review, please like, comment and subscribe more reviews.
 

 
Features and Accessories:
The Momentum IE was intended for use with the modern smartphone with : Android and iOS Controls(for phone calls and media playback). This feature requires attention, since the market has very few audio gear that is FULLY compatible with android devices (with the inclusion of the volume controls). This is especially important because Sennheiser accomplished this without alienating their apple or android consumers.  The buttons are nicely constructed with beautiful tactile feedback for use even with thick gloves, and the mic is clear and appropriately placed.
 
Accessories include:

1. 1 hard shell carrying case
2. 4 sizes of silicone eartips
3. Plastic Mold Storage (requiring careful winding, for a nice  visual presentation of the earphones), impractical for daily usage but nice inclusion

Overall: 8/10 * the only thing holding back from 9/10 (the smartphone controls is fantastic) is the lacktistisical inclusion of accessories.
 
      
 
 
 
Design:
While in the ear, only the shiny, sparkling sennheiser logo visible.Holding them in the hand. At first, questions may surface as to why Sennheiser designed this peculiar shape to continue the “momentum series” of audio products, which features a more refined, gentlemanly design with some retro inspirations. Its obvious Sennheiser out of their way to cater the IE towards the general consumer, with two colour schemes: the red and black, and the black chrome/gun-metal.  Theres no mistaking the Momentum IE with any other earphone at first glance.
Overall: 8/10
 
      
 
 
Build Quality:
The gun metal finish (on my pair) of the housing appears to be made of real chrome from afar, however this isn’t the case as the entirety of the body seems to be made of a light weight plastic upon closer inspection. Looking at the breakdown the earphones construction, the inner chamber and the nozzle is made of solid stainless steel, exuding a nice premium feel. A nice touch is the tangle resistant property of the lightweight, elliptical cable. The compact y split (and cinche) and the low profile L shape jack retains the minimalistic appearance, that’s perfect for the mobile users.
Overall: 8.5/10
 
          
 
 
Comfort:
The combination of the narrow angled nozzle and the irregular design was designed with the human ear anatomy in mind, allowing them to comfortably slide in and out of the ear effortlessly. The lightweight housing causes no added pressure to the ear, and coupled with the plastic Sennheiser tag on the rear, allowing for easy grip when removing from the ear).
Overall: 10/10
 
   
 
Isolation:
I would say average to above average, a nice all purpose earphone for daily usage. However those wanting to silence the outside world should seek the help of the Meelectronic A151, or perhaps the VSONIC VSD3s instead.
Overall: 8/10
 

 
Sound:
The sound of the Momentum IE is very reminiscent of the Brainwavz S5, I’ve reviewed previously, but slightly more refined (for about the same price) but with iOS or Android Controls.
With a v shaped sound signature, with nice punch (but not overbearing) in the bass makes modern day recordings and synths “fun” and “energetic”. Sennheiser has created an earphone that will play well with today’s popular  genres in the form of pop, hip hop, dubstep, trance and electronic.
 
Bass:
Punchy, fast, and impactful. These are the words that describe the Momentum IE best, providing a nice rhythm and beat to your music library.  The bass is well controlled and boosted at an appropriate level for use in moderately noisy environments. The bass is nimble but still authoritative, compared to the thick and slightly bloated, Nuforce NE800M, and sounds nicely polished to reproduce fast synths with relative ease.
 
Midrange:
Laidback in character They are neither shouty  but not so far back as to call them muffled. Vocals are pulled back with a bit more of a nasal character (especially female vocals), which helps with clear speech intelligibility. However, this comes with the expense as they may not be the most natural sounding and may sound a bit thin for some users, a bit reminiscent of the Alpha and Delta AD01, both bassy earphones but sound surprisingly clear.
 
Treble:
They are just a hint splashy, with a bit of a “metallic” texture, however it’s quite minimal. It’s nicely energetic but not enough for me to call the harsh, however its still detailed enough without causing irritation. The treble plateaus in the mid treble, making them a bit “blunt” and not as “shimmery” as say the Dunu Titan 3, or “brilliant and extended” like the VSONIC GR07BE especially for flutes and music with more ambiance.  Presumably, this was done to prevent fatigue from extended listening periods.
 
Soundstage:
is nicely presented, avoiding the congestion that typical bassy earphones tend to suffer from. Good separation, venturing just slightly out of the head.
Overall: 8.5/10
 
While, the Sennheiser Momentum IE is not meant for the audio purists, looking for a neutral response to re-create a life-like representation of their music. They are simply all around, fun sounding that’s readily available in large retail stores worldwide. Also, with the added benefit of having an iOS and Android compatible controls this is a “no brainer” as a companion for the latest smartphone, for great enjoyment on the go.
 
Overall 50.5/60= 84.1%

Its refreshing to see companies join the “Green” Movement and assist in making their products more environmentally friendly. Zealsound is an example of this, with recycled packaging, fabric carrying pouch and wooden earpieces. “Going Green” is a bold statement and Zealsound HDE-300 stays bold by packing 8.5mm dynamic drivers to give big bass to the environmentally conscious consumer.



Before I begin I would like to thank Zealsound for sending them in for review. As with all my previous reviews, I will evaluate the earphones/headphones based on its price range, and its merits (be wary of the scoring).

You can check them out here for more information : http://www.amazon.com/ZealSound-HDE-300-Noise-isolating-Genuine-Headphones/dp/B0156HK9C0

Accessories and Features:
Similar with its competitors at this price, its pretty bare bones here, with 3 sizes of silicone tips (S,M,L) , with a clothing clip and a fabric carrying pouch.
It does have a convenient and compact, 1 button universal remote for managing music and calls (for both iOS and Android devices).
Overall: 5/10


Design:
Taking accents from nature and the high end JVC woodies (earphones) I imagine, the Zealsound have a sort of rustic feel with the wooden- textured barrel, contrasting well with the more modern silver accents. The wooden accents is quite refreshing and organic compare to the influx of very synthetic or gaudy looking earphones out there

With the exception of the playful musical note, its design as a whole is more reserved compared to similarly styled earphones from “House of Marley” (without all the funky colours).
Overall: 6/10




Build Quality:
The wooden barrel housing is definitely a nice change from the predominately plastic shells found in earphones sometimes double the price of the Zealsounds. No plastic here, the nozzle also appears to be a sort of aluminum or metal, removing 1 point failure that cheaper earphones normally suffer from. The housings also have very flexible strain reliefs to help withstand daily abuse.
The fabric cable bit lacking in strain relief, that’s thin, somewhat tangle prone and retains memory, so it would be a good idea to meticulously (and slowly) wind them up and store them in their included carrying pouch. The fabric cable is susceptible to a bit of fraying over time, so that would be something to keep in mind, for prospective buyers
A compact and slender straight angle jack completes the picture, aiding in easier entry into thicker smartphones cases.

Overall: 5/10




Comfort:
The earpieces are quite large, making them easier to grasp when pulling them in and out of the ear quickly, a common occurrence on a day-to-day basis (to listen to the the overhead announcements, or to speak to someone quickly). However the larger earpieces causes them to stick out of the ear a bit, and may cause a bit of discomfort for those with smaller ears.
Overall: 6/10




Isolation:
I didn’t feel the small vent on the under side of the housing hindered the isolation too too much. Its fairly average considering they don’t sit very deep in your ears. It’s solid enough for everyday use.
I did notice moderate driver flex in both earpieces, but they are vented so that should help relieve some pressure on the driver.
Overall: 6/10



Sound Quality:

Thump, Punch, and Boom.
Many consumers want their bass to boom and their music to thump. Well, Zealsound obliged. This is the common recipe for many affordable “consumer earphones” on the market. This tuning allows the user to hear and feel a strong beat in moderate to loud areas.
These woodies, are clearly skewed towards the bass. However, they have treble that’s devoid of any sharp peaks or harshness. Laid back and easy on the ears. No “tinny” treble here.
This is ideal when watching, for example the latest viral video or listening to spotify on your lunch break. What you get is a sound that’s very warm and bassy.

The Zeal sound earphones is very rich and warm sounding and it brings a lot of bass to the table, and which doesn’t require a perfect seal. They’ll thump, and boom right out of the box.

Bass:
Average consumers will rejoice to hear a strong, thick booming bass, that cuts through loud background noise, something that their stock earphones from their iphones struggle with. Bass guitars and kick drums is in-your-face and hits hard. However, due to the strong bass thump, the bass does creep up into the lower midrange.
Midrange:
Taking a backseat from the bass, the midrange does feel left out, however this was done to give the bass immediate impact on first listen. No one is going to rave about how clean and pristine they sound, and I think that’s fine by Zealsound.

Treble:
If the midrange is taking a backseat, the treble is in the passenger seat. There’s some energy coming back up in the treble, to prevent them from sounding muffled. The treble a bit thin, and lacking in detail but on a positive note, it doesn’t exaggerate any ringing. I think consider the demographic its catering towards, it will suffice.
Overall: 5/10

In conclusion,

The Zealsound earphones doesn’t mess with the “tried and tested” consumer tuning, providing big bass punch to any top 40 song.
And I think that’s fine, because I think their unique wood accents will have their appeal, and a convenient 1 button remote adds to its value.
While there isn’t anything that makes the Zealsound HDE 300 stand out. They are simply a nice, practical stocking stuffer for music lovers that want show their support towards the green movement.

Overall: 33/60= 55%

Keeping the Nano-titanium drivers, Dunu intends to pack all the “Titan-Goodness” into a better isolating package, with the Titan 3 and Titan 5.
Despite the grand response the Titan 1 garnered, a common complaint is the lack of isolation in its semi-vented/open nature.  Dunu has taken criticisms to heart and went back to the drawing board to address common issues from the Titan 1. Lets find out how they did!
  
 
 
Below I have included a video review to supplement my written portion, I will also include a link to my Dunu Titan 1, and 5 review for better reference for readers.  (Skip to the sound section of the Dunu 5 review, for relative comparisons)
 
Titan 1 Review:http://www.head-fi.org/products/dunu-titan-1-titanium-coated-diaphragm-earphones/reviews/13302
Titan 5 Review: http://www.head-fi.org/products/dunu-titan-5/reviews/15084
 
 
Disclaimer- I would like to thank Dunu (for providing me with the Titan 3) to review as well as my peers in the Dunu Titan thread, for arranging for the Titan 3 and 5 for the Demo Tour!
 

 
Accessories:
Dunu includes a variety of goodies with the Titan 3. There are: 3 pairs of the Sony silicone hybrids (black, color-coded tips); 3 pairs Red and Grey Silicone; a shirt clip and a ¼ inch adapter.
Of course one of the biggest additions is the inclusion of the silicone fin guards, providing a rubber bumper guard against the edge of the housing and the concha of your ear. (Simply put, it helps in terms of comfort).
To protect the earphones, included is a hard shell plastic carrying case that snaps shut for safe storage.
Overall: 8.5/10 (Dunu has taken out the 3 pairs of the black silicone tips found in the Titan 1)
 
   
 
Design:
Keeping the Half- Earbud/ half in ear design that many including myself enjoyed, allows more room for the engineers at Dunu to make way for the large titanium coated drivers. The simple, yet flawless chrome housing is something to be admired. The only way to differentiating between the Titan 3 and the 5 is the on the Logo of the earpieces (labeled 3, and 5 respectively).
Overall: 8.5/10
     
 
Build Quality:
Dunu has clearly been listening the feedback from their consumers, through the implementation of the detachable mmcx cables. It’s quite hard to seamlessly integrate a practical, supple yet durable detachable cable, especially with mmcx connectors (it seems Dunu fall on the good side), as it did not suffer from sound cutting in and out when the cable spins. The cables are very well made and Dunu got rid of fabric portion of the cable that’s found on the Titan 1. With plentiful reinforcement in high stress joints, the Titan 3s exude the luxurious feel of a premium product found much higher then what it price indicates.
Overall: 9.5/10
     
 
 
Comfort:
The shallow fit half earbud/in ear fit, will easily garner many fans looking for a comfort of a silicon/foam eartip, while ensuring the slipper- like fit of traditional earbuds.  That’s said the housing is on the larger side and those with smaller ears may not find the Titans to be very comfortable considering the slight edge around the body of the earpieces. (Dunu addressed this issue with the silicone fin guards included in each Titan 3, and 5 package.
Overall: 8.5/10 (smoothing out the edges and providing the silicone fin guards helped)
       
 
Isolation:
 While it’s an improvement over the Semi-open Titan 1s, the Titan 3s won’t be nearly enough for those seeking isolation comparable to the likes of Shure or Westone
Overall: 6.5/10
 
 
 
Sound:
Having the opportunity to listen to the entire Titan line up, has allowed me to better understand what demographic and what sound Dunu is targeting with each respective Titan.
 
The Quick Skinny
Titan 1: Open, spacious, Thinner, Edgy upper mids
Titan 3: More Balanced, fuller midforward sound, with a splash of Brightness
Titan 5: Tastefully bassy, fun sound (without the bloat), take the Titan 3 + a slight bump in the bass and treble
 
 
Titan 3 Breakdown:
The Titan 3 is the most balanced, and mid forward of the Titan family. They will please vocal lovers, with a very clean overall tuning. 
 
Note:
For this review I used the included sony hybrids-> I had quite a long trial period with various tips. In particularly, the Comply Tx 400 (with the wax guard) to smooth out the upper midrange region, making it a bit less fatiguing. ) The Titan 3s are not very forgiving due to the strong upper midrange/lower treble emphasis (but this does give them their character)
 
Bass:
The bass has a slight boost over the Titan 1 in the sub-bass, with a slight upper bass emphasis makes the Titan 3 the leanest in terms of punch of Titan family. Thus, paving way for the midrange to take centre stage. I found I was missing some "meat" that i was craving from the Titan 1. That said the bass was still quite fast and tight.
 
Midrange:
A fuller and more forward midrange makes the Titan 3 a great addition to those that bathe in vocal centric music, be in pop, rock, acoustic, folk, and places voices front and centre. If you like your vocals especially female vocals, the Titan 3 won’t disappoint. It has a very clean, and detailed with glossy, airy with a bit of brassy texture to vocals giving them a sort of “ethereal feel”. The upper bass/lower mid gives a slight richness to male vocals, giving them what I would consider an appropriate amount of body, without impacting it’s articulation. That said, I found it a bit too prominent in the upper mids causing them to be a bit bright or and fatiguing. (I think it’s vaguely similar to my Sennheiser Amperior (portable DJ on ear headphone, which is well known and regarded). --àI’m not usually one to modify equipment, but I felt if I were to use the Titan 3 as my main earphone, I would need to use it with hifiman re400 black filter on the nozzle, which did help warm up the sound a bit, and  smooth out this area a bit (I prefer it), making it less fatiguing.
 
Treble:
This is another area I found the Titan 3 to be an improvement over the Titan 1, as it has more detail and extension. Dunu does this while toning down on the “metallic” texture attributed with the Titan 1. The treble is still not forgiving to sibilance and can be a bit harsh at times.  
 
Overall: 8.8/10 (the upper mids was a bit bothersome without the bass balancing it out )
With the filter dampening, and tape mod (with poked hole)  this 2K-5K hz area- 9.1/10
 
Comparing the Titan 3 to the Titan 1
The Titan 1 has a thinner midrange, with a slightly more bloated mid bass in comparison. The slight boost in the sub-bass was welcome on some bassier tracks, but without some more authority in the midbass, i felt something was "missing" on the  Titan 3.  The Titan 3 is a bit thinner as whole. However, The treble is slightly more extended and a bit more detailed, making the Titan 1 harsher in comparison. On the “fun factor”, I would put the Titan 1 is right in the middle between the fun and bombastic Titan 5s, but more fun then the 3s. However, the Titan 3s are more forward and fuller in the midrange with a better sense of detail.
 
Comparing the Titan 3s to the Hifiman RE400
The quantity of the bass on the Titan 3 is more comparable to the RE400, except with a bit more weight. The Titan 3’s midrange is brighter and more forward with a “glossy, brassier” texture compare to the more transparent, drier midrange on the RE400. The lower treble on the Titan 3 in comparison is more enthusiastic, with more flavor or colour, whereas the RE400 can be a bit grainy, and dull up top.
Considering positive feedback from the RE400 (especially here on head-fi as one of the staples under $100), I feel that Titan 3 would be a good alternative for those users that find the RE400’s “safer” tuning a bit “bland”.
 
Comparing the Titan 3 to the Phonak Audeo PFE 012 (with the Grey Filters)
I found that this comparison to be surprisingly close! The have the most similar sound signature in my collection. Both are very balanced, with a tilt towards the bright side. The PFE012 (at least my pair) seems to have this distortion in the midrange, which when comparing with Titan 3 makes painfully obvious. The PFE 012 has a leaner, faster and tighter bass (but more rolled off in the very lowest frequencies) but I would be very close to call it “bass anemic”, whereas the Titan 3 gives a bit more punch in this area.  The PFE0 12 also has a drier and less forward midrange, that doesn’t seem to draw your attention as much as the Titan 3 does.
 
Note**Tape Mod
For fun I decided use the “tape mod”: by using scotch tape to tape the rear vent (by the nozzle). It became warmer with the bass took a substantial bump, a bit more meat, moving it closer to the Titan 5 (however this increases the potential for driver flex).
I imagine you can play around with poking a hole through the tape to play around with the dampening (be careful not to poke too far). This will roughly mimic how the stock Titan 5s will sound. I’m immensely enjoy this configuration with the Re400 filter on the nozzle!
The plus to all of this is that it’s cheap and reversible! So Experiment away!
 
In conclusion:
The Titan 1 will turn heads with its impressive holographic and spacious imaging.  The Titan 3 will draw you in with its impressive clarity and its “scalpel-like”, clean midrange. The Titan 5 I feel has a good mix of what makes the Titans great, fun, clean, while still sounding decently spacious.
The Titan 3s deserve a Strong Recommendation! They weren’t exactly my cup of tea, its close but I felt the Titan 3 has a bit more of “niche” tuning, making it a bit more limited in its appeal.  However what it does well is in bringing out vocals out in the open with superb clarity and detail. I find the Titan 3 is the earphone equivalent of Sennheiser Amperior (a slightly more refined HD25), and we all know how popular, and widely praised those are.
 
Possible feedback- I would like Dunu dial back a few dB (3-5 dB) off the upper midrange/lower treble (2-5k Hz?) to make them a bit smoother with a slight bump (2-3 dB) around the midbass (somewhere around the 40-100 hz?) I found it a bit bothersome to and overall lovely sound.
The case is nicely made but I would like it if it was a few cm thicker (to compensate for the bigger earpieces, with the detachable cables), and for better clearance for the cable (so it doesn’t crimp when closing it). (or swap to a round semi-hard zippered carrying case). 
 
Overall: Stock- 50.3/60= 84%
With mods- 50.6/60= 84.3%

Keeping the Nano-titanium drivers, Dunu intends to pack all the “Titan-Goodness” into a better isolating package, with the Titan 3 and Titan 5.
Despite the grand response the Titan 1 garnered, a common complaint is the lack of isolation in its semi-vented/open nature. Dunu has taken criticisms to heart and went back to the drawing board to address that issue as well as various others that had surfaced since. Lets find out how they did!




Below I have included a video review to supplement my written portion, I will also include a link to my Dunu Titan 1, and 3 review for better reference for readers. (Skip to the sound section of the Dunu 5 review, for relative comparisons)
Titan 1 Review:http://www.head-fi.org/products/dunu-titan-1-titanium-coated-diaphragm-earphones/reviews/13302
Titan 3 Review: http://www.head-fi.org/products/dunu-titan-3/reviews/15085
Disclaimer- I would like to thank Dunu (for providing me with the Titan 5 and Titan 3) to review as well as my peers in the Dunu Titan thread, for arranging for the Titan 3 and 5 for the Demo Tour!


Accessories:
Dunu includes a variety of goodies with the Titan 5. There is 3 pairs of the Sony silicone hybrids (black, color-coded tips), 3 pairs Red and Grey Silicone, a shirt clip and a ¼ inch adapter.
Of course one of the biggest additions is the inclusion of the silicone fin guards, providing a rubber bumper guard against the edge of the housing and the concha of your ear. (Simply put, it helps in terms of comfort).
To protect the earphones, included is a hard shell plastic carrying case that snaps shut for safe storage. The case is nicely made but I would like it if it was a few cm thicker (to compensate for the bigger earpieces, with the detachable cables), and for better clearance for the cable (so it doesn’t crimp when closing it). (or swap to a round semi-hard zippered carrying case).
Overall: 8.5/10 (Dunu has taken out the 3 pairs of the black silicone tips found in the Titan 1)




Design:
Keeping the Half- Earbud/ half in ear design that many including myself enjoyed, allows more room for the engineers at Dunu to make way for the large titanium coated drivers. The simple, yet flawless chrome housing is something to be admired. The only way to differentiating between the Titan 3 and the 5 is the on the Logo of the earpieces (labeled 3, and 5 respectively).
Overall: 8.5/10


Build Quality:
Dunu has clearly been listening the feedback from their consumers, through the implementation of the detachable mmcx cables. It’s quite hard to seamlessly integrate a practical and durable detachable cable, especially with mmcx connectors (it seems Dunu fall on the good side), as it did not suffer from sound cutting in and out when the cable spins. The cables are very well made and Dunu did away with the fabric portion of the cable that’s found on the Titan 1. With plentiful reinforcement in high stress joints, the Titan 5s exude the luxurious feel of a premium product found much higher then what it price indicates.
Overall: 9.5/10


Comfort:
The shallow fit half earbud/in ear fit, will easily garner many fans looking for a comfort of a silicone/foam eartip, while ensuring the slipper-like fit of traditional earbuds. That’s said the housing is on the larger side and those with smaller ears may not find the titans to be very comfortable considering the slight edge around the body of the earpieces. (Dunu addressed this issue with the silicone fin guards included in each Titan 3, and 5 package.
Overall: 8.5/10 (smoothing out the edges and providing the silicone fin guards helped)


Isolation:
While it’s an improvement over the Semi-open Titan 1s, the Titan 5s won’t be nearly enough for those seeking isolation comparable to the likes of Shure or Westone
Overall: 6.5/10


Sound:
Having the opportunity to listen to the entire Titan line up, has allowed me to better understand what demographic and what sound Dunu is targeting with each respective Titan.

The Quick Skinny
Titan 1: Open, spacious, Thinner, Edgy upper mids
Titan 3: More Balanced, fuller midforward sound, with a splash of Brightness
Titan 5: Tastefully bassy, fun sound (without the bloat), take the Titan 3 + a slight bump in the bass and treble

Titan 5 Breakdown:
The Titan 5 caters more towards those seeking a bit more punch in the low end, while still maintaining the clean, crisp sound the Titans are known for. The Titan 5 definitely has the broadest appeal of the Titans. It’s the smooth talker and fun baby brother. If I had to pick one Titan to serve me on daily basis, the 5s would definitely be my pick.
For this review I used the included sony hybrids: I found the Titan 5 was less picky with the tip selection.

Bass:
With a strong but tastefully “meaty” bass, the Titan 5s has a nice taste of the “fun” without sacrificing the detail and depth. They have deeper, harder hitting bass with a more robust punchy midbass, making it the most well rounded Titan, a good companion to help drown out some of the shuffling and rumbling environmental sounds.

Midrange:
The midrange is slightly recessed, relative to the Titans 3. However, in the grand scheme of things, it’s more similar in quality to my VSONIC GR07BE’s midrange, except a bit warmer in comparison. While the 5s will not immediately grab your attention with its clarity like the Titan 1, 3 would, I feel the 5s have the widest appeal. With the nice sense of warmth in the lower mids male vocals, have a nice body and fullness, making the preferable for those that find the GR07BE to be a bit dry. On the other end, the upper midrange is more forward, with an emphasis female vocals in the Titan family, like the Mariah Carey and Ariana Grande by easing off in this “rather sensitive area”.

Treble:
A sparkly treble, makes Titan 5s fun to listen to, while still project nice detail, without being “aggressive” or “in your face”. I was quite content with its balance of detail and fun. Also, I felt the treble extended slightly farther and imaging slightly better and wider than the Titan 3s.
Overall: 9.3/10

Comparing to the Titan 5 to the Titan 1
It seems to be better at portraying depth then the Titan 1, with deeper and more authority in the bass. While the Titan 1 is more open and spacious, it also seems a bit flat in its presentation. Packing more heat in the bass helps the Titan 5 better cut through ambient noise.

Comparing the Titan 5 to the Titan 3
The Titan 5 I believe has a wider (and safer) appeal for a multitude of users and genres, while I feel the Titan 3 to have more of a “niche” tuning, which may be bit unforgiving for some users (especially those that come from warmer and darker sound signatures). The 5s, has wider and slightly better imaging compared to the 3s.

Comparing the Titan 5s with the Vsonic Gr07BE
The Titan 5s have a thicker, more pungent bass, making the bass more satisfying in when the bass drops. The GR07BE has a drier leaner but more natural sounding midrange, making the Titan 5 sound a bit unnatural. Treble-wise, the Titan 5s take the edge off the mid treble compared to the GR07BE. The GR07BE has more texture and detailed and wider sounding.

The Titan 5s are bit more efficient than the GR07BE

All in all those looking for a slightly smoother and bassier alternative to the Gr07BE should take a serious look at the Titan 5s, especially since they feature detachable cables, and a more premium build (those shiny earpieces).

Note**Tape mod
For fun I decided use the “tape mod”: by using scotch tape to tape the rear vent (by the nozzle) making the bass very solid and visceral making it and overall warmer sound. I felt this began tipping the balance towards the bass a bit too far, in my opinion.
As stated in my Titan 3 review, you can experiment with the how big or small to poke the hole in the tape, to adjust the level of dampening and bass.

Of course the isolation improved with this modification, and best of all its cheap and reversible! note- the potential for driver flex does increase due to the lack of venting

In conclusion:
The Titan 1 will turn heads with its impressive holographic and spacious imaging. The Titan 3 draws you in with its impressive clarity and its clean, “scalpel-like” midrange. The Titan 5 I feel has a good mix of what makes the Titans great, fun, clean, while still sounding decently spacious.
Highly recommended! The Titan 5 is right in my wheelhouse, with a fun, yet detailed sound, they shot right to the top as one of my favorite earphones to date.

Possible feedback
- A possible tuning change Dunu can implement is maybe taking off maybe 2-3 dB off the upper mid-lower treble, just to smooth out the potential of harshness.
The case is nicely made but I would like it if it was a few cm thicker (to compensate for the bigger earpieces, with the detachable cables), and for better clearance for the cable (so it doesn’t crimp the cable when closing it). (or swap to a round semi-hard zippered carrying case).

Overall: 50.8/60= 85%

Optoma Technology had recently acquired Nuforce, and since then the company had been fairly quiet in the portable audio world. With the releases of the flagship, Primo 8 ($500) and the Ne800 ($150) and the NE750s ($99) headlining their earphone selection.

The middle product, the NE800M utilize a body composed of a combination of a rigid carbon fibre shell with a solid brass nozzle housing a 8.6mm titanium coated driver inside. Let’s explore what resulted from this marriage between Nuforce and Optoma.

Disclaimer- I would like to thank Nuforce and Optoma Technology for providing a the NE800M for review. If you would rather watch this review in video form, please click the link below (Like, Comment, Subscribe and share)



Accessories:
They come with a nicely sewed soft leather pouch (aesthetically speaking is quite luxurious, however a bit lacking in terms of overall protection). They also come with 6 pairs of silicone eartips (2 identical pairs), and 2 pairs of Comply TX400 (in both medium and large), and a shirt clip. Altogether, it’s a solid package, that Nuforce & Optoma has put together.
*note*(I was not a fan of the silicone tips as they felt a bit hard) and opted to use the included Complys instead.
Overall: 7/10




Features:
They come equipped with a compact 1 button remote (below the left earpiece), that plays friendly with both iOS and Android Devices, providing functionality for play/pause/rewind/fast forward, call/ and Siri/S voice. The button has a sort of a rubbery feel with solid tactile feedback.
Overall: 8/10 (It’s a safe option to make a 1 button remote (which I prefer), but those that play with the volume may be disappointed).



Design:
The NE800Ms brings a nice modern twist to the traditional “tried and tested barrel design”, a concept that many manufactures put forth in years past. Nuforce went with a gold and black colour scheme with an almost holographic carbon fibre layout along the body and rear. The attention to detail is impeccable. The grey cable is also nicely coordinated giving the 800M completing the nice, industrial look.
Overall: 9/10





Build Quality:
Its nicely made as the housing (including the nozzle) is made of a combination of carbon fibre and brass, making them a bit weighty in the hand. However, I prefer this approach, the NE800M exudes a sense of solidity, without feeling cold. The 1 button remote very compact and easily accessible, found about 5-6 inches below the left earpiece (compatible with both Android and Apple devices).

The silicone double braided cable is well made to prevent premature tears or breakage, with a very low profile L shape jack that will sit flush against your smartphone and portable device. My primary issue with the cable is due to the lack of strain relief, making them more susceptible to bending when stuffing into the pocket, depending on where the headphone jack on your device, and how you put you put your device in your pocket.
See the picture below for reference.
Overall: 8/10



Comfort:
Despite their rather large housing, the NE800M does play fairly nice with my ears, I found comfortable (especially with the included comply tx 400 foam eartips) as they don’t sit very deeply. However, due to the larger housing, those with smaller outer ears may run into some edges on the front and rear of the housing.
Overall: 7.5/10





Isolation:
Slightly below average, as during my flight to Beijing, (with music playing at about 47% on my ipod touch 3^rd gen. I was quite aware of my surroundings. For daily usage, i think it will suffice, not enough for commuting though. I suspect that this is due to the numerous vents on the rear of the housing (the gold trim), in additional to the large vent near the nozzle. However, the strong bass helped to counter some of the background engine noises.
Overall: 6/10



Sound:
Equipped with a titanium-coated driver, further supplemented with stiff carbon fibres and a bass nozzle, results in big bold bass, with warm, musical midrange.
With the average consumer in mind, the NE800M has a bassy sound with a smooth treble (some would even call it slightly dark). They are easy on the ears regardless of the volume and the genre of music.

Sound familiar? Well the NE800s differentiates itself from the rest of the “bassy” pack with a fuller more forward midrange (just enough to increase vocal intelligibility but not enough to cause any harshness to your ears). It’s the well- tuned kind of bass, similar to my retired Monster Turbines, which I enjoyed & missed immensely, a luscious dark chocolate-of-a- sound, thick, chunky bass, with a warm midrange and laid-back treble.

The included comply T-400 with wax guard (which I used for the review) help tighten up the bass, and make the more midrange more liquid but takes some off top end extension.
Spinfit tips also pair well, taming the bass and giving the treble a bit of lift.

Bass:
Think ….deep, powerful, full bass. The bass suffers from a bit of bloat (with that mid bass hump), so this makes the NE800s less clean or tight, compared to for example, the Yamaha eph 100 (bassy nowhere as bassy as the NE800M though, at a similar price). However, in retrospect the tuning of the NE800M is less aggressive making them more forgiving for a wider variety of genres and demographic. The bass can be intrusive at times, but gives it bass drops more added weight. Its more fun, it provides more punch then the AD01 (another one of my bassy favorites).

Midrange:
The slightly forward midrange is a pleasure to listen to. Its intimate, and rich. Voices have a very nice natural tone, without shouting being shouty, or thin. The upper midrange does suffer from some veiling due to the warmth, but still retains enough energy, listening to Yiruma’s piano sonatas was easy on the ears without the fear of the piano keys sounding sharp.

Treble:
The treble extension has good extension with a “blunt” sort of quality. There’s a smoothness to the treble, that avoids any harshness or stridency ( I wouldn’t call them “sleepy” or boring either more like polite. I prefer this, treble presentation, and it has enough energy without being overly crisp. Normally I would prefer a brighter, “edgier” sound, but this tuning is safer and better for those that are either:
1) Those more sensitive to high hats and cymbals
2) Those that listen at higher volumes.
Thus, catering the NE800M to a wider demographic.

Soundstage:
The multivented design, helps in portraying depth and placement, with adequate separation. However, the soundstage can get a bit congested at times, as if the bass and the midrange are competing for space/attention.

Overall: 8/10 It separates from the rest of the pack by pushing the midrange slightly more forward instead of it getting buried underneath the bass that many of their competitors suffer from.

In conclusion:
The NE800Ms are a fun, attractive design that’s easy on the eyes as it is on the ears. It’s a bassy, well constructed earphone, coupled with a smartphone remote, appealing to the mobile listener.

They deserves a very Strong Recommendation!!
Overall: 53.5/70= 76%

Possible feedback:
Softer and more diverse selection of tips (instead of two identical sets of single flanges)
A more well rounded or smoother housing (the front near the nozzle and the rear)
Better strain relief (and a slightly raised L shape jack)

As the most affordable offering from Omega Series, I think the (USD$49) Ace has a lot offer, combining big bass punch with a smooth midrange and a friendly treble that will work well in the gym and at home. Making traveling easier, the Aces also have a remote and mic for smartphone call and media controls.
 
Before we begin, I want to thank Royston from Fischer Audio for sending out the Ace, Sparks and Twins for review (you can see their reviews here)
Sparks Review:http://www.head-fi.org/products/fischer-audio-omega-spark/reviews/14871
 
Twins Review:http://www.head-fi.org/products/fischer-audio-omega-twin/reviews/14870
 
I have also supplemented this individual review with a group video review of the Omega series. Like, comment, subscribe and share if you enjoyed the video.

What is the Omega Series?
The Omega series is “the one-solution companion for your entire day” “giving you a fantastic experience be it commuting, casual listening or hitting the fitness arena”.
Before we begin, I want to thank Royston from Fischer Audio for sending out the Ace, Sparks and Twins for review (you can see their reviews here)
I have also supplemented this individual review with a group video review of the Omega series. Like, comment, subscribe and share if you enjoyed the video
Disclaimer * This is the second pair of the Ace I received, as the first one experienced an abnormal amount of driver flex, since then this second Ace has experienced no such issue.
       
 
Accessories and Features:
Fischer Audio includes a very nice assortment  of accessories, with the standard 3 sizes of silicone eartips (S,M, L) (which i found a bit stiff, i would have preferred softer eartips), a double flange, Foam eartips, a shirt clip, and superbly made zippered semi-hard carrying case.
 
They also feature a 1 button remote and mic, that’s compatible for both iOS and Android platforms, as well as various laptops and tablets. Coupled with call/reject/ play/pause/ fast forward/ rewind controls.
Overall: 8/10
 
  
 
 
Build Quality:
The Aces feel well made, with a TPU cable (resistant against environmental damages) (I haven’t be able to test them out in the harsh Canadian winters, but they’ve held up well so far). The cables is lightweight yet because of the twisted cable, it feels very robust against tugs and pulls. The earpieces are made of a rather dense plastic shell, that is not likely to be damaged unless it finds itself on the wrong end of a hammer. They also features a memory wire, which feels pliable yet with enough rigidity that I don’t have to fuss around with the fit everytime.
Overall: 8/10
       
 
 
 
 
Comfort:
The small size of the Aces, compounded with a nice ergonomic fit, means that there should be no issues in terms of comfort.
Overall: 8.5/10
     
 
Isolation:
With a vent on the front of each earpiece, the isolation doesn’t measure up to those with a fully sealed design, however I think they will suffice for commuting purposes.
Overall: 7/10
      
 
Sound:
Big Bass punch is the Name of the Game, and they “Aced” it with flying colours. The Ace has a strong low end, coupled with a smooth friendly treble, which will make them a fan favorite amongst average consumers alike.
 
For reference again: here are the links to the:
Spark Review:http://www.head-fi.org/products/fischer-audio-omega-spark/reviews/14871
 
Twin Review:http://www.head-fi.org/products/fischer-audio-omega-twin/reviews/14870
 
Bass:
With a strong bass punch, the Ace does suffer from some bloat, the bass retains good control in spite of the quantity of bass. The bass is not in particularly aggressive, with a powerful but well rounded midbass. Being a bass-oriented earphone at this price, its easy for companies to think “the more bass, the better”. Its nice to see that Fischer Audio knows “how much bass is enough”.
 
Midrange:
A warm albeit slightly recessed midrange tuning helps the Aces, achieve maximum loudness without sounding harsh. This tuning is favorable towards users that enjoys listening to their music loud. However, this was executed enough with causing me to shake my head at Fischer, providing still a smooth listening without sounding muffled.
 
Treble:
I felt that Aces here do a better job then their older brother the Sparks. The Ace boasts better detail retrieval and extension, without sounding harsh.  The Ace helps soften the blow, when listening to streaming sources or less then ideal recordings.
Overall: 7/10
 
In conclusion:
Adding to the long list of bassy sub $100 (in this case sub $50), the Ace has a lot to offer, giving users big bass punch without sounding muffled as a result.
 
Final Score: 38.5/50= 77%

Price would indicate the Sparks as the middle offering in the Omega series ($59 USD)
However, Fischer Audio intended to tackle a different demographic with the Spark those that have trouble fitting earphones in the past, including young adults and women alike. To combat this task, Fischer Audio set out to make one of the most compact and miniscule earphones on the market, while adding remote and mic for smartphone users.
 
Before we begin, I want to thank Royston from Fischer Audio for sending out the Ace, Sparks and Twins for review (you can see their reviews here)
Ace Review:http://www.head-fi.org/products/fischer-audio-omega-ace/reviews/14872
Twins Review:http://www.head-fi.org/products/fischer-audio-omega-twin/reviews/14870
 
I have also supplemented this individual review with a group video review of the Omega series. Like, comment, subscribe and share if you enjoyed the video.

What is the Omega Series?
The Omega series is “the one-solution companion for your entire day” “giving you a fantastic experience be it commuting, casual listening or hitting the fitness arena”.
    
Accessories and Features:
Fischer Audio includes a very nice assortment  of accessories, with the standard 3 sizes of silicone eartips (S,M, L), a double flange (which i found a bit stiff, i would have preferred softer eartips), Foam eartips, a shirt clip, and superbly made zippered semi-hard carrying case.
 
They also feature a 1 button remote and mic, that’s compatible for both iOS and Android platforms, as well as various laptops and tablets. Coupled with call/reject/ play/pause/ fast forward/ rewind controls.
Overall: 8/10
 
   
 
Build Quality:
Despite the dimunitive size of the Sparks, it’s construction hasn’t suffered in least. They have a plastic shell features rather long and thick strain reliefs, coupled with a colour coordinated TPU cable with a nice rubber sheathing makes for a great daily work horse for the average consumer.
Overall: 8/10
      
 
Comfort:
The small footprint of the Sparks are comparable with my Hifiman RE400,(arguably one of the smallest earphones in the world) which is makes them almost completely disappear in my ears. For reference, a Canadian dime easily dwarfs the Sparks. Fischer Audio aims to cater to female users with the Sparks, with the petite fit. (that said I think children wouldn’t have any issue with getting the Sparks to fit) This is saying a lot considering earphones/headphones are getting larger and larger)
Overall: 9/10
 
     
 
 
 
Isolation:
Despite the vent on the front of the housing, the isolation doesn’t suffer all that much on the Sparks. This is purely due to the miniscule size of the Sparks, making them just hide inside your ear, making them more resistant to wind noises. They will also fare well during commuting, sparing your ears in the long run.
Overall: 7/10
 
    
 
 
Sound Quality:
The Spark have a slight warm tilt, with a more emphasized upper bass, giving beats, a thick impact, that does slightly bleed into the lower midrange, but this did not result in a muddled mess. In fact I think given that the tiny footprint of the sparks I was quite surprised with the way they sound.
 
For reference again: here are the links to the:
Ace Review:http://www.head-fi.org/products/fischer-audio-omega-ace/reviews/14872
 
Twin Review:http://www.head-fi.org/products/fischer-audio-omega-twin/reviews/14870
 
Bass:
Given the miniscule size, it makes sense that that the Spark would not be able to move as much as air as its siblings in the Omega series. Instead, Fischer decided to compensate by bumping up the upper bass, giving music still a nice thickness. The bass does suffer a bit of bloat, but it does benefit the lower midrange.  See below:
 
Midrange:
The thicker upper bass- lower midrange, helps give male vocals a sort of a “chesty” or “throaty” character. Purists may find this overly warm, but given the intended applications the Spark’s is targeting, I think it’s appropriate. I think the upper midrange has a very slight emphasis to female, however Fischer Audio labeling them “bright” would be going too far.
 
Treble:
The treble is rather dark, as it seems to hit a plateau after the upper midrange and rolls off, sounding dull and veiled compressing the soundstage as a result.
Overall: 6/10
 
In conclusion:
I’m sure it was tremendously difficult to design and construct something so small (I think its record-breaking here), but Fischer still managed to still make the Sparks rugged enough for gym use. Sound wise I didn’t feel it measured up, and I actually preferred the cheaper “Ace” from the Omega series, offering a big bass punch while having a smoother transition from the midrange to treble.
Final Score- 38/50= 76%

The Twins is the top offering from the Omega Series ($79 USD), “the one-solution companion for your entire day” “giving you a fantastic experience be it commuting, casual listening or hitting the fitness arena”, further aided with a 1 button remote for smartphone users.
 
The Twins claim to be the “choice for those that demand only the best” when working and working out. This is quite a bold statement from a USD $79 product. Lets see how they hold up!
 
Before we begin, I want to thank Royston from Fischer Audio for sending out the Ace, Sparks and Twins for review (you can see their reviews here)
Ace Review:http://www.head-fi.org/products/fischer-audio-omega-ace/reviews/14872
 
Spark Review:http://www.head-fi.org/products/fischer-audio-omega-spark/reviews/14871
 
I have also supplemented this individual review with a group video review of the Omega series. Like, comment, subscribe and share if you enjoyed the video.

 
What is the Omega Series?
The Omega series is “the one-solution companion for your entire day” “giving you a fantastic experience be it commuting, casual listening or hitting the fitness arena”. 
       
 
Accessories and Features:
Fischer Audio includes a very nice assortment of accessories, with the standard 3 sizes of silicone eartips (S,M, L), a double flange (which i found a bit stiff, i would have preferred softer eartips), Foam eartips, a shirt clip, and superbly made zippered semi-hard carrying case.
 
They also feature a 1 button remote and mic, that’s compatible for both iOS and Android platforms, as well as various laptops and tablets. Coupled with call/reject/ play/pause/ fast forward/ rewind controls.
Overall: 8/10
 
  
 
 
Build Quality:
The Twins feel well made, with a TPU cable (resistant against environmental damages) (I haven’t be able to test them out in the harsh Canadian winters, but they’ve held up well so far). The cables is lightweight yet because of the twisted cable, it feels very robust against tugs and pulls. The earpieces are made of a rather dense plastic shell, that is not likely to be damaged unless it finds itself on the wrong end of a hammer. They also features a memory wire, which feels pliable yet with enough rigidity that I don’t have to fuss around with the fit everytime.
Overall: 8/10
 
           
 
Comfort:
 They are very comfortable and lightweight. The small housing is very ergonomic and devoid of edges and peaks allowing them to fit the concha of my ears seamlessly. They also feature a very negative profile fit, a great option for those that like lounging around in their bed, listening/and watching media on their phones.
Overall: 8.5/10
 
      
 
Isolation:
 With a vent on the front of each earpiece, the isolation doesn’t measure up to those with a fully sealed design, however I think they will suffice for commuting purposes.
Overall: 7/10
 
 
 
Sound Quality:
 The oldest brother in the Omega series has a lot to live up to, especially since Fischer Audio advertised the Twins as  “a pair of earphones for those not settling for anything else in terms of fidelity while still retaining the rugged construction that is consistent with the rest of Omega line”
For reference again: here are the links to the:
 
Ace Review:http://www.head-fi.org/products/fischer-audio-omega-ace/reviews/14872
 
Spark Review:http://www.head-fi.org/products/fischer-audio-omega-spark/reviews/14871
 
Bass:
The dual dynamic driver layout is definitely doing its job in helping the Twins have a good bass extension. The bass is not what I would consider “tight” but calling them “loose” would be going too far. I would say its more a “bloomy” mid-bass, similar to the Audio Technica IM70 (which I have yet to officially review, but I have had in my possession for quite a while now). The fullness of the bass helps cut through some of the constant environmental droning sounds. In terms of quantity, the bass is more toned down compared to it’s siblings (Ace, and Sparks).  I feel the “average head-fier” would be quite satisfied with the bass response of the Twins especially during aerobic exercises in the gym when you need a bit of extra thump.
 
Midrange:
 The lower midrange has a nice sense of richness to male vocals, with a bit of chesty character. The upper midrange helps soften the blow of the harshness that may come from female vocals, causing a bit of veiling. Surprisingly this did not affect the clarity as much as I would’ve thought. In contrast, the Twins are slightly  easier on the ears then the little brothers, the “Sparks” (advertised as having “bright vocals”). The midrange here is comparable to the Brainwavz S5, except a bit clearer and more fleshed out.  
 
Treble:
The oldest brother of the Omega series brings to the table, better treble extension and detail in comparison to their little brothers. The friendly albeit dark treble doesn’t shower you with immediate detail, but instead lets you bask in the music and pick out the details yourself.
Soundstage:
 Average, in terms of separation, size and space.  However, it does a better job at portraying depth.
 
Quick summary compared to the rest of the Omega series:
1) The Twins have a more defined, and toned down bass compared to the Aces
2) it has better treble detail and extension then the Sparks.
3) The housing is slightly larger then the sparks
4) The bass may not “thump” as much as some would like
Overall: 7.5/10
 
In conclusion
The Twins have definitely cemented themselves at the Top of the Omega series, boasting a rugged construction compounded a rich warm sound, with an ear-hugging fit. This makes the Twins a solid all around option in the gym, and at home (provided you like a bit “thump” in your music).
 
Final Score: 39/50=78%

Brainwavz’s introduces the S3 to complement their popular S1,S0 and S5, varying in bass, but were all warm  and punchy, making them a favorite amongst those on a budget.
The S3 is a departure away from the warm, bassy sound the S-series is known for, taking aim towards those departing from the “consumer sound signature”.  In doing so, they bring a greater diversity to the average consumer, while remaining in the sub $100 price bracket. (Very recently the S3s has been on sale for under $50, which is a steal considering the bundled accessories and superb build that Brainwavz has been known for).
 
Before I start this review, I would like to thank Brainwavz and Pandora for sending the S3s out for review. My apologies for the delay If you would rather watch the video version of this review, please click on the link below:

 
Accessories:
A great assortment goodies come along with the S3s.
3 sets of grey and red hybrid eartips (wire bore)
3 sets of black hybrids (narrow bore)
1 set of comply t400
a shirt clip
a hardshell protective case with two pouches (one for the earphones and one for extra eartips)
Overall: 9/10

 
 
Design:
The S3s is reminiscent of a silver bullet with the chrome housing. It’s slightly attention grabbing but not venturing as far as looking gaudy.  The red and black cable is a combination that garners a large following and gives a new dimension to an otherwise boring two-tone colour scheme.
Overall: 7/10
    
 
 
Build Quality:
The S3s superbly constructed, a consistent trend evident with all my past experiences with various Brainwavz Earphones ( S0, S5, R3, etc). The housing is made with chrome finished metal, a characteristic not often found at this price bracket. The front of the logo is a bit rough around the edge, not necessarily sharp, but could be smoothed off a bit. From the earpieces down, the S3s has a the same flat tangle free cables as the S0s, with compact but more than adequate strain reliefs. Last but not least, the S3s end with a well-relieved straight angle jack.
Overall 8.5/10
 
    
 

 
 
 
 
Comfort:
The S3s have a nice length nozzle, keeping the housing from having any contact in my ears.  The only thing in contact is the silicone eartip. This makes for a fairly comfortable earphone as a whole. However, the opinions of those with smaller ears may differ from mine.
Overall: 7/10

 
 
Isolation:
I would say average at best. This might be due to the vent on the top of the housing, which makes the S3 susceptible to wind noise on a windy day.
Overall: 7/10
 

 
 
Sound :
The S3s seem to have rather conflicting responses as evidenced by the posts on head-fi here.  They have been called anywhere from bassy to lean. I’m not sure why that is though as it seems those are polar opposites.
For me I find them quite lean, slightly more mid focused.  As stated earlier, they have sound signature I think is quite a departure from other additions in the S-series that I have previously reviewed. (The S0, S5). Their tuning makes them more narrow in terms of the genre preference and demographic.
 
My ears tell me that the S3s are somewhat abnormal sounding. I find ever so slightly mid centric (in particularly, the lower mids). It images widely, and provides a bit more of a balanced listen, certainly not bassy by any means.
 
Bass: Their somewhat bassy shy. I find the bass to be neither punchy not deep. The bass is rolled off in the subbass with a slight bump in the upper bass, to give beats a bit more thickness to be heard however is lacking a bit in terms of definition and depth. The bass is more of a restrained kind, that’s done so it does not steal the show from the midrange.
 
Midrange: Particularly the slight lower midrange emphasis providing a bit more forwardness to male vocals. However, the lack of supporting foundation from the bass, makes vocals generally quite thin, and in a sense “breathy”. This gives the impression of greater vocal clarity and openness, giving the impression of a wider canvas for acoustic music, but doesn’t fair as well as genres such as jazz and blues, where depth and body is key.
 
Treble: I would say is somewhat dark, lacking some extension. Making the S3s smooth albeit slightly lacking in air and articulation.  Though, I felt the treble did a good job providing a nice sense of clarity without the extending to far to cause sibilance  (for those listening at higher volumes).
 
Soundstage: I felt in combination with the thinner midrange, gave the sense of a wider soundstage, which was actually quite easy and enjoyable when listening to with acoustic tracks, and meditation music.
 
The S3s have a very specific type of sound, which may not appeal to everyone. I don’t feel it’s a great all arounder, but more of a complement for an earphone collector, to give you a vastly different kind of tuning or a perspective to your music.
 
Overall: 6/10
 
Conclusion:
While I’m a fan of the build quality that’s consistent throughout the Brainwavz family, and the bundles accessories, unfortunately I’m not quite taken by the sound of the S3. I find a bit hollow sounding in the midrange, despite it being quite clear and airy especially for female vocals.  
 
 Overall- 44.5/60= 74.2%

Brainwavz Jives is a great example of great value at a low price, that I believe I will garner interests from both the average consumer and the budget minded head-fier.  It’ll get your “jiving” on your way to work and around town and back.
Here are a few reasons that make the Jive’s intriguing:

1. It’s very affordable at under $30
2. Easy, Shallow fit (short nozzle, ideal to be worn the traditional cable down method)
3. smartphone compatible controls (both iOS and Android) (with volume up, down, play, pause, rewind and the
4. A rather balanced suprisingly clear sound at its price point. 

 
For this review I received the Army Green sample, my many thanks to Brainwavz for sending the Jives out for review.  *note, I was provided with an android and an ios version (the android version, had channel imbalanced issues). Since then the current pair has suffered no issues.
As with all my previous reviews, I will evaluate the earphones/headphones based on its price range, and its merits (be wary of the scoring).
If you would rather watch the video review for the Jives Please click the link below: Like & Share and Subscribe if you enjoyed the content.
 

Accessories:
A nice assortment of basic necessities at this price range :
1 new rectangular (chocolate bar shaped) hard shell carrying case
3 sets of silicone colour coordinated eartips
1 comply S400s
1 shirt clip
Overall- 7/10
      
 
 
 
Features:
For Users seeking a practical smartphone compatible earphone should take notice of the Brainwavz Jives. They come in 2 variations (catering to Android and iOS users), with a full integrated 3 button remote with media controls (including the ever elusive volume controls for android smarphones). The remote is located a few inches down from the left earpiece, putting them at very close in proximity to your mouth. The buttons also have solid tactile feedback, with 2 small bumps along the centre button to easy access without looking.
Overall: 10/10 (having an Android compatible remote at this price is quite refreshing)
 
 
 
 
 
Design:
The understated bell design gets a “wake- up call” with the rather unique colour selection in the form of: Ink Blue, Blood Red, and Forest/Army Green.  The Green version has rather nice metallic green, complementing the forest green cable.
Overall: 7/10
 
Build Quality:
The Jives are nicely built, equipped with rigid metal earpieces shaped like a bell.   Brainwavz continues to be quite aggressive with the level of quality of their earphones, even on their more affordable products. This is very commendable considering larger and well known brands often utilize more plastic in their more affordable options. Moving to the cable, it is nicely relieved while still being lightweight making more manageable. A slight irritation is the top part of the cable is a bit thin, but we will have to see how well it would fair under longer usage. On the flipside, the bottom half of the cable in contrast, is nice and thick. Lastly, the robust 45-degree Jack, has a small indent to allow for easy gripping when pulling and plugging in the Jives from your smartphone device.
Overall: 7/10
 
    
 
 
 
 
Comfort:
The Jives are quite small and compact. With a shallow fit, the Jives easily slip in and out of your ears in a moments notice, without having to deal with ear guides. The ease of wear makes them a very practical recommendation for average consumer.
Overall: 8/10

 
 
Isolation:
Despite the shallow fit, the Jives have a fully sealed design, making them a good partner in fairly loud environments.
Overall: 7/10
 
 
Sound:
 The Jives fairly balanced sound, even slightly leaning on the “brighter” side. Due to the slight lift in the upper midrange, female vocals take centre stage. The slightly mid-centric sound works well especially for podcasts and dialogues.
 
Bass:
There is a slight bloominess to the bass but in terms of quantity, I think is quite tastefully boosted. There is more mid to upper bass giving the Jives a greater giving a nice softness and punch without sounding too bassy.  Similar to many balanced armature earphones, I hear a bit of roll off in the very lowest frequencies, as a result the Jives do not necessary give you that deep sense of scale or rumble. Unlike BA drivers, the Jives lack a bit in terms of speed.
 
Midrange:  
The Jives have a dry, lean midrange, which I think is the reasoning behind Brainwavz advertising the Jives as sounding similar to a typical BA. The Jives have a greater sense of clarity compared to the typical $30-40 earphones. I do hear a peak in the upper midrange, making female vocals more pronounced in recordings. This emphasis in the upper midrange, may have their detractors, as they cn enthusiastic at times, which can make them a bit harsh or shouty, for instruments like trumpets. On flipside, I would rather have  this kind of midrange tuning rather then a rather murky or muffled midrange that is a commonality in this price range.
I would like Brainwavz to include a few more eartips (Also, the size difference the medium – large silicone tips is a bit too drastic).
*note- brainwavz has informed the public that they are thinking of packaging the the Jives with biflanges now.
 
Treble:
The treble on the Jives has decent extension, while not the most detailed, I think is well balanced with the slightly mid-centric sound signature rather then sounding overly bright.
 
Soundstage:
Its rather small on the Jives, with decent separation and imaging.
Overall: 7/10
 
Conclusion:
My previous top recommendation at the sub $50 was the Brainwavz S0, because I thought it a “total package” with a non-offensive warm sound complemented with a nice assortment of accessories with strong construction.
Well, the S0s has been eclipsed by Jives, which I find to clearer, with the ever elusive “3 button remote” for iOS  AND Android users, given that many people use their smartphones primarily as their music player. while being more affordable, and less prone to cable noise (a common complaint of the S0s). Conversely, compromises has to be made, as they come with a small assortment of accessories, and thinner cables, but coming at ½ the price of the S0s, I think this is more then acceptable. Highly recommended!
 
Overall: 53/70= 76%

Ausdom wouldn’t be the first company that would come into my mind when I’m looking for a Bluetooth headphone.  However, lets put it out there that Ausdom has been in the Bluetooth business for quite a while now, and it was just a matter of time until they finally churned out a pair of headphones.
 
Enter the M06, Ausdom’s answer to bringing Bluetooth connectivity to the larger general public.  One of the attractive aspects is the fact that its on sale now for $30 , which is very affordable for a full size headphone, period. However, The M06 is advertised as Bluetooth headphone first and foremost. That’s some solid value right there!
 
        
 
 
 
I want to thank Ausdom and Top Gears for sending a pair of these Ausdom M06 Bluetooth Headphones out for review. Below is a link to my full review, please like, comment, share and subscribe to my video and channel for more reviews and updates.
 

 
Accessories: 
Rather Sparse:

1. Micro USB Charging cable
2. 3.5mm Cable (for wired listening) (i would have liked two right angled ends due to the odd placement where the cable goes into the left earcup)

Overall: 6/10 (a small carrying pouch would've been nice)
 
       
 
 
Features:
First and foremost, the M06s are a pair of Bluetooth headphones, with numerous buttons along the underside of each earcup (power on/ff/pairing, play/pause, rewind, fast forward, volume up, down), with call functionalities as well. They utilize Bluetooth 3.0. It also boasts a range of 10m or about 30feet, which I found to be a bit of an understatement. I was able to use them well over 15m or so away from my device, and this was through walls and from one side of the house to another.  It’s Bluetooth connectivity was impressive to say the least, especially given the price, and I rarely experienced any drop-outs during my time with the M06s.  Pairing them with either my macbook, Samsung s3, ipod touch was a breeze, though I did notice a slight typo in the instruction manual (as you have to hold the power button for about 3 second after the intitial voice prompt telling you the headphones were on.
 
A nice added addition that Ausdom had equipped is wired functionality, providing a good backup (or intended usage) for when the battery is exhausted. The battery was rated to have about 20 hours of talk/play time and about 250 hours on standby via micro usb. 
 
Also, the headphones fold down flat for easy storage and transport.
Overall: 10/10 (my only point of feedback would be to include a dual L shape 3.5mm aux cable, given the slightly awkward placement on the left earcup.
 
    
 
    
 
 
 
Build Quality:
Now lets start off by saying, this the M06 feels about right as a $50 or so headphone.  The headphone is mostly an entirely plastic affair, with some metal parts (the headband) along with the faceplate of the earcups for added reinforcement.
 
However, because of the use of plastic, the build quality doesn’t convey the same premium feeling as other more expensive Bluetooth headphones from larger companies,  so I can see some sacrifices being made.
 
     
 
 
Overall: 7/10
 
Comfort:
I found the M06s to be a very comfortable pair of headphones.  First off, the M06s are very lightweight applying very light pressure on my headphone, providing a nice comfortable fit.  The swivel of the earcups is a bit stiff and requires some manual adjustment, for optimal fit.
 
The oval earpads envelope my ears. However, they are bit small for a full size headphone, those with especially large ears should take a note of this when purchasing the M06s.
 
The headbands and earpads, have ample padding and provide a good enough depth so that my ears don’t touch the baffle of the drivers.
 
       
 
Overall: 8/10
 
Isolation:
I found the isolation to be a bit subpar for a full size headphone. I wouldn’t recommend them for someone requiring the isolation needed for commuting and traveling purposes. Rather, I felt the isolation to be adequate for general walking/ biking around, or when taking calls around the home office.
 
  
 
Overall: 6/10
 
Sound quality:  I will separate this section based on its performance wired and wireless/ bluetooth
The M06s have a warm, smooth signature. Its not going to impress you with the plentiful details, a sparkly treble or a chest thumping bass.
 
Bass: The M06s have a rich abeit soft and a bit boomy bass, which makes the M06 a smooth and relaxing, listen.  It’ missing a bit of extension in the subbass though, so its lacking the visceral slam needed for bassier tracks. However, I wouldn’t consider the bass sloppy, just an easy listening tuning.
 
Midrange: The midrange is warm but slightly recessed and abeit lacking in detail. This makes the tuning devoid of sharp or piercing vocals. This makes the M06s, an easy choice for someone that will be streaming or listening to lower quality recordings (phone video recordings etc).
 
Treble: Its rolled off in the treble, making the M06s a somewhat veiled sounding, however this was done to soften the blow of harsh recordings, making the M06s a very safe choice and probably a fan favorite in the general consumer market.
 
Difference between wired and wireless:
I found the wireless to take a greater bump in the bass providing for even richer sound. I found the bass be a bit bloated (for my preferences anyway), and preferred the sound, wired. However, I felt more liberated without the wire, so there are arguments to be had in when using in either configuration.
Overall: 7/10
 
In conclusion
The M06 is not for the detail freak, or someone craving a neutral balance, but its intended to be a comfortable easy to use Bluetooth headphone. In that aspect, I think the M06 has succeeded in accomplishing that goal, especially at the current affordable price.
 
Overall: 44/60= 73%
 
Possible areas of improvement:
The inclusion of a dual right angle jack (on both ends) to compensate for the placement of the headphone jack on the left earcup
The smoother swivel of the earcups (when laying them flat).

The last several years, companies have been taking notice that more and more of their consumers have an affinity for wireless technology.  From Wifi, to wireless data, and now wireless/bluetooth headphones!
 
Getting rid of the cable has never felt so liberating. However, often times these are features are only found in $100 or several hundred dollar headphones.
 
Enter Ausdom, a company that’s specializes in making affordable Bluetooth accessories, stationed in Shenzhen, China.
 
Needless to say many head-fiers myself included, experienced a lot of confusion trying to making sense of their headphone naming system.
With that I had contacted Ausdom to learn more information on how they rank their headphones, this is their reply.
 
1) in fact the M05 is the best among M -series, then comes the M08 (the most expensive ) and M04, M06, M07. 
 
Its certainly difficult to understand their numbering system (I don’t see a pattern do you?)
Nevertheless, it does appear that the M04/ M04S($$49.99-59.99) is the middle child of the family, and it takes a lot of design and physical cues as the M06s that I looked at previously (but have yet to “officially” review).  Click here for the link:
 
*disclaimer- I want to thank Ausdom for sending the M04S out for review. And likewise to all my reviews in the past, I will evaluate the merits of the product with the price in consideration.
 
for more information click here: http://www.amazon.com/Wireless-Bluetooth-Over-ear-Headphones-Microphone/dp/B00VUHNCRU
http://www.gearbest.com/headsets/pp_229555.html
 
     
 
(M06 on the Left, M04S on the right)   (M06 on the bottom with the M04S on top)
 
Accessories: Rather Sparse:

1. Micro USB Charging cable
2. 3.5mm Cable (for wired listening) (i would have liked two right angled ends due to the odd placement where the cable goes into the left earcup)

Overall: 6/10 (a small carrying pouch would've been nice
 
  
Features
A nice additional feature the M04S has over similarly priced competitors, is NFC. Which allows the M04S to pair effortlessly to my Samsung S3 (yes I’m still using an S3 in this day and age), by easily by tapping the phone on the left earcup.
 
Also for those devices that don’t feature NFC, you can still pair them via Bluetooth 4.0, providing a wireless range up to 10m. (A secured connection is indicated with a continuously lit blue light on the left earcup). (it will flash red when the battery is low).
 
Lastly, the included 3.5 mm audio cable provides a backup solution when you forget to charge or run out of battery.  
More specs: The headphones have a charge time of 2-3 hours via micro usb, a standby time of 250 hours, and a usage time of 20 hours for music/calls/videos. A battery indicator is found on iOS devices on the top right corner.
 
They also fold flat for easy storage and transport (perfect for messenger bags and suitcases)
Overall: 10/10
       
Design:
The M04 have a more urban-like design with the widely popular red and black colour scheme (also available in all black) . It’s reminiscent of some gaming headphones I’ve seen based on the “scale-like” designs of the earcups.
Overall: 7/10
 
    
 
Build Quality:
 It’s lightweight but feels nicely built for a headphone with an all-plastic construction (with exception of the metal headband). They should hold up well for daily usage. They feel almost identical as their younger brothers the M06. 
Overall: 7/10
     
 
 
Comfort: Listed as over ear headphone, the M04S is still quite compact. Those with larger then average size ears may run into some issue. The earpads and the headband are nicely padded (it doesn’t appear to be memory foam) but to compensate by lightly hugging against your head.
Overall: 8/10- the swiveling earcups are a bit stiff so you do have to manually adjust them a bit after you put them on.
         
 
 
 
Isolation:
The M04s are better suited for around the home, or in relatively quiet neighborhoods. They don’t isolate in particularly isolate noise well, but this can be a plus in certain scenarios, for example if you need to hear a crying baby in the other room, or you need to hear the phone/doorbell ring.
Overall: 6/10
 
Sound:
Similarly to their design, Ausdom takes a slight tweak at the smooth, rich sound of the M06. It’s neither overly bassy nor bright. It’s inoffensive sound signature will garner a lot of fans in the general public for casual music listening. The key differences, however between the M04S and the M06 lie entirely in the bass.
To easily understand the sound of the M04S, you can think the “S” stands for “smooth”.  
 
Bass: The bass on the M04S is slightly more emphasized then the M06. The bass has a soft impact, rich with a bit of bloom.  The warm sound makes them a nice companion to just relax and enjoy your music rather then for critical listening.
 
Midrange: Due to the bass emphasis the midrange does takes a step back, but it remains smooth and laid back, making them an ideal choice for those streaming or watching less then ideal quality recordings or videos. The M04s aren’t the most revealing headphone, but at this price range, its really slim pickings.  In fact, I think that works to their benefit, as users won’t find the M04S harsh or hard-to-listen to.  
* I quite enjoyed the M04s when watching videos on youtube or on other websites especially on those shaky, hand-held videos, taken from smartphone.
 
Treble: Again, the M04S is smooth with a rolled off treble. For what the M04S are lacking in energy, they compensate in terms of “fatigue free” listening.
 
Wireless vs Wired: in wireless mode, the bass gets a boost, giving it more low-end grunt, with a bit more bloat but it works well when watching movies. Thus making the midrange a bit more recessed, but not buried underneath the bass.
Overall: 7/10 (both for wired and wireless)
 
In conclusion:
The M04 is versatile, with all the bells and whistles of a high end Bluetooth headphone, especially with the inclusion of NFC. It’s also coupled with a rich, non-offensive sound that will find itself many fans. While not intended for critical listening,  they do a nice job for casual music listening.
Overall: 51/70= 73%

I’m as surprised as many of you readers are to hear of the brand “Mixcder”, as well as the name of the headphones.  The company prides itself in making audio products aimed at appealing to the  younger audience.
The Drip’s are a prime example of that, being an affordable ($39.99), fashion, Bluetooth enabled headphone. Its price and features certainly intrigue me (and  but is the parts greater then the sum in this case? 
 
*disclaimer- I would like to thank Grace for sending them out for review. And likewise to all my reviews in the past, I will evaluate the merits of the product with the price in consideration. *
 you can find them here: http://www.amazon.com/Bluetooth-Headphones-Noise-Canceling-Microphones-Technology/dp/B015N1FNDO
 
  
 
Accessories: Rather sparse

1. 1 Micro USB cable
2. 3.5mm audio cable

That’s it! Considering its price I wasn’t expecting much.
Overall: 6/10

 
 
Features:
The Drip headphones:

1. fold up for quick transport
2.  Bluetooth 4.0.
3. Stable connection, with a range of 10 meters.
4. It also holds charge very well, extending to about 20 hours (of music/media usage) on a 3 hour charge via the included micro USB cable.
5. On iOS devices, a power indicator can be found next to the battery of your device.
6. The headphones pair by holding down the power button for 4-5 seconds until you see an flashing blue and red flashing light, along with a small melody indicating the pairing process.
7. Once paired, you will see a continuous lit blue light.
8. The Drips play and pause using the same power button. Holding the power button longer turns the headphones on/off. Below the power button is a +/- for volume controls (holding these buttons will fast forward and rewind music).
9. Naturally with Bluetooth features, the Drips switch to headset mode for receiving/rejecting phone calls seamlessly from music listening.
10. The built in mic, was noted as “good quality” from the other side.
11. Finally, the headphones can be used as a standard wired headphone for times when the battery runs out, or when you forget to charge them.

Overall: 9.5/10 (It has boatload of features, that is well- executed and easy to pick up and use without much of a learning curve).
 
     
 
 
Design:
The Drips takes on the original “Beats” exque look. It features a foldable design and an overall footprint and shape, vaguely reminiscent of the old Beats Studio, but more subtle. It has an appealing colour scheme with the nice shade of deep blue coordinating well with the white earpads.
Overall: 7.5/10
 
          
 
 
Build Quality:
Considering the price, it’s decently built. It’s not going to change anyone’s opinion on the use of plastic in headphones. It’s lightweight and but a bit hollow feeling. That said with moderate use (as in non-abusive use), I feel the Drip will hold up (very rarely have I seen any headphone at this price being made with anything other then predominately plastic). The hinges bit metal reinforcement; so collapsing the headphones is easy and doesn’t feel like your going to snap them  (unlike the Noontec Zoro II HD).
The buttons are easily distinguished by feel but feel a bit hollow when pressed.
Overall: 6.5/10  (not going to wow anyone with its build, but understandable for the price)
 
       
 
 
 
Comfort/Ergonomics:
This section is a bit difficult to evaluate. On a positive note, the Drips apply very little pressure and the earcups rotate for more individualized fit. Also, the earpads are soft and well padded, using a sort of protein leather material, that’s very similar to the new lineup of ($200-300) Beats headphones (the Studio 2013, and the Beats Solo2, which makes them feel more premium).
 
My two qualms with the Drip lies with its ergonomics:
 1) It has the appearance and size of an (around the ear) headphone, but the earcups opening is very small (so they still sit on your ears instead). Making them very large on ear headphones), which may or not be an issue for some users.
2) The headband and the adjustment is really short (I’m on the maximum setting). This means that those with slightly larger then average head sizes may have to give the Drips a pass. For reference (my 7 year old nephew had to extend the headphones at about 4/8 for him to tell me that the Drips “fit him” or was “comfortable”. See pictures below:
 
My feedback to the design team would to make top of the headband longer. This would allow for better fit for those with larger heads, 1-1.25 inch would be good.
Overall: 6/10 (the biggest issue is the short fit, making their demographic limited to teens and children)
 
         
 
Isolation:
I would say average for an on ear headphone, as the Drips do muffle some background noises around me. It would suffice as a good general- purpose headphone around the home.
Overall: 7/10
 
Sound Quality:  I will split this section into two parts: Wired and Wireless mode.
Surprisingly I enjoyed the sound of the Drips in their wireless mode more then wired! It becomes a “warmer, funner” sound. It has a more filled out low end, which I found a bit lacking in its wired form.
When wired the headphones sound more balanced, with a slight mid bass emphasis.  The Drip brings a more balanced sound, providing an easily apparent clear sound, considering the bloated mess that’s prominent in this price range.
 
Wireless form: Its much louder in its wireless form>wired.
Bass: The bass is more filled out, with more impact a bit thicker in comparison, its far from a bass cannon. 
Midrange: The midrange takes a bit a step back to give room for the bass, and gives some more body to complement vocals, with a bit of veil. Female vocals have a bit of coloration but its not too glaring.
Treble: Extension is not great but is free of grain, with a slight edge in the lower treble to bring some energy.
 
In wired form
Bass: The bass rolls off at the lowest octaves (lacking in definition), slightly leaner then in wireless mode. The Drips have  boosted midbass (but far from over done), which seems to be aiming towards a more balanced sound compared to conventional headphones at this price. Bassheads need not apply here!
Midrange: The midrange has satisfactory (considering the price). Vocals has a bit of a nasally, a “cusp hand” kind of sound, making them have more closed sounding. Female vocals have a greater sense of clarity then male vocals, which sounds slightly more forward and richer.
Treble: The treble is lacking a bit of refinement to compete to say $100 on earphones like the Philips cityscape downtown or the Noontec Zoro II HD possess (Which is perfectly understandable given that those headphones mentioned above don’t have Bluetooth capabilities and are about double the price). 
Overall:
In wireless form: 7/10 (I prefer the more filled out low end, which makes the wired for a bit thin)
In wired form: 6.5/10 (It separates itself from the pack with its affinity towards a more balanced tuning, but is not groundbreaking by any means)
 
In conclusion:
The Drips are certainly an ambitious headphone, bringing a more balanced sound with Bluetooth functions at such an inexpensive price (which is makes them a rare breed). However, I think the ergonomics is lacking for me to recommend them, for adults anyway. (unless your head is a bit on the smaller side).
That said, they would make an appealing (inexpensive) gift for children and young teens during the holiday season especially since a large proportion of them are already using the latest smartphones, allowing them to fully maximize all the Bluetooth capabilities the Drips have to offer. 
 
Overall: 49.5/70= 71% in its wireless form
             49/70=70% in its wired form

In the past the gym tends to be the graveyard for many of my earphones. Its usually due to the cable being tugged, getting snagged onto gym equipments or the headphone jack getting bent in all kinds of different directions.
 
Needless to say, I would like to have more freedom with my movements in the gym, and not worry about my yanking earphones or my smartphone on the treadmill (and falling to its death)  =(
 
So to my surprise, the Axgio Sprints has become my faithful companion when I’m out for run, pumping some iron in the gym or at my local park doing some shoot drills.  It also helps that their affordable, so replacing them doesn’t become as sob-fest.
 
Prior to this review, I had not heard of Axgio before, so needless to say, I sought the help of the internet and this was what I was able find out about them.
Axgio is a company stationed at ShenZhen, in China, that specialize in making Bluetooth Accessories. As far as I know this was their first attempt at the making a Bluetooth sport earphone.  Without giving too much away, I think Axgio has done a fantastic job with their first effort!
 
Disclaimer #1 – I would like to thank Michael for sending a pair of the Axgio Sprint out for review. I am not affiliated with Axigio in anyway, so below is my unedited honest review.
Disclaimer #2- Bear in mind the score given, is with the price of the earphones in mind ($39.99) as with all my other previous reviews.
If you would like to watch a video review instead click below:
 

Accessories:  Quite sparse in some cases, but nice in terms of eartip selections:
3 sets of silicone eartips varying sizes
3 sets of Foam eartips of varying sizes
Micro USB charging cable
I would wish there was a small carrying pouch to store them in. But I think that might be asking a bit much for a $39.99 bluetooth earphone
Overall: 6/10

 

 
 
Features: 
1) Well, it’s a Bluetooth earphone to begin with, so you don’t need to be tethered to your device or risk tugging or snagging the cable on furniture and such. Movements around  the house is a lot more fluid with the Sprints, as they have Bluetooth range of about 10m. I was able to use to the Sprints with my smartphone in my room upstairs with the door closed, while being downstairs vacuuming my carpet after my brother's husky’s daily shed-fest I did notice a occasional dropouts when outside, but not glaring by any means)
2) Pairing is a breeze as you just hold the Circular button until a red light flashes intermittently.
3) Good Battery life:  Via micro USB in the remote
Charging Time: 2 Hrs
Music time: 8 Hr
Talk Time: 8 Hr
4) Remote function (for skip, play, volume controls) and accepting and rejecting calls. The remote layout is a bit odd, so it does require a bit getting use to but otherwise no complaints
5) IPX4 sweat-resistant- perfect for gym workouts or for those with heavy daily perspiration.
Overall: 10/10 
 

 

 

 
 
 
Build Quality: As a pair of sport earphones, they need to be lightweight especially when making drastic changes in direction, and vigorous movement. However, they also need to be durable enough, especially when your busy focusing on making that last rep, and not worrying about them crumbling under pressure.  Given these reasons, the Sprints are well made despite their all plastic construction. They are also ipx4, which makes the Sprint water and sweat resistant, that can withstand getting drenched in the gym.  The cable is short enough to be easily wrapped around  the neck, along with a cable cinch to help further manage the cable.
Overall: 7/10
 
 
 

 
 
Comfort: The housing is quite large, its comparable with the Audio Technica IM70.  Its quite smooth and ergonomic, but its rather shallow fitting, due to the large housing and the short nozzle. However I think this can benefit the Sprint, so they don’t feel uncomfortable, without causing irritation to your ear canal.
Overall: 8/10

 

 
 
Isolation:  It’s a completely sealed design, making the Sprint a great option the average consumer, for using on the subway and in transit.
Overall: 8.5/10
 

 
 
Sound Quality:
I was expecting a massively bass sound given that general stereotype surrounding Bluetooth and sport head/earphones.
 
That notion certainly went out the window!  The Sprint is surprisingly fairly balanced. They do a small emphasis in the mid to upper bass, but nothing overblown but I actually found them slightly mid-centric.
 
Bass: The bass moderately warm with a good punch without sounding bloated or loose.  The bass here is well versed with many different genres, so the Sprint’s can also be a good all arounder, as a dynamic sounding everyday earphone. The bass here isn’t the most detailed or have the greatest extension (its good).  Given the low price for being a Bluetooth earphone, I’m quite pleased.
 
Midrange: Quite smooth and surprisingly clear. I was expecting a very scooped midrange, but I quite like the depth in vocals for both male and female vocals. The lower mid emphasis, gives male vocals some nice added thickness. The upper mids is reduced with some veiling to female vocals but nothing distracting, and this tuning prevents any annoyance from thinner female vocals.
 
Treble: Good but not great extension, but very smooth. Cymbals have a nice energy to them without sound exaggerated.  It suffers only very mildly from a slightly artificial treble, nicely refined for the price.  
 
In terms of sound, the Sprint is nothing ground breaking, it’s a pleasing, yet balanced sound that took me by surprise.  I was expecting an overly blown mess, instead i found myself quite gravitated towards  the Sprint. It definitely punches above its budget as a sport Bluetooth earphone.
 
Overall: 9/10  * relative to the price and being a Bluetooth earphone* In my opinion, the Sprints has overachieve for their price, compared to both wireless and WIRED peers
 
In summary…..
 
I find myself using the Axgio Sprints outside of the gym as well, because they are very comfortable when sleeping on my side, and they are lightweight enough to be an easy-grab and go option when I’m in a hurry. Of course having a nicely balanced and coherent sound is just icing on the cake! Highly Recommended!
 
Final Rating:  48.5/60= 81%

The VSD5 is the next earphone to follow up on the successful release of the very popular VSD3/VSD3s. From afar the VSD5 looks eerily similar with their older/younger brother, the VSD3/VSD3s. However, once you put them into your ears, you will quickly figure out that the VSD5 is a different animal in its own right. Lets find out what that means! If you would rather watch my review be sure to click on the link below, and if you found the review to be helpful, Like& subscribe and share the video!



Accessories: The VSD5 comes with:
4 Pairs of silicone Eartips
1 Pair of Foam Eartips
1 Fabric Pouch
1 Pair of Earguides

Overall: 7.5/10 (Solid but not as extensive as some of its competitors

Design:
The VSD5s have quite a unique design in my opinion, however those this striking design may turn off those preferring more conservative or conventional design. They take on a more crystallized, jewel- like design, and intended to be worn over the ear (similar many professional in ear monitors). The edges on the face of the earphones creates a nice reflection when light strikes it, helping increase it’s appeal (at least with me anyway). Its translucent housing, displays the internals of the earphone, providing for a quite interesting presentation. However, my gripe with the design is that they only come in this smokey, translucent grey, which is not really my cup of tea. I wish they had a larger selection of colours to choose from (like the VSD3/VSD3s) which I think will help widen their appeal.
Overall: 7/10





Build Quality:
The VSD5 are built very similarly to the VSD3S, but VSONIC instead decided to use a fixed/ non-detachable cable (to remedy the issue they faced with the detachable mmcx connectors with some units of the VSD3S). The VSD5 comes with an entirely plastic shell, that’s very lightweight and quite typical in this price range. Moving onto the cable, it’s quite flexible and nicely made, but unfortunately the VSD5 is lacking adequate strain reliefs. I personally think this issue is a bit of an oversight, especially pertaining to the VSD5 more so than the VSD3s. The reason for this is solely based on the fact that the VSD3s (at least my version, comes with a easily replaceable detachable cable).
This is a bit concerning, and requires the VSD5 to be handled by a gentle hand.
Overall: 6/10






Comfort:
The VSD5 is quite comfortable despite the large housing, for reference they have a slightly larger body than the VSD3s. The body of the housing is quite smooth on the side in contact with your ear. The nozzle is angled appropriately to allow them to sit comfortably and securely in my ears even after extended listening sessions. However, those with smaller outer ears may run into a bit of trouble because of the larger housing (YMMV).
Overall: 7/10

Isolation:
The VSD5s isolate very well, similar to their little brothers again. They are vented, but the vent is very tiny (can be seen with a magnifying glass, or if you squint really hard). I feel the VSD5 would work well in noisy environments such as on the bus, train or even your noisy office.
Overall: 8/10




Sound:
The VSD5 is a somewhat of a departure from the little/older brother the VSD3S, while at the same time retaining some of the same characteristics of the latter. The most apparent change is the treble and soundstage. The VSD5 has a cooler, more analytical sound signature.

Bass: The bass as a whole is slightly elevated with a nice bump in the midbass, giving the VSD5s a nice firm punch. In comparison the bass on the VSD5 is slightly more elevated than my GR07BE, but less than the VSD3s, so I wouldn’t necessarily call them very bassy. Instead with the added bass the VSD5 displays the texture, and depth in the bass well. The bass has good extension and rumble when called upon, but nothing distracting as a whole.

Midrange: The midrange of the VSD5 on the drier, cooler side, albeit drier as well, it’s also leaner in comparison to the VSD3s, which is much warmer sounding. This allows the VSD5 to have a bit more of an analytical sound signature giving way for great clarity, that simply exceeds its price range, and I can argue that the VSD5 can compete well with its more expensive older sibling, the GR07BE ($179).The upper midrange has a peak to give female vocals more energy, but can sound a bit shouty.

Treble: The treble is definitely on the bright side. It’s more emphasized and forward, providing a very crisp texture while providing superb detail and clarity. It works well with stringed instruments in conjunction with the nice soundstage (see soundstage section). However, I find the treble be a bit “peaky”, and abrasive in the mid to upper treble at times. A better word to describe the treble would be "splashy" which can be unforgiving on some tracks, and can get fatiguing after a while. The VSD5 is definitely not for the treble sensitive, and it requires a bit of tip rolling can help tame the treble a bit (This can be somewhat alleviated with the Sony hybrids or smaller size, narrower bore tip). Wide bore/opening tips will open the sound up more and increased the treble emphasis slightly, but to be honest, i don't think it needs any more help in the treble department

*note- I tried them with the very, narrow Westone Star Eartips (which in reality doesn’t fit, but I was able to get it stretch over the nozzle. This helps tremendously in smoothing out that sort of “abrasive/grainy/sandy” treble. On the opposite side of the spectrum, the Star/Weston Eartips bumped the bass, isolation improved as well. (Some users had success with the narrow “Klipsch Oval” eartips, (I would imagine the “Shure Flex “eartips would do the same).

Soundstage: The VSD5 was supposedly tuned after the Sony EX 1000, an earphone that was known for an airy and open soundstage. Now, although I haven’t personally heard of the EX 1000 myself, however I can definitively say that the VSD5 images fairly well, especially consider the design is almost entirely sealed as opposed to the earphone it’s tuned after, the EX 1000 (an open/low isolating earphone). The soundstage size is well above average, with good instrument placement. I think it makes acoustic music quite nice to listen to with great separation between instruments and female vocals. I think the presents height very well more so than depth.





Quick comparison between the VSD5 with the VSD3s:
The VSD3s is definitely much warmer and bassier, with a thicker, smoother midrange. However, in terms of detail retrieval, clarity, soundstage, I would give the edge to the VSD5. However, because of the bright nature of the VSD5, I can’t say its for is everyone, and can be a bit unforgiving for some users, some will love the clarity in the treble, while others may find it somewhat splashy there.
If you would like my full review on the VSONIC VSD3S click here:

http://www.head-fi.org/products/vso...lity-stereo-inner-ear-earphones/reviews/11618



Comparing the VSD5 to the Dunu Titan 1:
This comparison is a lot more similar, with the Dunu Titan 1 having a more refined treble, and the soundstage is more open and expansive, the midrange is also slightly warmer. The Titan 1s also have a slightly less aggressive midbass, with more a leveled bass entirely. In contrast, the VSD5 has stronger, punchier and deeper bass and it seems to have a thinner treble presentation, so at times it may sound somewhat splashier in comparison. The VSD5 can sound more clearer in the midrange because it’s not as warm, with a cooler presentation, it sounds more analytical sounding.
Also, VSD5 provides much better isolation than the Titan 1s, making the VSD5 a better option for those in noisier areas, whereas the Titan 1s will not nearly be as effective in.
If you would like to see my full review for the Dunu Titan click here:
http://www.head-fi.org/products/dunu-titan-1-titanium-coated-diaphragm-earphones/reviews/13302

Overall: 7/10



In conclusion, while I’m somewhat disappointed with the build quality of the VSD5, I cannot disregard the VSD5, as an overall package. It continues the success that is often attributed with the company, VSONIC and the great price to performance ratio that comes with many of the products they release.
Overall, I’m pleased with the overall technical performance of the VSD5s, the tuning isn’t exactly my cup of tea, as the treble can be a bit much for me (and i usually like a bit of treble emphasis). However, VSD5 still gets my recommendation as a affordable, high performing earphone that will please budget “head-fiers” or “audio enthusiasts”. Its more a of "niche" tuning that places emphasis on clarity and detail, but while still providing a nice bass thump.

Final Verdict: 42/60=70%

About a year back RHA unveiled what would be their flagship earphone the T10/ T10i, with a retail price of about $189-199. The overall design and the material that went in manufacturing these earphones certainly made headlines in the audio world. (Injection molded stainless steel housing)
A year later RHA has released a successor to the T10 in the form of the T20 as their latest flagship, both of which I reviewed in the following link (both in video and written form) below
 
Lets see how the T10 fairs after the hype and the attention has settled down.
Disclaimer: As with every review, price is always in consideration when rating and commenting about the gear I am reviewing. Also, I want to thank @ThickT for lending me his personal pair of RHA T10i for this review and the following subsequent comparisons.
 
Below is my Full video review over on youtube of the T10i and my T20 review for reference. (i have also included my comparison video of the T20 vs T10i as well). Enjoy!
 


 

 
 
 
 
Accessories:
The T10s come with an abundance of accessories, and for good reason considering, it’s a premium product commanding almost a $300 price tag.  It comes with:
3 interchangeable filters (bass- black, reference-silver, treble-gold)
A Metal Platelet  to display the above mentioned filters
6 sets of single flange (of the hybrid variety, in various sizes)
2 sets of biflanges (2 sizes)
2 sets of foam tips
An elegant metal frame to hold the included eartips
A large zipper carrying case (to store the earphones and all the eartips)
A clothing clip
An Exceptionally Long standing 3 year warranty.
 
Summing up, theres not much more you can really ask for in terms of accessories, the T10s have certainly impressed me with the amount of goodies it comes with.
Overall: 10/10
 

 
Build Quality:
The T10i is absolutely rock solid, the earpiece housing is made of injected molded stainless steel, and they feel like very sturdy, like it can survive the full brunt of a hammer strike.  Continuing to impress is the cables, now I’ve experienced these cables before in my review of the Brainwavz R3, where I claimed that I would be able to play a game of tug of war with my friends and walk away listening to my R3s on my way home, I feel the exact same way with the T10is! The T10is have a cable that is almost rope-like, and its very thick with a heavy duty rubber sheathing that resistance towards tangling. However, there are a few downsides to this robust cable 1) the extra weight it carries can easily be felt when moving around 2) the cable is unusually long (I’m not tall by any means, 5’7 but the y split sits just slightly under my belly button), which in addition with the weight of the cable is very noticeable when especially when doing intensive activities, without the use of the cable cinch.
Overall: 10/10
 

 
 


 

 

 
 
 
Comfort:
Despite the plentiful use of premium steel and various other metals used, the T10is are quite comfortable. The housing has a very organic and rounded, stubby earpiece that may not work for everyone but in my ears they slip in perfectly. The added weight of the earpieces caused no irritation from the housing on my outer and inner ear. Overall, nicely done on RHA in terms of ergonomics.
*note I would have preferred the nozzle being angled 45- 60 degrees to help improve the comfort and relieve some pressure from the outer ear.
Overall: 8/10
 
 


 
 
Isolation:
I would say they are slightly above average. They are a vented design, however, so if your seeking complete silence, look elsewhere. Otherwise, I think the T10 will work well for a large majority of the population.
Overall: 7.5/10
 

 


 
 
 
Sound Quality:
This is the quick skinny on the overall sound signature of the T10i (combining my findings on all the filters).  The T10i, was intended for the newer generation listening to electronic, dubstep, hip hop and various other contemporary bassy music.  It doesn’t try to be subtle in the least, with a very substantial and aggressive bass boost.
 
After listening to the T10i for an extended period of time, I think I would change my ranking scale slightly.  I would give the edge to the Treble filters, due to the extra extension and it’s ability to wring out just a bit more detail. However, as stated back in my first impression video, the treble can be a bit much (which wouldn’t make the T10i as my recommendation for a “sit down and listen for hours on end” kind of earphone.  I personally feel that most head-fiers, would probably prefer the reference filter, a bit more due to “slightly less brash” treble.
 
The following review is based on my findings with the treble filter, I will include my thoughts on the other filters in the following section.
 
Bass: Let’s get this out of the way, the T10i is a very bassy earphone. This is true no matter what filters you equip them with. I would say, if you’re a basshead with a large budget, the T10i should be on your short list of earphones to try.
For me however, I found the bass too much. It has a substantial in the midbass hump, which makes the T10i somewhat bloated, in conjunction with the slower nature of the bass, would make the basshead say “Dat bass”. The extension in the bass is largely shadowed by the very large midbass hump, but I was able to hear it reach low as well.  For me, I felt the bass was somewhat poorly intergrated, and just felt like they turned up the bass dial a bit more then they should have.
 
Midrange: The midrange is quite recessed, and takes quite a nose dive, especially in the upper midrange, which causes a sort of veiling for causing females to lose their presence and body, making rather thin sounding and unnatural sounding.  Also, the midbass hump did bleed into the lower mids, causing some blurring to male vocals to help give way for more bass impact and thickness.
 
Treble: With the treble filters, obviously this part of the sound is definitely dialed up a notch (+3db precisely, where in the frequency response, RHA did not indicate). To my ears I feel like the treble filters bumped up somewhere between the lower to mid treble. This emphasizes the sort of “metallic” texture of the T10i, which can definitely make an “electronic mixes” more energetic. However, I felt that this treble boost is poorly implemented as it made the dip in the upper midrange even more apparent. Due to the overall proportion of the bass, midrange, and treble, this made the T10s somewhat brash or fatiguing (I would image this would apply to a lot of people as I have a slightly higher tolerance to sibilance than others).
(*Remember this is with the treble filter)). The treble appears to roll off quite quickly shortly after, making the T10 still somewhat dark sounding and rather congested.
 
Soundstage and Separation- I would say average, it has solid width, lacking in depth but separation is very impressive, despite the bass boost.
 
Reference Filter- While I rated the reference filters slightly behind the Treble, I believe, the reference filter would have the widest appeal at least as far as head-fiers are considered. The tonality is more natural, dialing back the treble to making female a bit less peaky, making the overall sound smoother but not as “overly” smooth as the bass filter.
 
Bass Filter- I found the bass filter to be my least favorite, because I felt while the bass satisfied my “inner basshead” and then some. I found the treble to even rolled off.  The overall sound signature is quite dark, making it more congested sounding, which made string instruments lack the realism or “bite” you get from cymbals.  On a positive note, the bass filter help mask the thinner treble that’s more apparent with the other filters.
Overall: 5/10
 

 

 
 
In conclusion, I feel the T10i was really a “hit and miss” for the most part. They are certainly on the right track in terms of build, comfort, isolation and accessories.
However in terms of the tuning, I think the T10i missed the mark here.  However, I think the T10i was a stepping stone to the what become of its successor the T20,
(I had also reviewed RHA T20, which was just recently released, here is the link to the T20 review (both video and written)
 
Last notes:
I personally couldn’t see myself using the T10i on a daily basis, and I would be hesitant to pay the full retail for them.  I think if you’re a basshead, a possible better and more afforable alternative is the JVC FXD80, and Brainwavz S5.  For an idea of the sound signature, at a cheaper budget, you can try the RHA MA600i, which takes on a similar sort of extreme V shape signature.
 
Overall Rating: 40.5/50=81%

What do you think of when you hear: injection moulded stainless steel housing, dual coil drivers, interchangeable tuning filters, and a 3 year warranty.
The RHA T20 is the probably the only earphone with this mix of characteristics.   At first glance, the T20 appear awfully similar to its sibling the T10.  I thought the same way when I finally saw pictures of them, there seems to be very little differences, aesthetically anyway.
 
However, it seems that RHA had been listening to the feedback  they received from the T10 and upped the ante with the T20, by implementing a “dual coil dynamic driver” (aimed to better separate the bass, mids and treble), in addition to all the goodies that was already present on the T10.
Despite the beautiful craftsmanship and accessories of the T10, the sound of the T10 had generated mixed responses from many users on head-fi and beyond, especially being premium, luxury product at the price of ~$199.
Lets find out, if its strike 2 for RHA or have they hit homerun with the T20s.
 
Disclaimer: As with every review, price is always in consideration when rating and commenting about the gear I am reviewing. I want to thank RHA and nmathesis as well as all my other peers on head-fi for making this T20 tour possible. I’m very glad to be a part of the North American Tour for the T20.
 
Below is my Full video review over on youtube of the T20 and my T10i review for reference. (i have also included my comparison video of the T20 vs T10i as well). Enjoy!
 

 

 

 
Accessories:
The T20s come with an abundance of accessories, and for good reason considering, it’s a premium product commanding almost a $300 price tag.  It comes with:
3 interchangeable filters (bass- black, reference-silver, treble-gold)
A Metal Platelet  to display the above mentioned filters
6 sets of single flange (of the hybrid variety, in various sizes)
2 sets of biflanges (2 sizes)
2 sets of foam tips
An elegant metal frame to hold the included eartips
A large zipper carrying case (to store the earphones and all the eartips)
A clothing clip
An Exceptionally Long standing 3 year warranty.

 

 

 

 
 
Summing up, theres not much more you can really ask for in terms of accessories, the T20s have certainly impressed me with the amount of goodies it comes with.
Overall: 10/10
 
Build quality:
The T20s are built simply superb. The injection moulded stainless steel earpieces have a very robust quality to them, they are quite heavy, on display is beautiful craftsmanship and a luxurious feel.  Moving down toward the cables, the T20s have a black, medium-stiffness memory wire, to help prevent the cable from flopping around, especially since the cables are on the chunkier and thicker side. The cables impress and provide assurance that the T20s will last for a long time, even under the most active and rigorous conditions (I honestly think they can be a used a rope to harness your bikes to your car on road trips). The drawback of this thick cable is the additional weight that comes with, making a bit cumbersome and noticeable when turning your head quickly.  
The headphone jack terminates in a straight angle jack with a long spring acting as as a strain relief. Personally, I would have liked to see a small, compact L shape/90 angle plug with a shorter strain relief section to help assist in portable listening environments.
Overall: 10/10
 

 
 

 



 

 
 
 
Comfort:
The way the T20s were designed and with the addition of memory wires, signal that the T20s were intended to worn cable up, helping to to minimize cable noise.  I found the comfort to be above average, despite the slightly larger, “tubbier” housing. This is mostly due to the very smooth housing, that convey a sort of “organic” shape.  I found sleeping with them quite comfortable, I was able to lie on my side in bed with them, and because their so solidly built, I’m wasn’t afraid of waking up to broken earphones, considering I toss around in bed quite a bit.
 In retrospect, my outer ear did get a bit sore after 2-3 hour session; I suspect that may have more to do with the angle of the nozzle then anything else. I would prefer a nozzle that is angled about 45-60 degrees as with its competitors. Overall, in terms of ergonomics, I felt RHA has done a fine job.
Overall: 8/10

 

 
 
 
 
Isolation:
In my short time with them, unfortunately, I wasn’t able to use really put the T20 to the test on public transit and the like. However, in my general use, (around the house and around the neighborhood and mall), I found the isolation to be above average, despite the vent/mesh on the face of the earpieces.
Overall: 7.5/10
 
Sound (In general terms)
The RHA T20, is an essentially a re-tuned, and I consider “better tuned T10”.  In my opinion, I felt T20’s sound is what the T10 should’ve been. But in my conversation with nmathesis, we agreed that the T20 came to fruition only because of the feedback from the community and consumers alike from the T10s. Well, if that’s the case, I’m happy camper.
So, lets get down it!
The T20’s general sound signature stays true to their house sound, a textbook “V shape sound signature”, that’s warm, and bassy with a crisp treble that works well with today’s modern music.
 
Filter system:
**In my conversations with RHA, I was able to confirm that the T20s have the same tuning system as the T10i.**
 
I will summarize the sound signature of the T20 below, the filters do alter the sound (but it’s more of a tweak, rather than 3 completely separate earphones).
 
Bass- The bass is impactful albeit a bit on the slower side, but attention grabbing, quite satisfying bass. It impress you with the amount of bass those dual coil drivers can generate, more so then the detail and the texture. The bass has more emphasis in the midbass, with a bit of bloat, but is compensates with great definition down into the sub bass as well. This makes the T20, fun but not an overwhelming bassy experience. I think this bass boost if very appropriate if your using them during your commute to help cut through the rumbling and shuffling in loud noisy environments. (If this doesn’t sound like its enough bass for you, skip down to the bass filter section).
 
Midrange- The midrange does take a small dip, but is quite competent, clear. While a doing good job sounding  clean, and natural, (good detail in conveying the texture and characteristics of voices). However, obviously it wasn’t tuned with classical or acoustic pieces in mind, instead it chooses to excel in genres such as pop, and electronic music. That said for as bassy earphone, I’m very happy with the midrange performance of the T20. The Reference filter helps accentuate conveys the most “natural” sound of the bunch. (skip to the reference filter section below).
 
Treble- The slight dip in the midrange climbs up in the upper midrange to the lower treble, giving more life and energy, giving tambourines, and chimes a “clean” sort of metallic/shimmery texture.  The top end extension is good, but I feel its missing that extra little bit of “air” needed to really take the T20s onto another level. (If you want more treble extension and sparkle see the Treble filter section below).
 
 

 

 

 
 
Favorite Filters Ranking:
 
#1 Treble filter sound
They open up the RHA house sound, which makes the sound leaner, which I think is a good addition considering I find the T20s can get a bit congested at times with the other filters (the Treble filter is stark contrast compared to the Bass filters). The treble gets a bit more shimmer and extension, and allows female vocals to gain more energy, but at times I can see that it can be interpreted as maybe a bit thin or brash. I think it could use a bit of tightening up here (maybe a bit of dampening), however it’s the liveliest sounding of the 3 filters. The treble filter just edges out the reference filter as my favorite filter.
 
#2 Reference filter
I quite like the tuning with the reference filter; the tonality is spot on for a bassy earphone. I could use a bit less bass however, as I felt that it can get a bit too thick in the mid to upper bass, causing a bit of smearing. The reference filter is probably the filter with the widest appeal (don’t let the word “reference” fool you, they’re anything but flat or neutral sounding).  The reference filter is probably the most natural sounding of the bunch and that’s why I slotted them at a firm #2.
 
#3 Bass filter
This is where bassheads unite! The bass filter on the T20 I find is more likeable than the T10i with the same filter. The bass here does reach basshead levels and its very chunky and very chesty, and it does dominate the sound signature as expected.  This filter is a great option for the average consumer who wants big bass punch with a rolled off treble.  For me however, I found the Bass filter to be my least favorite of the bunch, it felt too bloated to my ears, and due to the rolled off treble, caused it to sound dull and overly dark.  
 

 

 

 

 
 
Comparing the Brainwavz S5 with RHA T20 (with Treble filter)
The T20s have a more refined sound overall, the bass more even (less midbass bloat), and hits lower. The treble is cleaner, refined as well, it also has less veiling in the upper midrange. Soundstage-wise, it’s more well rounded, where as the S5s are wider in terms of left and right then height.
 
Comparing to the Yamaha EPH 100 with the RHA T20 (with Reference Filter)
The tuning here is more similar, with more bass punch on the T20s, whereas the EPH 100 has more defined and extended treble, revealing the finer details.  The biggest difference between the T20s and the EPH 100 lies in terms of their physical build. Where the EPH 100, sorely disappoints with a thin, fragile cable, with long but flimsy strain reliefs. Whereas the T20s, look like they can withstand the heavy abuse squashed under a backpack full of heavy textbooks.
 
RHA T20 Bass Filter with RHA T10i with Bass Filter
This is a direct comparison between the current and former flagship from RHA, with the same filters. Listening to songs like  “Let’s Go by Calvin Harris Feat Ne-Yo”, and “ Party Rock Anthem by LMAO, the T10i will give that boomy, chesty bass bump, but I felt the bass suffered from some smearing and can sound one-note.  In terms of the bass, I found the T20 to be tighter, with the edge in terms of scaling. Also, the T20 trades off some of that bass found in the T10is for a bit more upper midrange-lower treble, giving those synths more liveliness. Both earphones are polite, and dark sounding, so they good choices for the treble-sensitive bassheads out there.
 

 
 
Overall: 8.5/10
 
 
In conclusion, while the price tag of $249 is not what many attribute as being a “budget” product. The T20 is not really targeted toward that demographic. For a mid-high tier product, the T20 packs a lot of desirable features (robust steel housing, ergonomics, and sound) in a relatively compact package.  Personally, I would be more comfortable seeing the T20 in the $170-200 price range, but it’s an earphone I can very comfortably recommend if you have the extra cash to splurge.
 
Overall Rating: 44/50= 88%

The Alpha & Delta AD01 is the prized first entry of popular reseller, Lendme Ur Ears. They decided to take a stab at the portable audio market, in particularly at the rather crowded $100 price point. It’s certainly a rather ambitious goal. Lets see if they have succeeded in making a splash in the seemingly ever-changing audio scene.

Before I begin I want to thank Teo as well as Lendme Ur Ears for sending me a review sample. If you would rather watch this review, please click on the link below, be sure to like, subscribe, share and comment! I look forward to hearing your feedback!



Design: At the time this review, the AD01 comes in two colours, the sleek black, and a “silver bullet” shade. The pair I have on hand is the black variation with a rather minimalist design, that’s sleek and subtle, reminiscent of a pellet. No branding is found on either the housing or cable, making for a difficult time identifying what company this earphone belongs to. On the flip side, this is quite refreshing in today’s society where we are bombarded with branding and logos left and right.

Overall: 7/10







Accessories: The AD01 comes with the following:
A protective shell carrying case with a lanyard strap
A wide assortment of eartips (3 pairs of narrow bore black single flanges, 3 sets of colour coordinated hybrids, 3 sets of wide bore biflanges). the tips are not of great quality and kind of "papery". I quickly replaced them with sony hybrids and spinfits
* A minor quibble. I would have preferred to have a mesh or pocket for the earphones and various included eartips*

Overall: 8.5/10



Build Quality- Very solid. The all-metal housing exudes a weighty but not intimating feeling. They come equipped with a pair of 2mm DC plug connectors (yes the AD01 come with a detachable cable feature). The cable connectors are secure and feel quite robust, requiring moderate force upon removal and insertion. Lend Me Ur Ears stated that the left and right earpieces are interchangeable are sold separately for easy replacement on their website. They also sell replacement cables in two configurations: the stock black cable and an upgraded bronze/copper, transparent cable (intended to improve sonically). Both cables feel well made, with good very well relieved joints, a compact y split with a strong cable cinch and terminate in L shape headphone jack. However, my issue(s) with the cable is that it tends to retain memory, and carries some cable noise. (the upgraded cable seems to be an improvement in these areas).
Overall: 8.5/10









Comfort- The housing is very smooth and is devoid of sharp edges that may carry the potential to cause irritation for some users. These earphones were designed to be very practical, allowing them to slip in out of your ears quickly, without fuss. (I preferred wearing these cable down, with the earphones sitting flush against my ears). The housing is on the chunkier side, so these may not be as comfortable as the tiny Hifiman RE400, due to the sheer footprint size. I found the soft wide bore double flanges to complement the AD01 on a comfort and a sound perspective, but more on the sound later.
Overall: 8.5/10





Isolation: I found the isolation to be slightly above average. The AD01 as pointed out my by friend nmathesis, is a multivented design, with a vent on the underside of the nozzle, and another vent on the rear side of the housing. That said I found the isolation to be sufficient for outside and commuting use, where I imagine is the environment the AD01 is intended for, see below.
Overall: 7/10




Sound: The AD01 is packed a 9.0mm and a 6.0mm dynamic driver in earpiece. Alpha and Delta had not divulged the materials and the arrangement of these drivers.
That said, in terms of sound signature, I would characterize the AD01 as a slightly V shaped, but takes cues from its competitors with a smooth, warm sound. This makes the AD01 a rather unique because the bass is rich and smooth, but because of the slightly emphasized treble, it doesn’t dull or sleepy.

I was also given the upgraded cable, that was described to improve the sonic performance of the AD01, I personally did not hear any differences between the two cables, but I preferred the upgraded cable because it retained less memory and I was quite drawn to the transparent bronze colour.

Let me clarify below:

Bass: The bass on the AD01 is above neutral. It’s walking a fine line between being bassy, and neutral with a very satisfying punch. The bass is robust and well rounded with a thicker, smooth mid-bass response with great depth and rumble down low without sounding overly boomy. The bass is well rounded with medium speed with a hint of looseness, but nothing overblown.

Midrange: The midrange is cleverly tuned, with good clarity without being buried behind the punchy bass by any means. The lower midrange is a bit on the thicker side, giving male vocals some warmth, with strong presence, and a bit of chesty sound. I don’t listen to much jazz or blues much on the tracks I did test them on, but it made Ray Charles, Frank Sinatra and Michael Buble nice and rich. The upper midrange seems to be reined in a bit, to avoid strident female vocals and preventing saxophones from sounding overly energetic, but is slightly thinner, aiding in terms of clarity.

Treble: The treble is nicely detailed without sounding bright. The treble has a slightly emphasized lower treble, giving cymbals a nice crisp response, but tapers off to prevent any added sibilance. The treble is not what I would call “brilliant or ground breaking”, its nicely tuned to be snappy but can benefit with a bit more extension.

Soundstage: Due to the treble tapering off, the AD01 does not have quite have that airy soundstage, but has a nice left and right imaging, avoiding the congestion that warmer-sounding earphones typically suffer from.

Comparing with the Audio Technica Im70 ($150).
These are quite similar with a few notable tweaks. The AD01 has a similar characteristic in the bass, smooth and punchy abeit in the thicker end. However the AD01 has better extension down low, with a better sense of depth and rumble. The Im70 on the other hand, has a “lusher” and more forward warmer midrange, which makes vocals in particularly female vocals quite beautiful. Both are smooth sounding, but I would give the edge to the AD01 in terms of clarity.

Comparing them to the Dunu Titan 1 ($120-150)
The Titan 1 has the edge in terms of detail retrieval, and bass texture and clarity. But a common criticism of the Titan 1s, myself included is the brighter treble that’s a bit metallic, which can be a bit fatiguing for some listeners. This is where the AD01 fills that role, as a smoother alternative, but still has a healthy dose of “pizz zazz” up top.

Overall: 8.5/10

In conclusion,
I’m very pleased to say I can wholeheartedly recommend the AD01 as almost a complete package for someone looking for a slightly bassy all rounder, it comes with a wide array of accessories (plus detachable cables!) with a simple, and practical no- nonsense design. It also has a sound signature that is nicely detailed, that’s rich without being too rich, and is smooth without being completely devoid of energy. Great first entry Lendme Ur Ears! Easily one of my favorites!


Possible areas for improvement:
I hope that the cables have a both a visual and tactile marking to help distinguish between the left and right side (as the earpieces are identical, and interchangeable, this makes for a bit of a task when taking them out of their case
Providing pouches in the hard shell carrying case (2 ideally) to better fasten the headphones and accessories (cables and such).

Trading a bit of that bass for bit more extension in the treble.
The material on the hybrid silicone is a bit hard and brittle on my pair, causing it to rip, I hope for a softer material to be used on future iterations.







Overall: 48/60= 80%