The S15 is the successor of the popular S12 PRO earphone. An updated version that features a third generation, 14.8mm planar dual chamber driver. To ensure smooth transitions between the octaves, LETSHUOER S15 employs a dual acoustic tube structure with filter crossover scheme. Furthermore, a 6mm passive filtering module outside the planar driver, which uses the in-house developed R-Sonic Dynamic Harmonic Technology, is used for positive filtering of sound energy through proprietary filters. Non Audio stuff The earshells of the S15 are made from...

The R7 was FiiO's first all-in-one desktop device to combine a DAC, a headphone amplifier, a preamplifier and a media streamer with an LCD touch screen under the same hood. A multifunction, compact sized, device with multiple digital and analog connections and all the benefits of using the Android operating system exactly like you do in a DAP. The FiiO R9, which builds on the success of the R7, is the new flagship media streamer with many updates over the R7. Technical highlights Gone is the single ES9068AS DAC decoder of the R7, the R9 features...

Intro Everyone who is streaming music should be familiar with the Volumio OS as it is one of the most popular and widespread operating systems with thousands of installations in various streamers. Not only is it free to download and install but it is also used by many well known audio manufacturers as the basis for developing their own software. Volumio Primo Volumio is the company behind the Volumio OS and what most people don't know is that they also make their own streaming audio devices. Volumio uses sophisticated hardware with high quality...

The FiiO FT5 is a full sized, open back planar magnetic headphone with a 90mm large-sized driver unit. This driver adopts a 6um ultra-thin diaphragm with a precisely crafted micron-plated aluminum silver alloy voice coil. The driver is produced using a nanoscale-level coating process for enhanced sound reproduction. Technical specifications Non Audio stuff There is no plastic used in the FiiO FT5, the whole frame, the headband and the ear-cups are made from aluminum - magnesium alloy. The self-adjusting headband has an extra leatherette floating...

The Sivga Nightingale is a planar magnetic earphone with a single 14.5mm, dual magnetic, driver. The dual magnetic field rectangular array structure features exceptional transmission sensitivity and impressive transient response. It leverages magnetic mechanics to thoughtfully pair two sets of high-performance rare earth iron boron magnets, resulting in a significant boost in efficiency compared to standard configurations. Non Audio Stuff The ear-shells are made from aluminum-magnesium alloy with a solid wooden faceplate that is hand polished to...

The Arya is one of the most famous HIFIMAN headphones and the first step towards the company's higher-end models. The Arya was first introduced back in 2018 and since then underwent two revisions, the V2 around 2020 and recently was equipped with the stealth magnets to become the Arya Stealth. The Arya Organic uses the stealth magnets system but its diaphragm is thinner than the one found in the Arya Stealth. Non Audio stuff The Arya Organic is identical looking to the Stealth version except for the outside perimeter of the ear-cups that has a...

The EM6L is the successor and an updated version of the much renowned SIMGOT EM5. It is a hybrid earphone which combines an 8mm, custom-designed, high-polymer diaphragm, dual-cavity dynamic driver to handle mid-to-low frequencies and two sets of balanced armature drivers to take charge of the mid-to-high and high frequencies. With meticulously set crossover points and precise tuning techniques the SIMGOT EM6L has been designed and tuned to adhere to the H-2019 Target Curve. Non audio stuff The ear-shells of the EM6L combine a black resin-compound...

The Ananda Nano is the latest version of the popular HIFIMAN headphones, following the success of the Ananda in 2018. It retains the stealth magnets from the previous models, but now features a thinner diaphragm based on the renowned Susvara design. This new diaphragm offers improved sound quality with lower distortion, faster response, and enhanced dynamics and details. For those unfamiliar with the HIFIMAN Stealth magnets, they have a unique shape that allows sound waves to pass through without causing any interference. This innovative design...

ISN NEO 5 Review ISN Audio is an earphones brand exclusive to Penon Audio with many successful products like the ISN H30 and their flagship, the ISN EST50. The ISN NEO 5 is a new hybrid earphone with 5 drivers per side. A 10mm dynamic driver for the low frequencies and 4 Knowles BA drivers for the mids and the highs. Non Audio Stuff The ISN NEO 5 ear-shells are made from medical grade resin in a semi-transparent purple color. They are anatomically shaped with a custom-like design following the natural curves or the ear. The ear-shells are...

iFi NEO iDSD 2 The iFi NEO iDSD 2 is the upgraded version of the NEO iDSD, which received a lot of praise but had a few small problems. The NEO iDSD 2 comes with a bunch of new features and improvements compared to its predecessor. This versatile device can be used in three different ways. Firstly, it can be connected to headphones as a Head-Fi DAC/Amp, providing an excellent audio experience. Secondly, it can function as a pure DAC when paired with integrated amplifiers. Lastly, it can serve as a DAC/Preamp for active speakers and power...

Aune Audio S17 Pro The Aune S17 Pro is a pure Class A headphone amplifier that is completely discrete and balanced. It utilizes twin JFET, a type of transistor known for its high input impedance and warm sound similar to a vacuum tube. This makes it perfect for a headphone amplifier. In the final output stage, the S17 Pro employs two pairs of output transistors per phase arranged in parallel. With a total of 16 output transistors, it can deliver a maximum power output of 7.5W per channel. Full technical specifications The Aune S17 Pro comes with...

HarmonicDyne Zeus Elite The Zeus Elite has undergone enhancements and advancements compared to its predecessor, the Zeus. One notable improvement is the incorporation of a 50mm long-stroke layered diaphragm, consisting of two layers of inert composite film sheets held together by a layer of acoustic adhesive. This arrangement ensures stability for the membrane. Additionally, the diaphragm is complemented by an ultralight Japanese Daichi CCAW premium voice coil. This sandwich configuration guarantees a more consistent distribution of vibrations...

SMSL D6S SMSL is a well-known audio brand from China that specializes in designing amplifiers, headphone amplifiers, and DACs. They are known for being fast and among the first in the industry to use the newest DAC chips in their products. One of their products, the SMSL D6S, is a standalone DAC that features the brand new ESS ES9039Q2M DAC chip. This chip is an updated version of the widely used ES9038Q2M found in many DACs worldwide. The upgraded ES9039Q2M chip utilizes the HyperStream IV architecture, which improves performance compared to the...

The Drop + SMSL HO150X is the successor of the venerable Drop THX AAA 789 achromatic headphone amplifier. This time Drop have partnered with SMSL engineers who took the output power of the brand’s highly regarded HO200 amplifier and fit it into the smaller HO100 form factor. They also made sure to add several requested features, including balanced inputs and outputs, a dedicated preamp circuit for active speakers, and an intuitive three-position gain switch. The final product is the Drop + SMSL HO150X linear amplifier. The Drop + SMSL HO150X...

The UA1 Plus is the third generation of Shanling’s entry level USB DAC dongle after the original UA1 and the UA1 Pro. Both the original and the Pro models came with a single ESS DAC chip, the ES9281P in the former and the ES9219C in the later. Instead, the new model is now equipped with dual CS43131 DAC chips and a separate CT7601 USB receiver that supports decoding up to 768kHz/32bit PCM and DSD256. The new UA1 Plus also features a detachable cable design and has one 3.5mm headphone output that can provide 80mW/32Ω of maximum power. The UA1 Plus is...

This is a brief review of the Aune S9c Pro, all-in-one DAC and headphones amplifier. You can read the full review in my website. Build quality and appearance The Aune S9c Pro is quite compact and suitable for desktop use. The chassis is made from aluminum that helps to further isolate the circuit from electromagnetic interference. The unit is sturdy and very well made with a fine sand-blasted finish that is available in black and silver. The S9c Pro adopts the Aune trademark arc-shape design which is classic, simplistic and beautiful looking...

This is a brief review of the ddHiFi M120B Lightning / USB-C Earphone Upgrade Cable with Microphone and DAC. You can read the full review in my website. Sound performance The ddHiFi M120B offers an instant sound quality upgrade over all generic 3.5mm phone outputs unless you own something with a dedicated audio circuit. The sound it produces is surprisingly crystal clear and noise free with great transparency for an entry level DAC. The M102B doesn’t add any coloration to the sound and it pairs well with all earphones. The sound is balanced...

This is a brief review of the Jade Audio JW1 - open principle ear-buds. You can access the full review in my website. Build quality and fit The earbuds together with the ear-hooks are entirely made from hard plastic. Build quality is very good for the category and the JW1 is available in black and white. The Jade Audio JW1 is very comfortable to wear but only if you have small ears. The main drawback of the JW1 design is that the size of the earbuds together with the ear-hooks is really small, the main body of the earbud has 3.5cm of length and...

This is a review of the Hidizs MS3 which retails for $119 and you can buy it from Hidizs online shop. The Hidizs MS3 is a hybrid in-ear monitor with two BA and a single dynamic driver. It also features the replaceable pneumatic sound tuning filter design that allows the user to experience three slightly different sound profiles by just changing the nozzle filters. Build quality and fit The Hidizs MS3 design resembles that of the Hidizs MS5. It is a beautiful, stylish and extremely well made earphone. The ear-shells are anatomically shaped and...

This is a review of the Penon Tail USB DAC dongle that retails for $74.90 for the version without a cable. The Penon Tail is a USB DAC dongle with dual CS43131 DAC chips and two headphone outputs that supports PCM up to 384KHz/32bit and DSD256. To read the full technical documentation please follow this link. Accessories The Tail comes with a small carrying pouch made from real leather and a high quality detachable cable which is slightly longer than usual. Upon placing your order you can select between a USB type C to C or type C to Lighting...