Once in a while, I see or receive questions from others about "audiophile-level" or "audiophile-approved" headphones, IEMs or even dongles. But what makes something "audiophile-level"? Obscurity? Maybe. When I was wet behind the ears, I thought Audio Technica M50x was top "audiophile" stuff because it has a fancy and unfamiliar brand name. Price? Perhaps. Something like Hifiman Arya or Audeze LCD-2C feels "audiophile" because they are shockingly expensive for audio gears. But then, are the legendary VE Monk+ earbuds not "audiophile" because they...

Why would one buy a music player without streaming capability in this day and age? Perhaps many head-fi companies have answered that question with "no one". Therefore, small and affordable digital music players (DAP) are almost extinct nowadays, giving way to dongle DACs and expensive Android DAPs. However, what if you need a small and affordable DAP for music enjoyment without the distraction of the Internet or straining your phone's battery? What if you also need decent amplification and balance output? Hidizs AP80 Pro X is one of the few...

Is more better? It depends. More IEMs? Of course! More drivers in an IEM? Not always. So, would MACH 20 be better than MACH 10 by having one extra BA driver? Let's find out. Forewords - This review is based on a loaned unit from Westone via the MACH launch tour. It has been delivered to the next reviewer in the tour. Thank you @Zachik for coordination. - I believe that great IEMs are the ones that can achieve multiple difficult things simultaneously: (1) high resolution (meaning lines of music are crisp, clear, easy to follow and full of...

What is an In-ear Monitor (IEM)? In my mind, an IEM in its purest form is a tool for musicians to hear a mix on the stage whilst protecting their hearing. Thus, a "good" IEM should be comfortable, isolating, and have a lot of clarity in the frequency band occupied by the wearer. Westone MACH 10 hits those points harder than many IEMs that I have auditioned for a while. Forewords - This review is based on a loaned unit from Westone via the MACH launch tour. It has been delivered to the next reviewer in the tour. Thank you @Zachik for coordination...

Do you feel Chi-Fi IEMs are evolving to be better yet more similar? Just pick any recent hype train. You would likely find forward upper midrange that more or less follows Harman target, relatively flat or suppressed lower midrange, and sub-bass focused shelf. These tuning choices inevitably lead to a forward, wide, relatively flat soundstage. On the one hand, this trend is good for average consumers because their likelihood of running into a wonky IEM has reduced substantially. On the other hand, such convergence reduces your chance of running into...

tl;dr: The overall tonality of Advar is surprisingly similar to Campfire Audio Andromeda 2020. However, it has a 8kHz peak that can become piercing with harsh genres. Advar is competitively resolving, very dynamic, and has a 3D soundstage. Do you feel jaded after climbing the "audiophile" hill for a while? I sometimes recall the feeling of the early days when every incoming IEM was magical, and I couldn't wait to climb on the next hype train. Nowadays, my default reaction to most (sometimes shockingly expensive) IEMs is: "Yup. It's an IEM. Let's...

tl;dr: smooth and mature tuning that encourage you to listen at higher volume than usual. Treble is more controlled and detailed than you might expect. Lower frequencies can be quite congested. Good technical performance is there underneath the relaxed tuning. You can find further details and my other impressions at my website. Introduction Launched in 2017, earned many rewards, and still being sold today, E3000 is one of the most iconic and enduring earphones from the eccentric Japanese audio manufacturer Final Audio. Unlike other manufacturers...

tl;dr: Undeniable stereo imaging prowess. However, the detail retrieval and bass cannot catch up with the exceptional stereo imaging. The fit might also be a dealbreaker for some users. My review, along with details about methodology, impressions, and ranking database are available at my website. Preample - I purchase this unit on my own. I have no affiliation with or financial interest in Tanchjim - All listening tests were conducted at a comfortable level where the main vocal and instruments are loud and clear - My music library covers nostalgic...

tl;dr: A relic of a (hopefully) bygone era. Surprisingly, it has some positive aspects, such as above-average separation and percussion control. However, and luckily, you can get much better stuff for the same price nowadays. Hard pass unless you are very curious. Preample I purchase this unit on my own. I have no affiliation with or financial interest in KZ. All listening tests were conducted at around 65 dB. My music library covers nostalgic pop music, epic orchestral music from Sci-fi shows, classical violin performances, piano, lo-fi beats, and...

tl;dr: The best description of Titan S is that it sounds right: timbre is realistic, frequency response is not too warm nor cold, separation and micro-dynamic are adequate, drums are adequately tactile and snappy. The key limitation is that it does not sound special: no extreme detail, no exaggerated soundstage, no epic bass. Still, it represents excellent value and an excellent beginning of an IEM journey. Preambles I purchase this unit on my own. I have no affiliation with or financial interest in Dunu. All listening tests were conducted at...