Head Gear Reviews by Trance_Gott

Here it is: “Quantum”, the brand new product line from FATFreq and the first model with the same name. The new IEM is priced at 766 USD, just above the Scarlet Mini. This new Quantum was developed in collaboration with Effect Audio, a cable manufacturer. The Quantum itself was of course designed by FATFreq. However, it was matched with the Ares S II cable from Effect Audio, which is included in the scope of delivery. Tonally, the Quantum series takes a different approach to the Maestro series, which is more V Shape tuned, towards a more neutral and...

A few months ago I already tested the RAAL 1995 Immanis and to this day it is the absolute reference among all my headphones. I was very excited to compare it with the RAAL 1995 Magna, the smaller model from the new era of true ribbon headphones made by Aleksandar Radisavlievic, who has decades of experience in this segment. He started out mainly in the loudspeaker segment until the first true ribbon headphones, the SR-1, saw the light of day around 6 years ago. I don't need to go into detail about how this caused a sensation and should be familiar...

2021 was the year in which Audeze launched its last two flagship models, the LCD-5 and CRBN. 4 years later, the successor to the CRBN, the CRBN 2, saw the light of day. The CRBN already caused quite a stir in the headphone scene. Known for its groundbreaking bass response in the field of electrostatic headphones, it has found many fans who have bought a CRBN exclusively or in addition to one of the top Stax headphones. A Stax scores with its very airy, but not quite as deep and gripping reproduction (with the exception of the SR-007 MK1/MK2, which...

FlipEars is the first Filipino company to manufacture both universal and customized in-ear monitors (IEMs). It was founded by singer-songwriter Aries Sales, who wanted to honor Filipinos' passion for great music and their high standards of sound quality with the FlipEars name. Thanks to his experience as a live performer, recording artist and sound engineer, Aries Sales knows exactly which sound characteristics musicians and audiophiles appreciate. That's why FlipEars offers a wide range of IEMs with different sound tunings - from neutral to...

The x HBB Deuce is the latest and smallest model in the Maestro V Shape series from FATfreq. With this model, FATfreq wants to offer the best price/performance ratio they have ever done with a model in the series. And I can already say that for the price of “only” 250 USD you get a mega cool IEM, which does not fall short with the attribute “bass” for which the Maestro series has become so world-famous, but also uses all the technologies that have been developed over the last few years. I have gone into this in more detail in my previous reviews, so...

Muxicbox was founded in 2023 with the aim of offering high-quality IEMs at affordable prices. The first two models were the Steranko Gold and the Steranko Platinum. The new flagship Steranko 40 was first introduced at Can Jam 2025 in Hong Kong. With this model, the aim is to produce nothing less than the best IEM in the world! Its exceptional tribrid configuration with a total of 40 drivers is set to redefine the listening experience for audiophiles and musicians alike. The production of a single Steranko 40 is so complex that it takes a total of 20...

The model Mecha from the manufacturer DITA Audio is the latest upper mid-range IEM and is positioned below the top model Perpetua. Like every model from DITA Audio, the Mecha is also based on a single dynamic driver. Because the motto is less is more. This avoids problems with the synchronization of several driver technologies and the use of crossover networks. In addition to the commitment to DD driver technology, two other virtues are important for DITA. Intense dedication to precision engineering and impeccable workmanship. The name “Mecha” is...

The DX340 is the latest Reference DAP, which introduces a new generation of DAPs from iBasso. For the first time, it does not use a proprietary DAC such as those from ESS or AKM, but an in-house development in the form of a 1-bit discrete DAC. This concept was first introduced at iBasso with the D16 DAC, which has already caused quite a stir worldwide and is one of the best portable sounding devices currently available. Now, for the first time, technologies from the D16 have been incorporated into a DAP and you can now enjoy a 1-bit discrete DAC with...

DUNU Topsound is a company that specializes in high-quality IEMs. It was founded in 2006 and is headquartered in China. DUNU is known for its combination of advanced technology, innovative design and precision manufacturing to provide sophisticated listening experiences. The company caters to both music lovers and professional users. Their products cover a wide range of sound signatures to suit different preferences. Outstanding models include the DUNU Luna, the world's first IEM with a pure beryllium driver, and the DUNU SA6, an IEM with six BA...

In collaboration with the reviewer HBB (Hawaii Bad Boy), Kiwi Ears has released an IEM that should satisfy every bass lover. And even more than that. Not only should the bass deliver tremendous slam and punch, but the rest of the frequency response should also bring this bass under control. In the following, I would like to explain in a short review how this bass-strong IEM nevertheless delivers a balanced sound signature. Let's start with the technical details and they are impressive! A basshead IEM that uses 2 EST drivers from Sonion for the ultra...

NiPO is a new innovative company from China specializing in the development of audiophile-quality portable hi-fi players. After more than four years of research with 27 people involved and hundreds of fine-tunings on 48 different PCB designs, NiPO now presents its flagship player N2, which is designed to match and even exceed the performance of desktop systems. An initial limited edition of 50 units was quickly sold out on the Chinese market. Following this success, the N2 was rolled out for international markets from the third quarter of 2024...

The Maven II Crescent from Unique Melody is the latest flagship of the Titanium series. While Unique Melody concentrates on the BCD driver in the MEST series and on the custom-made BA drivers in the MASON and MENTOR series, it is now venturing into the field of dynamic drivers for the first time with a flagship model. Of course, DD drivers have also been used in the past, but the Maven II represents a leap forward in development. It all began in 2014 with the MARTIAN model and the MAVIS, which was equipped with two 6.8 mm DD drivers. The Maven II...

The Supremacy is the absolute flagship from Oriveti with the vision of ultimate sound reproduction via IEMs. Since I have already tested two other IEMs from Oriveti, the OH700VB and the previous top model OH800, I know that IEMs from Oriveti are technically very good and tonally totally balanced. The Supremacy is a completely new category called “Grand Oriveti” and represents a new higher class of its own. And I can already say that this Supremacy surpasses the other two Oriveti models in all respects and catapults the Oriveti name directly into the...

Kinera is an up-and-coming brand from China that specializes in high-quality in-ear monitors (IEMs). Since its foundation in 2016, the company has made a name for itself by combining great sound with an appealing design. The name “Kinera” is derived from the word “beauty”, reflecting the brand's aspiration to combine audiophile technology with an aesthetic design. Kinera has quickly gained a reputation as an innovative manufacturer. A hallmark of the company is the use of hybrid drivers in its IEMs. Imperial characterizes a premium product group at...

Rhapsodio is not a newly founded company, but has been on the market since 2014. Nevertheless, it is not quite as well known in Europe and the USA as the more established brands in the IEM market. However, I have been observing the various model series for some time and have now had the opportunity to test the flagship, the Supreme v3. As the name suggests, the Supreme v3 is the third generation of the flagship IEM from Rhapsodio. The model I tested was adapted from the original version in the design of the faceplate (Rhapsodio logo + tree instead of...

Until recently, Sweear was completely unknown to me and to many other audiophiles (at least in the USA and Europe). However, my review of the SR11 revealed a wolf in sheep's clothing. A technically outstanding IEM with great tuning for a price that is rather low in today's flagship IEM market. I was all the more excited about the smaller model, the HE-N7Pro, which was recently improved. This is an IEM priced at around 1200 USD. In other words, roughly in the price range of a 64 Audio U4. This model does not have EST drivers. Instead, 1 DD driver...

Sweear is one of the lesser known companies in the IEM market (at least in the USA and Europe they are not very common) and was therefore not necessarily one of the IEMs I have been looking at the most recently. Fortunately, a chance contact brought the SR11 to my attention and I was able to test this top of the line Sweear model. I can already say without a doubt that this is another undiscovered gem on the IEM market. Similar to my last tested IEMs of the brand AME Custom, which are also not so well known, the SR11 is another example of how to...

Now I also have the entire top stack from iBasso at home, which consists of the DX320 MAX Ti, PB5 and D16. In terms of design and dimensions, it fits perfectly with the PB5. The leather case is the same color and material. Only the DX320 MAX Ti with its brown case does not quite match the stack visually, but the dimensions do. The D16 comes with everything you need for connection. As with the PB5, the cables are of very high quality. To connect to the DX320 MAX Ti, you can use the included USB-C to USB-C cable or the coax cable. With both connection...

Ambient Acoustics is not a newcomer in the field of IEMs, but has been on the market since 2010. The company philosophy, which is expressed in the slogan "Hear your individuality", emphasizes the unique sound perception of each person. Early on, Ambient Acoustics developed a distinctive sound signature with its innovative IEMs, including models with up to four armature drivers In 2013, the company pioneered phase impedance correction in IEMs, minimizing the impact of sound sources on headphone performance - a practice now common among many...

PMG Audio is a company founded by Piotr Granicki with the aim of offering the ultimate IEMs. Piotr founded Custom Art in 2012 and now has 12 years of experience in the field of IEMs. It all started with the first top model in 2014, the Harmony 8, followed by the FIBAE models, with the FIBAE 7 Unlimited currently marking the end of the line. I have already tested it extensively and, as everyone knows, this IEM is still my neutral reference among the IEMs. This review is now about the new flagship, the APX SE. After the first version of the APX was...