Reviews by Dobrescu George

KZ ZS 10 - Small Package, Big Sound

KZ ZS10 is quite an intriguing IEM we are going to be looking into, being one of the least expensive IEMs with 5 Drivers for each ear. We're going to stack it against similarly priced IEMs, as well as more expensive ones to see where it stands, and we're going to see if the hype about them is real or not.

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Purchase Link (Linsoul Audio): https://www.linsoul.com/product-pag...ar-monitors-high-resolution-earphones-earbuds

Purchase Link (Amazon)

Purchase Link: (AliExpress)

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Introduction

KZ is a company from China famous for having designs for their IEMs quite similar to other models. KZ ZS10 is actually quite unique in its design, they have a design where the crossover circuit is shown on the face plate, and most important, they have 5 drivers for each ear. This is the highest number of drivers per ear for any IEM we reviewed so far, as well as absolutely the highest number of drivers per ear at this price point. We don't know much about KZ, as we haven't spoken with them directly, but we can ensure you that their seller, Linsoul Audio, is quite trustworthy, and that they will offer their best help with warranty and such.

It should be noted that I have absolutely no affiliation with KZ or Linsoul, I am not receiving any incentive for this review or to sweeten things out. This review is not sponsored nor has been paid for by KZ, Linsoul, or anyone else. I'd like to thank Linsoul Audio for providing the sample for this review. The sample was provided along with Linsoul's request for an honest and unbiased review. This review will be as objective as it is humanly possible, and it reflects my personal experience with KZ ZS10. Every opinion expressed is mine and I stand by it, the purpose of this review is to help those interested in KZ ZS10 find their next music companion.

About me

https://audiophile-heaven.blogspot.ro/p/about.html

Packaging

First things first, let's get the packaging out of the way:

KZ really didn't try to impress their customers, or at least not by having a large or imposing package. Quite the contrary, KZ ZS10 has the smallest package from all IEMs we reviewed to date, they come in something smaller than the typical long-matchbox case. On the other hand, this means that they were quite efficient with their space and storage, so you may have an easy time with the customs process, since it really doesn't look big.

The IEMs themselves come detached from the cable, seated in a plastic cutout, with the cables and two pairs of spare tips hidden beneath. There is a warranty card, and there is a user guide, but there's not much else in the package, so no carrying case or adapters. In all fairness, this is already a IEM with 10 Drivers in total for 50 USD, so we can't really complain about the box contents, but you should know that you'll be expecting a really tiny package with KZ ZS10.

Other than that, the overall package has a nice font to it, and the company seems to have put a good amount of care to details, they aren't made on the cheap, but the package not feeling or looking cheap, just small in size.

What to look in when purchasing an entry-level In-Ear Monitor

https://audiophile-heaven.blogspot.ro/p/what-to-lookl.html

Technical Specifications

Connectivity : Wired
Application: Apple iOS and Android
Driver: 1pcs dynamic driver + 4pcs balanced armature
Sensitivity: 104dB/mW
DC resistance: 32ohms
Frequency range: 7Hz-40000Hz
Microphone: Optional
Audio Jack: 3.5mm
Cable length: about 3.9 foot
Color: black/red/blue

Build Quality/Aesthetics/Fit/Comfort

The entire IEM body is made of plastic, transparent plastic. On the outside, you can see the crossover, which has a set of resistors, along with other electronic components on the show. You can also take a peek inside KZ ZS10 and see the large dynamic driver sinide, and very close to the bore, you can see all 4 BA drivers, which are really really small. All drivers are connected to the crossover, and, as we'll see in the Sound Quality section, you can tell that they didn't skimp on the number of drivers.

The aesthetics are pretty cool, the IEMs are smooth, glossy, they don't have hard edges, and they look pretty trendy, if you're a little of an electronics lover. Even if you aren't they will fit well with both the the music lover looking for a cute yet with a twist look, as well for the more niche-loving fan who is looking for a IEM with more personality.

In all honesty, we like how they look, they are pretty cool in the long run.

Now, when it comes to their fit and comfort, those are made to be worn over-the-ear, and we doubt anyone will be likely to wear them otherwise. They are on the large to very large side, but the comfort is quite good actually. The bore is lipless, but it is long enough so the IEMs can reach a medium insertion. There are two vents on the inner part of the IEM, so driver flex isn't really an issue for KZ ZS10. The cable has a remote, which we can confirm works very well with Samsung Tab 10.1 580/T585.

The cable doesn't have microphonic noise for the most part, but this is to be expected from an over-the-ear cable. The part that goes around the ear, is quite hard. This means that it will need to be adapted every time you place them on. The cable itself is just a little springy, but it isn't hard nor tangle-prone. The cable is braided and has a reddish - rusty color, which in practice is beautiful and very attractive.

The cable connectors are 2-pin, which is lovely, they fit right into place, they were thought well, and the cables have a specific shape to the connectors, but this also means that the cable will most probably need to be adapted for them and we can't say for sure which 2-Pin cables will work with them, though we don't really recommend purchasing aftermarket cables for a 50 USD IEM anyways.

All in all, the whole IEM feels well made, feels sleek, they feel like you invested your money well, everything fits well into place, there are no irregular edges, or parts that don't combine. For a IEM at this price, we are in love with the build quality and the aesthetics, although the fit won't work well for those with really small ears, as the IEM shells themselves are on the larger side.

Sound Quality

Here is where the "Big Sound" part of the title comes into play.

Basically, KZ ZS10 is one heck of a large sounding IEM. There's much more to it though, it seems that the drivers themselves are tuned in such a way that certain drivers reproduce certain frequencies, but they are tuned a little differential, so basically, the upper treble is enhanced, along with the bass and the sub-bass, so you get what would otherwise be a typical U-shaped sound, but there's a trick to it. The midrange also has a higher region, which brings female vocals forward, especially those in J-Pop and J-rock, making female vocals sound especially sweet. The bump in the upper midrange, besides the sub-bass and the treble, will make certain instruments and vocals a little too forward in that area, while for other types of music, like EDM, it will just make everything too amazing to believe it can be done by such an inexpensive IEM.

The bass is large, it hits deep, and it goes low. The whole bass feels enhanced, so the overall sound can be a tad bassy, but this is for the good, as it makes good balance with their sparkly treble. The bass resolution is okay, but nowhere near the resolution of the midrange.

The resolution of the midrange is more than impressive, it is outstanding. The large number of BA drivers are a big help in giving the midrange a much better resolution than most IEMs in this price range have. Here, though, KZ made a choice, which for some will be a gift from heaven, while for other may be a nuisance. The upper midrange is a little enhanced compared to the rest of the midrange, so vocals can sound a little off, the types of music KZ ZS10 works best with being instrumentals, EDM, Dubstep, Electronic, Rock, Pop, Metal, J-Pop, J-Rock, but not Classical, Jazz, or Vocal Centric music. With Pop, this little peak in the upper midrange doesn't come as bad at all, giving music a slightly sparkly and fun presentation, but for something like Jill Tracy, it can be a little too much. The resolution, which is mainly tied to their ability to reveal textures, is outstanding for this price point. KZ ZS10 surely can take on bigger IEMs, priced higher in this aspect.

The treble initially lowers off from that upper midrange bump, to a lowered state, then it gets up in the upper treble, where it gives music a certain air and nice spatial presentation. The sound can be a bit technical and a bit metallic with certain music though, the main thing to blame there being the upper midrange peak rather than the treble, which is done quite well. The texture of the treble is fair, not too smooth, nor too harsh, but its resolution, like the bass, is almost as good as that of the midrange, which has a very impressive resolution.

The overall sound is on the bright / sparkly side, those are not smooth or relaxing IEMs, and we doubt anyone will be able to fall asleep while listening to them, on the contrast, being IEMs that are engaging and impressive, sparkly and explosive.

We would absolutely recommend KZ ZS10 for Pop and EDM, Electronic, Dubstep, and electroni - instrumental music in general.

They work fairly well with rock, metal and more aggressive music, like Punk.

We don't recommend them with Classical, Jazz, and Vocal-Centric music.

Soundstage

Now, here's an advantage to having so many drivers, the soundstage can be really huge. Now, this seems to depend a little on the music piece as well, so the soundstage is achieved by having the treble BA driver do some extra effort with the airy part of the sound, but in all fairness it works really well. Especially with Electronic music, you can hear that holographic presentation for special effects and such.

The instrument separation is also quite good, which isn't quite that amazing, considering their 5-driver setup. We even managed to hear certain details that aren't audible with IEMs at 100 USD or even 200 USD, due to this great instrument separation.

In all fairness, they do well in all aspects of soundstage and instrument separation, without any visible issue there. Especially for 50 USD, if soundstage is a central element for you in picking a IEM, those are a steal.

The soundstage works better for Electronic music and electronic special effects than for orchestral instruments, the reason behind this being the midrange peak, which gives spatiality to most Electronic Music effects, but which can make guitars and violins sound louder and closer to the listener, resulting in a more intimate experience with certain instruments, this also being dependent on how the album was mastered, most electronic music sounding holographic and dynamic, explosive, and well separated.

ADSR / PRaT

The ADSR and PRaT (Texturization) is quite varied. The drivers clearly don't have the same impulse response and the same speed, thing which is quite easy to tell even by an untrained listener. The bass is quite slow, to very slow. This is not something bad, as it makes it a bit larger, and a bit more natural, it is punchy, but this slowness means that it may be a bit too slow with music that has a lot of sub-bass. Works really well with most electronic music though, like Infected Mushroom, Datsik, or Hardwell.

The midrange is really quick, and by contrast, really revealing. Where the bass is there for impact, the midrange is there for textures, and it can resolve textures very well, being quite good at revealing how micro-textures in guitars sound like within rock and metal, or at revealing electronic textures in electronic music.

Many reviewers have noted their sound to be a bit lacking in coherency, and this is what they have been talking about, the drivers are not exactly in perfect sync in speed or in their revealing abilities. A better crossover section, or better Knowles drivers would have helped with this, but those would have also added to the price exponentially, so this is a price one has to pay for a IEM at 50 USD with 5 Drivers per ear.

Portable Usage

The portable usage is fairly good. The IEM bodies are comfortable, they don't tend to lose fit after a while, and the cable is not very microphonic. As a bonus, KZ ZS10 is very good at isolating you from the outside noise.

They can even manage to seal you away entirely, and you can blast some death metal in a library, if you desire to, as they leak very very little to the outside.

The cable has good walking ergonomics, but if you'd want to run with them, you should consider the fact that they are quite large, and the weight of the IEMs themselves might be a problem by then. You can walk at a quick peace without them falling out though, we tested this, and they were quite good.

Now, KZ ZS10 is fairly sensitive to its source, being better off with smoother sources, like Shanling M2s than something more energetic like HIFIMAN MEGAMINI. They are also a bit sensitive to hiss, so something very hissy may make itself heard while music isn't playing, but like we always mention, hiss is really not an issue in practice as almost everyone in this world listens loud enough for hiss to not be audible while listening to music. This being said, if you have a hissy source, you will hear that when music is not playing, with KZ ZS10.

Comparisons

We'll focus on the sonic part of the comparisons since most people are probably curious about that when it comes to something like KZ ZS10, which is made well, but which has a colored and probably curious signature.

KZ ZS10 vs Kinera SEED - The biggest difference in build quality is at the cable connector, where Kinera SEED had a generic cable, not necessarily made for them, where KZ ZS10 are clearly tailored with their cable in mind. Both IEMs could have done as well without detachable cables since at their price points, most users will upgrade the IEM before the cable. When it comes to their comfort, they are similar through and through, KZ ZS10 being a tad larger, but both fit well in our tests. When it comes to their sound, Kinera SEED is more of a classical V-shaped IEM, without much other coloration going on for it, while KZ ZS10 also has that upper midrange bump which gives it a more specific sound. The resolution is not really comparable, KZ ZS10 resolves more textures considerably, and has a better overall detail, but Kinera SEED is the more natural experience, especially with voices. If you're looking for something really impressive, fun, twisted, colored, and if you listen to a lot of EDM, we'd recommend KZ ZS10, while if you want the vocals to be more natural, at the price of some detail, we'd recommend going with Kinera SEED.

KZ ZS10 vs Shozy HIBIKI MK1 - Shozy HIBIKI went for detachable cables, but this doesn't mean they are any less impressive in their build quality, being a top-notch IEM through and through. The comfort is similar between the two, neither IEM doesn't have Driver Flex, and both have a good cable included in the package. The sound is quite different, with Shozy HIBIKI MK1 being more mid-centric than KZ ZS10, so they have a more intimate listening experience, although in all fairness, they don't sound constrained. The bass definition is better on Shozy HIBIKI, but the midrange definition and resolution is better on KZ ZS10. The treble is on the smoother and calmer, more natural side on HIBIKI, when compared to KZ ZS10 which is quite sparkly and treble-happy. IF you're looking for a more mid-centric experience, especially for vocal-centric music, HIBIKI makes a very compelling purchase, while if you're looking for a more colored, explosive and fun experience, KZ ZS10 is winking at you already.

KZ ZS10 vs Westone UM1 - Westone UM1 is priced quite a bit higher, but KZ ZS10 can still fight for sure. The build quality is great on both, but UM1 is much smaller, so its comfort will be better for those with small ears. The fit is deeper on UM1, so they make better running IEMs, but both UM1 and KZ ZS10 have great noise isolation, so you don't have to worry about your music leaking out or taking in noise with either. The signature is quite different between the two, UM1 being quite a thick-sounding IEM, with a clear love for bass, while sacrificing some extension on the treble, and some sparkle for that thick, impactful bass. KZ ZS10 has quite a bit better resolution in the midrange, and they also have a much better treble extension, but ironically, although KZ ZS10 employs a dynamic driver, which is supposed to be better in the bass, UM1 actually has a better bass performance, with a cleaner, deeper bass with better resolution. If you're looking for a smooth and bassy IEM, which is relaxing, then UM1 is a great choice, while if you're looking for something with more resolution, with a more colored sound, and with more sparkle, along with a more engaging sound, KZ ZS10 surely makes an interesting choice.

Recommended Pairings

KZ ZS10 is one of those IEMs that really relies on pairing it with a good source to sound good. They can easily become a bit too much or a bit too little with the wrong source, and they are a little sensitive to hiss, so if you know you have a smoother-sounding source, you will be fine, but if your source is more energetic, more dynamic and quicker, then it may be a bit too much with their signature. This being said, KZ ZS10 works quite well with most smartphones, so you don't really have to worry about a source if you don't have one already.

KZ ZS10 + Shanling M2s - M2s is a great source for KZ ZS10 being smoother in the treble, with a warmer sound, and less explosive, along with being smoother in the textures, providing a great chill pill to KZ ZS10, making them more natural and an easier listen, if you felt they were a bit too energetic before.

KZ ZS10 + Cayin N5ii - Cayin N5ii is a more neutral source than M2s, but still a little warm. KZ ZS10 will not be quite as calm with N5ii, but maybe this wasn't what you were looking for, and instead, you were trying to get an even more vibrant and energetic sound out of them, thing which works well with N5ii, as the pairing sounds pretty energetic, vibrant, sparkly and explosive.

KZ ZS10 + Hidizs AP200 - This one is a great match for KZ ZS10, as it sounds quite energetic and dynamics, all while toning down on the treble of KZ ZS10, which are a bit treble happy, and while making them sing with better naturalness. AP200 also makes them a tad thicker, so you will notice the sound being a bit more even in the midrange as well, quite good for a pairing if you're on a budget.

Value and Conclusion

We need to start by noticing that KZ ZS10 runs for about 50 USD, which is quite an inexpensive IEM even by Chi-Fi standards. This is especially impressive since they have those 5-drivers per ear configuration which surely seems attractive, especially if you're at the beginning of your journey and if you're looking for something with a funky setup.

The package is very small, but practical, you get all you need to enjoy them, but not really something to carry them in. The tips and cable included with KZ ZS10 don't really call for being changed after you just got them, so they're fine.

The build quality, on the other hand, is something else entirely, they are made really well, with good attention to detail. While their looks will be a subjective thing, they are not one bit ugly. They also look like they can take a beating and come back for more. The comfort is okay, but you need to consider the fact that the IEM shells are quite large, so for anyone who's looking for a smaller IEM or anyone who has smaller ears, it may not fit exactly as you expect.

The sonic performance is most impressive, KZ ZS10 being quite colored, but fun, explosive, engaging. They will really work well with anything electronic, and pop, and they will surely work with Metal and Rock music, but we don't really recommend them with anything that's classical, or Voice-Centric, as they have a little upper midrange hump which changes the way they render voices. Even so, the textures, especially in the midrange are quite impressive, especially for 50 USD, they really are a steal, if you want to experience what an interesting Chi-Fi IEM sounds like, but if you're looking for a very natural sound, there are other options, which while not quite as textures, will be far more natural, especially in the midrange. We'd consider KZ ZS10 to be a real treat if you're looking for something sparkly, punchy, fun, interesting, and engaging, but not a good option if you want something relaxing, natural or smooth.

All in all, we consider that they are a great IEM for 50 USD, and in terms of resolution and clarity, it is hard to find something quite as good, but you should keep in mind their little downside, that the coloration will work well with electronic, but not quite as well with other types of music. If you're looking for a great place to get KZ ZS10, then Linsoul Audio is a great little shop, with helpful people ready to serve you, and we're fairly sure they will also help you with warranty claims if any are to arise. They have a great selection of products, including KZ, MAGOSI, LZ, Shozy and TRN.

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Purchase Link (Linsoul Audio): https://www.linsoul.com/product-pag...ar-monitors-high-resolution-earphones-earbuds

Purchase Link (Amazon)

Purchase Link: (AliExpress)

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I hope my review is helpful to you!

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From my KZ earphones, ZS10 has the best treble presentation. Very detailed, but calm and without hearable peak. It is pleasure to hear them even on higher volume.

@xxAMAROKxx

@xxAMAROKxx - That is very possible, I wasn't comparing them to other KZ IEMs, because I don't have any others, I am mostly comparing them to pretty much everything else when I say that the treble is not on the calm side

Something calm at 50 USD would be a Shozy HIBIKI, which has a smooth treble, but ZS10 is fairly sparkly and energetic. This is not a downside, I like sparkly treble. I will continue looking into new ZS IEMs and will provide more info on those as well

Mee Audio Pinnacle P2 - The Sound of Passion

Mee Audio has a reputation for making an excellent IEM on the cheap. We're going to test this reputation, and see what their P2 is capable of. We're also going to look into some other Mee Audio Products, like M6Pro and their Mee M6Pro Second Generation, and their Professional Balanced Cable.

Introduction

Mee Audio is a friendly company from USA which is known to have produced some of the best IEMs while on a budget, and we even received a lot of recommendations directly to look into their products, as they have proven to really have been worth to buy for many of our readers and fans. We can guarantee that Mee Audio will solve issues if any are to arise, and we're sure they will be around for a long time, tinkering with new products, and refining their existent ones. In all fairness, it is a really nice company, which has a lot of potential to grow and expand into other new territories in the upcoming years.

It should be noted that I have absolutely no affiliation with Mee Audio , I am not receiving any incentive for this review or to sweeten things out. This review is not sponsored nor has been paid for by Mee Audio or anyone else. I'd like to thank Mee Audio for providing the sample for this review. The sample was provided along with Mee Audio request for an honest and unbiased review. This review will be as objective as it is humanly possible, and it reflects my personal experience with Mee Audio P2. Every opinion expressed is mine and I stand by it, the purpose of this review is to help those interested in Mee Audio P2 find their next music companion.

About me

https://audiophile-heaven.blogspot.ro/p/about.html

Packaging

First things first, let's get the packaging out of the way:

Starting with the outer package, P2 is made very well. They have a nice outer package, which has all the information one could desire about their new purchase, and it is made well to protect P2. The IEM shells are seated in a foam cutout, without their cables attached.

There is a large number of tips underneath the foam cutout which holds the IEM shells, and there are even foam tips, for those who like the kind of buttery smooth sound those provide. The number of silicone tips is 6 pairs in total, and the code for the comply foam tips, if you need a replacement, is T200. The cable has a microphone on it, in case you want to pick up a phone conversation using Mee Audio P2.

There is a cable, and a carrying case included with them. The carrying case is especially nice, this is not your average carrying case for IEMs, it is covered in what seems to be leather on the outside, and it feels sturdy, providing protection and support for P2. Even with their cables attached, they fit nicely in the carrying case, and it will protect them against impact and pressure, gaining our love for having such a great accessory included from the factory. The cable is Oxygen-Free-Copper and it feels quite good.

There's a shirt clip included with P2, but it wasn't really necessary, given that they are not quite that microphonic, or rather, they are not microphonic at all.

All in all, with the package composition, Mee Audio wins our hearts and we can say that for their price tag of 100USD, they are what we'd consider a golden package.

What to look in when purchasing an entry-level In-Ear Monitor

https://audiophile-heaven.blogspot.ro/p/what-to-lookl.html

Technical Specifications

driver type - moving coil (dynamic) with copper-clad aluminum voice coil
bass driver - 10 mm moving coil (dynamic)
frequency response - 17 Hz to 20 kHz
Impedance - 16 Ohms at 1K
Sensitivity - 100±3 dB (1mW at 1KHZ)
ear coupling - intraaural (in-ear)
cable length - 51 inches (1.3m), MMCX detachable
cable connector - 3.5mm, right angle plug
weight (without cable) - 0.1 oz (4 g)
Weight - 0.7 oz (21 g)
included accessories - audio cable with headset, shirt clip, silicone eartips (6 pairs), Comply foam eartips, carrying case, ¼” adapter, user manual

Build Quality/Aesthetics/Fit/Comfort

The build quality is quite excellent, they are made from hard plastic, they are black in color, and they are slightly glossy, giving them a nice modern look. The IEM shells are on the small to medium size, thing which works well for them, they not only fit well, but they are also very light. The cables are rubber-covered, so they are flexible, but they aren't very soft. This means that they are ever so slightly springy.

The cable quality is quite good, the cable has a microphone on it, which works very well for phone conversations, and the cable itself loops nicely around the ears.

Fit for P2 is over-the-ear only, and they fit well, one thing which comes in really handy for their fit, being that the entire cable part that loops around the ear is soft, so you don't have to deal with hard ear guides, which for some users can be uncomfortable, especially if the IEM didn't require it.

The cable is a bit springy, but this doesn't affect their portability in any way, they are very portable, they sit nicely they do not have any kind of driver flex, being one of the most comfortable IEMs we had the chance of testing in the past few months. The fit is medium to deep-fit, so they also provide a good amount of isolation from the outside noise.

Cables are detachable, and they connect to the IEM with a MMCX connector, thing which comes in handy when you also have the MMCX Balanced cable from MEE Audio, which pairs really well with P2.

Mee Audio P2 manages to receive a golden level for their comfort as well.

Sound Quality

The sonic quality of P2 is most impressive. Like most of our readers have told us, Mee Audio produces high-quality items with a value higher than their price point, thing which is proven true with P2 as well. They have a commendable detail level, comparable with the detail level of 300USD - 350USD IEMs, thing which is quite nice. They tend to be on the analytical side, revealing details well, but they are also on lighter side, having a snappy, quick, lighter, and more detailed sound. Given their enhanced bass, and enhanced treble, one could say that they are a healthy V-Shaped Signature IEMs, with good analytical and revealing abilities.

The bass is deep and goes as low as one could ever desire, but it is also fairly fast, especially for this price point. One could say that it has a normal speed on the overall level, it has a good texture revealing ability, and the bass doesn't feel overwhelming at any time. The sub-bass is larger in amount compared to the mid-bass, which is slightly larger in amount compared to the midrange. This means that the sub-bass, the part which gives most tactile impact, is enhanced, leading to an impactful overall sound, but the mid-bass being on the lower-than-the-sub-bass level, means that they aren't boomy nor very thick.

The midrange is not quite that thick, being on the lighter side, which is nice for acoustic music and for female vocals, which fly with a unique naturalness, although male voices and certain instruments relying on the mid-bass can be a bit on the light side, especially compared to how good the female vocals are rendered. The textures in the midrange are rendered quite nice, and although we noticed very different results with other Alu based voice-coils, we can say for sure that all of them were quite interesting, P2 being no exception. If you like your violins to sing that passage with a passion, then P2 is one of the best choices you can make.

The treble is on the happier side, bright, being enhanced, especially compared with the midrange, being a bit enhanced even compared with the bass. The treble reaches high, but its bite is not quite that high, at around 7-9kHz, where it gives a bit of bite to cymbals and makes acoustic music much more worthwhile. This means that certain music which has a bad master might sound sibilant, since P2 will reveal sibilance, along with other issues, if those were in the recording, but it doesn't add it where it wasn't already present, so you don't have to worry about this too much, and especially if you use to listen to high quality music recorded very well, you'll have a blast with P2.

All in all, their signature works well with electronic, acoustic, metal, rock, and most music you can throw at them, being rather universal and versatile, as most V-shaped signatures usually are. Just be careful with records which have a bad mastering, because P2 can surely shed some light on those.

Soundstage

Mee Audio P2 is quite nice in its soundstage, being rather open and large, especially for a pair of In-Ears at the price of 100 USD, but the biggest surprise comes from the instrument separation, which is quite good, revealing certain instruments in the background, which most IEMs at 100 USD will blend together with the background.

ADSR / PRaT

The ADSR and PRaT (Texturization) is slow to natural, meaning that textures are generally rendered smooth and songs like those of Mindless Self Indulgence have their textures rendered generally natural with the micro-textures being extremely smooth, and the macro-textures being easier to notice, but still pretty smooth. This works very well with music like hip-hop, and it helps with instruments where textures can sound a bit hard, like trumpets for example, making jazz liquid and soft, but with music like metal, it can make certain guitars a bit too smooth, and especially rough and aggressive metal can feel friendly.

Portable Usage

The portable usage is quite good.

In fact, to put it simply, P2 is so comfortable, that it mostly disappears from your ears while wearing them. The shells are extremely ergonomic, really manufactured for actual usage, and the cables combine well with both the IEMs and with going around the ear, so that you really feel like you're not wearing an IEM at all.

P2 is easy to power, very sensitive, and it is one of the few IEMs that work really well straight out of my Xiaomi Mi Max 2. They will sound better with a better source, but you're looking at a 100 USD IEM which can sound great from any source.

They isolate quite well, enough to be able to take a walk through noisy streets, and they don't leak much either.

There are no microphonics or any other issues, and all in all, P2 makes itself remarked as an awesome portae IEM, being a golden IEM when it comes to portability.

Now, when it comes to their cables, Mee Audio also has a custom cable they are creating, which is a real treat. It is basically an MMCX cable, which combines really well with both MEE Audio M6Pro Second Generation, and with P2, and which has terminations for both Single Ended 3.5mm plug, but also 2.5mm Balanced, and 4.4mm Balanced plugs. This means that you can virtually connect this cable to anything you have, and mind none, it will work really well regardless what you're doing, being a heaven for those who want a more versatile cable. We're going to do a lengthier article on the cable, but the short version is that it really doesn't add anything to the sound, being very neutral in its response, compared to the original cable, sounding mostly the same, the biggest difference coming from the fact that with it, you can use the balanced outputs of your Player and Amplifier, making listening to music more fun.

Comparisons

Now, Pinnacle P2 has a lot to fight in this price range, and all the contentenders here are fierce fighters, so we're quite enthused to see how it will stand its ground.

Mee Audio Pinnacle P2 vs FiiO F9 - Now, FiiO F9 Pro would have been interesting to compare to, but its price is a little out of P2's, so we're going to compare P2 with FiiO F9, which will be quite an interesting comparison to see. Starting with the package, P2 has an excellent package, but so does F9. F9 has a case made of plastic, in the Peli style, which is one of the best there are, while P2 goes for something, resilient, not quite as resilient, but better looking, since P2's case is a leathery case covered in leather which looks pretty nice. FiiO F9 comes with two cables, one of which is Balanced, they come with six sets of tips in total, two flavors, and they come with ear guides embedded into the cables. P2 comes with a single cable, but they also have a large number of tips, including Comply, they come with their carrying case, and their cables do not have ear guides, which, depending on how you prefer your fit, can be for the better. F9 has a similar fit and comfort, similar build quality, and both IEMs are just excellent in the technical aspect. Now, when it comes to their sound, F9 is a bit brighter, more neutral, and has a bit less bass, along with a slightly more revealing sound. By comparison, P2 has a warmer sound, with more bass, more bass emphasis, its midrange is pulled back by quite a bit, the treble is similarly bright as the one on F9, and they have a larger soundstage with more instrument separation, which is helped quite a bit by the V-shaped sound, so the midrange being a bit recessed, opposed to F9's midrange, which can be described as not-so-recessed.

Mee Audio Pinnacle P2 vs Mee Audio M6Pro Second Generation - M6Pro Second Generation is also made by Mee Audio, and it comes at a lower price than P2, but until we manage to finish writing an official article on it, we thought people might be curious how it stands to its bigger brother. We received M6Pro Second Generation in its carrying case, so we're not sure how the main package looks like. As far as build quality goes, M6Pro2 is a bit stiff, there are ear hooks on the cable, which are pretty stiff and you need to use those for fit, although the IEM itself is well built. M6Pro2 is transparent and you can see its inner parts, which is interesting if you're into this type of design, but it can be a bit tacky if you were looking for a more professional design. The sound of M6Pro2 is actually very interesting for its price point, it is also aggressively V-shaped, with a strong sub-bass and mid-bass, a recessed midrange, and a pretty strong treble, with good revealing abilities. By comparison with P2, M6Pro2 sounds a bit crude, with P2 revealing considerably more detail, having better overall depth and dynamics, and being more comfortable. The two are not at the same price point, but in perspective, if you have the money for M6Pro Second Generation, it is a good deal, but P2 makes a much more compelling purchase, if you can save enough to afford it.

Mee Audio Pinnacle P2 vs iBasso IT01 - This review would be incomplete if at this price point we wouldn't mention IT01, which are quite the titan. One thing one notices from the start, is the quality of the cable included with the two IEMs, with P2 having a pretty nice cable, but IT01 having a really awesome cable, thicker, more resilient, and even softer, so you can be sure it will last a long while. IT01 has a carrying case exactly like the once included with HIFIMAN RE2000, so quite the thing, while P2 has a leather covered, portable carrying case, which is quite nice as well. The construction quality of the IEM bodies is excellent on both, and so is the comfort, both IEMs being over-the-ear style, both having no microphonics and no issues with their build quality. As far as the revealing abilities of both go, they are similar. They have a similar amount of details with IT01 having a smidgen more detail, but P2 being quite good as well. Now the tonality, and the way they both portray music is quite different. IT01 is warm, and its bass enhancement lasts way more than P2, up until the upper mid-bass, so there is a certain warmth and thickness to the sound. By comparison, P2 has less of their bass enhanced. The speed of the bass, though, is quicker on IT01, so they have a tad more revealing power, although P2 is not far behind either. The midrange is similar, although it is a bit more recessed on P2, where it is a bit more forward on IT01. The treble, is a bit spicy on both, with good expression and extension, and with a similar presentation for both. The largest difference is in the thickness of the sound, IT01 being thicker, where P2 is thinner sounding. Both are excellent choices really, and you can't go wrong with either, but if you prefer a generally thicker sound, you can go with IT01, while if you prefer a lighter sound, you can go with P2.

Recommended Pairings

P2 is not quite that dependent on the source it is being paired with, although some sources do enhance their sound by quite a bit. Basically, they are revealing enough to reveal differences between different sources, so if you can pair them with something a bit better, it will be rewarding to do so.

Mee Audio Pinnacle P2 + Cayin N5ii - N5ii is actually a great source to combine with almost any IEM. It is a great little DAP, now it is on sale, and you can enjoy quite a few functions with it. IT has a good battery inside, and it also provides wifi and Bluetooth, in case you wander into Streaming or other kind of features. N5ii's sound is a bit warm, but mostly neutral, they have good extension both ways, and they pretty much leave P2's sound unchanged compared to most neutral sources, maybe adding a bit of warmth to it.

Mee Audio Pinnacle P2 + FiiO M7 - FiiO M7 is another great choice at this moment, being part of an special package sold by FiiO. It has Radio, Bluetooth, and a very similar design to Cayin N5ii. The one thing that is a tad different between the two DAPs, is the fact that M7 doesn't have Wifi like N5ii does, so you can't Stream music using M7, while you can using N5ii. OF course, M7 is also quite a bit less expensive. In its sound alone, M7 is a really amazing DAP, with an almost pure neutral signature, so no coloring of the sound of what is connected to it, making P2 sound pretty strongly V-shaped, with a sparkly treble and a strong bass, making up for a fun and engaging listen.

Mee Audio Pinnacle P2 + Shanling M2s - Shanling M2s is now almost entirely replaced by Shanling M0, but this also means that you're going to see some M2s units left with a really amazing price. The main change in sound compared to N5ii and M7, is the fact that M2s has a thicker sound, with a smoother treble, so it changes the signature of P2 making them smoother and thicker, in case you wanted them to sound like this. All in all, it is quite the amazing option, if you're on a budget and if you're looking for something modestly priced, but effective.

Value and Conclusion

Mee Audio Pinnacle P2 sells for about 100 USD at this moment, and they are a very compelling purchase at this price point.

They come in a good package, surrounded by a good amount of accessories, and especially a very nice carrying box. That carrying box alone is worth quite a bit, and it will keep P2 safe during transport, or if thrown in a bag or pocket.

The build qualit of Pinnacle P2 is exemplary, they are made of hard plastic, their cables are a bit springy, but they fit well around the ears, they have no microphonic noise, and they are light enough to not be felt while in usage. The tips included with P2 are of good quality, and while they're not spinfit tips, they fit similarly well.

P2 disappears in your ears while you're wearing them, would be the best way to describe their comfort. There's nothing more you can ask of their comfort, and they surely can isolate you from the noise outside while walking on a busy week day, trying to focus on the music, instead of the new buildings being constructed all over Bucharest.

Another aspect you can consider is how easy they are to drive. They need very little power, so any smartphone, even those with a very weak signal, can drive P2 very well, but if you already have a high-end source, don't worry, you're going to feel the better quality of your source when connecting P2 to it, as it can reveal a better source from a weaker one.

The sound is V-shaped, with a strong sub-bass, a strong bass, and a weaker mid-bass, with the midrange being pulled a bit back compared to the rest of the sound, and with the treble being sparkly, expressive, and happy, with a lot of emotion and enough air between the instruments to make even the picky listeners happy for this price point. The detail levels of P2 are in line with other really good 100USD IEMs, and they surely satisfy in terms of instrument separation as well.

If you're looking for a IEM that's well built, isolates well, and which has an engaging, V-shaped sound, with a strong bass, and with a touch of sparkle in its treble, then P2 is surely worth checking out, being a really good choice for this kind of sonic signature.

I hope my review is helpful to you!

Stay safe and remember to always have fun while listening to music!

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Great review !

@Moonstar

@Moonstar - Thank you!! I should probably add a few more notes about the stock cable not being quite that good though, seems some people have ran ionto issues with it...

Bluedio T3 Plus Turbine - Lush Dark Delicious

Bluedio T3 Plus is the first headphone sold by Gearbest we are looking into. This is going to be a true bass cannon, so those faint of heart should take note, this headphone packs a stronger punch than most people imagine a Headphone at this price can, and it also has a ton of nifty tricks up its sleeve.

Purchase Link

Introduction

Gearbest is a golden standard when it comes to customer satisfaction, being an important Chinese Items retailer and importer outside of China. They have all kinds of items, from Tablets, to Smartphones, to IEMs (In-Ear Monitors) to Headphones, and many more. If you ever wanted to own a product from China, but wanted to have a local warranty, then Gearbest is a great place to get that product from. We haven't spoken with Bluedio at all, but we can confirm that Gearbest will do the best in their power to serve you and if any issue is to arise, they will go to great lengths to help you out.

It should be noted that I have absolutely no affiliation with Bluedio or Gearbest, I am not receiving any incentive for this review or to sweeten things out. This review is not sponsored nor has been paid for by Bluedio or Gearbest or anyone else. I'd like to thank Gearbest for providing the sample for this review. The sample was provided along with Gearbest's request for an honest and unbiased review. This review will be as objective as it is humanly possible, and it reflects my personal experience with Bluedio T3Plus. Every opinion expressed is mine and I stand by it, the purpose of this review is to help those interested in Bluedio T3Plus find their next music companion.

About me

https://audiophile-heaven.blogspot.ro/p/about.html

Packaging

First things first, let's get the packaging out of the way:

We ned to start by stating that at this point, Bluedio T3Plus sells for around 55 USD.

Since we're talking a little about a Headphone at this little price point, we need to mention that the package for T3Plus is incredible. Not only they come in a large box, with a cardboard box inside to protect them, but they are a bluetooth headphone, with a microSD card slot, and they also come with an Audio cable for you to drive them from your smartphone.

While we're not exactly fans of the one-device-does-everything approach, especially when it is a rather inexpensive device, as usually there are some sacrifices to be made, but we'll look into those deeper in each part of the review.

Package Contents:

1 x Bluedio T3 Plus Bluetooth Headphones
1 x 3.5mm Audio Cable
1 x USB Charge Cable
1 x Carry Bag
1 x English User Manual

We generally can't complain about the package contents. We'd generally like to receive an extra set of pads with all our headphones, and we'd generally like to receive a more protective carrying case, but given their price point, we're really happy to have received a carrying case at all, and a pretty nice one at that, the material is soft to the touch, and while it won't protect T3Plus from drops or pressure, it will protect their beautiful glossy finish from scratches.

Other than that, there's no charger included with them, but they work just fine charged from any USB port and smartphone charger, including our benchmark Xiaomi Charger.

We're impressed with the package Bluedio put together, and we can't say we have any complaints here.

What to look in when purchasing an entry-level Bluetooth Headphone

https://audiophile-heaven.blogspot.ro/p/what-to-lookl.html

Technical Specifications

Application: Computer,Mobile phone,Portable Media Player
Charging Time.: 2 hours
Compatible with: Computer
Connecting interface: 3.5mm,Micro SD Card,Micro USB
Connectivity: Wired and Wireless
Driver unit: 57mm
Frequency response: 15Hz~25KHz
Driver type: Dynamic
Impedance: 16ohms
Music Time: 20 hours
Sensitivity: 116dB
Sound channel: Two-channel (stereo)
Standby time: 1100 hours
Talk time: 20 hours

Build Quality/Aesthetics/Fit/Comfort

When it comes to their build quality, there is one thing one notices about T3Plus from the first moment holding it, that they feel really strong and resilient, but also heavier than you might imagine from seeing them. The short version is that they include metallic alloys the main frame, and while they are not quite as heavy as most Planar headphones, where the driver itself is quite heavy, T3Plus is pretty heavy considering their look and size, especially compared to other headphones of similar shape and size. This weight also adds to the feeling of premium around them, but if you're looking for a feather-weight headphone, those are a tad heavier than your average small on-ear headphone.

There's a microSD card reader, bluetooth module, battery, and the headphones in there, so we're glad that Bluedio put together a resilient headphone.

The headphone size adjusting mechanism works pretty smoothly, and it is in line, and even better quality-wise, compared with other headphones in the sub 100USD category.

The headband seems well built, has a thick padding to it, and the cups are basically indestructible by normal wear, with the only really moving spot being the connection between the headband and the cups. The cups swivel inside for storage, but the hinges are full metal.

The aesthetics are on their side, as they look both edgy and sleek. T3Plus looks a bit modern as well, with rings on the cups made to give it a specific roundness and the metallic reflexion giving them a sense of edginess. They are not big, so if you want a more portable headphone with you, those really look like the type you can take with you on a walk through the park, although they are not on-ears either, being mostly an over-the-ear headphone, especially if you have small ears.

The word Turbine is written on the headband, and we feel pretty happy with this design, T3Plus being the third iteration of Bluedio's Turbine line.

The cup size is large enough for an on-ear headphone, and the ear has enough place inside, to almost call those over-the-ear, especially if you have smaller ears, and the pads are soft and comfy, the headband doesn't have any hotspots, but the headband and the cups are shaped in such a way that the cups don't swivel a lot, so based on the size of your head, they could press a little more at the base of your ears than at the top. This doesn't mean that they will fall down while walking, quite on the contrary, T3Plus is a tighter-fit headphone, which means that they really sit in place while walking or doing other activities. If you're afraid of a tight fit, they are a bit tight. In our test, wearing them for an hour in a row was not an issue, but one might need to take a pause after that time.

We noticed at least three random strangers in Romania wearing those while on-the-go, with happy smiles on their faces. There's no local shop selling them, so those happy customers bought them from outdise, probably from Gearbest (they deliver quickly to Romania), and they looked fairly content with their purchase.

Basically, Bluedio T3Plus is a superbly built headphone, with good comfort for their price point, and with a really nice overall aesthetic aspect.

Sound Quality

We kind of give it away from the title and the introduction, but T3Plus is a Bass-Heavy Headphone. In fact, the bass isn't the central element of their sound, as they also have a sparkly treble and a lot of emotion, being a headphone, that although it has a lot of bass, also has great clarity and a sparkle in the treble to make it engaging. They are generally lush, dark, thick, satisfying, impactful, punchy, deep, playful, colored, V-shaped and impressive. They have a bass to fall in love with, if you prefer some boom and some pow with your music.

The Bass is an important element in their sound, being enhanced with at least 20dB over the midrange. On the happier side, the sub-bass is enhanced as well, so you're a deep, impactful and impressive type of bass which reaches low and produces a clear impact for you. The bass can truly rattle your ears if you're not used to a bass-heavy signautre, it can totally leave you stunned. The bass colors and ads a bit of boom and a bit of veil to the midrange, but this is to be expected for most bass-heavy signatures, when both the sub-bass and the upper bass are enhanced. What you're in for, is a bass to fall in love with, especially if you're a basshead, and even if you're not, you might discover a guilty pleasure in their bass. While it clearly is a little too much for a balanced-listening session, it is exactly what someone who's in for a fun and colored signature is usually looking for. There are no distortions in the bass even at pretty high volumes in our sample, and we can really blast some bass-heavy music and they'll hold their clarity and impact without distorting.

The midrange is colored by the bass, being dark and lush, thick and satisfying. There is a dip in the midrange which adds to the color, it takes away some of the forwardness of certain male voices, but the very upper bass and low midrange keep things together, so the midrange is never thin. Male vocals are lower in volume, compared to female vocals, but female vocals are extremely cristaline and clear, with an emotional presentation, and with a ton of dynamics. Likewiese, Violins and other emotional instruments are presented clearly and with good impact.

The treble is really sparkly, but surprisingly smooth in texture, so things are not hot or metallic, but have a good sparkle and engagement. The treble has a shockingly good extension, being pretty refined, with a good amount of air, allowing instruments to breathe, and the soundstage to be fairly natural.

We would like to note that depending on how you place T3Plus on your ears, they change their signature quite a bit. If they sit closer to the face, the sound becomes brighter and the bass gets more even, while if you place them further away from your face, they beocme smoother, and the bass gets stronger.

T3Plus works extremely well with Electronic Music, Dubstep, Hip-Hop, Certain Rock and Metal, Pop Music, and Downtempo music. They are pretty bass-heavy, so most music which can rely on heavy bass lines will sound incredible. In fact, we're so delighted with a bit of a fun bassy signature once in a while, that we kept listening o them for quite a while even before writing about them, it is fun to hear the bass line of old songs brought forward and impactful. Machinae Supremacy and Zomboy are two bands which work extremely well with this signature.

All in all, if you're looking for a pretty warm headphone with a sparkly top end, with a dynamic and impactful sound, T3Plus is a really good example for this signature.

Soundstage

The soundstage of T3Plus is pretty good, especially for a sub 100 USD Headphone, but the really nice part is that they have a good amount of instrument separation as well, so you can't hear instruments crossing each other or jumbled together, instead, in a natural soundstage, you can hear all being fairly well separated from each other, sounding clear and punchy.

ADSR / PRaT

The ADSR and PRaT (Texturization) of T3Plus is natural to smooth, the textures are rendered musical and playful, and they are relaxing. Most of the time, the focus is pointed towards the awesome, deep, and punchy bass, but it is worth mentioning that textures in the upper midrange are pretty natural and crisp, you can notice this espescially in electronic music.

Portable Usage

Now here's their thing!

Those are extremely portable in every way possible. They have Bluetooth, which has a battery life of about 15 hours or more with heavy usage, even if you use them for phone talking. You will not deplete them in a single day, regardless what you're doing.

There's even a microSD slot so they can play music without being connected to anything.

The bluetooth has a fair range and has a good connection, but in all fairness this might be attributed to their 4.1 Bluetooth Standard, which tends to have a secure connection in general.

It should be noted that the external card has a maximum capacity supported of 32GB, so 256GB microSD cards won't work, but since it would be blind browsing through your music, based on just a few buttons, so it is best that the size of the playlist is kept a little lower, even 32GB being quite high for this purpose, if you're using MP3s.

The headphones themselves isolate fairly well from the outside noise, we'd even say shocking well considering their design and fit, and while the isolation is not quite as good as Ultrasone Signature DXP, which we reviewed before, they are not bad. You can take a walk through the noisy streets of Bucharest full of buildings currently in construction, and not be bothered by the loud workers screaming at each other, of course, if you play your music a little louder. Given their bassy signature, most listeners might pump the volume a little higher anyways, for a bit more fun.

We noticed that there is a bit of leakage, so we wouldn't recommend using T3Plus in a library, but we blasted some bassy electronic music in the metro (subway) while wearing them, and no one seemed to notice or to care.

There is a 3D option which can increase the soundstage a little, and which can give them a little more treble, being welcome if you like a larger sound, but the effect is not very strong.

The cable is good, not prone to microphonic noise, and there's no real issue we noticed to their portability. They are extremely easy to pair with a large number of sources, sounding similar across different sources, so whether you plug them in your smartphone or a higher-end audiophile DAP, the sound will be fairly similar in the end, although if you like better control and clarity, an Audiophile DAP might be a good idea, even if it is a less expensive one.

Comparisons

The comparisons are made with products with similar designs or similar prices. In all fairness, the price of T3Plus already makes them a really interesting choice, but they also stand well to other products in a similar price point.

Bluedio T3Plus vs SoundMagic P22BT - We should start with the most similar item we reviewed to T3Plus, which is P22BT from SoundMagic. Starting with their package, both Headphones come with similar accessories. Both are Bluetooth Headphones which can also work with a cable straight from a source, and both are pretty good for their money. The differences begin with the fact that T3Plus has a microSD slot which you can use to pop in a microSD card and enjoy music without them being connected to anything. The other major difference between those two is in fit, which is on-ear for P22BT, and almost Over-The-Ear for T3Plus, T3Plus being considerably larger and touching the ears less regardless of the ears size. The sound is quite different, with T3Plus being thick, lush, warm, while P22BT, especially by comparison, sounds more even in the midrange, less bassy, more open, with a larger soundstage. If you're looking for a really exciting experience, with a better comfort, then T3Plus should surely offer that, while if you're looking for a more natural sound, with more balance in the midrange, less bass, but with a bit of sacrifice in the comfort due to their on-ear design, then P22BT should serve you really well. P22BT is another Headphone we noticed random people in Bucharest with, also being very popular here.

Bluedio T3Plus vs MO Electronics BE00BT - This is a little of a stretch in terms of price, because Be00BT is already 130USD, which sometimes can be double the price of T3Plus, or even more than double. T3Plus has that microSD slot to show off, while BE00BT has APT-X, which is super awesome if your source can also do APT-X. The sound is generally smoother, more relaxing, but also pretty darn dynamic on BE00BT, but the difference is mostly in the midrange, where BE00BT is more open and more even, without being as lush as T3Plus. Another difference to keep in mind is the fact that T3Plus is slightly less comfortable by direct comparison, BE00BT having a larger cup, which is truly Over-The-Ear, but then again, those differences are not quite that big, and BE00BT is more than double the price of T3Plus, so if you're looking for an awesome experience on a budget, then T3Plus should serve you well, while, if you're looking for more comfort, and for a smoother, although still pretty bassy and heavy sound, then BE00BT should also be quite awesome.

Bluedio T3Plus vs Westone UM1 - Actually, it would have been more fair to compare T3Plus to Westone WX, but WX is considerably more expensive than UM1, which is almost double the price of T3Plus already. The main differences here are that UM1 is an in-ear monitor, they are not Bluetooth compatible, but they come with a lot of accessories, although they don't have many of the bells and whistles that T3Plus has. UM1 is more comfortable due to their deep fit and small shells, and it isolates better from the outside noise. In terms of sound, T3Plus and UM1 are similar, in the midrange and the treble, both are lush, dark, colored, clear, well-separated, smooth, both have a deep, clean and powerful bass. If you're looking for a difference, that would be in the midrange, where the midrange of UM1 is a tad more forward, and more even, and in the treble, where T3Plus has better extension and more sparkle, without being fatiguing or metallic, while UM1 is quite smooth and lean in the treble. It is interesting that Bluedio managed to create such an awesome headphone for this low price, but it should be noted that the fit, isolation and other factors do make the UM1 a slightly better choice for their portability, and if you need an inexpensive thick, lush and deep IEM, with an excellent comfort and isolation, then UM1 delivers nicely, while if you're mainly looking for a headphone, with a deep, strong bass, along with a vivid midrange and a bit of sparkle in the treble, then T3Plus is a great choice.

Recommended Pairings

T3Plus is not very sensitive to the source, the largest improvement of better sources being in control and musical note definition, better source giving them more control over their bass, which is cleaner, deeper and more rounded with better sources, as well as a more sparkly, dynamic and vivid sound. They are easy to drive, they will get loud easily from a portable.

Bluedio T3Plus + Shanling M2s - Now, Shanling M2s makes an excellent partner for T3Plus, mostly because it is also pretty inexpensive, it is light, small, it has Bluetooth, it has a great battery life, and it can connect with your smartphone, in case you have T3Plus plugged in via their wire. The sound of M2s is generally warm and thick, so it doesn't necessarily compliment T3Plus, making them even more lush and thick, but this might be for the better for the diehard basshead fans out there, especially if you prefer your sound with less sparkle in the treble.

Bluedio T3Plus + FiiO M7 - FiiO M7 is quite a bit more expensive than T3Plus itself, and it is not exactly an inexpensive DAP, but it has a few tricks under its belt, like the fact that it has a lot of abilities in the bluetooth, and it even has a radio function, for those who like one with their DAP and Headphones. M7 makes a great choice for a stable, fun to use, lightweight and high-quality DAP. M7 is also pretty neutral in its sound, complimenting T3Plus quite a bit, giving them a vivid and dynamic sound.

Bluedio T3Plus + Hifiman Megamini - Megamini is more of a minimalistic choice, and will require you to use your cable with T3Plus, but its sound tends to bring the midrange a little more forward than most DAPs, making the sound of T3Plus a little less laid back in the midrange, even more open, balancing them a little and making everything a bit more natural.

Bluedio T3Plus + Burson Play - Burson Play is close in price to a portable option, like M7. This alone makes it an interesting entry in this list. Burson Play tends to bring the midrange and the treble a little more forward, especially when paired with T3Plus, giving them more life, more vividness, more sparkle everywhere, making them more energetic, and also giving them considerably better control over their bass, and a better definition for each musical note. It is a desktop amplifier unit though, so it won't be quite as portable as some of the other options, being a good option for those who require something to sit on their desk and to never leave.

Value and Conclusion

We reached the conclusion of this review and we feel that T3Plus is a really nice headphone to listen to, especially for this price point. T3Plus runs on sales pretty often, sometimes costing about 50-60USD, Gearbest being pretty good at offering great deals for their items, be it earphones, smartphones, or other products.

T3Plus is an amazing headphone if you're a little budget constrained, and you can get a lot for the money, a Wired Headphone, a Bluetooth Headphone and A MicroSD Reading Headphone. We measured at least 15 hours of battery life under loud volume listening, and intensive usage, which is pretty amazing, especially compared to other bluetooth headphones, which offer less than half of what T3Plus offers sometimes.

There even is a 3D sound option to enhance the soundstage a little, which can come in handy.

The headband padding is thick and nice, and the same can be said for the earpads, which are thick and soft. The comfort is good for an on-ear design, although they are a little tight. Their weight is on the larger side, which is mainly due to the metal parts included in their main frame, but it gives them a sense of premium, and it makes them more resilient.

The build quality is quite good, especially for a sub-100USD pair of headphones, we can't complain at all, and we feel they will hold well to usage.

The sound is warm, the bass is enhanced quite a bit, especially compared to the main midrange body, resulting in a thick sound with a lush presentation. The bass stays fairly clean at high volumes, being a fun experience, especially if you tend to love some fun, thick, basshead bass. The treble has a good sparkle, together with the upper midrange, making female vocals sound crystaline and magical, and the textures are also natural to smooth, the entire experience being fun and colored.

At the end of the day, if you're looking for an inexpensive Bluetooth Headphone which is well built, has many bells and whistles, a good battery life, is pretty comfortable, and has a thick, lush, bassy, warm, sparkly, energetic, dynamic, vivid, and fun colored sound, then Bluedio T3Plus Turbine can surely provide you withj the answer to your search, and we feel you should place them at the top of your list, if you haven't already.

Purchase Link

I hope my review is helpful to you!

Stay safe and remember to always have fun while listening to music!

Contact us!
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Alpha Delta D6 - Light Airy Snappy

We just reviewed Alpha Delta D3 a few weeks ago, and we promised we'd return with a review on D6. Costing a little more than D3, we're quite intrigued to see what what Alpha Delta has in store for us at a higher price point.

Introduction

It is safe to say we had a great experience with D3, and while they clearly weren't the most typical IEMs in terms of pure signature and tuning, they surely offered an excellent price and build quality, and most people who own them are having a lot of fun with their purchase, so it would be unfair to speak ill of them. Alpha Delta, an upcoming company from Singapore, is quite friendly, and easy to rely on. We're sure that they will answer all fan and customer mail and that they will be helpful to help you solve any kind of issues, if any are to arise. The fact that their products are built so well is a really nice thing, especially considering the price point those are sold at, but the signature and tuning of D6 won't be the most typical out there either.

It should be noted that I have absolutely no affiliation with Alpha Delta, I am not receiving any incentive for this review or to sweeten things out. This review is not sponsored nor has been paid for by Alpha Delta or anyone else. I'd like to thank Alpha Delta for providing the sample for this review. The sample was provided along with Alpha Delta's request for an honest and unbiased review. This review will be as objective as it is humanly possible, and it reflects my personal experience with Alpha Delta D6. Every opinion expressed is mine and I stand by it, the purpose of this review is to help those interested in Alpha Delta D6 find their next music companion.

About me

https://audiophile-heaven.blogspot.ro/p/about.html

Packaging

First things first, let's get the packaging out of the way:

The package is fairly similar to that of D3, and while not much has changed, not much did have to change. The biggest difference is the fact that now the face of the main package is transparent and one can take a look at D6 before they open the package.

The package is as all-inclusive as ever, Alpha Delta being quite the champs when it comes to including a lot of accessories with their products. There is a carrying case included with D6, which, just like that included with D3, feels more leathery and higher quality than most leather products, probably because of their softness and nice texture of their case.

The other interesting aspect when it comes to the package of their products is that Alpha Delta seems to have a taste for including interesting, although not always quite that useful extras with their IEMs, like those ear hooks.

All in all, with D6 you are receiving a carrying case, three types of silicone tips, each of them in 3 sizes, a shirt clip, and a cable holder.

There's not much we could have asked for from Alpha Delta, and especially not at this price point, the package content is pretty much a golden thingy to have, considering that D6 costs around 100 USD.

What to look in when purchasing an entry-level In-Ear Monitor

https://audiophile-heaven.blogspot.ro/p/what-to-lookl.html

Technical Specifications

Driver unit: 10mm dynamic driver
Impedance: 16 ohm
Rated power: 1mW
Frequency Response: 10 Hz- 40 Khz
Speaker Sensitivity: 105 +/- db/ mW
Cord Length: 1.2m silver plated copper cable (each core contains 22X 0.05 silver plated copper wires)
Plug: 3.5 mm

Build Quality/Aesthetics/Fit/Comfort

The build quality of D6 is excellent, they are build like a tank, they are made out of metal, and their cable is quite thick, slightly soft, so it doesn't prove to be an issue while using them portably, and the IEM body has a pretty ergonomic barrel-type shape, which means that you can wear them both straight-down and over-the-ear.

This might be a little elephant in the room, but there is a huge stress strain relief on the cable, next to their 3.5mm connector. This one is made from what seems to be a spring, and it is quite long, considerably longer than most stress strain reliefs found on other IEMs. This gives D6 a sense of an Industrial-look, and might protect the cable for those who tend to be a little more rough when it comes to the jack and cable of their IEMs.

The overall IEM has one foot in the industrial type of design, while the other foot is placed in the more edgy type of design. The thicker white cable, along with the large stress strain reliefs, and the overall IEM shape feels pretty industrial and will surely appeal to those looking for this kind of IEM, while the metallic surface, along with D6 being very reflective makes them stand out when it comes to their edgy side.

The fit is fairly good, but the IEMs are on the larger size, being shallower in fit when compared to D3, and being harder to fit than their little brothers. The isolation is also much lower, D3 being quite good-isolating, while D6 isn't quite that good in isolation, as they have two vent ports on each IEM, resulting in a pretty airy and open IEM, but sacrificing some isolation along the way. They tend to feel a bit large regardless of how they are worn, so if you have really small ears, D3 or other IEMs might make a better fit, but this isn't very bad, just something we felt we should mention when it comes to D6.

The overall IEM feels really well build and put together, all parts combine well, and everything feels as part of the same IEM, thing which makes us pretty happy, as for this price point, they really feel like solid value right now, especially when it comes to their build quality.

Sound Quality

The signature of D6 is also a pretty odd one. If you haven't read our review on Alpha Delta D3, we invite you to, because a lot of things will make more sense. It seems that Alpha Delta prefers to create more unique tunings for their IEMs, thing which will be quite good for those looking for a more colored signature, but it also means that you should give them a listen before purchasing.

The baseline signature feels natural, light, tight, airy, really well expanded, thin, really well extended in the treble, while the bass is pretty well extended, but the amount gets lower especially once you drop lower than 50 Hz. Basically, they sound like a pretty good midrange pair of bookshelf speakers would sound like in general, with a really large soundstage, clear airy musical note rendering, but with a bass that is less in amount than the midrange and the treble. The midrange is mostly quite natural, voices, and especially female voices feeling natural and well presented, while male voices feel a tad thin at times, especially when you're listening to death metal.

Starting with the bass, the bass is tight, and extends pretty low, but it is considerably lower in amount when compared to the midrange and the treble. This makes it also pretty light and fast, but it doesn't have a lot of impact, most of the impact in D6 being found in their midrange and treble. This also means that one will be able to distinguish fine nuances in the bass pretty well, especially for the price point of D6, but ultimately, if you're a basshead, D6 won't provide the deep and rattling type of bass bassheads are searching for.

The midrange is open, clear and pretty darn sweet. The midrange doesn't have a significant dip or peak in its range, but it is a little forward when compared to the bass, and it is pretty much at the same level as the treble. The tonality is natural, to slightly thin, thing which works very well with gentle female vocals, but doesn't work as well with male vocals, especially if the male vocals are supposed to be deep and strong, like those in death metal music, but music that's supposed to be more calm works really well, especially Pop, Jazz, and classical Rock or Heavy Metal.

The treble is well extended and airy, it has a good amount of sparkle and energy to it, but it is on the smoother side texture-wise being more the non-fatiguing type rather than the busy and grainy type. There's fun in every song, and everything sounds exciting and interesting, without becoming too hot. There's not much of a peak or a dip here either, the treble being extended until 9 - 11 kHz, after which is falls down very slowly, resulting in an extended and airy sound.

Now, one thing we didn't really mention, but other reviewers did start with, is that you can get another kind of signature from D6. In short, there is a vent port on the bore / the tube that enters the ear, which you can cover with the silicone tip. We generally advise against this because it leads to issues with the comfort, since if you do this, D6 has driver flex, and isn't nearly as comfortable as when the silicone tip is seated normally, but covering that port basically recovers the bass to a normal to bass-head levels, thickens the sound, all while keeping the PRaT and ADSR characteristics intact, along with D6's airy and well extended sound. Actually, if the comfort could be better with that port covered, this would be a true champ in this price range, but as things are, we can't say this is the best solution, more like a compromise you might want to look into, if you want one of the most interesting V-shaped signatures.

Soundstage

The soundstage of Alpha Delta D6 is extremely wide, precise, with a really amazing instrument separation and a great overall imaging. There's literally only good to speak about their soundstage, and it is much much more extended than we'd have expected or assumed it would be before listening to them, but the main downside is that it comes at the cost of bass. With the frontal vent covered, this soundstage is affected a little, but still is amazingly large, while with the front port open, the sound is really well extended without any issues. If you're looking for a really airy sound, with a large soundstage and outstanding instrument separation, especially for 100 USD, then D6 surely will not disappoint.

ADSR / PRaT

The ADSR and PRaT (Texturization) is natural to quick, guitars and other instruments having excellent overall textures. There isn't quite that much to talk about since they still are within the revealing abilities of 100USD IEMs, but the overall sound is revealing and slightly analytical, having a great amount of juicy detail and textures in guitars, and most instruments not feeling smooth or liquid, but neither too textury or revealing.

Portable Usage

The portable usage is, in one word, good.

Alpha Delta D6 is very easy to drive from most portable sources, so that will not be an issue for anyone who's planning on taking them on a walk, and they are quite comfortable, their cables being the right type of cables to have on a IEM to want on a IEM you take on a walk with you, but where they lose in portability is in their isolation, which, is not quite that good in the end.

There is no driver flex, no microphonics, no issue we can note. They aren't especially prone to hiss, there being almost no hiss with Hiby R6, and you can pair them with most smartphones and still get great results, so there's no issue with using them portably.

Since they are pretty comfortable, they won't cause issues like the IEMs falling out of the ears while walking, or even jogging, and there is a wide selection of tips included in the package when you purchase D6, but if you plan on walking through an area with large amounts of noise, you might wish for a bit more isolation. Covering the frontal vent port does help with the isolation, but only so much, so in the end you might want to take a look at something slightly more isolating, like even Alpha Delta D3, if you are a really quiet listener who goes through high-noise areas with your IEMs, although D6 will do just fine if you walk through a park and listen at moderate or higher volumes.

All in all, their portability remains good, but if you're looking for something to always have on you while walking, there are slightly better options out there, even Alpha Delta's own D3 being slightly better in this aspect.

Comparisons

All the IEMs D6 is compared to are from a similar price range, but with different tunings and signatures.

Alpha Delta D6 vs Westone UM1 - Starting with the build quality and the package, the most interesting aspect is that the two are similar in most aspects, just not the fact that UM1 comes in plastic, with a full plastic shell, and has a thinner cable, while D6 comes in a metallic shell, and has a thick and reliable cable. On the other hand, of the two, UM1 has detachable cables, while D6 does not. The isolation is much stronger on UM1, which is small and closed, has a really deep fit which will cut you out from the outside noise, while D6 is pretty open in its nature. The tuning is extremely different, with UM1 being dynamic, impactful, thick, bassy, warm, dark, smooth and slightly intimate, D6 being, by comparison, extremely open, light, dynamic, quick, revealing, airy, and brighter. If you're looking at the comfort, UM1 tends to have a smaller shell and be more comfortable, while D6 has a larger overall body, but not by a large margin. For a more versatile IEM, with more detail, we recommend D6, while if you're looking for a really thick and warm IEM with a relaxing overall signature, UM1 sure is still amazing.

Alpha Delta D6 vs FiiO F9 - FiiO F9 comes with a more advanced package, and although their carrying box isn't half as soft to the touch as that of D6, it is much more useful, as F9's Peli-kind of carrying box will ensure the safety of your IEMs, even if it falls out onto the pavement, or if you step on it, while the carrying box of D6 will not protect them against pressure as well, being a soft-carrying pouch. The cables are detachable on F9, and the version we tested also came with two cables, one of which is Balanced, so there's a little plus in value there, but the single cable on D6 is thicker in size and looks a bit more pro-like in direct comparison. The cables of F9 being a bit thinner might also be a plus for their portability. The isolation is much stronger on F9, which is a really well-isolating IEM, especially when compared to D6, which is pretty open in its nature. The comfort is similar between the two, although F9 has a smaller body, but F9 can only be worn over-the-ear, while D6 can be worn straight-down as well. The tuning is a little different, with F9 having a bit more bass, slower overall transient response (so a smoother overall texture rendering), a bit of a peak in the hot area of the treble (6-9kHz), and a bit more emphasis on emotion. The D6 quickly makes itself remarked with a lighter and a quicker sound (so more texture revealing abilities), more emphasis on air and soundstage size, with its soundstage being larger, with more instrument separation, with a slightly thinner midrange, and with less bass amounts. The overall feeling is that F9 is a bit more intimate, but a bit more even and more natural, while D6 is lighter, more revealing, but with less impact in the bass compared to F9, although it does have a larger soundstage.

Alpha Delta D6 vs Kinera H3 - Kinera H3 is an interesting IEM to compare D6 to, because most people might feel that the two are similar, especially if not paying utmost attention to some details in the sonic descriptions of the two IEMs, but starting with the build quality, although H3 has detachable cables, and comes with a good, hard carrying case, it has a larger IEM body, it suffers from Driver Flex, and it has plastic bodies, while D6 has metallic bodies, has no driver flex if the tips are positioned in the normal position, so not covering the vent port, and D6 has a nicer (thicker and more reliable) cable, which is less prone to tangle by default. The comfort can become affected by driver flex on D6 as well, if you cover the frontal vent port. The noise isolation on H3 is much better, since they are both closed, and larger in size, blocking more noise passively. The sonic character of the two IEMs is quite different, especially in the midrange. The bass presentation is quite different as well, with H3 having a deeper bass, with more emphasis on the bass impact, although it has a similarly tight and quick bass like D6, where D6 has less bass in amount in the general sense. The midrange is where the largest difference is, with D6 being much more forward in the midrange, while H3 is much more recessed in the midrange, H3 having almost 20 dB of midrange recession compared to their treble, while D6 barely has any. This results in a distant midrange for H3, while it also results in a slightly forward one for D6, especially by direct comparison. The treble, on the other hand, is quite enhanced on Kinera H3. D6 has its treble in line with the midrange, while H3 has its treble boosted by about 20 dB when compared to its midrange, leading to a really V-shaped sound that can be a bit too much, especially with certain music styles. In direct comparison, D6 feels more even, with only the bass being a bit lower than one might ideally want for most music styles, and a bit tighter as well, but with the PRaT and ADSR being really good and the soundstage being really open, while H3 feels a bit more detailed, but with a much more uneven signature, which is aggressively V-shaped and aggressively bright, with a really analytical side to it, which will reveal details more, and with a more intimate soundstage. Both IEMs do extremely well in terms of instrument separation. At the end of the day, D6 is the more universal IEM here, but H3 is a magical, unique IEM which still has a special place in our hearts. We'd recommend D6 for someone who is looking for a light and open-sounding IEM with a vast soundstage, and H3 to those looking for a more V-shaped experience, with more bass, and with more isolation from the noise.

Recommended Pairings

Alpha Delta D6 reponds fairly well to being paired with a higher-end source, but this doesn't seem to be absolutely essential, and they will work just as well with a less expensive source, like the average smartphone.

Alpha Delta D6 + Cayin N5ii - N5ii is still a favorite source for us, since Cayin managed to not only give it a good price, but two microSD slots, a beautiful design, streaming abilities, and Android firmware, so the abilities of this one are practically endless. The sound is slightly warmer and thicker than with most sources, thing which is great for D6, since they were a bit on the thinner side and had a light bass. You can also apply a bit of EQ to D6, leading to a thicker and stronger sound, since N5ii has this ability hassle-free.

Alpha Delta D6 + FiiO M7 - FiiO M7 is another favorite ultra-portable, which is able to give a lot of life to D6. Although D6 isn't wireless, so you aren't taking advantage of M7's strongest point, M7 has a great neutral sound, and it has support for EQ profiles from FiiO's app, so you can always give D6 a thicker sound by increasing the first 3 sliders of that EQ with a few dB's. If you're planning to get M7 soon, FiiO also has a little sale for it, where they include FiiO F9 SE with it, so together with D6, you'd have two different signatures to enjoy and switch between when you want to try something new.

Alpha Delta D6 + Burson Play - Since we considered the pairing with M7 and N5ii, we should also try D6 with a true desktop-class device, like Burson Play, which is an amazing DAC/AMP for desktop. Compared to most sources, it seems to have a better extension both ways, and a more energetic overall sound. Textures seem slightly enhanced, and the impulse response time seems a tad quicker, while the overall sound just feels more vivid and open. Since we're talking about a DAC/AMP which can also run from Windows, you have the might of Roon and other high-end software at your fingertips, including high-quality DSPs like EQ profiles to change the tuning of D6 and add more bass to them.

Value and Conclusion

Listening to Alpha Delta D6 has been a lot of fun, and with the tuning Alpha Delta gave to it, it will be a lot of fun for other listeners as well.

Starting with their price, they are priced at roughly 100 USD, which places them in a pretty heated market segment, where a lot of IEMs pop up, but only the strong survive for a little longer.

They are up against many, but Alpha Delta has taken the right steps by giving D6 a great build quality, and a great package. In fact, they are made out of metal, while their cable is one of the thickest and most serious-looking on a IEM at this price, with the only serious downside being the fact that the cable is not detachable, so you'll need to send them to Alpha Delta if any problem is to arise. On the other hand, they have taken some great steps in making sure that the cable will last for a long while, having included a very serious stress strain relief on the cable, along with a high build quality for the whole IEM.

The package comes with more tips than you could wish for, and the carrying box, while not exactly protective, is one of the finest coming with a IEM, if we're talking about the aesthetics and the softness to the touch. There are ear hooks, and a shirt clip in the package as well, and while we feel most users will not require any of those, they sure are nice to have in a package for those who will require them.

The sound quality, and the tuning, ultimately, are something unique. D6 doesn't focus on the bass, instead focusing on the midrange and the treble, and giving music a tight, light, quick, and airy feeling, just like a pair of bookshelf speakers would usually do. You have access to all the might of your favorite music, along with the soundstage of a much more open listening setup. The sound is generally dynamic and vivid, with good detail and with a playful approach, while the treble is smooth, but well extended. What should drive your decision is whether you prefer a tighter or a larger bass, although even that can be fixed either via EQ, or via strapping the silicone tips over the front vent, resulting in even more usage scenarios for your D6.

If you're looking for a fun, light, open-sounding, accessible, and well-build In-Ear Monitor, then Alpha Delta D6 is surely worth looking into, and if you're the type who prefers a lighter and a tighter bass, a more airy sound, with a larger soundstage, and with an amazing amount of detail and textures, then you should really add them to your shortlist, because those will surely bring you a lot of fun if you decide to get them.

I hope my review is helpful to you!

Stay safe and remember to always have fun while listening to music!

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Ultrasone Signature DXP - The Legend Continues

Ultrasone is a pretty well-known company, and some of their most loved headphones are from their Signature Series, like the mighty Signature Pro and Signature DJ. The newly released Signature DXP is coming to take a place next to its brother, Signature Studio, which we reviewed in the past, but this time with a different tuning.

Introduction

Most music lovers have had at least a chance to hear about Ultrasone and their mighty headphones, including the less expensive, but very impressive DJ One and DJ One Pro, as well as the Pro8XX series, and the Signature series. They also have an Edition series, which is much more notorious for being really different from model to model, for example Edition 5 and Edition 8 sound really different from each other. Ultrasone are known for taking extreme amounts of pride in their work and in their headphones, and they are known for having extreme work qualities, to the point where the build qualities of their headphones are some of the best there are. As a company from Germany they have a true German quality to their work, and this can be seen in some of their models aging beautifully and still being used by music lovers, after more than five years of service. Of course, five years is just the time Ultrasone warrants their headphone, the longest warranty in the headphone world, but their models actually survive for much longer. They are also very open and communicative, and they will do great efforts to help their customers and fans with any issue they might encounter, although those are extremely rare.

It should be noted that I have absolutely no affiliation with Ultrasone, I am not receiving any incentive for this review or to sweeten things out. This review is not sponsored nor has been paid for by Ultrasone or anyone else. I'd like to thank Ultrasone for providing the sample for this review. The sample was provided along with Ultrasone's request for an honest and unbiased review. This review will be as objective as it is humanly possible, and it reflects my personal experience with Ultrasone Signature DXP. Every opinion expressed is mine and I stand by it, the purpose of this review is to help those interested in Ultrasone Signature DXP find their next music companion.

About me

https://audiophile-heaven.blogspot.ro/p/about.html

Packaging

First things first, let's get the packaging out of the way:

The packaging of Signature DXP is very similar, if not identical, to that of their Signature Studio brother. In this aspect, the more expensive Signature DJ and Signature Pro also come in a very similar package, which has proven itself to provide a very nice overall presentation and first contact with the headphones.

The outer package is made out of cardboard, and has a nice design etched to it, along with a nice render of the Signature DXP Headphones. Inside, you can find the carrying box, a leather box, protected by a layer of foam, which protects the carrying box from scratches and other issues.

The leather carrying box has a metallic "Signature" logo on it, and it is made from what seems to be leather, or at least a really nice imitation of leather. The zippers are smooth in action, and although the box doesn't offer a lot of protection to the headphones, not being the hardest box out there (Ultrasone DJ One Pro had a much harder and protective carrying box), the one Signature DXP has is rather nice to the touch and has a much more stylish approach to storing your headphones. It also has that really nice space for the headphones, making them stand really nice while inside.

Inside the package you can find a straight short cable, a coiled cable, the headphones, and some silica to protect the headphones from too much humidity. There are some things we might have liked to have been included with Signature DXP, like a second set of ear pads, but given the nice material those are made of, and the quality of the pads already installed, along with the pocket-friendly price tag of Signature DXP, we feel the overall package is quite good.

The pads are rather resilient, as we've been using Signature Studio for a good while now, and they don't seem to have any traces of usage or wear so far, and it has been over a year of usage now, so we trust that Ultrasone did a good job not only with the headphones, but also with the pads.

All in all, the whole package feels luxurious, well put together, and well-designed.

What to look in when purchasing a High-End Headphone

https://audiophile-heaven.blogspot.ro/p/what-to-lookl.html

Technical Specifications

Impedance: 32 ohms
Sound pressure level: 115 dB
Transmission range: 5 - 30,000 Hz
ULE technology (ultra low emission)
Removable cables
3m Spiral cable with gold-plated 6.3 mm jack plug
1.2m Straight cable with gold-plated 3.5 mm jack plug
Weight without cable: 290 g
5-Year manufacturer's warranty

Build Quality/Aesthetics/Fit/Comfort

Starting with the build quality of Ultrasone Signature DXP, they are really similar to their brothers, Signature Studio. They are a mostly polycarbonate (plastic) headphone with a leather-like material on the headband and the ear pads. After checking on Ultrasone's site, the material for the cups seems to be leatherette The cups are padded with what seems to be glass, and most of the headphones seems to be fairly resilient.

Having had Signature Studio for more than a year now, and having had Ultrasone Dj One Pro for almost 4 years now, we can safely say that Ultrasone headphones can really take a beating. In fact, Dj One Pro looks exactly as it did the first day I bought it years ago, when I first had a more high-end pair of headphones.

Signature DXP doesn't creak when adjusted, and the size adjustment mechanism is smooth, the overall headphones looking as high-end as you can expect.

The one detail that is different from most of other Ultrasone Models is the color scheme, Signature DXP being a Gray headphone with Green and black accents, being quite different from the typical monochrome approach Ultrasone had thus far. This is not for the better or for worse, since aesthetic taste differs quite a bit from user to user, but we can safely say that you can take Signature DXP with you both in public, and to work, even if you work in the music industry, without an issue.

Now, the fit and comfort, are something we need to take a second before talking about. We've been spoiled quite a bit by owning headphones with really good fit and comfort, like Audeze LCD-MX4, Beyerdynamic Amiron, and even Sennheiser HD660S. It is impossible to ignore the fact that those headphones are incredibly comfortable and will raise the minimum comfort bar we have for headphones, since our expectations grew the time we used those.

Placed in perspective, Signature DXP is a more portable headphone, intended to be portable, so their size is smaller, and considerably so. If you need portability, then none of the larger headphones can't be considered as portable as Signature DXP. We did tests where we used (and still use) LCD-MX4 portably, aka, while going on a walk through Bucharest parks and such, but it is hard to consider LCD-MX4 anywhere as portable as Signature DXP.

The comfort, on the other hand, is not at the same place. Signature DXP is pretty small in its ear cups, and although I can't say my ears really touch the driver or the inner parts, the ear cup itself isn't quite that large, so it might be a bit of an issue for those who are looking for a larger headphone. Most closed back headphones are pretty small, so this is not quite an issue with their design, but an issue you need to consider with all ultra-portable headphones. The earcup size will be able to fit most ears, but there's not much space left, thing which means that if you have really large ears, you might get a slightly more On-Ear fit than over-the-ear.

This isn't a large issue though, and we even review on-ear headphones and we know people who use on-ear headphones daily and with great comfort and happy results, but it is fair to mention those things.

Other than that, the clamping force is exactly as it should be, not too strong, so they don't sit too tightly, neither too loose, so they don't fall off your head if you're walking, dancing or head-banging. The headband comes in contact with the head mostly at the top of the head, but the really thick padding takes care of comfort for you, and the weight isn't quite that high, so the overall comfort is actually pretty great.

Sound Quality

When it comes to their sonic signature, Signature DXP is quite intriguing, by being slightly different than most headphones, all while being very enjoyable. The best way to describe them is a V-shaped headphone, with a thick and very satisfying sound, and an open, large, airy and relaxed signature, excellent textures, and a nice yet smoother top end.

The bass is pretty deep, and with good fit, goes as low as you can expect it to go. The mid-bass and the lower bass are the focus, with the 50Hz - 100Hz areas being enhanced rather strong, Signature DXP having an excellent overall impact. The bass texture is quite incredible, and Signature DXP is great at showing the difference between different bass sounds, as well as revealing micro-details in the bass.

The midrange is quite impressive on its own, when it comes to textures. While it isn't exactly recessed, there are some midrange areas, especially the upper midrange, which is rather recessed, especially when compared to the lower midrange and the bass. This means that most music is not quite that sibilant nor fatiguing nor metallic when being played through Signature DXP, the area that's responsible for those effects being smoothed. Especially cymbal crashes can feel hot if that area is a little enhanced, some headphones adding a bit of bite to it for better reproduction of acoustic guitar bite, at the cost of that area feeling hot with other music types. In this sense, Signature DXP does a great job at providing a great balance between the music having enough bite, but not feeling fatiguing or hot.

The treble is yet another interesting point for Ultrasone Signature DXP, as those are pretty smooth, yet the treble doesn't feel subdued or too smooth. This is one interesting thing they managed to do, but basically, the upper midrange/ lower treble, and the upper treble, are both lower in amount when compared to the main treble body, which means that you can feel the hotness missing, but you do not get tired of the treble.

Ultrasone has a strategy for reducing listener fatigue, and what we can tell by hearing their headphones, is that they reduce the hottest type of treble by a little, along with reducing the highest treble octaves by a little. This results in a sweet and generally happy sound for their headphones, although sad music sounds just as convincing and impressive.

At the end of the day, the main sound will surely be a delight to anyone looking for a broad-style and versatile headphone which can be combined with almost any music, be it rock, punk, pop, electronic, classical, or even jazz. There simply isn't anything that won't sound pretty darn amazing on this one, and although this isn't something we say often, we feel that it really is a headphone that does almost everything well.

Soundstage

Ultrasone employs a ton of technologies in their headphones, the best known being the S-logic technology. It basically means that the driver is attached to a metallic plate halfway in the ear cup, and this metallic plate has holes in it. There are two types of soundwaves, in this situation, some which get directly to your ear, which are the forward part of the music, and some which will come out of the driver's back, hit the earcup, then come to the listener through the holes in the metallic plate, creating a genuine sensation of soundstage and air. A bit of knowledge in physics and biology is needed to understand how and why this works, but the shortest version is that with this technology, the ears receive both the signal, and reflections, which would typically result if you'd be listening to music from further away, or in a larger scene.

The subjective impression is somewhat similar to what you'd expect, the sound has both the forwardness and aggressiveness necessary to enjoy some metal music and some punk, but also the openness and airiness necessary to enjoy some classical, or some really 3D-sounding pop or electronic. In all cases, you can't get bored of their sound, regardless whether you're listening to one genera or another, but we should also note that some ears work better than others with the S-Logic technology, and we generally recommend testing Ultrasone Headphones before buying, where possible. We only met with people who had an excellent experience with those headphones, but we also talked with some people who perceive the S-Logic technology as slightly bright instead of open and airy. To place it all in one sentence, the soundstage is large, but they don't lack the more direct approach needed for rock and metal, being a headphone that should work well with both your more and your less aggressive music. If the S-logic technology works well with your ears, you will feel a large soundstage, akin even to HD800's mighty soundstage, but at the same time you don't really feel the distance usually implied by such a large soundstage.

ADSR / PRaT

The ADSR and PRaT (Texturization) of Ultrasone Signature DXP are quite impressive, the response time being quick and the textures being revealed well and everything feeling snappy. The textures in music like Mindless Self Indulgence are really well expressed and both textures and micro-textures are really easy to hear and distinguish. What we found quite interesting and intriguing is not that the textures are revealed well in the music of Mindless Self Indulgence, but that you can hear new textures in music you already knew, especially in guitar-driven music, like Dance Gavin Dance, or Machinae Supremacy, all sorts of micro textures being revealed with elegancy and effectiveness, so you do experience a lot of previously unheard things, especially if you're coming from a headphone with smoother textures (regardless of their price, there are high-end headphones that don't focus so much on revealing textures, so this experience can be felt even when comparing Signature DXP to more expensive models, but more on this in the comparison part of the review).

Portable Usage

The portability of Ultrasone Signature DXP is as good as you can expect from an ultra-portable, closed-back headphone from Ultrasone.

Starting with their weight, they are pretty lightweight and they are also comfortable.

When walking, even if it is quite hot outside, Signature DXP doesn't get exceedingly hot, and in fact, I'd have a hard time saying when I noticed sweating, and this is something quite interesting because Romania is currently experiencing one of the hottest summers we had in a few years.

Ultrasone DXP is fairly easy to drive, not exactly driveable from a smartphone, and clearly not to their maximum potential, but they are driveable from most portable sources, not to mention that today you have a ton of mini-devices which can drive them, like a Type-C to 3.5mm DAC/AMP like those made by Audirect and HIDIZS which are very lightweight and far outweigh the sonic performance of any smartphone. The point is that those aren't hard to get loud, but to squeeze the last drop of performance you will require something a little better, but anything from a Cayin N5ii and upwards should do a great job.

Ultrasone Signature DXP is not picky about the output impedance of its source, so you can safely use it with a Hiby R6, for example, and you also get all the convenience of R6's power.

The cables included with them are good, the straight cable being what most people will use while out and about, and that is a pretty nice cable fort portability, the only thing that might be missing from it being a remote / microphone thingy, but since many audiophiles avoid those, Ultrasone decided to not include a remote-based cable with Signature DXP like Ultrasone Signature DJ had.

All in all, those are very portable headphones that are a ton of fun to use while out and about, they are light and sit well on the head, they are comfortable even in full Romanian summer, they isolate well from the outside noise, and people will not hear what you're listening to, to the point where I was blasting full-volume metallica in my headphones while waiting patiently to pay for my groceries, but no one knew what was going inside my headphones. Traffic noise, and construction noise didn't bother me one bit either, with Ultrasone Signature DXP, and I know that those are audible if the headphones don't isolate, as I do hear traffic and such when walking with LCD-MX4. We'd still advice you to not be too brave when using closed-back, well-isolating headphones and out and about, as you need to hear what is going on around you, especially when it comes to cars.

All in all, this is a lovely headphone to use outside, and, like all Ultrasone Headphones I tested to date, Signature DXP was made with portability in mind.

Comparisons

Now let's the fun begin. I'll do the comparisons as in-depth as possible, and with the headphones closest to Signature DXP in price, regardless whether they are similar or not, since most customers and especially those new to this hobby don't always know whether they want to start on the road of closed-back or open-back and such. Since Signature DXP can stand well against much more expensive headphones when it comes to certain characteristics, like its PRaT, comparing it to more expensive headphones does make sense as well.

Ultrasone Signature DXP vs Ultrasone Signature Studio - Since we reviewed Signature Studio and its price is very similar to that of Signature DXP, it makes sense to start with this little comparison. Starting with the package, Signature Studio and Signature DXP have pretty much the same package. There are no real differences to mention in the packaging, Ultrasone using the same cardboard box, same carrying case, same cables, and the same headphone body between the two headphones. The construction quality is also pretty much the same, the only real difference being in aesthetics, as Signature Studio looks quite different from Signature DXP. Trying to compare them, Signature DXP is more edgy, but also looks more urban and more ready to be taken out, while Signature Studio looks sleeker, more elegant and more professional. Some people might also feel that the all-black Signature Studio looks more mature, while the Gray-and-Green Signature DXP looks younger and more energetic, and along those lines, this is also how they sound. The driver size is a little different between them, Signature DXP having a 50mm Mylar driver, just like Signature DJ, while Signature Studio comes with a 40mm Mylar/Titan driver, just like Signature Pro (larger drivers are usually known for bigger bass response). Signature Studio has a more mature sound, with the biggest difference between those two headphones being in the bass, where Signature Studio is much tighter, has a quicker, more revealing, but less impactful and more precise bass. In comparison, Signature DXP feels thicker, more satisfying, deeper, more impressive and more impactful, and with the treble sparkle, they also feel more balanced. The treble is also slightly different, with the Signature Studio have slightly more expansion and extension in the treble, with a brighter overall sound and more treble sparkle, but Signature DXP doesn't feel like too smooth either, being really nice as well. Both headphones have that juicy and enjoyable midrange, similar to Sennheiser IE800, which is a midrange loved by many, sometimes even favored over more revealing, but more mature midranges, and both headphones have incredible PRaT and ADSR abilities, being able to resolve textures and micr-textures that other much more expensive headphones will blend more organically, but reveal less of. The overall soundstage is crazy good on both, up to HD800 levels, and this is given by the S-Logic technology employed in both headphones. All in all, the decision between those two models is quite simple, both are Ultrasone and both are great headphones, but the question is along the lines of : Do you want a thicker, bassier, more satisfying sound, or a more analytic sound? If you prefer more bass with a slightly smoother treble, then go for Signature DXP, and if you want a tighter, brighter and more analytic sound, then go for Signature Studio.

Ultrasone Signature DXP vs Sennheiser IE800 - We can't miss this comparison because IE800 is like a standard, a point of reference we need to always go back to when comparing headphones, and Signature DXP is no exception. IE800 is an aggressively V-shaped In-Ear with a very strong sub-bass, and a glimmery treble. Its instrument separation and detail are still some of today's best, years after its release. Now, IE800 is priced around 500 USD new right now, so close to the price of Signature DXP. When looking at the package, with IE800 you're getting IE800, a few tips and the carrying case. Ultrasone Signature DXP surely packs a larger package, with the headphones, two cables, and a large carrying case included. For the sake of it, IE800, its case, and a DAP (Digital Audio Player) have enough space, along Signature DXP, in Signature DXP's case. I actually used to carry IE800, Ultrasone DJ One Pro, and FiiO X5 in Dj One Pro's case back in the day. The wearing and comfort are quite different, with IE800 being an in-ear, with a mostly good fit, but with custom tip locking mechanism, so no Spinfit tips can attach to it, while Signature DXP is an over-the-ear headphone, with a comfortable fit. The portability is better for IE800, since you can probably just place them in a pocket and forget about them, while with Signature DXP you need to take their carrying case, or at least the headphones, which are larger, but those are still ultra-portables. Now, let's go to the important part, the sound. Sennheiser IE800 starts by having more sub-bass, and quite a bit more sub-bass. Signature DXP is more balanced across their bass, having a strong sub, mid and even upper bass, having a pretty rounded bass overally. The lower amounts of mid and upper bass in IE800 mean that it will sound thinner in comparison to Signature DXP, and this is quite easy to notice. Signautre DXP has a much more satisfying sound, especially in the bass, where it is tangible, while IE800 goes just as low, if not lower, but is thinner on an overall level. The midrange is extremely sweet on both, and very textured, but one thing that is easy to notice is that IE800 is a bit more distant from the listener, and has a touch better instrument separation (it is the benchmark for instrument separation after all), but Signature DXP has a considerably larger and more expanded soundstage size, in every direction, width, depth and height, everything can travel more freely across the listening space with Signature DXP. Stereo Imaging is excellent on both, no one can complain about either, and the treble is another point where they are quite different. IE800 doesn't walk the same path as almost all other headphones do, IE800 isn't hot in the 7-9 kHz region, where things are usually sizzling hot, but the emphasis in IE800's treble is above 9kHz, which leads to what some have called a splashy treble. Of course, this is not something bad or good, but a matter of taste, some prefer their treble to sound a bit more like this, while others prefer a hotter or more direct impact from a cymbal crash. Signature DXP has its emphasis around the 9-11kHz area, but their treble is not exactly even through and through, as Ultrasone employs a special technology to reduce fatigue, so both the 7-9kHz area is attenuated, but also the upper treble area is attenuated, the cymbal crashes are smoother when compared to IE800, but they don't lack impact or life, just feel less tiring. Compared to anything that has the hotspot at the 7-9kHz area, Signature DXP feels pretty heaven sent, as they really get rid of the hotness without taking away much from music, although acoustic guitars do sound better when the headphone has a hot treble in that area. At the end of the day, both IE800 and Signature DXP are still excellent buys, and the main thing that separates them is not the detail in the sound, as both are incredible, but if you prefer more instrument separation, and a more extended treble, with a stronger sub-bass, but a thinner sound, you will probably like IE800 more, while if you prefer a thicker, more even sound, with more textures revealed, with a more organic approach to instrument separation, but with a larger soundstage, then Signature DXP surely will satisfy you well. Both great choices, but each to do a different job, we feel that customers of both will be pretty happy with what they're getting.

Ultrasone Signature DXP vs Beyerdynamic Amiron - Although there are some differences between Ultrasone Signature DXP and Beyerdynamic Amiron, especially in the fact that Amiron is open-back and DXP is closed-back, we feel that deciding between those two models might be on the mind of some of our readers, especially those who are newer to high-end headphones and who want to experiment. The package is excellent for both headphones, both come with carrying cases, although Amiron's carrying case is smaller, but has good space inside, while Signature DXP's case is larger physically. Amiron comes with a single, long cable, while Signature DXP comes with both a straight cable for portable usage, and a coiled, longer cable for desktop usage. In terms of build quality, both are built really well, but Amiron has metallic insertions in the headband and in the size adjusting mechanism, so we trust it will hold well, although to be fair, the size adjusting mechanism is thicker on Signature DXP, since they are made to be used outdoors, and in more risky environments. The comfort is very different, Amiron being a large, light headphone with much less clamping force, a much larger and deeper earpad, with velour on the earpads, and with velour on the headband, they basically feel like a feather on the head, with everything about them being so comfortable that you literally forget you're wearing them. Signature DXP, on the other hand, has the isolation. Amiron is made to be used indoors, so it is open-back, it wasn't designed with portable usage in mind, so it will be one of the best indoors headphone we reviewed, but if you need a travel headphone, then Signature DXP, with its higher clamping force, closed-back design, and good passive isolation will prove to be more of a travel and walking companion. On this noe, while both of the headphones in the comparisons before are comparable in terms of power needed to drive them, IE800 and Signature Studio being similar to Signature DXP, Amiron is not. Amiron requires quite a bit more power to be properly driven and to squeeze all the performance in them, and no Type-C to 3.5mm small DAC/AMP can't drive Amiron, the lowest equipment we recommend for Amiron being Burson Play, FiiO Q5 + AMP5, iBasso DX200 + AMP5, or something like iDSD Black Label. This further enhances the feeling that Amiron was made to be used while inside, and although something like Burson Play would make a lovely addition to your system that you'll surely use for years with a lot of other equipment, it is something you need to consider if you decide to go with Amiron, as they don't get loud enough nor have their best performance if underpowered. Now, to the sound, Signature DXP and Amiron are quite different. The overall tonality, sound, and presentation feel more mature, smoother and more relaxing on Amiron, with a tighter bass, less amounts of bass, with a lower amount of thickness, and with a more mature timbre. Where DXP was designed to be non-fatiguing by removing the hot part of the treble, Amiron doesn't have this technology employed, so its treble feels more enhanced all across the spectrum, although Amiron has a slightly smoother PRaT /ADSR presentation, so the textures feels a tad smoother and less enhanced than they do on the energetic and revealing Signature DXP. The soundstage is comparable in size and instrument separation, although if you're in a quiet listening environment, and using a really good DAC/AMP like Burson Play or iDSD Black Label, Amiron will also have a slightly better instrument separation. At the end of the day, if you're looking for one of the best closed-back headphones there are, a companion to take with you anywhere you go, and a headphone to enjoy at any time of the day, then Ultrasone Signature DXP should really be at the top of your list, while if you're looking for an ultimate headphone for indoors relaxing and soft-music listening, a headphone that sits like a feather on your head, then Amiron will probably make the better choice.

Ultrasone Signature DXP vs Ultrasone Signature DJ - Ultrasone Signature DJ was released by a while now, and it became one of the classics of headphones, being probably the headphone most recommended when someone asks "What is the ultimate closed back headphone?". While a large number of new headphones appeared on the market, some more expensive than Signature DJ, it still held its ground as one of the top choices for many music lovers, and it is for a good reason, the soundstage is almost impossible to beat, its sound is balanced all across the spectrum, it has an amazing build quality, proven by the pairs which look like new even after more than five years of usage, and by all the happy customers who wouldn't let go of their Signature DJ. The new Signature line from Ultrasone, which includes Signature Studio and Signature DXP, seems to be competing with their older, but really loved headphones, Signature DJ and Signature Pro, most reports indicating that the new DXP and Studio are meant to offer most of the experience of their more expensive brothers, but at a more affordable price. We'd like to note that Ultrasone, however, did not go down on build quality, and both Signature Studio and Signature DXP still come with 5 years of warranty, literally the longest warranty on any headphone on the market. To that end, Signature DJ comes in a very similar package with Signature DXP, both coming with that large and high-quality carrying case, with that beautiful "signature" metallic plate on the front. The main difference here, would be that Signature DJ comes with a remote, white cable, instead of the straight cable that DXP comes with. The build quality is incredibly good on both, but Signature DJ is white in color, and has a thicker glass on the headphone cup. The biggest difference between them would be in comfort, and mostly in the fact that Signature DJ has its ear pads and headband made from Ethiopian Sheep Skin leather, while Signature DXP seems to have the earcups made from a different material, which on Ultrasone's site is named leatherette. This has some influence over their sonic abilities, but first we'd like to note that virtually all the other aspects of the headphones are the same, including the driver size, which is 50mm on both DJ and DXP. While we can't confirm directly, there is a chance that the same driver was used in both Signature DJ and Signature DXP, since the materials seem to be the same, along with the Impedance, SPL and other characteristics (Also, the same seems to be true for Signature Pro and Signature Studio, which seem to share a lot of things in common). Now, the sound, is pretty similar. In fact, it is so similar, that it is hard to tell them apart, the largest difference between Signature DXP and Signature DJ being that Signature DJ seems to have a slightly juicier midrange, a slightly tighter bass, a slightly more enhanced treble response, and a better overall musical note reproduction. A lot of those characteristics might come from the difference in earpads, and It is a known fact that the pads of Signature DJ are made from real leather, while the ones for Signature DXP are made from leatherette. At the end of the day, if you want the best version of Ultrasone experience, you will inevitably be invited by the mighty Signature DJ, which is a proven headphone at this point, and if you want to save some cash, and if you aren't looking for the most premium materials, like glass and leather, you'll probably be quite happy with Signature DXP, as the sonic performance of the two is quite close and while the most picky listeners might feel the improvement in Signature DJ, most people will probably have a hard time telling them apart.

Recommended Pairings

You should keep in mind that Signature DXP comes with a single ended connector, which is 3.5mm in size on the shorter cable, and a 6.3mm connector on the longer cable. No Balanced cable and connection is possible with Signature DXP, and we don't recommend modding them for one, as for the most part it might not be worth the trouble, since they can be driven really well and sound really good from a Single Ended connection, provided that the source is up to the task. On this note, they can get loud enough and enjoyable from almost any source, as long as it is a decent one, and most Type-C to 3.5mm DAC/AMPs should do a fairly good job at driving them.

Ultrasone Signature DXP + iBasso DX200 / DX150 (AMP5) - iBasso DX200 + AMP5 has been a favorite of ours for a very long time, and so is DX150, when using its AMP5 module. The fact is, you can't even use AMP4 / AMP4S / AMP3 with Signature DXP since they can't be connected to a balanced amplifier, so the best module for DX200 we tested to date is still the good old AMP5. The sonic signature is most impressive with this pairing, with DX200 breathing a really clear and vivid sound to Signature DXP, very good transients and textures, and a juicy and lively midrange. The soundstage is larger than on most sources, with the depth of the soundstage being quite impressive as well. The bass is heavy, hits deep, and has excellent impact, while the treble is sharp and clear, but not tiring nor sibilant. With DX200, and DX150's technical ability, as well as bells and whistles in connectivity, like Streaming Services, this setup can be the ultimate portable setup for a really long while.

Ultrasone Signature DXP + FiiO X7mkii / Q5 (AM5) - Very close behind DX200 and DX150 running their AMP5 comes FiiO X7mkii and FiiO Q5 with FiiO's own AMP5, thing which isn't quite surprising, since we kept mentioning during their reviews as well, that those devices are really close in performance. FiiO's X7mkii and Q5 juiced by their AM05 are very similar in sound to DX200 and DX150 running their AMP5, the main difference being that DX200 has a touch more detail and more revealing power, and they add a little more impact to the sound, but cost quite a bit more, being making FiiO's setups the more pocket-friendly approach.

Ultrasone Signature DXP + Hiby R6 - Hiby R6 keeps appearing in our recommended combo lists because, while it isn't exactly quite as good as X7mkii or DX200, it is really really convenient. We know that some people want a one-device-then-forget approach, and R6 can provide that with Hiby's magical software enhancements, namely Hiby's really good Equalizer implementation, along with Hiby's Mage 8-Ball-sound-thingy approach. Basically, Hiby have taken the software approach to the next level, employing high-quality DSP (Digital Signal Processing) techniques, giving R6 a boost in value and usability, and since it is powered by a quick snapdragon CPU, Hiby R6 is also one of the most fluid and quickest DAPs in usage. Of course, the sound is not quite as detailed as X7mkii, Q5, DX150, or DX200, all of those making better choices for those looking for the absolute ultimate music experience, but the level of convenience R6 brings, along with the power inside it make it a really interesting choice for a portable setup since it can drive virtually anything, from IE800, all the way to Signature DXP and LCD-MX4. Without engaging any of its DSPs, R6 sounds thicker, more bassy, with a less open soundstage and with slightly less instrument separation than either DX150/DX200 or X7mkii, but it also costs less than those setups (if we factor that we mainly recommend either setup on their additional AMP5 setups) and makes up for a really nice choice if one is looking for simplicity.

Ultrasone Signature DXP + Burson Play - Burson Play is a slightly newer device in our arsenal, and it mostly is the main desktop DAC/AMP we are going to be using as a reference from this point forward. We'll have a full review on it, where we compare it to iDSD BL and other DAC/AMPs as well as other DAPs, but the short version is that if you're looking to have a desktop device, then Burson Play makes an incredible device, being less expensive than iDSD BL (our prior desktop benchmark), but having an incredibly good sound. To cut the chase, with Signature DXP, it gives them a really energetic sound, further strengthens their texture reproduction, and gives them one of the most impactful sounds you'll get of them. The levels of control and depth, as long as the overall size of the soundstage made possible by this little DAC/AMP are out-of-this-world and we really think that if you're sitting at a desk, you will want to look into it to pair your Signature DXP with.

Value and Conclusion

The value of Signature DXP is rather good, as they are priced lower than Signature DJ, this time being priced at 500 Euros. This is a very similar price to the Signature Studio, and we can safely say that even if one of them will be on sale, or could be found at a discount, most people will probably make the choice based on their sonic preferences, since the two are pretty different in their sound, or at least enough that you'd want to pick the one you like better.

The build quality on both is quite excellent, and the thing is that Ultrasone themselves take so much pride in their work and trust their build quality so much that their Signature Series are pretty much the only headphones we know of which come with five years of warranty. Of course, their warranty isn't an insurance, so it doesn't protect against drops and such, but with normal wear, those headphones are made to last more than five years, and this speaks a lot about the build quality.

The headphone itself is made out of high quality plastic, and most of it feels really nice in hand, especially the cups, which have that glass-like material on the outside. The headphones are gray with green accents this time, looking a bit younger and more playful, as well as more energetic and edgier than other Ultrasone Headphones, which usually look pretty sleek and sexy, as well as pretty elegant, but less appealing to a younger market.

The sonic performance of Signature DXP is also in line with their aesthetics, as they have a really playful, fun, and enjoyable sound, packing a strong punch in the bass, having a juicy, musical, vivid, dynamic and sweet midrange, and having a smoother treble, which you could listen to for days in a row. With all the detail, and their large soundstage, they sure make a very compelling listen and a very impressive overall experience. There's nothing we could badmouth about their signature, being very universal and fitting well with almost any music style thrown at them, Ultrasone Signature DXP will surely be a delight to many listeners who are looking for a headphone employing Ultrasone latest technology but being more affordable than their other offerings.

At the end of the day, if you're looking for a really crisp and clear closed-back, portable headphone, with a very good build quality, and a textured, energetic, vivid, dynamic, and punchy sound, you should totally check out Ultrasone's Signature DXP model, as we feel they'll become a top headphone in everyone's recommendation for one of the best closed-back affordable headphones you can get, with a few of the other options also being also from Ultrasone, as making closed-back headphones is something they're really good at.

I hope my review is helpful to you!

Stay safe and remember to always have fun while listening to music!

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Alpha & Delta D3 - Affordable, Smooth and Fun

Alpha & Delta is a company from China with two IEMs in their current offering, D3 and D6. We're going to review both, but today we're taking a look at the cheaper one, D3, which is really really affordable, and which enthused a lot of music lovers with their build quality and sound. Let's see how they stack to other IEMs in this price range.

Introduction

Alpha Delta is a friendly although somewhat new company from China. Their two models, D3 and D6 are both pretty well received, and they are both current models still in production, with a lot of people looking forward to both of them as a really pocket-friendly solution for their music listening experience. We had very nice conversation with Alpha & Delta, and we consider them to be a great company to work with, we recommend them to provide you service and a good level of communication.

It should be noted that I have absolutely no affiliation with Alpha & Delta, I am not receiving any incentive for this review or to sweeten things out. This review is not sponsored nor has been paid for by Alpha & Delta or anyone else. I'd like to thank Alpha & Delta for providing the sample for this review. The sample was provided along with Alpha & Delta's request for an honest and unbiased review. This review will be as objective as it is humanly possible, and it reflects my personal experience with Alpha & Delta D3. Every opinion expressed is mine and I stand by it, the purpose of this review is to help those interested in Alpha & Delta D3 find their next music companion.

About me

https://audiophile-heaven.blogspot.ro/p/about.html

Packaging

First things first, let's get the packaging out of the way:

Alpha & Delta packages are pretty nice and include the minimum amount of accessories necessary to enjoy their products, like tips and a carrying case. To be fair, they also include ear Hooks with their D3 IEMs, but we consider those to not be very useful, and to be rather counter-productive in practice, as wearing the IEMs over-the-ear without hooks is more comfortable for most people.

The overall package looks nice, it doesn't look or feel cheap, and it Alpha & Delta has ensured that their IEMs will be safe during shipping. The outer package is made from a sleek-designed cardboard box, with beautiful graphics of D3 drawn on it, while the inner box is made from a holder made of plastic.

The IEMs themselves actually come with double flanged tips installed, and to our amazement, they actually have another pair of double flanged tips, three parts of single-flange tips, and even a pair of foam tips. This wouldn't be extremely impressive if those were priced higher, but for a IEM priced at 35 USD, they actually come with more than some IEMs costing many times more do.

There is a clip shirt included as well, but happily D3 doesn't suffer from microphonic noise, so it won't be necessary to use the clip.

All in all, we are extremely intrigued and impressed by the package of Alpha Delta D3, and we aren't sure how Alpha Delta managed to pull off such an amazing package for such a low price, and we hope that more companies will follow suite in this aspect.

What to look in when purchasing an entry-level In-Ear Monitor

https://audiophile-heaven.blogspot.ro/p/what-to-lookl.html

Technical Specifications

Driver Unit: 6 mm micro dynamic driver
Impedance: 16 ohm
Rated Power: 1mW
Frequency Response: 10Hz-20 kHz
Speaker Sensitivity: 92+/- db/mW
Cord Length: 1.2m silver plated copper cable
Plug: 3.5mm

Build Quality/Aesthetics/Fit/Comfort

The build quality is incredible. We are reviewing a 35 USD IEM, which also goes on sale on Massdrop for less sometimes, and it has a build quality it can only be happy about. The main IEM body is made out of metal, and the IEM itself looks and feels very solid. The cable is braided, and has a really nice look to it, it is very flexible, and it is slightly translucent.

The Carrying case is made from what seems to be leather. In fact, it looks and feels more like leather than most actual leather cases, we feel that this is most impressive. The case is somewhat soft, so it won't offer much protection to D3 in case you needed the case to protect them, but it is pretty sexy, and we can't stress enough how nice to the touch it is.

The IEM is sleek with its metallic shape, and it looks really sexy, and even the 3.5mm jack is actually custom made for them, and it has a unique design, looking a little like an arrow.

When it comes to their fit and comfort, like for most IEMs, they fit better in the ear while they have a single flange tip rather than the double flange tip they come with. This usually happens because most ears feel much more comfortable with the shallower single flanged tip. The fit is pretty universal and we haven't detected any kind of issues with their fit, especially since the IEM bodies are rather small. The wearing style is preferred with the cable over-the-ear, thing which reduces microphonics.

On the other hand, we did detect some driver flex, but very little. It should be undetectable to most users, but it still is there.

All in all, the fit and comfort is heaven-like with Alpha Delta D3, they really stay well in ears, they don't slide out of the ears, and they can even be a jogging IEM. The build quality is also nice and we have nothing to complain about, instead having only things that impressed us at this price point.

Sound Quality

The sound quality is pretty much what you'd expect it to be at 35 USD. The signature is bass-driven, warm and a little thick, with the bass and the midrange being the centric elements of their sound. The detail levels are good, and since D3 is a 35 USD IEM.

The bass is strong and fairly well-controlled, it has a good depth, and good clarity. In all fairness, the impact is also fairly good, thing which gives them a pretty nice low end.

The midrange is pretty much dropping off after 300 Hz and it reaches a low level around 1 kHz, where it has a dip of around 15 dB compared to the sub-bass and the mid-bass. There is a peak at 2-5kHz, where it reaches similar levels as the sub-bass and the mid-bass, after which it goes out steeply.

This entire sound can be described as a meaty bass and sub-bass, with a recessed lower midrange, which tries to give them a better clarity and detail to the midrange, but can take out some power from male vocals. The peak ends at 5 - 5.5 kHz, which means that violins and female vocals are also a bit recessed and aren't emotional.

The brigt side to all their signature is their level of fatigue, which is zero. With the treble being almost 25 dB quieter than the rest of the bass and the midrange, the sound is extremely smooth and can only be named relaxing, it basically cannot be fatiguing to any ear, it will be smooth, soothing and relaxing regardless of what you're playing through D3, nothing can sound harsh or bright, and all music will come off as smooth and relaxing. This isn't exactly a good effect if you're listening to a lot of metal music, but this can be especially nice if you're into Jazz or low-fi music in general. Electronic music doesn't have treble sparkle, but the bass is pretty nice and if you prefer your electronic with less sparkle in the treble, then those are a good choice.

Soundstage

The soundstage of D3 is not bad at all, being actually impressive for a IEM at this price point. It reminds us of the soundstage of Shozy Zero, which was also quite impressive for 50USD. There is a good amount of holographic effect, along with a good amount of space between instruments, although they still are somewhat on the more intimate side of things. The main thing that we like about their soundstage is that the instruments aren't too focused all together, so you can distinguish a lead guitar from a rhythm, along with certain effects in electronic music.

ADSR / PRaT

The ADSR and PRaT (Texturization) is slow to natural, the recessed treble enhancing this feeling. The bass isn't particularly slow, but the resolution and texture revealing are as good as 35 USD goes, so on music like that of mindless self indulgence you can expect to hear the macro textures, but most micro textures will be played too smooth to be able to distinguish them, but in all fairness, this is not an issue considering their price point, the overall textures being possible to be better on some IEMs at those price points, but only when the IEM itself is brighter and tuned with a more revealing tuning in mind, so if you're looking for a smooth signature, D3 provides a nice performance.

Portable Usage

The portable usage is excellent.

The IEMs themselves are small, they are lightweight, they isolate fairly well, and the cable is really nice for walking while wearing them.

The over-the-ear wearing style helps a lot with using D3, as they don't have microphonic noise, and it also helps with comfort. The cable is soft and has a shape that is easy to change, so you have a really nice experience when it comes to using them while on-the-go. The cable and the IEM bodies are extremely light in their weight, so you can barely tell that you're wearing them. You can literally jog with D3 without noticing that you're wearing them, resulting in an excellent overall portability.

They are easily driveable from any source and don't scale much with the source, so you can safely enjoy them from the most basic music player device, like a very inexpensive smartphone, or even an old MP3 Player.

In short, AD D3 is a really portable IEM which is great to take on a road trip.

Comparisons

We haven't reviewed almost any other IEM at a similar price to Alpha Delta D3, so most comparisons will feel a little unfair, since a 60 USD IEM is almost double D3's price, and many of the lowest priced IEMs we reviewed are priced starting with 50 USD.

Alpha Delta D3 vs Kinera Seed - Starting with the build quality, Kinera Seed has a plastic shell, but has a detachable cable, where Alpha Delta D3 has a more flexible cable, and a metallic IEM body. D3 manages to come with more tips, although the selection included with Kinera Seed can be considered adequate as well, especially for this price point. The wearing comfort is very similar, and both IEMs are very comfortable. The sonic performance of Kinera Seed is good, with more treble sparkle, more detail, and a more balanced overall sound, although Kinera Seed also comes at almost double the price of Alpha Delta D3.

Alpha Delta D3 vs Shozy Zero - Starting with the build quality, Shozy Zero is actually made out of wood, and this alone makes it a very interesting little IEM, especially for the 50 USD it costs. The package is very good on both IEMs, but D3 manages to include more tips in its package. The comfort is similar between the two, although Shozy Zero had some driver flex, where D3 doesn't have any, and D3 is mainly made to be worn over-the-ear, while Shozy Zero can be worn either straight down or over-the-ear. The sonic performance is quite impressive on both, and they have a somewhat similar sonic signature, although Shozy Zero has a warmer, thicker and more dynamic sound, with more treble extension, and a slightly larger soundstage, while D3 tends to be smoother, and to have slightly more control and precision over its bass.

Alpha Delta D3 vs Final E2000 - E2000 is an interesting offering and comparison point for D3 because it has a closer price than the other IEMs in the comparison list. The build quality is quite good on both, both IEMs have a metallic body, with a fixed cable, and both IEMs have a good cable by default, although D3 has a braided cable, while E2000 has a lean cable. Both cables move easily and neither has any kind of wearing issues. The comfort is similar, although E2000 can be worn both straight-down and over-the-ear, and they are a bullet-type of IEM, which means that their shape tends to be quite comfortable for most ears shapes, but D3 has a really tiny body which makes up for its body having a different shape. The isolation is better on D3 since E2000 has a larger vent and is generally vented, and both IEMs are easily driveable from a portable source. When it comes to their sonic performance, both IEMs do well in most aspects, both IEMs have a similar level of detail and clarity, and both IEMs are fun and slightly colored, but E2000 has a considerably better treble extension and it is more balanced, universal and versatile, where D3's smooth signature either works or doesn't work for your ears and music tastes, being more specific. Both IEMs are good value at this moment, with D3 being cheaper, especially if you order it from massdrop.

Recommended Pairings

Alpha Delta D3 is very little dependent on its source, sounding fairly similar from most sources, so we don't recommend using it with a very expensive source, as it simply doesn't scale very well. Better DACs nor Better AMPs don't have much effect on their signature, and even using some EQ can be a little complicated, although it can balance out their natural signature, making them a little more universal and versatile. Being a 35 USD IEM, we need to mention that D3 isn't quite that revealing of the source, this thing being a double-edged truth, as it means that you can't really improve by adding a better source, but this also means that they will sound excellent from the least pretentious smartphone.

Alpha Delta D3 + Cayin N5ii - N5ii is a great source due to many reasons, including the fact that it is easy to use, it has a good battery life, it has a good price, and it has streaming services, along with two microSD slots, so you have quite a bit of fun prepared for you when you're purchasing it. The sonic signature of N5ii with D3 is interesting, because it helps even out their original signature, a little bit, but not a whole lot, although it adds a bit more detail than the typical smartphone.

Alpha Delta D3 + FiiO M7 - FiiO M7 is a nice solution from multiple aspects, including its battery life and price, but the thing it does really well is bluetooth in all its shapes and sizes, which won't be used by this pairing. This still makes M7 a very compelling purchase because you know will be able to use it for a long while, with a wide range of headphones and IEMs, especially if those are or will be based on the bluetooth connection. As for its sonic performance together with D3, M7 sounds quite good, it brings a little more treble to the mix, making them a tad brighter than the typical smartphone, which is very welcome, considering D3's signature, but not enough to mean that you can get away without using EQ unless you really like D3's smooth and relaxing original signature.

Alpha Delta D3 + Shanling M2s - Shanling M2s will quickly be replaced by its successor, but this makes it a great deal while you can still find it in stock, as now it should be on sale, and at a great price. Right now, it is a great little device if you prefer controlling a device without a touchscreen, and it still has quite a bit of power under its belt. It has some bluetooth powers, like APT-X, but it doesn't have all the bells and whistles of M7, being also priced more pocket-friendly. When it comes to its sonic performance, M2s is a pretty thick-sounding DAP, and this is also transcribed to D3, as they sound a tad warmer and thicker, but M2s doesn't bring much more brightness or treble to the mix, thing which would have been welcome considering D3's really smooth and quiet treble.

Value and Conclusion

Alpha Delta D3 is a really pocket-friendly IEM, with a price of just 35USD, and which also goes on sale pretty often, sometimes for far less than this. This makes it one of the least expensive IEMs we reviewed recently, and this also makes it a really interesting choice for the music listener in need for a really affordable option.

The package comes with more than other IEMs come with at this price point, D3 coming bundled together with foam, double-flange, and single-flange tips, thing which is quite outstanding on its own, and D3 also comes with a shirt clip and ear hooks, thing which is also quite welcome for them, and they even come with a leathery carrying case, making one of the best equipped IEM we reviewed at this price point, thing which is impressive on its own, but even more at their price point.

The build quality and aesthetics are two things we really love about D3. It is a metallic-body IEM, and it is simply beautiful, being hard to place in words just how cool they look in person. The silvery - white - translucent cable is also beautiful and the whole IEM looks outstanding, much much better than you'd expect any 35USD IEM to look like. They feel solid, and they seem like they can take a beating and come back asking for more.

Sonic performance, on the other hand, is something we have mixed feelings about. The Signature is very colored, and tuned with a very specific tuning in mind, being something you either like or not, and since they don't change much with source, and since they don't respond very much to EQ either, you need to be sure that this is the kind of signature you're looking for. The main signature, if you like music like this, is pretty impressive, in detail and dynamics, they have an enhanced, thick but well-controlled bass, a recessed lower midrange, and an enhanced mid range, after which the upper midrange, lower treble, and upper treble fall steeply to a 25dB lower level than the main midrange and the bass. This means that they sound musical, warm, smooth, happy and playful, but they lack sharpness and treble bite, being a really relaxing IEM tuned for those who like to lean in their armchair and just enjoy the music without much excitement of treble symbols and cymbal crashes. For low-fi music, hip-hop, jazz, and trip-hop, they are a perfect match, but for metal music they sound overly smooth and calm, being something that you might like, if you prefer your metal music to be presented in a calmer and more friendly way.

At the end of the day, we're talking about a 35USD IEM that really outshines its price point, and we really can hardly fault, considering its build quality and package, and since the detail levels are really good for 35USD, we can't say that their colored sound is a downside necessarily, just a matter of your subjective preference. The smooth and relaxing way they convey music will surely satisfy and be a delight to those listening to a lot of Hip-Hop, Trip-Hop, Low-Fi, Jazz and other quaint music styles, and it will be a true revelation for those who like their music with very little treble as well, like say those who are easily fatigued by too much treble.

Don't worry, we're also working on a review on their D6, so you'll also have a good idea how both their IEMs sound like, especially compared to each other.

If you're looking for a very impressive and durable IEM for 35USD, be sure to check out Alpha Delta D3, and if you like your music warm, smooth and relaxing, this might be your best choice, and with their beautiful design, they'll surely make a nice addition to your portable listening arsenal.

I hope my review is helpful to you!

Stay safe and remember to always have fun while listening to music!

Contact us!
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iFi iEMatch 2.5 - Balanced Matching

iFi iEMatch 2.5 is the version of iEMatch made for 2.5mm balanced connectors. Those iEMatch units have been known to help those with hissy sources get a better sound without needing to upgrade the whole source, and iEMatch is usually pretty affordable as well. We'll place this one through its paces and see what the buzz is all about.

Introduction

iFi is a very well-known company in Audio and especially in the Audiophile Hobby, since they are some of the most exemplary when it comes to their service, support as well as involvement with the community. iFi products are a dream to own, and we have a few already, from their iFi iDSD Black Label Micro, to the Nano, and soon to come is the iFi xDSD, another awesome product. We're not affiliated with iFi, but we like their work so far, pretty good and most important, usually really well priced compared to the competition.

It should be noted that I have absolutely no affiliation with iFi, I am not receiving any incentive for this review or to sweeten things out. This review is not sponsored nor has been paid for by iFi or anyone else. I'd like to thank iFi for providing the sample for the review. The sample was provided along with iFi's request for an honest and unbiased review. This review will be as objective as it is humanly possible, and it reflects my personal experience with iFi iEMatch 2.5. Every opinion expressed is mine and I stand by it, the purpose of this review is to help those interested in iFi iEMatch 2.5 find their next music companion.

About me

https://audiophile-heaven.blogspot.ro/p/about.html

Packaging

First things first, let's get the packaging out of the way:

For most of their products, iFi used pretty fancy packages, but now the package is rather small. Of course iFi iEMatch 2.5 doesn't have a lot it comes with since it is an inexpensive adapter that helps with hissy and noisy sources, so we aren't bothered by the lack of a larger package.

In fact, we're pretty happy that iFi included all that was necessary in the package, and a little extra.

With iEMatch 2.5 you get the unit, two foam plugs, and a little carrying pouch.

It is unclear why the foam plugs are included, but they are a welcome addition anyways, especially for that time you go to a concert and happen to need something to protect your hearing from the loud music.

All things considered, we are rather happy with the package, it feels fitting for the product.

What to look in when purchasing a high-end Audiophile Accessory

https://audiophile-heaven.blogspot.com/p/what-to-lookl.html

Technical Specifications

Input Impedance: 16 Ohm
Output Impedance: < 2.5 Ohms (High-Sensitivity) < 1.0 Ohms (Ultra-Sensitivity)
Weight : 12.2g
Total Length : 116mm
Warranty period: 12 months

Build Quality/Aesthetics

iFi iEMatch 2.5mm is basically a little cable adapter which is used to control the output impedance and noise of your source. It works by filtering the signal of your source and lowering the noise floor, along with the volume of it. It usually results in a lower output volume as well.

The Aesthetics make it look like a sturdy adapter of sorts, it doesn't give off much about its purpose by the looks alone, being neither a cool-looking device nor something that will change the overall look of your setup too much. At most, it looks like a USB DAC like those used in Type-C based smartphones, so most people can either think it is part of the natural listening setup, or a jack adapter.

This is actually good, because its purpose is quite complicated, and while it can surely make a good discussion subject with someone who is really into audio, it can be slightly complicated to understand for a more casual listener / user.

The Build Quality is excellent, the plug and cable are both sturdy and feel trustworthy, the button for setting the iEMatch to High or Ultra feels good and overall, the device is built very well.

iEMatch has two modes, one being high and one being ultra, depending on how much it affects the impedance, the Ultra setting being the one that has more effect than the High one.

Sound Quality

We don't have any other device to run the typical comparison and running the pairing tabs isn't very worthwhile when iEMatch does the same thing for almost all sources. The basic rule of thumb is that if you feel your source is noisy, then iEMatch is sent from Heaven.

Most 2.5mm Balanced outputs have a little bit of added power compared to their Single Ended counter parts. This means that for most people the Balanced output can sound a bit more dynamic, a little brighter, and sometimes even hissier, as for some DAPs the balanced output has a higher output impedance, resulting in a few impedance differences, leading to hiss with very sensitive IEMs.

Many users claim a difference in the sonic performance of their equipment when running it on Balanced, differences usually being a more controlled sound, quicker sound, better overall ADSR/PRaT (Textures), more Dynamics and a more enjoyable overall experience. We never reviewed Balanced vs Single Ended because a bias-free test is impossible, since we can't hot swap between two devices, and since Balanced Cables are usually made with a more strict quality control, along with a different overall cable composition. This means that for the most part the Balanced version of a IEM or Headphone might sound better, but a lot of variables change along the way, being hard to tell what exactly makes them sound better.

With the recent increase in Balanced devices appeared some which have a little too much power, an output impedance that is a little too high, or those which are a little hissy / noisy by default.

This is where iEMatch comes in handy, its role is to silence the noise from the source. What it does, it basically adds impedance to the source, which although doesn't sound like it would do a lot, it actually silences the sound, makes everything quieter, including the noise.

Now, there are a few aspects to this that we should discuss.

This lowers the hiss from sources, leading to a hiss-free experience, that works with IEMs which are very sensitive to hiss, like those IEMs with only a few OHMs of impedance for themselves.

iEMatch also states that it can increase the dynamics of a combo, and there might be some truth to this, especially for IEMs (In-Ear Monitors), where those would need really low amounts of power. This means that the amplifier used in the pairing might be operating at a really low voltage / power, which can result in certain designs in a loss of dynamics. By adding impedance, and increasing the volume, there is a chance of also increasing the dynamics of sound, since some designs operate better at high loads. This is very design dependent though, and hard to predict unless experimented with.

The other thing iEMatch can do is lower the noise floor by filtering noise. Some users reported that they hear a black background and more focus on certain background instruments which would otherwise be drowned by the background noise.

In all fairness, we tested iEMatch 2.5 extensively, but we are usually not very prone to notice noise nor hissing, but we did notice a darker overall background with iEMatch 2.5, along with a better overall sound, although it required us to increase the volume considerably more than if not using it, the results being sometimes the amplifier working at higher loads than it would normally do.

All in all, it is as it should be, colorless, it is supposed to be transparent and not change the signature much, and it does what it states it should do, lower the hiss and adding resistance to the IEM, so the improvements will be variable, from IEM to IEM. We're looking at something that is not supposed to have a Sound Signature, just to improve and silence noise, and this is something it does.

In our experiments, the dynamics were not necessarily consistently better for all setups, some setups did indeed benefit from adding iEMatch 2.5, while others did not, with the results themselves being rather small. In the end we can't guarantee the results on dynamics.

The background is blacker, there is a silence going on in the background, especially if the source was noisy, and even if it was only slightly noisy.

We would like to remind you that this device is colorless, it doesn't really change the signature itself, only a few aspects of the sonic performance of a device. Its biggest role is to change the output impedance to a lower one after all.

Portable Usage

The portable performance is good. Being rather small and flexible, it doesn't really add to the bulk of a listening setup, and it doesn't really change it either. On this note, we usually talk about listening volume and noise isolation, so we feel it is fair to run iEMatch 2.5 through those two as well.

On listening volume, adding iEMatch means that you will require more volume.

Although most 2.5mm Balanced source have no problem in driving hard-to-drive loads, if yours was already reaching the maximum volume when driving something, then adding iEMatch is not a great idea, as it will make everything quieter. This means that you might be unable to drive your IEMs / Headphones properly loudness-wise, but then again, this should be extremely rare, and for most IEMs or headphones that would be like this, you're probably not going to need iEMatch since its design is mostly intended for those which are very sensitive and would pick up hiss and background noise.

On the noise isolation, it is fair to state that iEMatch does nothing to it, but the fact that you have a blacker background means that you might require less isolation on an overall level, because background notes are easier to distinguish. This effect might also lead to lower overall listening volumes, even while on-the-go and while in public, since you'd be hearing more in the background, with less volume, so this can be a good part of using iEMatch 2.5, although we feel that this will depend a lot on the user.

All in all, the shape, size and build quality make iEMatch very portable and a good addition to your portable listening setup. It can sit nicely with any DAP, from Hiby R6 to Opus #1s, FiiO X5-3, FiiO X7mkii, FiiO Q5, and so on. There's literally no real bulk added to most audiophile setups, so on portability, it is really good.

Value and Conclusion

First, we have the price, which is around 60 - 70 USD. This isn't exactly low, considering what it is, but it isn't exactly high either. iEMatch 2.5 is also going to be usable with any DAP you upgrade to, and with all your IEMs, as long as they are based on 2.5mm connectors, so unless you plan on switching to 4.4mm balanced connectors, or unless you plan on going to unbalanced, you're going to have usage for it for a long time, so the money can be considered a good investition. Since most DAPs that have a balanced connection start from 300 USD and go up, and since most multi-BA IEMs that are quite sensitive are also quite pricey, iEMatch is not a very expensive addition to your listening setup, and in most cases can be considered affordable, relative to the rest of the listening setup.

When it comes to its build quality, it is extremely well made, its simplicity playing a role on this, and we didn't have any issues with it. In fact, this is important because it will stay in a stack with a device, and it should be pretty solid. It doesn't have much weight, and it doesn't pull on the jack of the device it is connected to, and it doesn't have any part that can break.

Its main rol, the lower the output impedance of a device, is achieved fairly well, and it doesn't colour the sound. It will redeem a device if its Balanced output is a bit hissy or a bit noisy, and it can redeem a device even if its balanced output is very hissy or very noisy. The main issue here is that there are few devices that have balanced outputs, and even fewer that are really noisy, but as more and more devices come to the market, some will aim to drive very hard-to-drive headphones from that balanced output, and this will sometime mean that a sacrifice has to be made, and that device might not be ideal for driving in-ears. Here, iEMatch 2.5 will be a great addition to your listening setup and help you enjoy the sources and the IEMs you already own more.

In conclusion, iEMatch 2.5mm is a great addition to your listening setup if you use IEMs a lot, especially multi-BA IEMs and IEMs that are very sensitive (have a very low impedance, or very high efficiency), as those will take advantage the most from the works of iEMatch 2.5mm. With a good build quality, and a nice design, iEMatch 2.5 is going to be a great aid if you want less hiss and less background noise, and it comes at a price that's not very high either, so you can safely add it to your listening setup.

I hope my review is helpful to you!

Stay safe and remember to always have fun while listening to music!

Contact us!
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@Dobrescu George

@Dobrescu George Been using it the past couple of days. Right out of the gate I'll say the hiss is totally rectified. X5iii's BO had output impedance of 3 ohms, iEMatch's 'high' setting brings that down only slightly to 2.5 ohms. And yet it seems to have done the trick!

@Dobrescu George

@Dobrescu George Without it in the chain, I can clearly tell when my headphone cable is plugged into the player or not. With it in the chain, I cannot tell the difference between headphone cable being plugged in or not. That being the test, it succeeds!

@WitzyZed

@WitzyZed I'm really happy it works well for you, and I'm really happy it solved the issue for you!!

Advanced Model 3 - Bluetooth, Bass, Go

Advanced Model 3 is a bluetooth IEM from Advanced, a rather large and consumer-friendly company with a slightly fun name. They have produced good stuff in the past, so we're eager to hear how a pocket-friendly model like Model 3 sounds like.

Introduction

Advanced is a friendly and reliable company from USA, experimented in producing IEMs and Headphones. They have more recent and more expensive models out there, but for now we're taking a look at their Model 3, a really interesting headphone just released, that should prove to be pretty fun. With Bluetooth and a very portable fit, they promise to bring some fun to their users. Advanced, as a company, is trustable and very supportive to their customers, at least this is what we'd say from our interaction with them so far.

It should be noted that I have absolutely no affiliation with Advanced, I am not receiving any incentive for this review or to sweeten things out. This review is not sponsored nor has been paid for by Advanced or anyone else. I'd like to thank Advanced for providing the sample for this review. The sample was provided along with Advanced's request for an honest and unbiased review. This review will be as objective as it is humanly possible, and it reflects my personal experience with Advanced Model3. Every opinion expressed is mine and I stand by it, the purpose of this review is to help those interested in Advanced Model3 find their next music companion.

About me

https://audiophile-heaven.blogspot.ro/p/about.html

Packaging

First things first, let's get the packaging out of the way:

The package is fairly consistent and provides good support and protection for Model3. Contrary to most budget-oriented IEMs and Headphones we reviewed lately, Model 3 comes with quite a few accessories in the box.

For beginners, they are a Bluetooth IEM, so they have a Bluetooth Module included in the package. They also have two sets of cables, detachable cables via MMCX connections, and a USB cable for charging the Bluetooth Module.

Of course, there is also a normal cable, single ended, 3.5mm, which works with virtually anything. This cable is very nice because it has good quality and seems to be free of microphonic noise.

The Bluetooth module is pretty useful and trendy, it locks behind the neck, so all its weight rests on the neck instead of resting in one point and dragging your IEMs.

There are tips, both silicone and foam tips, in the same package. The foam tips are green in color, a bright green, while the silicone tips are black. They are no Comply and no Spinfit tips, but they are really good in quality, and much better than most budget IEMs come with.

It is hard to give Model 3 any rating but golden for their package, it feels really well-thought and all-inclusive, and it has a very pocket-friendly price.

What to look in when purchasing an entry-level In-Ear Monitor

https://audiophile-heaven.blogspot.ro/p/what-to-lookl.html

Technical Specifications

Driver unit - Custom-tuned single dynamic driver
Impedance - 16ohm+/-15%
Sensitivity - 100dB+/-3dB at 1kHz
Frequency response - Super Wideband 20Hz – 40kHz
Music/talk time (Wireless) - Up to 5 hours
Charging time - 1.5 hours
BT version - 4.1 + aptX®
Connection distance - 10m (33ft)
Input port - MicroUSB, DC 5V/60mA
Working current - 10-19mA
Voltage - 3.7V
Cord length (Wired) - 1.2M
Plug (Wired) - 3.5mm Gold Plated

Build Quality/Aesthetics/Fit/Comfort

The main IEM body is made out of plastic, with a plastic shell and it is mostly plastic all-around. In fact, it is hard to say that it has anything that isn't plastic, except for the drivers and the connectors, which are metallic. This is nothing bad, since the plastic is transparent and looks pretty modern, along with looking a bit geeky. The outer shell has a model on it, but it still lets you see inside the IEM, although the drivers do sound much more impressive than they look like.

Let's start with the Aesthetics, Model 3 looks like a geeky - trendy piece of equipment made of transparent plastic, which would sit well with all audiences, be it metalheads, rappers or even those who might consider themselves hipsters. The aesthetics simply fit well with everything because the design is simple, yet cool and effective.

The IEM shell is connected to a cable via an MMCX cable, and you get two cables, one that is based on a Bluetooth Module, and one that is Single Ended, which connects to virtually anything that has a 3.5mm output.

The build quality is quite good, the MMCX connectors are neither too tight nor too loose, the IEM shell is impossible to scratch or break (at least with normal usage), the cables are thick enough to feel trustworthy, they are neither too springy nor too loose, they both have good lengths for their intended usages, there are no microphonic noises, and the earphones work well.

When it comes to fit, Model 3 is an earphone that can be worn only over-the-ear, thing which means that you get the increased noise isolation and comfort that comes with this wearing style. In fact, those are as good as Shure Top-Of-The-Line IEMs when it comes to their comfort and fit, they have a deep ift that feels incredibly comfortable, and if you don't like silicone tips, you can always use the foam tips included in the package. The foam tips are soft, but have good build quality, and they seem to be able to last you even more than Comply tips usually last a user (which is on average a few weeks).The main downside to comfort can be the driver flex, which happens sometimes when using Model 3. It doesn't happen after they have been inserted, and all companies whose IEMs had driver flex in the past have stated that it does not damage the IEM, but it should be taken into account.

The comfort is complimented by the noise isolation, which is also excellent, you are cut off from the outside world, and exploring the suburban areas near Bucharest feel like fun as you're surrounded by music and no distractions.

Sound Quality

The title gives this one away, but Model 3 is a basshead's IEM. The highlight of this little IEM is the bass. The bass is also the shadow, and everything in between. There's so much bass that the bass gets super bass-tastic!

On a more serious note, since it is a IEM that doesn't look quite that imposing, we weren't exactly expecting it to be so bassy. The good part though, is that it isn't just a little bassy, it explodes. The whole sound is quite dynamic, has excellent detail, and overall, it is extremely enjoyable.

Let's start with the bass. The bass is deep, it is natural-to-slow, and it is very very impressive. The quantity of the bass is higher than the quantity of the midrange and the treble, but somehow it manages to not darken the midrange too much, and one can most certainly say that the midrange is clear, although less in amount, but it stays free of bass's influence. One thing that does happen though, is that the whole sound is pretty thick. The bass is also rather thick, so its decay is natural to slightly slow, bass notes feel long-lasting, they feel deep, and they feel impressive. The bass extension goes as deep as one can imagine and want, and overall, it is a clean and high-quality bass. Its resolution is also in line with other IEMs priced similarly.

The mirange, is thick, clear, detailed and pretty vivid. The dynamics are really good, mostly thanks to the bass, but the midrange tonality is not spot-on, it tends to be slightly thick in nature, so some female vocals feel a bit underexposed, especially compared to thicker and lower male vocals. This seems to be true for most upper midrange instruments and voices, piano and violins also being slightly less in volume, than a guitar is for example. While this is not a very big issue for most music, and most people might actually prefer this type of presentation since it lets one ramp up the volume pretty high, and listen quite loud, this can be an issue if you prefer to listen to overly emotional tracks, especially if you prefer sad music.

The treble is pretty smooth and recessed, slowly rolls continuously, until the highest cymbal crashes and splashes end up being smooth and calm rather than energetic and explosive. This also translates to a wonderful experience for those who prefer to listen to smooth music, and for those who don't want a bright signature, as Model 3 is pretty opposed to what we'd call bright, it is a smooth, dark sounding IEM with a lot of bass and a tasty midrange, and with a very well-mannered treble.

The other thing you should notice about it is that it works really really well with almost anything you throw at it. Model 3 simply sounds pretty interesting with a wide variety of music, and as long as the song isn't sad, almost anything goes for them. The thick bass helps quite a bit with this, as it makes most music impactful.

Soundstage

The soundstage of Model 3 is fairly good. It extends well and doesn't feel constrained, or in-your-head, but it doesn't go quite that much out of it either. To put it simply, it sounds fair and natural.

The good part about this is that the instrument separation is fairly good. In fact, it is so good that we'd be happy to listen to them for long periods of time without complaining that instruments cross each other, they basically separate well. The smoother top end limits the width expansion on the soundstage size, but the instrument separation, especially when it comes to bass notes and the midrange based instruments, is really good.

While not as shocking as Dragon2+ was, because we expected less from it, Advanced Model 3 has a good soundstage that is quite enjoyable. It can be named larger than IEMs focusing on separation more than soundstage width, thing which should work well with a varied music selection.

ADSR / PRaT

The ADSR and PRaT (Texturization) is slow to natural, meaning that textures are generally rendered smooth and songs like those of Mindless Self Indulgence have their textures rendered generally natural with the micro-textures being extremely smooth, and the macro-textures being easier to notice, but still pretty smooth. This works very well with music like hip-hop, and it helps with instruments where textures can sound a bit hard, like trumpets for example, making jazz liquid and soft, but with music like metal, it can make certain guitars a bit too smooth, and especially rough and aggressive metal can feel friendly.

Portable Usage

The portable usage is excellent.

Not only there is nothing to complain about Model3, they are actually some of the best IEMs in the world when it comes to their portable usage.

Starting with their shape, they are deep-fit IEMs with an excellent overall comfort, they have a very ergonomic shape, they are small enough to fit well in most ears, and they come with good cables.

The cables are two in number, and one of them is even Bluetooth! This feature alone makes Model 3 a pretty amazing purchase, you can run, and you can to strength training with those IEMs, without ever having to worry that they'll fall out of your ears or that they might break or scratch. They simply sit there without an issue, and the bluetooth cable is pretty well designed, it can lock around your neck, providing a good method for keeping it in check, via a small magnet.

Neither cable has any kind of microphonic noise, and both cables are good in their build quality. The cable connectors are both MMCX-based, which means that you shouldn't experience any issue when changing cables.

The IEMs themselves isolate well to very well from the outside noise, providing an excellent experience while outside, even in the noisiest places in Bucharest.

The battery life for the BT module is in line with other similar products, around 5 hours, give or take, and given the really tiny size of it, we're quite happy to say that we're pretty satisfied.

The other thing you might need to consider when using Model 3 is that it actually has APT-X. This is unbelievably good for a product that costs as little as Model 3, which is around 80 USD, so we're very impressed with it. With APT-X, music sounds much better, and all on an ultra-portable device.

Advanced Model 3 is not very picky with its source, so you can safely use it with your smartphone and get an excellent experience, it has good synergy with almost anything, unless that thing is extremely warm or smooth, situation in which its smooth and warm character together with the source might become too much.

Comparisons

We only reviewed a few IEMs with similar price and abilities as Advanced Model 3, so we'll try to compare it to relevant IEMs.

Advanced Model 3 vs Westone WX - This is probably a decision most people will have to make when it comes to it, as Westone WX has a very similar build quality, psychology, bluetooth, and even fit type, but not price, WX being almost twice the price of Model 3 at the moment of writing this review. Starting with their packages, both are similar, both come with a good amount of accessories, but Model 3 comes with a better carrying case for protecting the IEMs. When it comes to their bluetooth modules, where most of the differences are, WX has a more compact bluetooth module, which connects in a different way, both have APT-X, and both are really well made. Both have similar bluetooth working ranges, and both react similarly, but Model 3 tends to have a battery life closer to 5 hours, while WX tends to have a battery life closer to eight hours, so almost double. The sonic performance is quite similar, with WX having a bit more definition for each musical note, and a slightly quicker driver, resulting in a cleaner sound, but as we said, it has the same baseline tuning, the main differences between WX and Model 3 being that Model 3 has a slightly better sonic performance and a considerably better battery life. Westone WX has a smaller IEM body, so it may provide better comfort, especially for those with smaller ears and looking for a slight better fit, but both IEMs are champs in comfort.

Advanced Model 3 vs Kinera Seed - From the start, those two IEMs are fairly different. Kinera Seed is a wired IEM, with a V-Shaped sonic signature, while Advanced Model 3 is a Bluetooth IEM with a bassy and smooth signature. The package is better on Advanced Model 3, having a larger number of tips, and a bluetooth cable. The comfort is quite similar, although Model 3 has a smaller IEM body, so it provides better comfort in the long run. The build quality is better on Model 3 because they have a particular cable made for them, while Kinera Seed's cable is an OEM that doesn't fit entirely with the IEM shell. Other than those differences, both IEMs sound similar in detail and soundstage, but Kinera Seed has more treble, and its midrange is pushed back, while Model 3 is bassier and has more bass, mid-bass, and midrange presence. Both IEMs have good overall clarity and both have similar transient response. In all fairness, both are great choices for someone looking for a fun experience, and both are good value, but Kinera Seed is actuall 30 USD cheaper than Model 3, being roughly 50 USD at the moment of writing this review.

Advanced Model 3 vs Shozy Hibiki - While Kinera Seed was 50 USD, Shozy Hibiki is around 60 USD. Shozy Hibiki is actually very different when compared to Model 3 in terms of sound, but let's start with the build quality and the package. In package, Hibiki doesn't come with any carrying solution, and has very few tips included in the package, but happily, the tips that are included are pretty good in quality. Hibiki has a good build quality, and it is comparable to Model 3, everything fits in perfectly, and they look great. Hibiki is larger in size and might not be as comfortable for small ears, but other than that, neither IEM doesn't have microphonics, and while Hibiki doesn't driver flex, Advanced Model 3 has some. The sonic performance is similar in quality, but Hibiki has a slightly wider soundstage, with Model 3 having slightly more instrument separation. The largest difference comes from the way each presents music, Hibiki being a pretty mid-centric IEM, where Model 3 is a pretty bassy IEM. This means that Hibiki will sound like the bass and treble are less in amount when compared to the midrange, leading to a more forward and aggressive sound, while Model 3 will sound thicker, with a more prominent bass, with a clear taste for making music thick and lush. Each is a great option, and here, the choice will depend on more factors than on the inclusion or exclusion of the Bluetooth module, as those two IEMs are quite different in sound as well.

Recommended Pairings

Advnced Model 3 is very independent when it comes to its sound, it doesn't scale very much with different sources, and generally, it will sound great with a lower end source, without much gain being possible with higher end sources. Especially if you're using Bluetooth, it is possible to just pick the most inexpensive solution that can play APT-X codecs, as it should provide very similar results to other sources when it comes to Bluetooth.

Advanced Model 3 + Cayin N5ii - N5ii is actually a great source to combine with Advanced Model 3. N5ii has all the bells and whistles one can wish for, including bluetooth, and it can help you stream your music, it has two microSD slots, and its sonic signature works great with Model 3. With N5ii, regardless whether you want to use the bluetooth module, or if you want to use Model 3 in wired mode, you're still getting an excellent experience. The only downside is that N5ii does not support APT-X, but in return this means that the connection is more reliable, as APT-X's wider bandwidth sometimes result in a more fraily connection that is easier to break.

Advanced Model 3 + FiiO M7 - FiiO M7 does actually support APT-X. And APT-X HD. And a few other very exotic bluetooth modes that we still don't know very much about, as they are not very present in products on the market at this moment. M7 has a single microSD slot, and it doesn't allow for installation of third party apps, but it is a great device through and through, and its more neutral signature helps even out Model3's bassy sound.

Advanced Model 3 + Shanling M2s - While Shanling M2s is slowly being replaced by its successor, and by M0, it still makes a compelling purchase to use with an ultra-portable listening rig, especially now that it will be going on sale. M2s has APT-X, and it is very inexpensive, providing an excellent overall listening solution for those curious to enjoy a little IEM with a little DAP. With a single microSD slot, no streaming, but with a fluid UI, especially if you don't require a touchscreen, M2s is a favorite ultra-portable, especially as it can make a really neat jogging and running setup together with Advanced Model3.

Value and Conclusion

Advanced Model 3 has been slowly growing on us, and for a really inexpensive Bluetooth in-ear monitor, it has a good reason to. Priced at roughly 80USD at the moment of writing this review, it is clearly aimed at the budget-conscious consumer who wants to make the best with the lowest budget.

In this aspect, Advanced Model 3 delivers very well. For such a tiny package, and for a really affordable price, it comes with multiple tips, with a custom Bluetooth cable, with a single ended cable, and with a charging cable. They rely on MMCX connectors, which should do a pretty good job at keeping the IEMs safe, and they provide an excellent amount of fun to the user, by having APT-X Bluetooth abilities, along with a fair battery life of 5 hours.

If you have a smartphone, you can take advantage of Model3's amazing sound right away, by using their bluetooth cable, and since they don't scale quite that much with sources, you don't need an ultimate DAP before you can consider that you squeezed the last drop of performance form them.

The truth is, at this price, we didn't expect them to be build this well and to be so rich in contents, but here they are, with Advanced deliver very nicely on their product.

If you're looking for a warm, thick and bassy IEM, with a clear midrange, and with a smooth treble, which will work with a wide variety of music, and if you're looking for that experience on-the-go, with Bluetooth, and even foam tips, then you should check out Advanced Model 3, a really well-priced IEM with a lot going on for it, and with a really nice fit and comfort.

I hope my review is helpful to you!

Stay safe and remember to always have fun while listening to music!

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Simphonio Dragon2+ - The Balanced Dragon

Simphonio Dragon 2+ is an expensive earbud, no silicone tips, but more of a classical earbud shape. This is the most expensive earbud we've heard, and most probably the most interesting one as well, but we won't be easy on it, just because of its 300 USD asking price, which means we have quite some expectations from it.

Introduction

Simphonio is a super friendly and super reliable company from China, which after you get to know, you'll be really happy to work with. They stand firmly behind their products, and they created and designed some awesome IEMs, like the Xctied/2 IEM we recently reviewed. They sure have a taste for slightly strange names for their products, but there's nothing wrong with that, and Xcited/2 surely impressed us with its sonic quality, so we can do nothing but be ready for Dragon2+, although, we'll name it Dragon during the review, and we will be very strict when reviewing it as it is priced a bit higher than Xctied/2 and needs to convince us of its quality for the money.

It should be noted that I have absolutely no affiliation with Simphonio, I am not receiving any incentive for this review or to sweeten things out. This review is not sponsored nor has been paid for by Simphonio or anyone else. I'd like to thank Simphonio for providing the sample for this review. The sample was provided along with Simphonio's request for an honest and unbiased review. This review will be as objective as it is humanly possible, and it reflects my personal experience with Simphonio Dragon2+. Every opinion expressed is mine and I stand by it, the purpose of this review is to help those interested in Simphonio Dragon2+ find their next music companion.

About me

https://audiophile-heaven.blogspot.ro/p/about.html

Packaging

First things first, let's get the packaging out of the way:

Dragon 2+ actually comes in what we can call an even better package than the already well-packaged Xcited/2. The overall package is larger, and the presentation is more luxurious, although the colors of the packaging are probably something more common in some specific cultures rather than in Romania and the things we're used to seeing.

Since this is not an in-ear monitor, the package is quite a bit different. There are no silicone tips, but there are sponge ones, although they all seem to be of the same size.

There is a leather carrying case included with Dragon 2+, and it looks pretty nice, being a bright and lively orange color.

There is a 2.5mm to 3.5mm adapter, as Dragon2+ comes with balanced original cables and needs this adapter to work with single ended cables.

The package is quite large, and offers a nice presentation, and while we can't say that the contents are the most expansive for the price, they surely include everything needed to enjoy Dragon2+.

What to look in when purchasing an entry-level Earbud

https://audiophile-heaven.blogspot.ro/p/what-to-lookl.html

Technical Specifications

Build Quality/Aesthetics/Fit/Comfort

Starting with the build quality, it is slightly different than what we're used to seeing when reviewing an in-ear. Dragon has a very lightweight earbud part, that is almost lighter than the cable it is attached to, but they feel incredibly sturdy, being made from what looks like a really well-reinforced plastic.

The cables seem to be of incredibly good quality, they are braided, cooper, and they are balanced. Dragon2 is probably the only IEM we know of which comes with a Balanced cable from the factory. The cable feels really nice, isn't very springy, but it doesn't feel cheap or too flexible.

Aesthetically speaking, Dragon feels as good as we'd expect an earbud to feel and to look like. They have a finely printed font written on it, the whole earbud combines really well together and simply feels and looks top notch, for an earbud. The color is a galaxy-black with a black plastic all-around, but with a starry and glimerry texture all over it.

Other than that, they will surely not look very expensive while being worn, so if that's a concern to you while you travel, or while out and about, Dragon2 will surely not attract any unwanted attention, like something like a large headphone or flashy IEM would do.

And now, the comfort. The comfort is earbud-y. This means that if your ear works well with earbuds, it will work well with Dragon2, but if it doesn't then it won't. We know people whose ears simply work much better with earbuds than with IEMs, there are people who simply prefer the earbud shape and feeling, even without using any of the sponge attached, and they are usually incredibly happy with how an earbud feels like, but there are also ears that do not work well with earbuds and people who can't stand those. We recommend you to purchase any 1$ earbud and test how well your ear can fit one if you're not sure. For the record, from the people who tested it during the review, we had both a few users who loved the fit, and users who didn't get such a good fit.

Dragon2+ comes fitted with Balanced cables, thing which is quite unique, even in the world of already unique high-end earbuds. They can be connected straight to a 2.5mm balanced output from DAPs like FiiO X5-3, or Cayin N5ii, or they can be connected to any 3.5mm Single Ended (Normal) outputs from any Music Player, by using the included adapter.

All in all, the build quality is quite good and it has the golden level for it, but the comfort will vary widely with users, due to the earbud typical shape, so we can't commend neither say it is bad, just that it will be personal.

Sound Quality

The sound quality of a high-end Earbud. Now, when you think of earbuds, if you're about the same age as us, or older, you probably remember that first 1$-3$ earbud that came with your 256MB MP3 Player, or the earbud that came with your CD Player. You might remember some things about its sound, like a sweet midrange, or not knowing what sub-bass was, or not having any treble.

We most certainly remember a lot of sweet memories of those old MP3 Players and how those ascended by doubling in storage capacity at 2-3 years intervals until we had an MP3 Player of 512 MB of storage, full of Linkin Park, Eminem and other music that we probably don't listen to quite as much these days, but still find well-recorded and interesting.

Now, you need to let go of those definitions for an earbud before you read about Dragon2+. We need to do that as well, this is a 300 USD Product that needs rigorous criticizing and reviewing.

Starting with the sub-bass, depending on your fit, you'll have a good to a moderate sub-bass, but it still is there and it is quite good. The rest of the bass is quite quick, and has a fairly good extension, especially for an earbud, but in quantity, it will always be below the midrange and the upper midrange / lower treble.

The midrange is extremely clear, well detailed, and most of all, really really wide sounding. Both male and female vocals sound natural, have really good timbre and texture to them, and pretty much all instruments sound really vivid and energetic. The overall midrange sounds engaging and keeps one in the music. The highest amount of impact comes from the midrange / upper midrange, where most of the energy is in Dragon2+. Music like Jazz all the way to pop sounds live and interesting, music comes off as lively on an overall level.

The treble is less in amount than the midrange, but not by much, Dragon2+ being bright enough to be interesting and to keep music exciting. The treble has a smoother texture, without grain, so it is ever so slightly soft in presentation, but has a good amount to stay interesting even for rock and metal music.

The resolving abilities of Dragon2+ are fairly within what we'd expect from a 300 USD earphone, along with the detail, while the sub-bass is a little fit dependent, and even with the best fit the sub-bass is a little shy for something like metal, where the pedals feel a little soft, but it should be noted that the midbass is warm enough to work well for rock, even for Pink Floyd and for older rock. Metal tends to sound a little happy on Dragon2+, but this isn't bad, it just means that something that's supposed to be harsh might be handed to the listener in a slightly happier mood.

This kind of signature works really well with anything really, the main reason for that being the soundstage. If there's anything that would be a weaker point of Dragon2+'s signature, that would most probably be Rap and Hip-Hop, where more bass would be welcome, but otherwise, we'd probably say that Dragon2+ is as impressive as a Grado headphone, especially in the sweet midrange, but with a slightly softer treble that is more inviting for long hours of listening.

Soundstage

This is a point that needs to be taken seriously into account. We feel that their soundstage is partially given by their earbud shape, which allows in general for wider soundstage, like we've noted when we reviewed FiiO EM3 a few years ago. Even so, some earbuds don't manage to portray the same width and depth to the soundstage, like Apple earbuds, and no 1$ will manage to portray the soundstage in such a convincing way.

The main thing you need to note is the width, as Dragon2+ has a really really wide soundstage. It is as wide as some open-back headphones, and even more. Of course, HD800S from Sennheiser will be wider in their soundstage, but we're comparing a 300 USD Earbud with one of the most expensive TOTL Headphones that is well above 2K USD.

The depth of the soundstage is also quite impressive and they expand well on all axis, thing quite surprising for an Earbud.

The imaging is also quite good, along with the instrument separation, which leaves enough air between the instruments to breathe and to present the music in a clear and well-layered way.

ADSR / PRaT

The ADSR and PRaT (Texturization) is natural in general, but it changes, the bass being on the slower side, the midrange being on the fast side, and the treble being on the natural side of things. This means that bass notes last a little longer, the midrange is quick and well textured, while the treble is a little softer and lasts a little longer than the treble. In translation, this means that most textures will feel natural to pretty textured in practice, except for cymbals, which don't have much grain and feel a bit soft, especially in comparison with the more textured guitars and other midrange-based instruments. Bass notes tend to be even slower, feeling impactful and natural in their decay, bass generally being better a little slower to sound natural.

Portable Usage

The portable usage is quite good.

The first thing most may be concerned about is the adapter that goes from 2.5mm to 3.5mm, in case you're going to plug them in something that is not balanced. Well, the happy part is that the adapter is quite well-made, seems to be made out of metal, and it works well. It has a good resistance and we trust it will last quite a bit of time without an issue.

The other aspect that one needs to take into account, is how easy they are to drive, and on this note, Dragon2+ is very easy to drive, most smartphones should do a great job, but their more revealing nature, along with their potential for a wider soundstage mean that you should probably connect them with something stronger and more detailed.

The other aspect, the comfort while walking, will be very subjective. If your ears generally work with earbuds, then those should be as good as they get, otherwise not.

We generally don't split the comfort part into something so subjective, but this time we consider it is fair to mention that earbuds really work better than headphones for IEMs for some people, while they don't work well for others, it is too subjective to have a position.

The isolation is not very good regardless of the fit, unless you listen quite loud, but on the brighter side this means that you won't get into issues because you can't hear the world around you.

The IEMs themselves are very lightweight and stay well in ears once fit is achieved, the cables are not microphonic, there are no issues we can mention on the portability of Dragon2+.

Comparisons

Simphoni Dragon2+ vs Meze 99 Classics - We start by comparing Dragon2+ with a full over-the-ear headphone which we hold in high regards. The reason for this is that we don't really have many expensive earbuds to compare them with, and we feel that we need to stack them up to other products one can get for around 300 USD. Starting with the package, Meze 99 Classics comes in a larger package, come with a larger carrying case, and well, they are over-the-ear headphones instead of earbuds. The comfort is better on Meze 99C for most people. The sonic performance is quite different. Meze 99C is bass-centric, with a thick and meaty, satisfying and fun colored sound. Dragon2+ is much more balanced, with more midrange quantity, with a more clear midrange, a larger soundstage, more instrument separation and more treble by default. This makes 99C the thicker, more satisfying, warmer, leaner, more laid back and more relaxing experience by default. By default comes because 99C can be Equalized to sound pretty close to Dragon2+ and even better, but it takes some patience and it takes some effort, plus understanding how EQ works and such. Still, it is good to know it works. Now, if you live in a very hot place, Dragon2+ might seem like a compelling choice since 99C, like virtually any other headphone, will get hot in those conditions. On the other hand, 99C is also a great choice. Honestly, we'd just get both, each for a different usage scenario, but if you need to pick between them, try to make the choice according to your needs and to your preferences, as well as to whether you feel ready to use some EQ for 99C or not.

Simphonio Dragon2+ vs Etymotic ER3XR - Etymotic ER3XR is quite different from Dragon2+, in that ER3XR is a deep-fit IEM from Etymotic, it has a lot of revealing power, and generally, it is part of what we consider the most analytical IEMs in existence, which basically are all of Etymotic IEMs. Etymotic IEMs are in-ear monitors that fit very deep and that have excellent revealing abilities, very quick BA drivers, and which come in good packages, and feature good build qualities. Dragon2+ in comparison feels slower, more natural, less mid-centric, and smoother, with a more musical approach. This isn't to say that Etymotic IEMs aren't musical, but Dragon2+ is one step further more musical. The soundstage is much larger on Dragon2+, the instrument separation is quite similar, and slightly better on Dragon2+. The comfort gets similar grading, as both Dragon2+ and ER3XR are very subjective IEMs that some users will find comfortable, and some users won't. When it comes to their price, ER3XR is slightly cheaper, but not by a considerable margin. In the end, if you prefer a sound that is pretty mid-forward and which searches the music for details, and brings everything forward to you, ER3XR is the better performer there, but if you're looking for a more relaxed, more natural sound, then Dragon2+ is going to offer that performance, and if soundstage is important to you, then Dragon2+ surely performs well in that area.

Simphonio Dragon2+ vs Simphonio Xcited/2 - Simphonio vs Simphonio, for a little more fair comparison. Although Xctied/2 is half the price of Dragon2+, the comparison is still relevant to some. We'd like to start by saying that Simphonio also existed by the name of Sunrise Audio before, but we never knew them as such directly. When it comes to their IEM vs their earbud, the thing that's most important is the sound, where Dragon2+ actually sounds better, has more detail and better soundstage, along with instrument layering, but this doesn't mean that Xctied/2 isn't quite amazing already. In fact, both IEMs perform amazingly well in soundstage, imaging and in their instrument separation / layering. The biggest difference is in the tonal balance, as Xctied/2 has a recessed midrange and a forward bass / treble, where Dragon2+ is slightly forward in the midrange, but has a recessed bass and treble. Each IEM is great for its price range, one can tell that Dragon2+ is more detailed, but Xcited/2 is not far behind, and if you're looking for an experience that's as open as possible Simphonio seems to have a great deal of experience in this.

Recommended Pairings

Dragon2+ is not overly sensitive to pairings, but it also has good revealing abilities, so a more revealing source will give it a more detailed sound. Wider sounding sources seem to sound best with Dragon2+ as it is already a wide-sounding IEM, so having a source that adds to the effect can result in crazy-wide soundstages.

Simphonio Dragon2+ + Cayin N5ii - N5ii is a great DAP to pair with Dragon2+, it has a lot of power, it has a wide and clear sound, it has a pretty neutral nature, so it doesn't change the signature of Dragon2+, and most important, you can use it in both Single Ended and Balanced modes. Other than that, Cayin N5ii has a very pocket-friendly price, it has support for third-party apps, it has Wifi and Bluetooth, and two microSD slots. In a few words, it is a dream-DAP that is priced very well and which makes a great pairing with Dragon2+.

Simphonio Dragon2+ + FiiO M7 - FiiO M7 is another great option, but it doesn't feature a Balanced Headphone output. This means that one will need to always use the Single Ended adapter included with Dragon2+. The signature is quite neutral, even more so than Cayin N5ii, which pulls the midrange of Dragon2+ less forward than N5ii does, and gives them a more vibrant treble which surely helps them sparkle more with certain music.

Simphonio Dragon2+ + Hiby R6 - Hiby R6 is already quite an expensive DAP to pair with Dragon2+, and probably won't make much sense for every single listener, as one would probably want to have a headphone at least as expensive as it before getting R6, but even so, R6 has both a Single Ended and a Balanced Headphone output, it has an excellent build quality, and although it costs almost double the price of N5ii, it also sounds more detailed and has a wider soundstage. With its quick CPU and reliable firmware, R6 feels like a dream DAP that many will come to love, and which pairs really well with Dragon2+.

Value and Conclusion

We're reaching a conclusion here, for this pretty hefty-priced earbud. At 300 USD, the price isn't exactly low for an Earbud, but it isn't quite that high either, considering that there are much more expensive options around, for those looking to get an even higher-end experience from an Earbud.

Starting with the build quality and the overall feel of Dragon2+, they feel quite high-end, their cables look and feel pretty trustworthy, and they provide a great amount of fun for Dragon2+. This is for the better, as the cables for Dragon2+ are not detachable, but Simphonio designed a way to provide a 2.5mm balanced connector as well for their Dragon2+, by giving them a 2.5mm connector, along with a 3.5mm single ended adapter. This means that you can use this IEM with both your balanced sources, and with your typical 3.5mm sources.

The shape of an earbud, and the comfort / fit it brings with it are something that some love and will love, while some won't be as enthusiastic about, as the comfort in this situation will be extremely subjective. There are certain ear shapes that simply work with earbuds, and ear shapes that don't. For most In-Ears, the silicone tips come in sizes, and such it is easier to have an objective input on their comfort, but for an earbud, it will have one shape, so its comfort will either work or not.

When the comfort works well for you though, Dragon2+ is quite amazing. They have no microphonic noise (cable noise), they don't get too hot while being worn, and most important, they don't fully isolate you from the outside noise. Just like a pair of iSine20 from Audeze, which are an open-back IEM, Dragon2+ is great at providing both comfort and an open sound.

And this is the most important part, their sound is so freaking open. The soundstage expands much more than we thought it would, the instrument separation is crazy good, and the instrument layering as well. We're talking about almost-open-back-headphone levels of greatness, not just about Dragon2+ as an earbud. Another thing to keep in mind is their great detail retrieval that still feels organic and natural. The midrange is slightly forward, but it is nowhere near as forward as an Etymotic IEM, so if you're looking for a super-forward midrange, then Etymotic delivers one pretty well. Instead, Dragon2+ feels natural and well balanced across the spectrum, the treble is slightly soft, the bass is slightly warm, but the midrange is pretty colorless, with a good timbre for both male and female vocals.

At the end of the day, if you're looking for a really good earbud, for an open experience, and for a Balanced Earbud, Dragon2+ might be just the thing for you. Furthermore, if your ears prefer earbuds over In-Ears and Headphones, then you're in for a treat, Dragon2+ surely feels like a magical choice. We don't always recommend Earbuds, but when we do, they are pretty great earbuds, and Dragon2+ should bring lots of fun to you, if you're into 'buds.

I hope my review is helpful to you!

Stay safe and remember to always have fun while listening to music!

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Very Great review,how are they today compared to other recent flagships aibuds like Fiio EM5,Rose Maria,...?thanks

@joydivisionnewdawnfades

@joydivisionnewdawnfades - Thanks a lot! They are still capable, but EM5 sounds a bit warmer, more detailed, better bass and better impact. I would say I prefer EM5 in general for sound, and for comfort, Dragon 2+ is a bit better, at least on my ears.

Thank you George for your advice!i will choose between these two models in a few days.

Shozy Hibiki - Sweet and Tasty

Shozy is a pretty big company from China, well-respected by music lovers from all over the world for their accessible yet high-quality products. We're going to take a look into the performance of their affordable IEM, Shozy Hibiki, which is priced at just 60 USD.

Introduction

Shozy is a rather friendly company from China, who has worked in developing and bringing In-Ears at affordable prices to the average music lover. Their achievements are best known by those looking for an affordable IEM that still has the build quality, and the design of a higher-end product. Shozy is known to offer good support to their customers, and they are known to be great with warranty, but happily there have been very few cases of people needing warranty for Shozy products in the past.

It should be noted that I have absolutely no affiliation with Shozy, I am not receiving any incentive for this review or to sweeten things out. This review is not sponsored nor has been paid for by Shozy or anyone else. I'd like to thank Shozy for providing the sample for this review. The sample was provided along with Shozy's request for an honest and unbiased review. This review will be as objective as it is humanly possible, and it reflects my personal experience with Shozy Hibiki. Every opinion expressed is mine and I stand by it, the purpose of this review is to help those interested in Shozy Hibiki find their next music companion.

About me

https://audiophile-heaven.blogspot.ro/p/about.html

Packaging

First things first, let's get the packaging out of the way:

Shozy Hibiki comes packaged in what can be called a fair package. They come seated in a sponge / foam cutout, with two more sets of tips. The outer package design is quite beautiful, and it has a good amount of detail about Shozy Hibiki on it.

The overall package feels premium and well made actually.

The cble they come with is detachable, it has a remote on it, and it looks to be of a pretty good quality. By contrast with Kinera Seed, where we could complain that the cable was from a third party vendor and didn't match perfectly with the IEM body, Shozy Hibiki's cable fits perfectly with the IEM body and seems to be made especially for them. There will be a V2 coming out soon, but we don't have a lot of information on what the changes from the first Shozy Hibiki are.

Besides the IEMs and the tips, there's nothing else in the package, one of the reasons we said fair. Even so, they are priced at the very friendly price point of 60 USD, where they make a very compelling purchase based on the sound, but more on this in the sonic performance.

What to look in when purchasing an entry-level In-Ear Monitor

https://audiophile-heaven.blogspot.ro/p/what-to-lookl.html

Technical Specifications

10mm Bio Cellulose Membrane Proprietary Full Range Dynamic
Single Sound Bore Design
Frequency response: 20Hz-40000Hz
Sensitivity: 102dB SPL@1mW
Impedance: 18Ohm@1KHz
THD: ≤0.5%@1KHz
Connector: 2-pin 0.78mm
Plug:3.5mm

Build Quality/Aesthetics/Fit/Comfort

Starting with the build quality, Shozy Hibiki feels quite different from the average 60 USD IEM, which usually has some minor build quality issues, or where you can notice that some build quality had to suffer for the pocket-friendly price. Usually, that point is in the cable, which sometimes is produced for multiple IEMs and doesn't fit perfectly with the IEM body, but here Shozy has proven to be a real champ, providing an excellent overall experience for their Hibiki, as the cable matches the IEM body perfectly.

The overall build quality is pretty good, plastic all-around, but seems durable, the pieces fit well together, there are no hard edges, and no protruding edges, the whole IEM seems to be assembled well and the cable seems to be of a good quality as well. It even has a remote if you need it, and the overall quality seems higher than the price points dictates.

The outer face plate has a carbon fiber model that looks very sleek and is both a bit industrial and a bit modern in appearance. The inner IEM is made from a rubbery plastic material that fits quite ergonomic.

Which brings us to the comfort, which is great. The IEMs are on the slightly larger side, but their shape is quite ergonomic and they sit well in ears. The included tips look very basic, but they actually have a good quality to them, do not get slippery, and they feel good even after a few hours of wearing.

The cables allow only for over-the-ear wearing, but this means that there is no microphonic noise, and the best part, there is no driver flex now. Since we reviewed the Shozy Zero in the past, and we were quite a bit disappointed by its microphonic noise, we are really happy to notice that Shozy sorted it out in their Hibiki IEM.

We've seen quite a few of those Hibiki being worn even in Romania, and since they are not available here directly, you can take into account that people are ordering them directly from Shozy or from other stores, and are still enjoying them quite a lot, so Hibiki is quite loved here, thing which further impressed us, as even some of our friends had a pair, without us knowing before we saw each other wearing it and starting a conversation on their sonic performance.

All in all, we'd say that the build quality and the fit/comfort are golden for a IEM at this price point.

Sound Quality

The sound quality can be written off in one little question: "Do you like midrange?"

This basically states everything about Shozy Hibiki. They have a really sweet, natural, detailed, relaxed and open-sounding midrange. It is a true beauty to hear, and honestly, very few IEMs, especially at this price point, can compare their midrange with Shozy Hibiki.

The sub-bass and the bass are good, with fair extension, although the sub-bass is not quite the best in extension, it still is good. The mid bass and the sub-bass are both less in quantity than the midrange, so if you're a basshead, this really is not the best IEM for you. The impact is fairly good, although most of the impact starts to be good from the drums, not exactly from sub-bass impact.

The midrange is extremely good, and quite impressive for the price point. It sounds sweet, sounds natural, and has a delicious amount of detail to it. In fact, it is more impressive than we're used to seeing at 200$, but it should be noted that it is a forward midrange, so if a V-shaped signature, where the midrange is recessed, is your thing, then Shozy Hibiki won't be the best choice. But this forward midrange has one thing to it that was actually the main reason we were so impressed, it is not fatiguing. Usually, midrange-forward signatures, like Etymtoic ER3XR, are very revealing and analytical, but can also fatigue the listener, can be too much, but Shozy Hibiki has a good balance of bringing the voices forward, placing the instruments well in a scene, not sounding congested, and having a good amount of energy to the sound, all without being fatiguing.

The treble is quite smooth and lean, it is slightly recessed when compared to the midrange, and its detail is fair. Nothing too energetic, but it is good if you're looking for a more relaxing treble. Won't work very well with acoustic or metal music, where the cymbal crashes need a lot of energy and life, but should work very well with pretty much anything else. Works especially well with vocal-forward music, and with female vocals.

Soundstage

The soundstage was actually a surprise. Most IEMs with a midrange-forward signature tend to compress the soundstage to a degree, but with Shozy Hibiki, you actually get a fair sense of space. The stereo imaging is very good, and instrument layering is good, especially for the price. Basically, things don't come off as congested nor as too intimate, it brings the midrange-forward signature fairly wide, offering a fairly out-of-the-head experience, at least for the price point.

ADSR / PRaT

The ADSR and PRaT (Texturization) is natural, to slightly slow. This means that textures are not overly expressed, and instruments like trumpets are slightly smoothed out. This also means that poor recordings and older recordings can sound very good, while instruments that are normally fatiguing are rather lean and relaxing. Textures on Mindless Self Indulgence feel fairly smooth, there is not much micro-texture revealed, and some might argue that this way their music feels more relaxing, but it should be noted that Shozy Hibiki is not a very analytical IEM in this sense. For Jazz especially, Shozy Hibiki feels really good, all instruments feel liquid and relaxing, creating a very smooth and laid-back experience.

Portable Usage

The portable usage is quite excellent. They come with a thin yet reliable cable, they come with a fairly good fit and comfort, and they come with a remote on the cable.

They isolate well form the outside noise, so you can take a walk through noisy places while wearing them, while still enjoying your music, and they have a fit good enough that they can make good jogging IEMs.

Shozy Hibiki is easy to drive, and they sound good from the typical smartphone, and you don't really have to worry much about their build quality if they fall and hit the ground, being constructed quite well. There are no microphonics, there is no driver flex, the cable doesn't stay strangely while walking, it isn't springy, basically there's no issue that would stop them from being really good portable IEMs.

The only thing you'd have to take into account is that their signature, which is pretty mid-centric, isn't the best to drown out the outside noise, and the sub-bass and treble are even more subtle while outside, than while inside, so this might be good to take into account when considering whether they make good walking companions or not.

All in all, their portability scores are very good and if you already enjoy their signature, they are great IEMs to take on a walk.

Comparisons

Shozy Hibiki vs Shozy Zero - Shozy Zero was a great IEM produced by Shozy as well. It came in a similar package, but it came with a carrying case. Shozy Zero did not have a detachable cable. Shozy Zero's build included wood in their construction, but they had a downside which we complained about, which was driver flex. Shozy Hibiki has no driver flex, and has detachable cables, so Shozy improved a lot on the 60 USD IEMs range. The sonic performance is quite different, with Zero being a IEM with a bassy, thick, lush and smooth sound, where Hibiki is a quicker, lighter, more midrange-centric, more revealing, more detailed, larger sounding IEM, with better overall value, and with a more versatile sound. All in all, if you're a basshead, then Shozy Zero was a fairly good performance, but if you prefer a more versatile sound, then Shozy Hibiki surely is a pretty sweet choice. The fit for Zero works both straight-down and over-the-ear, where Hibiki only works over-the-ear.

Shozy Hibiki vs FiiO F5 - FiiO F5 was and still is a very impressive performer. The main differences between F5 and Shozy Hibiki are that F5 comes with MMCX-based cables, where Hibiki comes with 2-pin connector based cables. Both feel very reliable, but F5 are made from a metallic material, where Hibiki is made of plastic. The ergonomics and comfort are great on both. FiiO F5 has a much bassier sound, with a much thicker overall presentation, and with a more open presentation, being partially open. Shozy Hibiki feels more even, more natural and more mid-centric, with less bass, but more midrange, a bit more detail and clarity in the midrange, and a bit more energy and presence across the whole spectrum, where F5 feels a bit too thick and too smooth. The fit for FiiO F5 is mostly straight down, while the fit for Hibiki is only over-the-ear.

Shozy Hibiki vs Final E3000 - Final's IEMs are quite nice, but the basic package is quite different. Final E3000 comes with a carrying pouch, but they don't come with a detachable cable. They come with more tips than Shozy Hibiki, thing which may come in handy. Both Shozy Hibiki and Final E3000 come with good quality tips that should work well for multiple usage scenarios. The build quality is quite different, E3000 being a "Bullet-Type" of IEM, which means that it looks like a thin tube made entirely of metal, where Shozy Hibiki is an over-the-ear IEM with a different ergonomic. Since E3000 can be worn straight-down and over-the-ear, it may be considered more versatile in this aspect, but we can't complain of the fit Shozy Hibiki either. The sonic performance is quite impressive on both, both having very similar levels of detail, clarity, PRaT/ADSR and soundstage. The main difference is in the tonal balance, where E3000 is slightly more natural, being more even across the board, with more bass and treble relative to the midrange. This means that it also sounds slightly flatter, so if you're looking for a midrange-forward IEM, then Hibiki would be that, while if you're looking for something that sounds really natural and organic, E3000 might be the answer to your quest.

Recommended Pairings

Shozy Hibiki is fairly easy to drive, they don't need a lot of power to get loud, and they sound great even with the most modest smartphone, making them a great companion if you don't want to invest a lot in the source, but still have a pretty good experience.

Shozy Hibiki + Shanling M2s - This is a great example of a low-cost but fun-to-use and good-sounding setup. Hibiki and M2s pair well with each other, M2s adds a bit of thickness and impact to Hibiki, making them sound more impactful, and giving them a more versatile signature. M2s is also pretty good on its own, being one of the few DAPs that are this small, yet provide the number of feature it does.

Shozy Hibiki + HIFIMAN Megamini - Megamini is a very basic and minimalist player, but it is even smaller as an overall footprint when compared to M2s, and it has a very vivid and energetic sound. With it, Hibiki gets a little more forward and energetic, they gain a bit more edge in the treble, but also a bit more detail and aggressiveness, making them better for rock and metal music. Overall, with Megamini priced at 100 USD, the whole setup is sweet both in price and performance.

Shozy Hibiki + FiiO M7 - FiiO M7 is a very portable DAP with a lot of power and abilities, especially in the Bluetooth, and wireless part, abilities which aren't exactly placed in light with Hibiki, which is a wired IEM. On the other hand, M7's abilities as a standalone player are quite impressive, and compared to M2s, which is slightly thick, and Megamini which is vivid, energetic and slightly forward, M7 feels very neutral and actually brings both the bass and the treble a little more forward, making Hibiki sound more even and giving them a more spacious sound, with more depth, and a bit more detail.

Value and Conclusion

At the end of the review, we must keep in mind that Hibiki is a very affordable IEM, which not only won't break the bank, but will also provide a good bang for the buck for its price of 60 USD.

They come in a handy yet premium-looking package, and they come with the basics one will need to enjoy them. Coming with detachable cables, you're sure you're going to have an easy time fixing them if anything goes wrong, and they also have a remote on the cable, in case you're using them with a smartphone, or with a Player that can read remote signals.

The build quality is all plastic, but a very high-quality plastic, they have an shell plate that looks like carbon fiber, and they have a very sleek overall design. The inner plastic feels slightly rubbery to the touch, resulting in a very comfortable fit and, together with the good-quality tips included with them, providing a great overall comfort, even for jogging, or long-hours of listening to music.

The sonic performance is quite impressive and those IEMs coming from China at affordable prices always remind us that the performance of a 60USD IEM is getting better and better, there being quite an arena for those kind of IEMs, where every company tries to squeeze the latest drop of performance for the cost of a IEM. Hibiki is a midrange-forward IEM, also called "flat" by some listeners, who feel that the midrange being more forward compared to other IEMs, especially in relation to the bass and the treble, makes them flat. Regardless, compared to most other 60 USD IEMs which are usually bass-heavy, Hibiki feels mid-centric, with a lighter, quicker and snappier bass, they feel more clear in the midrange usually, with a bit more energy and detail, and they feel smooth and lean in the treble. This kind of signature will surely work well for certain types of vocal-centric music, for Jazz, and for certain types of pop. The leaner treble means that you can enjoy them for hours without suffering from any kind of listeners fatigue.

If you're looking for a great deal on a 60 USD IEM, you should make sure to check on Shozy Hibiki as they bring a lot more than their price tag indicates, they are one of the sweetwest IEMs we tested at this price point, and they are an amazing overall deal, especially for those in love with a clear and vivid midrange, and looking for a good build quality, or for a IEM to take on a jogging session, when working out, or when traveling.

I hope my review is helpful to you!

Stay safe and remember to always have fun while listening to music!

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Sennheiser HD660S - Changing The Status Quo

Sennheiser HD600 and HD650 have both been emblems of quality in the audiophile world for almost ten years now, with HD660S coming to change that and bring a new headphone to the table. We're having a look into what it brings to the table, and into how it changes the headphones that are already loved by thousand of people from all over the world.

Introduction

Sennheiser is probably a name every single music lover has heard about once, be it about their epic headphones, or about their recording instruments, especially their high quality microphones which are iconic now, for both music lovers, film makers, and for basically anyone in need of high-quality audio manipulation equipment. Sennheiser has already proven themselves to be a very trustable and user-friendly company, when they actually helped hundreds of people with their IE800, me being one of them, back when there were some issues with an early batch of IE800. With outstanding support and quality behind, Sennheiser products are generally easy to recommend to anyone, from the most avid music lover to those just starting on this magnifique journey.

It should be noted that I have absolutely no affiliation with Sennheiser, I am not receiving any incentive for this review or to sweeten things out. This review is not sponsored nor has been paid for by Sennheiser or anyone else. I'd like to thank Sennheiser for providing the sample for this review. The sample was provided along with Sennheiser's request for an honest and unbiased review. This review will be as objective as it is humanly possible, and it reflects my personal experience with Sennheiser HD660S. Every opinion expressed is mine and I stand by it, the purpose of this review is to help those interested in Sennheiser HD660S find their next music companion.

About me

https://audiophile-heaven.blogspot.ro/p/about.html

Packaging

First things first, let's get the packaging out of the way:

Sennheiser has always been quite glamorous with their packaging, from the HD380Pro I've owned about ten years ago, which came in one of the most beautiful packages I had a chance to see back then, up to their latest flagships, like this HD660S, which comes in a pretty complicated, but well thought package.

The main headphone box is made out of cardboard, and inside it you find a hard carrying case, if we can name it a carrying case, but it is more of a storage case. It is quite sturdy and it has a large amount of sponge inside to protect HD660 during transport and storage. The unboxing experience is quite nice, and you know you're dealing with a high end product when you purchase HD660S.

When it comes to the box contents, it is quite a bit better than I was expecting. You're getting HD660S, two cables, one terminated in a 6.3mm Single Ended Jack, and one terminated in a 4.4mm Balanced Jack. Sennheiser throws in a 6.3mm to 3.5mm adapter so you can use HD660S with most Players and sources, since both 4.4mm and 6.3mm are pretty exotic connectors at this moment.

There are manuals included with HD660S, thing which is quite lovely, and there is a little bonus 7-day bonus membership to a live concert site in the package.

The package doesn't include spare pads, or anything else, thing which might be a little disappointing, but the headphones come with everything you might require to fully enjoy them, and while we'd like to see at least one set of spare pads included with headphones in this price range, we can't complain about the package not being good enough.

What to look in when purchasing a high-end Headphone

https://audiophile-heaven.blogspot.ro/p/what-to-lookl.html

Technical Specifications

Impedance - 150 Ω

Connector - 6.35 mm / 4.4 mm Pentaconn

Frequency response - 10 – 41,000 Hz (-10 dB)

Sound pressure level (SPL) - 104 dB at 1V 1kHz

Ear coupling - Over-ear (circumaural)

THD + N, total harmonic distortion and noise - < 0,04% (1 kHz, 100 dB)

Transducer principle (headphones) - Dynamic, open

Weight w/o cable - Approx. 260 g (without cable)

Build Quality/Aesthetics/Fit/Comfort

Starting with the build quality, HD660S is quite sturdy. One thing that really feels different when switching from Audeze LCD-MX4 to HD660S is the weight, HD660S is incredibly light, and even in comparison to something lighter, like Ultrasone Signature DXP / Signature Studio, they still feel quite a bit lighter.

Of course, this may not be best for all users since weight can add to the feeling of rigidness and reliability of a product, but still, it is impressive that Sennheiser managed to pull this off.

The uild quality includes mostly plastic, Sennheiser HD660S has some other materials that are not plastic, like for example the drivers, or the grills on the drivers / the padding, but this shouldn't be taken negatively, since there are plastics that can resist to extreme amounts of weight and pressure.

The aesthetics will be somewhat familiar to those who've seen a HD600 or HD650 before, as HD660S is quite similar in shape and design to those two. The main largest difference is that HD660S comes in the color black, and they have a matte surface, compared to the glossier HD650. HD66S is also black compared to the textured / colored variants of HD650 and HD600. The headphone is mainly defined by a large pad, with the driver in the center. The driver is protected by metallic grills, and it is quite large in size. The Sennheiser branding can easily be noticed all over the headphone, and this is quite welcome as their logo looks pretty sleek and sexy.

The driver has multiple layers of protection, but none of them seals the driver, as Sennheiser HD660S is an open headphone to the largest extent of it.

On this note, they are more open than either Audeze LCD-MX4 or Beyerdynamic Amiron which we reviewed before, HD660S leak quite a bit more sound and they isolate less than either of those two models.

The fit and comfort depends a little on how much time you give them. Out of the box, HD660S is quite tight and their fit is quite tight on the head, and while this might mean that they won't be fully comfortable for any head, it also means that they are pretty secured in place, you can bang your head quite a bit without them falling off your head, and you can do quite a bit of movement without fear that they'll fall. It is a known fact that HD6XX series headphones become quite a bit more comfortable with some wear, and we are able to confirm this, after wearing them for a few weeks they can get so comfortable that you may forget they are on your head. The earpad width is large enough for most ears, but it is quite a bit smaller than that of Amiron, for example, which is quite a bit larger. The earpad material, on the other hand, is really nice to the touch, pretty soft, but with a texture, allowing for an excellent overall comfort.

Sound Quality

The sonic performances of HD660S are quite impressive, as much as you'd expect from a successor of the highly acclaimed HD650 and HD600.

We feel like we should talk a bit about HD600 and HD650 and their sonic quality before proceeding with our HD660S sound analysis as most readers are probably quite curious about those two as well.

HD600 s the first of the three to have entered the market. Sonically speaking, it is the quickest, the fastest, the most accurate, and the most neutral. Its sound can be described as mostly neutral, musical, very very natural in the midrange, with a well-expressed treble, and just a very impressive overall sonic performance. There's very little to fault when it comes to HD600, but if there is something that some listeners wanted, that was more bass, and a thicker sound.

This is where HD650 entered the scene. HD650 is thicker, slower, smoother, leaner and considerably darker than HD600. Some people felt that HD650 answered their question like the song of an Angel, while others, especially those who were quite comfortable with HD600, felt that HD650 wasn't quite the improvement they expected as the sound felt a bit veiled and maybe a touch too dark in comparison.

For rock and metal listeners, along with most Electronic music fans, HD600 was still the top choice, they kept that quick PRaT and texture, along with their incredible detail and naturalness, and most importantly, the energy. HD650, on the other hand, won over those who find a delight in classical music, in orchestral, and in Jazz, with their smoother and leaner nature, as HD650 is one-of-a-kind headphone if you're looking to relax and to feel euphoric with your music.

The basic signature can be described as slightly dark compared to something fully neutral, but not overly so. It is warmer and more musical than something like HD600, it has more detail, more clarity, and it has better definition than HD650. It would be more of a headphone to satisfy both the users who love HD600 and those who love HD650, bringing forward the best of both worlds.

Starting with the bass of HD660S, it is a clear, clean and snappy bass. It has excellent speed and clarity, but it is not a basshead oriented bass. It has enough speed to make you tap your feet, it has enough body to give music an interesting presentation, but it isn't quite a lot in amount, being quite close to what would be considered a neutral bass. This is not something negative in any way, and in fact, it could be considered a strong point of HD660S, but it should be noted that if you're craving large amounts of bass, there are headphones that provide much higher amounts of bass.

The midrange of HD660S is quite clear, well expressed and natural. In fact, this has been something quite noticeable about Sennheiser headphones in general, and especially of this series, but they manage to get a really true-to-life tone for their midrange, thing which is quite lovely for any kind of music you'll be playing from them. Rich is a good way to talk about the midrange of HD660S, and even if you prefer a presentation that is slightly different, trying HD660S at least once might open your eyes to a new signature.

When it comes to its treble, HD660S is quite energetic and bright. This is not a negative point, since brightness in music is quite welcome, especially with rock, metal, pop and electronic. There is a little bit of treble grain, especially if you're comparing it to something with much less grain, like LCD-MX4, but then, if you're a fan of rock and pop and metal music, you're almost surely going to be enhancing the treble response with a good few dB's anyway via your favorite EQ.

We'll talk a bit more about pairing in the pairing section of HD660S, but it should be noted that it eats quite a bit of power, and even if it is easier to drive than its bigger brothers, it still will play much better from a desktop source, most portable sources, even the best digital music players, being only borderline enough to pull the same results as a desktop source. For example, with Hiby R6, you might keep it at 100% volume, without any EQ engaged, and still feel that they aren't quite loud enough. It still is easier to deal with than its bigger brothers, who are even more picky when it comes to their sources, and both HD650 and HD600 require quite a bit more power than HD660S.

Equalizing

While we don't know Sennheiser's input in Equalizing their headphones, we always provide those were we're able to. The main thing that we felt would be welcome to add to Sennheiser HD660S was a touch more bass (and a lot more bass for certain music types), along with more treble. Happily, the Sennheiser driver technology is quite good and it can be equalized quite a bit without losing definition and without introducing distortion.

The main EQ profiles we'd apply on HD660S varied with the source used, and they usually have been like this:

31Hz + 6.3dB
62Hz + 3.5dB
16kHz + 7dB

Everything else is left at default, the master is usually brought at least at -7dB to avoid clipping.

This is pretty much it, but this will vary a lot with different sources since you can get a widely different signature form HD660S from different sources, so this profile won't be quite that universal in the end.

Soundstage

The soundstage of HD660S is aided by the fact that they are fully open, but the soundstage itself is not quite as large as other open back headphones. It is rather, a more intimate soundstage, with a great exposition of detail and layering but without going very wide. The depth is fairly good.

The main thing that defines HD660S when it comes to its soundstage would be called naturalness. While it isn't quite that impressive or that extended, like Sennheiser does with their HD800 series (the widest sounding headphone), the HD600 series has a naturalness that surely works well, especially for music like Jazz, acoustic and even for Rock and Metal, where the wall-of-sound is achieved fairly well.

The instrument separation and layering is fairly good, and on par with other headphones priced similarly. Sennheiser's own IE800 is where we consider the best layering and instrument separation to be, so once again, Sennheiser managed to do some amazing things with other models. The trick is that HD660S doesn't try to be quite precisely the same thing as IE800 or HD800, instead continuing where HD650 and HD600 left off. Compared, HD600 sounds similarly wide and deep, while HD650 feels more intimate and less wide than HD660S.

ADSR / PRaT

The ADSR and PRaT (Texturization) of Sennheiser HD660S are quite good. The sound is generally snappy and quick, the transient response is fairly well. Since there are lots of precise measurements online, you can get a pretty good idea of how things are, but we'd like to note this, the transient response can change quite a big with the source, so it can go from fairly natural, kinda like HD650, to pretty quick and textured, like HD600. They tend to sound a little more refined than HD600, where they bring a little refinement over HD600's textures, but HD660S usually stays ahead of HD650 in terms of speed and texture definition.

Portable Usage

Now, HD660S is not a portable headphone. Even trying to consider them to be one is wrong. We did take them on a little adventure in the Izvor Park in Bucharest to test this, but they still are not quite that portable, they would probably fit best with your favorite desktop and armchair setup.

The main fct that stops them from being portable is that they have a hunger for power, being hard to drive and picky about the source, they come with long cables, and it can be somewhat complicated to find good replacement cables that are shorter, and their cables are not as easy to tuck away as those of LCD-MX4, and HD660S is fully open.

Where even Audeze LCD-MX4 is somewhat portable, and we were able to use it portable, HD660S is probably best kept inside and used there. Their pairing with desktop-class AMPs and DACs means that you're going to get the best results as such, and besides iBasso DX200 and DX150 paired with AMP4S and driving HD660S in 4.4mm balanced mode, we'd probably stay with something that is also desktop-classed as AMP, like iFi iDSD Micro Black Label, Burson Play, or Sennheiser HDVX series of amplifiers.

The comfort while being worn for long periods of time is very good, and with HD660S, you can walk and even to some heavier exercise without damaging them, or without feeling any fatigue, and it surely is possible to wear them for prolonged periods of time without much issue, but you should mind the cable, which is quite long. There are no microphonics, and no other issues we were able to notice, but HD660S does not isolate from the outside noise (at all), and most music being played through them will also be heard outside, so they are quite open in this aspect.

Comparisons

Sennheiser HD660S vs Sennheiser HD600 - Sennheiser vs Sennheiser, HD660S feels like a more natural, more refined, more mature, and better looking version of the original HD600. It is easier to drive the HD660S, and it will fit in most situations where HD600 won't, but HD600 still has the crown of being the fastest of the HD6XX series from Sennheiser.

Sennheiser HD660S vs Sennheiser HD650 - Here, the difference is much higher and much more in the advantage of HD660S, as HD650 doesn't feel quite as refined, nor as well expressed or as detailed, and as explained in the sonic performance, HD650 feels slightly veiled, as reported by some users. While this veil isn't quite something to notice if you're listening just to HD650, if you add \HD660S, you can totally notice how everything becomes clearer, more vivid, more dynamic, more expanded in every direction. The smothness and laid-back character of HD650 are something that HD660S doesn't have quite as much, so if you need the absolutely smoothest and most relaxing headphone of the HD6XX trio, then HD650 is still the king in that aspect, but if you're looking for the most versatile one, HD660S is pretty much the best choice.

Sennheiser HD660S vs Beyerdynamic Amiron - This is a much more fun comparison to make as Amiron is from Beyerdynamic, and here the differences are much easier to notice. Let's begin with the package, HD660S comes with less carrying box, while Amiron comes with a carrying box. The cables included are better on HD660S since they come with a balanced cable, which is terminated in the 4.4 Jack, along with a single ended cable. The quality of the cables themselves is pretty similar though. The build quality is quite similar between them, although Amiron has metallic parts in the headband, while HD660S is mostly made of plastic in those areas. Amiron has a much larger earpad, it sits much more comfortable on larger heads and larger ears. This also means that Amiron will fall easier and offers less clamping force, so your choice should be made according to your needs and preferences. The sonic performance is quite different, along with their tuning. HD660S sounds much more natural, thicker, has a leaner and more laid-back sound, where Amiron has a brighter top end, a deeper sound with a larger soundstage, and with a darker midrange. This makes Amiron sound a bit more mature, and it would come off as more suited for music such as Jazz, Classical, Orchestral, but also pop and certain types of metal, where HD660S comes off as better suited for Metal, Rock, Pop and other types of music where a more natural midrange is more important. The other aspect one should consider is the revealing abilities, there is a difference in how Amiron and HD660S reveal the textures, as Amiron is smoother in the textures, despite their brighter treble, they are smooth and lean, where HD660S is more grainy in the treble, and has a tad more texture across the whole range, they tend to provide a more textured sound. Amiron is quite soft in comparison, soft, velvety and relaxing, but with a sparkly treble and a wide/deep sound, where HD660S feels more forward, more textured and more personal. From the two, HD660S feels more like a punk/pop headphone, where Amiron feels more mature and like a better Jazz / relaxing headphone that still keeps a lot of excitement with their treble spark.

Sennheiser HD660S vs Ultrasone Signature DXP - Ultrasone Signature DXP is the last headphone we're going for in this comparison, and they come at a price point rather similar to HD660S. Starting with the package, HD660S comes in a leather carrying case, which doesn't quite get our preference over Sennheiser's storage case because it isn't much more practical since the leather is quite sensitive, and you'll still need supplementary protection. The accessories included are comparable, since Signature DXP also comes with two cables, but both are single ended. The largest difference in build quality is that Ultrasone Signature DXP is a closed-back headphone, which is fairly easy to drive, offering an entirely different set of usage scenarios when compared to HD660S. The build quality is quite great on both, both being mostly plastic, but Signature DXP featuring something that looks like glass insertions in the headphone cups. The closed-back design is probably less sensitive to the environment. The comfort is better on HD660S as they have larger and deeper ear pads, where Signature DXP feels smaller on the ears, with slightly shallower ear pads. The biggest difference here is the pad type, as HD660S has a velour-like material on the earpads, where Signature DXP has leather on the pads. The sonic performance is quite different, Signature DXP featuring much more bass, more tactile, more dynamic, more solid, quicker and better textured, a similarly natural midrange performance, and a similar treble performance. In the midrange and the treble, DXP feels leaner and provides a softer presentation, where HD660S might feel slightly more enhanced in the treble, with a bit more bite. The biggest difference between the two there will be in the detail and soundstage though. Signature DXP has a huge soundstage, making HD660S feel more intimate and more personal, where DXP feels quite open and wide. On this note, the detail on HD660S is better, and by a good margin. Simply put, they are more revealing, offering a more transparent window to the music that is being played, where Signature DXP feels more playful and colored, but not more detailed than HD660S. The usage scenarios between the two will be quite different, but if you're a basshead, then Signature DXP is a much better option than HD660S, which will surely appeal more to those looking for a headphone with a linear / neutral bass. The biggest thing one needs to keep in mind is that both will play music very well, and will work similarly well with similar music, but if you prefer a wider experience, then Signature DXP might be the better choice, while if you're looking for a more detailed, more mature and more personal experience, then HD660S will be the better choice. We feel like they are made for different people, but still a good to know comparison between the two.

Recommended Pairings

Sennheiser HD660S is quite picky with its AMP and will favor desktop and powerful sources over portable ones. In fact, they are so hard to drive that very few of our portables were able to make them sound loud enough for a satisfying experience, being pretty similar to Amiron in this aspect, although Amiron was quite a bit easier to drive by direct comparison, HD660S being the hardest to drive headphone we reviewed to date. They work very well in 4.4mm balanced mode as well as single ended mode, provided you're feeding them enough power.

Sennheiser HD660S + iBasso DX200 / DX150 (AMP5) - This is a pretty handy combination, because AMP5 has quite a bit of power and it is able to drive HD660S quite well, providing the versatility of DX200 and DX150 in a pretty portable package. This whole combo is not very inexpensive, but it surely can provide a lot of fun. The sound is generally well balanced, HD660S sounds dynamic, it has a good soundstage and instrument separation, and they have a pretty quick and clean overall sound. The transient response is fairly natural, and textures feel natural.

Sennheiser HD660S + iBasso DX200 / DX150 (AMP4s) - This combo has the same versatility as DX200 and DX150 combined with AMP5, but they have a 4.4mm balanced connector. The balanced connector isn't quite the reason why they'd sound different, but we consider that the difference in sonics lies within the different amplifier architecture, the improved capacitors and the different power configuration. Basically, we don't endorse the concept that Balanced is always better than Single ended, but in this situation we like the 4.4mm native balanced connector quite a bit, and the sound is more vivid, more dynamic and has a touch more detail than AMP5, which is still quite great. The AMP4S variation from iBasso is also slightly warmer, more effortless and slightly leaner, so this should be taken into account. Since HD660S may need more bass, this is a welcome improvement.

Sennheiser HD660S + iFi iDSD Black Label Micro - iDSD Micro Black Label is quite the champ when it comes to driving HD660S. The brighter treble spike of iDSD Micro BL adds to the airiness and treble bite of HD660S, thing which is quite welcome and helps bring more life into them, and the strong bass, and especially the X-Bass feature will help those looking for a bassier sound with HD660S. It should be noted that iDSD Micro BL requires a separate source, as it is a DAC/AMP, so you should factor in the cost of another device when planning the listening setup.

Sennheiser HD660S + Burson Play - Burson Play is a great little device created by Burson, a rather loved and well-known company. Play is most an Audiophile-Grade, modular, integrable DAC/AMP for desktop, and especially for desktop PCs. Its power is quite fit for HD660S, and it is a good way to prove that HD660S can sound pretty sweet on a proper desktop-class setup. The beauty of Burson Play comes from the fact that you can integrate it in your PC setup, so you can plug HD660S, or any other audiophile-grade headphone, directly in your battle station, and just enjoy audiophile-grade sound without having more devices on your desk or table. The sonic performance is quite variable with Burson Play, as it allows the user to change its OP-AMPs, but the most basic configuration offers a warm and smooth sound, with a pretty good soundstage, which pairs well with HD660S.

Value and Conclusion

At the end of the day, you're probably wonder where is the HD6XX line headed towards, and we feel it is headed towards greatness. Sennheiser has shown great respect for their customers, and they have shown improvements organic with their customers demands when releasing the HD660S, which is a more versatile headphone than both the very clean, but slightly clinical sounding HD600, and the too lean and too smooth HD650. They simply made a headphone better than either, one that not only bests both, but will also be hard to beat for a long time to come, as its predecessors were iconic headphones for many years so far.

First, we need to consider the value HD660S has at the moment of writing this review. They sell for around 500 USD in most parts of the world, which places them in direct competition with pretty amazing headphones like Beyerdynamic Amiron / DT1990Pro and Ultrasone Signature DXP / Signature Studio.

The package contents of Sennheiser HD660S package are quite good, they come with two cables, one of which is terminated in a 4.4mm balanced connection, currently our favorite type of balanced connector. They also come with a 6.3 to 3.5 mm adapter, so you can plug them in virtually anything, but they eat quite a bit of power, so in the end they will require proper desktop-class amplification for most users. They don't come with spare pads, or a spare headband, but the quality of the earpads and the headband is quite good and we don't really expect anyone to require spares soon.

Where the original HD600 and the HD650 were headphones that stood their ground for years, we feel that the new HD660S will also be a headphone to shake the world of music lovers for a long while. The sonic signature of Hd660S takes the best of both worlds, the best of HD600's sound, and the best of HD650's sound, and makes a headphone better than both, with the speed and resolution of HD600, the naturalness and effortless sonic reproduction of HD650, with the more romantic bass of HD650 and with the sparklier treble and airier / wider sound of HD600. Basically, it bests both, and becomes a whole new headphone, more versatile, more portable, more comfortable and better built than either the beloved HD600, or the romantic and relaxing HD650.

If you're looking for an open-back over-the-ear headphone in this price range, there are quite a few options available to you,m and even Beyerdynamic now has wireless versions of their Amiron, so you really have where to choose from, but if you want to experience a headphone with Sennheiser's pedigree, and if you never heard the HD600 or the HD650, then now is your chance for an even better experience, with the newly released HD660S. Also, if you already own either HD600 or HD650, and if you're looking to upgrade, now is your chance, as we feel that most people will find HD660S the more versatile, better sounding headphone than either of its beloved predecessors.

I hope my review is helpful to you!

Stay safe and remember to always have fun while listening to music!

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Great review, purchased 3 days ago & they are brilliant !

@Rob49

@Rob49 - Really happy to have helped!

We wanted to share a related comparison video (not a review) of the HD 660S, HD 650, and HD 600 to help visualize some key differences and similarities within the 600 family. For instance the mesh baffle and vented magnets of the 660S, etc.

This review is a classic and has helped many in their quest for impressions and feedback. Even years later it's still exemplary!

Etymotic ER3XR - Precise Beauty

Etymotic is a pretty well-known company who's an expert in creating and designing in-ear monitors (IEMs), and they made a more affordable version of ER4XR, now named ER3XR. We're going to take a look at this IEM and what it brings to the table.

Introduction

Etymotic is an iconic company when it comes to IEMs, since they are some of the first who pioneered and engineered the BA (Balanced Armature) design. Etymotic house sound has always been described as very refined, very detailed and quite linear, so in comparison with most other headphones and in-ears, Etymotic has always felt like they are slightly midrange-forward, with voices and the majority of instruments coming forward with excellent power and life. Etymotic also has a signature in using their specific deep-seal, which alloys for extreme amounts of isolation from the outside noise, often being some of the best In-Ears for musicians and performers.

It should be noted that I have absolutely no affiliation with Etymotic, I am not receiving any incentive for this review or to sweeten things out. This review is not sponsored nor has been paid for by Etymotic or anyone else. I'd like to thank Etymotic for providing the sample for this review. The sample was provided along with Etymotic's request for an honest and unbiased review. This review will be as objective as it is humanly possible, and it reflects my personal experience with Etymotic ER3XR. Every opinion expressed is mine and I stand by it, the purpose of this review is to help those interested in Etymotic ER3XR find their next music companion.

About me

https://audiophile-heaven.blogspot.ro/p/about.html

Packaging

First things first, let's get the packaging out of the way:

The packaging is simpler and less inclusive than that of Etymotic ER4XR we reviewed before, but it has all the necessary items included, like the IEMs, a carrying solution, and a selection of tips and filters included with ER3XR. nIt should be noted that the filters are there to protect the IEM from debris and dust gathering inside, and it is not recommended to use an Etymtoic IEM without its filters.

The tip selection is fairly rich, and we often noticed that especially with Etymtoic IEMs, the medium tips that come installed on them are the tips most people will use with the IEMs.

The carrying solution is a soft pouch, which isn't as protective as the hard carrying case included with ER4XR, but it is more trendy, and it clearly has a nice design, with the name Etymotic embossed there.

It would be quite complicated to complain about the package, and the only thing we feel some users might desire from future iterations is a balanced cable, although that isn't currently easy to find for an Etymotic IEM, but we'll be sure to let you know more about them once they start becoming available.

What to look in when purchasing a midrange In-Ear Monitor

https://audiophile-heaven.blogspot.ro/p/what-to-lookl.html

Technical Specifications

Build Quality/Aesthetics/Fit/Comfort

The build quality of ER3XR is as good as ER4XR's build quality was, a metallic IEM shell, combined with an MMCX connector for your safety and convenience, and combined with long silicone tips.

Now, the tips are made out of silicone, and they are quite long, making the IEMs look like either professional musician tools, or medical tools, being quite easy to tell apart from your typical IEMs.

The cables included with ER3XR are extremely solid, thick and look reliable for both a more active music listener and for a musician performing live.

The fit and comfort, on the other hand, is quite tricky. The thing is, Etymotic has a very specific deep-fit that you need to take into account before purchasing their IEMs, those IEMs need to be inserted much deeper than the average shallow or medium-insertion depth IEM, thing which can cause some issues with some listeners, depending on the way the inner ear looks like.

Even so, after one has successfully inserted ER3XR, just like other Etymotic IEMs, will find that they become quite comfortable. Although, it should be noted that the insertion process is not quite hassle-free for some users, having to pull the ear while inserting, and inserting them very slowly, the IEM doesn't sit very bad after the process is done.

Now, the whole insertion step is this complicated because ER3XR, like all other Etymotic IEMs, offers an insane amount of passive noise reduction, Etymotic IEMs having a trademark in being the best isolating IEMs out there (at the previously mentioned cost in comfort).

Sound Quality

We need to get a few things out of the way before we start analysing the sound quality and the sonic performance of ER3XR. First, we'd like to note our readers that it has been stated by Etymotic online that ER3 series have a similar performance with ER4 series, but the IEMs themselves are produced in a different factory. This means that the performances are quite close, and that just the margin of errors are larger than those for ER4XR, but those margin of errors should still be quite a bit smaller than the human hearing should be able to pick up.

The second thing is that the ER3XR has an Extended Bass reproduction amount compared to other Etymotic In-Ears. We want our basshead and bass lover readers to keep this in mind, Etymotic IEMs are unsuited for basshead needs, they simply are the bassier versions of Etymotic house sound, not a basshead IEM per se.

Now, the sonic performance is quite close to ER4XR. So close, that we'd have a hard time telling ER3XR apart from ER4XR.

For those looking for a refresh on how ER4XR sounds like, we invite you to read our review here, and we'll try conveying once again what we're hearing.

The bass of ER3XR is quite linear, quite detailed, and quite impressive. With ER3XR, you notice the finer details that it can render in the bass of your favorite songs, the way it conveys certain nuances that otherwise can get subdued, especially by most IEMs at this price point. You get a new sensation of speed as well, as ER3XR has one of the quickest sounds around, you feel every little reverberation in the sound.

The speed of the driver is quite relevant for the midrange as well, which, compared to the bass and the treble, is quite pushed forward. This makes ER3XR a really great performer for vocal-driven music, Jazz, and other types of music where you'd want a less intrusive bass, along with a leaner and smoother treble. The thing that is the most impressive here is the level of clarity and detail, ER3XR is quite close to ER4XR, almost indistinguishably so, so you'll be hearing a whole new level of resolution, especially if you're used to IEMs at this price, or even slightly higher. The speed of the driver means that it has a wonderful ADSR/PRaT performance, so you get to hear and be able to analyse every single detail, every single texture and micro texture, all the things that are normally smooth are now expressed and distinguishable, pretty much the wet dream of an analytic-sound lover. The midrange can feel slightly forward and slightly aggressive, especially with certain types of music, but this makes the songs that are musical be even more musical, the added texturization to a guitar solo makes it even more immersive and vivid to experience.

The treble is quite smooth and lean, especially if compared to the energetic and forward midrange. The detail in the treble is good, and its speed is as quick as the treble and the midrange, but the quantity of the treble is not exactly what we'd go for if you're a metal or rock listener. Instead, of you prefer your treble smoother and leaner, with a presence, but in a non-intrusive manner, then ER3XR should bring you lots of fun and a pretty good experience.

In short, they will work well with vocal-driven music, with Jazz and certain types of pop, but they are smooth and lean, with a linear-ish bass, so metal and rock music will work well with them if you know you like them played like this. The details and textures are still quite amazing, and as good as we remembered Etymotic textures and details to be.

Soundstage

The Soundstage of ER3XR is not the largest one, nor the widest one, but instead, the instrument separation is what they rely on to be impressive. Basically, the soundstage is average in both width and depth, and given the detail they achieve, one's focus will probably be set more on each individual bit of detail, rather than be focused on the scene as a whole (since ER3XR is so great at being analytical), and the instrument separation helps with that, since one is able to easily tell details and textures apart, one is also able to tell instruments apart, the whole image painted by ER3XR being clear, well separated, clearly positioned and detailed.

ADSR / PRaT

The ADSR and PRaT (Texturization) of the sound is one of the best there are. Basically, the drivers of ER3XR are exactly what everybody is telling BA drivers to be, quick, light, and super-detailed. The sound is super-analytical, every single minute detail shines and has an excellent place in a song, textures, and micro textures are very well expressed and feel enhanced, and ER3XR will make the textures of Mindless Self Indulgence and Masa works Design feel like macro-textures, adding even more minute details, compared to how other IEMs paint the textures there as micro-details, so the ADSR / PRaT is as good as it can get (especially if you like hearing all the exciting details in the music).

Portable Usage

There's a shirt clip included!

The jokes aside, ER3XR is quite portable. The noise isolation is extremely good, so you will really have to be careful when walking with them, but they don't really get uncomfortable over time, and the tips don't get sweaty, so they won't fall out of your ears after a while.

The cables are not microphonic, and this can further be helped by wearing them over-the-ear and by using the shirt clip.

Both the cable and the IEM body are lightweight and you can easily feel free while wearing them, one can even do heavyweight training, jogging and aerobics while wearing ER3XR, thing which is actually quite great, especially since you're going to see them as a good solution for separating yourself from the world, with all that great isolation.

On how easy to drive they are, they are not quite that easy to drive. They need a bit of power, but still, most mobile sources should do just fine, if not too well. The main thing is that they have a somewhat low efficiency, at almost 103 dB, where most IEMs in this price range might lean to be more around 110 - 115 dB in efficiency. The impedance is not very high though, so they will be easier to drive than the ER4XR, which was quite hard to drive, but was also rated at 98dB of efficiency, and 45 OHM of impedance.

We'd say that something like a FiiO M7 would be an excellent overall choice for ER3XR, although there will also be better (although more expensive) options out there, like Hiby R6, or FiiO X7mkii, iBasso DX150, etc.

Comparisons

Etymotic ER3XR vs Etymotic ER4XR - The main two differences most people are going to notice are that ER4XR are harder to drive in practice, and that ER4XR come with more accessories, and with a better overall package. The main thing that might come as a shock is that ER3XR is more or less the same when it comes to its sonic ability, the differences between the two being really hard to asses, and since the differences in how hard they are to drive are a little large, it is hard to do a proper volume matching. All in all, if you want the ultimate XR experience from Etymotic and if you don't mind spending a little extra, then ER4XR is still their flagship, but if you want to save a few bucks and don't mind a simpler, yet still as useful package, then ER3XR is quite an amazing overall choice. The unboxing experience sure is more fancy on ER4XR, but most people won't unbox them over and over again, so ER3XR, with their simpler package, but very similar sound, does make the better overall deal.

Etymotic ER3XR vs Oriveti New Primacy - Oriveti New Primacy was chosen mostly because they come at a similar price as ER3XR, but the differences in sound are so big that one could say they have nothing in common. Where ER3XR is a midrange-forward IEM with a very analytic and detailed sound, ONP is very natural in both its tonal balance, and its overall texture presentation, the detail revealing abilities of ONP are not the same as those of ER3XR, which are quite revealing in their nature, but the overall sonics feel more natural on ONP, which simply sounds natural. If you have a delight in hearing all the intricacies within a song, then ER3XR is clearly the more revealing and more textured IEM, but the more bass amount of ONP, the more natural overall tonal balance, and the more lively upper midrange / treble makes them a choice suited for those looking for an easier listen and for a more natural experience. Where ER3XR has a deep-fit, ONP has a shallow fit, but also has some driver flex, so which will be more comfortable will be quite subjective. ONP still makes an excellent value, but so does ER3XR.

Etymotic ER3XR vs Dunu DK-3001 - DK-3001 is actually even further away from ER3XR, with an even more natural sound than Oriveti New Primacy, thing which basically means that they have more bass in quantity, less midrange in quantity, and more treble in quantity, along with a slower overall texture, leaner overall sound and presenting music in a more natural overall fashion. The package is quite fancy with DK-3001, and you can tell that you're purchasing a high-end IEM, and they clearly sound more natural, have a wider soundstage, and slightly better instrument separation, but once again, if you want a truly revealing analytical sound, then ER3XR, with its quick response, textured sound, and excellent revealing abilities / detail, will make the more compelling option. The comfort with DK-3001 might be a little problematic because they are on the larger side, and because some users reported having some comfort issues with them, but they also have a detachable cable, and they also have a shallow fit, if you find the deep-fit of ER3XR to not suit your ears very well. On the other hand, both are excellent value, and both IEMs's fit will be quite subjective, so if you can test before purchasing, we recommend testing each and seeing which suits your ears best.

Recommended Pairings

Etymotic ER3XR is somewhat more source-dependant than its bigger brother ER4XR, but it can be driven easier from less powerful sources, making it a more portable and easier to use for a beginner IEM.

Etymotic ER3XR + FiiO Q5(AMP5) - FiiO Q5 is quite probably one of the sources you'll be most inclined to pair ER3XR with, given its sweet price and its even sweeter price to performance ratio. FiiO Q5 has a great overall tonal balance, it gives them a good, larger soundstage, and it helps ER3XR gain even better instrument separation. The fact that Q5 is a DAC/AMP that needs to be stacked with a smartphone might be slightly inconvenient, but then again, you can pick FiiO x7mkii, if you want an all-in-one solution that will surely fit your needs.

Etymotic ER3XR + Hiby R6 - Hiby R6 does a great job at driving ER3XR, and although they are detailed and sensitive enough to tell R6 apart from something more expensive than it, like FiiO Q5 or FiiO X7mkii, R6 sounds plenty good already. With its fluid Android experience, if you're looking for something to help you stream your favorite music and for something to just use without any more hassles, R6 makes a very compelling option. On the other hand, we'd like to note that R6 has this little downside, it has only one microSD slot, compared to FiiO X7mkii, which has two.

Etymotic ER3XR + iBasso DX150 - If you're looking for something to give ER3XR a thicker and more satisfying sound, you should totally consider iBasso's latest jewel, DX150. It comes with all the beauty and power DX200 has, but at a much more accessible price, but still with iBasso's modular AMP design, and the AMP it comes with by default, AMP6 is quite thick and satisfying, providing a IEM with a lot of impact, and giving ER3XR quite a little bit of dynamics and impact, all while making their overall textures a tiny bit smoother and leaner.

Etymotic ER3XR + FiiO M7 - This is an interesting combo because M7 isn't just a sport-sized DAP made to be quite portable, but it is also quite inexpensive and plays well with ER3XR. If you don't require a lot of bells and whistles from your DAP, and if you can do with a single microSD slot, M7 sure is checking out for combining it with M7.

Etymotic ER3XR + Cayin N5ii - This combo works quite well. Cayin N5ii is not only very potent, but also comes at an excellent price for a DAP with two microSD slots, Android and the option to add third party apps as well. If you need streaming, two microSD slots, and a pretty neutral sound, then N5ii may be just the DAP for you.

Value and Conclusion

Reaching the end of our review, we hope you had a lot of fun reading about ER3XR, and we hope that we have been helpful in your decision on whether ER3XR should be your next IEM or not.

If you're looking for an Etymotic ER4XR, but in a less expensive package, then ER3XR should fit the bill quite well, with its similar ergonomic, similar fit and comfort, and similar noise isolation, and even with its similar sonic performance, but with the more pocket friendly price.

The detail and textures of Etymotic are not to be taken lightly and they have proven themselves many times over the ears to be a very capable company worthy of your trust and money, especially if you're one to appreciate a truly clean and analytical sound, with an extremely good detail and revealing ability, along with a very interesting sonic performance and overall price / performance ratio.

Etymotic ER3XR is a IEM with a midrange-forward tuning, so it will work quite well with certain types of music, especially with those that are voice-driven, but should also be heaven sent if you require a IEM to do mastering for an album and if you want to hear the sound down to the most intricate detail.

The package is still very comprehensive, you get all the tips you'll require with ER3XR, you get Etymotic's exemplary work, along with their reliable and lightweight cables, and a trendy, yet not very protective, carrying case. They'll also throw in a shirt clip, which would can come in very handy, especially if you plan on performing and need a tight fit with your IEMs.

At the end of the day, if you need excellent levels of noise isolation, if you need something to sound clear, clean and textured, stellar build quality, and a great overall deal, then Etymotic ER3XR are surely worth checking out and considering, regardless whether you're an avid music lover with a passion for detail, or a touring musician who needs a trusty tool in your arsenal.

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Purchase link (Europe - hifiheadphones.co.uk): http://www.hifiheadphones.co.uk/ety...solating-earphones-with-detachable-cable.html

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I hope my review is helpful to you!

Stay safe and remember to always have fun while listening to music!

Contact us!
(Click Buttons)

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@Dobrescu George

@Dobrescu George thanks a lot for the quick reply, Appreciate it. but is it normal for the vocals to be that harsh. I find some songs having normal reproduction. The instruments seems to be fine, only the voices seems harsh when they pronounce shhh, ssss, zzz,ttt etc.
and I have a doubt that, increase in volume can have that harshness?

Sorry for the dumb questions though. I'm just an entry level listener looking for detail and good instrument separation and trying to be an entry level Audiophile.

Also by acoustic filter you mean the small green replaceable filter that was provided in the package.

@msvrthexkid

@msvrthexkid - Generally speaking, ER3SE should not be harsh in any way. Yes, there are some acoustic filters in the package, tiny objects that you have to insert in the sound tube for it to sound ok. I am not sure how to insert / take them out, but if it changed sound suddenly, replacing those should fix it.

@Dobrescu George

@Dobrescu George sure, I'll try it. but is is something to be concerned with any manufacturing defect or so?
mine is the XR version and I could see the filter already available in the earpiece. Once again sorry for so many questions. just worried.

I tried it directly with my phones(android/iPhone) - Spotify/ Apple Music.
and also combining it with a portable Sonta TempoTec HD PRO same source.

Example songs:
Without You/ Alone together/ End of Time - Westlife
From Yesterday/ Dangerous Night/ Closer to the Edge - Thirty Seconds to Mars.
Madness - Muse.
Some Green Day Songs where ss, ts, zz like sounds are produced often.
these are the songs I found the harshness sometimes the instruments too.

SoundMagic P22BT - Small, Quick, Deep

SoundMagic is a rather well-established company with a lot of interesting products with very friendly prices, and we will review their P22BT On-Ear headphones today. It is a pair of headphones that doesn't come with many bells and whistles, but it comes with Bluetooth and a cabled mode as well.

Introduction

While SoundMagic is not a very known company in the audiophile community, it is actually pretty known with the general public, and they seem to be quite loved as well. It was interesting to notice that there are actually a few SoundMagic users on the streets of Bucharest, so at least in Romania they are something of a respected company(they are not Romanian). We haven't had any kind of interaction with SoundMagic yet, but we had lengthy conversation with the main sellers in Europe, Hifiheadphones.co.uk, whom we can recommend working with and trusting with your audio purchases as a good audio seller.

It should be noted that I have absolutely no affiliation with SoundMagic or Hifiheadphones.co.uk, I am not receiving any incentive for this review or to sweeten things out. This review is not sponsored nor has been paid for by SoundMagic or anyone else. I'd like to thank Hifiheadphones.co.uk for providing the sample for this review. The sample was provided along with Hifiheadphones.co.uk's request for an honest and unbiased review. This review will be as objective as it is humanly possible, and it reflects my personal experience with SoundMagic P22. Every opinion expressed is mine and I stand by it, the purpose of this review is to help those interested in SoundMagic P22 find their next music companion.

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Purchase link (hifiheadphones.co.uk): http://www.hifiheadphones.co.uk/soundmagic-p22bt-portable-wireless-headphones-black.html

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About me

https://audiophile-heaven.blogspot.ro/p/about.html

Packaging

First things first, let's get the packaging out of the way:

The packaging is not half bad, they come in a cardboard box, within which is a plastic support. In that support you can find the headphones, along with a few other accessories. The box has a rich content, with a USB cable for charging, a 3.5mm single ended cable for using P22 in cabled mode, and a carrying pouch.

The pouch won't offer any kind of protection, it is a leathery kind of pouch that looks stylish, and given their ultra-portable nature seems like a natural addition.

There's nothing much besides this included in the package, and given their 40GBP price point, the package feels pretty fair. There are cheaper versions as well around, which are without Bluetooth, but we don't know if the packaging or the contents are similar for those.

All in all, the package content is fair, and we are satisfied with the selection of accessories SoundMagic includes with their headphones.

What to look in when purchasing an on-ear bluetooth headphone

https://audiophile-heaven.blogspot.ro/p/what-to-lookl.html

Technical Specifications

Driver: Dynamic 40mm Neodymium
Frequency range: 30Hz - 20kHz
DC Resistance: 32Ω
Sensitivity: 95dB
Maximum input power: 100mW
Weight: 85g
Bluetooth version: v4.1
BT frequency range: 2.4 - 2.4780 GHz
Range: 13m
Energy Consumption: Class 1
Music playback time: 18-20 hours
Talk time: 13-15 hours
Standby time: 640 hours
Audio output: CD sound quality, 44. 1.48 kHz 16bit stereo

Build Quality/Aesthetics/Fit/Comfort

Startin with the build quality, they are pretty much all you'd expect from a 40GBP BT headphone, plastic all around, although the headband has metal insertions to be more rigid and to be more reliable. The headband adjusting mechanism is quite smooth and features a metering system so you can set both cups in the same position. The headband has some padding covered in leather. The cups feel solid, there is very little to no creaking when playing with the headphones (at this price this might be a genuine concern).

The ear pads are made from pleather, and they might get hot easily, but that's probably a price to be paid for having something this portable.

Now onto the aesthetics, those look stunning. The headphones seem to be sized well, they look slightly industrial but sleek and reliable. The buttons on the cup look and work well.

The jack for the 3.5mm cable is positioned at the bottom of the cup, thing which is good, and the cable included has a fair quality to it. The charging cable is quite short though, and that should be taken into account.

They fold into place, which is also quite good, they are very portable, and the folding mechanic seems well made and reliable.

Now the fit and comfort, both are pretty much subjective, but in my personal experience, they were not very good.

The fit is absolutely on-ear, there's no way those will come over-the-ear for anyone, so there's full contact between the ear and the pleather pads at all times, making them somewhat hot and sweat-prone. The headband has a hotspot in the top of the head for me, although it has padding to alleviate the issue. On the bright side, they isolate exceptionally well from the outside noise, thing I found shocking, considering how strange they fit compared to my to-go headphones which at this moment are large, comfy and thick-padded Audeze Headphones.

Of course, at the end of the day, the full plastic build might be a bit plasticky, but honestly, this is not bad for their price, and clearly not bad for an on-ear headphone.

The Bluetooth connection is quite reliable, at least on the sample we have. They are rather hard to drive on Cable, Samsung T580 couldn't keep up well, and couldn't make them sound loud enough, their BT connection doesn't seem to have this issue. Since they are rated at 95dB sensitivity and 32 OHM, the hard to drive nature is consistent with their specification (95dB is a pretty low sensitivity rating for a 32 OHM impedance headphone).

Sound Quality

As much as we aren't sure about the fit and comfort, those P22BT sure sound good.

By good, we don't mean just good, but they sound amazingly good, for a 40 GBP Headphone made by a company we just learned about. Of course, they won't be at the quality of a 500 GBP Headphone, but let's see what impressed us so much.

The bass is clear and deep. The upper bass / midbass is actually a little more enhanced that the sub-bass resulting in quite a bit of thickness in the sound, but it comes through as a satisfying type of sound, which would make a colored-sound fan happy with it. The midrange is pushed back, but clear, although it isn't laid back nor smooth or lean, it is the more textured kind of midrange. The treble is enhanced, resulting in a healthy V-shaped style sound that compliments most music that's supposed to sound ubpeat and energetic. The treble has the most presence starting with about 8kHz and starts to go down at around 10 kHz, at 13 kHz rolling out of the picture. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, given their signature, and the sound still manages to have a good amount of air between the instruments.

The distortion is quite low, especially for this price range, and the soundstage is quite large and airy, with a fairly good instrument separation. Compared to most other 40GBP Headphones, they really shine in those aspects.

The thing that impresses the most about their sound is the impact. While the dynamics are ok, the impact is quite impressive, metal music, dubstep and electronic have lots of impact and are quite engaging, the treble which gets energetic around 8-10 kHz is very welcome to the mix and results in an energetic and fun overall presentation. They aren't quite bassy enough to be basshead headphones, but they are quite colored and fun to listen to, and the electronic / trance / metal / rock experience with them is quite good. We probably wouldn't recommend them as a headphone for classical music, or for Jazz and laid-back music given their tuning.

Soundstage

The soundstage is rather large and airy, with a good amount of instrument separation. It is shocking because for 40 GBP, we were expecting more of an intimate, or even congested sound, but they sound actually good, music comes from outside of the listener's head, and the overall presentation is quite enjoyable. We didn't notice instrument struggling to separate form each other, and there was no place where we could complain about the overall soundstage at this price point.

ADSR / PRaT

The ADSR/PRaT (Texturization) of P22BT is quite impressive as well. They are quick, light and express textures in a vivid way. For the price, they are quite good. Meze 99Classics with proper EQ, for example, will be better in this department, but P22BT is pretty great for just 40 GBP.

Portable Usage

Here's a point where they excel, their portability is at sky-levels.

This is a very lightweight, foldable, small, Bluetooth, On-Ear headphone. All the factors linking to it indicate that it will be a great portable headphone, and it is.

It is small and light, you can tuck it in a pocket even, if you're courageous. Their metal insertion from the cups should help them if they are being stored in a pocket, but we wouldn't recommend it. Since it folds, the space it takes is quite small.

They are not exactly driveable from any source on the 3.5mm cable(shockingly), but they are driveable from any bluetooth enabled device, thing which is great actually. They don't have APT-X, thing which means that the data stream is lower than on an APT-X device, so the connection is quite reliable, instead of the better sounding, yet more frail APT-X connection. All in all, if you have almost any audiophile source, from FiiO X5ii and upwards, those will be more than driveable on the cable, and they are compatible to their full potential with any Bluetooth enabled device. We couldn't test NFC because none of our NFC enabled devices aren't quite that good in their NFC to begin with, so we got mixed results with it. Pairing was hassle-free and quick without NFC though, so you shouldn't worry too much about it.

The battery life on Bluetooth for music is around 16 hours, so pretty good in practice. They will last more than most smartphones. There's not much more you can ask from a portable in this sense, given the space a battery needs to take for a larger capacity.

They isolate quite well from the outside noise, thing which we found pleasing, although their fit wouldn't indicate this, they really are a great headphone to take even in the noisy environments of Bucharest's streets. They can get a bit hot if it is 30C and Summer outside, but otherwise you shouldn't feel any issue with them and their fit.

Pretty much all aspects of their portability are great, there's a great deal going on for P22BT, and if you need something portable that is not in-ear, then those are a great choice.

Comparisons

SoundMagic P22BT vs MOOH BE00BT - MOOH BE00BT is probably the headphone we reviewed that is most comparable to SoundMagic P22BT, although it costs almost twice the price of P22BT. The build quality is better on MOOH BE00BT, especially at the cups level, where they are larger and feel more reliable. The fit is much better, with MOOH BE00BT having soft and comfortable cups that feel natural, the clamping force is just right, and with no hotspots. On the other hand, P22BT is much more portable, and can go in places where MOOH BE00BT probably wouldn't. The Bluetooth reliability feels more reliable on P22BT actually, with the signal being quite reliable on MOOH BE00BT, but even better on P22BT. The sonic is quite different, P22BT sounds really energetic and engaging, with a strong V-shaped signature that will please most people with most music, while MOOH BE00BT is a much thicker, much leaner, much more relaxing and more rolled off experience. P22, in comparison feels less bassy, clearer, more textured, brighter, more detailed, especially in the upper midrange and treble, where BE00BT feels too smooth for metal and other music styles. Both headphones feel like great choices for the right people, and P22BT is really the more portable option of the two, if this is your main factor when purchasing a headphone, but BE00BT is the more comfortable option in the long run.

SoundMagic P22BT vs Bluedio T3 Plus - Our review of T3Plus will be coming soon as well, but basically, they are a unique kind of headphone. They are very heavy, and with a lot of metal in their construction, but we're unsure whether they feel much more solid than P22BT. The comfort is marginally better on T3Plus, but admittedly, only marginally better, as they have a very unique fit that will be very personal to some users, yet still they are over the ears, so that should be taken into account. T3Plus is made in China, and it is a bit more expensive than P22BT. On the functionality side, T3Plus seems much more versatile, as they can even play music from a microSD card, bluetooth and even connect with a 3.5mm TRS Single Ended cable. The sound is quite different, T3Plus is similar in detail and soundstage with P22BT, but they are much bassier, up to basshead levels, and they have a thicker, considerably darker, less engaging, but more explosive, more laid back, more relaxing, and leaner overall sound, with less treble than P22BT. They sure work well if you like a thick and fun colored sound with tons of bass, but P22BT feels more universal, especially for rock and metal. Given their price, the choice should be mainly made based on whether you need a portable headphone. P22BT is more portable, while T3Plus is not quite as portable, it is much heavier and harder to carry around compared to the small and lightweight P22BT.

SoundMagic P22BT vs Westone WX - Maybe a less relevant comparison given the price and the difference in what they do, Westone WX is a IEM also sold by HifiHeadphones.Co.Uk. Westone WX is a IEM with a thick and lush sound, very comfortable, and with a pretty reliable BT connection. By Comparison, P22BT is not an in-ear, but an on-ear headphone, they are not as lush, not as thick, but they have a brighter and more revealing treble, have more texturization to their sound, sound better with rock and metal, and for most users, with electronic music, but WX sounds leaner and better with Jazz, Classical and relaxing music.

Recommended Pairings

They are mainly a BT Headphone, without APT-X, so P22BT should combine well with virtually anything that sports BT. There's no difference in the way BT sounds between devices, so the only limitation there is the BT implementation. When used on the wire, they eat some power, so the wired connection works well only with stronger DAPs that can pack a punch.

Soundmagic P22BT + iBasso DX200 (AMP5) - Let's start with the driving power, DX200 + AMP5 sure has enough to play well with P22BT. It also has a good BT module inside, so it will make them play when they are not in wired mode as well, but then again, this is one of the best DAPs there are, so it is expected from it to work well with them. The sound is pretty V-shaped, feels natural in the textures, has a good impact, and good dpeth to it. Soundstaging is fairly good and dynamics are pretty good as well.

SoundMagic P22BT + X7mkii/FiiO Q5 (AMP5) - FiiO X7mkii or FiiO Q5 with their AMP5 are both another excellent choice to power up a harder to drive headphone, since they have a lot of power, and a clean, dynamic, detailed and wide sound. The instrument separation is quite excellent, the impact and the dynamics are also quite good. FiiO X7mkii also has APT-X abilities, but will work with normal 4.1 BT with P22BT as the headphone itself does not have APT-X embedded within.

SoundMagic P22BT + Samsung T580 - T580 is a tablet that's quite useful for watching movies and for doing some light work, like Sharing photos on Social Media. Its sonic abilities are interesting, as it is very clean, detailed, and sounds quite wide, but it lacks in the power deparment and it is barely able to drive something like Sennheiser Ie800, and it clearly struggles in driving P22BT to be loud enough for typical listening. Even so, it can pair with P22BT in Bluetooth mode, situation in which you have a stable connection and a fairly good experience without having to take into account its driving power.

Value and Conclusion

We have been reviewing a 40 GBP Headphone, and so far, it is a good one. Of course, this is a very attractive option if you're just entering the audiophile hobby, or if you are very constrained by your budget, otherwise being limited by the budget, but if you need a headphone that is on-ear, and which will simply do the job, and more, for 40 GBP, there are very few that will be this good.

The main highlight is their pretty reliable Bluetooth connection, along with their energetic, impactful and engaging sound. If you're mainly listening to rock, metal and electronic music, this headphone will take you on a pretty fun and engaging trip and will satisfy you pretty well.

The build quality looks trustable to last for a while, and if on-ear designs tend to be comfortable on your head and ears, those really don't make a bad choice, but if you tend to be picky about the fit, then there are over-the-ear or in-ears that might provide a more comfortable fit, but if portability is important for you, and if you don't want to use in-ears, P22BT makes a compelling choice.

With an energetic overall sound, an enhanced bass, a recessed, but clear, dynamic and impactful midrange, and with a vibrant and energetic treble, those are sweet to listen to, they are colored, V-shaped and fun, they keep you in the music they are playing, and there is enough air for instruments to breathe, along with enough soundstage to feel natural and not congested, making a really fun musical experience.

Whether there are any better 40 GBP options is hard to say since this market is quite crowded and fast evolving, but P22BT is actually popular in Romania and we noticed a few people wearing those on the street, and they had smiles on their faces, so we trust they are having a good experience. P22BT is also one of the least expensive headphones that we tested at Audiophile Heaven, and felt fun, and we can actually recommend, if your budget requires something less expensive, and if you're looking for something quite portable.

If portability is your most important deciding factor, those are not a bad headphone in any way, and are in fact, impressive, for 40 GBP. You'd be hard pressed to find something that does exactly this type of signature better, for this price, so unless you're looking for a different signature, P22BT is a great choice. Fit and comfort will always be subjective, and we know quite a few people who were very comfortable with them, so you don't need to let the comfort part of our review scare you from them, especially if you had good comfort with on-ears before (since we're quite spoiled by the perfect comfort of Audeze, Sennheiser and Ultrasone expensive and high-end/flagship headphones and we have a high bar for naming something truly comfortable).

In all honesty, for a first pair of headphone, or for a lightweight walk/travel headphone that is affordable and you won't need to worry about, P22BT is a great choice, and we totally recommend you consider them when shopping for on-ear headphones in this price range.

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Purchase link (hifiheadphones.co.uk): http://www.hifiheadphones.co.uk/soundmagic-p22bt-portable-wireless-headphones-black.html
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I hope my review is helpful to you!

Stay safe and remember to always have fun while listening to music!

Contact us!
(Click Buttons)

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Hiby R6 - True Android Power

Hiby R6 is the first DAP (Digital Audio Player) from Hiby. It comes with a smartphone-grade CPU, and a lot of processing power for a smoother overall GUI and system. We're going to look into the other aspects of it, including its sonic abilities and ergonomics, along with how much this improved CPU affects music listening.

Introduction

Hiby has been the company behind FiiO DAPs (they used to make the firmware for FiiO in the days of the early FiiO X5, X5ii, X3, X3ii), and Hiby still is the company behind some amazing devices, like Cayin N5ii, which we reviewed recently, and a lot of other Chinese DAPs. What makes them so capable as a firmware developer is their experience, they have been doing this for many years and gained great experience in it, and nowadays they also make an app for Android based on their expertise, app which we will study as well in this review. Besides their excellent overall firmware and informational support, Hiby is supported by Joe Bloggs who takes care of service and customer interaction, a well-known music enthusiast who always offered a great amount of help to this growing community.

It should be noted that I have absolutely no affiliation with Hiby, I am not receiving any incentive for this review or to sweeten things out. This review is not sponsored nor has been paid for by Hiby or anyone else. I'd like to thank Hiby for providing the sample for the review. The sample was provided along with Hiby's request for an honest and unbiased review. This review will be as objective as it is humanly possible, and it reflects my personal experience with Hiby R6. Every opinion expressed is mine and I stand by it, the purpose of this review is to help those interested in Hiby R6 find their next music companion.

About me

https://audiophile-heaven.blogspot.ro/p/about.html

Packaging

First things first, let's get the packaging out of the way:

On the packaging side, Hiby R6 looks modest. The package is very complete and includes all the accessories you could need to enjoy it, but the package itself is not very flashy, a typical black cardboard box which seems similar to those used with 100$ Chinese IEMs. It is fairly sturdy though, and will offer great protection to R6 while it is in shipping. This might actually be for the better as it might help you have an easier time with the customs process when receiving R6, and having to pay less customs, so we like Hiby's choice of including a basic yet very practical package.

Once you open the package, though, you are met with the true greatness that Hoby R6 is. The DAP comes with high quality screen protectors applied on both its front and back, the front being a large display, while the back is made of glass and looks quite good in person. There is a high-quality USB Type-C cable, and a few other accessories that will surely come in handy to users, like the Coax cable which is also of a very good quality, although we have to be honest and accept that we haven't used it quite that much, as it is too long for a portable usage.

There is a rubber case included with Hiby R6 and it is pretty nice, and there is an extra screen protector as well.

Hiby also makes a high quality leather case that you can buy, but we didn't feel very enthusiastic about its color, as it is blue. While it will surely work well for some, and while it is of very high quality and it protects very well from any kind of shock, blue isn't exactly the most sleek or easy color.

All in all, the package content of R6 is quite good, you get most things you will ever need with a DAP, you get high quality accessories, a spare screen protector, and there just isn't anything we could have asked for or we felt would have been welcome with R6.

What to look in when purchasing a high-end DAP

https://audiophile-heaven.blogspot.ro/p/what-to-lookl.html

Technical Specifications

(Taken from Hiby Official)

Build Quality/Aesthetics/UI/Firmware

In buld quality, it is actually one of the most solid DAPs we had the honor to hold in our hands to date. It is made from one piece of metal, with a thick glass screen that ensures excellent amounts of protection, there is no bending, no twisting, it is solid as a rock.

Aesthetically, we have the black version, and it is a sleek device with slightly rounded corners, and with a very ergonomic overall fit in hand. The weight is okay for a portable, not too heavy, not too light, the size is good, although we'd prefer having a device with an ever larger display. While we can totally see the cover art and explore our favorite music with R6, we feel that actually using it for typing when searching for music is not quite that comfortable, but then again, our reference is a 6.44" Xiaomi Mi Max 2, so maybe the whole point is unfair.

The UI is where things are really interesting, basically, Hiby made themselves a DAP that has the backbone of an upper midrange smartphone. By this, we mean all the power, from Streaming to Youtube to playing games. The CPU behind this magic is the Snapdragon 425, which we knew from having used smartphones rocking it. Considering how much of the base Android is stripped from R6, the 425 from Snapdragon is actually more than enough for a Digital Audio Player, and we generally didn't find ourselves complaining about speed with any device, R6 is really nice to use.

We had no issues with the Wifi signal, we were able to use R6 and stream Masa Works Design Youtube videos while on the Subway, and we even could play games on the mighty little R6. It is possible to see a new horizon of possibilities that you never knew existed when using R6, but we'd like to note that when it comes to a DAP, the most important aspect of it still remains the sonic ability.

The firmware provided by Hiby, is, as expected, rock solid. There have been no issues, no hangups, and no overall problems with the usage of R6, although we should note that our test consists of Redbook FLAC files only, no DSD, but we tested its ability to act as a transport, and to provide all other kids of usage scenarios, and it passed all our tests with flying colors.

What we found out that you can do with R6:

Listen to music
Enjoying the said music
Browsing music
Watching Youtube Videos
Streaming Music
Using it as a transport for an external DAC/AMP like FiiO Q5
Playing mobile games
Having a fluid experience through and through
Changing the volume while the display is turned off
Using most apps for listening to music to listen to music
Browse between apps as it has those 3GB of RAM
Read your mails

You can always expand this list with your usage scenario, but unless Masa Works Design or Utsu-P will have DSD versions of their music, we feel that we can't speak of R6's DSD abilities yet, although, Hiby sports them in the specs, so R6 will clearly play them just well.

Other things we noticed during our time with it are connected to its battery life, which is amazingly good. At a certain moment, I only had R6 on me, and had to take a trip to a 3 KM distance and back. It was around 30% battery when I left. It simply lasted me until the moment I was climbing the stairs back to my room, so it is really good in this aspect, down to the last % of battery.

The screen is bright and readable in full sunlight, and we did test this in depth, with the coming of summer in Romania. The device doesn't get extremely hot even in full summer here, and we're happy to report that the overall experience with R6 is quite excellent.

There is a Magesound 8-Ball thingy in the menu, which helps you EQ faster, with an excellent quality to it, and instead of showing the EQ bands, which can be hard to understand at first, it explains how you can make the sound, for example crispier, or airier, and it gives you both sliders and a way to tune the sliders to add more or less with each click.

In all honesty, Hiby made the build quality and the firmware of R6 absolutely bulletproof. They mixed excellent hardware, like 3 GB of RAM, with excellent firmware support, with a nice build quality, and it all sums up to an awesome device.

Sound Quality

Hiby R6 is a little interesting to describe, because it will change its signature with certain IEMs, but first, let's talk about its base signature. It is a beefy sound, with a slightly thick note presentation, a beefy low end with an impactful presentation, with a smoother midrange and top end that remind us of DX200 while it has AMP1 attached. IF you're coming from a FiiO X7mkii, it will come off as thicker and more relaxed, compared to the very clean and energetic sound of X7mkii. The top end isn't very smooth, so nowhere near DX150+AMP6 or FiiO X5-3 levels of smoothness, but it isn't as energetic as FiiO X7mkii either, leading to a slightly smoother top end.

Now, the tricky part, Hiby R6 can both have hiss with some low impedance IEMs due to its extremely high output impedance of 10 OHM, and it will change its sonic signature with certain IEMs, if they are not linear in their impedance response. Those two things are inherent to R6's very beeft and high quality AMP stage, which tries to cover everything from end to end, but which has this little issue with certain IEMs. We noticed very little hissing with certain IEMs, but we haven't noticed many changes of its base signature with IEMs with different impedances. We didn't look for it especially, but we didn't notice it as a glaring issue either, it might sound a bit brighter or a bit darker with certain IEMs, but we feel that the differences will be within what most people won't notice in typical usage. The hiss will be noticed by most people though, and we should warn against it. It isn't audible while listening to music (no hiss ever is), only a very muted hiss when there is nothing playing.

Now that everything's out of the way, let's study its signature in-depth.

The bass is very deep and drops as low as one could ever desire, while the speed of the bass is on the normal side of things. This means that it will sound natural and relaxed, it won't be the fastest bass there is, but neither the slowest, just a natural and impactful, with a deep presentation and with enough detail to impress even the most avid bassheads. The upper bass is clean, there is nothing colored there, while the midrange is on the meatier side of things, with a slightly thick presentation, and again with a natural presentation to things. The tonal balance is good, even spot-on for the most part, although we insist that you should try the Magesound 8-Ball thingy as it really can change the tonality of R6 and for the better.

The upper midrange has excellent overall emotional emphasis, and it brings a good tone to female vocals and to violins. The lower treble is also very good, it doesn't have a grainy texture, thing which is awesome because it lets the IEM or headphone apply its own kind of texture and it acts basically as a transparent window to music.

The upper treble has a good amount of air, leading to a pretty good soundstage and instrument separation for Hiby R6. The extension is very good, the treble is not smoothed out, thing which we appreciate, because it lets brighter IEMs and headphones be bright, while smoother IEMs and Headphones sound smooth.

All in all, we're very happy with the sonic performance of Hiby R6, it is a champ at being transparent, and with the magic infused by hiby in their 8-Ball, you can actually alter the signature and performance of R6 in any way you like, be it a brighter and more analytical signature, or towards a smoother and leaner one, Hiby has you covered.

Soundstage

The soundstage of Hiby R6 is fairly good, well expanded on all axis, and with the right headphones, it can give a very holographic experience to the listener (for example with Audeze LCD-MX4). The soundstage depends more on the headphones, and especially on how airy their sound is, but with the treble area of R6 being rather natural, if a headphone is airy by its nature, R6 will have a larger soundstage with it, while if a headphone is toned down in the treble area, especially if it has less air, R6 will paint it smoother.

The instrument separation is excellent, and it goes hand in hand with a headphone or IEM with good instrument separation. It is easy to distinguish multiple layers of music, and it is very easy to notice certain background elements, while the foreground elements don't lose strength and sound as forward as they should.

ADSR/PRaT

The ADSR and PRaT (Attack, Decay, Sustain, Release, and Pace Rhythm and Timing) characteristics of Hiby R6 are on the natural side of things, with a natural sounding texture, making a good combination with IEMs or headphones that have either natural or enhanced texture, while the headphones and IEMs with a relaxed or smooth texture might sound too smooth. With something that is also natural, the textures in the music of Masa Works Design or Mindless Self Indulgence bear excellent overall response, are textured where they need to be, and they are smoother where they need to be. With something very ADSR/PRaT happy, like Etymotic IEMs, like ER3XR, the sound is very well textured and every fine texture can be distinguished.

Portable Usage

Here's where Hiby R6 shines really well. It is a lightweight DAP, with a large, bright and clear screen, with a fluid UI, and with an excellent sound. It has all the ingredients to be an excellent DAP for portability, and with only one mention, it actually is.

That mention is its compatibility with IEMs, basically, since it has a high output impedance, you should consider either getting an iFi tool for alleviating that, or making sure that you like the synergy between your IEMs and R6. We couldn't detect any abnormalities in our tests, or anything that is truly remarkable, but we're sure that some people might, so we need to mention this and to warn you about it.

When it comes to its battery life, it is pretty excellent, around ten hours or so of music playback, with some screen activity and with some loud listening, so we're pretty happy with it. We didn't test it with Wifi and BT turned on, as we consider that on-the-go most people won't have access to either of those services.

The screen is easily readable in full sunlight, and the Bucharest sunlight is something one needs to see with their own eyes to believe, we get really bright daylight, so we're sure that the display will be readable anywhere in the world in full sunlight, and one can easily operate R6 in this kind of environment.

The device (surprisingly) does not get very warm during playback at loud volumes, and we have some really warm days in Bucharest, but we noticed that it gets warmer if music is being played at much lower volumes.

The ergonomics are excellent, one handed usage is possible and even fun, you can lower the main volume by 1-click steps while the screen is turned off, you can click on forward, backward, play/stop, and all with one hand, even while it is in a pocket. Because the two sides of R6 have a different number of buttons, it is easy to tell what you're going to press, and the buttons on the right side, where there are 4 buttons, are all different sizes, so you get a really good feeling of what you're going to press after you get used to it.

The power it has, is pretty much awesome for a portable device. FiiO X7mkii and iBasso DX200 both have more power for your power hungry headphones, but both are more expensive than R6, and R6 has a somewhat faster CPU than both, for a fluid system UI.

It takes almost any microSD card, but we'd like to warn about this, you need to wait around one minute after it has been turned on, before you can start using it, otherwise it can act strangely, this is something we noticed after using it for a while, but it is possible to repeat it. This behavior might be changed by a different caching algorithm in future firmwares, but on the current, latest firmware, this is something we should take into account. Most devices are similar in this aspect though.

Select Pairings

Please note that for any pairing, the IEM has more impact on the final result than the DAP, the best DAP being one that is as transparent as possible - #1s being quite good at this.

Hiby R6 + ClearTune VS4 - Once again we bring up the good old mighty VS4 from ClearTune. What left us with an interesting impression is how well it manages to hold its title in "vintage" and how good it plays music, especially vintage rock and metal, with an excellent warmth and depth. R6 is able to make them play with in a very vivid way, with excellent dynamics and textures, along with their really intriguing signature, including the spicy and interesting top end. As a pairing, we feel like one would be quite happy with this one, and would probably find their rock experience to be one heck-of-a-kind.

Hiby R6 + Sennheiser IE800 - We'll do a larger article on IE800 sometime in the future, as with time, we have a better understanding of what made IE800 so special in the first place, and after using them for so long, we also understand their shortcomings much better. IE800 is a very colored IEM, with an extremely deep and impactful bass, to the point where it is hard to find anything like it. The midbass is then recessed, and the midrange is further recessed, until the upper midrange, where the violins and emotion is, where Ie800 takes a slope back up, with the treble being once again extremely enhanced, like its sub-bass. This results in a very specific signature that will either make your music perfect, or break it entirely. We're saying this because when we tried this exact combination, IE800 and R6, we stumbled upon a very interesting result. We never heard Death Metal, Thrash Metal, some Post-Hardcore and most Black Metal and Punk bands sound so good. It is something one has to hear to understand. Then, when we tried some Fall Out Boy, the sound was pretty forward, a bit more than we'd have liked it to be. What IE800 does there, is that it brings up a lot of treble and bass, so music that was mastered with less bass and treble, like most black or death metal, and even some older rock, will sound excellent, to the point where one is blindly in love with IE800. When one listens to something that already has a good amount of treble and bass in the mix, like, say, most electronic music, IE800, although extremely textured, has too much treble. All in all, we feel that this requires an article of its own, as the initial review on Ie800 we made years ago didn't reflect this aspect, as, at that time, our testing samples were made mostly out of music that IE800 complimented. Now, about the pairing, Ie800 is very sensitive to the DAC quality and much less to the AMP stage, and here it reveals R6 to have one of the best DACs we heard lately, with one of the most enticing presentations ever seen, the levels of textures and instrument separation are outstanding, and we have nothing to complain about, if you're considering this pairing, and if you're a metal music / rock / punk fan, then this will surely make your days sweet and enjoyable.

Hiby R6 + HIFIMAN RE2000 - HIFIMAN RE2000 has been one of the best IEMs we tested to date, but it is also one of the most expensive IEMs we tested to date. Whether HIFIMAN's pricing is correct or not, they do sound unique and have a level of texture and vividness that we simply haven't really heard in the sub-1000 USD price range, so they surely created something unique with their RE2000. We'd love to see a version that's maybe a little more accessible, even if it won't be electroplated with gold, and such. The pairing with R6 is once again very good, with enough depth and impact to make all music sound real, with a good extension both ways, and with the visceral and impressive bass of RE200 being vivid throughout all music.

Hiby R6 + Audeze LCD-MX4 - One of the last pairings we're going to write about in our R6 review, LCD-MX4 is a love for a life, and for a good reason. The main reason we fell so much in love with them is that they are not only sounding extremely sweet, but are also extremely comfortable, being a headphone you don't want to take off once you place on your head. Just now, while writing this review, my girl has been wearing them for almost 6 hours straight, so you get the point of how amazing they are. Combined with R6, the question that's going to be on everyone's mind is about their power, are they driven well? The only answer that we can place here, is yes. We are using some EQ tricks with R6, and we're happy that Hiby supports such a good EQ implementation, because LCD-MX4 sounds out-of-this world driven by R6. From our collection, only very few setups are able to drive LCD-MX4 well, and R6 is probably the most affordable one, along with being almost at the same level as the best one. The Magic Ball feature Hiby has also helps make the sound a little crisper, in case anyone is looking for a less leaner experience than LCD-MX4 provides by default. The impact is as good as it gets, and with LCD-MX4 and Audeze planars in general, that means a speaker-like kind of impact, a deep and thunderous bass that's always clear and which goes through things like a knife through butter. The midrange is clean and clear (most less expensive DAPs will most probably struggle in the midrange as well, which resulted in some of the early negative impressions over LCD-MX4, from them not being well driven, as we've noticed with some less expensive DAPs, where they got loud enough, but didn't have the clarity that R6 can give them), and the treble is smooth, yet clear and well expressed. Of course, when we click in some metal music, we also click in some EQ to bring that treble more into foreground and to give it more of a lively experience. All in all, we really couldn't ask for more from this pairing, at this price, R6 is able to drive a fully-fledged 3000 USD Audeze Headphone, so we can call it a day.

Comparisons

Please keep in mind that the source is supposed to try to reproduce the signal as colorless as possible, to leave any kind of tilting for the DSP (EQ) or transducer (Headphone, IEM, Earphone).

Hiby R6 vs FiiO X7mkii - We need to start testing R6 against more expensive and more complex devices, because testing it against something like N5ii, which is both more affordable, and which also relies on Hiby's own firmware wouldn't feel very fair. Of course, even N5ii can be an interesting choice for some, because it has two microSD slots, just like Opus #1s, but we feel that once one has reached this price point, the main direct competitor of R6 will be FiiO X7mkii. Starting with the build quality, both are really solid devices, the main difference here being that R6 is a one-piece device, while X7mkii is a modular device, with modular AMPs, which can change both the driving power, battery life, and sonic signature of the device. There's a lot going on for X7mkii, with Streaming abilities, a really nice and bright display, and with a very nice user interface. The main differences between X7mkii and R6 are that X7mkii has two microSD slots, which will surely come in handy to those with very large music libraries, X7mkii has a volume wheel, which is nice to play with and for blind controlling your device, and X7mkii also has a modular AMP stage, so you can change AMP modules for different sonic characteristics, and battery life. Hiby R6 is a one-piece device, and for the most part, X7mkii is more detailed, a bit more dynamic and has a wider and deeper soundstage, but R6 really has something in their pocket when it comes to their software support. Hiby R6 is one of the very few devices which comes with a strong firmware support made by Hiby, along with one of the strongest CPUs among the audiophile DAPs, Snapdragon 425. Keeping in mind that I had that CPU in a smartphone for a long time, and lived pretty happily with that smartphone, R6 is clearly more than adequate for music listening, and more, Streaming, Youtube, and other music related activities. Here, X7mkii was really good in my personal experience, but certain users asked for certain features, and complained about its overall UI speed, or speed for specific operations, which R6 should handle better. Especially third party app support should be better in R6, where in X7mkii, I mainly played with its default FiiO Music App, which was excellent in my book, but I didn't really test how good it handles third party apps, while with R6, I can guarantee that it handles Youtube and my (light) streaming experience fairly well. When X7mkii is sporting its default AMP module, it sounds more neutral than R6, wider, more energetic, with a sparklier top end, and with less bass impact than R6. R6 sounds, by comparison, warmer and more forward, more personal, and has more of a low end presence than X7mkii. R6 is slightly thicker as well. Both are excellent devices, X7mkii is more versatile in its sonic ability, while R6 is quite versatile in its software and Android-Third Party APP support. X7mkii has a low overall output impedance and should work well with all IEMs out there, on all its modules, while R6 has a high output impedance, thing which should be taken into account.

Hiby R6 vs iBasso DX150 - Here, the prices are closer to each other. Both devices have a large and bright display, although DX150 has both a brighter and a larger display, making for a better experience in the UI. DX150 has a very good hardware support, along with Lurker's mod excellent UI support, but it doesn't have a Snapdragon 425 CPU, although third party apps work just fine, once you install Lurker's firmware, or download the APK and install the app. Both devices have one microSD slot, and both devices have a good build quality. Both are slightly more rigid than X7mkii actually, but this won't be important unless you drop or apply really heavy amounts of pressure on them, point by which all will probably be similar since all have something that probably shouldn't be subjected to too much pressure, R6 has a glass back, DX150 a volume wheel, and X7mkii feels a tiny bit less rigid. By definition, they are all very similar. When it comes to their sonic signatures, R6 and DX150 are pretty different. DX150 is considerably thicker in its sonic presentation, has more depth to its bass, and more impact, sounds smoother in the top end, and meatier, and has probably a less analytical overall presentation than R6, although R6 never crossed me as an analytical device. DX150 has modular AMP modules, just like X7mkii, so it really makes a compelling choice, since you can always slap on an AMP5 or even an AMP4S from iBasso for one of the best sonic experiences possible on a portable Player, but that costs another 200USD, and R6 still has its really good software and third party app support to show for. In all honesty, DX150 feels like a very slightly cut down DX200, while R6 feels more like an Android smartphone with an actually audiophile sonic output, so they are rather different devices for different publics. DX150 has a low output impedance, while R6 has a high output impedance, especially important for low impedance and multi-driver in-ears.

Hiby R6 vs Opus #3 - Now here is a more interesting comparison. Opus #3 is actually cheaper than R6 at this point, but it still is a premium device with a lot going on for it. All devices compared to R6 have a volume wheel, while R6 does not, this starting to feel like something Hiby really wanted to be unique in. We can't complain, we actually feel confident that some folks will prefer a unibody device without a wheel, but if the other products are a good indicator of what most people want, then people like volume wheels. When it comes to their bodies, both are really well-made devices, the biggest difference being that R6 is smooth all around, while #3 has corners that can be sharp. Not a big issue in any way, but you should keep an eye open in case you want to place it in a pocket. The other things one has to take into account are that #3 has a marginally brighter display, which can come in handy for outdoors usage, but R6 is fairly good as well. Both devices have a good battery life, both can do third party apps and Streaming, but the underlying Operating Systems are pretty different, with R6 offering a pretty vanilla Android experience, while #3 has Opus's custom version on top of Android, a very refined experience that focuses on music. The sonic signatures are different, #3 being brighter, more energetic, wider, clearer, and with more air in its sound than R6, while R6 feels deeper, meatier, leaner, and more focused than #3, although both are really excellent devices. #3 feels more like a punk-rock device, while R6 feels more like a Jazz and Classical music device. R6 has a pretty high output impedance, note important for low-impedance and multi-driver In-ears, while #3 doesn't have any output impedance issues.

Value and Conclusion

We're talking about a pretty expensive Player when we're talking about Hiby R6, so we need to have some expectations from it. It's price isn't quite as high as FiiO X7mkii or iBasso DX200, but it isn't quite that inexpensive either, so we're taking every detail with utmost care into account when judging its value. +

Starting with the overall package, you get a lot in the package with your R6. The cables that come with it feel good, they are pretty reliable, and the fact that it has glass screen protectors applied from the factory is pretty nice. For a tradition started by FiiO with their X-series of players many years ago, we are really happy to see it being kept to this date. There's nothing we would have liked included in the package, given the amount of accessories already there, maybe the leather case would have been nice to have been part of the original package, but we actually have used R6 almost exclusively without a case, so no harm done there.

The build quality of R6 is rock solid and more. It has a large, bright and colorful display, that surely serves well for both browsing your collection, and for creating playlists, and even for enjoying Youtube videos, with a metallic body that feels hard as a rock.

The sonic qualities of R6 are not to be taken lightly, but before that, the firmware support, along with the hardware, especially its CPU, is something rare in the audiophile world. It has a very strong CPU that will allow you to install and use some of the most intricate third party apps, and complex streaming apps, without a hiccup, along with watching Youtube Videos and other fun activities enabled by a Snapdragon 425. It even is possible to play some games using R6, thing which surely comes in useful and fun.

The music coming out of R6 is as fun and lovely as you can imagine it to be, ever so slightly warm and full, with a slightly lean and smooth approach, but only a smidgen so, just perfect to compliment almost any IEM or headphone thrown at it. The high output impedance might be relevant to some listeners, but in our honest experience we couldn't notice any serious downsides, besides a slight hiss that surely goes away while music is playing. From Ie800 all the way to Audeze LCD-MX4, for a one-piece device, its driving power is also pretty insane, something music lovers from a few years ago probably wouldn't imagine being possible, and at this rather friendly price point.

Priced at 570USD from MusicTeck, Hiby R6 is no joking matter, and we are honestly impressed by what the guys at Hiby managed to pull for their first DAP, surely a device many are going to remember and hold in high regards.

If you're looking for a very versatile device, with a lot of driving power, a slightly lean and smooth, yet full and dynamic sound, with a fast and powerful snapdragon processor, a good battery life, and an even better build quality, then Hiby R6 might be the right Player for you, and we feel you should consider it in your list of future DAPs, as it actually feels like a DAP of the future.

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Purchase link (MusicTeck): https://shop.musicteck.com/products/hiby-r6-src-free-hi-res-android-dap

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I hope my review is helpful to you!

Stay safe and remember to always have fun while listening to music!

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would it possible to share your tonal setting?

@androidjedi

@androidjedi Depends a lot on what headphones you're going to pair it with and what you're going to be listening to

I usually leave it on absolutely neutral, unless mentioning this in a review for that headphone, where I present the EQ setting for the said headphone.

Are you curious about any pairing in particular? I think I might be able to provide better help if you're looking for an EQ profile for something

Simphonio Xcited2 - Intrigued by Energy

Simphonio is a pretty well known brand from China, which is known to be on similar ground with other Chinese IEM manufacturers, and their products are known to be pretty interesting. Xcited2 is an entry-level to midrange IEM, and the first product we'll be reviewing from Simphonio.

Introduction

Our interaction with Simphonio is new, but we noticed a lot of professionalism in the way they handle things, and many audiophiles seem to have heard about them already. They are known to provide good after-sales service, but most people who purchase their products do so from third party sale agents and shops, as it makes those agents can usually offer quicker service, along with a more interactive offer of IEMs. We're looking at a fairly interesting entry-level to midrange IEM with a price tag of 150 USD and with some serious backbone to keep it in the market.

It should be noted that I have absolutely no affiliation with Simphonio, I am not receiving any incentive for this review or to sweeten things out. This review is not sponsored nor has been paid for by Simphonio or anyone else. I'd like to thank Simphonio for providing the sample for this review. The sample was provided along with Simphonio's request for an honest and unbiased review. This review will be as objective as it is humanly possible, and it reflects my personal experience with Simphonio Xcited2. Every opinion expressed is mine and I stand by it, the purpose of this review is to help those interested in Simphonio Xcited2 find their next music companion.

About me

https://audiophile-heaven.blogspot.ro/p/about.html

Packaging

First things first, let's get the packaging out of the way:

The packaging of Simphonio2 is actually much sleeker and more modern than we've expected given that they are a new company to us, they provide an elegant yet effective solution for their package. The full name of the IEM seems to be written as Simphonio Xcited/2, but that doesn't seem to work well with html codes so we prefer on naming them Xcited2.

We like the fact that Simphonio takes the time to tell their users that "Listening to loud volumes may cause an hearing impairment.". Doing so right on the box is actually a good idea, as, as music lovers, we know and understand how important keeping one's hearing healthy is. The other thing they mention is good as well, as we'd also like to note that it is best to not be using IEMs and good-isolating equipment in noisy or dangerous / open environments.

Although the cable isn't detachable, Simphonio mentions that it is a high-quality 6N OFC cable, which is an Oxygen-Free Cooper cable, so by its nature it will give them a natural tone, thing which we'll study in the sonic performance section.

There is a shirt clip included in the package (thing which we'd have liked to see with Sennheiser IE800), and there is a high-quality travel case in there as well.

There are two sets of tips, but the naming Simphonio uses doesn't really help us understand more about them, as they are labeled as Diamond and Comfit Silicone tips.

The other technical specifications are written on the outside of the package, and the overall package is good, we feel that Simphonio didn't go overboard, but they don't underdeliver, there is a sane carrying solution with Xcited2, there are enough tips to fit most ears, and there is a high-quality cable included, although it is not detachable.

What to look in when purchasing an entry-level In-Ear Monitor

https://audiophile-heaven.blogspot.ro/p/what-to-lookl.html

Technical Specifications

Driver: Dynamic 9mm neodymium magnet
Frequency response range: 20Hz~25Khz
Impedance: 16Ω
Output sound pressure level: 108±3dB/mW
Maximum input power: 3mW
Cable: 1.2M 6N OFC twisted
Weight: 18g

Build Quality/Aesthetics/Fit/Comfort

Starting with the build quality, Xcited2 is made from a combination of metal and plastic. The outer shell is made out of a soft, leathery like plastic, while there is a metal lining to it, which is quite shiny. The inner part, the one that gets in contact with the ear, is made out of a much harder, smoother and frictionless surface. In fact, while we can't exactly probe the material, the inner part seems much more to be made out of marble rather than plastic.

There are two ventilation ports visible on the belly of Xcited2, thing which makes us really happy, as those usually take care of the driver flex issue that can appear with some IEMs.

The aesthetics are based on a white with metallic accents color scheme, which works fairly well for Xctied2, they look pretty sleek without looking cheap. Those who love something that is more traditional in aspect, will probably fall in love with Xcited2.

Now, when it comes to their fit, you need to keep in mind that the IEMs are not on the small side, but on the medium to larger side of things. Besides that, they are amazing. There is no driver flex, and there are no microphonics, the comfort while worn over-the-ear is fairly good. The sets of tips included by default work really well, and the only thing we could have wised is that they also included spinfit tips, but the ones they include work pretty well.

There is a good amount of isolation, and the IEMs didn't get slippery and didn't fall out of our ears after our tests, plus the IEMs themselves aren't uncomfortable in the long run, at least from our tests. We do need to include a little warning, any IEM which has a medium or larger body has increased chances of being uncomfortable for those with small or specific-anatomy ears.

All in all, they are built well, they feel fairly premium, and the comfort is very good. There's nothing notable that we can complain about when it comes to Xcited 2, they look and feel pretty solid. Well, at this price point, most In-Ears include detachable cables, so we'd like to see future iterations include those as well, but the default cable is so good that we can overlook that part, especially at this price point.

Sound Quality

Simphonio had a few words to describe their Xctied2 IEMs, and those were, taken off their package

Silver Coil Dynamic Driver
Clear Bass
Detailed and Excited Sound
Precise 3D Soundstage
Easy to Drive

Placed through their paces, Xcited2 is actually an amazing IEM in sound. The first thing that one notices is the soundstage size and instrument separation. We're talking about a fairly inexpensive IEM, but they have a soundstage they can really be proud of.

The overall sonic signature is midly V-shaped, with a thick, impressive bass, a clear and detailed midrange, which is slightly pushed back when compared to the bass and the treble, and with a pretty sparkly and impressive treble.

In all honesty, those sound pretty much straight on perfect with my personal ideal signature, even without any EQ. Maybe a little more treble would have been needed to scratch all itches directly, but I don't expect any IEM in this price range to get much closer to the kind of V-shaped signature I personally would use. As for placing things in words, it simply sounds live, things sound as close to a live concert as you can expect for this price range, the bass is deep, impactful, somewhat natural to slow, the midrange is clear and sparkly, harsh when it should be, smooth when it should be, the texture is amazingly crisp and well-expressed, and the treble is sparkly, bright, airy, as it would sound live.

The bass is deep, hits hard, and has excellent impact. It has a touch more sub-bass than it has mid-bass, which means that the bass sounds tactile and visceral without sounding boomy or bloated.

The midrange is extremely clear, punchy and the tonality is pretty natural, although there is some emphasis on the upper midrange when compared with the lower midrange. This means that violins and female vocals are especially sweet, while male vocals are a little more emotional. Works very well for metal and emotional music, might not work as well for music relying on males with very deep voices.

The treble is really interesting, the lower treble has excellent energy and impact, it is sparkly and feels fairly natural in both texture and tonality, while the upper treble is a smidgen smoother than the lower treble, but this shouldn't prove as an issue for anyone, they are bright enough for most music, including Metal and Electronic.

It should be noted that they can take some EQ without complaining, so if you feel you want a more aggressively V-shaped signature, you can even pump some more bass and treble without having a fear of distortion.

Soundstage

Basically, Simphonio got pretty proud of their IEM, enough to write them off as a "Precise 3D soundstage". In actual tests, they pretty much deliver a good soundstage size, not necessarily very extended, but it is an out-of-the-head experience with most music, and most important, they have a really good instrument separation. In all honesty, this wasn't expected for a IEM at this price point, but this is also what keeps up the whole sound quality that we described earlier, the really good instrument separation and airy overall sound with a large soundstage makes the V-shaped signature feel natural and well expressed. Without this kind of soundstage and separation, things can easily get hot or congested, but with it along the V-shaped signature, the final result is a nice and lively overall presentation that works well for almost any kind of music.

ADSR / PRaT

The ADSR and PRaT (Texturization) of the sound is natural to slightly slow in the bass, while it is a little quicker in the midrange and the treble. We can't call it grainy in any of area of music, but it isn't smooth either. In fact, it is exactly what we'd call a really good PRaT and ADSR. The textures in music are really vivid, lively and feel real, things are not too smooth, so nothing is ever boring with Xctied2, but things tend to not get overly textured either, so they don't cross into being too analytical or fatiguing by presenting more textures than one would usually like. This part is also connected with their magical soundstage presented above, makes a really good synergy with the overall presentation of the sound, and we feel that their name is met with a really fitting sonic reproduction Xcited.

Portable Usage

Over-the-ear usage, fairly good cable, and medium sized IEM, there's nothing to hold Xcited2 from being a really nice portable IEM, and it actually is. In fact, one thing that I found in personal testing is that it provides excellent isolation from the outside noise, but it might leak a little to the outside, although it is hard to tell how much. My girl noticed the sound coming out of it into the room, while we were sitting in the same room, thing which usually doesn't happen, but she wasn't very disturbed by it, and I was blasting them full volume, but still that can happen.

On the other hand, I couldn't hear my phone ring, or the noise of the streets of Bucharest while wearing Xcited2, so I feel that they do a fairly good job in every possible way when it comes to isolation.

There are no microphonics, and they are fairly easy to drive, much easier than IE800 and most of my IEMs, but they still aren't exactly the easiest to drive IEMs I have. At any rate, they'll play nicely with any source, like a smartphone, but I would like to note that their larger soundstage, good instrument separation, and really good textures will best be complimented by a good source, something like Hiby R6 would do really well, and if you're on a budget, a Cayin N5ii should make them sing to heavens, but most smartphones might not have the same synergy, or rather, the IEMs might reveal too well the shortcomings of a typical smartphone, be it the best smartphone when it comes to its sonic performance.

All in all, they provide a good portable usage, and they are a pair of IEMs I'd really trust to take on a walk, or while jogging.

Comparisons

Simphonio Xcited2 vs FiiO F9Pro - We'll have to compare Xcited2 with a few IEMs at a similar price point, which is close to 150 USD. In this price range, the most proeminent IEM it will fight with is FiiO F9Pro, as it is also the closest to it in price point from our comparison list. Starting with the build quality, FiiO F9Pro has detachable cables, comes with a hard carrying case made of plastic, with a soft carrying pouch, two cables, one of which is balanced, it comes with probably a more complex package, and it has more points invested in the build quality, since it has detachable cables, it is easier to service, and it has a more ergonomic shape (smaller in size, more rounded). Neither IEMs don't have driver flex or microphonics, both are comfortable in our tests, and both are good value. In terms of sonics, FiiO F9Pro feels more neutral than Xcited2, which feels more v-shaped. FiiO F9Pro has a slightly slower bass, with a brighter overall tonality, more bite in the upper midrange and lower treble, less sub-bass emphasis and a less enthusiastic, but more precise sound. In comparison, Xcited2 feels more lively and more upbeat, more energetic and more ready for impact. The detail levels are fairly similar, soundstage size is fairly similar, and instrument separation is fairly similar. If you prefer a more energetic V-shaped sound, Xcited2 makes a very appealing entry to the market, while if you want a more linear overall response, with a slightly slower bass speed, FiiO F9Pro sure is still one of our favorite IEMs in this price range.

Simphonio Xcited2 vs Dunu Falcon-C - Dunu Falcon-C was and still is another favorite of us, and since we like Xcited2 a lot, it is only fair that we place it against the best we know, so we can see whether it holds its ground. Compared to Falcon-C, they are fairly similar in tonality, detail levels, and soundstage size, although Xcited2 has a slightly more airier sound, with more instrument separation, with the sound being slightly more energetic on Falcon-C, with slightly more bite for acoustic music. The bass is a bit more in amount on Falcon-C, but the difference isn't quite that big. The biggest difference between the two will be in construction quality, where Dunu Falcon-C, with its metal construction, detachable cables, and Spinfit tips in the package feels like an improvement in this aspect. For sonic performance alone, both are extremely good, and maybe similar, with some minor tonal differences, and we feel that one would be really happy with either, Xcited 2 manages to make a really outstanding entry in the 150USD price area, while Dunu Falcon-C holds its ground nicely at its 220USD price point, with a really solid construction, build quality, and overall package, if you can shell a bit more for build quality and changeable cables.

Simphonio Xcited2 vs Oriveti New Primacy - This is an interesting one, because Oriveti New Primacy is something we really liked, and which has a very good build construction as well. Starting with the package, Oriveti New Primacy has the better overall package, with a really interesting looking case included with it, full metal, and with interchangeable cables. There is only one cable in the package though. The IEM size is much smaller than Xcited2, so it can have better comfort, but it has driver flex, something you should look out for. The overall sonic abilities are quite good on both, but here, there are some big differences. Starting with the bass, Oriveti New Primacy is much more linear and relaxed, where Xcited2 is much more exciting, with more bass quantity and impact. The midrange is Oriveti New Primacy's forte, and it holds its grounds well, with a really natural tonality, with a smoother and more relaxed approach, where Xcited2 is more energetic, lively and clearly prone to be upbeat. The treble is quite different, with Oriveti New Primacy being smooth and relaxed, a really laid back IEM in that area, where Xctied2 is quite bright and lively, its V-shaped sound comes through with nice impact, if you want a smooth and relaxing IEM, New Primacy is clearly the better choice, while if you're looking for a live, energetic, upbeat and lively sound (especially for rock, metal and electronic music), then Xctied2 makes much more of a compelling choice.

Recommended Pairings

As presented already, Simphonio Xcited2 is actually source-sensitive and using it with a better source will yield better results as its revealing nature is able to reveal a better and a lesser source, especially in the PRaT and ADSR areas, along with the soundstage and instrument separation.

Simphonio Xcited2 + FiiO Q5(AMP5) - The power of one of the greatest setups in the world, at the fingertips of your smartphone. FiiO Q5 is surely one of the most interesting DAC/AMPs anyone has ever produced, simply because it takes FiiO X7mkii's AMP modules, which were already really outstanding, and it adds literally nothing else to the sound, its sonic performance being pretty much the same as that of X7mkii. In the long run, this means that you get an energetic, upbeat, interesting and exciting sound with excellent impact and a lively V-shaped signature, all with the powers of your smartphone, at the cost of having to carry two devices (a transport and FiiO Q5).

Simphonio Xcited2 + Hiby R6 - This combination is a favorite simply because of how convenient it is, and because it comes with so many bells and whistles that one can hardly ask for more. While Hiby is still somewhat hard to find, we heard word that MusicTeck has them in stock, with more other shops receiving stocks, and being ready and willing to serve their customers. With that being said, the combination has a sonic performance that's not only outstanding in the technical way, (PRaT/ADSR, Instrument separation, Soundstage), but also configurable. Hiby's EQ implementation is so good, that we feel confident that one who doesn't want the type of energetic and lively sound Xcited2 has, can tweak it for a different presentation. On the other hand, the default signature, is as V-shaped and lively as it can get.

Simphonio Xcited2 + iBasso DX150 - If you're looking to tone down Xcited2 and to bring its enthusiasim one step down, for a smoother and a more laid back experience, iBasso DX150 with its AMP6 will be happy to give you a good rest, as it is a more laid back experience that cuts down on the treble enthusiasm of Xcited2, and makes their entire sound thicker. DX150 has some outstanding abilities, like Wifi, and streaming abilities, and with the magic of Lurker's mod, it can make good competition to all other Android DAPs.

Value and Conclusion

We reach the end of this review in high spirits. I usually don't have this much of a positive impression of any product, but this time, the little Simphonio Xcited2 amazed me with its sound, which is simply almost too good to be true.

And, at the end of the day, it might be.

The package is solid, and it doesn't cost a lot, but I am not sure whether it will be comfortable for all users, given its slightly larger shape and size than smaller IEMs in this price range. The build quality is also something I am not entirely sure about, while I am sure that Simphonio would help any customer experiencing issues, the fact that it doesn't have a detachable cable is something a little bit questionable. The version we have, the white one, looks good if you enjoy something that looks like a little bit of marble, combined with a metallic ring and a pleather surface.

Even with all this complaining, we must remember that it barely costs 150USD, which really isn't a lot given its sonic performance.

With one of the most open sounds in this price range, with a really good extension both ways, with a clean and clear sound, lots of punchiness and a great deal of impact, this IEM's sound seems to be made in Heaven - probably Audiophile Heaven (pun intended). The sonics are V-shaped, with a bass that isn't quite linear, a treble that isn't quite linear either, and a midrange that is slightly pushed back when compared to the bass and the treble. The most major accomplishment is the kind of air Xcited2 can have between its instruments, a really open experience, with a really good instrument separation and pretty large soundstage. In all fairness, they really nail down the "live" type of sound with metal and electronic music, a something that was really pleasing to us. We wouldn't recommend them to those looking for a smooth sound, Simphonio Xcited2 clearly isn't geared towards a smooth experience, nor towards a relaxing one, it is one heck of an uplifting and energetic sound through and through.

If you're looking for an uplifting and energetic IEM, with a really open sound, with good instrument separation and with a V-shaped sound, Simphonio Xcited2 creates an awesome experience that you surely will enjoy for a long time. Excellent value, a good package, and especially an outstanding sonic performance are just a few things it can impress with.

I hope my review is helpful to you!

Stay safe and remember to always have fun while listening to music!

Contact us!
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Greetings George, an excellent review, more pics, more info, and more details are nice. I was sold again with your review on these until... quote form you:"We do need to include a little warning, any IEM which has a medium or larger body has increased chances of being uncomfortable for those..."Being, my ears are small (and weird), I will have to preclude these from my wish list. Darn. Keep up the good effort and results.
Cheers

@LostnAmerica

@LostnAmerica - I'm always happy to help! Will always include those warnings, because I want everyone who follows my works to find something they are entirely happy with in the end!

Kinera Seed - V-shaped Fun!

Kinera, the company behind Kinera H3, has now created another IEM, this time named Kinera Seed. It comes at a less expensive price than H3 did, but we'll see how it stacks up to the original and how it actually sounds like.

Introduction

We reviewed Kinera H3 in the past, and it proved to have been fun to review, but it was a pretty interesting IEM, as to some, it was too bright and too extremely V-shaped, while for others, it was a love at first sight, with an excellent detail for that price range, and a very impressive overall signature. By impressive, we mean that it would impress anyone at first listen, for the better or for worse. Kinera provides good customer service, and they respect themselves and offer a good overall customer support.

It should be noted that I have absolutely no affiliation with Kinera, I am not receiving any incentive for this review or to sweeten things out. This review is not sponsored nor has been paid for by Kinera or anyone else. I'd like to thank Kinera for providing the sample for this review. The sample was provided along with Kinera's request for an honest and unbiased review. This review will be as objective as it is humanly possible, and it reflects my personal experience with Kinera Seed. Every opinion expressed is mine and I stand by it, the purpose of this review is to help those interested in Kinera Seed find their next music companion.

About me

https://audiophile-heaven.blogspot.ro/p/about.html

Packaging

First things first, let's get the packaging out of the way:

The packaging for Kinera seed actually looks better than the one for Kinera H3 looked like, Kinera seems to have made it prettier, and it still looks hard enough to resist the harsh transport conditions all items are place through by the postage, or the couriers bringing them to their customers.

The package is simple, but useful, you get Kinera Seed, 3 sets of silicone tips, and a carrying pouch with a magnetic opening.

Although there isn't much else in the package, for around 50 USD, Kinera seed surely doesn't feel like a letdown, more likely, like what you'd expect from a IEM at this price.

We can consider the cable to be something interesting, because Kinera Seed comes with detachable cables that are pretty good-looking and which we feel you can reuse for other IEMs, if they rely on the 2-pin connection. The mere fact that they are a 50 USD IEM with detachable cables relying on the 2-pin connector makes Kinera Seed pretty special.

What to look in when purchasing an entry-level In-Ear Monitor

https://audiophile-heaven.blogspot.ro/p/what-to-lookl.html

Technical Specifications

Driver:1 dynamic driver + 1BA
Sensitivity : 108 ± 2 db
Impedance : 17 Ohm
Driver Diameter :8 mm
Frequency Range : 20 to 20000 Hz
Plug Type : 3.5mm
Connectors : 0.78 mm, 2-pin (detachable)
Cable :1.2 m Silver-Plated Copper

Build Quality/Aesthetics/Fit/Comfort

Before everything else, we need to consider that Kinera Seed is a 50 USD IEM, so they are priced really friendly.

The build quality is pretty good, they are made out of hard plastic all-around, it looks fairly resistant, the cables look thick and like they can take a beating. Kinera Seed relies on 2-pin connectors, and they provide a fair amount of fun for usage. The cables have soft ear guides, which we find to be good, better than solid ones, and better than not having any ear guides at all.

The cables connectors are 2-pin, which, in theory, is the most solid type of cable connector for a IEM. On that note, the cables seem to be provided by a third party and they seem to not have been made especially for Kinera Seed because there are no insertion guides, and you need to take into account the shape of the IEM and insertion when inserting the cables.

Kinera Seed is very sleek in appearance, made out of a glossy plastic that doesn't get dirty easily, and while we aren't fans of the bore being made out of a golden color, it is hidden by the IEM tips when in usage.

The fit is over-the ear only, and we have to say, the fit is incredibly good. They are much better than Kinera H3 when it comes to how they fit, we had complaints with H3 about driver flex and the fit being on the larger side, but with Kinera Seed, they fit just perfect. The IEM body is small enough to be comfortable, and their shape is very ergonomic. There is no driver flex, there is no cable noise (microphonics), pretty much everything is perfect with their fit and comfort.

We honestly feel that they are made to last and to be used for a long time, and they reach a golden level of comfort.

Sound Quality

Where Kinera H3 was very aggressively V-shaped in its sonic signature, (strong bass, distant midrange, strong treble), Kinera Seed is also V-shaped, but less aggressively. The basic way to describe their sound is that it is a V-shaped signature, with a strong bass emphasis, a recessed midrange, and a strong treble. The treble grows until about 7-9kHz, after which it starts to roll off.

Now let's go in depth with describing their signature.

The bass is pretty deep, and while it is not absolutely quick, it has a natural speed and doesn't come off as too slow. It provides excellent overall impact, and fair detail, and it doesn't have any kind of roll-off. The sub-bass is the most enhanced part of their bass, while the upper bass is less enhanced, but not recessed.

The midrange starts dropping in volume compared to the sub-bass and the mid-bass, being recessed in direct comparison, to the point where we feel it might not work well with voice-driven music, or with music that sounds good on a mid-forward IEM (Like Shozy Hibiki or Etymotic ER3XR). The clarity of the midrange is quite good, despite this recession, and we're confident that the levels of detail will satisfy most people well, especially for the price range.

The treble is enhanced, a little hot, and a little peaky, but it is expressive and impressive. It explodes well, it reaches almost around 7-9kHz, after which it starts rolling off. This means that cymbals are expressive, and that Kinera Seed works extremely well with acoustic music and music that requires a strong bite, like acoustic guitar driven music. They can also work well with J-Pop, J-Rock, K-Pop, and even with Rock music, especially older rock, but with rough metal they can be a little too hot and the cymbals can sound a little too forward.

The levels of detail they manage to achieve are once again, impressive. Like Kinera H3 had a very impressive detail, Kinera Seed also manages to achieve that, with a nice overall presentation.

Soundstage

Here's where we were quite impressed. The soundstage of Kinera Seed is actually quite excellent. It is not exactly huge or large, for any price range, but for 50 USD, they have a really impressive instrument separation and soundstage size, they don't come off as congested, despite their recessed midrange, and despite their overall aggressive signature, instead, they come off as well separated and presented in a pretty airy fashion.

ADSR / PRaT

The ADSR and PRaT (Texturization) of the sound is natural to slower, all impulse response is good, but it isn't the quickest or the lightest we've seen, being on the natural side of things. Fine dents in the textures of Mindless Self Indulgence aren't very well expressed, but the main texture of their synths is fun and lively, vivid enough for the music to be gun. The music of Masa Works design sounds impressive, and the textures are fairly well detailed there.

Portable Usage

When it comes to their portable usage, Kinera Seed is pretty much excellent. They are lightweight, small, they fit well, they are to be worn over-the-ear, they come with a fairly good-looking cable, and they isolate well.

Starting with their weight, they weight very little, and the soft ear guides also help take some of the weight off the ear and distribute it more evenly. The fit is normal (neither too shallow, neither too deep), so they sit comfortably in the ears, and they don't come out of the ears after a period of usage (the tips don't seem to get slippery).

The over-the-ear wearing style cuts down on the microphonics, to the point where we can't hear any microphonics at all, and the cable looks good, feels good, and most important, feels pretty trustworthy. It looks and feels like it can take some abuse, and that is great for their portability. The IEM shells as well, look like they can take a beating and come back for more.

The isolation is good, Kinera Seed seems to isolate well from the outside noise, but we'd like to mention that you should always pay attention to your surroundings while wearing headphones or IEMs in public. The isolation is so good, that you'd hear almost nothing in a busy marketplace, if there is music playing in Kinera Seed.

The storage solution, while not very protective, it offers a trendy solution to storying Kinera Seed while not in use, and the fact that their pouch is pretty slippery on the outside means that you can easily slide it in and out of a pocket with little friction. This also means that it is easier to store in tight spaces, than more protective, but more intrusive cases.

All in all, the portability factor is golden, and Kinera seed is a very portable IEM.

Comparisons

Kinera Seed vs Kinera H3 - We mentioned the two across this review, but it is time to do an in-depth comparison between the two. Starting with the package, Kinera H3 comes with slightly more, a better fitting cable, we can't say that the cable itself is better, but it fits better with the IEM body, and with a better carrying solution, a hard carry case that offers them more protection. H3 calso comes in a more basic package, while the package for Kinera Seed feels like a total upgrade in terms of the unboxing feeling they offer. The comfort is much better on Kinera Seed, with a better fit, better ergonomics, smaller IEM body, and no driver flex. The sound is in advantage of Kinera Seed on an overall level, because they are easier to listen to, less aggressively V-shaped, with less treble emphasis, so they get hot less than Kinera H3, although they can also get hot, and they are also treble-happy and V-shaped. Kinera H3 feels more detailed, offers more instrument separation, and offers a clearer overall sound, with better treble extension, making Seed feel like a downgrade, but H3 is also more specifically tuned, with a more specific overall signature, stronger treble especially, where Seed has a stronger bass and a more balanced overall sound. If you want the most exquisite Kinera experience to date, you can go for H3, but please keep in mind that their strong V-shaped sound will be a love it or break it thing, while for Kinera Seed, we feel that they will appeal to a larger audience, and they are still a great experience from Kinera.

Kinera Seed vs Shozy Hibiki - The packaging seems similar on the outside, but Shozy Hibiki does not come with a carrying solution, where Kinera Seed comes with a carrying pouch. The ergonomics are similar, both fit very well, both have good cables with them, and both are pretty, although with the shells resembling carbon fiber, Shozy Hibiki might have one above Seed in the physical aspect. When it comes to their sonic abilities, both are detailed, and both have good clarity, but that is where the similarities stop, Kinera H3 is pretty strongly V-shaped, where Shozy Hibiki is pretty mid forward, especially if you compare them directly, one after the other. Shozy Hibiki is clearly better for those looking for a midrange forward or midrange strong IEM, but it doesn't have the same bass impact as Kinera Seed, which is pretty strong and impactful in the treble. Shozy Hibiki works much better for vocal-driven music, Jazz and such, where Kinera seed is probably going to be more enjoyable with Electronic music, acoustic, and music relying on bass and treble. Both are great IEMs, just best for different kinds of music and best for different tastes.

Kinera Seed vs Final Audio E2000 - Final E2000 is priced at a similar price point as Kinera Seed, so it makes a good comparison point to them. The overall package is pretty different, with Final Audio having a slightly different carrying pouch, although still a pouch, and Final E2000 comes with a better set of tips included in the package. If there is one that has better ergonomics, E2000 would be it, with a smaller body size, and with metallic body, but the difference isn't quite that big, since Seed is already pretty ergonomic, and the main thing where Kinera gains back some ground is in the fact that they are detachable from their cable, where Final E2000 has a fixed cable. The sonics are pretty different, with Final Audio E2000 being one of the more balanced and natural IEMs we tested, especially at this price point, and Kinera Seed being one of the more energetic, V-shaped IEMs with an impressive sound we tested. The bass and treble of E2000 are both good, but Kinera's are larger in amount, and a bit quicker in their impulse response (important for textures), while the midrange is hugely different, Kinera Seed having a clear, clean, well separated, but recessed midrange, where E2000 has a midrange as natural as you can get at this price point, with everything sounding right and natural. Both are great for their intended publics, we feel that one should pick either based on their listening tastes, Kinera Seed is more impressive in listening, where E2000 is less impressive at first listen, but grows on you.

Recommended Pairings

Kinera Seed seems to respond fair to pairings, they have a limit on how revealing they can get, but they answer well to source synergy. They are a hybrid IEM, but besides hissing, high output impedance shouldn't affect them very much.

Kinera Seed + Samsung T580 - This combo actually works fairly well, the sound is vivid, expansive, the soundstage is large, and everything feels vibrant and lively. Plus, T580 isn't very expensive, and it is a great tablet for consuming multimedia.

Kinera Seed + Hiby R6 - Not exactly a similarly priced combination, but we found excellent synergy in this one, as R6 is slightly relaxed, it tones down the brightness of Seed, it makes them less hot, and even more even across the board. It also gives them a pretty energetic overall sound with excellent details and clarity. The whole synergy is quite good, and we feel like many would be very satisfied with R6 driving Seed.

Kinera Seed + iBasso DX150 - We took some photos with the combo, so we felt like it would have been weird not mention this pairing. DX150 is actually one of the besy synergies with Kinera Seed because with its default AMP6 it has a smoother treble, with less treble energy, than say, Hiby R6, so it helps them smoothing out those energetic higher registers, also providing a thicker midrange, which leads to a more balanced overall presentation for Kinera Seed. If you require one DAP that really works well with them, then DX150 would be just it, and more.

Value and Conclusion

Like we've said, Kinea seed is a very friendly priced IEM, with a lot going on for it. Being a 50USD IEM, one doesn't have quite that many expectations from it, but we found out that it delivers more than you'd expect.

Starting with their build quality, it is made out of plastic, but they seem pretty well made, and they sport a pretty thick and resilient-looking cable, they come with, and with 2-Pin connectors which are very well regarded by the audiophiles everywhere. The comfort is just as good as the other parts of them, with a medium insertion depth, not too deep, and not too shallow, easily reaching a sweet spot with most ears. There is no driver flex, and no microphonics, and honestly, they simply feel good while being worn.

The package they come in includes the bare accessories necessary to enjoy them, three pairs of tips, and one carrying pouch, but we need to factor in their price once again, which bumps up the value of the overall package.

Then, the sound. The sound of Kinera Seed makes it totally worth the asking price, and a totally great choice if you're into this kind of sonic signature, with a really deep and impactful bass, with a clear, detailed yet recessed midrange, and with a clear and powerful treble. The V-shape plays in the favor of Kinera this time and we found them to work greatly with more types of music than Kinera H3 did, which might be mostly because H3 had a stronger treble, and a more V-shaped sound, while Kinera Seed is more balanced across the spectrum and comes with an easier-to-listen-to sound.

All in all, we're really happy with Kinera Seed, it clearly is an evolution from Kinera, and if you're looking for an inexpensive, easily replaceable, yet detailed and clear IEM, with a V-shaped sound, they are totally worth checking out, as they might become a true love for your ears.

I hope my review is helpful to you!

Stay safe and remember to always have fun while listening to music!

Contact us!
(Click Buttons)

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Since I wasn't sure whether this fits well here, I also made a page for LCD-MX4, but as things are right now , I also post this review on the page of LCD-4 as they are part of the LCD-4 series, which includes LCD-4, LCD-MX4 and LCD-4Z.

Audeze LCD-MX4 - Precisely Amazing!

Audeze released LCD-MX4 as an easier-to-drive, lighter and more studio-oriented version of the highly acclaimed Audeze LCD-4, which was known to stand well even against titans like Sennheiser HE-1. We'll look into what LCD-MX4 brings to the table, and into whether it will be an interesting choice for your next headphone.

Introduction

We are quite honored to be reviewing a product from a company as well-known and beloved as Audeze. Their LCD-MX4 headphone is a newly released model, but they have been in the market for a pretty long time now, and they have been bringing fun and joy to music listeners everywhere for a good while now. Coming from USA, Audeze employs the highest quality of work in designing, producing and selling their headphones, and this standard is kept high as well in providing after-sales service, as they are known to be some of the friendliest company out there when it comes to helping customers with issues, if any shall arise with their products.

It should be noted that I have absolutely no affiliation with Audeze, I am not receiving any incentive for this review or to sweeten things out. This review is not sponsored nor has been paid for by Audeze or anyone else. I'd like to thank Audeze for providing the sample for this review. The sample was provided along with Audeze's request for an honest and unbiased review. This review will be as objective as it is humanly possible, and it reflects my personal experience with Audeze LCD-MX4. Every opinion expressed is mine and I stand by it, the purpose of this review is to help those interested in Audeze LCD-MX4 find their next music companion. This review is part of a mini-tour organized by Audeze to get their product better known to music producers and companies working in producing music.

About me

https://audiophile-heaven.blogspot.ro/p/about.html

Packaging

First things first, let's get the packaging out of the way:

Starting with the packaging, Audeze LCD-MX4 is here to impress. They don't come in what we'd consider the typical package for a headphone, but instead they come packaged in a solid, sturdy-looking package that we usually see professional equipment being carried in. There's no glamor in the package, and Audeze seems to care mostly about the safety of their products, providing what we can safely name the sturdiest, most resilient looking package we've seen a headphone coming in. The inside of the hard plastic box is padded with a high-density foam to keep the headphones safe during transport, and although there aren't quite that many accessories included with LCD-MX4, you have all your needs checked by Audeze.

There is a professional cable, that, we figured is better than the average cable that comes with a pair of headphones. It is braided, a little long, and it is terminated with 6.3mm connectors, but we feel that Audeze went with this configuration because it will be most useful to most users.

There is a USB Stick with interesting data from Audeze, and there are the usual manuals and papers for he headphones.

Audeze made sure to include a 3.5mm to 6.3mm adapter with their LCD-MX4 headphones, thing which we found very good, especially given their compatibility with portables, and how easy they are to drive from a less powerful source.

Other than this, we can note that Audeze really didn't include more than it is absolutely necessary with Audeze LCD-MX4, but then we wonder, what else could we desire? Given that those are headphones intended for a professional environment usage, balanced cables probably weren't the most interesting accessories to include with their headphones, and other than that, probably only a secondary set of pads would have been welcome, although given the quality of the one already included, and the high cost of a set of pads, it is understandable that they come with only one pair.

All in all, we feel like Audeze included all the basics necessary for LCD-MX4, but there isn't a lot of extra included. On the bright side, the quality of the things included in the package is extremely good.

What to look in when purchasing a high-end Headphone

https://audiophile-heaven.blogspot.ro/p/what-to-lookl.html

Technical Specifications

Package Includes:

-1/4in to dual 4-pin mini-XLR LCD headphone cable

-1/4" to 1/8" adapter cable

-Professional travel case

Features:

-Planar magnetic drivers for better dynamics and frequency response

-Premium leather for style and durability

-Made in our Southern California facility

-Flux density 1.5 Tesla

-Large ultra-thin Uniforce diaphragms

-Double Fluxor™ magnetic arrays

Technical Specs

-Style - Over-ear, open-back

-Transducer type - Planar magnetic

-Magnetic structure - Double Fluxor™ magnet array

-Magnet type - Neodymium N50

-Diaphragm type - Ultra-thin Uniforce™

-Transducer size - 106 mm

-Maximum power handling - 15W

-Maximum SPL - >130dB

-Frequency response - 10Hz – 50kHz

-THD -

-Impedance - 20 ohms

-Sensitivity - 105 dB/1mW (at Drum Reference Point)

-Power requirement - >100mW

Build Quality/Aesthetics/Fit/Comfort

Let's start with the build quality of LCD-MX4.

Well, what can we say. It is bullet proof. They are made out of metal, with metal hinges, and leather earpads. Audeze literally makes those from the highest quality materials around, there's virtually no plastic, the top of the headband is made out of carbon fiber (from our understanding), the part of the headband that touches the head is made out of real leather, earpads are made of leather, everything is simply outstanding. The hinges are also all metal, the highest quality available. There's nothing that we expect to break, all of LCD-MX4 is literally built from the best possible, metal on metal on leather on high quality textile inside the cups with planar drivers, the very definition of a proper high-end headphone.

The aesthetics of LCD-MX4 actually are much better than they might seem at first sight, those headphone are absolutely stunning in person. The carbon fiber headband gives them an electric, elegant and modern look, while the smooth cups with large size makes the one wearing them feel really stylish. While we don't say this often, we find larger headphones to look better, so LCD-MX4 is one of the best looking headphones there are.

The cups have a fine metallic mesh woven to protect the drivers from debris, and it does a really good job, it permits the headphone to be open, while it closes down on the debris, allowing for a really interesting sound.

The fit and comfort is, in one word, one of the best we tested to date. We said it. There's nothing quite as comfortable as LCD-MX4. In fact, we tested LCD-2 as well recently, and they are just as comfortable. LCD-MX4, and the LCD-series in general holds its ground right next to HD800S from Sennheiser, and Beyerdynamic Amiron or higher end Beyerdynamic headphones, all of which are pretty much incredibly comfortable. The only drawback when using an Audeze headphone can be the weight, but that isn't that much of an issue in practice. As we'll explore in the portability factor, we have been using LCD-MX4 while on-the-go a lot, and we found them to be incredibly comfortable in every situation they've been in, including walking at a faster pace with them.

The fit is over-the-ear, with extremely large and gentle pads, which, although have a gentle contact with the ear, and provide excellent comfort, will not let your ears touch the inner parts of the driver, so the only thing touching your ears, or the areas around your ears, are in fact the very comfortable parts of LCD-MX4 that you will come to love. The headband is made from two parts, a soft and very flexible genuine leather band which keeps the comfort up, combined with two stripes of carbon fiber which give the headphones a very good structural resistance.

All in all, we couldn't be more happy with the construction quality, the fit and the comfort of LCD-MX4, and we're sure that you're going to have a lot of people admire you if you ever decide to take them on a walk, so the aesthetics are at a golden level as well.

Sound Quality

The sonic signature of LCD-MX4 starts with what we'd call a very well balanced signature. The midrange is very clear, the bass is extremely punchy, impactful and comes through with a lot of energy and size, while the treble is smooth and relaxed, but well extended and reaching up to the highest octaves without issue. Starting to describe the tonal balance, the midrange doesn't quite feel recessed, thing which is interesting, because on LCD-2 (when we tested one), the overall signature was more V-shaped, and even on LCD-4, the whole tonal balance seems to be more V-shaped than it is on the LCD-MX4.

Now, Audeze was never shy of using EQ profiles for their products, so we will also get to Equalizing LCD-MX4, but first, we should describe the overall sound without any EQ implied.

The start, the bass, is probably the thing that made me fall in love with Audeze in the first place, the first time I heard one. I can still remember that day, it was a few years ago, when owning an Audeze headphone was something only the richest and the most distinct of people could do, when owning an Audeze was akin to being part of the highest of society in Bucharest. I was new to this city back then, and the first place I knew I had to visit was AVstore, back when they worked at their older location. Only two models really caught my eyes from their whole array of headphones back then, and those were Audeze LCD-2, and Sennheiser HD800. When I plugged in LCD-2, to their WooAudio Wa22, a beast of an amplifier, I was shocked. The bass of Audeze back then literally made me reconsider what bass should be like in a headphone. Coming back to LCD-MX4, they surely have a bass even better than what I felt back then, the Planar headphones bass in general is just unbelievably deep and impactful, literally visceral and impressive. Those are not very linear in the bass, but you can tell that it is a clean, clear, high-quality bass that is there to impress, to make one ask for more and keep listening to it with every bass-driven song.

The midrange is pretty interesting, by default being a little enhanced in the middle point of the midrange, and a little in the lower midrange, and the upper bass, leading to a slightly full, thick and meaty sound that many will surely welcome. To be honest, this makes all male vocals exceptionally fun to listen to, and we truly appreciate the fact that Audeze placed so much care into creating a convincing and realistic reproduction.

The upper midrange, on the other hand, is slightly subdued in comparison to the lower midrange, leading to a rather comfortable listening experience with LCD-MX4, and since they are aimed at sound engineers who spend many hours with their headphones on, we're glad that Audeze also considered working on a sound that will not cause any fatigue. On the other hand, this also means that the violins and the female vocals are slightly lower in energy than a guitar or a bass guitar, so music heavily relying on female vocals needs a few dBs added to the upper midrange / treble area.

The treble of LCD-MX4 falls in line with the upper midrange by being slightly relaxed, and while we actually felt that LCD-2 series had more treble expression, the treble of MX4 is actually something we'd recommend for long hours of listening. In a few words, the treble is very well extended, and it reaches the highest octaves, so there is no roll-off, but it is on the smoother side, with no grain and with less impact than the bass, or the upper bass and the midrange, leading to maybe, a bit of thirst for more cymbal-driven metal music. On the other hand, this kind of treble works really well for actually using LCD-MX4 for many hours in a row, and it helps notice finer details in the treble. With the smoother texture of the treble, a wider range of music becomes enjoyable with LCD-MX4, so we feel that those are really good for listening as well as using in a professional environment.

Equalizing

Audeze is a very open and professional company, and they are very open about the Frequency Responses of their headphones, subsequently making the Equalizing process much easier and giving us more opportunities to customize and enjoy their products to the fullest. LCD-MX4 is actually one of the best headphones we've seen when it comes to how much Equalizing they can take without having any kind of issues with their sound. They never get harsh, they never sound out of phase, and they never sound bad in any way, even with pretty drastic EQ profiles. It should be noted that we are fans of aggressive EQ profiles.

The main EQ profile we created for LCD-MX4 is pretty simple. Unless mentioned here, all the other sliders should be left untouched, only those mentioned should be changed.

AMP - -7dB

31Hz - +6.5dB

62Hz - +2.5dB

8kHz - +2.5dB

16kHz - +7dB

The changes with this Profile are immediate, things open up more, and there is a whole another level of energy in the treble and the upper midrange. The sound becomes slightly more fatiguing, that's for sure, but we like it better that way, especially for electronic music and metal, which are our main types of music. This includes rock and even old rock, along with pop, electro-pop and all kinds of commercial music. We haven't tested this profile with vocal-centric music, but from our experience with bands like Sirenia, it really brings more life to the female vocals, although we'd like to note again, that it makes the cymbals pretty strong. What is amazing is how good the actual cymbal rendering becomes now, Audeze made LCD-MX4 work well for long period listens, but with this EQ profile they can sound as raw and energetic as a live metal concert sounds like, and with the amazing bass this EQ profile infuses in MX4, they also feel like an entire live metal concert experience.

We are very impressed when a headphone is able to obtain such excellent results with EQ, as it is an indicator of its already extremely low distortion and excellent technical ability.

Soundstage

The soundstage of LCD-MX4 is something we haven't spoken a lot so far, and the main reason is that it actually deserves a whole section of its own. Starting with the size, the size of the soundstage is big. It isn't HD800-levels of large and wide, but the instrument separation and instrument definition is better, instruments stay well defined from each other, similar to how IE800 handles them, which is our golden standard. The size of the soundstage though, is much larger than a IE800, it reaches pretty far and pretty wide, but also deep. The stereo imaging is top notch as well, things can travel through the sonic landscape and feel coherent on the entire road (like special effects employed by Incubus in their Science album). It is easy to note how great the soundstage is with Incubus's songs because they tend to have a lot of effects that require good headphones to render the transition from left to right, and to actually render the effect of a sound traveling through the landscape. LCD-MX4 passes all tests with flying colors, and it even does so while providing very impressive instrument separation. A soundstage addict will most probably be fully satisfied by the wonders Audeze did with their headphones.

ADSR / PRaT

The ADSR and PRaT (Texturization) of LCD-MX4 are quite impressive, and although the price already implied that they will be like this, it still is impressive to analyse them. Bands like Mindless Self Indulgence or Masa Works Design present music with interesting textures and pretty vivid overall presentations, while instruments like guitars and violins sure feels textured and lively as well. It is most interesting to notice how the EQ profile we provided above also improves the PRaT and ADSR of LCD-MX4, the simplest explanation being that increasing the upper midrange and the treble, along with the bass will make small dents in the textures more obvious, combined with the already excellent abilities of LCD-MX4's driver, leading to a top-class experience for those purchasing a pair of LCD-MX4.

Portable Usage

We didn't remove this little part form our Beyerdynamic Amiron review, and we won't remove it from Audeze LCD-MX's review either. The reasoning behind this is simple, although both of those are desktop-class headphones made mainly to be used indoors, they still can be used portably with the right resources.

Starting with the shape and size factors, LCD-MX4 is rather large and it is on the heavier side of things, even with the weight reduction when compared to other Audeze models. This doesn't mean much for portable usage, as I've been taking them with me on long walks, sometimes in the amounts of five hours trips through the streets of Bucharest, and I never noticed any kind of neck strain. The main reason why they don't come off as fatiguing, judging them by their weight, is because that weight is really really well balanced over the head. There's no hotstop that becomes painful after long hours of usage, the ears don't touch any hard parts of LCD-MX4, and all hard parts are far enough from the head that even walking with LCD-MX4 will feel relaxing, although their weight most certainly doesn't disappear entirely.

The cable provided by Audeze is a high-quality cable that we recommend you to use, and although it is long for portable usage, Audeze included a 6.3 to 3.5mm adapter, that will surely make LCD-MX4 work with portable sources. The other cable you can notice in some of our photos is for showcase only, although it was custom made, it doesn't provide the same sonic quality as the original LCD-MX4 cable. It is nice for taking photos and for portability though.

The drive factor of LCD-MX4 will impress most people, as, LCD-4 series are very well-known for their very hard to drive nature and for requiring exquisite amplifiers to be drivel properly. On this note, LCD-MX4 can actually be driven from a portable player. Although we are not sure whether they would work their best straight out of a laptop or a smartphone, they surely sound sweet out of FiiO X7mkii / FiiO Q5, iBasso DX150/DX200 and even the tiny Hiby R6. It is unclear how Audeze managed to keep the impedance so low and the efficiency so high, without sacrificing much sonic quality, but they sure did an amazing job, and we can guarantee that with a little touch of EQ, LCD-MX4 will feel properly driven from a portable DAP and that they will work pretty well even out of a smartphone strapped to a DAC/AMP.

They leak some sound, that is for sure, and this might be a con for using them in public. If you're listening loud, people are going to also listen to your music, but at low volumes they don't leak quite that much, and we were able to use them fairly frequently at low volumes, even in areas where high noise was not recommended. They still are an open back design and will act as such, we cannot recommend them for portable usage in areas where you'd want to keep the noise at a minimum, but they can be used casually, even in an open-space office, if you keep the volumes fairly low.

Comparisons

Audeze LCD-MX4 vs Audeze LCD-4 - Probably the question that's on everyone's mind is how these compare to the mighty LCD-4 series. Well, we need to mention how practical each of them is. In a few short words, LCD-4 is probably the best headphone we managed to get a personal listen to by the date of writing this review, excluding the mighty Sennheiser HE-1. On the other hand, LCD-4 costs around 4000 USD and they require an amplifier usually at least half of their price, to many times more than their price, to achieve their full potential. This arises from having a very hard to drive nature, thing which makes owning LCD-4 complicated. You can't take them on the street, and most professionals probably don't have a strong amplifier connected to their workstations when mixing and when producing music. This is where LCD-MX4 comes in. Although they have a slightly less appealing sonic performance, with a hair less detail and precision, and with a less V-shaped signature, so with a more midrange forward signature, especially the upper bass and the lower midrange, LCD-MX4 is driveable. It is driveable from portables, it is driveable from any workstation. This is a new thing for Audeze headphones, an entire new horizon of possibility, you can actually hear much better detail in your music, you can spot things at the moment of mastering. All in all, LCD-4 is the better performer for music, but the cost of owning and driving it makes it more complicated of an acquisition than LCD-MX4 which, as a setup can cost as much as LCD-4 costs without any amplifier. IT should be noted that at the moment of writing, LCD-4Z exists, which is a full-fledged LCD-4 but with a lower impedance. We cannot comment yet on how it sounds, or on how easy it is to drive, but Audeze sure is on a roll with their new headphones.

Audeze LCD-MX4 vs Beyerdynamic Amiron - We did this comparison when we reviewed Amiron as well, but it is interesting to mention it again, as it will help those reflecting on this specific choice. Starting with the build quality, both are well built, and both are comfortable. Amiron is actually harder to drive, and requires more power than LCD-MX4, thing which is surprising. Amiron has much less bass in amounts, with a tighter overall presentation, it has a less present upper bass and lower midrange, with an enhanced upper midrange and lower treble, after which it is a little stronger in the treble than LCD-MX4. Amiron is much more fluid and softer in the transients and overall presentation, where LCD-MX4 is much more precise and harder, with more impact and a better overall revealing ability. For 1000 USD, Amiron is much less expensive, and LCD-MX4 feels more expensive in perspective, but given its technical ability and build quality it sure is worth the money as well, it just is a different headphone made for a different purpose.

Audeze LCD-MX4 vs Ultrasone Signature DXP - This comparison mightn feel unfair due to the large differences between the two headphones, Signature DXP, a closed back, ultraportable headphone with an open-sound, and LCD-MX4, a fully open-back headphone, with a large size and all-metal build with a very precise sound. Starting with the build quality, Signature DXP is mostly made of plastic, although we admire the fact that Ultrasone included glass insertions in the earcups. The earpads of DXP are much more solid and aren't nowhere near as large as those of LCD-MX4, but Signature DXP is much more portable in perspective, and if you need something portable, and something you can listen to while riding the subway, DXP sure makes a more compelling option than LCD-MX4 which is fully open back. Signature DXP and LCD-MX4 have a somewhat similar bass presentation, with lots of impact, although the punciness of LCD-MX4 is much more touchable than that of DXP. The midrange has more upper midrange emphasis on DXP, while it feels like it has more body for LCD-MX4. The treble is quite different, being rather relaxed and fatigue-free on LCD-MX4, where it feels more vivid, vibrant and energetic on DXP. The overall detail and transient response is fairly better on LCD-MX4, with more background instruments being expressed more lively, more of the underlying textures being shown to the listener, and even more foreground instruments being more obvious in music, but that is to be expected given their price and nature. DXP feels like a very capable portable option for those who want a really awesome sound, similar to LCD-MX4, but with a lower price, and with a different overall shape. Of course, DXP won't be at the same level, but it is roughly one sixth of the price of LCD-MX4, so it still is a very competent headphone for that price point.

Audeze LCD-MX4 vs Sennheiser HD800S - Two titans, from two great companies, placed against each other. HD800S from Sennheiser is quite the interesting headphone, with the largest, widest and probably most expanded soundstage, the lightest headphone and most comfortable headphone that's been around for ages in its HD800 incarnation. LCD-MX4 comes with a heavier construction, more metal in its body (HD800S is mostly made of plastic, although it is a high quality plastic), and with an entirely different sound. HD800S is pretty much neutral in its bass, with a tight and linear presentation, where LCD-MX4 has more impact, feels more punchy, and goes much higher in quantity. HD800S feels quicker in comparison, but the lesser amount of bass works well for certain types of music, while it doesn't for other types, like say, Electronic and Dubstep. The midrange is quite different, with LCD-MX4 having a fuller, meatier, thicker midrange, where HD800S feels thinner in its presentation. The overall tonality is spot-on for both, but HD800S feels more emotional in the upper registers, with more upper midrange and lower treble emphasis. The treble is higher in amount on HD800S, but both HD800S and LCD-MX4 are similarly detailed in the upper registers. LCD-MX4 has a smoother texture for its treble and it is less fatiguing, but it is also less revealing of the details it has, basically, HD800S brings the overall details forward more than LCD-MX4, especially in the treble, but also in the midrange, where LCD-MX4 is leaner and sounds easier to listen to and to work with, if keeping them on the ears for many hours in a row. All in all, both are outstanding headphones, but for different reasons. HD800S is the king of analytical sound, it is a microscope for your music, where LCD-MX4 is more natural, it is easier to work with, less fatiguing, and will provide much improved bass impact, so aggressive music sounds much more fun and energetic, where HD800S might reveal the aggressive parts of aggressive music more aggressively.

Recommended Pairings

On the pairings, please keep in mind that in our tests, LCD-MX4 was not driveable from any of our current smartphones, Mi Max 2, Samsung T580, or our laptop, but it was driveable and with excellent results from FiiO Q5, iFi iDSD Micro BL, Hiby R6, iBasso DX200 and DX150 (AMP5), and from FiiO X7mkii (AMP5). The results with Opus #1s were so and so, but it works well with Opus #2.

Audeze LCD-MX4 + iBasso DX200 / DX150 (AMP5) - One of the best combinations there is, imagine driving one of the worlds best headphones from a portable, and a pretty sexy-looking one at that. The levels of power and the sonic signature is extremely similar between DX150 and DX200 when rocking AMP5 for both, so you can consider those results with both. The main headline of this pairing is that it sounds deep, it has a fierce impact, and it presents music with lots of emotion. The PRaT is excellent, the soundstage is sized well, and the overall sound feels well balanced, and expresses music very lively. There are very few other pairings that would work better with LCD-MX4, and we're really happy to note that if you're looking for one of the best experiences possible with them portably, DX200 / DX150 really puts out some power and some detail for your ears.

Audeze LCD-MX4 + FiiO X7mkii / Q5 (AM5) - As we noted in our FiiO Q5 review, the sonic performance of Q5 is very very similar to that of X7mkii when running the same amplifier module, to the point where we feel we could safely say that they sound the same. As for their sonic ability, just like DX200 and its AMP5, everything feels top notch. The depth and impact of all music is unbelievably good, along with the detail presented by X7mkii and AM05. The tonality is also good, and the overall sound is clean. The soundstage is deep and wide, with good instrument separation and clarity.

Audeze LCD-MX4 + Hiby R6 - While Hiby R6 isn't exactly at the same sonic levels as DX200 and FiiO X7 Mkii, it sure is close and most users might have a hard time noticing the actual difference after applying a little EQ. The most sizable difference is that R6 is quieter than X7mkii or DX200, if either is running their AMP5 units, but R6, even with an aggressive EQ profile, can get pretty loud, and for most cases, loud enough with LCD-MX4. The more fluid UI of R6 (which is relying on a more modern Snapdragon CPU when compared to the iBasso or the FiiO DAPs), feels like a very nice overall experience. Not only LCD-MX4 has a lot of impact and sounds very controlled, it also bears good depth to its music, and has a good amount of detail. The soundstage isn't exactly as deep as X7mkii for this pairing, but it still is very deep and as wide, if not a hair wider than either X7mkii or DX200 (AMP5). All in all, this is also a very recommended pairing if you're looking for a very portable solution for your Audeze LCD-MX4.

Audeze LCD-MX4 + iFi iDSD Black Label Micro - Here things get a little more interesting, as iFi iDSD Micro BL has a lot more power than either of the DAPs above. In practice, this power will not be necessary, and most of the times, we found ourselves using it on normal power. The one advantage that iDSD Micro BL has, is the 6.3mm connector, which means that you don't require an extra 3.5 to 6.3 adapter, as when using most portable DAPs. Balanced cables and aftermarket cables do solve this little issue, but with the amazing sound of iFi iDSD BL, it is a good excuse to get one. The sound is deep and punchy, with slightly more treble sparkle and slightly more bass impact. The EQ might get a little tricky though, as one needs to make sure that the app and DAP they are using will allow iFi iDSD BL to take in some EQ if you're planning on using any EQ profile with LCD-MX4.

Value and Conclusion

At the end of our review, we need to consider every aspect of Audeze LCD-MX4 stacked against their price, which unfortunately is not very pocket-friendly at all. Priced at roughly 3000 USD, Audeze LCD-MX4 is clearly one of the most expensive Headphones we've tested to date, and it clearly also has probably the most reasons to be.

First, the build quality is fully metal. Here we're not talking about plastic with metal insertion, but actual metal built quality, from end to end, with carbon fiber insertions in the headband. While adding a little to the weight, Audeze guarantees that they've used an alloy that would reduce the end weight on the user's head compared to their other headphones. We found this to be true, and we managed to keep LCD-MX4 in usage for almost ten hours at once, without any kind of fatigue. The leather headband, and the thick, comfy leather earpads also add to the premium, as even the best other leather imitations can't quite match the levels of comfort and convenience Audeze earpads bring.

The cable out of the factory is also quite excellent, with the only visible downside to it being the length, and the 6.3mm connector on it, as we'd prefer if it was ended in either a 4.4mm balanced with a 3.5mm single ended adapter included, or ended in 3.5 with a 6.3mm adapter included, for better portable usage. Although, given the intended public for Audeze LCD-MX4, we feel that the inclusion of a 6.3mm adapter with the official cable is not a bad idea at all, as mot professionals will probably be plugging those in a fairly meaty workstation or amplifier, as opposed to a portable player, so they won't feel any disadvantage when it comes to the cables used, and might even agree that Audeze took a very good decision there.

Now, the sound. Audeze LCD-MX4 is made for both the music lover who wants one of the ultimate listening experiences possible, as well for the professional working in the music industry and looking for the ultimate music production tool to use in their workstation. For the music lover, Audeze LCD-MX4 presents the music with one of the best impacts, and might require a little bit of EQ to bring up some more detail and energy in the upper treble, but still makes up for an amazing experience, while for the music producer, LCD-MX4 brings a lot of improvements over other, equally amazing Audeze headphones. First, the weight of MX4 has been adjusted so that one can keep working with MX4 for long hours of usage, and the Frequency Response has also been adjusted in such a way that now you can keep working without worrying about auditive fatigue from your work. Although there is a little detail loss when compared to the big boss, LCD-4, LCD-MX4 is much more practical for those who need it in this shape, as a lighter, easier to drive, and leaner headphone for long hours of work. We know that someone using them might keep them on the head for hours on a row, every day of their work, so here LCD-MX4 surely feels like an improvement, just like a higher end DSLR camera feels like an improvement over the mainstream cameras once you get above a certain point of photography.

In the end of our review, we're looking at a very expensive, premium headphone that is very capable and which, to a very passionate music enthusiast, or to a professional working in the music industry will surely be worth the asking price. Of course, there are always less expensive options, that sound amazing, even from Audeze, but the mix of technical ability, impact, depth that LCD-MX4 provides along with its other characteristics is undeniably going to appeal to many. The sound can be described as deep, impactful, well balanced, satisfying, well toned, on the smoother side, and very revealing and detailed. Audeze doesn't joke when they make a headphone, and we don't joke either when we say that you surely should check them out if you're looking for a really capable headphone. They're not quite LCD-4, they're intended to be LCD-4Z either, but they surely are LCD-MX4, a headphone made as amazing, by the same company behind those genius level headphones.

I hope my review is helpful to you!

Stay safe and remember to always have fun while listening to music!

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Audeze LCD-MX4 - Precisely Amazing!

Audeze released LCD-MX4 as an easier-to-drive, lighter and more studio-oriented version of the highly acclaimed Audeze LCD-4, which was known to stand well even against titans like Sennheiser HE-1. We'll look into what LCD-MX4 brings to the table, and into whether it will be an interesting choice for your next headphone.