[size=9pt]Introduction[/size]
 
[size=9pt]Phiaton, while still a relatively unknown audio brand in the U.S., has built a strong reputation for high-quality headphones in the Asian market with their manufacturer brand name of Cresyn.  The entrance into the North American portable headphones market is highlighted by the PS320.[/size]
 
[size=9pt]Design[/size]
 
[size=9pt]The PS320 styling is distinctive, but rather understated in the gray and black color scheme.  On the outside of each ear cup is oval-shaped leather covering that is encircled by a silver accent.  Similar to other portable headphones, each ear cup can be swiveled left or right to adjust for comfort.  Each cup can also be folded in, and then folded up toward the headband, to allow for easy transport in the included carrying pouch.  The black headband is made of a soft and spongy material, and is covered on the top part with a leatherette material.[/size]
 
[size=9pt]At the core of the PS320 are two coaxial dynamic drivers set up in tweeter/woofer array with a passive crossover network.  This design is similar to the in-ear PS200 model and is used to optimize sound quality over the entire frequency spectrum.  While this type of dual driver configuration is quite common with in-ear models, it is very much unique in the world of portable headphones.  As far as I can tell with my research, this is the first such pair of portable headphones on the market.[/size]
 
[size=9pt]Specifications[/size]
[size=9pt]Frequency Response: 11Hz – 23Hz[/size]
[size=9pt]Design: Closed[/size]
[size=9pt]Driver: 13mm and 40mm Dual Dynamic with Passive Crossover[/size]
[size=9pt]Max input power: 500 mW[/size]
[size=9pt]Sensitivity: 102dB[/size]
[size=9pt]Impedance:  32ohm[/size]
[size=9pt]Isolation: -10dB ~ -12dB[/size]
[size=9pt]Weight: 122 grams w/o cord[/size]
[size=9pt]Connector: 3.5mm Gold Plated[/size]
[size=9pt]Cable: Y-cord, 1.25m[/size]
 
[size=9pt]Sound Performance Testing[/size]
[size=9pt]The sound quality performance evaluation of the Phiaton PS320 earphones was performed exclusively by listening to MP3s and FLAC music stored on my Sansa Fuze.  I listened to a number MP3s with bit rates of 128kbps and 320kbps, as well as lossless audio tracks in FLAC format.  A wide selection of rock, alternative, classical and hip-hop music was used in the evaluation.[/size]
 
[size=9pt]My initial listening sessions with the PS320 revealed a very detailed, and very forward-sounding, sound signature. The soundstage is overall very good, with a good amount of both wideness and openness in the majority of music I listened to during my testing.  They don't rival some of the more impressive full-size headphones in terms of soundstage, but do an admirable job for a portable set.[/size]
 
[size=9pt]High frequencies are where the majority of the attention is focused, with a forward sound that comes across with quite a lot of energy.  Some users may find the amount of highs to be overbearing, and I admit that a long listening session with the PS320's was wearing on my ears.  The treble is very sharp with these headphones, and this certainly takes some getting used to if you have not heard a similar sounding set of headphones before.[/size]
 
[size=9pt]Mids are likewise forward sounding, but overall much smoother than the highs.  I would describe them as neutral with not nearly as much energy as the highs.  Vocals did sound smooth for the most part, which was a positive note I took away from my listening sessions.[/size]
 
[size=9pt]Where the PS320 lacks authority is in the bass department.  Bass is certainly tight sounding, but there is very little punch and very little impact with bass notes.  Don't get me wrong - low frequencies are present – but there is a lot to be desired while listening to any hip-hop or other bass heavy tracks.  To further compound the problem, I found that the bass was very dependent upon the seal you get with the ear cups over your ears --- so repositioning is likely to be needed whenever you put on the headphones.  This repositioning was a bit irksome, and the seal was much more dependent on positioning than in other headphones I have tested (such as the Sennheiser HD238).[/size]
 
[size=9pt]Isolation[/size]
[size=9pt]Isolation was quite good in comparison to other portable headphones, but not quite as good as you will find with most IEMs.  Once you find a good seal with the ear cups, most typical sounds like talking, fans running in the background, etc. will be blocked out and won't disrupt your music listening.[/size]
 
[size=9pt]Comfort[/size]
[size=9pt]Overall the PS320 headphones were comfortable to wear, with only a bit of clamping felt during extended listening sessions.  There is a noticeable amount of pressure on your ears, but if you are used to listening with on-ear headphones they should not cause any discomfort. [/size]
 
[size=9pt]Portability[/size]
[size=9pt]The PS320 is easy to drive with an MP3 player, and the ability to fold it up and carry in the small carrying case is a plus in terms of portability.  While it is not ultra-lightweight, it is lightweight enough to carry around in your laptop bag or backpack without really even noticing the added weight.  Suffice it to say that it offers easy portability all around.[/size]
 
[size=9pt]Conclusion[/size]
[size=9pt]Whether or not you believe the dual-driver configuration delivers advantages over a single-driver design, there is no doubt that the PS320 offers an impressive level of detail and clarity for a portable set of headphones.  The leather outer covering and silver accents also give the headphones a more upscale look, while still looking understated enough for those who don't appreciate the Skullcandy " mo' colors = mo' better " design philosophy.[/size]
 
[size=9pt]Those people looking for a low-end kick, or a more warm sounding set of vocals will be better suited looking elsewhere.  Those people who prefer a more forward sounding treble, and who enjoy lots and lots of detail from their music, will certainly enjoy the sound signature that the PS320 presents.  And an average online price of $150 USD gives the PS320 a reasonable price tag.  [/size]

Design
A silver housing, accented by a black nozzle and a black "fan blade" back, gives the PS200 a unique look.  The fan blade back has a look similar to a jet engine (although this visual cue has no real impact on the acoustics of the earphones).  I rather like the design as it sets the earphones apart from generic looking earphones, without looking gaudy or ostentatious.
 
At the heart of the PS200 are dual BA drivers with a passive crossover network.  A silver housing, accented by a black nozzle and a black "fan blade" design, set the PS200 apart from generic earphones.  I like the design and color scheme, it looks sleek without looking overly flashy.
 
Sound Quality
The sound quality performance evaluation of the Phiaton PS200 earphones was performed exclusively by listening to MP3s and FLAC music stored on my Sansa Fuze.  I listened to a number MP3s with bit rates of 128kbps and 320kbps, as well as lossless audio tracks in FLAC format.  A wide selection of rock, alternative, classical and hip-hop music was used in the evaluation.
 
My initial listening sessions with the PS200 revealed an incredibly detailed, while still quite spacious, sound signature.  I was impressed by the soundstage produced.  The PS200 are a very airy and wide sounding set of IEMs, especially when you move up to higher quality recordings in lossless or high bit rate MP3 format
 
High frequencies are more forward sounding than most other earphones I have heard, perhaps a bit colored toward the high-end of the audio spectrum, and this suits my sound preferences quite nicely.  Other users may find the highs too overbearing. 
 
The mid-range and vocals were forward sounding, and not at all veiled.  They are not nearly as warm as many other earphones I have tested, and in this respect they sound similar to the Sennheiser HD428s that I recently reviewed.
 
Where the PS200 falls short – quite a ways short – is in the bass department.  Bass notes lacked thump and the low-end of the spectrum lacked texture.  I am by no means a basshead, but I really missed the lack of low frequencies.
 
Isolation
Isolation was quite good in comparison to other earphones and I was completely satisfied with how well the PS200 blocked out external noise.  Using the small sized eartips produced a tight seal in my ears, and I did not need to crank up the volume level in order to keep noise from creeping in to disrupt my music listening.
 
Cable / Cord Noise
Cord noise was a minimal problem and this is one area where the earphones aren't particularly impressive.  With the cord moving around, wearing them either straight down or over-the-ear resulted in a noticeable amount of noise. The included slider along the cable allows you to loosen or tighten the amount of slack, which helped to minimize cord noise.
 
Conclusion
The PS200s are probably the best sounding set of earphones I have tested up now, with the only exception being the bass.  They produce a very detailed and fast presentation – while still retaining an open soundstage.  Without a kick down low in the bass department, though, they are tough to recommend at $249 retail.  If you can find them for less money than retail, they are definitely worth a listen.