Firstly I would like to thank Brainwavz for the sample, I always try to write honest reviews. These received over 50hrs of burn-in, no differences were noted.

Gear Used:
Audio Opus #2 DAP > B200 (Comply tips and Silicone tips)



Tech Specs:

• Drivers : Dual Balanced Armature
• Rated Impedance : 30 Ω
• Frequency Range : 12 Hz ~ 22 kHz
• Sensitivity : 110 dB at 1 mW
• Cable : 1.3 m Y-Cord, Over the ear, OFC Copper
• Plug : 3.5 mm, Gold plated
• MSRP: $199

Packaging, Build Quality and Accessories:
The packaging of the B200 is very simple, a black card box with red lettering on it, the model B200 is in big red letters on the front, it doesn’t have any info or specifications on the box apart from saying they use dual balanced armature drivers. Inside the box you just get a plastic tray that holds the carry case, the IEM’s and accessories are inside. I feel that the box looks good, and is small, but I would have like to see the specifications listed on the side.

Build quality overall is pretty good, the housing is plastic but feels sturdy and helps keep weight down, the cable is non-detachable though which I fear will be the first part to break. For the price I would have liked to see detachable cables, but the cable has good strain relief on the jack and the bottom half of the y-split, on the top half of the y-split there is a lack of strain relief. Where the cable goes into the housing you have a short section of moulded rubber that acts as memory wire without the discomfort that comes with normal memory wire, and again good strain relief. If you are careful with these I don’t see there being any problems with the build quality, it is just a shame the cable is fixed.



Accessories included are good, you get 2 pairs of each size of silicone tip (S, M and L), a pair of medium T100 Comply tips, a cable clip, hardshell case and a velcro cable wrap. Nothing missing in the accessory department and with the tips included most people will be able to get a good fit.

Comfort, Isolation and Cable Noise:
These are some of the most comfortable IEM’s I have had the pleasure of using, the housing is plastic and very light, once in your ears you do not feel them. The cable is flexible and very comfortable; I am not a fan of conventional memory wire so it’s great to see these use a small moulded bit of flexible rubber instead. I find Comply tips to offer the most secure and comfortable fit with these, although have some slight impact on the sound.



Isolation is fairly good with silicone tips, blocking out a good amount of outside noise and offers more than enough for most purposes. If you are using the underground to commute, or fly a lot, the Comply tips offer increased isolation, with them you really do block out most of the world around you.

Cable noise is slightly present, but the chin slider really helps reduce this so I do not find it to be an issue.



Sound:
Split into the usual categories with a conclusion at the end:

Lows: The lows hit hard and fast, especially for a balanced armature IEM, I have not found the lows to ever be lacking in presence or body and the speed is incredible. With the Comply tips the lows are slightly warmer and fuller than with the silicone tips, but the silicone tips offer a more balanced sound. They won’t be the best for EDM music, but the lows extend extremely well being audible to around 30hz. These excel if you don’t need pounding bass, but they can offer a more fun sound with the Comply tips. The silicone tips have a slightly drier kick down low, whereas the Comply tips offer more body.

Mids: The mids are slightly forward in presentation and offer exceptional tonality and detail, the mids are not warmed from the lows yet they are not thin sounding either. There is a slight dip in the upper mids to avoid sibilance, but the detail retrieval, separation and layering are all excellent. If you like a well balanced and detailed midrange these are great.

Highs: The highs are good but not great, they lack presence and extension unfortunately. I prefer the highs when using the silicone tips, as they do not attenuate them like the Comply tips do. Now the highs have good instrument placement, and they are fairly track dependent. Where they are present, they are actually excellent, with taps on cymbals offering great detail and insight, whilst being well separated too. So the highs sound excellent when present, but do lack a little presence, this does mean that these are not fatiguing to listen to.



So tip wise: Silicone offers a more balanced sound, tighter bass and slightly more treble presence.
Comply tips offer a warmer, fuller sound that has a slight trade off in the treble, but the bass sounds more realistic with Comply.

Instrument separation is excellent, the soundstage is not overly wide but there is plenty of air between the instruments, and the stereo imaging is very good.

Now I did not hear the original Brainwavz B2, but did have the Fischer Audio DBA02 MKII, and they were more analytical with better highs but not as good tonality, offering a more airy but slightly thin presentation.

Also the Shure SE425 is one of my all time favourite IEM’s and I would say these are slightly darker sounding, but do extend better down low. The Shure have an excellently textured midrange, and overall balanced sound, but the lows do not extend as well, nor have as much body. The highs on both are slightly lacking in presence however. And for the price the B200 is much better value.



Conclusion: For the price, I would have liked to see detachable cables, as it stands they are not the best in their price range. But saying that, I can still recommend these, their mid range is full of detail, the lows never lacking and highs that are non-fatiguing. The two different tips offer slightly different sound signatures but overall for I think I prefer the Comply tips.

I think the strengths of these are the detail retrieval, instrument separation and especially the coherency of the overall sound.

They are great all round performers with only a slight lack of presence up top, and their comfort and isolation means I could wear these for hours on end, also the size of the housing means you could likely sleep in these.

Kings Of Leon – Day Old Blues is one track that stood out and highlighted the strengths of these whilst I was writing this review.


Sound Perfection Rating: 7.5/10 (Slight lack of treble presence, but excellent detail and midrange)

Firstly I would like to thank Simgot for the sample, I always try to write honest reviews, these have received over 50hrs of burn-in. Some slight differences were noted.

Gear Used:
Audio Opus #2 > EN700 Bass

Tech Specs:
Impedance: 16Ω
Headphone sensitivity: 101dB/mW
Frequency range: 15-400000Hz
Distortion: <1% 101dB
Power Rating: 10mW
Conductor: oxygen-free copper wire, with Kevlar fibres.
Connector: 3.5mm Jack
Cable Length: 1.2m
MSRP: $109

Packaging, Build quality and Accessories:
The EN700 Bass come in a very attractive box, there is a white outer sleeve with a picture of the IEM’s, the model name and on the back you have information and specs. Slide this off and you are greeted with a thick, textured box that has a magnetic opening flap, open the flap and you get the IEM’s neatly in a foam intray. Underneath the foam you will find the accessories, overall a very neat and attractive unboxing experience that feels very premium for the price.

The build quality is really impressive, the cable is braided and uses Kevlar fibres to help strengthen it, the jack, y-split and housing all have good strain relief and the housings are a mix of metal and plastic. The overall build feels rugged and should put up with daily use very well.

Accessories are good; you get a very nice leather looking carry case, multiple single flange tips (2 different types for 2 different sound signatures). Overall a good amount of accessories and everything needed to ensure you get a good fit and also a choice of sound signature.


Comfort, Isolation and Cable noise:
The comfort is excellent, the smooth metal inner surface of the housing causes no issues, and the nozzle is at the perfect angle for these to sit relatively flush in your ears. The housing is big, and feels slightly heavy but I have not had any comfort issues (and I have small ears). They come with a small section of formed plastic as memory wire, but it does not include any actual wire, so that is a big plus in my opinion, it helps the cable stay behind the ear without discomfort.

Isolation is fairly average on these, as the housing is vented front and rear. They won’t block out crazy amounts like fully sealed units, but I found them ideal for general use and they allow you to stay fairly aware of your surroundings.

Cable noise is not an issue with these at all.


Sound:
Tip type 1 for a crystal clear sound:
I find the EN700 Bass to be fairly balanced with these tips, the bass is still very present and really hits with authority when called for, but it does not drown out the lower mids. It also extends effortlessly with a very articulate and natural tone, luckily it can keep up with faster music too.
Onto the mids you get a very clear and crisp portrayal of vocals and guitars, slightly tilted towards the upper mids with only a tiny bit of sibilance. I really like the neutral sound of the mids, they don’t suffer from warming down low, yet don’t suffer from harshness up top either.
The highs are well extended and up front and present, you can clearly separate cymbal crashes and taps, there is plenty of detail and sparkle up top without being overly bright. I really like the presentation of the highs with these tips, as they are perfectly placed but again the tonality is spot on, without any metallic hint or grain.


Type 2 for enhanced bass:
The lows now become fuller, they don’t exactly gain more punch but the overall body is increased. These become a bit more fun and the bass becomes a little more up front. Still there is very little impact on the mids from the warm and articulate lows. Bass guitar tones really shine on these, and kick drums have body to back up the kick.

The mid are still detailed and clear, but with a little added warmth that makes them sound a bit easier to listen to, a little more lush. Still very very good detail in the mids, and they are far from being recessed or overshadowed.

The highs are toned down a little, but still retain that excellent tonality and space that is great about these. The highs do not lose their presence or sparkle, they still extend effortlessly.

The soundstage is a strong point of these, everything is very well placed within the wider than average space, with excellent air between all instruments.


Conclusion: Now this is how you release your first (technically 2nd) IEM. The EN700 Bass has so many redeeming qualities, it is well built, looks great and sounds great. What really stands out in my opinion is the timbre of these, they offer a very detailed and real sound. Every instrument sounds real, there is no grain or artificialness to the sound, and the soundstage is convincing rather than overly wide.

Whether you prefer the slightly cooler sound of the Type 1 tips that give you a little more controlled low end that allows you to focus more on the mids and highs, or you prefer the Type 2 tips that add a little more low end warmth and bloom, these IEM’s are sure to impress.

This review is proving to be quite difficult to sum up, because they do so much right and for a company’s first effort they really do sound excellent.

Sound Perfection Rating: 9/10 (Natural and fun with a tuneable sound)

Firstly I would like to thank JDS Labs for the loan unit, I will admit I am a big fan of the OL DAC which I bought after participating in the Beta test, and I wanted the added coaxial port the EL DAC has. So I plan to purchase this unit once this review is written. I also strive to write honest reviews.



Gear Used:
Opus #2 DAP / Marantz CD-52 / HP Laptop > EL DAC > Marantz PM-5005 / Feliks Audio Espressivo > Grado SR60e wood / German Maestro GMP 8.35d / Mission 702e speakers

Tech Specs:

All outline on their website in greater detail than is worth posting here: https://www.jdslabs.com/products/174/el-dac/

Packaging, Accessories and Build Quality:
The EL DAC comes in a fairly simple card box, held neatly in place with foam wedges. The PSU comes in a smaller separate box. I don’t mind that JDS Labs have not gone to extreme efforts to present it in a flashy box, because once it’s out of its box you don’t really pay attention to it anymore. The box may be plain but the product isn’t, that seems to be the ethos of JDS Labs, modest looking, high performing devices.

Accessories included are good, you get a PSU, optical cable and also a USB cable, again nothing over the top, just the essentials.



Build quality is superb, the housing uses the same aluminium as the rest of the Element line and it is sleek black but a bit of a fingerprint magnet. The bottom is plastic with rubber feet and all the connectors are on the back plate. On the front you have a single button that has a power ring around it. All the inputs and outputs are of good quality, the only slight thing I will mention is the feet are removed quite easily.

Setting up:

I have just had the new Windows 10 update and was surprised that I plugged this in and it worked straight away. If not JDS Labs provide the drivers on their website. This is a USB Audio Class 2 device and supports a wide range of sample rates but does not support DSD.

The front button is touch sensitive and not a physical button. Tap it once to turn it on, and the illumination ring will let you know what input is being used. Blue for USB, Yellow for Coaxial, Red for optical. To cycle through the inputs you tap the button, to turn it off you long press the button. This device is so easy to set up and integrates seamlessly into your system.

JDS Labs have hidden a little extra feature into this and the OL DAC, that is solder pads for a DIP switch so you can change the DAC’s filter.



Sound:
Let’s keep this fairly concise, this device is in my opinion a no brainer for your system. For me anyway it fits into my hifi setup perfectly, I use the coaxial out of my CD player into it, optical for my player and USB for my laptop, all into one device that then feeds my amp.

If you are used to plugging a low end source into your hifi/headphone setup you will notice increased clarity, but not only this, it is smooth without any glare. I used to love the ESS Sabre ES9018 chip, and I know DAC’s are all about implementation, but I find the AKM chip in this to be more natural sounding with the ES9018 sounding clinical in comparison.

Do not mistake the above for meaning the EL DAC is warm and lush, it isn’t, it just has a more natural tone, the bass is full with proper impact, the highs are extended and mids are just plain natural.

JDS Labs have done their homework, the AKM chip is a very good choice and strikes a fair balance between being clinical and warm, and it has sweetness to the sound without any veil. The soundstage may not be artificially increased but it portrays it as it is recorded, without making you analyse and pick out the flaws.

Now you can change the sound a little if you are willing to solder on a DIP switch, I have done this with the OL DAC and the changes are very small, but still subtle so you can tailor it to your system somewhat, on the OL DAC I opted for Short Delay, Slow Roll Off (a tiny bit more low end control without losing the natural tone) as explained here:

http://blog.jdslabs.com/?p=1381

S1
1 -> SLOW (off = Low)
2 -> SD (off = High)
3 -> SSLOW (off = Low)



Conclusion: What I like most about JDS Labs products is that they don’t sugarcoat their products with claims it’ll magically make your system the best in the world, they just say here is our product, it works and here are our objective measurements to back it up.

And that’s what this DAC does, the perfect standalone DAC if you don’t need multiple Coax/Optical inputs, or balanced outputs. It is a very good, easy to use DAC that does not disappoint in the sound or aesthetic department.

And I like it that much that I am buying it, I have the OL DAC for my main PC setup, and the EL DAC for my hifi system, they just do what they say on the tin very well, for a very good price.

Sound Perfection Rating: 10/10 (simple, elegant and it sounds very very good)

Firstly I would like to thank Audio Opus for selecting me to review their latest player; I always try to write honest reviews. This player has had well over 50hrs of burn-in and has been my daily player for a while before reviewing, it has been tested with multiple headphones at home and at work.

You can purchase it here from MusicTeck



Tech Specs:
MSRP: $899



Packaging, Build Quality and Accessories:

The Opus #3 comes in a similar box to its siblings, but in dark grey this time. The outer grey sleeve has the model number on the front, and tech specs on the back, once this is removed you are greeted by a blue box made of hard cardboard. Lift the top cover off and you are greeted by the Opus #3 held tightly in a velvet intray, underneath you will find the included accessories. The packaging has a very premium feel to it, and also serves its purpose of protecting the player during shipping. My leather case came in a separate small grey box.



The Opus #3 is well built like the rest of their players; it has an aluminium main body, which is CNC milled and expertly finished, and a plastic backplate. Now I have seen people say the plastic makes it feel cheap, but here is my opinion, the plastic used is very good quality, the texture is great and also Bluetooth connectivity is very good, where an all metal chassis could affect this. All the sockets and ports are tight with no play in them, however the volume wheel does have some play in it. It does not affect functionality, but it is something I have always disliked in the A&K players (The Opus #2 wheel has very little play).

Accessories included are a manual, USB cable, extra screen protector (one is factory fitted) and a very nice Dignis leather case. Everything you need to get going apart from a pair of headphones (which you have if buying this player).



Usability and Bugs:

First off the Opus #3 has the same UI as the other players in their range, it is a stripped back version of Android made for music playback. The main difference is the Opus #3 now supports streaming, but with limited 3rd party support. The UI of the main playback app is perfect; it has playlist support and is very intuitive and easy to use. You get the usual EQ settings, multiple gain settings, settings to change the DSP Processing (Auto, 16 or 32bit), balance settings and gapless on or off.

You can toggle Line-out to use with external amps, this is not a true line out and the gain settings affect the gain on the line-out, but at middle gain it is set at 2.1vrms, and the quality of the amp stage is excellent so the line-out quality is perfectly acceptable. The 3.5mm jack can also be used as an optical output. You get aprox 8-10hrs playback out of this player, which to me is not an issue.

This player has a touch screen which is good quality for a music player, with good viewing angles, and also has a couple of hardware buttons on the side for skipping tracks, and playing/pausing music, it can also be used as an external DAC/Amp via USB.



Now to some issues:

Firstly to install apps, you have to sideload them and install from the APK, which is awkward and brings another problem (To install, go to settings > streaming, then you click the little plus at the top, select the app you want o install, then install. You must press close after installing, and not open the app straight away).

I have found that because apps don’t automatically close when you go out of them back to the regular player, the player gets very hot due to processes running in the background.

To solve this you have to long press the app, and force close it, so not great.

The only other bug I have come across is that using a 3rd party app, Bluetooth output stopped. Again these are issues that will hopefully be fixed in firmware updates. And when using as a pure player, I have had no issues.



Sound:

My opinions here are in comparison to the Opus #2 which is my reference point.

The Opus #3 sounds a little colder in comparison to the #2, it sounds a little leaner but has the perception of being more detailed upon first listen. I wouldn’t say it is harsh, or bright just very neutral, towards maybe a little cold/analytical. This works wonders with most headphones, and brings out a little added sparkle in some more boring headphones, yet it still somehow works well with slightly brighter headphones. I would have thought it would become piercing, but again these are not night and day differences.

The differences are small, but still there, the highs are very controlled and detailed without any harshness. This means that even though it has a tiny bit more presence up top compared to the #2, it is not a fatiguing listen.

It’s always hard comparing 2 players that are so similar, but they are both fantastic pieces of kit, the #2 still edges it out with overall refinement and effortless sound, but the #3 in some ways is more exciting and more likely to reveal unheard nuances upon first listen.

The Opus #3 has better attack and a drier sound, the Opus #2 is overall slightly more organic sounding.



Conclusion: Audio Opus have done it yet again, a very nice player at a very good price compared to some of the competition. It offers a very engaging sound that is balanced, detailed and works wonders with nearly all portable headphones, and some harder to drive ones too. It has plenty of features and with firmware being updated regularly the bugs will be fixed.

Sound Perfection Rating: 8.5/10 (Superb player at a good price, firmware needs a little work)

I would like to thank German Maestro for the sample, I have reviewed the GMP 8.35d before and it is an excellent headphone. These are essentially the same, but with a detachable cable so this is more of a revisit of an awesome headphone.
Gear Used: Audio Opus #3 > GMP 8.35d
Audio Opus #3 > Feliks Audio Espressivo > GMP 8.35d



Tech specs:
Acoustical Principle
closed
Transducer Impedance
dynamic
Frequency Response
20 - 27.400 Hz
Nominal Impedance
35 Ω
THD Harmonic Distortion
0,12% (1 mW/1 kHz)
Sound Pressure Level
101 dB (1 mW/1 kHz)
Load Rating
100 mW
Contact Pressure
~5,5 N
Weight w/o Cable
220 g
Connector
3,5mm Jack Plug
Cable
Straight 1,5m Cable with 3,5mm Jack

Different models:

The original GMP 8.35d has a fixed, thick coiled cable, the GMP 8.35d Mobile has a detachable 3.5mm stereo jack cable, and the GMP 8.35d Mobile Advanced comes with 2 cables that are the same (one spare), along with a pair of velour pads which are my preferred pad with this headphone.
Packaging, build quality and accessories: Packaging is a black box with red highlights for the information. It is more industrial looking than most because these are designed for studio and field use, not flashy walking around the street showing off. So the box is quite plain with all the information on the front and sides, they say Made in Germany in big letters also. Nothing spectacular, the headphones are held in place by a cardboard triangle. Well packaged but not eye catching, these are pure function over fashion.

Build quality has been demonstrated in a video by JFB, but let’s just say you could let these get run over by a car and they should survive. They are built like tanks and now with a detachable cable they are going to last a lifetime.

Accessories are not really included, only a 3.5-6.3mm adaptor. I think a small carry pouch could be included, but as these are well built you don't have to worry about putting them in a bag.



Comfort and isolation:
Comfort with the stock pads is average at best, they are quite shallow and are not quite fully circumaural, they don't put much pressure on your ears but they are rather thin and shallow. The headband is well padded but a little stiff, which puts some pressure on the top of your head after longer listening sessions (you can bend the headband to make it more comfortable).

Now with velour pads they are much more comfortable, but this affects the sound (more on this later)

Isolation is excellent, these are closed back and do block out a lot of outside noise, obviously not on IEM level, but I use these as my go to portable headphones a lot and they block out enough for me not to be disturbed by outside noises.

Sound:
Now this is a quick revisit, and I am still in awe at how good these sound for the price.
The sound is neutral, to a fault if you like, they offer a level of detail reserved for much higher priced models. If you don’t mind the looks, and the mediocre comfort (fixed with velours), you need to listen to believe the sound that comes out of these.

The lows punch and extend effortlessly, blending into the rest of the spectrum without affecting the lower mids. They are snappy and well controlled, yet full and fun all at the same time.
The mids are perfectly placed in the mix, with more detail than you’ll ever need, no nasty peaks or dips, nothing that renders male vocals better than female vocals. No harsh sibilance, just flat and detailed.
The highs are excellent too, very linear with only slight drop off way up past 12kHz, the highs have plenty of detail and perfect tonality.



The soundstage isn’t huge, but the separation is very good, and the centre image is very well focused.

You really cannot beat these for the price if you are looking for monitors, or just a neutral and detailed headphone. They offer the levels of detail you get from the Beyerdynamic DT1990 Pro and similar, but in a closed back and well isolating design, they don’t have the mid bass hump of the DT1770 Pro.

These really do astonish me in their technical capabilities, and the build quality is insane. I recommend using the velour pads that come with the GMP 8.35d Mobile Advanced, they do take away a small amount of bass presence, but the comfort increase is well worth it if you are not too treble sensitive (you can buy the pads separately part number 41-6085).

I advise anyone who is looking for a rugged, closed back headphone for any use to check these out, they work well out of a phone, or portable player, and scale up well with proper amplification.

Sound Perfection Rating: 9/10 (comfort is my only gripe)

Firstly I would like to thank iFi Audio for sending me this loan unit to review, as always I will try and write an honest review. This unit received over 50hrs of burn-in with no noticeable changes.
 
Gear Used: HP Laptop / Audio Opus #2 > iFi Nano iOne > Marantz PM-44 SE > Denon SC-M50
 


 
Tech Specs:
http://ifi-audio.com/portfolio-view/nano-ione/
 

Packaging, Build Quality and Accessories:
The packaging is the same as most of iFi’s range, a slim white box with a picture of the product on the front, and details on the sides and the back. The box provides more than enough information with tech specs, and is a well thought-out design. Inside the box you get a manual and the DAC is held tightly in place by a foam tray. Overall excellent packaging that isn’t bulky, and looks great.
 
Build quality again, the same as most of iFi’s range, with an aluminium outer case and very solid connectors and switches. The build quality is superb.
 
Accessory wise you get some rubber feet, an optical SPDIF adaptor, and cables (USB and a pair of RCA interconnects), this is all that is included and all that is needed.
 

 
Features:
This is a brilliant all in one device, it is small yet packed full of features. Here are the key features:
USB to Optical conversion – When you select the USB input, the optical connection automatically becomes an output so you can hook it up to an external optical only DAC.
Multiple inputs – USB, Coax/SPDIF and Bluetooth
LED indicator – The LED logo on the front changes colour depending on what is being played (Bluetooth status when used with Bluetooth, and the sample rate when used with USB or Coax/SPDIF)
aptX Support – for near lossless quality over Bluetooth with compatible devices.
 

 
Ease of Use:
This DAC is super simple to setup, on a PC you will need to download and install the iFi USB Audio driver, then it is just plug and play. Bluetooth was very easy to pair with my Opus #2 DAP, and played flawlessly, and optical/coaxial was easy too, plug and play, just remember to select the input via the 3 way switch on the front.
 
Sound:
iFi always get this right, I don’t think I’ve had any sub-par product from them, ever. This little DAC is simple, versatile and just works, the sound is far superior to the output of most devices and for £199 it simply cannot be beaten.
The sound is very natural without harshness, it has a slight tint of warmth to it which makes it very easy to listen to and fits perfectly into most HiFi systems. I really have very little to say about the sound quality because it doesn’t add its own flavour, it gets out the way so you can enjoy your music, movies, gaming in higher quality than straight out of your console/TV/Phone.
 
There is a definite improvement over plugging your TV/Console/PC/Phone into your HiFi system and using an external DAC. I have gotten used to using a DAC all the time, so am a bit spoilt in that sense, but if I remove the DAC from the chain everything sounds compressed and flat. An external DAC is one of the most important upgrades you can invest in, and if you invest in the Nano iOne you won’t be disappointed,
 

 
The filter is very subtle, the Measure filters sounds ever so slightly more linear, and ruler flat, the Listen filter sounds a little fuller and also slightly wider (separation doesn’t change though).
 
This little DAC offers so much in a small package, it has nifty internal features such as Galvanic Isolation for SPDIF, Global Master Timing (reduced Jitter), and also Active Noise Cancellation (for the power from USB). You may not hear them, but they all work together to create a better listening experience for the end user.
 
Conclusion: iFi just keeping bringing out excellent product after excellent product, at all different price ranges. I can tell you now that you won’t find a better DAC for this price, and possibly even under £400. This does not have a headphone amp section, which means they focused on making the best possible DAC for the price, and for £199 the sound quality and features punch way above their weight.
It is detailed, immersive and has a slight hint of warmth, it is a very easy to use, easy to listen to DAC that is perfect for the everyday consumer looking for better sound from their system, along with the discerning audiophile. If you are in the market for a standalone DAC, put this on your list.
 
 
Sound Perfection Rating: 10/10 (feature packed, and not lacking in SQ either)
 

Firstly I would like to thank HiFiHeadphones for the loan unit, as always I will try to write an honest review. These received the usual 50hrs of burn-in, no real differences were noted.
 
Gear Used:
Audio Opus #2 > Sonorous III
 

 
Tech Specs:

 
MSRP: £299
 
Packaging, Build Quality and Accessories:
The packaging is a nice glossy white box with a picture of the Sonorous III on the front, on the back you get info and specs. Also on the back is a exploded view of the headphones, and what technologies are used. Overall an attractive box, once you open it the headphones are held securely by a cardboard insert, and they are easy to remove from the box with minimal space wasted on packaging.
 
Build quality feels excellent like all other Final products, the housing is ABS, the headband is metal, the cable is detachable and very rubbery and flexible. The earpads are soft and everything feels well made. With some care I can’t see any problems with the build quality.
 

 
Accessories are minimal, all you get is a jack adaptor. I would have liked to see at least a soft carry case/bag. These are made to be semi-portable due to the short cable and they are relatively easy to drive so a bag would be useful to protect them in your bag.
 
Comfort and Isolation:
The cups are shallow and also the opening is quite small for circumaural headphones however I do find them comfortable for a couple of hours use. The clamping force isn’t too strong but they do feel secure, they are not the lightest of headphones but the padding on the headband, along with the width make them very comfortable. So no real complaints, only after long 2 hour+ listening sessions do these start to get a little uncomfortable.
 
Isolation is actually quite good, they block out the tapping of my noisy mechanical keyboard easily, and dull traffic noise when out and about. They won’t block out as much as most IEM’s but they are good for out and about use due to minimal leakage and also fairly good isolation.
 

 
Sound:
Split in to the usual categories with a conclusion at the end.
 
Lows: The first thing that springs to mind is full bodied and smooth, the lows just fill the sound with excellent body but without sounding bloated. I would say they do have a boost in the lows, that helps when there is outside noise, but also makes these very fun to listen to. The reverberation from kick drums is felt within the cups, these can move some air but the lows are never overwhelming. Audioslave - Cochise has a very grungy bass line that cuts through the mix on these with great affect.
 
Mids: The mids are pushed slightly behind the lows, so vocals do not cut through the mix quite as clean as with some headphones, but they are still present and have very good positioning within the soundstage. They do fair better with softer music in the mids, it seems to be during more complex passages they get pushed slightly behind the lows. The detail is there, and they do have power, it’s is just a little farther behind in the mix. Vocals don’t suffer from sibilance, neither are they overly warm from the boost in the lows, they sound very smooth and natural, in that sense the mids are very good on these.
 
Highs: The highs are present but lack overall extension, they are there in quantity and prevents these from sounding dark. I like the amount of treble presence these have you can hear all the different cymbal crashes clearly with good separation. They have good detail up top, and are never boring, they just lack effortless extension.
 
Instrument separation is excellent and the soundstage is incredible for closed back headphones. Very impressive width and also depth, they do excel here.
 

 
Conclusion: I find these to be a very easy going headphone to listen to, they have excellent soundstage capabilities and also the timbre is very good. They are not the fastest headphones, which means they fair better with slower and well recorded music. When you feed them a good quality recording they shine giving you a real insight into the layers of the song. They may lack a little extension up top, but this is easy to overlook, the lows are not overwhelming and do not get in the way of overall enjoyment.
 
 As I am sat here writing this conclusion, Radiohead – Sail To The Moon has come on, and the separation, the depth and the overall euphoric sound is really something quite special on these. Technically these may be lacking in some areas, but they do have some special and unique qualities that suit some genres perfectly, making them a real treat to listen to.
 
Sound Perfection Rating: 8/10 (euphoric and very special with the right music)
 

Firstly I would like to thank iFi for this sample to review, as always I try to write honest reviews, this unit has had over 50hrs of burn-in, no real differences were noted.
 
Gear Used:
HP Pavillion laptop > JDS Labs OL DAC > iTube2 > Marantz PM44 MKII SE > Denon SCM-50
 
 

Tech Specs:
You can find a comprehensive list on the iFi Website:
http://ifi-audio.com/portfolio-view/micro-itube2/
 
Packaging, Accessories and Build Quality:
The packaging is the same as the rest of the Micro line, which is fine by me. It comes in a long slim white box, on the front you get a picture of the product, on the L side of the box you get a true to size picture of the iTube2 side on, on the R side of the box it lists the key technologies used, and on the back you get the tech specs and additional information. One you remove the outer sleeve, and take the top off you are greeted by the iTube2 held in a little in tray. Underneath this you will find all the included accessories. They waste no space with the packaging, it is neat, looks good and I really like it.
 
 

Included accessories are good, you get a pair of short RCA interconnects, a small flat head screwdriver for changing the DIP switches on the bottom, rubber feet, power supply and an adaptor for it so the plug that goes in the iTube2 is at a right angle for neater installation, you also get a quick start guide which is very good and explains all the features without going too in depth.
 
Build quality is the same as the rest of the micro range, it is a slim aluminium housed device, all precisely put together with excellent finish. The volume knob is also the power switch, it operates very smoothly, the front switches all feel like they will last, the inputs/outputs are sturdy the only delicate part is the DIP switch panel on the bottom, but they will last if switched carefully, and most people won’t change them much anyway.
 
 

Features:
This little device is packed full of great little features, I won’t go in to too much detail but I will try and list them all.
 
For the most part this is a valve buffer/pre-amp that adds a little tube magic in to the sound of your system. The amount can change whether you have it set to a 0dB buffer/pre-amp or a 9dB gain buffer/pre-amp, the latter being slightly warmer.
 
It has one pair of RCA inputs, one pair of outputs, the LED on the top starts off red when you first turn it on, and turns orange in aprox a minute meaning it is ready to be used.
 
Now for the front switches:
Closest to the volume knob you have the option to choose between SET, - or Push-Pull. This one is all down to personal preference, you can have it sounding like a Single-Ended Triode power amp, classic low-distortion tube-based studio equipment or a Push-Pull tube power amplifier. With my system I preferred the – position, it sounded the most up front and engaging.
 
 

In the middle you have the Xbass switch, this is really good for smaller desktop speakers, iFi recommend the 6dB position for speakers missing only the lowes bass notes (40Hz and below), and the 12dB position for speakers missing some bass notes (80Hz and lower). Or you can leave it off if you have enough bass in your system. My little SCM-50 speakers benefited from the 12dB position.
 
Last but not least you have the 3D Holographic with 30⁰+, - or +, iFi recommend the 30⁰+ for narrow placement of speakers, the – leaves this setting off, and the + recreates the original “width” of the soundstage and should be used as the default. I can say now this setting has completely changed my desktop listening experience, using the 30⁰+ due to my speakers being next to my PC monitor.
 
 

Sound:
Well this greatly varies depending on your system and settings, but once I had messed about with the settings a little I have it set up to my preference and it has completely changed my desktop listening. This device also works well as a tube buffer for headphone systems, where you want a little tube magic, just stick it between your source and amp and happy listening.
 
Now I have this set up as a 0dB buffer, with the XBass set at 12dB and the 3D Holographic at 30⁰+, it has helped my speakers not sound as thin, and also the soundstage is so much more accurate. The tubes adds that little bit of warmth, that makes them sound less harsh but still very detailed. The Xbass really helped fill out the low end without any added bloat, it is very precise and well controlled.

The 3D holographic setting though is a game changer, if I turn it off it almost sounds as if I am listening to a mono recording, the soundstage got so much wider, and more natural. Pinpointing instruments is so easy now.
 
 

iFi Audio have taken the original iTube, which was and still is an awesome device, and managed to squeeze even more out of it without making it bigger, the great thing about this is that it fits in to any system and you can let it have very little influence over the sound, by having it as a pure 0dB buffer, and it will add a little tube sound. Or you can play with the settings and see what works best for your system.
After playing about with the settings, it has made a big audible difference to my desktop setup which without this sounds a little thin, with very limited soundstage as it is not set up very well due to space and room constraints.
 
Sound Perfection Rating: 10/10 (Such a great, featured packed device for all systems)

Firstly I would like to thank Advanced for getting in touch and sending me this sample for review, as always I will try and write an honest review. These received over 50hrs of burn-in, no real differences were noted.
 
Gear Used:
Audio Opus #2 > M4 (S grey silicone tips and Comply tips)
 

 
Tech Specs:
 

1. ·        Driver Unit-         Custom-tuned Single Dynamic Drivers
2. ·        Impedance-        16 Ohm+/-15%
3. ·        Sensitivity-          92dB+/-3dB at 1kHz
4. ·        Frequency Response-      20Hz – 20kHz
5. ·        Rated Power Input-          1mW
6. ·        Max. Input Power-           5mW
7. ·        Cord length-       1.36M
8. ·        Plug-      3.5mm Gold Plated
9. ·        MSRP-      $99 (On sale for $39.99 currently)

 
Packaging, Build quality and Accessories:
The packaging is very simple black box, with Advanced across the top, a plastic window through which you can see the IEM’s, underneath is written “Designed for musicians”. On the back you will find a frequency graph and a list of accessories. A smart and attractive box, the IEM’s are held in place by a foam inlay, and the carry case below with the accessories inside.
 
The build quality feels very good, the cable is twisted with a well relieved y-split and sturdy L jack, the housing is aluminium and well finished. I really like the build quality of these, and can see them standing up to everyday abuse very well.
 

 
Included accessories are very good, you get a clamshell case, a cable clip and a plethora of tips: S,M and L in Grey and White silicone single flange, S,M and L bi-flange tips, and a pair of Comply tips. With all these most people will find at least one type of tips fits them, a good amount of accessories and everything needed, although if they are designed for musicians, a 3.5 to 6.3mm adaptor could come in handy.
 
Comfort, Isolation, Cable noise and Driver flex:
These are very comfortable, I always find Comply to be the most comfortable tips, but not necessarily the best sounding. I found the slim housing of these allowed me to get a good fit easily, being comfortable for long periods of time due to the shape and weight of the housing. These do fit better with a slightly deeper than normal insertion depth, which takes some time to get used to but offers a more secure fit and better sound.
 
Isolation varies depending on the tips used, Comply offering the most and single flange the least, but even using the single flange the isolation is perfectly acceptable for most day to day situations blocking out the majority of outside noises effectively.
 

 
Cable noise is an issue unfortunately, but there are some ways of keeping it to a minimum. You can use the cable clip, or wear these with the cable routed behind your ear (most effective) which helps with cable noise and they fit more securely like this too.
 
Driver flex is not an issue on these, the housing is vented which I believe helps a lot.
 
Sound:
Split in to the usual categories with a conclusion at the end, I will write the below based on using the single flange silicone tips.
 
Lows: The lows are quite full on these but well placed to not interfere with the mids too much. There is a slight mid bass hump which brings out the bass line in songs, kick drums sound real with the kick being backed up with good punch. They have good speed being able to keep up with faster metalcore, yet they can still be subtle when called for. I do sometimes find that the mid bass hump can slightly overshadow the mids during more complex passages, but for the most part they are articulate, full and well controlled.
 
Mids: The mids come across with minimal bleed from the lows, you can really hear the texture of the vocals, Chris Cornell’s voice in Audioslave come across with power and and are the focus of the song with excellent detail retrieval. Guitars come crashing in from all sides, again the speed here is very impressive keeping these sounding well controlled and separated. I find that vocals are where these excel, giving a very natural and neutral rendition of both male and female vocals, with no harshness of sibilance.
 
Highs: The highs are a little splashy but come across with good presence making them sound fairly well balanced. The placement of cymbals is very good within the soundstage, and you never lose track of crashes and taps, it’s just they are lacking in depth and definition. Some people may find these a little on the bright side, for me with the silicone tips it was perfect, and with Comply tips a little dull.
 
Comply Tips: The comply tips makes these sound a little warmer, the lows become a little more linear but they do take away some of the detail and sparkle from up top. They make them a warmer sounding IEM, whereas with the silicone tips they are more balanced, overall I prefer the sound of the silicone tips, although the Comply tips do get rid of the uneven low end.
 
Soundstage is limited and fairly intimate, but the separation is good, occasionally they will sound slightly congested during very complex passages but overall they fair very well.
 

 
Conclusion: In my opinion they are very good for the sale price but not quite worth the MSRP (I would choose the SoundMAGIC E80). These have very good build quality and a fairly balanced sound, with very good mids, but the mid bass hump makes some tracks sound a little off, and the highs are lacking definition. If you are looking for a pair of IEM’s you can shove in your pocket and go these would fit the bill perfectly, but if you are looking for pure SQ there are some better options at the price.
 
Sound Perfection Rating: 7/10 (Crisp sound, but with a mid bass hump, and the cable noise is an issue)
 
 

Firstly I would like to thank Audio Opus for this sample, as always I will try to write an honest review, this unit has been my daily player for the last couple of months.
 
Gear Used: Opus #2 > Inearz P350 / Mee Audio M6 Pro / Advanced M4 and more, it has also been used as the source for my Hifi system both via Optical and Line Out.
 

 
Tech Specs:
Comprehensive list on their website: http://www.audio-opus.com/?page_id=16867
 
Packaging, Build quality and Accessories:
The Opus #2 packaging is very simplistic and not over the top, which I appreciate. You don’t end up having to keep a box 5 times the size of the actual product, the outside sleeve is plain white with Opus #2 embossed in rose gold at the top on the front and left hand side, and a list of specifications is featured on the back. Out of this outer sleeve slides another white box again with Opus #2 embossed, pull this box apart and you will find the DAP held tightly in a foam insert, underneath this insert you will find a compartment with the included accessories. Overall a very sleek, professional looking box that serves its purpose well without being over the top.
 

 
The build quality of this DAP is stunning, the outer shell is CNC aluminium, there is weight to the design and all the parts fit together flush and with precision. You will find the microSD card slot on the bottom, next to the micro USB connector. On the left side you will find 3 playback buttons, on the top you have a normal 3.5mm output (doubles up as optical), and next to it a 2.5mm TRRS Balanced output, along with the power button. On the right side you have the volume wheel, which has protectors either side. This wheel has smooth clicks (150 steps) so you can fine adjust the volume. The front is glass as it is a touch screen player (4”TFT 480*800), overall it is a very well build player that feels and looks built to last.
 
Accessory wise you get a very nice Leather case (made by Dignis ), which fits the contours of the player without adding much bulk or affecting any functions. Also pre-fitted is a screen protector but a spare is included, a quick guide and a USB cable, this does not come with any extra unnecessary items. I really like that they include a very nice leather case, rather than have it as a paid for extra.
 

 
Features and Usability:
This DAP has a lot of features in its favour, I will try to keep this part concise.
 
First off you have the 3.5mm output on top which can be used as an optical out, but also you can change the settings to make it a line-out for using with an external amp. This is a simple toggle on option from the settings.
 
The #2 runs a custom version of Android, it currently doesn’t support 3^rd party apps but it is built as a music player, it would be nice to have streaming services added in the future though. The interface is very simple and easy to navigate, you will soon get used to it, it does support playlists, folder browsing, but the normal artist/album/song/genres is the easiest way to navigate providing you have your files tagged properly.
 
If you open the settings you can set the L/R balance, the output DSP (Auto/32bit (X-MOS)/24bit (I2S)), there are 3 gain settings (low/mig/high), 3 user equalizers and then all the screen settings etc...
This DAP has Wifi for OTA updates, and Bluetooth V4.0, it can be used as an external DAC too.
It has 128gb of internal storage, along with a microSD card slot, I would have liked to see 2 microSD card slots like on the Opus #1, but memory is getting cheaper and companies are always cramming more memory into microSD cards (although if you really needed more, I think you could use a microSD to SD adapter strapped to the back and it would likely still fit inside the Dignis case).
 

 
This DAP as stated is very easy to use, it flicks between screens without lag, playback time is stated at 8.5hrs, I would say that is fairly accurate, I do find the deep sleep mode is not as effective as the one on the Opus #1, I find the battery drains a lot more when on standby compared to the Opus #1 (could leave for a week with no noticeable battery drain). But again most of us are not often in the situation where we are going 8.5 hours without access to charging facilities.
 
Bugs: There are a few bugs, but firmware updates should fix these. Some people have album artwork issues (can be a tagging issue too), the playback buttons on the side do not work when the device is in deep sleep (so what you can do is toggle the screen on, and then press the relevant button). I personally haven’t found any major issues that hinder my overall opinion of this DAP.
 
Sound:
I don’t have any other TOTL players to compare this to, but I will try to explain the sound and compare to the Opus #1.
 
First off I have a preference for neutral sounding devices, and this ticks the box, I find this DAP to have a very refined and balanced sound from which you choose headphones to match your preferred signature. I find it difficult to explain the sound of some devices because they just tick all the right boxes, and in my opinion that makes it a very, very good device. There are no glaring flaws, I cannot say anything about the sound is bad, because it isn’t.
 

 
I find a lot of people get caught up in the equipment side of things, and for me, getting the Opus #1 was the first DAP I considered a real upgrade from the humble iPod Classic (after a few other DAP’s none could match the iPod’s simplicity and give a substantial SQ upgrade until the #1). Then the #2 came along, and it made me re-evaluate the Opus #1 in terms of ultimate sound quality. The #2 took the same formula of offering great sound at a great price, but took it one step further, adding a more solid build, more features and overall enhanced sound quality.
 
Is the sound worth the price increase, maybe not, but as a whole package?  Yes it is in my opinion, like with the #1, I find myself evaluating the equipment less, and enjoying the music more, which is what it is all about.
 
If you want technicalities this delivers, it has a very precise sound with incredible detail retrieval without a hint of harshness, everything is well controlled and the resolution is astounding. There is also a very slight hint of softness to the sound that helps take away any sharp edges, but this in no way takes anything away from the intricate sound this DAP produces. The #1 had an ever so slightly softer sound, and was slightly less resolving.
 
Having the Opus #2 allows you to know that you really are not missing out on anything in your music, it presents it without adding much of a flavour, and for this I really like this DAP. I can hit play put it in my pocket and enjoy, my IE-P350’s (whilst not being high end are very coherent) sound more open and also extended with the #2.
 

 
Conclusion: Well the Opus #1 still presents excellent value for money, and the Opus #2 has come along at 3 times the price. For that you get extra features and better build quality, as stated the sound is close but the Opus #2 is more resolving, refined and slightly cleaner. As a whole package the Opus #2 really impresses, nothing is thrown in your face, nothing is jumping out at you, which in turn lets you forget about the equipment and get on with enjoying the music, which is why we all started this journey right?
 
Audio perfection is a never ending chase, but as for a portable player, I think it would be hard to not consider this DAP if you are looking for an end game DAP. You can use it with your home HiFi via the line-out and it’ll sound fantastic, hook it up via optical to another DAC it’ll be an excellent transport, hook it up to your PC and have it as a DAC feeding headphones or line-out to another device and it will never disappoint. Audio Opus know what they are doing, they have combined a lot of very good components, in harmony to produce a very revealing yet easy to listen to device.
 
 
Sound Perfection Rating  - 9/10 (feature packed, excellent sounding DAP)
 

Firstly I would like to thank Musicteck for arranging the loan unit for review, after some discussion on the genres I listen to the Mentor v2 was suggested. These received the usual 50hrs of burn-in, no differences were noted.
 
Gear Used:
Audio Opus #2 DAP > Mentor v2 (S foam tips, hybrid cable)
 

 
Tech Specs:
Drivers: 10 x Balanced Armatures (4 x low, 2 x mid, 2 x mid/high, 2 x high) – 4-way crossover
Frequency Response: 20 Hz - 20 kHz
Impedance: 20Ω
Sensitivity: 112dB
MSRP: Custom fit $1449 / Universal $1249
 
https://shop.musicteck.com/products/um-mentor-universal-carbon-fiber-faceplate-um-logo-v2
 
Packaging, Build Quality and Accessories:
The packaging is really sleek and small, no wasted space which is good. You get a matte black card box, with Unique Melody written on the outside, on the side is a sticker with the model on it, and on the back it says “Hand Crafted With Love”. Out of this outer shell slides an inner box with a box of accessories and the circular metal case underneath. The IEM’s are held inside the case for transport. Again I like this no frill packaging, and it is quite normal for custom IEM’s to come in fairly plain packaging.
 

 
Build quality feels excellent, the housings are solid and so is the cable, with excellent strain relief on all areas except for the y-split. I really cannot fault the build quality in any area.
 
Accessory wise you get single flange silicone tips in S, M, L and XL, foam tips in S, M, L and XL, jack adaptors (plane and 6.3mm), a cleaning tool and cloth, a soft carry pouch and the metal carry case (which is excellent and waterproof from the looks of it). Also included were 2 cables, one is a hybrid copper/silver plated cable, the other is all silver plated. Overall plenty of accessories and an excellent package overall.
 

 
Comfort, Isolation and Cable Noise:
Comfort is good, but I have very small canals, which meant even with the smallest tips they were still a little big. This would not be an issue with the full custom version. However the housing is well shaped to fit in your ear, all the angles are correct and once fitted they are comfortable. I am not a fan of memory wire on cables, but the memory wire on these really wasn’t an issue (however I would still prefer a cable without). So overall the fit is good, if not a little snug for people with abnormally small canals.
 
Isolation is excellent with the included foam tips, they seal extremely well, and are perfect for all use, including very noisy public transport and air plane journeys.
 

 
Cable noise is noticeable as the cable is slightly stiff, but using the chin slider you can reduce it so that it is minimal and doesn’t affect your listening.
 
Sound:
Split in to the usual categories with a conclusion at the end.
 
Lows: The lows on this are lightning fast but with realistic decay when called for. These are a lively sounding IEM, and the bass is really engaging but not dominating or in your face. The sub-bass is deep with excellent extension, but where these really excel is with rock music, the PRAT is really impressive, kick drums have a full kick and are easily distinguished from the bass line too.
The 4 drivers do not delivery masses of over the top bass, what they deliver is perfectly timed kicks, and very easy to follow underlying beats, backing up the rest of the response.
 
I found myself hearing fingers on the fret board of the bass during The Cure – Untitled (from Disintegration), hearing the strings vibrate. Compared to my InEarz P350’s the lows are much better separated and detailed, also better controlled.
 
Mids: The mids are crystal clear, and perfectly balanced in the overall sound for my tastes, I would not class them as forward nor recessed. They give an insight in to the music, allowing you to hear every pick of a guitar, every breath a singer takes, all of this without sibilance. It truly is incredible the amount of detail you can extract when listening to these.
These handle all kinds of vocals extracting the emotion and raw passion in a singers voice, guitars surround them with delicacy during acoustic tracks, and crushing power during heavier rock, never becoming muddy.
 
Highs: Put it this way, it is easy to tell when you are listening to MP3’s on these, with the clarity up top on these, MP3’s sound muffled and compressed. Feed them a good quality recording and you will be rewarded with endless extension and sparkle, but these are also well balanced and controlled, even treble sensitive people would be able to enjoy these. I never feel the highs are lacking in quantity or quality, they are also never harsh or overly bright.
 

 
Soundstage: The soundstage is very accurate, it may not be the widest but it is definitely wider than normal, height is also very good. What is most impressive is the pinpoint accuracy of each instrument.
Instrument separation is also excellent, even during the fastest rock tracks everything is easily separated (if the recording is well mastered).
 
Conclusion (this is going to be longer than usual): Well I am very impressed with these, for one they are quite incredible from an engineering and technological point of view, but where they excel is musicality. They are crystal clear but far from boring, they are full bodied, in your face, engaging and overall very very fun to listen to.
 
There are plenty of fun and excellent headphones out there, at various budgets, and the top end of the market distinguishes itself with the clarity and layering that the lower priced ones rarely match. Yes I am perfectly happy with my much cheaper customs, but they are no way near as detailed, nor do they have the layering these do.
 

 
If I had the money, these would be on my short list, they have a well balanced sound, with fun factor, but also the delicacy to deliver emotion when called for.
 
The visceral and quick lows, the crisp mids, the effortless highs all contribute to a well layered, and coherent sound, that you find yourself caring less about the gear and focusing on the music. Yes they do benefit from having a good source to power them, and also CD quality files, but they don’t render MP3’s unlistenable, they are slightly forgiving whilst staying detailed (contradictory I know).
 
Value for money is up to the person looking to purchase these, I would say if I had the money, these would be on my short list, they allow you to analyse the music if you want to, but mainly they are for enjoying it. And for that reason they come highly recommended.
 
Sound Perfection Rating: 9.5/10 (The size could be an issue for those with small ears, but these are truly fantastic sounding IEM’s)
 

 

 

Firstly I would like to thank AAW for sending me this sample to review, as always I try to write honest reviews, these received over 50hrs of burn-in before review, no big differences were noted.
 
Gear Used:
Audio Opus #2 DAP > AAW Q with S silicone tips
 

 
 
Tech Specs:
·        Proprietary 6mm Dynamic MicroDriver
·        Impedance: 42Ohm
·        Frequency Range: 10Hz-400000Hz
·        Sensitivity: 113db SPL @ 1mW
·        Input Power: 3mW
·        Cable Length: 1.27m
·        MSRP: S$299 (around £165)
 

 
Packaging, Accessories and Build quality:
The Q come in a nice white box with a large Q in silver, and the slogan tiny is the new big in the middle. A magnetic flap opens and you have the tech specs and info on the IEM’s on the inside, plus a picture and also a window through which you can see th IEM’s. All the accessories and the IEM’s are held underneath a plastic flap, open this up and you are greeted with a great array of accessories all very well presented. The box is slim, neat and attractive.
 
Accessory wise you get quite a bit, you get a carry case, magnetic cable clip, 3.5 to 6.3mm adaptor , airplane adaptor,  and quite a few tips (S, M and L foam and silicone tips). Everything you need is included and most people will be able to get a good fit with the included tips.
 
Build quality feels very good, there is very little strain relief on the housing due to its size, but the cable feels sturdy and both the y-split and jack both feel great. The housing is metal and very well finished, and with some care I can see these lasting well.
 

 
Comfort, Isolation, Cable noise and Driver flex:
I found the most secure and comfortable fit using small silicone tips, and due to the design and weight these are possibly the most comfortable IEM’s (apart from custom made) I have ever used. They stay in your ears well, and are almost invisible when inserted, they would be good for long plane journeys also, and you could sleep with these in.
 
Isolation is good, not great due to the vented nature of the housing, but perfectly adequate for everyday usage and most forms of public transport.
 
Cable noise is a slight issue, but if you use the cable clip, or even the chin slider, you can bring it down to a very low level so that is doesn’t impact your listening experience.
 
Driver flex is minimal and only happens upon initial insertion usually.
 

 
Sound:
Split in to the usual categories, with a conclusion at the end.
 
Lows: The lows are probably what grab your attention first, don’t be fooled by thinking this small IEM would sound thin and flat. These seem to really be able to push air very well indeed, I would say the bass is probably the dominating frequency on these but not in a bad way, they are just slightly elevated. The lows are slightly lacking in speed, which means they are not perfect for metalcore, but most genres play very well with these.
 
They have incredible body, punch is very good and also articulation, they also dig very deep too. This slight boost in the lows make them good in slightly noisier environments like public transport, but also help if you want them for sports as they would help you keep track of the beat of the song. These shine when playing pop music (stick on some Katy Perry and you’ll understand) the bass really is incredible from such tiny IEM’s, you get all the punch and articulation from the lows, without losing track of the rest of the song.
 
Mids:  The mids fair well with both male and female vocals, however male vocals are slightly warmer than neutral due to some slight bleed from the lows. Luckily the mids are not heavily recessed and the sound is well layered so that everything comes through. Nothing too special about the mids, I would like a little more presence and detail, but they are smooth, non fatiguing and sibilance free, so not all bad.
 
Highs: Again nothing too wrong with the highs, they are there, not in huge quantities but with good detail. They are just lacking sparkle and presence which does make these sound a little dull on occasion. I think the highs need to be a little more up front for these to really shine, you can alter them slightly with EQ but it does not help a lot.
Instrument separation is good, there is not a lot of air between everything due to these having quite a full sound. The soundstage isn’t huge either, these are quite intimate and fun sounding.
 

 
Conclusion, these are a very fun sounding headphone that work well with music that has quite a prominent bass beat, but don’t fare so well with more intricate and complex music. Rock sounds too dull due to the lack of highs, acoustic is a little too warm and full sounding sometimes also. But these are very comfortable, great for out and about use where they sound a little more balance due to the external noise. I really quite like these even with their flaws they are very easy to listen to, non fatiguing and fun.
 
 
Sound Perfection Rating: 7.5/10 (Lacking in detail and treble, but very fun and extremely comfortable)
 

Firstly I would like to thank iFi Audio for the loan unit for review, I have been using it for about 3 weeks and as always I will try to write an honest review.
 
Gear Used:
Dell XPS 15 / Marantz CD5400 / Audio Opus #2 > Matrix Quattro II DAC > XLR Out > Pro iCan
Headphones: Hifiman HE-500 (4-Pin XLR Balanced) / AAW Nebula 2 IEM’s / Fostex TH-500rp
 

 
 
Tech Specs:
Very comprehensive list on their website: http://ifi-audio.com/portfolio-view/pro-ican/
MSRP: £1495
 

Packaging, Accessories and Build quality:
The packaging is similar to other iFi offerings just bigger, it is white, with actual size pictures on the side, and product info and specs on the back. Once you remove the outer sleeve you are greeted by a thick car box, which holds the amp in place well during transit, and underneath you will find the accessories. I really like the simple yet effective packaging, it doesn’t look cheap or cluttered. iFi is embossed in silver on the ends of the box, a classy touch in my opinion.
 
Accessory wise you get a pair of RCA interconnects and a remote control which controls the volume only, you also get a very good user manual. Nothing else is needed to complete the package.
 
Build quality is on par with other offerings, an impeccable finish on the amp itself all laid out in a very symmetrical manner. It is not the best looking amp, but what it lacks in looks it makes up for in features, I like the more understated look. All inputs and outputs are built to a very good standard, the volume knob is very smooth to operate and the switches are tight so you won’t accidentally increase the gain for example. On the top of the amp there are holes which help keep it cool and lets you see a little of what is inside, there is also a small window through which you can see the GE valves. The only thing I would like improved would be the bottom, it has a big rubberised patch, but I find the amp is a little light and still moves quite easily on a desk, so you have to hold it tight when plugging anything in. I think soft rubber feet on each corner may have been better.
 

 
Features:
This amp is packed full of features, and I don’t quite know where to start.
Input wise you get 3 sets of unbalanced RCA inputs, and a set of balanced XLR inputs, the input is selected with the big knob on the left hand side of the amp.
 
You also get a set of XLR outputs and a pair of RCA outputs, so you can use this as a pre-amp.
 
On the front you have the source select knob, next to this there is a smaller knob which controls the Xbass boost, then you have a jack/XLR combi socket for normal stereo 6.3mm unbalanced output or as the L balanced channel (jack or 3-pin XLR). 
 
In the middle you have a balanced 4 pin XLR socket, and next to this you have another jack/XLR combi socket for normal stereo unbalanced 6.3mm jack or as the R balanced channel (jack or 3-pin XLR). The next small knob is the 3D sound switch, then the volume knob.
 
Underneath these there is another layer, with the mode select (solid state, tube, tube+), normal unbalanced 3.5mm output, a balanced 4-pole 3.5mm output and then the gain switch (0dB, 9dB, 18dB).
 

 
As you can see it is packed full of features but they are easy to find and get used to their placement on the amp.
 
So more about the Xbass, it is not a traditional bass boost, all analogue circuitry and it provides a minimum of 12dB boost at 10/20/40Hz (selectable). It works well in combination with the 3D sound and also for leaner headphones. It is not a big increase, and doesn’t muddy the sound, and obviously will affect different headphones differently. I personally didn’t find myself using it when using Tube or Tube+ with the HE-500, but if I engage the 3D sound at 60 (solid state) I used the 20Hz boost to fill the sound out a little.
 
The 3D sound settings are also an interesting feature, I can’t really explain it so read on their website: http://ifi-audio.com/portfolio-view/pro-ican/
 
What I can say is that it is subtle but makes a difference, it takes a while for your ears to get used to the sound but is does become a little more like speakers, the centre image is more focused. Using the more extreme settings on headphones does make them sound a little leaner which is where the Xbass comes in handy. The main difference is when you switch the 3D settings off and the sound just sounds a little odd and panned right and left in comparison, also the sound is slightly less fatiguing with the 3D engaged.
 

 
Now on to the main part, unfortunately I don’t have any other high end amps to compare this to, but I will try to describe this amp as best as possible.
 
Lets start off with running it in SS mode, this is a very reference amp with no added flavour. This does mean it will show up any flaws in your music and also source, so I recommend pairing it with a good DAC. I am running it balanced from my Matrix Quattro II DAC, and I have not needed to increase the gain at all with the HE-500’s, and the volume knob is sat around the 9o’clock position.
 
This amp handles everything with ease, never a hint of strain or harshness, it really brings out the best in the HE-500, you get the deep controlled bass that lesser amps cannot provide, but also the soundstage improves. Not artificially but one things the HE-500 lacked a little is width, which this adds, the layering is also superb. On some brighter headphones some people may find this a little fatiguing as it doesn’t take anything away from the highs, so be careful with bad recordings. But when paired with good headphones and good recordings it will let you hear every nuance and bring you sonic satisfaction.
 

 
Now lets change it to the Tube mode, like this you get a richer sound, more body and it just sounds fuller. This works wonders on the slightly brighter headphones out there, or just those who want that smoothness of tubes but without sacrificing fine detail. I find the tube mode better for just sitting back and enjoying my music, the good thing about the tubes in this is that they don’t alter the overall clear sound of the amp, they just add a touch of warmth and body.
 
So what about the Tube+ mode? Well with this sounds a little grainier than the Tube mode, and fuller too, but it sounds ever so slightly closer in presentation (the soundstage isn’t quite as wide) the differences are not huge between Tube and Tube+, and it will depend largely on the headphones you have and on your preferences. I find Tube+ to be a little richer in tone, and a little grainier, whereas the normal Tube mode offers the added richness I like with the HE-500.
 

 
Conclusion: I don’t even know where to start, this is a feature packed amp that has an understated look but does not disappoint on the sound front. A few people have thought this amp is jack of all trades, master of none, but in my opinion iFi have made the perfect all in one amp for all headphones and have not failed in any area. Whether you want reference sound from the SS mode, or a richer sound from the Tube mode you have it all in one neat package. Add to that the possibility of using it as a pre-amp, and being fully balanced throughout and you have a very impressive array of features for the money.
 
The price looks high, but if you factor in buying a good solid state amp, and a good valve amp, you are looking at the same price if not more, and most likely they won’t be able to drive pretty much every headphone on the market.
I have thoroughly enjoyed my time with the Pro iCan, and I wish it could stay in my permanent collection, it just works so well with anything you throw at it and has the perfect form factor too.
 
Sound Perfection Rating: 10/10 (You won’t find this amount of power and features on another amp in this, or any other price range, and sonically this amp exceeds all expectations)

Firstly I would like to thank AAW for this sample for review, I always try to write honest reviews, this sample received over 50hrs of burn-in before review, no major changes were noted.
 
Gear Used:
Audio Opus #2 > AAW Nebula 2 (Comply tips)
 

 
Tech Specs:
Impedance: 12Ω
Frequency Response: 10Hz – 40,000Hz
Max input power: 3mW
Cable Length: 1.2m
Driver: 1 x 10mm Dynamic, 1 Balanced Armature
MSRP: Aprox $145 (S$199)
 
Packaging, Build Quality and Accessories:
The packaging is simple and effective, it has a white outer sleeve with a picture of the IEM’s on the front, on one side of the box you have company info, on the other side you have a list of included accessories and on the back you will find a text about the IEM’s, feature and tech specs (with an exploded diagram of the IEM’s). Once you remove this sleeve, you will find the IEM’s neatly in place in a foam in tray, with the case below. Underneath the part where the IEM’s are held in place you will find the tips and jack adapters. A well thought-out design that is also aesthetically pleasing.
 
The build quality feels sturdy, the housing is plastic with a metal faceplate, there is a section of memory wire (I would have preferred them without memory wire), with a translucent plastic 3 button remote, and an L shaped jack with good strain relief. The cable is supple but does not feel weak, overall the build quality is good and they should last a while with some care.
 

 
The included accessories are plentiful, you get a good selection of tips (3 pairs of Silicone, 3 pairs of Foam), a clamshell carry case, a flight adapter, a 3.5-6.3mm adapter and that’s it, everything you need is included. I found myself using Comply tips as I prefer their feel, but the included tips should allow most people to get a good seal.
 
Comfort, Isolation and Cable Noise:
Comfort is very good once you get a good fit, I do prefer cables without memory wire, but the memory wire doesn’t cause much discomfort on these. I find I can wear them for prolonged periods of time with no discomfort.
 

 
Isolation is good, not as good as some fully sealed IEM’s but enough for most day to day usage, the housing only has small vents so there is minimal loss in isolation.
 
Cable noise is not an issue, as the cable is routed behind your ear, if you do get cable noise, there is also a chin slider you can use.
 

 
Sound:
Split into the usual categories with a conclusion at the end.
 
Lows: The lows on these are full and deep, they extend effortlessly with excellent control and definition. They don’t have any noticeable dips or peaks down low, they are fairly linear and kick drums sound real with air behind them, they are clean and clear, with a little boost in presence to keep them sounding engaging and fun without bloat or fatigue. You get real rumble when listening to the likes of The Prodigy, and the notes of the double bass in Diana Krall resonate with realistic timbre. They lend their hand to all genres and always stay in line without overpowering, and can keep up with fast metal tracks too. If you like your bass fun but in good measure and quality, these would definitely suit you.
 
Mids: I’m not sure where the crossover point is in these but the mids again come in with excellent clarity and separation from the lows. Female vocals don’t suffer from sibilance, male vocals don’t come across with added warmth. I find that these have a way of bringing out subtleties in your music, and the mids are very well separated and nuanced. Guitars and vocals always have good air between them and they don’t get congested. These are headphones that you can tell the difference between well recorded music and poorly recorded music (and MP3 vs FLAC makes a difference). Listening to the likes of Radiohead’s In Rainbows album really highlights the technical ability of these to dissect your music and present it as a whole but well separated, Thom Yorke’s vocals are up front, and the guitar picking is always present, with pulsating underlying bass notes are not forgotten and the snare and cymbals are just spot on, also the special cues and overall soundstage and imaging is probably some of the best I have heard under £150, maybe even £200.
 
Highs: These have it all, crisp highs are also on hand to keep things from sounding dark and dull. They are not harsh or bright, but they have good energy and also detail up top, I often find myself craving more highs yet these strike the balance between too little and too much. The highs are always there and noticeable, they have good tone and also the placement is very good on these.  Treble heads these may not completely satisfy your needs, but they are a lot better than most of the competition in terms of transparency and detail, yet they are not fatiguing in the slightest so people sensitive to treble won’t have a problem with these.
 
Instrument separation is superb, there is air and space between everything, and the soundstage is much wider than all the other IEM’s I have heard at this price.
 

 
Conclusion: If you haven’t noticed I really enjoy these, from now on if anyone asks for IEM’s under £150 these will get my recommendation. They are balanced but also quite fun to listen to, they have the right amount of detail and a bit of fun factor added in without bloat. They really do it all very well with convincing imaging to boot, the build quality is great however I have never been a fan of memory wire, and detachable cables would have made these better. Overall they are a very cohesive sounding dual driver, hybrid IEM.
 
 
Sound Perfection Rating: 9/10 (memory wire and non detachable cable let them down)
 

Firstly I would like to thank Feliks Audio for the loan unit for review, I have been using it for the past month and a half roughly and it has been thoroughly burnt in which is essential with valve amps.
 
Gear Used:
Marantz CD-52 > Coaxial > Matrix Quattro II DAC > Elise > Hifiman HE-500 / Beyer T1 2^nd Generation
Audio Opus #1 > Optical > Matrix Quattro II DAC > Elise > Hifiman HE-500 / Beyer T1 2^nd Generation
 
 

 
Tech Specs:

1. Input Impedance: 100 kOhm
2. Frequency response: 10 Hz - 60 Khz +/- 3 dB (300 ohm)
3. Power output: 200mW
4. Pre-amp Gain: 20dB
5. THD: 0.4 % (300 ohm, 20 mW)
6. Supported headphones impedance: 32 - 600 ohm
7. Headphones output: Jack 6.3mm
8. AC: 230V/120V (power cord included)
9. Dimensions: 310x205x170 [mm]
10. MSRP: $699

 
Packaging, Accessories and Build Quality:
The Elise comes in a plain card box, with cut out polystyrene to hold it all securely in place, the valves come in boxes and bubble wrap and are numbered. The product comes very well packaged and nothing can move or break during shipping. But there is no commercial packaging as such, but that makes no difference in my opinion.
 
Accessories are none, but this doesn’t need any, it comes with everything you need, the amp, valves, power cable and a manual (which shows where to insert each valve)
 
Build quality is impeccable, no imperfections in the finish of the amp, all the inputs and the headphone out are solid, and the valve sockets are tight. And to top it off it looks fantastic with a very understated matte black finish, and symmetrical valve placement. There are cooling vents on the bottom of the unit, feet are pre attached and it all works as it should. The volume knob has a small line indicator for the volume, and the volume pot is very smooth to operate.
 

 
Features:
This is an OTL valve amp, it has 1 set of inputs and 1 set of outputs, I would have liked it to have 3 inputs like its sibling the Espressivo, but I can get by with just one set of inputs. There is a set of RCA output sockets which mean this can be used as a pre-amp, a nice little feature.
 
There is a small blue light that indicates the unit it on, just below the headphone jack (not that you need it with glowing tubes), this amp does get very hot as you would expect, so don’t leave flammable materials resting on it, but I have ran it for 8hrs and more and it has been fine.
 

 
This amp is suitable for high and low impedance headphones, however it does work best with high impedance headphones like the Beyerdynamic T1, but also works well with the Hifiman HE-500, which are low impedance but need a lot of power.
 
The Elise has incredible valve rolling capabilities with the use of adapters or without, making this very tuneable to your tastes. The stock valves are a great starting point though, sound excellent and give you a good idea of what valve amps sound like.
 
Here are the recommended alternatives to stock valves:
 
Power tubes
Standard: 6AS7G (6N13S)
Alternatives: 6080, 5998, 6N5P, 6N5S, ECC230, 7236, CV2523
 
Driver tubes
Standard: 6SN7
Alternatives: 6N8S, CV181, ECC32, 5692, 6F8G
 

 
Sound:
I will mainly be comparing the Elise to its sibling the Espressivo which I own, my reference amp of choice is the Matrix Quattro II internal amp, it is very balanced and neutral.
 
First let me tell you that the Elise has plenty of gain, and drives the T1 with ease, and even drives the HE-500 with authority. I have tested turning up the volume with the HE-500 and no clipping can be heard throughout the range, most of my listening was done at around the 10’oclock mark with the HE-500. The Espressivo doesn’t drive the HE-500 as well, and clipping occurs at 2o’clock onwards (louder than anyone would want to listen to however) and I find the Espressivo has more gain (9o’clock normal listening level) but less authority in raw power.
 
The Elise has a smooth and full sound, it brings a sense of euphoria to your headphones and music of choice. It does this however with no effort, it never strains to bring out the detail in the music, or the volume. Compared to a more neutral amplifier I find the lows are fuller, which in turn fills out the mids slightly without masking the finer details in your music. I find this is where you can tell apart the budget valve amps from the serious ones, it has the warmth of the valves but it is subtle and doesn’t smear the details or sound, it just slightly enhances it.
 

 
I know there are purists out there that want wire with gain, and then there are people like me who just want to sit back and enjoy the music, with this amp I find myself just enjoying it, and not analysing the sound of my headphones or the amp.
 
It brings out a sense of grandiose, and emotion in the music you are listening to, it doesn’t hurl detail at your face, but you can hear them if you listen. I also find it does not lack power, I am a big fan of rock, post-harcore and metalcore, and with the HE-500 there is speed and precision without harshness.
 
I just feel my headphones sound more natural and effortless with a hint of warmth from this amp. It is very hard to describe the exact sound of this amp, as it is such a good amp for the money, it is warm but not overly smooth, it is powerful and extends to both extremes very well, I think the best way to sum it up is effortless and non fatiguing. 
 
Compared to the Espressivo, I find the Elise smoother, the Espressivo sounds a little more detailed and airy, but doesn’t have the power or resolution of Elise, the Elise sounds more effortless and less strained. The Matrix Quattro II sounds sterile in comparison to the Elise, the Elise just makes everything sound bigger and fuller, but still separate and detailed. The Matrix Quattro II is great for referencing but for actual enjoyment the Elise is so much better.
 

 
Conclusion: From the build quality, to the customer service to the sound everything about this amp is good, and for the $699 asking price it is an incredible deal indeed. The rolling capabilities are huge, but the stock valves are a great starting point. It looks as good as it sounds too, they have managed to make it functional and aesthetically pleasing all in one. The sound is warm and full, with a wide soundstage and a very easy to listen to sound, yet it doesn’t stumble when it comes to technicalities either. It has the emotion to bring out the subtleties in Diana Kralls - The Girl in the Other Room, and the power to play Story Of The Years – Black Swan without faltering.
 

 
It works well with most headphones too, of course you won’t want to use sensitive IEM’s with it, but most full size headphones will work well, it even works well with the slightly warmer sounding Fostex TH500rp, but does play better with neutral-bright sounding headphones. And valve rolling allows you to match the sound of the amp to the headphones to some extent, making this a truly versatile amp.
 
All that could be added is more inputs.
 
Sound Perfection Rating: 10/10 (Incredible value, impeccable build, impressive sound)
 

 
 

Firstly I would like to thank 1MORE for sending me this sample for review, I always try to write honest reviews. These received over 50hrs of burn-in, no real differences were noted.
 
Gear Used:
Audio Opus #1 DAP > EO323 (Dual drivers, S silicone tips)
 

 

 
Tech Specs:
Driver: Dual driver (1 BA + 1 DD)
Impedance: 32Ω
Weight: 15g
Frequency Response: 20-20,000Hz
Inline remote with microphone
Sensitivity: 98dB
MSRP: Around £70
 
Packaging, Accessories and Build Quality:
The packaging is similar to the Triple driver model, and looks much better than its price might suggest. You get a matte black box which opens via a magnetic lid, once opened you are greeted by the IEM’s held in a velvet covered foam in tray, next to them you are presented with the carry case. Once you lift this out, you will find the accessories underneath. A very luxurious box for an IEM of this price, the model number and specs are listed on a card outer sleeve that holds the box together.
 
Accessories are plentiful, you get standard silicone tips in: XS, S, M and L, a magnetic hard carry case, a cable clip and also a flight adapter. I can’t think of anything else needed, and all the accessories are well presented and of excellent quality.
 
Build quality is very good the cable is sheathed in fabric up to the y-split, the jack is metal and has good strain relief, the only slight issue I have is where the cable exits the y-split there is no strain relief. The microphone with buttons is plastic with metal buttons, the housing of the IEM’s is mainly metal but also there is a slight lack of strain relief on the entry to the housing. Overall good build quality with some areas that could be improved, but I can see these lasting with some care.
 

 
Comfort, Isolation, Cable noise and Driver flex:
Comfort is very good, these require a shallow insertion which does make them comfortable but they don’t feel as secure as some deeper fitting IEM’s. I usually struggle to get a good seal with many out of the packet IEM’s, but these with the S tips fit me perfectly, I think most people will be able to get a good fit with the provided tips.
 
Isolation is fairly average, due to the shallow insertion and the vented housing, this is good for general usage, but not great if you need extra isolation for noisy commutes.
 
Cable noise is present but it’s not a huge issue, and if you have issues with it they include a cable clip that will reduce the cable noise.
 
Driver flex is not an issue with these.
 
Just to note the microphone works well with good clarity and the remote worked fine with my OnePlus Two android phone.
 

 
 
Sound:
Split into the usual categories with a conclusion at the end:
 
Lows: The lows on these are the part that instantly grab your attention, they are big and full with excellent extension but sometimes can be a little too up front and overwhelming. They have more of a mid-bass boost which adds extra body to the sound, and makes them fun and engaging. Kick drums have good body and hit with real air but do lack a little control and speed in fast rock tracks. Bass guitars shine through on these with excellent tonality and presence, but again can become a little overwhelming. Listen to EDM and these can be a lot of fun, and modern pop sounds great with the bass beat being easy to follow but everything is still there.
 
Mids: These IEM’s have a mild v-shaped sound signature and the mids are not up front or the star of the show, however they are not sucked out the point of sounding bad, just a little less upfront than I usually prefer. I find the mids are lacking a little detail and sound very smooth, this doesn’t cause fatigue, but does mean that any music that focuses on the clarity in the mids won’t sound quite right. They are still present enough to be fun and they are very smooth, but ultimately it’s the lows that steal the show.
 
Highs: Again these have a slight v-shaped sound signature and there is a mild boost in the highs but they do avoid harshness and sibilance. The highs depend a lot on what you listen to, and the speed of the music. On slower tracks and pop they sound fine and are quite up front and exciting without being bright. On faster tracks, I find these to become a little congested and the highs fall behind somewhat. I also find that the highs are actually fairly accurate when they they are present in slower tracks, cymbal crashes and taps all sound real without the metallic sheen most lower end IEM’s have.
 
Soundstage isn’t huge but there are some moments when the highs give you a good sense of space, the sound does get a little congested sometimes and there is not a lot of air around instruments.
Instrument separation is good but again there is not a lot of air to separate everything.
 

 
Conclusion: Well these work well for anyone coming from lower end IEM’s and are looking for a good but not expensive IEM. They are also for people who enjoy EDM, Pop, Rap, Hip-Hop etc... As these have a very likeable and enjoyable sound without any fatigue. They are mid-bass driven which makes the above genres a good match, but for fan of rock there are better IEM’s for the price. I find these a lot of fun to listen to and the average consumer will love the sound these have to offer. An engaging mid-bass, smooth mids, and smooth but present highs.
 
Sound Perfection Rating: 7/10 (good fun and good value, but lacking refinement and detail)

Firstly I would like to thank Hifiheadphones for this sample for review, I always try to write honest reviews, these received over 50 hrs of burn-in before reviewing, no major differences were noted.
 
Gear Used:
Audio Opus #1 > M6 Pro (non remote cable, Medium Comply T200 Tips)
 


 
 

 
 
Tech Specs (Price £44.99):

 
Packaging, Accessories and Build Quality:
The packaging is a simple affair that I really quite like, on the front you get a picture of the monitors, on the side is a plastic window showing the IEM’s and a list of accessories, on the back you get additional info and on the other side you get a list of specifications. I really like the outer box, it’s packed full of info but not cluttered, the box opens at the bottom and you pull out the tray which has the carry case and the IEM’s held in their foam in-tray. Overall very nice packaging for an IEM of this price range.
 
Accessories again are very impressive for the price, you get 2 cables, one normal, one with a mic and volume control. You also get a vast array of tips, 1 pair of M T200 Comply tips, 2 pairs of triple flange silicone tips (M and L), 1 pair of bi-flange silicone tips (they look L) and 3 pairs of regular silicone tips (S, M and L).
 

 
Both cables come with a cable clip, also included is a nice large carry case and a 3.5 to 6.3mm adapter. A great selection of accessories, and I couldn’t ask for more.
 
Build quality is great, the housings are well finished and extremely lightweight. The cables are good, the normal cable feels better built than the one with the volume control, but one time will tell. Luckily the cables are replaceable and replacements cost $9.99 for the regular one. Strain relief on all parts is excellent and I can see them actually standing up to some abuse one stage, or at the gym. They are sweat proof, perfect for active use and stage monitoring.
 

 
Comfort, Isolation, Driver flex and Cable noise:
Comfort is excellent, I managed to get a good seal with both Complys and the silicone tips. The fit is perfect and I have no issues wearing these for prolonged periods of time. I do prefer Comply tips for their overall comfort and isolation, also the sound out of these sounds like they were made with Comply tips in mind. They also fit fairly flush in your ears, and have a very secure fit.
 
Isolation is good with both silicone and Comply tips, but Comply edge out the silicone ones in the isolation department. These offer very good isolation, and would work well in most every situation you can find yourself in, just be careful when crossing roads with these in.
 
Driver flex is not an issue with these.
 
Cable noise is present but not hugely, and this can be fixed with the cable clip or chin slider.
 

 
Sound:
Split in to the usual categories with a conclusion at the end. Just a note about the tips, I first listened to the silicone tips and found they sounded good but not quite right, switching to Comply tips I realised these must have been tuned with Comply tips, as they just sound so much better with them.
 
Lows: These overall are like an improved SE215, the lows are more linear and cleaner, they are not as full but this leads to an overall more balanced sound. The punch is there, the articulation of bass guitars means their lines are easy to follow. kick drums have body and tracks like Release The Pressure by Leftfield really show off that they can bounce along to any rhythm. They are not bass monsters, the lows always manage to keep controlled and never become boomy, they also stay separate from the mids.
 
Mids: These are marketed as a stage monitor, so the mids have to cut through the mix successfully, and they do succeed in this respect. They don’t suffer from much bleeding from the lows, retaining clarity, there is a bit of an upper mid peak but this does not induce sibilance, just puts emphasis on the 5-6kHz range which brings out female vocals a little better, and upper male vocals. The mids are nicely detailed and I can see these being good for stage use, they are clear rather than smooth. Misguided Ghosts by Paramore really shows off how capable the mids are, you can hear the picks of the guitar strings and the reverberation of the body of the guitar, and Hayley’s vocals sound incredibly clear but natural (this song sounds amazing on these).
 
Highs: The highs don’t suffer from any big spikes and I like the amount that is presented, they are always there in the background and come out when called for, they actually extend well and also have good detail. Cymbal crashes come in from the right places and they are never overbearing but always there, they fair a lot better than most of the competition at the price point and higher.
 

 
Soundstage is intimate, but wider and taller than a lot of budget IEM’s, you still get out of head experiences but they are mostly engaging and up-front.
Instrument separation is very good, there isn’t a lot of air around the instruments but all instruments are easily separated.
 
Well the M6 Pro with Comply tips may have become a new favourite for around £50, I actually prefer it to the 1MORE E1001 Triple driver which are very refined but a little too smooth and somewhat dull. These really managed to have everything and sound very engaging, the highs do not disappoint with their presence and tone, the mids are slightly up front and the mid bass has a mild boost, as a stage monitor I can see these being good and the sound would be easily tuneable with EQ.
 
They are also a lot better than the SE215 which sound veiled and dark in comparison, do not fear, these are not bright and piercing in the slightest, they are just cleaner sounding with better detail, all for less money.
 
These suit genres like Rock and Pop very well, and if you are looking for a pair of IEM’s under £70 go and get these now, you won’t be disappointed.
 

 
Sound Perfection Rating: 9/10 (Neutral, engaging, and a steal for the price, go get some)
 

Firstly I would like to thank 1More for sending me this sample to review, I always try to write honest reviews, these received over 50hrs of burn-in before review, no differences were noted.
 
Gear Used:
OnePlus 2 / iPod Classic > Triple drivers (testing mic and buttons)
Audio Opus #1 DAP > Triple drivers (critical listening)
 

 
Tech Specs:
Drivers > Dual balanced armature + one dynamic driver
Frequency Response > 20-40,000Hz
Sensitivity > 99dB
Impedance > 32Ω
Cable Length > 1.25m
In-Line Remote > Included
Weight > 18g
Price > $99
 

Packaging, Build Quality and Accessories:
The packaging feels very luxurious for the price, you get a sturdy card box with a side opening magnetically closed flap. On the back of the box you get the specs and info, once you open the flap you are greeted by the IEM’s sitting in a card in-tray with a brief history of the brand written next to them.
You get an exploded view of the IEM’s on the inside of the flap also, once you open another flap (the one that hold the IEM’s in place) you will find boxes holding the included accessories. I really like the packaging, it looks very nice and the black/champagne gold colour scheme goes very well, along with protecting the IEM’s during shipping.
 

 
Build quality feels solid, the cable is sheathed in fabric below the y-split, above it is slightly stiff and has a slightly ribbed rubber coating. The jack and y-split are metal, the jack has good strain relief, halfway up the right side after the y-split you will find the in-line 3 button remote. The remote housing is plastic with metal buttons, the housing of the IEM’s is fully metal and uses a gun metal / champagne gold colour scheme, unfortunately the housing does not have flexible strain relief for the cable. Overall I think these will last with some care, and the metal housing feels well finished and machined, along with feeling strong.
 

 
Accessory wise they give Dunu a run for their money, there really is a full complement of accessories on hand. First off you get a leather like carry case which is hard and features a magnetic closing mechanism, a cable clip and airplane adapter that match the colours of the IEM’s, and last but not least different size tips. With these you get a choice of silicone and foam tips, the silicone tips come in 5 different sizes, the foam in 3, you get plenty of tips so be sure to try them to find the ones that fit you best.
 

 
Comfort, Isolation, Cable Noise and Mic Quality:
The comfort is excellent once you have the right tips, the angled housing I found offers very good comfort and ergonomics, I found both foam and silicone tips to work well for me and both offered a very comfortable fit. I didn’t use the included cable clip, but if you do not wear the cable under your shirt I would recommend using it.
 
Isolation is good but not great, it is enough for most uses but if you have a noisy commute or want to use these for long flights I would recommend something with better isolation. I think this is partly due to shallow insertion depth, and also partly due to the housing being vented.
 
Cable noise can be problematic if you do not tuck the cable under your shirt, It is not as bad as some make it out to be, but I would recommend keeping the cable under your shirt, or using the cable clip that is included.
 

 
Mic quality is very good, it successfully picks up your voice with unwanted background noise and the quality is surprisingly good. The remote works for volume control and play/pause functions, I couldn’t get it to work to skip tracks.
 
Sound:
Lows: With a dedicated driver for the lows you would expect the lows to be excellent, and they are. Their patented 3-layer driver is working well here, it has the speed and precision to keep up with fast rock tracks, yet the fullness and subtle details to fill out acoustic songs. They are very articulate and fit right in with the rest of the sound, they are not overbearing or bloated. Kick drums had impact and body to back them up, bass guitar lines are easy to follow, there is a slight upper bass boost which can lead to a slightly congested sound during some tracks, but this is also track dependent.
 
Mids: The mids are nicely separated from the lows with no bleeding, which means vocals are left to cut through without having to worry about warming from the lows. This leads to very clean mids which render detail easily, without sounding clinical or artificial. You can hear subtle details, but you do not get any upper mid peaks that lead to sibilance. Guitars come through with precision and power and I really like the natural presentation of the mids on these.
 
Highs: The highs are not boosted on these, they sit quite nicely in the mix but do sometimes take a bit of a back seat making these sound a little too smooth on occasion. I find the highs to be a little splashy and not precise enough, they are not refined and don’t extend effortlessly. Again this also is slightly track dependent as it happens more during complex songs that they get pushed to the back. Alternative rock like The Maccabees  is a slightly different experience as you can easily keep track of the cymbals, but again they do have the presence to make these sound wholly balanced, and they end up being a little too polite.
 
Tip differences: I prefer the silicone tips for a more balanced and spacious sound, the foam tips are better for comfort but also have a warmer sound with less space and air.
 
Soundstage isn’t huge, but it is bigger than average in height, depth if nothing too remarkable. Instrument separation is good on these, everything is in its correct place, but they do become a little congested during more complex sections.
 

 
Conclusion: If you are looking for bang for buck, these are well worth it. They are a fairly balanced sounding all rounder, with very good detail retrieval for the price. You would still have to spend about double to get a significant upgrade over the sound of these. The fact they packed 2 balanced armatures and a dynamic driver into this housing, and got it to sound this good for $99 is very impressive to say the least, and I look forward to seeing what they have in store for the future. They have the full articulate lows you expect from a dynamic driver, with the detail retrieval and speed you expect from balanced armatures, all together working in harmony to create a coherent and balanced sound.
 
Sound Perfection Rating: 8.5/10 (Impressive for the price, but the highs could be better)
 

Firstly I would like to thank Lukasz at Feliks Audio for sending me this amp to review, I did not get this amp as a free of charge sample, I had to pay for the unit as I liked it so much I wanted to keep it. I try and write honest reviews.
The stock tubes have been fully burnt in with over 100hrs through them.
 
Gear Used:
iPod Classic > Line out > Espressivo> (Marantz PM-44 SE > Mission 702e) / German Maestro GMP400/Fischer Audio FA-003ti with wood cups
Dell XPS 15 > Matrix Audio Quattro II> Espressivo > German Maestro GMP400
 

 
Tech Specs:

1. Input Impedance: 100 kOhm
2. Frequency response: 15 Hz - 45 Khz +/- 3 dB
3. Power output: 400mW
4. THD: 0.4 % (300 ohm, 20 mW)
5. Optimal headphones impedance: 100 - 300 ohm
6. Headphones output: Jack 6.3mm
7. AC: 230V/120V (power cord included)
8. Weight: 3.5 kg (7.7 lbs)
9. Dimensions: 330x220x140 [mm] (13x8.7x5.5 [inch])
10. MSRP: $319.00

 
 
Packaging, Accessories and Build quality:
The amp came in a large card box, inside this are foam cut outs that hold the amp securely in place. A power cord is included, and there was a manual and separate cut out for the valves, which are individually numbered and wrapped in foam. The amp is very securely held in place in transport and the packaging is well thought out.
 
Accessories, well this comes with all that is needed, valves and power cable, they include the correct power cable for the country you ordered from, which is a good. I cannot think of any needed accessories for this amp.
 

 
Build quality feels very good, the main chassis is sturdy metal, the underside feels a little thin but once it is sat on a shelf you won't notice this. There are wooden side panels which give it a very appealing look, the finish isn't that of a high end piece of equipment, but it sure adds some class and elegance to the amp. The input and output sockets on the back are gold plated, the volume knob and input selector knob all feel of high quality and the jack output is nice and snug. The tube sockets are also nice and tight, I cannot fault the build for the price, I couldn't fault it even if it cost a little more.
 
Functionality:
Well this is a very versatile amp, it has 3 inputs (I use it for DAC from pc/CD, iPod and turntable (after preamp) to the one output to my amp, or I use the headphone socket for headphone listening. So it can be used as a pre-amp as well as a headphone amp. As with all valve amps, it takes 15 minutes or so to warm up, I have left it running for periods of 8 hours and more, the valves get very hot, the chassis does a good job at dissipating the heat and I never felt like it got dangerously hot.
 

 
Valve rolling is easy with the driver tubes, the power valves are not as easy to find alternatives. The driver valves are 6N1P and can be replaced by E88CC / 6N23P / 6DJ8 / 6922.
The power valves are 6N6P and can be replace with 6N6P-1.
 
Sound:
Well valve amps are usually chosen for their introduced distortion which adds a little flavour to the sound, and also for looks and valve rolling capabilities to tune the sound to your taste.
 
I personally enjoy the sound valve amplifiers can produce, and also I like the aesthetics.
 
Upon first listen I was very surprised to find that this valve amp is very detailed and doesn't change the sound too much. Remembering my Xduoo TA-02 with Mullard valves, that was a very lush and warm sounding amp that was a pleasure to listen too, but maybe a little too polite.
The Espressivo on the other hand has the speed and detail to keep up with most solid state amplifiers, yet still has a touch of warmth which helps liven up certain flat or otherwise boring sounding headphones.
 

 
Valve rolling possibilities are very good with this amp, so you can easily buy other valves to help fine tune the sound, and making it warmer or more analytical depending on what you want. The base design of this amp is fantastic, and even stock, it sounds very natural and effortless with good speed and detail.
 
I find the separation to be very good, however the soundstage is not hugely different over an objectively flat amplifier.
 
What I like about this amp, is that It can drive most headphones very easily, it is not the best for sensitive in-ear monitors due to the relatively high gain, but for over-ear headphones it works very well. The GMP400 are relatively hard to drive yet I only have the volume on the 9-10 o'clock position. I recently took this amp to CanJam London and it was driving the T1 with no problems and sounded incredible with them.
 

 
The Espressivo + T1 are a fantastic home listening combo that will set you back about £1000, it is funny how you can get a £200 amp that really brings the best out of the T1.
 
I find the sound of the Espressivo engaging and articulate, it still has micro detail but the overall sound is enjoyable rather than analytical. The sound is also effortless with a good amount of power on tap, no need to worry about this amp under powering your headphones. A very impressive hand built valve amp, for an incredibly reasonable price, it also looks lovely.
 
THE Marshall Jefferson, enjoyed listening to this amp so much at CanJam he went out a placed an order straight away.
 

 
Sound Perfection Rating: 10/10 (fantastic value for money, go and get one)

http://www.feliksaudio.pl/
 

Firstly I would like to thank Tony at Superlux for sending me this sample to review, I always try to write honest reviews. These received over 50hrs of burn-in before reviewing, I did not notice any big changes.

 
Gear Used:
Dell XPS 15 > Matrix Quattro II > Matrix HPA-2C > HD662 Evo
 

  Tech Specs:
Type: Dynamic closed back
Driver: 50mm
Sensitivity: 98dB SPL @ 1mW
Frequency Response: 10-30,000Hz
Impedance: 32Ω
Weight: 250g (without cable)
Price: €31 (on thomann)
 
Packaging, Build Quality and Accessories:
The packaging is nothing too special, you get a cardboard box with an outer sleeve. On the front of the outer sleeve you get a picture of the headphones, on the back you get information and specs with a list of the included accessories too. Under the outer sleeve you have a plain card box, once you open this you will find the headphones held in place by a triangular card insert. Inside this insert you will find the included accessories. For the price I really cannot complain, the box looks fairly good and it serves its purpose of protecting them.
 
Build quality doesn’t stand out, they are made out of quite cheap looking glossy plastic, the headband bow is plastic and there is a think vinyl comfort strap which automatically adjusts to your head size. The cable is quite thin, but it is detachable and they come with 2 cables, the velour earpads are soft but a little itchy, the pleather ones are soft too and don’t feel like they will flake easily. Once again though, I cannot complain too much as they are so cheap, provided you look after them I believe they should last ok.
 

 
  Accessory wise these are very good for the price, you get a pair of velour earpads along with the pre-installed pleather ones, you get 2 cables, 1 straight 3m and another straight 1m cable, a cable clip (holds the cable in place once installed), a 6.3 to 3.5mm adapter and a small fabric carry pouch. A great selection of accessories, everything you need and more.
 
Comfort, Isolation and Cable Noise:
Comfort is not bad with either pair of pads, my ears touch the inner foam but does not cause discomfort. I find them comfortable to wear for fairly long sessions, the headband pad distributes the weight evenly and they are not heavy to begin with. Overall quite a comfy headphone, they are circumaural, the pleather pads get a little hotter than the velour pads over long listening sessions.
 
Isolation is fairly average, then again I wouldn’t really use them as portable headphones. They block out a fair deal out outside noise, and don’t leak too much, making them great for home use when you don’t want to disturb others.
 
Cable noise is present, and relatively bad, but I would say these are made to be used as stationary listening headphones, so the cable noise does not bother me.
 

 
Sound:
I used both the velour and pleather pads, overall I found the the velours to have the better overall out, they bring out a more accurate bass tone and punch, the pleather seem to put a little too much emphasis on the mid bass, and make the mid range a little too forward.
 
Lows: The lows on these go surprisingly low, you get the feel and punch from these and they handle them without excess bloat. That is not to say they are linear though, I find them to lack a little bass impact but do fine with the rumble. They do however lend themselves to most genres, but do fair better with slower music, they add a little warmth and body to the sound. You can feel and hear the lows, the 50mm drivers seem to do quite a good job at moving air, the lows don’t ever overshadow the rest of the sound though. I find them to sound a little thin during fast rock songs, as they seem to lack a sense of speed and recovery, but listening to calmer music brings out their best.
 
Mids: The mids are very up front, sometimes a little too much depending on the track, they are detailed though and handle male and female vocals equally well. There is some sibilance but not enough to annoy me (although maybe too much for some sensitive to sibilance), there is a lot of air around the vocals, they don’t suffer badly from bleeding from the lows and come across very clean and clear. Subtle details in the mids are easily heard, but they sound a little unrefined compared to higher end models, they can get a little shouty sometimes, and also sound a little thin.
 
Highs: The upper mids are a little peaky and bring out some sibilance and harshness, the highs I feel roll off quite early however they highs are easily audible at all times. They are present, but lack sparkle, they just hit and disappear, they don’t have that effortless extension and shimmer of some higher end models. They are sort of just there, but are lacking in finesse and refinement.
 

 
Soundstage is fairly average for a closed headphone, not huge but slightly wider than normal.
Instrument separation is good, there is good air and separation between everything.
 
Conclusion: Well these are a quite balanced sounding pair of headphones, and they do punch above their price in sound quality, they are actually a very good pair of headphones overall, a little like the Sennheiser HD25 in some ways, but with a little less emphasis on the lows. An engaging and fun sound, yet able to extract the fine details, the highs are not very refined but they are still fun, the lows are full and well extended, but the mids can sometimes be a little too forward. If you are looking for a budget pair of home headphones, these are well worth looking at. Some of the above came off a little negative, but these are seriously good for €31, seriously good.