[size=24.57px]JABRA REVO ON EAR HEADPHONE REVIEW[/size]
 

Jabra has been in the headset game for a while and the Revo is their first on ear headphone. This model comes in both wired and wireless, and comes in either black or white, with orange accents. This review focuses on the wired version.

Packaging and Build

The Revo comes packaged in a very solid clear plastic container, and the headphones are presented well. The headphones are on-ear, and are one of the most comfortable on ears I have used. They are light, but also feel sturdy with the metal armatures that hold the earcups given good support . They armatures don’t clamp down on your head like some on ear headphones and this makes for easy long listening sessions. The earpads are very soft, and with the memory foam surrounds, external noise is isolated well and is also cool on the ear, so no over heating ears. Also the adjustable headband is easy to use and each earcup also pivots to conform’s to your ears.

 

The left and right indicators are printed on the inside of the earcup and each earcup has its own input jack for the cable. The reason for having one on each ear, is so you can link the headphones with another set of headphones, which allows two people to listen to one source.

When listening by yourself, you can plug the braided cable in either earcup input, which ever side you prefer. This is a nice feature that Jabra has incorporated in these headphones, and makes it a great travelers headphones. The cable as mention before is braided with a cloth covering, this does introduce some cable noise, but only a little. It also helps reduce tangling. The cable also includes in-line controls for answering calls and skipping and pausing music on your smartphone. This does not include a volume rocker, which would be nice. The cable ends with a L-Shaped 3.5mm jack for the smartphone side, and a straight 3.5mm jack for the headphone side. The headphones can also fold into itself, which makes transporting and storing easier. Also included is a carry bag, which is quite underwhelming, and I feel it wont protect the headphones at all, but overall, the build quality of the headphones and feel on the ear is very good.

Sound

The sound is best described as clean and punchy, with decent bass and non fatiguing overall sound. Sub Bass is present, and you can get the headphones rumbling with the right music, although at high volumes, there can be some minor distortion. Mid bass is fast and mixes really well with the sub bass. The mids are slightly recessed and mix well with the bass and treble. Treble extends nicely and is smooth in the top end. Listening to Arco Luc, instruments are present well and are balanced beautifully. The guitar and bass combine well and there is good separation of all the instruments.

Soundstage extends well pass your headspace. The sound is a little V-Shaped and this is amplified when you use the Jabra sound app that can only be activated for with a unique code that comes with every Revo headphone. The app is powered by Dolby Digital Plus and you can play your music that is on your phone through the app. It does colour the sound, and increases the bass and treble when using the default Dolby setting. Frequency range settings can also be adjusted to suite your listening style. I found the app to boost the bass too much and takes away from the original sound that the artist intended, but some people will enjoy the sound it gives.

Conclusion

The Revo on ear headphones are a comfortable, great sounding, portable and well built headphone that has a pleasant sound that will give you enjoyable long listening experience. Having great sound isolation and being light weight, these are a great option for your everyday commute or being used as a traveling headphone.

 [size=24.57px]UBSOUND DREAMER ON EAR HEADPHONE REVIEW[/size]
 
The Dreamer is the latest on ear headphone from Italian headphone brand Ubsound.

Design and Features

The Dreamer comes packaged in your standard retail packaging, and included is your Dreamer headphones and a  velvet feel carry bag. There are no other accessories such as 6.3mm adapter using headphone on various other components. The Dreamer is mostly made from gloss black plastic with faux leather headband that is adjustable. There is a ball socket joint on each headphone, which allows each cup to adjust to the users head. These don’t move more that a few degrees, but is a good feature for getting a better fit.



The headphones come with a non-detachable cable, which is fairly tangle resistant and also has an in-line microphone with one button, which is able to answer calls, as well as pause/play and skip music on your smartphone or audio device. There is no volume controls which is one feature that is almost essential for in-line controls, so I hope Ubsound add this feature to future models. The overall build quality of the headphones is good and the plastic does reduce overall weight. The headphones use 40mm dynamic drivers @ 110dB/mW.  Frequency  response is rated at  18Hz  – 22.000Hz.  Maximum  distortion:  <0,2%.  Impedance is 32Ω.

As these are on-ear headphones, they sit directly on the ear, but due to the size of the housing they became uncomfortable for long listen periods, and I found the headphones clamped too tight on my head, which compressed my ears too much, and become noticeably sore after 30min-1hr of listening. I wouldn’t say my head is overly large, but these headphone will suite smaller heads. I have used other on-ears, and never had this issue. For me, the padded edges are too large, and this makes the headphone not truly an on-ear or and an over the ear headphone. If the housing were a little smaller, they would sit more on the inner part of the ear, rather than have all the weight on the edge of the ear. Sound isolation is really good considering the fit issues, and there is no noticeable bleeding while listening at normal volume.



Sound

After fiddling around trying to get the headphones as comfortable as possible, I got onto listening. Reading on the box of the headphones, they mention the sound is V shaped, and I found this to be true. The overall sound is warm with some colourisation in the sound. Bass is presented forward with a noticeable mid-bass punch. Sub lows are there but set back. Bassheads will get some enjoyment, but you can find more bass in other headphones around this price mark. Mids are too recessed compare to the bass, but still smooth and mix well the other frequencies. Treble rolls off early, but never harsh and the sound is a very relax. Its a sound that you could listen too for long periods if they didn’t become uncomfortable. Soundstage is compress a little, and separation of instruments is not too clear. Listening to Boz Scaggs – Thank You, it is presented with smooth vocals, bass holds its dept, but I does sound compressed and coloured. There is no space between the instruments and vocals.



Conclusion

The Ubsound Dreamer is decent offering from the Italian headphone brand. Some issues with comfort and fit takes away from a pleasant sound. These are not meant for critical listening and I feel they could have let these headphones breathe more, offer more presentation in terms of sound. If you want a warm, mid bass orientated headphone then these are for you. You can find the Ubsound Dreamer headphones online for around $69 USD.

POLK AUDIO MAGNIFI SOUNDBAR REVIEW

 



The MagniFi Soundbar from Polk Audio is the latest slim wireless system utilising the Polk Audio VoiceAdjust™ technology. The MagniFi is the middle of the range option from Polk, and includes a wireless subwoofer.

Design and Features

The MagniFi soundbar is a great looking slim speaker system, using a 3.1 configuration. MagniFi is powered by 3 x 1″ full range speakers, using the patent pending VoiceAdjust™ system that is the real cornerstone of this soundbar system. No more trying to listen intently to dialog during huge noisy movie scenes, or even softly spoken voices. This technology is a great step forward, but more on that later.



The soundbar is 96.5×4.6×5.2cm (LxWxH), this will suite TV sizes of 40 inch or larger, although the slim down style of the MagniFi will suite smaller TV’s too. The MagniFi is a very good looking soundbar, finished in a matt black and mesh grill design. Both the soundbar and the sub woofer have beautiful curved features which seam to blend nicely with any TV. The front of the soundbar has the Polk logo on the right, LED indicator lights on the left and the centre speaker, which is the heart of the whole system highlighted by a silver ring.

The 7 LED lights on the front let the user know what is happening with regards to overall volume, VoiceAdjust™ volume, music or movie options, as well as which source you have selected (Optical, AUX or Bluetooth) and the amount of bass. The MagniFi only has three options for connecting, an optical audio in, AUX audio in and Bluetooth. The easiest option is to connect all your devices via HDMI direct to the TV and then run the optical out from your TV to the MagniFi, this will ensure you keep the 5.1 Dolby decoding from your source. The lack of HDMI inputs might deter some users, but I prefer to have as little cables coming from the soundbar as possible, especially if you plan to mount it, so this is a non issue.



On top of the soundbar are manual buttons for volume, voice and bass levels, input, power, mute, and Bluetooth, which are also available on the tiny remote. Speaking of the remote, I found that I often had to press the buttons a couple of times, or just really hard. I have a feeling that the design of this remote could have been better, and I don’t have high hope for its longevity. It can also get lost very easily down the side of your sofa, very easy.

The Subwoofer is a downward firing 7″ long throw woofer which automatically connects wirelessly once both the soundbar and subwoofer are powered on. However, if you ever loose connection, there is a analog cable that can connect the two components. I didn’t need this during my review, but its a nice option to have if you run into connection issues.

Build quality is excellent, both the soundbar and the subwoofer are solid and don’t feel cheap. Even though they are mainly plastic, it doesn’t take away from the quality.

The Sound

The MagniFi has two main options for listening; movie and music, both have dramatically different sounds and thus I will do them separately. Using the soundbar as it was built for, which is mainly for movies/TV viewing, the MagniFi is an excellent option for anyone looking to get the big theatre sound in a slim and compact package. The VoiceAdjust option really works. No more turning the volume up and down to hear dialog, the voice adjust technology has me wanting more. I found I had the option turn to the max all the time, as it just made all movies work better. The sound effects were still able to come through via the left and right channels, but they were moved to the background during dialog moments, and then brought forward seamlessly. The MagniFi has no issue filling a room with sound. I have an open plan living room, and I never had to put the volume pass the 2nd LED marker. I don’t think you ever have to, because the dialog is crystal clear and that is what most people want to hear.



The subwoofer never lacked either. Although its not a huge, room shaking subwoofer, it still blended well and mix seamlessly. In big action movies like Mad Max or Black Hawk Down, the subwoofer did rumble nicely and I felt it was fine for small to medium rooms. It will never compete with 12″ monsters, but it works and doesn’t take away anything from the system.

Onto using the MaginFi as a hifi system. For some reason, music doesn’t work as great as movies. There is some serious lacking in soundstage and separation when changing to the music option and playing stereo mixes. I found everything sits back and feels lost. The subwoofer also goes into hiding. Polk seamed to get everything so right with movies and dialog, that the music option seamed forgotten. The Bluetooth feature is great, as streaming from your smartphone is very easy, and most people have online streaming accounts, but this is not a system for sitting down and listening to music, rather a option for background music for entertaining or just relaxing.

I think Polk never intended this to be a music listening system, but rather it added it on as an extra bonus on an already great home theatre movie option.



Conclusion

If you are always wanting the dialog in movies or TV shows to be presented better, than this in the soundbar for you. The VoiceAdjust™ technology works wonders for those softly spoken, hard to hear movies that always have you reaching for the remote to turn the volume up, only to be turning it down the very next scene, because of a huge explosion or over powered music. The MagniFi is a room filling system that will suite most users. Even though the music option is not as great as the movie option, this is a solid performing soundbar that is a great step up from standard TV speakers.

SOUNDMAGIC E50S IN EAR MONITOR REVIEW

Firstly, like to thank SoundMAGIC for supplying the E50S Review unit
 
Features and Design
 
The E50S is the latest in ear monitor from SoundMAGIC. The earphones come packaged in your standard retail packaging. Included with your earphones are two sets of S/M/L silicon ear tips (dome and straight), one pair of double flange silicon tips, one pair of comply T400 foam tips, a shirt clip, a computer adapter cable and a clam shell zipper case. A very good selection of accessories from the price range earphone. The E50S earphones are housed in a light weight metal casing, and the ones I have are finished in red with the same going for the plastic cable.
The cable is fairly resistant to tangling and micro-phonics is very subtle. The cable has an inline microphone, with a single button for play/pause and answering phone calls. There is no volume button, which is a shame, as this should be standard for earphones made for phone call use. Also attached to the cable is a smartphone switch. This is the first time I have seen this option. You have an A/B option, A is for Nokia, Samsung, Sony Xperia and the B switch is for iPhones, newer Samsung Galaxy phones, Blackberry and HTC phones. So not matter which phone you own, you will be able use these earphones. Although this is a great idea, the switch could be designed a little let intrusive. Going back to the computer adapter, this is so you can use the microphone and the earphones while connect to a computer, ie SKYPE use.
 
Sound and Isolation
 
E50S is a present surprise in the bass oriented market of the modern budget IEM. The E50S is best described as a natural sounding IEM. The extension of both the bass and treble is nice, but neither over power the other. The bass is punchy and fast, and can go low, but it seems to keep itself in check. Mids of slightly forward and present nicely. Vocal tracks are clear. Treble is a little harsh, but its not piecing and sibilance is not noticeable. I found that after some burn in, the treble did smooth out, but only just.  Sound stage is presented well, with good separation of instruments, but I still felt that the music was between my ears and not further apart. The E50S can handle most music, but if you looking for a basshead IEM, this its not it.
For the price, these isolate really well. The standard silicon tips did a great job at reducing outside noise levels, add in the comply tips, and its does it even better. The E50S is very light for metal housings, and they fit really nice and long listening is comfortable.
 
Conclusion
 
For under $50USD, these are a great buy for a natural sounding IEM. I would recommend these for everyday listing, as the isolation is great for your daily commute. The sound is non fatiguing and listing for long hours, these won’t hurt you ears. The E50s is available in red, gun metal grey or copper through amazon.

HIFIMAN HE400S HEADPHONE 

Firstly, Like to thank HiFiMan for supplying the HE-400S for this review.
 
Features and First Impressions
 
This is the first time I am reviewing a HiFiMan product, as well as the first time I have listened to headphones with planar magnetic drivers. Having read many reviews of other planar magnetic headphones from other brands, as well as HiFiMan's own flagship, the HE-1000, I was looking forward to hearing what HiFiMan has brought to the sub $300 market. With so many Planar Magnetic headphones costing thousands of dollars, having an affordable option is great for letting more consumers experience this type of headphone.

The HE400S comes packaged nicely, as is expected with HiFiMan. In the box is your HE400S headphones and a 150cm or 59inch cable, which has 2.5mm TRS connectors for the headphone side and your standard 3.5mm jack for your input. A 6.35mm adapter is also included. The ear pads are velour, which is nice, but I would love to be able to have a set of leather ones to hot swap. The HE400S weigh a mere 350 grams or 12 ounces, which is nice a light, and quite amazing if you consider the size of the headphones themselves. They are finished nicely in a silver plastic with black accents, to resemble an aluminum look and feel. The headband is made from metal, with a leather strap.
 
The HE400S is a very comfortable headphone, that fits nicely. I used these for many hours, and not once did I notice the headphones while listen, they really let the music do the talking. The headband was easily adjustable and these would fit most, if not all head types.
 
As these are open back headphones, meaning you can see the driver from the outside through the grill, bleeding and isolation are apparent. You can't really use them out in public, as people in close proximity can hear your music and you can also hear a lot of outside noise. Hopefully HiFiMan will release a closed back version, as they made this to be portable, with incredible efficient at 22 ohms and with its sensitivity at 98dB, ideal for portable audio devices such as smartphones. I found that running these straight from my LG G4, I had the volume turn also max to get a decent volume, so a portable amp will really get these headphones singing.
 
Sound
 
Beautiful, that is all you need to know. One of the smoothest, and clearest headphones I have listened too. The full range is displayed nicely, with clean bass, mids and highs. The bass is the winner with these headphones. The extension to the sub lows are great, and when paired with an amp, it brings out even more definition. I would say, the focus is more to the upper bass range, but only slightly. These are not you typical basshead headphones, where you feel like a sub woofer is attached to your ear, they just do bass well, and extend to the bottom well. The mids at a little recessed, but still sound great with vocal tracks. The highs are smoother than I would like, but this makes for easy long listening, as you don't have piecing treble. Music sounds great with the HE400S. It sounds live and not produced, never muddled or compressed, but open and airy.

Overall
 
HiFiMan has a winning headphone, which has excellent sound and with a price tag under $300, these should be on you list for smooth and clear sounding headphones, that don't colour the sound. Yes, you can't use these for you daily commute or at your local cafe, but that should not deter you from experiencing truly remarkable sounding headphones.
 
Specs:
Frequency Response : 20Hz – 35KHz
Sensitivity : 98dB
Impedance : 22 Ohms
Weight : 350g
Cable Length : 1.5 m
Plug : 3.5mm/6.35mm

 

AUDIO-TECHNICA ATH-IM04 IN EAR MONITOR REVIEW

 

Firstly, like to thank Audio-Technica for the ATH-IM04 loaner for this review. This is my first listen to any Audio-Technica IEM’s so was excited to hear what they have to offer.
 
Features
 
The ATH-IM04 comes in your standard retail packaging, and proudly displays the Japan Made logo. What you get inside the box is surprising simple for an IEM that cost $599USD $699AUD. The IEM comes with three pairs of silicon tips (S,M,L) and one pair of Comply foam tips, as well as your carry case, which is a leather clam shell with a zipper and that is all. I was a little surprised with the lack of accessories for a flagship. Most companies tend to put the most stuff they can fit. I would love to have seen more options with tips, as I did struggle to fit one perfectly, and ear wax cleaner is also a norm with IEM’s these days. They also have a removable cable which is a nice option.

The IEM themselves are built solidly, and are on the larger size for an IEM. Having quad balance armatures, this was no surprise, but companies like Shure and Westone have managed to get their BA’s into smaller housings. Regarding the size of the housings, the nozzle that holds the tips is rather short compared to the size of the IEM, which makes it harder to fit properly inside your ear canal. Having a limit number of tips, finding the perfect fit might be a struggle for some. I found that isolation also became an issue, as well as noise bleeding from the IEM themselves. I think a little modification and extra tips will make this a non-issue.
 
Sound
 
Having played around to get the best fit I could, I was onto the listening. First thing that hits you when you hear these is the clarity and definition of sound coming from the IEM. Instruments are clear and clean with great separation. Sound stage is outstanding as well.
 
The sound signature of ATH-IM04 is warm and mid focused, but with strong bass and nicely extended treble – warm, smooth, full bodied yet still good in soundstage is a great description. Bass reaches down to 15Hz easily, but deep sub-bass isn’t very obvious due to the equally strong mid-bass region that gives more body. Treble extends all the way up and offers good sparkle and crispiness, mainly as a supporting role in the whole presentation rather than standing out as an element on its own. It can however sound a little metallic when the volume is turned too high.
 
There is that no sibilance issues at all, and it isn’t plagued by over-brightness but actually sounds rather smooth.
 

Using the ATH-IM04 as a musicians IEM was great. Playing drums on the Roland TD-30KV showed great detailing in the IEM. Low end bass from the kick came through nicely and the cymbals was nicely separated. My only issue was again the fit and isolation, moving around did mess with isolation.
 
Overall
 
Having a beautiful sounding IEM can only go so far, you need it to fit properly and comfortably, especially when you are paying hundreds of dollars. The sound from the ATH-IM04 is beautiful and clean. I think they take the clarity mantel from Heir Audio, but the fitting issues does distract from the overall experience.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Specs
Type: Quad Balanced Armature Driver
Frequency:Response 15 – 20,000 Hz
Maximum Input Power 3 mW
Sensitivity 101 dB/mW
Impedance 14 ohms
Weight 8 g
Cable Detachable 1.2 m, Y-type
Connector 3.5 mm (1/8″) gold-plated stereo mini-plug, L-type
Accessories Included Case, silicone earpieces (S/M/L), Comply™ foam earpieces (M)

The UE Roll is the latest installment of 360-degree sound producing Bluetooth speakers from Ultimate Ears. The UE roll is the replacement for the Mini Boom, and it takes outdoor bluetooth speakers to a whole new level.
 
Outdoor Rugged Design
 
The design of this Bluetooth speaker is new and unrecognisable compared to your standard Bluetooth speakers. The spherical disc shaped speaker is 135mm in diameter (approximately 4.8 inches with a height of 40mm (1.6 Inches), also weighting in at 340grams.
 
The UE Roll comes in a wide range of colours; black/orange, blue/red, purple/yellow, and three multi-coloured patterned versions. All have the same sturdy fabric that cover the top/front side which also is home to the embroidered volume buttons that is the norm for UE Bluetooth speakers. On the back side, you have to power on/off, the Bluetooth connect button, as well as the charging port and 3.5mm jack that is coved in a thick rubber protector. The final feature of the UE Roll is the attachable marine grade bungee cord strap that makes the UE Roll able to attach to almost anything, taking the outdoor speaker abilities to a whole new level. Of course to be certifiable outdoor, you need to have waterproof abilities, which it has. UE Roll is IPX7 rated, which means it can handle submersion in water for short periods of time.
 
Another great option that has come from the BOOM and MEGABOOM is the compatible smart phone app. With the app, you can pair 2 UE Rolls, adjust the EQ, set an alarm to wake you up and even turn the UE Roll on and off remotely.

Sound Performance.
 
The UE Roll has a Bluetooth range of around 20 metres or 65 Feet and a battery life cycle around 9 hours. When testing the UE Roll, I took it to the beach as well as used it as an indoor everyday speaker. The beach test went perfectly, as I was able to strap the UE roll to my backpack, I had a readymade speaker holder, and even when I got sand on the UE Roll, I was able to rinse it off without worrying. The sound is loud and clear, having a speaker output rating of 89 dBA, I was able to hear my music perfectly, even with a few mates around. The bass was not of the BOOM or MEGABOOM, but you can’t expect it to be, having a much smaller enclosure as well as speakers. In saying that, it still has great sound. Similar tone to the BOOM speakers, but lacking in punch at the bottom.
 
 Final Thoughts.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TECH SPECS:
 
DIMENSIONS

1. Diameter: 135mm
2. Height: 40mm
3. Weight: 330 g

WATERPROOF

1. IPX7 rated: UE ROLL can be immersed in liquid up to 1m for up to 30 minutes.

AUDIO

1. Maximum Sound Level: 85dBA
2. Frequency Range: 108Hz – 20kHz
3. Drivers: One 2” driver and Two ¾” tweeters

POWER

1. Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Battery for up to 9 hours of battery life between Micro USB charges. Actual battery life will vary with use, settings and environmental conditions.
2. Charge time: 5.5 hours

WIRELESS CAPABILITIES

1. Pair up to 8 Bluetooth ® enabled devices – Connect up to two source devices at the same time.
2. Wirelessly play (stream) to 2 UE ROLLs from one source.
3. Mobile range of play is up to 20m or (65ft).

COMPATIBILITY

1. For Audio Playback – Smartphones, tablets and other devices that support Bluetooth® wireless audio profile [Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP)] or 3.5 mm audio output.

APP CONFIGURABLE
 
2-YEAR LIMITED HARDWARE WARRANTY

 

 
Firstly, Like to thank Mike from MEE Audio, formally known as MEElectronics for supplying the 2nd generation A151P in ear earphones.
 
Having reviewed the 1st generation A151P, I was looking forward to the updated version. MEE Audio has replaced the balanced armature drivers with the new Knowles SR-31843, which claims to offer more linear bass and greater treble extension then the 1st generation A151P. The 1st generation was an excellent IEM, with a very smooth sound that had great extension with bass and treble, especially for a single balanced armature earphone, so my expectations are higher than before.

Features
 
The A151p comes in a standard retail box, they changed from black to white, but all looks very similar to the 1st gen A151P. With the IEM, you get 5 pairs of silicon ear tips, (S,M,L) rounded tips, a double flanged tip and a triple flanged tip, all with a zipper carry case, with MEElectronics logo on the front, as per the 1st gen.
 
The housing for the drivers look identical, with black and chrome accents, the cable is also identical, being a twisted pair cable. They have updated the 3.5mm jack from straight to a L-shaped plug which helps with cable strain. Also on the updated is the in-line microphone and control remote. I do wish they included a  volume remote on the in-line controls, which is a great feature to have.
 

Sound
 
Remembering that these are under $50 USD and a single balanced armature, they sound that comes is simply beautiful. Nothing harsh or fatiguing at all. I smiled with the first gen A151P and I smiled with this one.
 
The sound can be best described as silky and warm, with a nice balance between bass, mids and treble.The sound does focus more on the mids, which is well suited for vocals, but can also handle any music you through at it. Listening to artist such as Diane Krall and Meghan Trainor, both beautiful vocal artist, they really show how smooth these earphones sound. They can also handle more modern music from Robin Schultz or Walk the Moon, with thumping bass lines coming through nicely, although there is low end sub bass missing, but you can’t get everything from single BA. The prominent mid-bass tends to overshadow the rest of the bass frequency in a good way. Nevertheless, the bass performance is still impressive and commendable for a single BA.
The mids are not laid back or forwarded and just sit nicely in the middle.
 
They are really smooth and feel so right. There is a well-bodied full textured depth to them that most would not expect from a single BA. There is great detail and clarity that make the sound very clean. The vocals are smooth and nicely positioned in accordance to the instruments that feels very natural. There is very little to no sibilance with these, which is great. Treble has a bit of roll off , but the smoothness and tone is wonderful.  There is a little lack of sparkle and fine detail at the top end, but all in all a great sound and an enjoyable sound.
 
Using the 2nd gen A151P on the Roland TD-30 V Drums, I found they performed identical to the 1st gen. Isolation was just as good, as was the sound. Cymbals cut through nicely, but again the lower end was a little distant. They would work well as a vocal IEM, but they are more suited for everyday use, rather that an in ear monitor for musicians or for critical listening.
 
Conclusion
 
The 2nd generation A151P has taken the best of the 1st gen and add to it. With greater extension and a overall improvement in sound, the 2nd gen is a winning IEM. The sound is inviting and warm, and with a price tag under $50 USD, you wont find a better sounding IEM in that price range.
 
Specs:
Driver: Single Balance Armature
 
Frequency Response: 20Hz to 19.5KHz
 
Impednace: 32 Ohms
 
Sensitivity: 111 dB
 
Max Power Input: 30mW
 
Connectors: 4 Pin Stereo 3.5mm Gold Plated L Jack
 
Cable: Twisted Black 135cm (53 in)

 Firstly, like to thank Billy from Busisoft for organising the Westone UM PRO 10 for this review.
 
Westone needs no introduction, they are one of the industry leaders for professional monitors as well as consumer earphones. The UM PRO line is the newest member of a long line of IEM’s that have be very successful. This review is for the UM PRO 10, the entry model for this line.
 

Features

 
The UM PRO 10 comes packaged nicely in a bright orange hard case. With the earphones, you get a huge range of ear tips, 10 to be exact, 5 pairs of silicone and 5 pairs of foam tips, as well as a wax cleaning tool. All in all, a nice range to find the perfect fit. The UM Pro 10 comes with a detachable EPIC braided cable, which is made from low-resistance tensile wire. This provide durability for demanding live environments and also has little microphonics.
 
 
These IEM’s are one of the most comfortable I have used, with great isolation. I used them for multiple hours at a time, with little ear fatigue. External noise was reduced greatly, even without music playing. Using these on stage in a live band environment, which is what it was made or, was perfect, with great isolation, comfort and detail.
 

Sound

The UM PRO 10 is a single balanced armature IEM made for on-stage monitoring for musicians. This means that the emphasis would really be on the mids and highs and it’s geared for detail and clarity more than bass or power.

The sound is quite balanced and neutral overall. Sound is forward rather than being flat, everything is clear and vivid, without being overdone. The bass is clean and fast, but I would love to have more, it’s not an IEM I will consider bass oriented. Treble is airy and smooth with the overall tonality more aimed towards a lighter tone. Micro details is nice, although I will not name it as a detail monster or something like that, I admire how UM PRO 10 presented the treble here.
 
Midrange in my opinion is another strength of UM 10 PRO, it is quite forward and clear, not in your face type of forward but definitely is forward more than flat, vocal is nice and clean. I have listened to some audiophile vocal albums on UM PRO 10, I think it renders them nicely.
 
I just can’t stop to praise the transparency and treble of the Westone UM PRO 10, it is excellent, and something that is quite grain less. Sound stage is deep and wide, with great separation.
 
The UM Pro 10 is ideal for tracks from artists like Jason Mraz and Sting. It’s also a solid performer when it comes to live or acoustic songs.
 

For on-stage use, it is more suited to vocals, guitars or keys, rather than drummers or bass players, as the bottom end is not a major feature. Using the UM PRO 10 on my TD-30K Roland, the detailing and presentation of the cymbals was great. The snare was presented well, but the kick and larger toms were not that great. I found vocals from other band members was presented nicely and this is where the UM PRO 10 shines.
 

Conclusion

 
Overall, the UM PRO 10 is great entry level IEM for on stage use, as well as personal listening. The comfort and isolation is superb, coupled with clean mids and smooth highs, the UM PRO 10 delivers. For around $149 USD / $199 AUD, with 2 year warranty, this is a great priced monitor for musicians and everyday users.
 

Specs:

SENSITIVITY: 114 dB SPL @ 1mW
 
FREQUENCY RESPONSE: 20 Hz - 16 kHz
 
IMPEDANCE: 25 ohms @ 1 kHz
 
PASSIVE NOISE ATTENUATION: 25 dB
 
DRIVER: Balanced armature, full-range
 
WEIGHT: 0.445 ounces/12.7 grams
 
CABLE: EPIC Replaceable Cable
 
CABLE LENGTH: 50”/128cm
 
FEATURES: Premium comfort tips,
mini-monitor vault, cleaning tool, and
2-year warranty.

 




Firstly like to thank Chuck from 1964 Ears for organising the Pendulumic Stance S1+ headphones for this review.
 
Pendulumic is a relatively new company in the headphone world, and they have already made quite a splash with their take on Bluetooth headphones. The Stance S1+ has taken its design cues from steampunk and combined them with intuitive features to bring a great wireless Bluetooth headphone with reference quality aptX Bluetooth sound and the ability to perform on par with wired equivalent headphones.
 

Features

 
The Stance S1+ comes packaged nicely with a smallish headphone case, as the headphones themselves are able to fold flat. Also included is a micro USB charging cable, 3.5mm audio cable with in-line remote/mic, cover in a nice braided fabric as well as an airline adapters and a 6.5mm adapter. Inside the case is a detachable pocket, which will hold all your accessories too.
 
The Stance S1+ headphones have a lot of features, so I will break it down for each side of the headphones. The left headphone houses the rechargeable battery, which will give you up to 18 hours of playback, with the option of adding 2xAAA batteries as a backup, to extend the playback to 30 hours, which is great if you can't recharge within a day. Also on the left side is the power on switch, up is for AAA battery and down is for rechargeable. The micro USB port is also on this side.
 
The right headphone features all the audio controls. You have a microphone for calls, as well as a 3.5mm socket for you headphone cable. There is also the switch for the 3 types of audio playback options, which are wireless, utilising Bluetooth 4.0 aptX for CD Quality wireless playback. The next option is wired with amplifier, which uses the internal batteries to boost the sound for a more colored sound and the last option is for wired, without power, which is your reference option, giving a natural flat response. 
 
The last feature on the right headphone is the volume and control dial. It's used to control the volume up and down, as well as pause/play and answer calls by pushing it in. I found the response for volume was a little slow. I would turn it a few clicks for on minor volume changes, when the volume should change per click of the dial. But all in all, a lot of options and features to use with ease and change the way you want to listen.
 

Sound

 
After a simple pairing to my phone, by holding down the volume dial, CD quality sound was streaming though the Stance S1+. My first though was to see if I actually had a cable plugged in, because it sounded so clean and natural. Bass response was punchy and clean, mid range a little forward and the treble extended nicely, with no hit of harness. This is not your typical Bluetooth headset, with the  over powering colourisation of bass and treble. This is for the purest who wants a wireless option, that also looks clean and sounds natural.
 
When changing to the reference wired option, there is very little difference, almost non compared to the Bluetooth option. For the people who want more bass and treble support, kind of V shaped listening experience, wired with amplification is available. I found it to be similar to the loud option on car stereos, boosting the top and bottom, to give more punch, but this does colour the sound. For me, Jazz, blues, folk and even classical music is this headphones strong point. The sound is warm and non tiring, reserved but not restrained.
 

A couple of points to consider. Noise isolation is not the best, compared to other closed back headphones, similar to the AKG 240mkII. I also found sound leakage from the headphones when listen at high volumes, but these are minor points which are easily outweighed by the rest of the positives.
 

Conclusion

 
If you are looking for a beautiful looking, great sounding pair of wireless headphones, with a great array of features, then consider these headphones. Priced at $199, they are relatively cheap for the sound you get. Bluetooth 4.0 with aptX has won me over. The convenience of wireless headphones is great, and with 30 hours of playback, you may never use the wired option again. The Stance S1+ has taken wireless to a new level.
 
 

Specs:

 

 
 

 
 
 
Logitech’s Ultimate Ears has released some great wireless Bluetooth speakers in recent years, and the most popular of all has to be the UE BOOM. Portable, rugged, 360 degree room filling sound. So how does one make it better? You release a bigger version with better specs and bigger sound. Meet the Logitech UE MEGABOOM. 

The UE MEGABOOM takes the form factor from its smaller sibling and scales it up. Measuring 21.1cm in height and a diameter of 8.4cm and weighing in around 800 grams. The speaker is mostly covered with its mesh cloth grille. Is shockproof and waterproof (IPX7), meaning if you get it wet or even drop it in your pool or bath, it will survive. Looking mostly like the UE BOOM, the speaker has a rubber band running down the front with the volume controls. Up top is the power/Bluetooth connect button and on the bottom it has a handy D ring for hanging, as well as your micro USB connector for charging and your 3.5mm jack. These are covered with a sturdy rubber cover for waterproofing.
 
Like its younger siblings, the UE MEGABOOM itself has very simple controls, but for the most functionality, there is a phone app for both iPhone and Android users that provides several useful features. With it you can adjust sound quality with a handful of equaliser presets, or manually adjust a five-band equaliser, pair MEGABOOM speakers, set an alarm , update the speaker firmware, and even turn it on or off. My only trouble with using the speaker came with the app install. Or should I say the wrong app install. I found out the hard way that there is a UE BOOM app and a UE MEGABOOM app. After installing the correct app everything worked just as it should.
 
The UE MEGABOOM comes packaged in a large plastic cylinder container, that can be used to transport the UE MEGABOOM and also contains the fluoro charger and cable. One thing that I did notice is that it does not have any instruction booklet or manual. You have to download the app to see the list of “How To” to get started.
 
Sound and Performance.
 
Wow. Just wow. The range and quality are impressive. The bass is outstanding. The room filling capability is amazing. The UE MEGABOOM is the best sounding speaker of its size and portability I have yet to hear. Sound is colourful and powerful, and there's loads of volume available, without the tininess associated with some of the more budget Bluetooth speakers on the market.
 
Similar to the way screens have a limited viewing angle, most Bluetooth speakers also suffer from a rather limited cone of sound delivery. Sure, sound can be heard outside of the cone, but not as clearly or with as much definition. Taking advantage of the cylindrical design of this speaker, the UE MEGABOOM 360-degree sound is a great success. There is a minor dead spot in front of the rubber band, but for the most part, its 360-degree awesomeness.
 
Either stood up or laying down on its side, this speaker provides sufficiently deep bass, and it's no slouch when it comes to delivering mids and highs. For also being such a rugged option, I'm impressed with the quality of the sound. Bass is beautiful, and it does fill the room. Maybe not Sub woofer filling, but its there and is nice and punchy. Treble and Mids are smooth and word nicely together with the bass to give an overall warm sound.
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
To touch on the rest of the speaker's features, I listened at a wide variety of rather loud volumes and the battery life was pretty spot on to 20 hours. I'm confident that the speaker would have surpassed it at a steady (and generally lower) volume. Bluetooth connectivity is strong, too. In my home, my device was 25 meters away at times and it operated without a hitch. You can go up to 30 meters or just under 100 feet. Connecting to a phone call was simple, yet it still needed to be done on the phone, rather than voice activated.
 
Conclusion
 
If you've been shopping for a Bluetooth speaker for a while now, you already know there are plenty of cheaper options available. But unless you're looking at the UE MEGABOOM's little sibling, you'll be hard-pressed to find this impressive breadth of functionality and spark in speakers even twice its cost. With loads of volume and great clarity, the UE MEGABOOM is an awesome Bluetooth speaker.

Sure the $350 price tag is a little steep, but for the extra cash, you're getting a very capable Bluetooth speaker that will deliver awesome audio and last all day and night.

 

  Firstly, like to thank Audrey from Brainwavz for supplying a BLU-100 to review. This is my first review for a Bluetooth IEM and also my first one that I have listened too.

 Packaging, Accessories and Build Quality
 
The BLU-100 comes in a very standard retail box. It comes with standard accessories which include 3 Pairs of Silicone ear tips (S, M, L), 1 set of Comply foam tips, an ear clip, a USB charging cable and a nice clam-shell zippered case. 
 
First impression when holding the BLU-100, is the size and weight. The housings are quite large, which is understandable, as they have to hold the driver and the Bluetooth internals. They are also a little heavier than most IEM’s that I have used, but I didn’t notice fatigue once I started using them.
The ear tips are connected with a single cable, which also holds the remote calls and music controls. I would like to have had a cable clip with the accessories, as I found they can fall off if you take one ear out to listen to someone else while wearing them, but this is not a major issue.
 
Connecting to my phones was simple and easy. The BLU-100 makes a connect sound and the light (which is very dim) also lets you know. Charging is done via a Micro USB connector inside the right driver housing, which is easily accessible. Charge time is around 2 hours, which will give you close to 4 hours playback. This was pretty accurate, although I never went over 4 hours.
 
Sound Quality 
 
Given that these are my first wireless IEM’s, I was not expecting too much. Well, I was very surprised. These produce very decent sound, not critical listening IEM’s but a great all round IEM that can reproduce good amount of detail for most music. The IEM’s are definitely suited to bass/mid lovers, but the treble was still smooth.
 
The Bass: BLU-100 bass is somewhat punchy, aimed more towards mids then low end sub bass. Still producing a good amount. Bass heads will still be satisfied.
The Mids: The mids are laid back, and not really a great feature. But there is still a good amount of detail to satisfy most listeners.
 
The Treble: The treble has reasonable extension, which gets even better after the burn in. Like the mids, the treble is detailed and clear, but you feel that bass was more important in the design of this earphone. Still pretty good sound overall
 
The sound-signature is, warm and smooth, with a good amount of bass. 
 
Conclusion
 
The BLU-100 is a great all round IEM. For under $50, you can’t go wrong with all the features that is on offer. Having Bluetooth connectivity, this is an awesome little IEM that cuts the wire. I would see this as more outdoors style IEM and most listeners will find the sound to be more than suitable. I consider these a very good all round earphone.
 
 
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00YDVY34Q/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&keywords=bluetooth+earphones
 
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Specification

1. Drivers Dynamic: 8mm
2. Rated Impedance: 30Ω closed Dynamic
3. Frequency Range: 20 ~ 20000Hz
4. Sensitivity: 110 dB @ 1 mW
5. Bluetooth 4.0 Codec aptX™
6. Max Distance: 10mt(30ft)
7. Battery: 60mAh
8. Playtime/Standby: 4hrs/100hrs
9. Charge Time: 2hrs(USB)
10. Noise Cancellation: CVC echo/noise
11. Voice Prompt: Yes
12. Profiles: HFP HSP A2DP
13. Pairing: Dual Pairing
14. In-Line Remote/Mic

Shure SE112m+ In-Ear Headphone Review

 

 
Firstly, like to thank Brad from JANDS for supplying the Shure SE112m+ to review.
 
 

 


 
Packaging, Accessories and Build Quality
 
The SE112 m+ is Shure’s budget in ear headphones with mic, coming in at $105 AUD. ($59 USD)
The packaging is your standard clear plastic carton, nothing too fancy. Inside you get your in ears, three sizes of soft, flexible ear tips, a cleaning tool to help keep your earphones free of earwax and a drawstring pouch for storage.
 
First thing I noticed is the build quality of the in ears themselves. The driver housings are larger than most IEM's I have seen, and they feel rock solid in you hand. This got me worried that they might feel big on the ear, but I had no issue. The ear tips are angled in, helping to guide the ear tip into the ear canal and have a better fit when wearing these over the ear.  The cable is also notably thicker and sturdier then similar offerings from Weston or Sennheiser.
 
The ear tips are also larger than what I am used to. I had to use the medium tip, where I normally have to use a large to x-large ear tip. This may be a concern if have really small ear canals, but most people will find the fit good. You can by extra tips from Shure if needed. I would love for Shure to include comply foam tips, if you do want them, the T-100 fits this model.
 
The design is meant for over the ear, but can easily be worn straight down. I found minimal microphonics both ways. I would have preferred some sort of sleeve or memory wire at the end of the cable near the in-ears, to mold around my ears for better support while moving around. Also a shirt clip would be a great accessory for musicians, as moving around can pull on the ears.
 
Sound Quality 
 
Out of the box, and straight into my phone, I played a random track from my reference playlist. First up was Isn’t She Lovey, by Livingston Taylor. This is a great reference piece. My first thought was WOW. The sound stage is expansive and open. There is great detail in all areas of listening. Bass is tight and fast, mid-range is forward and detailed and treble is smooth, but not detailed enough for my liking, given that these in ears are driven by a Dynamic micro driver, they tend to be more bass heavy, but by no means lacking in the top end.
 

The sound-signature is overall warm and listening to a range of music will satisfy most listeners. The inclusion of a microphone and volume controls will be great for people who want to replace their current stock headphones and keep the ability to make call, while also enjoy a better sounding in ear. These are made to work with iPhone/iPod. 
 
One of the major drawcards to these in ears is the sound isolation. I found these to be one of the best universal IEM for isolating external noise. Traveling on a train or walking around a busy city, you want to be able to listen to your music or call without damaging your ears with high volume, and these IEM’s achieve this remarkably well. This also helps with the overall sound that you get, as no ambience noise interferes with your music. The only drawback to such great isolation is you can’t hear other people telling you to move out their way, so be mindful.
 
Conclusion
 
The SE 112m+ is Shure’s entry level in ear headphone. Shure has been making great in-ears for a long time. Although it’s priced at $105, its can compete with in ears above this price point from other manufacturers. For customers who are looking for a great replacement headphone with the ability to call and control the volume, this is a great option. Shure is a known brand for high quality in ear headphones, and these don’t compromise on that statement.  
 
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Tech Specs

<>·Speaker type: Single Dynamic MicroDriver
<>·Sensitivity: 105 dB SPL/mW
<>·Impedance: 16 Ω
<>·Frequency Range from: 25 Hz
<>·Frequency Range to: 17 KHz
<>·Cable length: 127 cm
<>·Color: Gray

 
Firstly, like to thank Mike from Meelectronics for supplying the M9 Classic to review.
 
The new release of the M9 Classic is Meelectronics budget in ear headphone. Priced at $9.99USD, I was a little skeptical that they could make an in-ear that sounds decent, but I was wrong.
 
Packaging, Accessories and Build Quality
 
One way the M9 Classic is able to make a decent in-ear, for a low price, is to throw away traditional packaging design.
 
 
The phones come in a brown corrugated box, inside you get the in-ears, and 4 pairs of silicon tips. S, M, L and one pair of Double Flange. That is it, and that is all you need.
The in-ears are also 30% smaller than the previous M9, making it lighter and thus reducing the cost there as well. Made form Aluminum, the casing feels durable and should last.
They also used a tangle resistant cable, which I found to be true, but there was some microphonics coming through, but not enough to notice once music is running through.
 
Sound Quality
 
Before the review, I had given the M9 at least 15 hours of burn-in. The sound-signature is warm and smooth, with a good amount of bass. I get relaxed with the M9 sound signature, because it’s not fatiguing at all, I can listen to it for a long time without getting bored or tired of it. Because these in-ears are so light, I had them in for a fair few hours, and almost forgot that I had them on when the music stopped. They are very comfortable.
 
The Bass: M9’s bass is very punchy, and even though it uses a dynamic driver, it tends to be quite fast. It’s very accurate and well controlled and textured. Also, the fact that the whole sound-signature is balanced doesn’t mean that the bass lacks body, vice versa, it has a full body and it has enough weight to feel natural and real. The drums presentation is very unique in its naturalness and realism.
 
The Mids: The mids are quite neutral. They are very clean, clear and accurate, managing to reproduce impressive detail layers.
 
The Treble: The treble has good extension, like the mids, the treble is detailed and clear, but you feel that bass was more important in the design of this earphone. Still pretty good sound overall.
 
Conclusion
 
The M9 is ridiculously cheap. You don’t get fancy accessories or foam tips. What you do get is an awesome pair of aluminum in-ears, that are light, yet durable and has great sound to match. With 1 year warranty, Meelectronics have made an in-ear that will be hard to match with the price and quality.
 --
Specification

1. Drivers Dynamic, 9mm
2. Rated Impedance 16 Ω
3. Frequency Range 20Hz ˜ 20kHz
4. Sensitivity 95+3 dB @ 1 mW
5. Cable 1.3m, Tangle Free
6. Plug 3.5mm Right Angle, TRS Type
7. 13g Weight.

 
 

Firstly, like to thank Audrey from Brainwavz for supplying a S1 to review.​

 ​

 

​

 ​

 
Packaging, Accessories and Build Quality
 
The S1 comes in a stylish box with a magnetic closure. It comes with a good amount of accessories which include 6 Pairs of Silicone ear tips (S, M, L), 1 set of Bi Flange and 1 Set of triple flanged ear tips. Also included is a pair of comply foam tips, an air plane adapter and a nice clamshell zipper case.
 
The most notable feature of these earphones is the flat cable. This helps resist tangling and aid in less pulling when wearing it over the ear. I felt that the cable was a tad thick on the ear, and you can certainly feel that when it is wrapped around your ear. The housings are made from aluminium giving them good strength as well as remaining very light. The tip canal is angled to sit better in the ear and this helps make the S1 a very comfortable IEM. With the great range of tips, find the best solution is very easy, and isolation was good as well.
 
 Sound Quality
 
Before the review, I had given the S1 at least 50 hours of burn-in. There were some small changes, mainly in the treble area: Out of the box, there was some sibilance, though, after the burn in period, it almost disappeared. Also, the treble got a bit smoother, and it now extends better. The bass has now a bit more weight and body, and like the treble, it extends better too.
 
The sound-signature is, warm and smooth, with a good amount of bass. I get relaxed with the S1 sound signature, because it’s not fatiguing at all, I can listen to it for a very long time without getting bored or tired of it.
 
Bass: S1’s bass is very punchy, and even though it uses a dynamic driver, it tends to be quite fast. It’s very accurate and well controlled and textured. Also, the fact that the whole sound-signature is balanced doesn't mean that the bass lacks body, vice versa, it has a full body and it has enough weight to feel natural and real. The drums presentation is very unique in its naturalness and realism.
 
Mids: The mids aren't laid back but they aren't forward either; they’re quite neutral. They are very clean, clear and accurate, managing to reproduce impressive detail layers.
 
  Treble: The treble has very good extension, which gets even better after the burn in. Before the burn in, there was a lot of sibilance, but it got away when the S1 had passed the 50 hours of burn in. After the burn in, it got a lot smoother and non-fatiguing. Like the mids, the treble is detailed and clear, but you feel that bass was more important in the design of this earphone. Still pretty good sound overall.
 
 
Conclusion
 
The S1 is available from a number retailers, for about $59.50 For that price, I think they’re a great pair of IEM’s that offer fantastic sound quality. I would love to see a microphone/mobile version in the future, as I think more and more people are using their phones for listening these days. I consider these a very good all round earphone.
 
 ---
 
 
Specification

1. Drivers Dynamic, 10mm
2. Rated Impedance 16 Ω
3. Frequency Range 20Hz ˜ 20kHz
4. Sensitivity 93 dB @ 1 mW
5. Max Input Power 2 mW
6. Cable 1.3m, Y-Cord OFC Copper
7. Plug 3.5mm Gold Plated
8. Fitting Over Ear Style

Contents & Accessories

1. Foam Tips Comply S-Series (x1)
2. Silicone Tips Standard S,M,L (x6)
3. Silicone Tips Bi-Flange (x1)
4. Silicone Tips Tri-Flange (x1)
5. Airplane Adapter x1
6.   Hard Case x1
7.   Manual x1
8.   Warranty x1 (12 Months)

 

If you never heard of iSK headphones before, you may be forgiven because they mainly focus on professional Studio and Broadcast Microphones plus Recording and Live Performance Microphones. As mentioned on their website,
 

"iSK Microphones, supply high quality professional Studio and Broadcast Microphones plus Recording and Live Performance Microphones and Accessories. iSK goal is simply, to deliver outstanding quality in sound reproduction and build specification at an affordable price."
 

So as a headphone manufacture iSK is a relatively unknown, and thus make a perfect candidate for reviewing their earphone line.

 
Firstly, like to thank Tom at swamp industries for sending two models to review. The sem5 is the current model, which you can find on their website, and the sem6 will be replacing it very soon, hence I got both models. Due to the earphones having the same driver and casing, I will focus on the sem6. The only difference between the two, is the updated look and more accessories.

 

 
Packaging, Accessories and Build Quality

 

 
 
 
Included are 5 pairs of ear tips, Silicone (S/M/L) and Triple-flange (S/L), a cable cinch, and it also comes with a 6.35mm and a shirt clip, which I like to have with IEM's.
 
For the price of these in ears, the build quality is rather high; the cable is coated in the generic plastic,  and speaking of the cable, one of the more noticeable features is the length of the cable. At 3m long, it is more than double the size of most earphones. Although it is long for personal use on the move, it will suite anyone that requires length, ie at work pc, on stage or even recording. It does come with a Velcro band so you can tie up the extra length that you don't need. I would prefer if it was around 1.2 to 1.5m, with an extension cable that can be removed, but this is aimed more for recording then personal use.
 

 
Sound Quality

 

Like all my earphones, I always burn them in for a minimum 50hrs, but not before a quick listen to see how they sound straight out the box. Because the sem5 and sem6 have the same 10mm driver and housing, I will focus the sound review on the sem6. The only difference between the two IEM,s are the packaging, look and added accessories as mentioned before.

 

As with all my reviews, I test the earphones in two environments, one in the comfort of my house and the other playing V Drum.

 

So how does it sound? Playing off my iPhone in ALAC, they do truly sound amazing for the low price of $30. John Mayer's latest album Paradise Valley was my first listen and the track Wildfire really comes to life. Kick drum is punchy and the vocals cut through nicely. The guitar is silky smooth and these make for easy listening. A couple of tracks from this album, I felt the soundstage widened pass my ears and you really feel surrounded by the instruments.  Moving to one for my favorites for reviewing headphones is Livingston Taylor's - Isn't She Lovely. The beginning of the track really shows of a headphones upper Mids and highs with an intro of whistling. I did find some sibilance and some parts did make for a little harshness in the high end, but the rest of the track blended well and was nice and silky. 
 

 
 

 

Moving to some bass orientated music from The Xx, I think sem6 has found its home here, you will be blessed by bass and BASS. Not only tight bass, but one that can also extended and rumble. Most of my friends are blown by the bass response, and how sem6 still greatly performed in mids and treble region as well. If you wished to been attacked by bass, play Lindsey Stirling (Lindsey Stirling), see how well the bass response and instrument although a little bit backward, is still nice and enjoyable. Another nice track that showcase these lows is Blackmill's - Sarajevo (Blackmill Remix)

 

Now off to my trusted V Drums. Being these are designed to drop straight down from the ear and not the usually IEM over the ear design that you see from Shure or Weston, moving around is not the strongest point of the sem6, but you can still do it. Isolation was good using the regular round tips, I did find both sized triple flange tips did fit well, but when I pull the earphones out, the tips came off and stayed in my ears. So this is a little issue, but just might be my ears. The other tips did stay in and felt great for the 2 hours that I used them while playing the drums. The sound from the drums did sound great, kick was big and tight, cymbals was a little harsh, but not over powering.

 

Bass: You won't be disappointed. Being a dynamic driver, there is oodles of it. Lows are sem6 strong point. Using a frequency sweep app, i got down to 23hrz before losing the bass. The bass is punchy and tight, but could blend more with the mids. Bass heads will love these, as well as any listener who loves some thump in their earphones.

 

Mids: Quite good, I can’t say it completely satisfied my requirement for vocal representation, but the vocal voice is brought out nicely and has some sweetness, especially it is distortion free, real sound. Vocals are natural yet have good texture but need to be more evenly balanced in quantity to the highs and lows.

 

Highs: A little harsh at first, but after the burn in, it seamed to smooth out and become silky. Highs is not really lacking, it is present although don’t have the super crisp and extension that some offered, but it is quite respectable do blend better with the Mids and become silky as you listen more and more.

 

Conclusion

 

The iSK sem5 and the newer sem6 are very nice IEM's. There are little issues with the length of the cable and some tips not fitting as well, but overall for the price, the sound is good. Bass lovers will feel at home and anyone who wants a long cabled IEM. They are budget IEM's at $30, but they would not be out of place in the mid $50 to $100 mark. You can purchase these from different distributors around the world, and I do expect to see these become more available online through places like Amazon and eBay. 

 

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Specification:

 
*  Transducer Diameter:10mm

*  Impedance:16Ω

*  Sensitivity:95±3dB

*  Frequency Response:10Hz-22kHz

*  Cable Length: ~3m

*  Plug: 3.5mm / 6.35mm

*  Weight: 0.2 Kg.


 

 
 

 
Meelectronics started out in 2005, making MP3 players with a desire to bring customers exceptional sound quality at affordable prices. However, the sound quality of any player is dependent on the earphones used, so they developed their own. In 2010, they shifted their focus to earphones that provide durability, style, and exceptional sound quality. 
 
First off, would like to thank Mike form Meelectronics for sending me a review sample of the newly updated A151. The new model now includes and inline mic for phone calls, hence the model is now called A151p.  I received the sample earphones and was impressed worth the overall quality of the packaging considering that these in ears cost under $80, depending on where you purchase them. 

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Packaging, Accessories and Build Quality 
 
Standard retail packaging is expected for the price range, the earphones are pictured on the front, the box has chrome accents, which are also on the earphones themselves. The included accessories are a colour-matched carrying case (Black), which is quite small and the in ears just fit inside, there is also no inner place holder to wrap your cable around, so it takes a little longer to pack these up, but I expect most will just place the cable in their bag or a pocket loose, or even just wrap it around their phones. The carry case seems to be a standard across the range, as my M6 in ears have the same case, just a different colour.
 
 
Included as well are 5 pairs of ear tips, Silicone Round (S/M/L), Bi-flange ,Triple-flange and a cable cinch. The most notable absentee is the shirt clip. This became most notable when wearing these for a walk or playing drums. I did manage to grab one from my other in ears, but would still prefer this to be standard. Foam tips and a cleaning tool is also missing. 
 
For the price of these in ears, the build quality is rather high; the cable is a flexible twisted cable, similar to high end earphones from Westone. The IEMs are made of high quality plastic with chrome accents that neither looks tacky or cheap. You can wear these comfortable as a straight drop down or over the ear, but without a shirt clip; they do seem to pull a little. Also would like some memory wire to hold the shape on the ear.
 
Sound Quality 
 
As a single Balance Armature design, I was very interest in how these would do with bass heavy music, as well as playing on stage using my Roland TD-30. Firstly, I did burn them in as standard with any earphone I test; even tho BA (Balance Armatures) doesn’t need to be burnt in. Having done this I went straight to my favourite reference track to get a gauge on how these would fair to all my other earphones. Livingston Taylor's - Isn't She Lovely is a great reference recording that I would recommend to anyone who wants to test the highs, mids and lows of any system, being headphones or hifi.
 
When I put these in, I knew I had a nice set of in-ears. The warmth of these is beautiful. They really do sound more expensive than what you pay. The beginning of Isn't She Lovely starts with a Livingston whistling the tune, this really tests the highs, and I can say the A151's passed with flying colours. Sibilance was minimal, and the flow between the highs and mids was seamless.  
 Moving to some bass orientated music from Lindsey Stirling, the A151 stood its ground, but it didn't reach the lows that you can expect from a dynamic driver or multiple BA's. The bass is punchier, but sub lows are not as apparent. The sound is more suited to treble heads and people who like Mids. 
 
The second environment I used these is playing Roland V Drums (TD 30 K) in a live performance environment. As a drummer, having IEM's that fit and stay sealed is a huge positive, equally is the sound isolation. I found the isolation of the A151 to be great. 
 
The best fit was the standard round tips; they seemed to "suck" into the ear canal the best, creating great isolation. Not having a shirt clip, does restrict the movement that you can achieve without pulling on the cable. I also found that microphonics from the cable was reduce when I place a shirt clip on, so I would recommend you find a spare one. If you wear these straight down, then this does not really affect you. The sound from the Roland was a present surprise. The cymbals were the stand out, as they were very crisp, cutting through nicely. Kick was not the greatest, but you can't have it all with a single BA. Still, having a full band with vocals coming through your in ears, the A151p's did a great job.
 
With regards to the phone call abilities of the A151p's, it was a present surprise from my standard Apple earphones. The clarity of the call was great, and the person on the other side of the call noticed an increase in clarity when switching between the two. I did wish for more control on the mic, like volume buttons, but overall, it worked well. 
 
Conclusion 
 
The Meelectronics A151p earphones is a great buy, they can hold their weight with earphones double in price. The smoothness of sound and clarity are one of the best in-ears I have heard in the sub $80 price range. The sound is gentle and you can listen to these for extended periods of time without fatigue. Some minor accessories upgrades would be welcomed, but all in all, a great set in earphones. You can get these all over the internet from the popular sites such as eBay and Amazon, as well as from the friendly team at Meelectronics.
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Specifications
Driver: single micro balanced armature
Frequency response: 20Hz to 18KHz
Impedance: 27 Ohms
Sensitivity: 111 dB
Maximum power input: 30 mW
Connector: 4 pin stereo 3.5mm gold plated straight plug
Cable: twisted black 135 cm cable (53 in)
 

[size=36.0pt][/size]

  

[size=36.0pt]Meelectronics M6 Sports[/size]

 
[size=10.0pt]-------------------------------------[/size]
 
 Meelectronics started out in 2005, making MP3 players with a desire to bring customers exceptional sound quality at affordable prices. However, the sound quality of any player is dependent on the earphones used, so they developed their own. In 2010, they shifted their focus to earphones that provide durability, style, and exceptional sound quality. Their current line-up of headphones and earphones has won acclaim from audio enthusiasts and reviewers worldwide, but that hasn't stopped them from continually refining the line-up and developing new products; as as their website states "we won't bring anything to market if it doesn't meet our high standards!"


I received the sample headphones and was impressed worth the overall quality of the packaging considering that these in ears cost any between $20 to $40, depending on where you purchase them, and if you wish for an in-line mic to place calls from your phone. They come in a range of colours; I got a pair of Teal M6 Sports Headphones, without the mic. 
 
[size=20.0pt]Packaging, Accessories and Build Quality[/size]
 
Standard retail packaging is expected for the price range, the phones are viewable from the clear plastic front, and they look quite nice. The included accessories are a colour-matched carrying case, which is quite small and the in ears just fit inside, there is also no inner place holder to wrap your cable around, so it takes a little longer to pack these up, but I expect most will just place the cable in their bag or a pocket loose, or even just wrap it around their phones.
Included as well are 6 pairs of ear tips, Silicone (S/M/L), Bi-flange and Triple-flange (S/L), a shirt clip and a cable cinch, which is already attached to the cable. Most manufactures include some sort of foam tips these days, but none to be seen. There is also no cleaning tool.

For the price of these in ears, the build quality is rather high; the cable is coated in the generic plastic, like OEM Apple headphones. They call these “sports” earphones due to the M6 fitting securely and provides long term comfort, eliminating the need to adjust your earphones. This is achieved by using an over-the-ear design with memory wire. The memory wire is flexible, conforming to the shape of your ear, yet remembers its shape for future use. This is also helpful for musicians who move around a lot, especially drummers.
 
[size=20.0pt]Sound Quality[/size]
 
I tested the M6 in two environments. First was in the comfort of my home. Playing from my iPhone, using my favourite Test album B&W Very Audiophile New Recording Collection ripped to ALAC. If you can get a copy of this album, it’s got some great tracks to listen to, and amazing to use as a reference album. Listening through the M6, you immediately notice that these have a lot of bass, which I think most of the cheaper in ears are starting to do, this really caters towards regular listeners who want that thump over a more natural sound; which most Audiophiles want in a headphone. This is by no means a bad thing, it's just I wouldn't recommend these if you want it for critical listening.

The second environment I used these is playing Roland V Drums (TD 30 K) at my local church as well as practicing on my acoustic kit at home (DW). As a drummer, having IEM's that fit and stay sealed is a huge positive, equally is the sound isolation. I found the M6 to be reasonable at both. Because of the memory wire, you are defiantly able to lock them in position, and using the triple flange ear tip, they seal great. From the Roland, the sound is prominent and big, nice bass from the kick, not boxy at all. Sound isolation when playing an acoustic kit is really good for the price of these in ears. If a CIEM (Custom In Ear Monitor) is a 10/10 for isolation, and Apple's stock ear phones are a 1/10 for isolation, then these would sit around a 7/10. If you are playing with some music, iPhone volume around half way, then you can just hear the drums in the background. I would definitely recommend these for musicians, especially drummers with a low budget. 
 

Bass: Lows are M6's Strong points. Good deep low bass but not several tons of it. These feel so much lighter to listen to; it’s there deep and low but no great hump of it rising toward the midbass range. This mid-bass hump gives a good overall balance, has great impact and body
 
Mids: Mids are much cleaner with a slight V shape. They are very evenly balanced in quantity to the highs and lows. Not too dry, not too wet.
 
Highs: Many complain that M6's Highs are unbearable and too harsh. I didn't find this at all, rather that the highs were lacking compared to the bass. They sometimes get too sibilant at first. Burn-in compensates it somehow. (50 hours minimum) The soundstage as usual for a dynamic it's pretty good. I'd place these as better than average with decent airiness.
 
[size=20.0pt]Conclusion[/size]
 
The Meelectronics M6 Sports Headphones are one of the best budget in-ears I have heard. Their sound is for bass lovers and the isolation is great for the price. Having a range of colours and options for a mic, these are a great buy for anyone who what's an in ear at a budget price. Meelectronics are available in most retail stores and online.
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[size=20.0pt]Specification[/size]
Driver: 9 mm ultra- high performance drivers with neodymium magnets 
Frequency response: 20 Hz to 20 kHz
Impedance: 16 Ohms at 1K
Sensitivity: 98 dB (1mW at 1KHZ)
Maximum power: 30 mW
Memory wire: stainless steel
Connector: 3.5mm gold plated, right angle connector
Cable: matched 130 cm (51 in) cord with attached shirt clip.