MrWhitecloud
New Head-Fier
This is the first time I’ve ever done a product review, so I should preface it with a few things before I go into the actual review.
1) Unlike 99% of you, I’m far from being an expert. I’ve been a radio personality/dj for the past 20 years, and I’ve been singing in rock bands for the past 17 years. Headphones have always been a tool of the trade for radio and recording, not as much in the realm of actually enjoying what comes through them. I sang for KRoM (pronounced Chrome, rock band) in Abilene, TX, 3 Quarters Dead (Goth Rock/Metal) in Winston Salem, NC, Darque Carnival (Metal) in Reno, NV, and the drummer Rick and I formed Seasons of Insanity (Southern Rock) in 2006 which is still going strong, as well as the side project I’m singing and writing for, 4the22, a rock band that gives the funds from the sales of each song to veteran nonprofits. I was born into music with a musician for a father, and I’ve lived my life through music and military through my father’s (Air Force) and my own service (Navy). You might say I’m an expert on music in general, but I’d debunk that, as I’m consistently learning and being fascinated by more every single day.
2) As this is my first product review, I may go into side reviews about things that have nothing to do with the actual product, such as music and my headphones. I’ll keep these brief as they aren’t the topic of discussion, but are worth noting due to their significance of the product I’m ultimately reviewing. If you’re hoping for any technical specs in my review, you’ll be disappointed because I am not that professional…yet. I still believe miniature unicorns made this product during Christ’s baptism, so my terms tend to veer here and there. I will say that if you offend easily turn back now or prepare to be scarred.
3) I never knew that products such as this Astell & Kern even existed until a month ago. Some very dear friends of mine, Dan and Dave, were in Vegas for a weekend and I decided to go visit. They took me to this amazing shop called “The Audio Video Boutique”, where the owner was amazingly friendly and the store was a cross between a super fancy “Pier 1” style store (no offense intended, I simply know of nothing else even remotely close to compare it to, and where I come from that’s Iggy’s kind of Fancy) and a audio hardware store on steroids. I was blown away! I even witnessed a man buy $10,000 worth of personal listening gear as if it were nothing! I must remember to get his name and number later, might come in handy if this review makes me homeless. However, the ultimate reveal for me was when I saw the Astell & Kern devices on the coffee table. I’d never known these devices even existed, and referred to them as juiced up, expensive iPods (trust me, I cringe at the thought now thinking back at that initial revelation. This is anything but…but I’m sure you can understand my noob reaction). Warren Chi @warrenpchi looked a bit entertained at my new ground-shaking discovery. Dan said, “I have an old one you can borrow if you’d like” to which I replied, “Yes please!” So if I sound a little overzealous at times during this review, just go with it. If I offend you, unless you’re Dan, then find it in your hearts to forgive me, as this is my first review ever…like I said in the title. These views are mine alone, unless you also enjoyed “The Breakfast Club” which would make you one of the cool kids. Oh and I love Dan and Dave, I think. (@Stillhart and @Hansotek ).
PSA rant over, moving on.
March 25, 2019 at 6:20 am: I am stepping onto a plane going cross-country to Washington D.C. via Chicago Midway from Reno, Nevada. I knew it was going to be a super long day, so I decided to bring my newly borrowed Astell & Kern AK100 II with me to give it the full run. You should know that unlike the majority of you, my Sony WH-1000XM2 headphones are the most expensive, and nicest headphones I’ve ever owned. They are also the best noise cancelling headphones on the market (according to extensive research involving Google and a bottle of scotch), so when my wife bought them for me for Christmas I certainly didn’t complain. Still nothing to shake a stick at, but certainly not your custom built, multi-thousand dollar headsets with even more expensive amps and extras. I turn on my device and plug in my headphones, turn it up to 100, and the first song that starts playing as we start up the runway was, “Tie Your Mother Down” which was the perfect soundtrack to watching the asphalt and city start to melt away. I easily got lost in the whirlwind of instruments and musicianship, more than likely annoying anyone sitting behind me watching me bop my head like I was having the time of my life in this narrow-seated, high-flying death trap.
Now before I go any further I also need to state that the music on this glorious device was actually provided by Dan on a mini SD card, so I had no idea what I would be listening to next. I knew it would be something recognizable or weird as hell because he reviews headphones and has certain songs that test the limits of his cans. Either way, I knew I was in for a treat, so I held on for the ride. At least, that’s what I planned…until the next song started. “I’m a Barbie Girl, in a Barbie world…” WHAT THE HOLY HELL DAN?! My ears have been tainted and I feel cheap and used. Surely he planted that in the mix just to mess with me! Either way, you owe me a shot the next time I visit buddy. I skipped forward, this time a little hesitant about my life choices.
What happened next can only be described as an eargasm. African drums started playing a beat that made my feet start to move in a positive affirmation of joy. Then, all of a sudden, an Irish fiddle starts playing in the background! Then a bagpipe and acoustic guitars! Oh sweet baby Jesus! Please tell me, what is this fusion that could cause me to consider having another child even though I’m 42 years old?! Afro Celt Sound System, “Colossus” was the name of the group and song, but it gets even better…there are two albums of this sweet ear candy on this device! I’ll splurge later; you can bet your sultry 1980’s hot pants on that.
Paul Simon, Led Zeppelin, 2Pac, 10,000 Maniacs, Collective Soul…so far, so good! Backstreet Boys (I hate you so much right now, Dan!), then Def Leppard, The Police, The Alan Parsons Project…back on track! Celine Dion sounded so close to me that I could almost feel her breath on my neck! Great…now I have to hold a magazine strategically in my lap for the next three minutes (yes three minutes, I’m an overachiever, ladies). Overall, minus the two moments when I feared for my potential loss in taste of music (Dan, we need to have a “Come to Jesus” talk later, k?), I’m blown away! Not as much by the mixture of music preloaded on this device, but this aluminum-brushed box of holy goodness sent from the heavens and crafted by God himself! This tiny rectangle has so much power! I easily caught distinct sounds in songs that I’ve heard a thousand times before but never noticed. Harmonies that once were three part, but now were five part now that I could actually discern them. A triangle softly in the background of a Porcupine Tree song that was so squashed in iTunes compression that it was nonexistent before. The Gregorian Chant-like vocals in the background in the Steel Dragon song from the movie “Rock Star” that Mark Wahlberg lip-synced like the pros, Mariah Carey and Jessica Simpson. Three and a half hours blow by in a whirlwind of what can only be labeled as a love/hate relationship with Dan’s choice in listening pleasure and weird looks from the people sitting around me. I’m starting to wonder if the wife and kids are a front, Dan…
I know this is my first review and it’s on an older product, but seriously WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN ALL MY LIFE?! Do you have a sister, and can I afford her? Can we go out? I felt compelled to give you my virginity in a world full of professional reviewers simply because you sound THAT good! I heard things I never knew existed, sounds I wish I hadn’t, and stuff I can only describe as the lifeblood of sound. I can only pray that I get something else that I feel as strongly compelled to break my vow of keyboard silence for in the near future, because I feel like a young man again. You’ve may have found the secret to the Fountain of Youth. You might even consider naming your next born after me, I’d be ok with that.
Thanks for tolerating me, everyone. Going from my iPod to one of your audiophile products has been a huge eye opener. I fear for my wallet and my marriage. If you are a fellow veteran, welcome home and thank you for your service. If you aren’t, thank you for your constant support, patriotism, and love. I’m about to walk into my hotel right now, and I’ve got a date with some sweet African/Irish fusion. Until next time, crank it up and think of me or two female midgets rolling around in a child-sized swimming pool full of green Jell-O…whichever works for you. Either way, smile. Your face needs it.
Peace!
Shane Whitecloud
US Navy Veteran
1) Unlike 99% of you, I’m far from being an expert. I’ve been a radio personality/dj for the past 20 years, and I’ve been singing in rock bands for the past 17 years. Headphones have always been a tool of the trade for radio and recording, not as much in the realm of actually enjoying what comes through them. I sang for KRoM (pronounced Chrome, rock band) in Abilene, TX, 3 Quarters Dead (Goth Rock/Metal) in Winston Salem, NC, Darque Carnival (Metal) in Reno, NV, and the drummer Rick and I formed Seasons of Insanity (Southern Rock) in 2006 which is still going strong, as well as the side project I’m singing and writing for, 4the22, a rock band that gives the funds from the sales of each song to veteran nonprofits. I was born into music with a musician for a father, and I’ve lived my life through music and military through my father’s (Air Force) and my own service (Navy). You might say I’m an expert on music in general, but I’d debunk that, as I’m consistently learning and being fascinated by more every single day.
2) As this is my first product review, I may go into side reviews about things that have nothing to do with the actual product, such as music and my headphones. I’ll keep these brief as they aren’t the topic of discussion, but are worth noting due to their significance of the product I’m ultimately reviewing. If you’re hoping for any technical specs in my review, you’ll be disappointed because I am not that professional…yet. I still believe miniature unicorns made this product during Christ’s baptism, so my terms tend to veer here and there. I will say that if you offend easily turn back now or prepare to be scarred.
3) I never knew that products such as this Astell & Kern even existed until a month ago. Some very dear friends of mine, Dan and Dave, were in Vegas for a weekend and I decided to go visit. They took me to this amazing shop called “The Audio Video Boutique”, where the owner was amazingly friendly and the store was a cross between a super fancy “Pier 1” style store (no offense intended, I simply know of nothing else even remotely close to compare it to, and where I come from that’s Iggy’s kind of Fancy) and a audio hardware store on steroids. I was blown away! I even witnessed a man buy $10,000 worth of personal listening gear as if it were nothing! I must remember to get his name and number later, might come in handy if this review makes me homeless. However, the ultimate reveal for me was when I saw the Astell & Kern devices on the coffee table. I’d never known these devices even existed, and referred to them as juiced up, expensive iPods (trust me, I cringe at the thought now thinking back at that initial revelation. This is anything but…but I’m sure you can understand my noob reaction). Warren Chi @warrenpchi looked a bit entertained at my new ground-shaking discovery. Dan said, “I have an old one you can borrow if you’d like” to which I replied, “Yes please!” So if I sound a little overzealous at times during this review, just go with it. If I offend you, unless you’re Dan, then find it in your hearts to forgive me, as this is my first review ever…like I said in the title. These views are mine alone, unless you also enjoyed “The Breakfast Club” which would make you one of the cool kids. Oh and I love Dan and Dave, I think. (@Stillhart and @Hansotek ).
PSA rant over, moving on.
March 25, 2019 at 6:20 am: I am stepping onto a plane going cross-country to Washington D.C. via Chicago Midway from Reno, Nevada. I knew it was going to be a super long day, so I decided to bring my newly borrowed Astell & Kern AK100 II with me to give it the full run. You should know that unlike the majority of you, my Sony WH-1000XM2 headphones are the most expensive, and nicest headphones I’ve ever owned. They are also the best noise cancelling headphones on the market (according to extensive research involving Google and a bottle of scotch), so when my wife bought them for me for Christmas I certainly didn’t complain. Still nothing to shake a stick at, but certainly not your custom built, multi-thousand dollar headsets with even more expensive amps and extras. I turn on my device and plug in my headphones, turn it up to 100, and the first song that starts playing as we start up the runway was, “Tie Your Mother Down” which was the perfect soundtrack to watching the asphalt and city start to melt away. I easily got lost in the whirlwind of instruments and musicianship, more than likely annoying anyone sitting behind me watching me bop my head like I was having the time of my life in this narrow-seated, high-flying death trap.
Now before I go any further I also need to state that the music on this glorious device was actually provided by Dan on a mini SD card, so I had no idea what I would be listening to next. I knew it would be something recognizable or weird as hell because he reviews headphones and has certain songs that test the limits of his cans. Either way, I knew I was in for a treat, so I held on for the ride. At least, that’s what I planned…until the next song started. “I’m a Barbie Girl, in a Barbie world…” WHAT THE HOLY HELL DAN?! My ears have been tainted and I feel cheap and used. Surely he planted that in the mix just to mess with me! Either way, you owe me a shot the next time I visit buddy. I skipped forward, this time a little hesitant about my life choices.
What happened next can only be described as an eargasm. African drums started playing a beat that made my feet start to move in a positive affirmation of joy. Then, all of a sudden, an Irish fiddle starts playing in the background! Then a bagpipe and acoustic guitars! Oh sweet baby Jesus! Please tell me, what is this fusion that could cause me to consider having another child even though I’m 42 years old?! Afro Celt Sound System, “Colossus” was the name of the group and song, but it gets even better…there are two albums of this sweet ear candy on this device! I’ll splurge later; you can bet your sultry 1980’s hot pants on that.
Paul Simon, Led Zeppelin, 2Pac, 10,000 Maniacs, Collective Soul…so far, so good! Backstreet Boys (I hate you so much right now, Dan!), then Def Leppard, The Police, The Alan Parsons Project…back on track! Celine Dion sounded so close to me that I could almost feel her breath on my neck! Great…now I have to hold a magazine strategically in my lap for the next three minutes (yes three minutes, I’m an overachiever, ladies). Overall, minus the two moments when I feared for my potential loss in taste of music (Dan, we need to have a “Come to Jesus” talk later, k?), I’m blown away! Not as much by the mixture of music preloaded on this device, but this aluminum-brushed box of holy goodness sent from the heavens and crafted by God himself! This tiny rectangle has so much power! I easily caught distinct sounds in songs that I’ve heard a thousand times before but never noticed. Harmonies that once were three part, but now were five part now that I could actually discern them. A triangle softly in the background of a Porcupine Tree song that was so squashed in iTunes compression that it was nonexistent before. The Gregorian Chant-like vocals in the background in the Steel Dragon song from the movie “Rock Star” that Mark Wahlberg lip-synced like the pros, Mariah Carey and Jessica Simpson. Three and a half hours blow by in a whirlwind of what can only be labeled as a love/hate relationship with Dan’s choice in listening pleasure and weird looks from the people sitting around me. I’m starting to wonder if the wife and kids are a front, Dan…
I know this is my first review and it’s on an older product, but seriously WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN ALL MY LIFE?! Do you have a sister, and can I afford her? Can we go out? I felt compelled to give you my virginity in a world full of professional reviewers simply because you sound THAT good! I heard things I never knew existed, sounds I wish I hadn’t, and stuff I can only describe as the lifeblood of sound. I can only pray that I get something else that I feel as strongly compelled to break my vow of keyboard silence for in the near future, because I feel like a young man again. You’ve may have found the secret to the Fountain of Youth. You might even consider naming your next born after me, I’d be ok with that.
Thanks for tolerating me, everyone. Going from my iPod to one of your audiophile products has been a huge eye opener. I fear for my wallet and my marriage. If you are a fellow veteran, welcome home and thank you for your service. If you aren’t, thank you for your constant support, patriotism, and love. I’m about to walk into my hotel right now, and I’ve got a date with some sweet African/Irish fusion. Until next time, crank it up and think of me or two female midgets rolling around in a child-sized swimming pool full of green Jell-O…whichever works for you. Either way, smile. Your face needs it.
Peace!
Shane Whitecloud
US Navy Veteran
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