Today, we put FiiO's FA7s six balanced armature driver set to the test as we aim to see how this updated circular shell design and modern aesthetics combines with a world-class unboxing experience, excellent modular cable, and rarely seen 2+2+2 triple crossover system at well under $500!
MOONDROP impressed us every time to date with its good value-for-money IEMs at different price points. Today, we examine one of its least expensive sets. The $20 Chu aims to re-define what budget earphones are capable of. It features metal shells and MOONDROP's excellent tuning while throwing in a full set of Spring Tips to help seal the deal!
Tripowin impressed previously at the $50 and $100 price points for in-ear monitors, and we now examine its latest offering that costs just $25! The Tripowin Leá uses a single dynamic driver tuned to meet audiophile expectations, and it works well for general media consumption, too.
Japan-based audio powerhouse final audio joins the wireless ANC headphones market with the UX3000 and its novel Shibo coating that makes this a premium-feeling set without it breaking the bank. Using new dynamic drivers with a custom tuning and DSP-based EQ, this is a good balance of cost, hardware controls, and sound signature.
Raptgo is a house brand of an OEM with years of experience. It now aims to show off its know-how with the new Hook-X open-back, hybrid driver IEMs using a novel combination of a larger full-range planar magnetic driver and bone conduction style piezoelectric elements to generate a unique sound signature worth checking out!
1MORE completes its current TWS earphone cycle with the new EVO flagship hybrid ANC earphones. It adopts a dual-driver setup and LDAC codec support to distinguish itself in a crowded market, and adds a feature-rich app combined with touch controls and tuning from a Grammy-award winning artist to seal the deal.
HiBy steps beyond its forte of technological engineering to put out a new set of wired IEMs that employs a carbon nanotube-based dynamic driver. It comes in three vibrant color options and boasts a highly ergonomic design paired with premium accessories, all while claiming to make vocals shine brightly.
HiBy is a popular brand in the audio world for its digital audio players (DAPs), and we examine its latest offering, the new R5 (Gen 2) player that offers a good balance of sound quality and efficiency on top of a dedicated Class A amplifier mode and the highly configurable HiBy mobile OS.
Sivga Audio's set of open-back Phoenix headphones uses the same self-developed 50 mm dynamic driver we saw in the closed-back Robin, as well as gorgeous wooden ear cups, but ups the ante with better accessories and build quality in addition to a more proficient tuning that makes the total package well worth the money.
64 Audio introduces its latest and least expensive set of universal IEMs with the new Duo, which uses a hybrid driver configuration of one dynamic driver, one tia driver, and more innovative technologies than you can count! It's a highly open set in more ways than one and executes a warm and smooth sound signature quite well.
Effect Audio is a Singapore-based audio brand famous for its unique, modular earphone cables. This modular aspect has carried over to its new Axiom in-ear monitors with compatibility for different cable types and tuning changes courtesy a novel modular unit implemented in these premium IEMs that merit a detailed look!
HIFIMAN continues its technology trickle-down with the all-new Edition XS. It is the least expensive teardrop-shaped open-back, over-ear set from the company and features stealth magnets as well as a much thinner, more responsive diaphragm than its predecessor to make for excellent headphones at a reasonable price.
1MORE updated its popular ColorBuds lineup of TWS earphones with even more technological features to improve the user experience. The ColorBuds 2 comes in three color options and has wireless and fast charging, hybrid ANC, Bluetooth 5.2, and native SoundID integration for a personalized sound signature at under $100.
Today, we check out the HarmonicDyne Zeus, an open-back, over-ear set that uses an attractive combination of walnut wood and a stamped grille with a premium hard case and thick cable to make it seem like a luxurious audio solution for audiophiles and the general public alike.
LETSHUOER joins the planar magnetic IEM train with the new S12 in-ear monitors. It uses large 14.8 mm planar drivers fit into a small, ergonomic aluminium alloy shell to make for an attractive combination of aesthetics, build quality, decent tuning for multiple music genres, and comfort without hurting the wallet too much.
Audeze caps off a productive 2021 with the LCD-5, its hotly anticipated new flagship. The LCD-5 is a genuine contender for the best headphones in the world because of unfathomable detail retrieval and an accurate sound signature, which makes it a favorite among award-winning music artists and audiophiles who want the best!
Sennheiser aims high with its new TrueResponse dynamic driver system for a new generation of true wireless earphones, and we examine its budget-friendly CX True Wireless in more detail. It comes in two color options and promises long battery life by keeping things simple and effective.
Monoprice is back at it with the Monolith series of audio products, and this time we‘re taking a look at its new closed-back over-ear offering: the M1070C. It is a planar magnetic set that comes with two different stock pads and a clean aesthetic to appeal to different customers, all without hurting the wallet too much!
The SPC Gear VIRO Infra is a fantastic €38 analog gaming headset. Because of its great sound quality, excellent microphone, and outstanding wearing comfort, this is without question our new reference budget gaming headset!
Astell&Kern is a premium audio brand known for its DAPs, but it has several headphones and IEMs in collaboration with others. The AK ZERO1 is the company's first self-developed set of IEMs, and it has many engineering chops courtesy a tribrid driver configuration with a unique planar magnetic driver and vocal-first tuning.
ThieAudio has been on a roll off late with appealing IEMs at various price points. Today, we look at its latest and greatest: the V16 Divinity flagship. It employs a whopping 16 Sonion and Knowles balanced armature drivers combined in a complex 5-way crossover per channel and aims to be a technical masterpiece for years to come.
DUNU is back at it with an impressive set of IEMs that don't break the bank. The TITAN S takes inspiration from a cyberpunk world for its design language, and pairs a neutral-bright tuning with good build quality, excellent cable, functional carry case, and plenty of ear tips to make for a sub-$100 attraction.
Sivga Audio is a relatively new brand out of China that aims to bring good-looking, well-built headphones to a more affordable market segment. Today, we examine the Sivga Robin (SV021) which comes in two wooden ear cup finishes and uses a well-tuned 50 mm dynamic driver for mainstream appeal at a nice price.
SeeAudio has paired up with noted IEM reviewer Crinacle to release an improved version of its well-regarded Yume IEMs. The new Yume Midnight gets a bass boost and extended treble on top of a reworked acoustic chamber for enhanced technicalities, as well as updated accessories.
The Meze Audio Liric is a premium set of portable closed-back headphones developed in partnership with Rinaro Isodynamics. It uses a hybrid array, dual voice coil planar magnet drivers paired with many other novel engineering systems to make for a luxurious and comfortable listening experience on the go.
