The $120 Corsair's Void Wireless v2 nails it: engaging sound, excellent wearing comfort, dual wireless connectivity, and Dolby Atmos - all at half the price of premium rivals. Find out why this might be the new best headset in its price bracket.
Featuring graphene speaker drivers, Dolby Atmos support, dual wireless connectivity, and a 60-hour battery life, the Corsair Virtuoso MAX Wireless is the company's new flagship gaming headset. Is it worth the $330 price tag?
The Lime Ears TERRA is the Polish IEM brand's latest and arguably greatest release yet, given it has already won many hearts and opened even more wallets thanks to its competent warm/bassy tuning which works for nearly every music genre. This is combined with excellent build quality and catchy aesthetics to be a strong kilobuck contender.
Dan Clark Audio shakes up the premium closed-back headphones market with the NOIRE X, bringing the brand's patented AMTS technology in its most affordable entry yet. The NOIRE X also uses the same, excellent industrial design from the far more expensive E3, and gives you a good execution of the Harman Over-Ear tonality for the money.
Softears makes a grand debut on TechPowerUp with its Studio4 in-ear monitors. Designed for studio/stage use, the Studio4 has a cult following from audiophiles too who find its reference sound signature working as a good all-rounder with various music genres, while also offering a good balance of accuracy and engagement alike.
PowerColor ventures into the gaming headset market with the Alphyn AH10, a $100 wireless entry with a 30-hour battery life, DTS Headphone:X virtual surround sound, and wide multi-platform support.
ThieAudio introduces bone conduction drivers to its IEM line with the new Origin, a quadbrid set using a combination of DD/BCD/BA/EST drivers to put out a fun and colored sound that goes bass-first, yet has something of note in the mids and treble too. The Origin is also available with several faceplate options for added customization.
HEDD Audio provides an alternative take to the more analytical sound from the innovative HEDDphone TWO with the brand new HEDDphone TWO GT, which uses rarely seen AMT drivers in a warmer, more musical tuning while retaining excellent detail retrieval in the same innovative and premium chassis from before.
INTUAURA is a new IEM brand that has a lot going for it, to the point where it's already making IEMs for other more known brands. It uses single dynamic drivers with DSP cables to put out good quality sound with different tuning styles, including for its flagship Lakeview that we examine today.
HIFIMAN brings its new Unveiled driver tech to the Arya line, with the new Arya Unveiled making a strong case to be the default $1000-2000 open-back headphones recommendation. It improves upon the predecessors with better quality vocals while maintaining excellent technicalities, and offers a neutral and fatigue-free tonality that will interest many audiophiles.
The DUNU DK3001BD is a unique specialist set that goes for a strong subwoofer sound signature, prioritizing instrumental music over vocals. It adopts a cyberpunk-inspired design for its white metal shells, matched with a white premium modular cable and storage case.
HIFIMAN brings its daring new unveiled driver technology to the HE1000 line with the HE1000 Unveiled! This open-back premium planar magnetic set of headphones is not as nerve-wracking to use as the Susvara Unveiled, yet gives you the same benefits of better vocals, more accurate timbre, and smoother treble.
Poland-based Craft Ears may be new to the IEM world, yet its flagship Omnium proves it is highly capable. Using a novel tuning via a DD/planar/BA tribrid configuration and available in UIEM or CIEM versions, the Omnium is a specialist that takes lessons from HIFIMAN to render a truly memorable and competent sound signature.
FiiO's latest entry to over-ear headphones brings us the closed-back FT1, which uses wooden ear cups and a well-designed chassis combined with one of the better tunings seen in closed-back sets to appeal to audiophiles and gamers too. It's also quite comfortable, comes with good accessories, and is affordable enough to merit attention.
Sennheiser adds to its studio headphones line with the HD 490 PRO. It uses the brand's latest generation dynamic drivers in a new chassis that looks neat and functions even better. Add to this a few clever tweaks throughout and a fully-featured $99 DAW plugin, and the HD 490 PRO makes a compelling argument to be your new music mixing/mastering/producing set of headphones.
MOONDROP updates its budget-friendly Quarks line of IEMs with the Quark2 that uses a single dynamic driver with acoustic filters in a small shell for added comfort. It's paired to a fixed cable that contains a DAC/amp ending in USB Type-C to directly connect to your phone, and offers an in-line microphone with integrated controls too.
MIRPH Design is a one-man operation based out of Germany which aims to take on the more established headphone brands with the MIRPH-1, an open-back dynamic driver set using Peerless 50 mm drivers in a way no one has seen before. It has a uniquely appealing warm and smooth sound which still manages to be extremely wide sounding.
IEM newcomer I\OAudio is back with the SOGNO, a hybrid driver set using a novel 2 DD/6 BA configuration with one of the dynamic drivers aiding two BA drivers in the treble. It goes for a Harman-style tonality and aims to compete favorably from a value proposition by offering a premium accessory set and nice looking shells/faceplates too.
HIFIMAN adds to its electrostatic headphones lineup with the Mini Shangri-La, released alongside the Mini Shangri-La amplifier. The entire system costs signficantly less than some e-stats do by themselves and offers a comfortable, relaxed, yet resolving listening experience worthy of consideration.
Meze Audio releases its most affordable IEMs to date with the single dynamic driver Alba. It uses small shells ensuring a good fit and great comfort in the ears, and adds to the pleasant user experience with a fairly universally-appealing warm, U-shaped sound with a punchy bass and controlled treble while giving vocals and instruments their time in the spotlight too.
Altiat is a fresh name in headphones, but think of them as expert manufacturers who also make headphones. The CAL.1H is an affordable, open-back dynamic driver model with ear cups in wood or aluminum. The aluminum version comes in some of the coolest paint finishes available.
64 Audio enters the wild world of planar magnetic IEMs with the new Solo. It uses tech gained over the years and adds a novel implementation of Helmholtz resonators + electronic filter to make for the most controlled and smooth sounding treble of any planar magnetic IEMs I've tried to date. Add to this an open sounding presentation and unique aesthetics, and the Solo is a premium set that should interest many.
Final's $70 IEMs are well-built, comfortable to wear, and tailor-made for gaming. They excel in spatial awareness and offer a competitive edge in games that are highly dependent on quick reactions and subtle audio cues, such as multiplayer shooters.
The Sharkoon Skiller SGH10 is a €20 ($22) analog gaming headset, built around a suspended headband design, and with very high sensitivity, making it easy to drive even with low-power sources. What can a gaming headset with such a low price even offer?
The XPG PRECOG Studio claims to be the world's first balanced gaming headset. It's equipped with a powerful USB dongle with an ESS DAC and amplifiers, and comes with a surprisingly reasonable $60 price tag.
The MOONDROP COSMO is a premium set of open-back planar magnetic headphones which uses in-house developed drivers that can compete with flagships costing significantly more. It has issues with comfort and stock tuning, but benefits heavily from aftermarket pads and EQ.
PMG Audio made a big splash with its debut a few months ago. Today, we’re taking a look at its latest release, the Apx SE. This model builds on the already impressive Apx Amber, adding luxurious new accessories, a flagship cable, and a fresh design. The drivers and tuning have also been reworked to deliver a more balanced, yet still highly resolving and engaging sound—all at a lower price point.
Sitting at the top of Final's gaming IEM lineup is the $80 VR3000. It is in fact the oldest member of the family, and the VR2000 is essentially a slightly retuned variant.
ZMF puts its recently developed patented features into a more affordable set that is also designed to be easily transportable and driven, even off portable sources. The BOKEH is a closed-back set using snappy LCP dynamic drivers, the Atrium damping system, and Caldera pads to put out a highly engaging warm sound to please many.
The ASUS ROG Cetra True Wireless SpeedNova earphones offer both Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz connectivity, hybrid ANC and multipoint options, touch controls, and even extensive customization over sound and functionality using a first-party mobile and desktop program. Oh, did I mention there are also RGB LEDs?
The Final Audio VR500 wired in-ear earphones are affordable, unassuming, and deliver enjoyable performance for gaming and music. They’re worth checking out if you want good sound for your VR headsets or mobile gaming devices without breaking the bank.
The Audeze MM-500 is a debuting entry from a new product line of open-back planar magnetic headphones designed with the working professional in mind. Developed in collaboration with renowned mixing artist Manny Marroquin, the MM-500 offers highly detailed and accurate playback paired with excellent build quality too.
HIFIMAN's new planar magnetic flagship is one of the boldest designs ever made. The Susvara Unveiled builds upon the already-excellent Susvara and ditches the grilles for a fully open-back design aiming to improve sound quality and accuracy. It also has more efficient updated drivers tuned to be more engaging than before.
FiiO aims at the premium IEM market with its flagship FA19 earphones. These use 10 balanced armature drivers with some clever acoustic engineering to put out an esoteric tuning that works very well for vocals and some music genres similar to high-end offerings from others.
The Aune AR5000 is an open-back dynamic driver set of headphones that looks and feels more premium than it costs. It goes for a warm, relaxed tuning that will appeal to many people, but has compromises to be aware of. We pair it with the Aune S17 Pro Class-A headphone amplifier that offers up to 7.5 W per channel and makes for a smooth sound presentation.
Japan-based audio powerhouse final adds to its growing wireless ANC headphones lineup with the UX2000. It shares a lot with the more expensive UX3000, but goes for a more mainstream bassy sound signature to target a different customer base while still boasting decent active noise cancellation and onboard physical controls.
Elysian Acoustic Labs aims to take over the sub-$500 IEM market with its all-new Pilgrim hybrid driver IEMs. It uses CNC-machined aluminium shells with high quality drivers and Elysian's famous tuning touches to put out the premium brand's most affordable offering to date.
PMG Audio is a new IEM brand from the talented team behind Custom Art. It debuts with a big bang in the form of the Apx, a true TOTL set using a clever driver configuration paired with good engineering and a novel one-of-a-kind design to offer an engaging and highly detailed sound signature.
The ZMF Caldera Closed closed-back planar magnetic headphones manages to combine the bass impact and timbre of dynamic driver headphones with the tactility and low distortion of planar magnetic drivers. It goes for a cleverly implemented, colored tonality featuring multiple patented technologies, and uses ZMF's handcrafted wooden ear cups to make for a compelling flagship product.
Meze Audio updates its flagship LIRIC closed-back headphones to offer a new take on the warm sound signature it is known for. The LIRIC 2nd Generation now features Macassar ebony wooden ear cups, easily detachable ear pads, an updated driver setup addressing the harsh treble the original LIRIC did, and retains the excellent fit and finish too.
MOONDROP and IEM influencer Crinacle come together to release the highly anticipated DUSK, a new set of IEMs based off the Blessing 3. It re-works the driver configuration, comes with a new faceplate, and then tries to change the game entirely by including a DSP cable with app support to allow users to have six different tonalities to appeal to a wide range of preferances.
I\OAudio is a new brand entering the highly competive IEM market with the VOLARE—a tribrid set that aims to shake things up with what it offers both inside and out. Featuring a superb unboxing experience with great accessories, a clean-yet-fancy design, and a very competent sound signature, the VOLARE is worthy of attention, if not also your money.
Dan Clark Audio follows up on the flagship closed-back STEALTH with the more affordable but equally impressive E3. It uses a new generation planar magnetic driver coupled with a novel dual-mode bass port and custom acoustic metamaterials implementation to put out an accurate, balanced, and fun sound for a reasonable price.
The final Audio ZE8000 MK2 is a flagship set of true wireless earphones which does a lot different from the norm and yet in a mostly logical manner. It goes for a large, in-house developed dynamic driver paired with a dedicated DSP engine and Class-AB amplifier in a novel form factor to try and deliver high resolution sound without the wires.
The Scarlet Mini is FATFrequency's latest IEM and part of its impressive Maestro series of earphones which goes for a deliberate V-shaped tonality. While there is enough bass to meet everyone's needs and then some, the Scarlet Mini has relatively clean mids and impressive highs thanks to some innovative engineering, to be more than a 1-trick pony.
The Arya Organic is the latest iteration in HIFIMAN's popular Arya line of open-back planar magnetic headphones. This version goes for a novel driver implementation to put out a bass shelf that makes for a nightclub party for one while retaining the excellent comfort and fit the Arya is known for.
ZiiGaat is a new brand composed of engineers who developed some of your favorite IEMs from other brands. It enters the audiophile market with the Jupiter, a tribrid set in collaboration with IEM reviewer HBB, that aims to deliver excellent bass, clean mids, detailed but non-fatiguing treble with a smartly executed frequency response.
Sineaptic is a new brand wanting to shake up the audio market with its new ribbon driver headphones called the SE-1 which happens to open-back in operation while also being wireless in connectivity. It aims to combine the best of audio engineering and novel drivers with EQ modes and onboard controls at an affordable price.
The Custom Art Hybrid 3 Pro is a unique set of IEMs using two dynamic drivers and a planar magnetic driver for deep, impactful sound. You can adjust the bass response with an optional tuning kit, and they're also offered in Custom-fit IEM (CIEM) form for a personalized fit and finish, staying true to the brand's identity.
The Mirai is a set of IEMs borne out of a collaboration between established IEM brand DUNU and one of the most demanding IEM reviewers Precogvision. It goes for a colored tonality favoring several music genres quite well and showcases technical prowess on par with far more expensive IEMs to make for a compelling product for many.
The FiiO FT5 is a new planar magnetic set of open-back, over-ear headphones which goes for a deliberately warm tonality. It makes for a fun and engaging sound which, paired with the premium build, design, and accessories, can be very compelling given the <$500 asking price.
Westone Audio's AM Pro X30 targets live music performers and recording artists with its clever "StageSense" filter system that allows users to be able to hear their surroundings without removing the IEMs from their ears. It has three balanced armature drivers and also aims to provide a clean and accurate sound at the same time.
The Corsair HS80 MAX is a spiritual successor to the HS80 RGB Wireless. This $180 wireless gaming headset adds Bluetooth connectivity and Sonarworks SoundID Personalization technology, along with several other welcome changes.
HIFIMAN aims to break the boundaries of wireless audio with the Svanar Wireless. This flagship TWS set of earphones uses a proprietary dynamic driver as well as an industry-first implementation of an R-2R DAC and amplifier inside with the goal of putting out sound comparable to wired IEMs, not just other wireless earphones.
The AQIRYS Alnair is a $100 gaming headset offering dual simultaneous wireless connectivity and several features not commonly found in this price bracket, such as ANC technology and Transparency mode.
Shanling sets its sight on the more affordable side of the wired IEM market with the Sono. It uses two dynamic drivers and a custom balanced armature driver in addition to a tuning nozzle system to put out an engaging, bassy sound in a tiny form factor to also appease those with smaller ears.
The ZMF Caldera, priced at $3,500, is a standout flagship set of open-back planar magnetic headphones known for its distinctive warm sound, which has plenty of weight behind the tones. With its proprietary, patent-pending technologies, this customizable audio gem not only rekindles your music enjoyment but also doubles as a visually artistic piece.
ThieAudio updates its popular Monarch line of in-ear monitors with the Monarch MKIII. It uses a 10-driver tribrid configuration, including a dual DD isobaric setup, to offer excellent bass and mids reproduction. There are also several custom shells/face plate designs to choose from for an additional cost.
The Ploopy headphones are a love letter to open-source design. Not only featuring customizable hardware you can download the files of and 3D print yourself, Ploopy also offers a DIY kit or a fully assembled version depending on your preference. There is also open-source firmware loaded on a DAC/amp board with full EQ support!
The Dan Clark Audio STEALTH is a top-of-the-line closed-back set of headphones priced at $4000. It boasts exceptional comfort, impressive build quality, innovative engineering, and features in-house developed planar magnetic drivers. The result is a package that's capable of putting out a natural and resolving sound which is still fun to listen to.
Chinese IEM brand Binary Acoustics breaks into the international market with the Chopin. This is a hybrid driver set developed in collaboration with IEM influencer Timmy from Gizaudio and aims to present a musical set with plenty of bass and extended treble without sacrificing on build quality and comfort.
HEDD Audio puts its decades of physics and music experience into novel air motion transformer drivers for headphones. The new HEDDphone TWO is a highly capable over-ear, open-back set using AMT drivers for a unique, full-bodied sound presentation and an innovative headband assembly offering excellent fit and comfort.
Truthear aims to follow up on its impressive releases to date with its most expensive set to date called the NOVA. It uses a 1 DD/4 BA driver configuration in an updated, more comfortable shell design to put out a highly dynamic bass and smooth-yet-detailed treble response which follows the Harman in-ear target quite closely.
The 64 Audio Volür is a premium set of IEMs which has a full assortment of features including Apex modules, the tia driver, and LID. It adopts a true isobaric dual DD configuration for excellent bass reproduction on top of a new tia waveguide and seven other BA drivers for an extremely fun and engaging sound without compromising on details.
The Corsair Virtuoso Pro is a high-end open-back analog gaming headset aimed toward streamers and hardcore gamers. Its custom graphene speaker drivers deliver excellent sound quality, and it's impressively comfortable too.
The Status Between 3ANC builds upon the brand's top-seller, the Between Pro hybrid driver TWS earphones and adds in ANC in addition to a more mature tonality. It offers a highly customizable sound as well as more fit and seal solutions and two color options to be a good balance of form and function alike.
Today we put Meze Audio's flagship open-back headphones to the test. The ELITE uses Rinaro's unique planar magnetic drivers to put out a warm and relaxing sound that is well complemented by the comfortable design and striking aesthetics around it.
MOONDROP decides to showcase its capabilities with the new flagship Solis 2 that looks, feels, and sounds premium. It uses a tribrid driver configuration inside novel precious metal shells that get a unique artisanal design and puts out an extremely smooth sound which is still detailed and engaging.
HIFIMAN updates its popular HE1000 V2 with stealth magnets! The new HE1000 Stealth takes on the more expensive HE1000se by offering a bassier sound and being easier on the ears while retaining the same excellent comfort and fit to make for a compelling premium headphones offering.
MOONDROP updates its popular budget-friendly IEMs, the CHU, with the new CHU 2 that ditches the fixed cable in favor of a standard 2-pin offering. It also uses a new dynamic driver to put out stronger bass and improves the treble response with the goal of being a new $20 IEM benchmark.
AceZone makes a strong entry into the TechPowerUp review database with its compelling A-Rise gaming headset targeting professional players and competitive gamers alike. It uses a combination of active and passive noise cancellation along with specific EQ profiles to put out a non-fatiguing yet emphasized sound signature for FPS gaming with no noise floor or distortion.
The Campfire Audio Solaris Stellar Horizon is a re-envisioning of its popular, classic Solaris IEMs. It uses a new hybrid driver configuration with a dynamic driver and three custom balanced armature drivers in a stunning shell design to put out a warm, forward-facing sound backed by premium accessories and a great unboxing experience.
Sivga has developed an exciting new dynamic driver and uses it in the new Luan open-back headphones. It comes in two colors/wood finish options and presents an enjoyable warm-neutral tonality that plays well with a variety of music genres while also being highly comfortable and fairly affordable to further sweeten the deal.
FiiO aims to take on the crowded TWS earphones market with its FW3 and FW5 wireless IEMs. These utilize a premium audio design with larger dynamic drivers and even Knowles BA drivers in addition to independent AKM DACs in a compelling form factor with physical buttons for a rich user experience.
DUNU is synonymous with its original SA6 six BA driver set of IEMs and people have been eagerly waiting for news of its successor. Today we examine the new SA6 MK2 that aims to build on this winning formula with a refreshed aesthetic, excellent accessories, and an updated sound signature to take on the premium IEM market.
Dan Clark Audio pushes its patent-pending AMTS design into the e-stat headphone world with its flagship CORINA. This is an open-back set of headphones that aims to deliver an extremely smooth yet resolving sound across the board with accurate instrument playback and engaging vocals to make for a compelling end game audio solution.
Korean audio brand UCOTECH joins the TechPowerUp review collection with its new RE-2 single dynamic driver IEMs. It uses a Beryllium-coated diaphragm inside comfortable and durable shells to make for one of the more compelling offerings in its price range, as long as you use EQ.
Today we examine two of MOONDROP's recent offerings in the budget-friendly in-ear monitors market. The Droplet is a sci-fi inspired set of bullet-style IEMs using DSP to put forth a Harman-style tuning for the masses whereas the LAN builds upon the successful Chu by giving you all metal shells and a detachable cable.
Campfire Audio cuts the cord with its Orbit true wireless set of earphones. It uses the tried and tested Campfire design language from its wired IEM line but adds a refreshing coat of paint to put out a single dynamic driver set that aims to offer good sound, looks, and comfort alike in a premium package.
Truthear partners with IEM influencer Crinacle once more to bring out a new take on its succesful dual DD ZERO in-ear monitors. The new ZERO:RED re-works the drivers to present a completely different sound while retaining an impactful bass, clean mids, and a smooth treble response while still being budget-friendly.
QKZ enters the TechPowerUp review database with its dual dynamic driver entry, Khan, which is the product of a collaboration with IEM influencer HBB. It dedicates a large 10 mm driver as a sub-woofer for the bass while using a second driver for the mids and highs to present a bassy and punchy sound taking after the Harman target.
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 costs only a third of what SteelSeries is asking for the top-of-the-line Arctis Nova Pro gaming headset, while offering many of its features. That makes it an excellent choice for anyone looking for a USB gaming headset in the $100 price range.
The HarmonicDyne Athena is a rarely seen semi-closed set of over-ear headphones using side venting to get the best of both worlds. It uses a novel 50 mm dynamic driver fit into a well-designed chassis that is comfortable to wear and looks more expensive than it costs.
The $2000 HIFIMAN Svanar is a set of flagship single dynamic driver IEMs which uses the brand's unique topology diaphragm technology to put out a highly engaging sound with tremendous bass response. It's a high-end take on a V-shape tonality complemented by excellent comfort and isolation.
Kiwi Ears joins the TechPowerUp review database with its new Orchestra Lite set of in-ear monitors. Coming in two stunning color options, with a great cable, these in-ears punch well above its price class. Internally eight drivers are used to try and put forth a balanced sound with impactful bass, clean mids, and a smooth treble.
Westone Audio introduces a brand new line of in-ear monitors targeting music professionals and end users alike. Today we examine the entire MACH Series starting from the $300 1-BA driver MACH 10 all the way up to the reference class $1600 MACH 80 8-BA flagship to see how they differ from each other and what they can offer to you.
MOONDROP's long awaited Blessing 3 IEMs are finally here! The new set uses a 2 DD/4 BA hybrid driver configuration, including a rarely seen dual dynamic driver setup in a horizontally-opposed configuration, inside shells boasting improved ergonomics and aesthetics to try to once again define the $300 market.
The SteelSeries Arctis 7 Wireless is an excellent wireless gaming headset, offering good sound and microphone performance, excellent wearing comfort, as well as superb versatility thanks to its simultaneous wireless and Bluetooth connectivity.
FiiO enters the open-back, over-ear headphones market with the FT3. It uses novel 60 mm dynamic drivers with a Be-plated surround and a DLC diaphragm in a unique, all-aluminium chassis and is paired with a high-quality cable and two sets of ear pads for a refreshingly different warm-neutral sound without breaking the bank.
MOONDROP goes the digital signal processing route with its budget-friendly $15 Quarks DSP IEMs to have preset EQ filters over a Type-C connector for better tuning than many expensive earphones. The Type-C also makes it easy to use with phones and laptops and provides an in-line microphone for further convenience.
ThieAudio steps back into the headphones game with its first-ever dynamic driver open-back set. The new ThieAudio Ghost uses a novel 40 mm driver with a design built around comfort and aims to be the best tuned headphones from the brand while also being easy on your wallet.
Antlion Audio builds upon its microphone expertise to offer an excellent microphone cable for in-ear monitors! The all-new Kimura lineup consists of two cables and two IEMs and we take a look at how these offer a unique solution to those who prefer earphones over headphones/headsets but wanted a boom mic with simpler cable management.
64 Audio lowers the entry barrier to its universal-fit IEMs with the all-new U4s hybrid driver set. It uses a 1 DD/2 BA/1 Tia driver configuration paired with four sets of Apex modules, including the brand new m12 modules, to put out a smooth and customizable sound signature in a very comfortable form factor to be highly compelling in its price range.
LETSHUOER partners with IEM influencer brand Gizaudio to put out a stunning looking set in the form of the all-new Galileo. It uses a 1 DD/1 BA hybrid driver design for some of the better sounding mids at any price range, let alone the more wallet-friendly approach it takes.
XENNS returns with a new hybrid driver set of IEMs! The new Mangird Top uses a 1 DD + 8 BA configuration and adopts the Harman in-ear 2019v2 tonality for a research-based sound signature which is then improved upon for a more pleasant listening session, paired with a nice set of accessories to further sweeten the deal.
Edifier wants to take on the mainstream wireless ANC headphone brands with its new WH950NB over-ear closed-back set. It uses a 40 mm titanium composite driver with DSP and unique app-based presets, including parametric EQ, to put out a compelling sound that is complemented by impressive noise cancellation and ambient sound modes.
Custom Art steps into the tribrid IEM space with its new FIBAE 5 that uses a unique implementation of DD/BA/planar magnetic drivers to put forth an exciting and engaging sound. It provides plenty of bass without sounding one-note and also good treble energy without being overly fatiguing either to be a unicorn set worthy of learning more about!
Lypertek's flagship PurePlay Z7 true wireless earphones gets a price cut to make it an extremely compelling personal audio solution in 2023. It uses a 1 DD, 2 BA hybrid driver configuration combined with extensive app and physical controls to make for a good balance of sound and tech alike.
iBasso aims to use bio-cellulose dynamic drivers to their full potential with its new SR3 open-back headphones. These provide some of the most dynamic and punchy sound I've heard, which can be customized further based on the ear pads chosen. The SR3 also gets a good industrial design prioritizing comfort and build quality, making it well worthy of consideration.
TangZu Audio evokes past memories of the royal Tang Dynasty, aiming to shake up the $150-200 IEM market with its new planar magnetic set. The TangZu Zetian Wu uses a full range 14.5 mm planar driver to good effect for an excellent balance of tuning and technical performance while also boasting a neat design and good build quality too.
Noble Audio joins the TechPowerUp review database with its new flagship Viking Ragnar. It uses an impressive 10-driver tribrid setup paired with a deliberately colored tonality and places the audio experience inside unique shells with hand-forged Damascus steel face plates.
FiiO has updated its wallet-friendly set of well-tuned IEMs to appeal to entry-level music lovers worldwide. The new JD3 Black Edition goes for only $20 and comes with a more balanced tonality from an updated 9.2 mm dynamic driver paired with a semi-open acoustic chamber and an all-aluminium unibody construction for improved build quality. You even get an integrated microphone with line controls for the great price!
HIFIMAN introduces an inexpensive set of closed-back over-ear headphones using in-house developed dynamic drivers. The HE-R9 comes in wired or wireless options with the latter making use of the novel Bluemini R2R DAC/amplifier, and goes with a bass-first tuning that may well appeal to you.
Premium audio brand Astell&Kern partners with IEM mainstay Campfire Audio to put out the PATHFINDER with several unique driver and acoustic chamber technologies inside. This hybrid set comes with deluxe accessories and boasts a high-end build and design while aiming to be your personal audio end game.
ThieAudio wants to take on the emerging world of open-back planar magnetic headphones with its new $550 Wraith over-ear set. It comes with three pairs of ear pads to go with excellent build quality and comfort, making for nice looking headphones with some unfortunate issues to be aware of.
Truthear comes back with a 1-2 punch to the rest of the audio industry courtesy its take on the budget IEM space with the impressive $19 HOLA in addition to joining the portable DAC/amp market with the SHIO. The HOLA is a single DD set that is tuned better than many more expensive IEMs and the SHIO reminds me of a popular ~$200 product to where you certainly need to read this entire review!
Time for another 2-in-1 review as we cover MOONDROP's debut into the over-ear dynamic driver headphones market with the new open-back VOID headphones. It pairs well with the company's recently released DAWN 4.4 mm balanced dongle that provides plenty of clean power in a small form factor.
AFUL Acoustics is a new company aiming to shake up the competitive IEM market with its Performer 5 hybrid driver set. It uses a 1 DD/4 BA configuration paired with novel engineering and electronics to make for a compellingly smooth tonality and a highly comfortable listening experience at a reasonable price.
Truthear returns to the party with the 1 DD, 3 BA hybrid driver set called Hexa. It takes a lot of the successful features from the commercially and critically successful ZERO, and pairs the same dynamic driver with three custom balanced armature units for a more natural presentation and a further extended frequency response.
Sivga introduces its new closed-back set using a familiar 50 mm dynamic driver that gets tweaked for a new sound signature. The Sivga Oriole comes in two color options and builds upon the popular Robin, with better yokes that offer cup swivel and a bass-heavy tonality that also works well with a multitude of different music genres.
Tripowin partners once again with audio influencer HBB to update its popular Olina set of in-ear monitors. The new Olina SE gets an updated driver on top of a more balanced tuning to make a best-selling set all the more relevant for those who thought the original was too bright and fatiguing.
We get back into the popular Drop headphones collaboration game today with the Aeon Closed X. This is a closed-back, over-ear planar magnetic set made by US-based Dan Clark Audio, that adopts a purposeful dampening material-driven tonality and clever build/design to make for a highly comfortable and relaxing sound experience.
Custom Art holds true to its name as we debut the Polish audio brand with a deeper dive of its flagship FIBAE 7 Unlimited. Available as both UIEM or CIEMs, it uses an innovative flat impedance/phase technology to make the most of its seven balanced armature drivers, for a simultaneously pleasant and fun sound signature.
Nectar Sound is a US-based one person outfit that is making waves for its high-value, high-performance headphones. Today we examine their HiveX electrostatic headphones that aim to change the market entirely when it comes to bass response and overall sound presentation at an affordable price.
MOONDROP enters the over-ear headphones market with the VENUS. It is an open-back set using in-house developed planar magnetic drivers that fit into an all-metal housing, to make for good build quality paired with balanced tonality and decent technicalities, for a reasonable price.
FiiO adds to its popular hybrid driver line of in-ear monitors with the new FH7S, featuring a large LCP dynamic driver and four custom Knowles BA drivers. Expect a grand unboxing experience in addition to a customizable sound signature courtesy tuning filters, making this FiiO FH7S review worthy of your time.
MOONDROP enters the competitive planar magnetic IEM market with the STELLARIS. It's an intricate set with novel drivers placed inside impressive looking and feeling shells, but weighed down by poor fit and tonality to make this a divisive product at best.
Focal updates its $5,000 flagship Utopia headphones with several changes both inside and out. It continues the use of innovative speaker drivers with a pure beryllium diaphragm and pairs it with a new voice coil, warmer tuning, and a cleaner aesthetic, which makes the Utopia one of the very best headphones on the market today.
The HYTE Eclipse HG10 is a $100 no-nonsense wireless gaming headset that aims to sound fun and engaging, without bogging your system down with unnecessary software. From design to performance, it feels like a breath of fresh air on the overflooded gaming headset market.
7Hz jumps aboard the collaboration train now with its latest planar IEM offering. The Dioko is more budget-friendly and thus part of its new Salnotes sub-brand, and is tuned with Crinacle's help to have a clean, resolving signature in mind while retaining the design language from the 7Hz Eternal.
Enter the world of custom in-ear monitors with the LETSHUOER EJ07M, as we explore the process of getting your own CIEMs beginning with ear impressions, a custom design, and the various pros and cons of going this route.
Focal enters the competitive wireless ANC headphones market with the all-new Bathys. It is a $799 audiophile-centric set of over-ear, closed-back headphones with hybrid ANC, physical controls, app-based customization, and even a dedicated USB DAC mode that aims for a punchy and satisfying sound you can take on the go.
ZEPHONE aims to use its 25 years of experience in the audio space to target a more premium headphones market. The all new ZEPHONE Tiger uses custom planar magnetic drivers in a novel chassis design, with the goal of providing an authentic and enjoyable listening experience without breaking the bank.
LETSHUOER partners with HiFiGo and audio personality Z Review to bring out a customized version of its popular S12 planar IEMs. The new Z12 comes in black or gold (or both) colors while also introducing a new modular cable and a slight bass boost, with the goal of a more balanced and fun tuning.
HIFIMAN updates its popular Ananda open-back planar magnetic set to include stealth magnet technology, also overhauling the unboxing experience. The new Ananda Stealth goes for a neutral-bright tuning and offers a comfortable, enjoyable listening experience for fans of jazz and classical music alike.
MOONDROP chills us with a new snow-themed variant of their popular Aria in-ear monitors. This version uses a different dynamic driver and has a cool aesthetic paired with a unique set of accessories to grab your eyes and also potentially your wallet.
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro is an excellent gaming headset. While being analog, it comes with the GameDAC Gen 2, an external USB sound card with two USB-C inputs, and a host of exciting features.
Audeze and TechPowerUp both enter the untamed realm of electrostatic headphones with the CRBN. These $4500 headphones use patented transducers to produce one of the best bass responses I have ever heard, and this is paired with natural vocals reproduction inside a luxurious and highly comfortable chassis.
MUSE HiFi aims to make a strong debut in its own take on the planar magnetic driver IEMs formula with the MUSE HiFi Power. Using exclusive tweaks to the manufacturing process and drivers to create for a unique shell and acoustic chamber design results in a product you need to see to believe!
Ugreen aims to put its experience with high value, low cost electronic products into the audio space, with the HiTune T3 TWS earphones that also offer ANC and transparency modes at a wallet-friendly cost. They come in two color options, featuring touch controls and an interesting tuning you need to see to believe!
Sivga brings out a brand new dynamic driver using a beryllium-coated LCP diaphragm and installs it in a more premium set of headphones. The new Sivga SV023 puts out a warm, vocal-first tuning that is complemented by a wide dynamic range and good detail retrieval in addition to nice aesthetics and a satisfying accessory set too!
Symphonium Audio aims to re-establish what balanced armature drivers are capable of with its new flagship. The Symphonium Helios is the result of clever engineering and lots of elbow grease, and ends up being one of the most exciting IEM releases with good tuning, excellent technical performance, and much, much more!
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless is quite possibly the best wireless gaming headset money can buy. It's sleek, superbly comfortable, jam-packed with well-implemented features, and sounds great!
HarmonicDyne moves into the premium planar magnetic headphone world with the over-ear HarmonicDyne G200 featuring custom drivers that compete favorably against others priced a lot more, comes with fantastic accessories, and yet has some issues that we will address and solve in this review!
We take a step back in time to see how the HE1000se, HIFIMAN's 2018 release, fares today as we step into the flagship class of planar magnetic headphones. This article also covers a bespoke, truly customizable cable from Hapa Audio, and the two look absolutely gorgeous together, too.
Edifier introduces the new STAX SPIRIT product line beginning with the S3 that uses custom planar magnetic drivers and Qualcomm technology to bring out a unique set of Bluetooth headphones. It boasts of excellent tuning and detailed sound with two sets of ear pads, a long 80 hour battery life with quick charging, and even app-based customization to make this a highly attractive option for audiophiles on the go.
Truthear joins an extremely competitive IEM market with its first set called ZERO. In collaboration with known IEM reviewer Crinacle, this set offers a rarely seen dual dynamic driver configuration tuned to the Harman in-ear target to carve a niche market for itself without hurting the wallet either!
DUNU is celebrating its 20th year since establishment by adopting lessons learned along the way and combining them with new engineering concepts for the all-new VULKAN. It is a hybrid set of IEMs using a unique 2 DD/4 BA configuration and offers a new take on the U-shaped tuning formula to make it stand out from the crowd.
Today, we examine the extremely popular Audeze LCD-X (2021) set of open-back headphones to see how well it meets both studio monitoring and general consumer needs as a standalone product and in combination with Audeze and Embody's Reveal+ plug-in for a truly personalized audio experience.
ThieAudio follows up on the impressive but expensive Monarch MK.2 and V16 Divinity IEMs with a more palatable offering that innovates with a brand-new full-range dynamic driver. The Elixir aims to put forth a compelling combination of good tuning and great technicalities while looking like a flagship set, too!
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.
CCA joins the TechPowerUp review database with the CA24, a 12 balanced armature set that is an engineering spectacle to behold through its resin shells. It uses a 5-way electronic crossover, deliberately tuned V-shaped signature, and ergonomically shaped shells for comfort.
The Sharkoon Skiller SGH50 is a reasonably priced analog gaming headset. It is particularly interesting because of its high sensitivity, making it easily driveable by a wide selection of sound cards, including the most basic integrated ones. It offers good overall sound quality and a downright fantastic detachable microphone.
7Hz is back at it with a new release hot on the footsteps of the immortal Timeless. Aptly named Eternal, 7Hz is using a single large dynamic driver paired with unique aesthetics to celebrate its 10th anniversay as it aims to offer a dynamic parallel for those who don't get along with the planar drivers in the Timeless.
Dekoni Audio has made a name for itself with a variety of replacement ear pads for headphones, many of which offer enhanced comfort and different tuning characteristics over first-party options. Today, we examine its Elite Sheepskin offering for the Meze 99 series of headphones and compare it to the stock pads for the Meze 99 Neo.
64 Audio is near-synonymous with world-class IEMs routinely used by the who's who of music. The company has several patents to its name. Today, we examine its $3000 flagship-class U18t using 18 balanced armature drivers and incorporating its innovative Apex module and tia driver technologies.
Kinera impressed before with its modular IEM cable, and we now take a look at its new limited edition set of TWS earphones featuring a hand-painted and assembled custom design, hybrid ANC with transparency modes, pre-programmed touch controls, and tuning inspired by its IEM R&D experiences to date.
The LETSHUOER EJ07M is a testament to letting a product shine by keeping things simple and executing them well. It is a tribrid set that aims to be a harmonious mix of accuracy and fun for both monitoring and enjoying music, and comes in two color designs in addition to a custom-fit option.
The Tripowin x HBB Olina is born out of a collaboration with an audio reviewer (HBB) and aims to put a popular dynamic driver used in a much more expensive set of IEMs into a more affordable package. It is tuned for more widespread appeal and placed in very comfortable and pleasant-looking shells to interest many looking for IEMs at the $100 price point.
HIFIMAN's tried-and-tested stealth magnets technology trickles down to the budget-friendly HE400se open-back, over-ear planar magnetic headphones. This is a well-tuned set that outperforms many others costing significantly more, and does so without many compromises. Oh, did I mention that it's less than $150?
Lypertek fills the missing gap in its product lineup with hybrid ANC support on its new PurePlay Z5. This is a true wireless set strong on technological features, including wireless charging for the case, fast charging for the earphones, well-executed touch controls, and a feature-rich mobile app—all for a reasonable price.
Another two-for-one, and we happen to move up the price ladder, too, to $2000. The Lime Ears Pneuma is a fairly unique hybrid set of IEMs for using a dynamic driver as a sub-woofer and a switch for two tuning signatures to good effect. It is paired with the Hapa Audio KnØt IEM cable that aims to raise the bar for aftermarket customizable cables.
Mangird is now XENNS, and builds upon its impressive Tea IEMs with the newer XENNS UP. It is a tribrid set employing seven drivers for a promised extended frequency response coupled with audiophile tuning and technicalities, as well as individually hand-painted face plates that make for a unique set each time.
FiiO, via its sub-brand Jade Audio, has released a wallet-friendly set of well-tuned IEMs to appeal to entry-level music lovers worldwide. The JD3 uses a custom 9.2 mm dynamic driver paired with a semi-open acoustic chamber and an all-steel unibody construction for improved build quality, and throws in an integrated microphone with line controls for a great price!
Padmate is an audio brand with plenty of experience and resources backing it. It has successfully used crowdfunding for its TWS products, and we now get to examine the PaMu Z1 aiming to offer a good balance of aesthetics, technology, and sound signature at an affordable price.
FiiO partnered with Crinacle for a re-tuned version of the popular FH3 triple-driver hybrid IEMs. The FiiO x Crinacle FHE:Eclipse is a bass-emphasized set with better in-ear resonance compensation, extended treble response, and the goal to be a fun, energetic set with a niche separate from balanced IEMs in the sub-$200 market segment.
Tronsmart aims to one-up the true wireless world with its Apollo Air+ earbuds that use a large 10 mm dynamic driver. It is paired with a premium Qualcomm QCC3046 chipset supporting Bluetooth 5.2, aptX adaptive, and hybrid noise cancelation.
DUNU unleashes its improved ECLIPSƎ dynamic driver platform with the new ZEN PRO using an all-metal dome paired with >1.8 T flux magnets for a punchy and satisfying bass response. It also boasts better treble extension and a more balanced tuning than its predecessor, and comes with a cable you need to see to believe!
MOONDROP aims to continue its excellent 2021 run with its new entry to the TWS market—the MOONDROP Sparks. Priced at under $100 and available in three different colors/designs, let's find out if the company's VDSF tuning works well here, too.
Peacock Audio holds true to the name with its latest hand-painted and colorful set of true wireless earphones called the Peacock Flight. Currently on discount for Kickstarter backers, it is available in five bold colors and emphasizes portability courtesy its small yet feature-rich case and design.
The ASUS ROG Cetra II Core is a $90 in-ear gaming headset equipped with an in-line remote control with a built-in microphone, and am impressive bundle of supplied accessories. If you're a true bass head, this is a product you must consider.
Technics is a long-established audio brand under Panasonic, famous for lots of old-school tech, including record players and passive speakers. Today, we examine how competitive it is in the new norm of TWS earphones, with its current flagship AZ70 promising hybrid noise cancellation, large 10 mm graphene-coated drivers, and audiophile tuning.
7Hz is no new kid on the block, but with the new Timeless, it has certainly carved out a space in the competitive IEM market. Having organically grown as a strong recommendation, the 7Hz Timeless is a very well-tuned set using 14 mm planar magnetic drivers, and it punches well above its price point.
SeeAudio recently took the global step with its IEMs and impressed with the tuning and value for money. Today, we examine its latest, the Bravery with four balanced armature drivers looking to buck the negative expectations from an all-BA set of IEMs, and some high-end accessories have been thrown in, too.
The HIFIMAN Arya gets a stealth magnet revision, which makes this premium set of headphones more efficient to drive off amplifiers. We examine its tuning and technical performance, gauge its synergy with different music genres, and pair it with the Apos Flow replacement cable.
TinHiFi is back, and this time with a new entry to its popular T2 "Tank" lineup. The new T2 Evo goes back to a machined aluminium body of good build quality and lots of nice accessories for the price, but has a tuning that is hit or miss depending on your specific music taste.
Ovidius, another new brand out of China, has already distinguished itself through a unique combination of function and form. We examine the RX-100 (Qin Armour) IEMs that look like a piece cut out of the Terracotta warrior sculptures, shaped to be the most comfortable IEMs I have ever used. Tuning is quite good too, so these are well worth reading more about!
Shanling has an interesting product in the BA1 desktop Bluetooth receiver. It uses hardware seen in smaller, more portable form factors, but markets it more as a way to add Bluetooth connectivity to desktop audio hardware. There is also a feature-rich 1st-party app which enhances the user experience.
MOONDROP is an audio brand that has built up a reputation of good-value, nicely tuned IEMs at various price points. We put the recently released MOONDROP Aria (2021) through its paces and verify whether the bold marketing claims for its single LCP dynamic driver tuning hold true in the sub-$100 market.
Meze Audio is a Romanian brand famous worldwide for a harmonious combination of design, build quality, comfort-in-use, and tuning. Today, we examine its budget-friendly 99 Neo, which is a closed-back set of headphones that is bass-emphasized.
The Massdrop x Sennheiser HD 6XX is a success story unlike any other from Drop, having sold in excess of 135,000 units in 4+ years. We find out if there is still room for the HD 6XX and, by extension, the Sennheiser HD 650 in 2021, both as a reference set of headphones and purely for music and general purpose listening.
HIFIMAN's new TWS800 is a true wireless set of earphones that has more in common with IEMs and some high-fidelity headphones than other TWS devices. Featuring a 150 Ω driver and dedicated amplifier module inside each earbud, this is a review you need to see to believe and appreciate!
The Drop + Sennheiser PC38X is the best analog gaming headset we tested to date. It sounds astonishingly good, has a very good microphone, and is exceptionally comfortable to wear. Although it comes with a $169 price tag, it's worth every penny.
The SteelSeries Arctis 3 Bluetooth is a versatile gaming headset. Adding Bluetooth to the regular 3.5-mm analog connectivity, it can be used for Discord and other VoIP apps regardless of the platform you're gaming on. You can hold phone calls without interrupting the gameplay, too!
Campfire Audio shows how accuracy and a neutral frequency response can still be fun with the new Holocene in-ear monitors. It uses a similarly colorful and eco-friendly design for the case as for the Mammoth released alongside, but adopts a more reference-like tuning that is executed well too.
Our first review from MOONDROP is the all-new KATO in-ear monitors. It debuts a new ultra-low distortion dynamic driver setup built on the KXXS as the base, and we examine it with the Kinera Leyding upgrade cable that offers modular plug connectivity options.
Campfire Audio opens up a can of fun with the new Mammoth in-ear monitors. It's bold, it's brash, and it won't apologize for it! With a hybrid driver setup utilizing some custom drivers that aim to provide an energetic W-shaped tuning, we test its technical prowess objectively and subjectively today.
Audeze has updated its popular LCD-X and LCD-XC reference headphones. Today, we examine the LCD-XC closed-back headphones to see how well it meets studio monitoring and general consumer needs. We also pair the LCD-XC (2021) with Embody's Immerse Virtual Studio plug-in for more personalized audio presets.
DUNU brings its patented ECLIPSƎ driver to a more affordable price point with the all-new FALCON PRO. It uses a highly tuned and customized single dynamic driver to generate a satisfying sound signature and ups the ante for in-the-box accessories by including four types of ear tips, a nice case, and a premium modular connector cable!
Cleer Audio has always emphasized value for money in its products, with a lot of Bluetooth headphones and ear buds on the market already. Today, we examine its least expensive set yet with the Roam NC ticking off features such as active noise cancellation, Bluetooth 5.2 support, integrated microphones, a first-party app, and more, all for a low price!
HarmonicDyne is a new Asian audio brand with an emphasis on headphones. Its latest product, the P.D.1, is actually a set of IEMs that boasts a hybrid setup of dynamic drivers and a planar magnetic driver which promises a lot with premium accessories, great build quality, and tuning we put through the paces today!
Cambridge Audio is a stellar name when it comes to Hi-Fi amplifiers and streamers, and now wants to do the same with headphones. Today, we put the Melomania 1+ true wireless earphones through its paces, which is a fairly unique-looking set of ear buds that promises an award-winning British sound!
If you were feeling down about all the expensive headphones reviewed recently, Tripowin has just the remedy for you. The new TC-01 IEMs cost under $50, feature a 10 mm dynamic driver backed by a strong bass-heavy tuning, and look and feel more premium than the price tag suggests!
Shanling leverages over three decade of experience in the audio industry in its true wireless earphones lineup. Today, we examine the MTW300, a carbon nanotubed diaphragm dynamic driver setup designed similarly to IEMs with ergonomics, comfort, and a deliberate audiophile tuning in mind.
ThieAudio breaks the sub-$100 barrier with the all-new Legacy 2 hybrid IEMs using one beryllium dynamic driver and one balanced armature driver. Promising ultra-fast and impactful bass coupled to neutral and accurate mids and highs, the former in particular is going to interest audiophiles.
Monoprice pushes into the prosumer audio market with its Monolith product lineup aiming for high-end audio at a lower price. Today, we take a look at its first true wireless earphones, the Monolith M-TWE boasting hybrid noise cancellation on top of native SoundID support for personalized audio profiles.
The Corsair HS80 RGB Wireless is the newest addition to this famous gaming headset family. This $150 wireless headset offers excellent build quality, good battery life, an above-average omnidirectional microphone, and a Dolby Atmos license, enabling you to enjoy the best virtual surround sound experience currently on the market.
We have a two-in-one from FiiO as we look at the recently launched FD3 in-ear monitors and New K3 desktop USB DAC/amplifier. The FD3 uses a single dynamic driver for each channel and has a lot of trickle-down tech from the more expensive FD5. The New K3 updates the DAC with higher SNR and lower distortion, too.
The Audeze Euclid is a true force of engineering and design, taking the company's latest Fazor-enriched planar magnetic technology and shrinking it down to fit inside proper IEMs for the first time. These are also closed-back in design, but have a soundstage that rivals some open-back, over-ear headphones!
Mangird, or XENNS as of recently, is a new brand that came out of nowhere to occupy many top IEM ranking lists with the Mangird Tea. Today, we test these hybrid earphones promising to be a premium offering with flagship-level performance for a far more attainable price point of $299.
Etymotic is synonymous with its probing acoustic chamber, single-driver tuning with a neutral and accurate response. This changes with the new Etymotic EVO that adopts an ergonomic design and the company's first multi-driver setup in an attempt to be more accurate while also increasing soundstage and presence.
FiiO is a brand synonymous with good quality, high value portable audio, especially music players, DACs, and amps. A pairing for these is the brand's extensive IEM lineup, which gets a new addition with the new FH5s hybrid earphones featuring four driver units and a plethora of customization options!
ThieAudio makes a return with our first-ever Tribrid IEM review. The $729 ThieAudio Monarch uses a combination of dynamic, balanced armature, and electrostatic tweeter drivers paired with a deliberate reference tuning and unique abalone shell-based aesthetic to set a new high standard.
The TinHiFi brand came out of years of OEM experience and expertise, and an emphasis on deliberate designs runs through their T (consumer) and P (prosumer/professional) series of wired IEMs. Today, we take a look at the TinHiFi T5, the newly released T-series flagship.
Audeze. The legendary LCD-2 re-imagined: Those utterances alone suffice to generate enough interest in the $800 planar magnetic bass-heavy LCD-2 Classic, which goes with a more eco-friendly construction and has amp-friendly power requirements as it aims to deliver a satisfying Audeze experience for well under a thousand bucks.
What do you get when you cross IEMs with an alien space ship? The BLON BL-A8 Prometheus aims to answer this with a unique 3D-printed openwork shell that is quite unlike anything else on the outside and keeps things simple on the inside with a single 10 mm diaphragm dynamic driver.
Ikko impressed us before with the OH10 IEMs, and we take a look at their latest earphones today. The Ikko Gems OH1S uses a brand-new dynamic driver-based hybrid system and comes in two color options, each with a resin layer that adds to the aesthetics of the textured shell.
The final audio brand has a relished history and reputation, having been associated with highly technical companies, including the Molex company. It puts all this into its first true wireless earphones, the EVA2020 x final which also has a strong collaboration with the Japanese Evangelion franchise.
Audio-Technica is known for a lot of things, but active noise cancellation is not necessarily one of them. With the ATH-ANC300TW, the company aims to change all that by promising excellent noise cancellation, high fidelity audio, and first-party mobile app support for further customization!
Campfire Audio makes a debut on TechPowerUp with its release of two relatively budget-friendly IEMs compared to what it usually puts out. Today, we take a look at the bold Honeydew that uses an individually 3D-printed acoustic chamber and custom dynamic driver for some very energetic and consistent tuning.
Campfire Audio makes a debut on TechPowerUp with its release of two relatively budget-friendly IEMs compared to what it usually puts out. Today, we take a look at the bubbly Satsuma, which uses an individually 3D printed acoustic chamber and full-range BA driver for some very deliberate and consistent tuning.
Lypertek has updated its impressive PurePlay Z3 to version 2.0, which adds numerous improvements. The case gets Qi wireless charging support, there is Bluetooth 5.2 support, and we get compatibility with the company's PureControl mobile app for even more customization than ever before!
We introduce frequency response measurements for earphones today, and begin with the ThieAudio Legacy 5 in-ear monitors. They feature hand-painted face plates and a five-driver setup combined with fine tuning across the board, and aim to compete favorably against higher-priced products from more established brands.
Philips has previously offered excellent value for money and a generally pleasing sound signature with the Fidelio X2/X2HR. The all-new Fidelio X3 aims to bump things up a few notches in all regards, be it with higher-end materials, a revamped driver system, or fully balanced mode!
The SteelSeries Arctis 9 Wireless is an excellent gaming headset with dual wireless connectivity. It can simultaneously be connected to the supplied 2.4 GHz RF dongle and a Bluetooth source, which opens it up to a host of interesting use cases.
Ikko is a relatively new brand to the audio space with a focus on in-ear monitors. Today, we take a look at their $200 OH10 IEMs, which are of superb build quality. Sound quality is excellent as well, and price-to-performance can easily compete with much bigger brands.
Lypertek is a relatively recent audio brand that recognizes the importance of value-driven products to break into the market. With the PurePlay Z3, we see an excellent set of true wireless earbuds with a neutral sound signature, good battery life with quick charging support, and easy controls for media playback on the go.
The MSI Immerse GH61 is an interesting $100 USB gaming headset equipped with a pair of 40-millimeter speaker drivers installed by the famous hi-fi brand Onkyo, as well as an ESS Sabre DAC/headphone amplifier you may also use with other headphones you might own.
The Creative SXFI Trio in-ear headphones are equipped with three speaker drivers per ear piece, which are driven by the SXFI Wire, a more compact version of the SXFI Amp DAC/headphone amplifier. They offer USB-C connectivity, as well as the powerful Super X-Fi headphone holography technology.
The Thermaltake RIING Pro RGB 7.1 is a $95 USB gaming headset equipped with the ESS ES9018 DAC and SABRE 9601K headphone amplifier, and based on a dual-headband design. It also offers a retractable microphone and fully supports the TT RGB Plus and Razer Chroma RGB ecosystems.
The Mad Catz F.R.E.Q. 4 is an inexpensive USB gaming headset based on an intuitive dual-headband design. It's equipped with a pair of gaming-tuned 50-mm dynamic speaker drivers, a retractable microphone, and a configurable RGB lighting system.
The Creative SXFI Gamer is an amazing USB gaming headset, offering excellent sound and microphone quality, intuitive controls, and an advanced Super X-Fi technology with the addition of their so-called Battle Mode, which will give you a competitive edge in multiplayer shooters.
HiFiMAN's original HE400 turned a few heads in the headphone industry when it launched eight years ago. Since then, the design has been updated a few times, most noticeably with the release of the i-version. Today, we will have a look at the 2020 version of the HE400i. Despite the upgrades, it remains relatively affordable at $169.
The $100 Corsair HS70 Bluetooth takes everythingwe know and like about the award-winning HS gaming headset lineup and adds extensive connectivity options. These make this headset extremely versatile, opening it up to a host of possibilities you won't get elsewhere.
The Creative SXFI Air headset features four different modes of connectivity, onboard and gesture controls, dedicated mobile and desktop programs for customization, RGB lighting, and integrated Super X-Fi Gen2 headphone holography for an excellent price.
The Corsair HS75 XB Wireless is an officially licensed Xbox Series X and Xbox One gaming headset. Based on the same excellent hardware platform as other Corsair HS headsets, it's built like a tank, pleasant to listen to, and comfortable. For the best surround sound experience in existence, a Dolby Atmos license is also included.
The Mad Catz F.R.E.Q. 2 is an affordable gaming headset with a practical dual-headband design, retractable microphone, and pair of 40-millimeter dynamic speaker drivers tuned for excellent spatial awareness, which makes them a good option for multiplayer shooters.
The Corsair HS60 HAPTIC gaming headset offers excellent build quality, an engaging, bass-heavy sound signature, a solid microphone, and a unique haptic bass technology to improve immersion while gaming, which it does successfully!
The AIAIAI TMA-2 is a modular headphone system based on an interesting concept, as you get to pick the headband, speaker drivers, earpads, and cable. You then put it all together—only with that done can you start enjoying the performance of these headphones.
The Thermaltake Isurus Pro V2 is an inexpensive $40 in-ear gaming headset primarily meant for mobile gamers, although also fully compatible with any platform with an analog audio input/output. It offers a couple of features that differentiate it from "regular" wired in-ear headphones, such as a detachable steel headband and a microphone mute switch.
The ANANDA is a brand new full-size headphone featuring HiFiMAN's most advanced planar magnetic drivers. The huge NsD membrane drivers coupled with an ear cup design from the HiFiMAN Edition X and headband from the Sundara make for an interesting proposition. Currently priced at $699, the ANANDA sits below the Arya and the Susvara in terms of price, but still offers many of the advantages of its bigger brethren.
The MSI Immerse GH50 is a well-made USB gaming headset with excellent wearing comfort, good sound quality, and a decent microphone. Coming in at $70, it's very reasonably priced too.
The Patriot Viper V380 is a USB gaming headset with massive 53-millimeter speaker drivers, a detachable omnidirectional microphone, 7.1 virtual surround sound support, and an interesting RGB lighting system. It will set you back $75, which fair for such a solid USB gaming headset.
HiFiMAN's new Deva is a planar magnetic headphone which doubles up as a Bluetooth headset when you attach the Bluemini device. Currently, the Deva bundled with the Bluemini retails at $299 which also makes it the most affordable of the current planar headphones from HiFiMAN.
The Vissles 2-in-1 Music Pill combines truly wireless in-ears with the ability to transfer the audio to a small 3W speaker within the charging case.
The 1MORE Dual Driver ANC Pro wireless headphones are built around a neckband design. They offer excellent sound and microphone quality, and a host of nifty features, such as solid hybrid active noise canceling technology, high-bandwidth LDAC Bluetooth codec support, and IPX5 water/sweat resistance.
The SteelSeries Arctis 1 is the least expensive gaming headset in the entire Arctis lineup. Even though it doesn't quite match the quality of its brethren in some aspects, you're getting a lot of bang for your buck at $50.
The XPG Precog is an innovative gaming headset with a combination of dynamic and electrostatic speaker drivers, two in-line remote controllers, a detachable microphone, user-selectable sound profiles, and other interesting features. It's the most ambitious gaming headset XPG has produced to date.
The Cooler Master MH630 is a no-nonsense $59 analog gaming headset. The MH630 should be at the top of the list for anyone who is after a brand-name gaming headset that doesn't break the bank and has a good price-performance ratio.
The Cooler Master MH650 is a USB gaming headset with plenty to offer. It's built on the same platform as the rest of Cooler Master's 2020 gaming headset lineup and shares one additional feature with the other two new models: it's very reasonably priced.
Cooler Master finally made a wireless gaming headset! The MH670 offers good sound quality, great wearing comfort, amazing battery life, and a ton of other nice features for a surprisingly reasonable price.
The HiFiMAN TWS600 is the newest set of true-wireless earphones from HiFiMAN. The TWS600 promises 5.5 hours of playback time, has an extended Bluetooth range, and is competitively priced at $199. We put the TWS600 to the test to see how it fares against competitors.
Fnatic React is the first gaming headset released by this world-famous esports brand. It's a simple analog headset with no extra features or gimmicks. It is laser-focused on what's important: sound and microphone quality, as well as wearing comfort.
After a successful premiere in the True Wireless Stereo (TWS) headphone market, 1MORE launched a new pair of TWS headphones. This time around, they're aiming for the very top, and they're bringing some serious firepower to the battle.
The Tt eSPORTS Shock V2, successor to the 2015 Shock, comes with a larger pair of speaker drivers, a new microphone, and a couple of design changes. We tested it as a combination with the Thermaltake E1 RGB Gaming Headset Stand!
The RHA MA650 Wireless are neckband-style wireless in-ear headphones. They go for $99/€99 and offer more features and better sound quality than you might expect. A solid choice when looking for a pair of wireless headphones in this price range.
Today, we take a look at the brand new Bluetooth-enabled ANANDA-BT headphones from HiFiMAN. These headphones support all the Hi-Fi protocols over Bluetooth. Priced at $999, the ANANDA-BT is one of the most expensive Bluetooth headphones around.
Building upon the success of the analog HyperX Cloud Alpha, the Cloud Alpha S keeps everything that was great with the original, but adds an USB sound card to the mix, which makes it slightly more expensive. We take a thorough look to see if the extra features are worth the added cost!
The SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless is a highly versatile wireless gaming headset with a ton of excellent features and great sound quality. We saw great battery life, and pricing is extremely reasonable with $100, if you consider everything the Arctis 1 offers.
The MSI Immerse GH30 is a simple $50 gaming headset with a few aces up its sleeve: it's foldable, comes with a detachable microphone, and sports best-in-class sound quality for headphones in its price range we have had a listen to.
If you're after a wireless gaming headset but were holding out until Sennheiser releases one, the wait is now officially over. Meet the Sennheiser GSP 670, a headset that's going to knock your socks off with its price, but also tries really hard to justify it by offering top-of-the-line performance.
Corsair's most expensive and luxurious gaming headset, the Virtuoso RGB Wireless SE, offers a couple of upgrades from the "regular" Virtuoso RGB Wireless, but also surprisingly falls behind in the microphone department.
Corsair just released a new line of high-end gaming headsets. The Virtuoso RGB Wireless is the company's best and most complete gaming headset to date, offering fancy looks, good sound quality, excellent battery life, great versatility, and the best wireless headset microphone yet.
For the asking price of $110, the 1MORE Dual Driver BT ANC In-Ear Headphones might quite possibly be one of the best choices on the market. They sound good, look great, and are built like a tank, and their feature list just goes on and on.
The HiFiMAN Sundara is the name of the wildly successful HE-400i which set the bar in terms of sound quality for entry-level planar magnetic headphones. The Sundara is roughly the same form factor, but a lot has happened on the design front. The Sundara features a new headband, new cup, and new pads, which are more in line with their higher-end offerings.
Corsair introduces their least-expensive gaming headset to date, the HS35 Stereo. It's a simple analog multi-platform headset that does a very good job of justifying its modest $40 price tag.
1MORE just launched an excellent pair of true wireless in-ear headphones—which not only connect wirelessly to the sound source, but also communicate between the left and right earpiece. For $100, the 1MORE Stylish True Wireless In-Ear Headphones offer great value, both in terms of features and raw performance.
After releasing two excellent gaming headsets, Sennheiser is at it again with the GSP 550, an open-back model with USB connectivity. That alone makes it quite unique, but does it also make it worth the high asking price of $250/€250? We are here to find out.
Compared to the analogue Cooler Master MH751, this gaming headset comes with a USB sound card and does, as such, cost more, but also supports virtual surround sound.
Cooler Master's new analogue gaming headset hits all the right spots: it's comfortable, performs very well, and offers good value for your money!
Creative finally brings to market its Super X-Fi technology built over 20 years of R&D. It aims to be a radical new change to the audio world by not only offering extremely convincing surround sound using stereo headphones, but generally enhancing the audio experience even for mono recordings provided you have a certain set of compatible devices.
At CES this year, EVGA announced their long-teased entry to the dedicated audio market with the NU Audio sound card. A result of a collaboration with Audio Note, this preview goes over the unboxing experience, and we disassemble the NU audio card to gain technical insights and learn about its components.
The Mixcder E8 is a pair of wireless, over-ear headphones with active noise cancelling, and a price that's much lower than you'd expect after going over the list of features. Just about everyone is after a pair of wireless headphones nowadays; here's something worth considering if you're on a tight budget.
Costing a mere $25, the Onikuma K5 isn't a gaming headset you'd dare expect a lot from. Surprisingly enough, it manages to beat some competitors two or three times its price in some aspects, which means you get a lot of bang for your buck!
1MORE's Dual Driver is the new younger brother to the critically acclaimed Triple Driver In-ears. It inherits the exterior design of the Triple Driver, which is great as it has proven both durable and comfortable. However, on the Inside, the Dual Driver is completely new, featuring one large dynamic driver with graphene coating and one balanced armature tweeter.
The Audeara A-01, a pair of wireless headphones, comes with fantastic battery life and a truly unique feature: a detailed hearing test used to tailor the sonic performance to your own ears. We do need to talk about that $400 price tag, though.
The RHA MA750 Wireless is the company's best wireless pair of in-ear monitors. They are based on the extremely popular wired model MA750 known and liked for its excellent price-performance ratio. Those are big shoes to fill, so let's find out if the transition to wireless was successful.
The 1MORE Triple Driver BT In-Ears are the wireless successor to the highly-praised wired pair of in-ear headphones of the same name. They're equipped with three speaker drivers, as well as a couple of unique features that make them stand out among competing products.
1MORE's newest full-size headphone offering is called the Triple Driver Over-Ear. As the name suggests, these headphones feature three drivers, although one is passive. 1MORE combined a relatively large dynamic driver with a graphene dome, ceramic tweeter, and a passive driver; all of this inside a closed-back over-ear design.
Developed in cooperation with professional eSports teams, the Logitech G Pro Gaming Headset is here to give you a competitive edge in your favorite multiplayer games. You're getting a great headset with a good microphone for well under $100. Comfort is also excellent, letting you game for several hours without any issues.
The Sennheiser HD 660 S is a direct successor to one of the most legendary hi-fi headphones of all time, the HD 650. With a price tag of $500/€500, does it have what it takes to carry on the legacy?
The freshly released 1MORE Spearhead VRX is the newest, technologically beefiest, and most expensive gaming headset 1MORE has to offer. It comes with a unique head-tracking unit that works in conjunction with an advanced DSP to achieve an immersive surround sound experience.
The Beyerdynamic MMX 300 2nd Generation is the new iteration of the company's first gaming headset. It keeps the high price of its predecessor, but significantly improves upon all its key aspects, which makes it an interesting choice for exceptionally demanding gamers with big budgets.
Etymotic's ER3-series in-ears aim to bring their ER4 design into a lower price category. Priced at $179, the ER3s are nearly half the price of the ER4-series in-ears, and their specification sheets show that they are not far off. We take a good look at the new in-ears to see how they fare against their bigger brethren.
Open-back gaming headsets are few and far between, but Sennheiser didn't forget about users who prefer them over their closed-back brethren. Let's find out if the Sennheiser GSP 500 offers enough to justify its hefty $230/€229 price tag and if it's a worthy replacement for the company's excellent Game One gaming headset.
With a price tag of $90, the freshly-launched Corsair HS70 Wireless just became one of the least expensive brand-name wireless gaming headsets on the market. It's based on the wired HS50, so let's find out what was gained and lost after its wire got cut.
Here's something we've all been waiting for: HyperX finally made a wireless gaming headset! It's called the Cloud Flight and aims to not only continue the legacy of its excellent wired brethren, but to also be the best wireless gaming headset on the market. Does it deliver? In more ways than one!
The Sennheiser GSP 600 is the company's new top-of-the-line gaming headset. It's essentially a simple analog headset with no RGB LEDs or similar gimmicks. Does it offer enough in terms of sound and microphone quality, as well as wearing comfort, to justify the $250/€249 price tag?
The Cougar Phontum is one of the newest additions to the $50 gaming headset market. It sports a dual-chamber design, comes with two different sets of ear pads, and aims to be used both in your gaming room and on the go.
ADATA recently boldly stepped into the crowded gaming headset market. Their first and currently top-of-the-line product is actually a bundle of three different devices - an analog gaming headset (EMIX H30), a 7.1-channel USB sound card (SOLOX F30), and a headset stand. We set out to find out whether it is worth the asking price of $200.
The $250 / €270 Arctis Pro + GameDAC is SteelSeries' new flagship gaming audio system. It consists of an amazing gaming headset based on an improved iteration of the Arctis 3, 5, and 7 and the GameDAC, a high-quality external USB sound card equipped with the ESS Sabre 9018Q2C DAC chip and a host of advanced features, fully usable and configurable without any drivers.
The Roccat Khan Pro claims to be the world's first Hi-Res Audio certified gaming headset. Does that make it sound better than its competitors in the extremely crowded $100 price bracket, where we can already find more than a couple of products with excellent audio performance?
The HiFiMAN RE800 is a new high-end in-ear featuring a completely new driver from HiFiMAN. This new driver has a topology-optimized membrane that should reduce distortion. The RE800 launches at $699, which puts it straight into a highly competitive segment. We take them for a listen and see if the new housing and driver can make an impact.
Although it doesn't look the part, the Sennheiser Game One is a serious gaming headset with great sound quality and a class-leading microphone. Its price is hefty, but you do get excellent performance in return.
Noontec has combined good looks, great sound and microphone quality with excellent comfort and a reasonable price of $150. This is a pair of wireless headphones we can easily recommend to everyone who wants to break free from the cable.
The $80 Cougar Immersa Pro is the successor to the well-known and well-liked Immersa, one of the most popular $50 gaming headsets on the market. Even though it looks and feels almost the same, it comes with its own sound card, an RGB lighting system, and bigger speaker drivers that are tuned quite differently than those of the original Immersa.
If you're after a nice-sounding USB gaming headset in the $80 price bracket, you should keep a close eye on the Corsair Void Pro RGB USB. Even though the microphone quality isn't on the same level as the rest of the headset, it's still an interesting choice for anyone who's not concerned with serious streaming and voiceovers.
1MORE's MK802 is a $149 Bluetooth over-ear headset that packs a multitude of features. The company's products always offer a lot of tech at a reasonable price, and the MK802 is no exception. It is Apt-X HD compatible and comes with a decent cable and integrated battery pack.
The HyperX Cloud Alpha has the aesthetics and build quality of the Cloud Gaming II, the microphone and connectivity of the Cloud Gaming, but also a brand-new dual chamber speaker driver design. Thanks to its amazing audio performance, it's the new reference gaming headset in the $100 price bracket.
On the wings of the raging success they had with their $100 Triple Driver In-Ear Headphones, currently considered one of the best IEMs in terms of price-performance, 1MORE brings us their even more refined sibling equipped with an additional balanced armature. Do the 1MORE Quad Drivers have what it takes to justify a price bump to $200?
The most inexpensive gaming headset offered by Rosewill, the Nebula GX10, costs a mere $20. For that price, it offers surprisingly solid build quality, is comfortable, and even has a lighting system. The sound quality isn't spectacular, but for just $20 dollars, you could hardly ask for more.
The Sennheiser GSP 301 is the company's entry-level gaming headset. Even though it comes with a fairly short list of features, especially considering its $100 price, it delivers heaps in all important aspects - sound, microphone quality and wearing comfort are exceptional.
The Rosewill Nebula GX30 costs as little as $37, but that doesn't stop it from having an impressive feature set, one that includes build materials like metal and memory foam, RGB LEDs, removable ear cushions, and a detachable microphone. However, that's not all - it also performs above and beyond every expectation, which makes it a great choice for gamers on a tight budget.
The Rosewill Nebula GX50 is an affordable USB headset with an impressive list of features, considering its $45 price. It has a metal headband, rubberized ear cups, an in-line control unit, RGB LEDs, and 7.1 Surround Sound. Are we crowning the new king of budget gaming headsets?
The HyperX Cloud Revolver S is the most expensive headset this renowned manufacturer has to offer. Its feature list is strong, promising excellent build quality, class-leading sound performance, and Dolby Headset 7.1 Surround Sound, but expectations are very high as well. Does it have what it takes to justify its £140/$150/€170 price point?
The Corsair Void Pro RGB Wireless succeeds a well-known and well-liked wireless gaming headset. It comes with a reworked microphone, retuned audio drivers, and several changes in design and ergonomics, refining and improving pretty much every aspect of its predecessor, which results in a terrific device well worth its $100 price tag.
Etymotic's ER4 in-ears set the benchmark when they were first launched over 25 years ago. Recently, Etymotic decided to bring out two new versions of their ER4 design - namely, the XR (Extended Response) and SR (Studio Reference). These new versions feature all-metal housings and a brand new cable design. On the acoustic side of things, you now get the choice between elevated bass and something that should be close to neutral in terms of the Studio Reference.
The Tesoro Tuned In Ear Pro headset aims to deliver gaming quality sound, which - as the name suggests - is a soundscape tuned to fit such a scenario best. With a few interesting features, like the aluminum housing or the magnets to hold them together, it will be interesting to "hear" (pun intended) whether they manage to sound better than the competition in the price segment.
By releasing the MasterPulse MH320, their least-expensive gaming headset to date, Cooler Master tries to grab the attention of gamers on a very tight budget. Even though it costs a mere $40, it offers a dual-headband design, a foldable bi-directional boom microphone, and a few other interesting features.
1MORE is one of the few companies that focuses on creating affordable quality in-ears. Even though the company is new, it has gained quite the following because they deliver in-ears with more drivers and accessories at a given price point than any of the older in-ear companies. Of course drivers are not everything. We put their Triple Driver in-ear under scrutiny to see if it can live up to the hype!
The SteelSeries Arctis 7 is a phenomenal-looking, customizable wireless headset equipped with high-quality 40-millimeter audio drivers capable of delivering stereo and DTS Headphone:X 7.1 Surround Sound. It also offers mind-boggling wireless range and battery life as well as a couple extremely useful features you won't find elsewhere.
The Turtle Beach Stealth 450 is a wireless gaming headset with great sound quality, an impressive wireless range, and long battery life. Its microphone isn't capable of delivering the performance needed for streaming or voiceovers, but with a price of $85, the Stealth 450 provides excellent value for the money regardless.
The SteelSeries Arctis 5 is a great gaming headset, chock-full of useful features, and carefully tuned to sound as accurate as possible instead of just focusing on the bass. Thanks to that, it's great for playing games on a high level and just as good for listening to music, both at home and on the go.
The second-cheapest gaming headset Rosewill has to offer - the $35 RGH-3300 - isn't the prettiest to look at, but acoustically, it’s surprisingly well balanced and capable of delivering good performance in both games and music. Contrary to what the song says, it's not all about the bass!
The Cougar Immersa is an extremely comfortable, well-built, and fun-sounding gaming headset. It's equipped with a retractable microphone and supports all gaming platforms. Costing a mere $50, its price-performance ratio is simply amazing.
Asus Cerberus V2 is the successor to the company's bestselling headset. Now equipped with a stainless steel headband and the new "Essence drivers", it's supposed to be sturdier and better sounding. However, with its $75 price tag, it faces some stiff competition and doesn't necessarily come out as the victor.
The Cougar Megara is a portable in-ear gaming headset with a boom microphone for those wanting all the functional benefits of larger gaming headset without the bulk. You can even take it on the road or use it with your mobile phone thanks to the in-line microphone, controller, and detachable boom microphone.
1MORE is a brand to look out for on the in-ear scene. Their designs look great and have become increasingly ambitious in terms of sound quality. 1MORE prides itself on providing good bang for the buck, and today, we take a look at their Capsule dual driver in-ear, which is priced at just $89. 1MORE's approach to a dual-driver design is the hybrid one where you combine a dynamic and balanced armature driver.
Brainwavz is known for their high quality mid-end in-ears and headphones. Today, we take a look at their most ambitious in-ear to date called the B200. The B200 is a dual balanced armature design that sells for $199 online.
The Roccat Cross is a comfortable and lovely sounding gaming headset with an interesting twist. You can remove its boom microphone and attach a secondary cable equipped with an in-line microphone, plug it into your smartphone, and use it as a mobile headset. It holds its own in both of those scenarios, which fully justifies its $70 price and then some.
iFi Audio's nano iDSD LE is a little DAC/amp with big ambitions. It packs all the knowledge from the bigger DAC/amps in iFi's huge portofolio of products into a small package. Despite being small, it still features RCA line-outs, a very respectable headphone amplification circuit, and a 1000 mAh battery.
The recently launched Rosewill EX-500 and EX-700 aim to take on the usual brands that dominate the price range by offering high-quality craftsmanship coupled with a nice accessories pack and - of course - better sound. We listen closely to see whether they can hold up on these promises.
HiFiMAN's Edition S brings an entirely new category to the world of headphones. The Edition S allows you to convert it from closed-back to open by removing a small back plate. This allows it to double up as an open headphone for at home use while still offering some ambient noise attenuation for on the go!
The HiFiMAN HE-1000 V2 is the newest über-high-end offering from the company that spawned the newest generation of high-end planar magnetic headphones. The HE-1000 V2 shares most of its DNA with the V1, but there are several significant updates to pads, cable, and headband.
Kennerton Audio's newest mid-end offering, the Laguz, is put to the test. Priced at $110, it will face fierce competition from the Brainwavz S5 and HiFiMAN RE-400. The Laguz is absolutely tiny and features a rugged aluminum design that is pretty unique.
HiFiMAN's newest high-end headphone, the Edition X, bears a striking resemblance to their flagship HE-1000. It uses the same driver design without the fancy nano materials found in the $1200 more expensive HE-1000, but is, at $1799, still the second most expensive headphone in HiFiMAN's line-up.
Kennerton Audio's Jimo is a new high-end dual dynamic driver in-ear. The Jimo features aluminum housings and comes with several different ear tips to suit your every need.
Brainwavz is known for putting out some great-sounding in-ears at very reasonable prices. Today, we will take a look at their brand-new bluetooth in-ear dubbed BLU-200, which is to be had for just $54.50.
MP4Nation's HM5 has a tremendous reputation for being one of the best sub-$150 circum-aural headphones around. We put it to the test to see if it is still as relevant today as it was when it first launched.
HiFiMAN is constantly developing their planar technology, and today, we will take a look at their latest state-of-the-art headphone. It is dubbed the HE-1000 and features a nanometer thick diaphragm, leather headband, and milled aluminum. We take HiFiMAN's most audacious and pricey headphone for a ride!
CM Storm's newest in-ear is a refined version of the original Pitch they launched a while ago. The bundle has been updated, and the price has stayed the same. We take it for a spin to see how it compares to other budget friendly offerings.
HiFiMAN's latest value-oriented headphone is dubbed the HE-400S. Like other headphones in the 400-range, it features a planar magnetic driver and HiFiMAN's newest headband solution. The driver has been tweaked to a point where just about any source out there will power these just fine!
CM Storm's newest do-it-all headset is put to the test. The Sirus-C is compatible with all major console systems and features its own in-line USB sound card. The design is like previous Sirus headsets on the outside, but it now uses a dual-driver setup on the inside.
HiFiMAN has always been known to produce some pretty interesting high-end headphones. Today, we take a look at the new HE-400i. It uses the same magnet array technology HiFiMAN introduced with the critically acclaimed HE-560.
MP4Nation Brainwavz S5 - the name of the company's newest high-end in-ear model priced at just $99.50. The S5s use a single 10mm driver in a very small housing. They also feature a full bundle and even include a set of Comply foam tips.
Takstar is well-known for their bang-for-the-buck headphones, and today, we take a look at their HD5500s. Priced at $74.50, these headphones are for mobile users who want a solid and well-sounding pair of headphones. We take the HD5500s for a spin to see if they can live up to such expectations.
HiFiMAN's highly anticipated release version of the HE-560 gets put on the spot. It features a lot of changes that improve the sound quality; however, the beautiful teak cups are now gone in favor of more durable plastic cups.
MP4Nation's newest budget-minded in-ears get put to the test. The $22.50 Brainwavz Delta in-ears feature a metal enclosure and four sets of well-performing tips, including a set of Comply foam tips. A 8 mm Ø driver allows for a very slim enclosure, which makes achieving a good and comfortable fit a breeze.
Attitude One is a new player on the gaming scene, and today, we take a close look at their first headset, the Almaz. The Almaz can be configured to act as either a headphone or headset because of its detachable microphone and multiple cables.
HiFiMAN's latest high-end headphone just got put to the test. The new HE-560 features improvements across the board, both in terms of sound and comfort. Design-wise, it is a long departure from the older HE headphones since it features a suspended headband design and wooden cups.
BitFenix's first headset is a feature-packed, lightweight construction made for gaming. It features 40mm dynamic drivers, a detachable microphone, and a highly ergonomic design. We put it to the test to see how it fares against headsets from more established brands!
Cambridge Audio is a well-known brand in the world of HiFi. Today, we take a look at the newest addition to their extensive line-up of DACs and amplifiers. The new DacMagic XS is a matchbox-sized DAC/amp with plenty of power for normal headphones. We take it for a spin with several headphones to see how it performs.
Func's first ever gaming headset gets put to the test. The HS-260s is Func's attempt at creating a good mid-end closed-back gaming headset. Func ships this headset with two different types of ear pads, which allows you to tailor their performance somewhat.
MP4Nation has been manufacturing quality budget in-ears for a while, and they hope to take a good chunk of the mid-fi earphone market with the $60 S1s. The S1s use a 10mm driver in a well-designed housing and come with a flat cable, which is neat for people on the go.
MP4Nation is well known for their budget friendly headphone lineup. These solid over-ear headphones also come with a huge bundle and are built for a life on the go. Their pre-order price of $119 makes them a good price/performance option, too.
CM Storm is known to produce some very good budget gaming gear, and we take a look at their newest little addition today: the Pitch in-ear gaming headset. At only €29 MSRP, it comes complete with a good bundle ready for gaming on phones, tablets, and laptops .
HiFiMAN's newest high-end in-ear gets put to the test. The RE-600s are a beefed up version of the RE-400s we loved. The price has also been hiked up to $399, making it just as expensive as several great in-ears, like the UE900s. We test the RE-600s to find out whether the asking price is justified!
ASUS's most recent DAC/amp gets put to the test. This time, the Xonar Essence One gets a new little brother in the Essence STU. The new STU is a sleek-looking, small foot-print DAC/amp with excellent specs. We put it to the test to see how it measures up to other similar solutions!
Ozone manufactures a wealth of gaming peripherals, and today, we take a look at their brand-new set of gaming in-ears. This in-ear headset is meant for gaming on the go but can also work well with a stationary setup. We put it to the test to see how it compares to other competing products.
Sunrise Audio's newest DAC / amp gets put to the test. The Ray DA-P1 is built with Android devices in mind and works with devices that feature USB Audio in the kernel. It is also a very capable small form factor DAC / amp that won't give you any problems with Windows.
QPAD's newest high-performance headset, the QH-90, gets put to the test. This headset features some brilliantly performing 53mm drivers and a highly ergonomic design. Priced at €99, this headset is sure to mix things up in the sub €100 price category.
FLY is the name of Gigabyte's first set of headphones. These supra-aural headphones only weigh 79g and feature a heavy-duty cable. Despite their low weight, Gigabyte managed to fit 40 mm drivers into the medium-sized ear cups.
Sunrise is known for their high end ear buds. Today, we will take a good look at their two most recent offerings--namely, the Charm3 and Dragon2 ear buds. Both come with a big bundle and are competitively priced.
The flagship custom in-ear solution by Ultimate Ears gets put to the test against the best customs around. The Personal Reference Monitors target audiophiles who want a go at tuning their own custom in-ears. Almost everything is customizable, from the sound signature to the bundle.
RHA's new portable on-ear headphones are put to the test. These $59.99 headphones feature an Apple i-device compatible remote and microphone, which make it great for on-the-go use. With its user-replaceable cable, you do not need to worry about the cable wearing out.
Ozone's newest gaming headset dubbed Rage ST gets put to the test. The headset retails for €29.90 and is available in a lot of different colors. Unlike many lower end gaming headsets, the Rage ST has an around-ear design, which gives them an edge in terms of comfort.
RHA is a headphone company which gaining more and more momentum. Today we will be taking a look at their MA350 in-ears which sell at $39.99 and pack a lot of bass and very good build quality. On top of that you get a 3 year warranty.
JDSLabs's O2+ODAC combination combines two designs by NwAvGuy with excellent build quality and a sturdy enclosure. The O2+ODAC sells at just $285 which, performance considered, is a bargain. We test whether this amplifier and DAC combination is really the giant slayer it is made out to be!
HiFiMAN's newest baby, the RE-400 in-ears, are put to the test. The in-ears will retail for $99, and it is clear that HiFiMAN is pulling out all the stops to regain leadership in the sub $99 in-ear segment. Packed with several new features, these in-ears are an interesting departure from previous HiFiMAN designs.
ASUS's ROG Vulcan Pro headset features an active noise-cancellation system and folds up neatly in its carrying bag. ASUS even throws in a well-performing USB sound card. We put this well-featured headset to the test to see if active noise cancellation is the next must-have on gaming headsets.
Logitech UE's newest universal high-end in-ear gets put to the test. The UE 900s are a set of quad-driver in-ears. They ship with an extensive bundle including two cable options with and without a podded microphone and a remote.
Rosewill's newest supra-aural headphones, dubbed RHTS-11004, are put to the test. This new old looking design comes with quite a few neat tricks up its sleeves such as user replaceable cable and pleather pads. At only $30 these headphones should definitely be checked out by anyone looking for a set of portable and affordable headphones.
Rosewill's impressive product line-up also includes some very interesting headphones and in-ears. We will be taking a look at the RHTS-11002 Rosewood in-ears which features 10 mm dynamic drivers, and real rosewood ear cups!
CM Storm Sonuz is the name of a brand new headset which features massive 53 mm diameter drivers and a smart detachable microphone. The headset is aimed at gamers looking for good overall performance.
KRK Systems is well on their way to becoming a big name in the headphone business. Today we will be taking a look at yet another interesting set of closed back headphones, namely the KNS 6400s which feature the same mechanical design as the KNS 8400.
KRK Systems, known for their studio monitors, recently and quietly released two studio headphones. Today we will be taking a good look at the KNS 8400 headphones which is the current high-end offering from KNS 8400. Intended for studio use and abuse these headphones are durable and feature a more analytical sound signature than most headphones available.
Head-Direct's latest addition to the HE-line of headphones is the much anticipated HE-400. The HE-400 sells for only $400 which is quite low for a high-end set of planar magnetic headphones. We take them for a spin to see how they compare to both planar magnetic and dynamic headphones
ASUS Xonar Essence One is the name of a brand new DAC & Headphone amplifier combination from ASUS. The unit can decode 192 kHz source material and features a well performing headphone amplifier stage that allows for op-amp swapping.
Clar1tyOne is a brand new in-ear company. Their only product is a set of in-ears dubbed the EB110 which feature a new driver design which should minimize EMF effects. According to their studies this will significantly improve square-wave performance of the driver. We take them for a spin and see how they fare against the usual suspects.
ROCCAT Kave 5.1 is the name of a new surround sound headset. The headset features a few new features and a USB powered amplifier that allows for easy control of the surround capabilities. We take the headset for a spin to see if ROCCAT managed to avoide the pitfalls commonly associated with 5.1 headset designs.
Phonak's Audéo line of headphones has just been expanded to include a new interesting high-end in-ear dubbed the PFE232. PFE232 is a dual balanced armature based in-ear that aims at taking on the big guns in the high-end in-ear arena. We test them to see how they perform compared to in-ears like Westone 4 and the Ultimate Ears In-Ear Reference Monitors!
Westone's newest product is the Westone 4R quad driver in-ears. New for the 4Rs is a user replaceable cable and more tightly matched drivers, and a slightly altered bundle. We take the 4Rs for a spin to see how they compare to the originals.
Ultimate Ears have quite the reputation in the in-ear industry. Today we will be taking a thorough look at the In-Ear Reference Monitors. The name tells us that Ultimate Ears are excited, we put them to the test and see how they compare to the very best in-ears available today.
Fostex's newest product is a headphone amplifier and DAC dubbed the HP-P1. The HP-P1 offers a fully digital connection to any newer iPod or iPhone. Its ability to read digital data from the device is a unique feature that promises maximized audio quality because it bypasses the cheap analog hardware in the i-device.
Sennheiser's newest portable headphones are dubbed the PX 200-II. Its design closely resembles that of the previous high end ultra portable offering, the PX 200s. The new II-version features a multitude of smaller upgrades.
RedGiant have just released a very interesting set of in-ears named A03 Ossicle. The in-ears feature a dual dynamic driver setup and are aimed at satisfying all the bassheads of this world. We put them through their paces and see how they fare against other modern offerings.
Head-Direct's newest entry level model is put to the test. Dubbed RE-242 these in-ears are the first earphones from Head-Direct directly aimed at the entry level market. Priced at $25 they are budget friendly and feature a smart new durable design.
Head-Direct is pumping out headphone designs at an extraordinary rate. Today we will be taking a look at its newest construction dubbed the HE-300s. These headphones feature a brand new dynamic driver and are design wise very similar to the much more expensive HE-500s.
Headphone producer Head-Direct seems unstoppable when it comes to releasing new orthodynamic based headphones. The newest arrival is named HE-500 and slots in between the HE-5LEs and the HE-6s. New for the HE-500s is a special driver setup that allows for much higher efficiency.
Head-Direct's newest flagship headphones are put to the test. The headphones are dubbed the HE-6s and feature a gold plated driver, and a very special cable. They are priced at $1199, are they worth it ?
Westone's top of the line custom in-ears are put to the test. The ES5s feature five drivers per side and are available in a set of radical color schemes for the fashion conscious audiophiles out there. The starting price is a hefty $950 which makes them the second most expensive earphones we have every reviewed.
MP4Nation's newest budget in-ears are called the M1s. These in-ears sell for $39.50 online. Compared to other in-ears these feature a rugged cable that even performs well microphonics wise. Surprisingly enough the M1 features a full bundle with seven pairs of tips and a carrying case.
Westone 4 is the name of the newest true-fit earphone from Westone. As the name suggests these in-ears sports a quad driver design. The four balanced armatures are hooked up to a newly designed three way cross over. Priced at $449 these in-ears are sure to stir things up on the premium in-ear scene.
MP4Nations Brainwavz M2 is the slightly odd name for a set of mid-end in-ears. Despite the name, the in-ears boast a wealth of small innovations that makes them very competitive at their respective price point.
Sunrise known for their well performing earbuds also produce a set of quite interesting in-ears. Dubbed the SW-Xcape these in-ears are priced at a somewhat reasonable $80.
Beyerdynamic known for their high end headphones have now released a gaming headset. This headset is priced at a record €299/$299 so the stakes are high.
Sunrise audio, a relative newcomer on the headphone scene just released some neat earbuds. Today we take a look at their high end offering namely the AS-Charm earbuds. They retail at around $80 which promises excellent price/ performance ratio.
Sunrise Audio, unknown to most, just released a full line-up of earbuds. Today we take a closer look at the AS-Feeling earbuds which is their mid-end offering. Available for only $40 online these are sure to be welcomed by many people looking for great sound on a budget.
High end in-ear manufacturer JH AUDIO recently launched a new top-of-the-line in-ear dubbed the JH|16Pro. Featuring a grand total of eight drivers per in-ear these set the benchmark when it comes to cramming a lot of balanced armatures into one set of in-ears, retailing at $1,200. This brings forth the old question of whether more really is better, read on to find out.
Head-Direct's first ever balanced set of in-ears gets put to the test. Dubbed the RE-ZEROs they are essentially a limited run of a highly modified RE0 design. Dressed in a new color with a TRRS mini-jack and a slightly altered bundle these new in-ears should work well for the audio enthusiast.
Head-Direct's all new HE-5LEs show a lot of promise. Based around a recently designed ortohodynamic driver, designed and manufactured by the company these show a lot of promise. Can this $699 headphone take on the much more expensive Sennheiser HD 800 ?
Arctic Cooling's wooden in-ears are put to the test. Dubbed E352 these in-ears are closely related to the E361s which we recently had the pleasure of testing. For a budget of only about $50 you get solid sound quality coupled with a nice finish.
Arctic Cooling known for their innovative cooling solutions recently launched a new line of in-ears. In this review we will be taking a closer look at their top-of-the-line in-ear dubbed E361-BM. Fitted with a microphone and remote these earphones also double as a headset, both for PC and phone.
Sennheiser's latest and greatest headphones are put to the test. The HD800s created quite a fuzz when released, not only were they one of the most expensive headphones launched last year, they were also the most anticipated ones. In this review we put them to the test and see if there can be a reason to spend $1800 on headphones.
Head-Direct's HiFiMAN RE252 in-ears boast a new type of shell made from soft silicone. These in-ears aim to provide you with audiophile quality sound without ruining your ears. We put the $200 earphones to the test to see if the design can hold its own.
MP4Nation's latest addition to their in-ear lineup is dubbed the Beta Brainwavz. Made by MP4Nation under their Nationite brand these in-ears are geared towards everyday listeners looking for a decent set of affordable in-ears. Competitively priced these definitely seem like an affordable way into the in-ear realm.
SoundMagic is one of the few brands out there dedicated to making quality in-ears that are affordable as well. Today we take a look at their PL30 in-ears which boast a mighty bundle and good sound quality to boot. Being priced at $25 they provide amazing value in the IEM segment.
The recently launched HiFiMAN EF2 amplifier takes center stage as we test to see if it is worthy of such a name. Manufactured and sold by Head-Direct this product is both competitively priced and well equipped.
The newest addition to the Razer headset lineup is the USB powered Megalodon headsets. Featuring an all new USB sound card developed by Razer called the Maelstrom sound engine. Depending on user preference you can run in either 2.0 or 7.1 mode.
Relatively unknown Maximo recently released their iM-590 earphones. Based on a 9 mm driver and boosting a metal exterior these earphones will undoubtedly turn some heads. The price of just $59 certainly will.
The Audio-Technica ATH-AD700s headphones surprise with their unusual appearance and performance. Outperforming most of the competitors in its price range these headphones are quite a treat to anyone looking for a set of $100 headphones.
The Cresyn CS-HP500 headphones are aimed at budget conscious people looking for a highly portable set of headphones. Priced at only $39.99 these headphones will not break the bank.
Cresyn C750E is the name of an interesting set of in-ears, from a relatively unknown manufacturer. The C750Es feature a sweet bundle and a well thought out design. With a price point of $100 they are positioned nicely for the average user who wants to get decent sound quality on the move without breaking the bank.
IE8 is the name of a brand new earphone solution from Sennheiser. The Sennheiser IE8 boast a dynamic driver and an innovative bass adjustment feature that allows the user to tweak the bass response on the move. With a price of $400 they don't come cheap, but for an audiophile who is looking for the best sound quality possible, these might still be a very viable choice.
Sennheiser's long awaited performance IEMs are finally here. The IE7 earphones aim to take on some of the very best in-ears around with their bold design and conventional driver. For a price of $300 you get some of the best in-ears on the market today that impress with a detailed bass and full sound stage.
Sennheiser recently launched the IE6 earphones. Marketed at budget conscious sound enthusiasts, Sennheiser aims to conquer a market already booming with new and innovative products. For a price of $200 you get a very smooth listening experience with a nice balance between the lows and highs.
The Ultrasone PRO900s have finally arrived! This newest addition to the Ultrasone lineup promises an enhanced listening experience through the use of some radical new sonic principles. Lets see how they fair against the present top models from rivaling brands.
When it comes to portable headphone amplifiers one brand that has everybody talking is FiiO. Their inexpensive portable headphone amplifiers shook the market and has gained immense popularity. Read on as we take the E3 and E5 out for a spin.
The long awaited Westone 3s are finally here and they make quite an entry. Leaving the competition behind, these earphones set the pace. Using the first true three way cross over ever to be fitted in a universal style in-ear solution these set the standard when it comes to sound quality.
Qinpu's V-1.8 mini speakers represent great value. Available for only £249 a set these speakers are ready to take on the competitors with their dual driver design and good looks.
Swedish headphone manufacturer Jays recently released the much anticipated c-Jays supra-aural headphones. Their slim design together with a customizable sound signature has made quite a stir amongst the headphone crowd.
Sleek-Audio's much anticipated wireless kit has finally arrived, dubbed the W1 it brings Kleer wireless technology to all Sleek-Audio earphones currently in production. With the promise of uncompromised sound quality and wireless operation this product is sure to meet the demands of many customers worldwide.
RE0 is the name of the brand new high-end in-ear solution from Head-Direct. Despite the naming scheme, these new in-ear have very little in common with its predecessors in the RE-line of products.
Future Sonics is a brand that produces some very unique in-ears. In this review we will be taking a look at their universal fit in-ears dubbed Atrio. Future Sonics emphasizes their strong bass performance - of course we put this to the test amongst other things in the review.
Sleek-Audio's much anticipated Custom earphones are put to the test, pitted against the usual suspects in the in-ear arena. These new Custom in-ears can be customized in any thinkable way, right from the frequency response, to the color and artwork on the shell.
G1 is the name of a brand new set of clip-on headphones from Yuin. These headphones feature a special sound signature and are aimed at people on the move craving great sound.
The newest addition to the HFI headphone lineup from Ultrasone is called the HFI-680. These new mid to high end cans should effectively fill in the gap between the old Ultrasone lineups 650 and recently launched HFI-780.
Ultimate Ears just released a completely new earphone dubbed the Super.fi 5. It is aimed at budget conscious earphone users looking for a good sounding, decent looking set of in-ears. The new radical design is a major leap forward compared to the old Ultimate Ears design.
Head-Direct EF1 is the name of a brand new headphone amplifier made by the guys behind Head-Direct. The amplifier is a hybrid design which means that it mixes the best from both tube based amplification and solid state amplification.
Tension Labs EAP03 is the name of a brand new earphone audio processor that can boost your experience in a variety of ways. The EAP03 features a built in microphone and can sample it into the audio feed, providing you with the power to control the level of isolation you want from your earphones.
PureBuds is the name of Amazing Tech Products all new ear bud offering. The ear buds feature a new approach on how to make a good ear bud, unlike most ear buds these have a reverse mounted driver which should have quite an effect on the sound quality.
TekNmotion Pulsar SX is the name of a brand new headset aimed at gamers. The Pulsar SX features a USB sound card, vibration feature, and blue lights. This headset has a lot of unique features and costs a mere $59.99 which is cheap considering the integrated USB sound card.
Yuin's PK1 earbuds were all the rage when they first hit the market quite a while ago. Since then Yuin has further upped the stakes by introducing the new and improved OK-series earphones. Today we take a look at the PK1s to see if the former earbud champion can still compete in today's market.
Yuin OK3 is the budget version of the new OK-series earphones coming from Yuin. The OK3s have the same design as its two bigger brothers and feature the exact same exterior design. This little Yuin is made for the more budget minded critical listeners with a price of only $89.
Yuin OK2 is the name of the second best earphone from the Chinese brand Yuin. Unlike their bigger brother these earphones are easy to drive, and are also optimized for use with a normal modern DAP. The OK2s can function both as normal earbuds and as in-ears which makes them quite unique.
Yuin OK1 is the name of Yuin's brand new top-of-line earphone. The OK1s are rather special since they can both function as a pair of regular earbuds or as in-ears. The design is also completely revamped. When driven by a proper amp the sound is lightyears ahead of any other earbud we have previously tested.
Travagan's Colors is the name of a brand new portable headphone amplifier. It is much smaller than most normal portable amps and only costs $59. The design is quite outlandish since it resembles a dog bone. The question is of course how does this little thing stack up against some of the bigger portable headphone amps.
Head-Direct has just released their RE1 earphones which are quite different compared to all the other in-ears on the market today. The special thing about them is that they are based around some very unique performing drivers that scale particularly well. The better your amplifier is, the better their sound, leaving the competition behind in the dust - if you have a good amp.
LiveWires T1 is the name of some new custom earphones that cost about half of its main rivals. They are built exactly to fit your ear with additional customization options like colors. These in-ears use two balanced armatures and play in a completely different league compared to whats usually available in this price segment.
Klipsch Image is the name of a brand new set of high-end earphones. They feature a radical new design and come with an excessive bundle. Besides being extremely good looking they also have a special sound characteristic that appeals to a large crowd.
The OVC TC20 earphones are aimed at the more budget conscious in-ear audience. Priced at only $39 they are many times cheaper than most big brand earphones. The only question is how does their sound performance stack up against the more expensive in-ears.
VSONIC R02-PRO is the name of a reasonably priced set of earphones. They retail for around $69 which is to be considered cheap by earphone market standards. What is interesting to see is their rather different design and how they stack up against competitors from more established brands.
Head-Direct RE2 is the name of a completely new entry level pair of earphone. Head-Direct was until recently just a headphone and amplifier reseller, but that has changed with the arrival of the RE2s. their new earphones are among the best when it comes to price/performance, even rivaling some of the twice as expensive competition.
Sleek-Audio SA6 is the name of a brand new pair of earphones with customizable performance. The earphones feature both a treble and bass tuning system that allows the user to alter the audio performance according to their needs and preferences. This is not done via electronics as one might expect, but by physically replacing parts of the earphone.
The HeadRoom Total BitHead portable amplifier and DAC is a great combination of both a USB audio codec and a headphone amplifier that will drive most high end cans on the market today. The HeadRoom Total BitHead sells for only $149.99 which can be considered a steal for such a product.
The Piranha is Razer's newest effort to conquer the budget gaming headset market. It features a noise canceling microphone and a lot of other neat features that add to the value of the product which is sold at a mere $79.99.
The Westone UM1 in-ear-monitors are aimed at people wanting good sound quality on the move without having to spend several hundreds of dollars. With a price of $109 they are Westone's contribution to a highly competitive price segment.
With a price of around $300 you can expect quite some performance from the Westone UM2 Earphones. They are designed as in-ear-monitors and feature two high-end drivers aimed at people that are not willing to accept compromise.
V-MODA's Vibe in-ear-monitors are for the style conscious earphone buyer. Their all aluminum body and fashionable woven cable makes them stand out from the crowd. But can they even begin to compete with more performance minded in-ear-monitors.
The Kossart h50 is a new headset in the bang-for-the-buck category. It is made by the Swedish based company Kossart and is aimed at gamers looking for an affordable solid performing headset. In our review we were impressed by the excellent build quality which is there to last.
The SteelSeries Siberia Neckband headset is the first neckband headset aimed at gamers. Besides being a neckband headset, SteelSeries further added to its capabilities by including an Xbox 360 adapter. Also included is a detachable volume control that sits on the audio cable.
The Ultimate Ears Super.fi 3 Studio in-ear-monitors are aimed at the ordinary consumer looking for extraordinary sound performance. The Super.fi 3 Studio comes at a more resonable price tag of around $100, which is less than many other in-ear-headphones on the market today.
Zalman's latest ZM-RS6F USB headphones are based on a C-Media USB sound card and a 5.1 capable headset that can do real surround sound. The whole unit has been built to deliver a maximum of comfort while still being rugged and easy to transport. Another plus is that it is quite affordable when compared to other solutions with similar features.
Zalman first showed their compact ZM-DS4F headphones at Computex. The headphones are designed in an Apple white and can be folded together for easy transportation. Inside you will find two individual audio drives per ear cup which improves sound quality a lot. Actually, it will be hard to find a better set of headphones in the sub-$30 price range.
Icemat may be known for their mouse pads, but the company also produces some high quality audio products. We take a look at the white Icemat Siberia In:Ear headset today, which does not only look great and is built very well, but does deliver some very respectable audio performance too.
The Saitek GH50 may look quite normal at first glance and even though it is very light, the headset packs quite a punch. As soon as the SRS is turned on, you may never want to go back to using those normal stereo variants. We try the GH50 with games, movies and music after taking a close look and let you know if it really fares as good as it sounds.
Razer's new Pro Tones m250 headphones look a bit different than your average headphone. They clip on to your ears, allowing the headset to be larger than the usual ear plugs, while still being quite compact. During testing we found out that these $50 headphones can deliver amazing sound quality, no matter which type of music you listen to.
The Razer Pro|Tones m100 is a light-weight in-ear headphone system that is designed to give you the best music listening experience. The headphones are available in black and white, which is a perfect match for an Apple iPod. After testing these $40 headphones we come to the conclusion that they offer excellent comfort and good sound quality.
Today we will be taking a look at the recently launched and highly anticipated SteelSound 3H gaming headset, which should bring some quality audio to the low-/midrange headphone market. The headset can be folded together nicely to take up very little space in your LAN party backpack, for a very competitive price of $50.
The SteelSeries SteelSound 4H is a headset made specifically for gamers. Like its big brother, the 5H, it is designed to give you an advantage in games by making sure you hear all the little details like footsteps. The SteelSound 4H offers great wearing comfort even when used for gaming sessions of several hours.
Everglide has been known to produce very high-end mouse pads for years. Now they ventured into the gaming headset market with their S-500 series of professional headsets. The headset offers excellent wearing comfort, even when used over longer periods of time. Also the sound quality is good for both gaming and listening to music.
The Razer Barracuda HP-1 is a unique headset which offers true surround sound. A number of small speakers in the headphone are placed at different positions and are driven by a small amplifier included with the headphones. Now you can enjoy positional sound effects while using a headset. In our testing we found out that this makes quite a difference in games like Counter-Strike or Battlefield, where you can locate enemies based on the sounds they make.
The SteelSound 5H v2 is a headset designed with gamers in mind. SteelSeries' first headset was called the SteelSound 5H, today we test the second version. The new version features even better padding than the old one, to make it more comfortable. Besides that the internal connections were reworked for increased durability, which was a problem with the old version.
The SteelSeries SteelSound 5H USB is a quite unique gamer headset. The microphone is retractable and for easier transportation you can take the whole unit apart. In addition to the headset you get a USB based sound card which makes sure you get the sound you are used to, no matter where you are. We compared this headset against the popular Sennheiser PC 160 and were amazed by the quality of the SteelSound headset.
Today we look at the Speed-Link Medusa 5.1 Pro Gamer Edition headset. Not only does it come with all the cables and a tiny but effective power supply, but with a perfect bag which makes the journey to the next LAN party a breeze. The suède feel of the headset makes it incredibly comfortable and it definitely has the sound to make your scariest games even scarier and give you the 5.1 surround sound you need to excel at your next LAN Party.
