Headphone Reviews

You just never know what's going to show up from InnerFidelity's headphone measurement program. Today I got to measure a rather unique completely DIY headphone.

"The Empiric," built by superbestaudiofriends.org member feilb is a visual stunner. But more stunning, much more, is that they are not modifications of an existing headphone, but rather a self-designed and hand-built from the ground up headphone. Well, he sourced the drivers, but everything else is pure imagination.

He's got some great pictures in this imgur folder. I can't resist dropping this one in, but don't miss the rest. Just spectacular.

What's even more dumbfounding is that a guy can take a $15 driver and get it to measure this good! So good, that I had to take them into the listening room, push the reference cans aside, and have a listen. I ended up spending 30 minutes enjoying a half dozen tracks. I'd rank them as a good mid-level headphone—something quite a few <$1000 headphones can't seem to manage.

Just an outstanding job, mate!!!

SBAF threads here and here.

Okay, the bass is the right level, but a bit mushy with distortion. And the treble is a bit grainy...but c'mon, a $15 driver. Still big kudos!