Digital Sources: Apple iPod, iPod Touch; Ray Samuels Emmeline Hornet & The Tomahawk portable headphone amplifiers; Benchmark DAC1 D/A converter–headphone amplifier driven by S/PDIF optical output of MacBook laptop, or by dual-core Pentium PC using a Bel Canto USB Link 24/96 to convert USB datastream to S/PDIF, both computers running iTunes.
Headphones: Sennheiser HD650, Ultimate Ears UE-5c.—John Atkinson
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Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment
Sidebar 3: Measurements
Deciding what is the optimal frequency response for a pair of headphones is neither obvious nor trivial (see www.stereophile.com/features/808head), compounded by the fact that I don't have a microphone small enough to be inserted in my ears. The only measurement I perform on headphones, therefore, is of their electrical impedance, to determine how difficult they are to drive. To take these readings, I inserted each set of 'phones in my ears.
The Phiaton PS 200's impedance and electrical phase are shown in fig.1. The impedance meets the 39-ohm specification…
I got early into personal stereos. I lost my driving license for a while in the mid-1970s—something about a stop sign and "failure to observe"—so I used to take the train to a regular bass-playing gig I had in Brighton, on England's south coast. Not only did I conclude that any audio magazine worth its cover price had to have enough meat in it to last the two-hour journey and back again, I also built myself an op-amp–based, battery-powered amplifier to drive a pair of RadioShack headphones. Desperate times called for desperate measures, and my only source was a mono cassette recorder. Inside-…
Sidebar 1: Specifications
Description: Earphones with Tuned BassPort. Drive-unit: Hi-Definition MicroSpeaker (balanced armature). Frequency range: 22Hz–19kHz. Sensitivity: 111dB SPL/mW. Impedance: 28 ohms at 1kHz. Features: travel case, flex tips, 3 sizes of silicone sound-isolating sleeves, 36" extension cable, cleaning tool.
Dimensions: Weight: 0.99oz (28gm). Cable length: 18" (450mm); with supplied extension, 54" (1360mm).
Finish: Black or white and gray.
Serial Number Of Unit Reviewed: None found.
Price: $299.99. Approximate number of dealers: sold online, plus through…
Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment
Digital Sources: Apple iPod, iPod Touch; Ray Samuels Emmeline Hornet & The Tomahawk portable headphone amplifiers; Benchmark DAC1 D/A converter–headphone amplifier driven by S/PDIF optical output of MacBook laptop, or by dual-core Pentium PC using a Bel Canto USB Link 24/96 to convert USB datastream to S/PDIF, both computers running iTunes.
Headphones: Sennheiser HD650, Ultimate Ears UE-5c.—John Atkinson
Sidebar 3: Measurements
As I wrote in the "Measurements" sidebar that accompanies Jim Austin's review of the Westone 3 in-ear headphones elsewhere in this issue, deciding what is the optimal frequency response for a pair of headphones is neither obvious nor trivial (see www.stereophile.com/features/808head), compounded by the fact that I don't have a microphone small enough to be inserted in my ears. The only measurement I perform on headphones, therefore, is of their electrical impedance, to determine how difficult they are to drive. To take these readings, I inserted each set of 'phones…
Designed to be used onstage by musicians monitoring their sound and mix, in-ear monitors (IEMs) such as the new Westone 3 are great in situations where you want to hear nothing but the music. They're small and portable, and their high efficiency and easy impedance load mean they work well with portable players. IEMs are better than electronic-feedback, noise-reducing, closed circumaural phones at blocking out airplane engine noise and annoying neighbors who want to chat. They're also more compact, sound better, and don't require batteries.
I've owned five IEMs, beginning with…
Sidebar 1: Specifications
Description: Frequency range: 20Hz–18kHz. Sensitivity: 107dB SPL. Impedance: 30 ohms. Drive-unit: balanced armature. Features: inline volume control, ¼" adapter, soft padded travel case, 10 pairs of eartips, wax loop for cleaning.
Dimensions: Weight: 0.53 oz (15gm).
Finish: Black.
Serial Number Of Unit Reviewed: None found.
Price: $399. Approximate number of dealers: Sold direct.
Manufacturer: Westone Laboratories, Inc. Mailing: P.O. Box 15100, Colorado Springs, CO 80935. Physical: 2235 Executive Circle, Colorado Springs, CO 80906. Tel: (800) 525-…
Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment
Digital Sources: Apple 4G iPod Nano, Apple iPhone 3G; Benchmark DAC1 D/A converter (used as a headphone amplifier); Marantz SA-7S1 SACD/CD player.
Headphones: Grado SR60, Sennheiser HD650, Shure E4 & SE310.—Jim Austin
Sidebar 3: Measurements
Deciding what, exactly, is the optimal frequency response for a pair of headphones is neither obvious nor trivial (see www.stereophile.com/features/808head). The only measurement I perform on headphones, therefore, is of their electrical impedance, to determine how difficult they are to drive.
The Weston 3's impedance and electrical phase are shown in fig.1. (The headphones were inserted in my ears for this measurement.) The impedance is close to the 30-ohm specification, though it reaches minimum values of 22 ohms in the midrange and 16 ohms in the…