Headphone Reviews

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A Traveler's Sanctuary: The Bose Quiet Comfort 20 Noise Canceling Earphone

Tyll Hertsens Nov 26, 2013 First Published: Nov 26, 2013 0 comments

This story originally appeared at InnerFidelity.com

Damn! I almost fell over the first time I switched them on...the quiet was physically stunning. I spent my last two flights with the Bose Quiet Comfort 20 in my ears...the sense of having my own space and refuge was extraordinary. Go ahead and yell it at the top of your lungs, I'm sure I'll barely hear...

SANCTUARY!!!

Headphone Reviews InnerFidelity

A Headset for Everyone: The Sennheiser Momentum On-Ear

Tyll Hertsens Nov 18, 2013 First Published: Nov 18, 2013 0 comments

This story originally appeared at InnerFidelity.com

Sure...there's a few trade-offs here and there, but I have a hard time imagining an on-ear portable headset can get much better than this!

Headphone Reviews InnerFidelity

I Love These Headphones...The NAD VISO HP50

Tyll Hertsens Nov 01, 2013 First Published: Nov 01, 2013 0 comments

This story originally appeared at InnerFidelity.com

Okay, I know you're not supposed to give away the story in the headline...but I just can't help it. The NAD VISO HP50 is an awesome headphone!

Headphone Reviews InnerFidelity

The Delightful Onkyo ES-FC300 and ES-HF300

Tyll Hertsens Sep 29, 2013 First Published: Sep 29, 2013 0 comments

This story originally appeared at InnerFidelity.com

Just another "big audio company joins the ranks of headphone makers" or something a bit more special? It's hard to get my hopes up with so many first stabs at making headphones resulting in mediocre introductions. Maybe I should just lower my expectations a bit.

No! The new Onkyo cans are quite a surprise!

Budget Component Reviews Digital Processor Reviews Headphone Reviews

Meridian Explorer USB D/A processor/headphone amplifier

Art Dudley Aug 30, 2013 First Published: Sep 01, 2013 0 comments

Those of us who groan at the appearance of every new five-figure digital source component in a massively oversized chassisand who groan in greater torment when the offending manufacturer says his customer base insists on products that are styled and built and priced that waycan take heart: The appearance of such sanely sized and affordable products as the Halide Design DAC HD ($495) and the AudioQuest DragonFly ($249) would suggest that the market has a mind of its own.

Headphone Reviews The Entry Level

The Entry Level #32

Stephen Mejias Aug 08, 2013 First Published: Aug 08, 2013 0 comments

Even before I'd really listened to PSB's Alpha PS1 powered desktop speakers (see last month's column), I suspected that I'd like them: They're affordable, attractive, small enough to actually fit on my desktop, and designed and manufactured by a true high-end audio company. Besides all that, the PS1s had been highly recommended by a friend, AudioStream.com's Michael Lavorgna. I only needed the speakers to sound good in my home. And they didclean, clear, detailed, and dynamic, with a surprisingly big and bold overall sound.

Headphone Reviews InnerFidelity

JPS Labs Abyss AB-1266 Planar Magnetic Headphones

Tyll Hertsens Jul 18, 2013 First Published: Jul 18, 2013 0 comments

This story originally appeared at InnerFidelity.com

If Mary Shelley had written a birthday scene in "The Bride of Frankenstein", the Abyss AB-1266 would certainly have been the perfect gift for old Frankie. Yeah, these are some weird looking cans, and the price tag sure makes you look at them real hard.

Fortunately, it's what they sound like that counts.

Headphone Reviews InnerFidelity

The AKG K267 Tiesto Headphone with Bass Adjustment Control

Tyll Hertsens Jul 10, 2013 First Published: Jul 10, 2013 0 comments

This story originally appeared at InnerFidelity.com

Q: Who the heck is Tiesto, and why does he want an adjustable bass control?

A: Some sort of popular European DJ, and because, by golly, the damn thing works!

Headphone Reviews InnerFidelity

2013 Munich High End Show: HiFiMAN RE-400 and RE-600

Tyll Hertsens May 16, 2013 First Published: May 16, 2013 0 comments

This story originally appeared at InnerFidelity.com

You know what's funny about this job? You travel half way around the world and then talk to people you know well. Fang is one of those people. I'm thinking I should go to China one of these days and talk to him again.

Anyway, HiFiMAN had a couple of cool dynamic IEMs that were a good listen. Check it out.

Ed. Note: I've posted my show impressions for Stereophile, you can read them here.

Headphone Reviews InnerFidelity

ToTL Madness! 24 Top-of-the-Line Custom In-Ear Monitors Reviewed

John Grandberg, Tyll Hertsens, ljokerl, Steve Guttenberg, Dinny FitzPatrick May 04, 2013 First Published: May 04, 2013 0 comments

This story originally appeared at InnerFidelity.com

It's extremely hard to compare custom IEMs. Few users have more than one pair, so direct personal comparisons are rare. They can't be measured by InnerFidelity because they don't fit in the measurement head's ears. What to do?

Damn the torpedos, full speed ahead! In this review 5 InnerFidelity writers, blessed with the generosity of manufacturers willing to put their ToTL CIEMs through the ringer do a massive comparative review of 24 of the worlds best custom in-ear monitors.

Epic!