The Good: Price/Quality ratio; Comfort; Bass quality/quantity; Musicality; Imaging. The Bad: Requires a powerful amplifier. Tonal Balance: V-Shaped Style: Circumaural semi-open. Cost: $250 at Cascadia Audio   Reviewing Process & Background I knew Mad Economist as a fellow mod on Reddit’s /r/headphones community. A while back he had mentioned that he was working on a Fostex T50 mod and asked if I’d like to hear it when he finished the tuning, and enthusiastically I agreed. After some time I finally received a prototype, a standard T50 shell with...

  The Good: Excellent build quality; Excellent accessory bundle; MMCX Removable cables; Treble extension; Midrange resolution. The Okay: Comfort; Bass quality and presence; Treble resolution; Soundstage. The Bad: Sibilance highlighting; Sub-bass presence. Tonal Balance: Warm leaning despite lacking bass presence. Style: Over-Ear/Worn Down IEM Cost: $200   Reviewing Process The Pinnacle P1, now forth referred to as the P1, have been my primary IEM for a month now. Primarily used during school hours plugged into an iBasso DX80, but they’ve also...

  The Good: Price to quality ratio; K5 allows for docking with FiiO DAPs; Plug and play; aesthetically pleasing; Low output impedance; Three gain settings The Okay: Power output will struggle with some inefficient planars; The Bad: No stated power at 600ohms, but likely not very high based on 150mW at 300ohms Tonal Balance: Mildly warm leaning Listening Set-Up: Musicbee (WASAPI+FLAC) -> E17k/K5 -> Various headphones Cost: K5: $110, E17k: $140 Reviewing Process The FiiO K5 and E17k were sent to me from FiiO as a review unit. I have had the...

  Pros: Secure on head; Built in bass boost. Cons: Extreme clamping force; Cheap look and feel; Overall mediocre sound quality. Tonal Balance: Warm with a downwards slope. Style: Closed supra-aural Cost at Time of Review: $76   Reviewing Process   I’ve been using the K183 as my primary cans for the past two weeks, using them rather heavily during the time with a wide variety of music and games. While I feel confident that I have a good feel for the sound and construction of the K183, this is still a subjective review and your personal...

  Pros: Build quality; Strong bass presence. Cons: Driver flex - makes positioning finicky; Sibilant; Scooped out lower midrange. Tonal Balance: V-Shaped (Enhanced bass and upper midrange) Style: Worn down IEM Cost at Time of Review: $40 for non mic, $50 for mic   Reviewing Process The RHA S500i have been my daily driver through my iBasso DX90 for approximately 1 month now. I’ve almost exclusively used them with the DX90 and no need for additional amplification. I’ve spent enough time with the S500i that I feel comfortable sharing my opinions...

  Pros: Excellent build quality; great warranty; huge choice of tips; fit. Cons: Recessed mids; sibilance; overly bassy for a general purpose IEM. Tonal Balance: Bass heavy with recessed midrange, treble amount varies. Style: Over-Ear IEM Listening Set-Up: Clip Zlip (FLAC), Musicbee (FLAC) -> Matrix HPA-3U Cost at Time of Review: $240   Reviewing Process I’ve had the T20 for at least a month and during this process I’ve used them for light exercise as well as home listening. I have spent enough time with them to feel comfortable sharing my...

  Pros: Sturdy build quality, customizable sound, imaging quality, control and texture of the midbass, incredibly euphoric and well textured midrange. Cons: Weight, comfort. Tonal Balance: Bass heavy to neutral. Style: Closed Circumaural Listening Set-Up: Musicbee (WASAPI/FLAC) -> Matrix HPA-3U Cost at Time of Review: Starts at $700   Reviewing Process I’ve had the Blackwood for a bit over a month and during this time I’ve exclusively used them for desktop listening. I’ve primarily used them for critical and noncritical music listening...

The review was written from a $300 MSRP, they can be had like-new for around $100, my ratings reflect the used market pricing.     Pros: Gorgeous aesthetics; Lightweight & sturdy build; Removable cable; Midrange texture; Speed. Cons: Cost to price ratio; Fatiguing; Midrange recession; Odd sound signature. Tonal Balance: Forward upper-mids with odd unevenness throughout, slightly v-shaped Style: Closed circumaural Cost at Time of Review: $300   Reviewing Process I’ve been using the 1R as my primary cans for the past three weeks, using them...

    Pros: Feels sturdy; Secure clamping force; Removable cables; Relatively balanced sound. Cons: Cramped soundstage; Lackluster sub-bass quality. Tonal Balance: Nearly balanced sound Style: Circumaural Over-Ear Listening Set-Up: Musicbee (FLAC/WASABI) -> Matrix HPA-3u Cost at Time of Review: $250   Reviewing Process The Aria were sent to me as a review sample from Feenix. I’ve had them for approximately one month with the bulk of the use through my desktop set-up. I’ve listened to a wide variety of music through the Aria with a mix of...

Pros: Sturdy build, secure/light, clean and balanced sound, accurate and wide soundstage. Cons: The pads aren’t very comfortable. Tonal Balance: Slightly warm leaning neutral Style: Open circumaural Cost at Time of Review: $350   Reviewing Process The R70x have been solely listened to at home through a Schiit Magni 2 Uber/Modi 2 Uber and a Matrix HPA-3u with high-quality FLAC files. I have used these for a mixture of gaming, passive listening, and active listening. I have spent enough time with them to feel comfortable sharing my opinion, but...

  Pros: Stylish aesthetics, removable cable, musicality. Cons: Shouty upper mids, rolled off treble, sluggish midbass. Tonal Balance: Mild v-shape Style: Closed circumaural Listening Set-up: Musicbee (WASAPI/FLAC) -> Matrix HPA-3U Cost at Time of Review: $220   Reviewing Process I’ve had the MSR7 for approximately a month with daily use being primarily for light jogs through a quiet neighborhood while plugged into my Sansa Clip Zip. I have spent a great deal of time with the MSR7 and feel comfortable sharing my opinion of them, but experience...

  Pros: Comfort, build quality, sub-bass quality, multiple sound tunings. Cons: Shouty upper mids Tonal Balance: Warm to balanced depending on ports. Style: Closed over-ear Listening Set-Up: Musicbee (FLAC) -> Matrix HPA-3U Cost: Starting at $499   Reviewing Process I’ve had the Vibro for about a month and during the time I’ve used them to skype, play League of Legends and to listen to a wide assortment of music. During my time with them I feel that I’ve become comfortable enough with their sound and build to comment on them fairly. With that...

Pros: Build quality and sound quality are top notch, I have no qualms with either. Cons: Cost, non removable pads. Tonal Balanced: Balanced Style: Open circumaural headphones Listening Set-up: Musicbee (FLAC) -> Matrix HPA-3u Cost at Time of Review: $1,400   Reviewing Process I’ve had the PM-x2 for a bit over a month now and have put significant head time on them. Over the course of my time I feel that I have gained a solid understanding of the sound and build of the PM-x2 and feel confident sharing my opinion. With that said this review is my...

      Pros: Build quality, comfort, sound quality, removable dual entry cable, price Cons: None   Packaging   I am unable to comment on the packaging of the HM5 as I have received a loaner model. I can comment on the accessories I've received though and Brainwavz has done a fantastic job here. Included with the HM5 I received were an extra pair of faux leather pads which are good quality here, soft yet firm. Also included was two cables, both being dual entry with a 3.5mm plug and an included 1/4 adaptor. The cables are thick and...

  Packaging     Having received two other Superlux headphones in the past I wasn't expecting much outside of a no frills cardboard box. While I wasn't completely blown away, Superlux definitely took some notes from other companies and made the packaging much more appealing than the 668b or the 651. The 661 come in black box with red sides, what's interesting though is that on the front right half the 661 are exposed by a plastic window. The left side is a profile picture of the 661 in a glossier paint than the matte black, HD661 is also...

      Much thanks to Urban at JAYS for giving me the opportunity to review these fantastic headphones!   Pros: Comfort, clarity, detail, musicality Cons: Sibilance is heavy until hours of burn-in, bass is a bit shy   Packaging     Big and sleek are the first two things that come to mind when I received my q-JAYS. The box is easily bigger than any DUNU offering I've received, about the width of a marble notebook and almost the height for some imprecise measurements. The box does include a lot of accessories though, so...

      Pros: Deep well extended bass, rather clear sound, comfort Cons: Rolled off highs and upper mids.   Unfortunately I do not have the packaging or accessories for the XB. I am borrowing these from a friend and the box has been since thrown away.   Design and Build Quality     The first thing you'll notice is how huge the pleather pads are. They look rather silly to be honest, but actually provide a nice seal around the ears and help provide decent isolation. The pads are also very comfortable, though they...

      I would like to thank Rocky of DUNU for the chance to review the DUNU Trident IEMs.   Pros: Build quality, quality to price ratio, packaging Cons: Microphonics when worn down   Packaging     The DUNU Trident came packaged in a familiar looking box, those who have either the Crius, Ares, or Hephaes will notice similarities. A rather large white box presents the users with a picture of a female dancing and the Tridents. On top the DUNU logo appears, on the bottom the model name. There is also some writing in...

      I would like to thank Brainwavz for the opportunity to review their brand new Brainwavz Beta. I've titled this with a (V2) marking to distinguish that these are vastly different than the original ones. If you are interested in where to purchase these head on over to MP4nation where they have the best price and world wide shipping!   Pros: Punchy bass, clarity, price, Comply tips, no microphonics Cons: Slightly recessed mids, build quality   Packaging     I'm not sure whether this is the final design or not but...

      I want to thank The House of Marley for allowing me to review their headphones. For those who aren't aware of The House of Marley go check out their website! They are partners with the 1LOVE movement to spread peace.   Pros: Eco-Friendly, iPod Remote, Wood, Bass lovers IEM Cons: Pushy bass, recessed miss, rolled off highs, cable quality   Packaging     Typical packaging for a budget IEM. Cardboard housing with a plastic window. The front has the Marley logo with a picture of the People Get Ready buds...