When Kingston released their HyperX Cloud gaming headset they took the gaming world by storm. With outstanding build quality, very comfortable fit, great sound and a microphone that put many of the big gaming peripheral players offerings to shame (looking at you SteelSeries) at a great price they raised the bar on what to expect from a headset. They then followed up with the Cloud II and Cloud Revolver which were both also well received. Today I'll be reviewing the Kingston HyperX Cloud Stinger.
 

Disclaimer:

 
This sample was sent to me for the purpose of this review. I do not gain financially by doing this and have no affiliation with the company. All opinions here are my own based on my personal experience with the product. I'd like to thank Weina from Kingston Technology for the opportunity to test the HyperX Cloud Stinger.
 
HyperX Gaming website: http://www.hyperxgaming.com/en
Amazon link: HyperX Cloud Stinger
 
The Kingston HyperX Stinger has 50mm directional drivers, rotating ear-cups and multi-platform compatibility (PC/Mobile, Xbox/PS4/Wii U). Being a long time user of the Cloud Pro I came into this with high expectations. The Stinger is aimed more towards the budget headset segment than it's counterparts at $49.99 USD but comes with an impressive 2 year warranty.  Let's see how it fares.
 

Specifications:

 
Headphone
> Driver dynamic, 50mm with neodymium magnets
> Type circumaural, closed back
> Frequency response 18Hz–23,000 Hz
> Impedance 30 Ω
> Sound pressure level 102 ± 3dBSPL/mW at 1kHz
> T.H.D. ≤ 2%
> Input power rated 30mW, maximum 500mW
> Weight 275g
> Cable length and type headset (1.3m) + extension Y-cable (1.7m)
> Connection headset - 3.5mm plug (4 pole) + extension cable -3.5mm stereo and mic plugs
 
Microphone
> Element electret condenser microphone
> Polar pattern uni-directional, noise-cancelling
> Frequency response 50Hz–18,000 Hz
>Sensitivity -40 dBV (0dB=1V/Pa,1kHz)
 

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Packaging and accessories:

 
The Stinger comes in a fairly typical gamer headset style box which is predominantly black with red accents. On the front is an image of the headset and some of the features. On the back of the box is another picture from a different viewpoint and more features again. Upon opening the box you're presented with an introductory card and a Quick Start  Guide. Removing a thin layer of black foam underneath we find the headset laid flat with the ear cups rotated at 90 degrees and seated snugly in black foam. There's also a splitter which can be attached to the cable, enabling you to connect to your computer. It's a far cry from the unboxing experience of the Cloud Pro but that's to be expected with a budget offering.
 
 

Build and functionality:

 
The HyperX Cloud Stinger is made from a sturdy, matte black plastic that's very resistant to fingerprints. The headset is lightweight too, coming in at just 280 grams which along with the familiar memory foam ear pads makes them very comfortable to wear. The headband, embedded with the HyperX logo on top has foam padding on the underside and provides enough clamping force to keep the headset in place without feeling tight even during long wearing sessions. The ear cups are attached to the headband with a steel slider that has plenty of adjustment range and should accommodate most head sizes.
 

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Attached to the side of the left ear cup is the non-detachable pivoting microphone. The microphone is muted when in the upright position and turns on automatically when moved into the down position which is a very handy implementation. During testing the microphone was clear and its noise cancelling feature does a pretty good job of blocking external noise. Much like all gaming headsets you probably wouldn't want to record podcasts or youtube videos with it but for gaming it's more than sufficient and still better quality than many competing headsets, much like it's predecessors in the Cloud range.
 

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On the bottom of the right ear cup is a volume control slider. Personally I find this more convenient than fumbling about with an in-line control.
 

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The cable on the HyperX Cloud Stinger has an average thickness for a full-sized headphone. It feels strong, yet is supple, doesn't have any kinks and doesn't feel like something you'd find on a cheap budget headset. Microphonics are minimal too so Kingston have really done well with the Stinger's cable. The ear cups swivel out 90 degrees making the headset comfortable when worn down around your neck. The earpads might look a bit thin but they're very soft and I don't find my ears touching the plastic inside the cups at all. As a result I can easily wear these for hours at a time with no discomfort. As for appearance, the Stinger still looks like a gaming headset but its nicely understated and mature. I really appreciate the restraint in the design and applaud Kingston for keeping it simple and resisting the urge to use big, bold colors, shapes and most of all I appreciate the lack of any lighting. I find lighting, particularly RGB lighting on headsets a rather absurd gimmick. I have no desire to disguise myself as a Christmas tree in front of the computer and much prefer when manufacturers focus the costs on materials, build quality and sound rather than lighting effects.
 

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Sound:

 
I have to say the HyperX Cloud Stinger far exceeded my expectations when it comes to sound. While the headset is designed primarily for gaming many users will often use them for a bit of music listening and video viewing as well. Generally when it comes to budget gaming headsets I've come to expect overemphasized bass, a muddy midrange and rolled off treble. However this is not the case with the Stinger. Bass is boosted but it's still tight with fast decay and doesn't go over the top or distract from the other ranges or have any apparent bloat. The midrange is a little recessed but very clear with loads of detail and treble extension is surprisingly good while staying smooth and non-fatiguing.  These are actually quite good for some casual music listening.
 
The Stinger also performs very well for movies and video with enough bass to make you feel part of the action but still managing to present plenty of clarity in vocals and dialogue.
 
Since this headset is primarily designed for gaming you would expect it do do well in this category and indeed it does. The soundstage is fairly wide for a closed headphone which along with its fairly balanced signature allows for good imaging and 3d positioning. Explosions can feel earth shattering and bullets ping and zip by giving a good sense of immersion.
 

Comparison:

 
HyperX Cloud Stinger vs HyperX Cloud Pro
In terms of sound they're more similar than you might expect so Kingston seems to be sticking to their successful house sound. The Sting is slightly more relaxed in treble than the Pro which can get a bit edgy when hearing the whistle of falling bombs or the spray of debris and shrapnel from explosions. The Cloud Pro is still the more comfortable of the two and oozes quality while the Stinger in some ways feels like a lower budget product. The microphone on the Pro also seems to be better, possibly because of the foam cover, while the Stinger's microphone is left bare. That's not to say the mic on the Stinger is bad though as it is still superior to many competing headsets.
 

Conclusion:

 
 
The Kingston HyperX Cloud Stinger is a sturdy, lightweight and well thought out product. It forgoes the in-line remote in favor of being able to control microphone mute and volume on the ear cups which I believe is the better solution. Sound wise the 50mm drivers perform admirably, better than you might expect for something in this price range. $50 is not chump-change but when you consider the offerings for audio IEMs in the same price range its pretty impressive what the Stinger has to offer. While not being quite as solid as the Pro or the Cloud II it is cheaper and will be appealing to gamers on a budget. I also like the fact that it isn't gaudy and doesn't try to wow you wish pointless RGB LED lighting but instead focuses on build and audio quality. I can't really find any faults with this headset so far. Perhaps the only thing I could think of is the lack of 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound but that would mean having to connect via USB or including an in-line audio processor of some kind and this would of course drive the price upwards. It's also very comfortable which for long gaming sessions is just as important as the sound quality. Overall this is a great headset and I would certainly recommend it.
 

 
JDS Labs is an American company based in Illinois. According to their mission statement their intent is "To help headphone enthusiasts enjoy their music." Do they succeed in doing this? Well today I'm reviewing the JDS Labs Element and after spending some time with this Headphone Amplifier+DAC I would say that they do indeed. Read on to find out why.
 

Disclaimer:

 
This unit was loaned to me for the purpose of this review. I do not benefit financially or otherwise by doing this and all opinions here are my own based on my experience with the product. I'd like to thank JDS Labs and Jude for the opportunity to test the Element.
 
The official website has a host of detailed specifications here: https://www.jdslabs.com/products/151/the-element/
JDS Labs website: https://www.jdslabs.com/

 

Package and accessories:

 
The JDS Labs Element came in a plain brown box with the JDS Labs logo printed on the top. I have seen a different box in pictures which is a glossy black and more "retail" looking so perhaps my unit was a previously opened one. Upon opening we are presented with the Element packed in black foam. Sitting underneath are some warranty and social media cards, a USB cable and 16VAC Power Adapter.
 
The unboxing experience is fairly mediocre but all that is forgotten once the Element gets into your hands.
 
 

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Build and functionality:
 
The Element is crafted from a matte black, cast aluminium housing that feels as good as it looks. The top and four sides are aluminium while the bottom is a black plastic with a large JDS Labs logo. The sample that I received has the new and improved solid rubber feet which grips surfaces well and makes inserting and removing headphones easy.  On the top is a rather large volume knob with a single white dot indicating position. Actually the knob is huge (that's what she said). Despite the knob's girth it doesn't look or feel out of place at all. In fact its perfectly suited for what it's meant to do. It's very smooth and allows very precise volume adjustments and it's practically impossible to miss - there's no need for fumbling about or even to look while using it. I feel a bit like I could be driving a bus with this thing but that's not a negative. On the contrary it gives you a hands on experience that makes you feel more connected with the device and mixes a bit of old school feeling along with its modern form.
 
On the front panel is a single 6.35mm headphone jack, right in the middle. That's all there is and I wouldn't want anything else. It's this kind of simplicity that makes the Element so appealing. It doesn't need to be a show pony with flashing lights or an impressive panel of buttons - it just works.
 

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Moving to the back panel we find the inputs and outputs and above these a simple "The Element" printed in white text. There's the  16VAC power input next to which is the power button. Note that the power button doesn't actually power off the unit but simply switches between headphone and RCA outputs. When powered "Off" it sends the signal out via RCA. When switched to "On" a white LED lights up under the volume knob, indicating that it's now in headphone amplifier mode. This is one of my favourite features of the Element. It makes switching between headphones and speakers extremely easily, with only the slightest of delays when switching. Also, while using the RCA output, the volume knob does not have any function - it is functional only when using the headphone amplifier.
 
Next to the power button is the High/Low gain button. This is fairly self-explanatory. It's recommended to use Low gain unless you're not getting a loud enough signal from your headphones.
 
Moving across to the center of the rear panel we have the RCA line inputs, followed by RCA line outputs. Last but not lease is the USB input which allows you to connect a laptop or desktop PC or a smartphone via an OTG cable.
 
There were no additional drivers that needed to be installed on my PC so it was a plug and play experience. Tick another box for that one. Due to the Low (1.0x) and High (4.7x) gain settings the Element should work well with anything from low impedance in-ear monitors to hard to drive, full sized behemoths.
 

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Music used for testing:
 
Mathias Eick "Midwest" full album [flac]
Earthside "A Dream in Static"  full album [flac]
The Pineapple Thief "Your Wilderness" full album [flac]
Jan Garbarek "In Praise of Dreams" full album [flac]
 

Sound:

 
The Element has a mostly neutral sound to my ears and delivers excellent detail across the spectrum. There might be a slight emphasis on the low end but this could be my imagination at work. During testing I wasn't able to detect any background noise or hiss even with low impedance earphones, despite it having enough power to drive whatever you can throw at it. It has an impressive soundstage and extends well on both top and bottom. When listening to Mathias Eick's "Midwest" you can clearly hear parts of the percussion well outside your head-space and the imaging is top notch. With Earthside's "A Dream in Static" the Element kept up well with the busier segments and retained good separation. Playing through my Elac B6 speakers this album got a little harsh at high volume but that was due to the neutrality of the Element and brightness of the Elacs.
 

Comparison:

 
JDS Labs Element vs Arcam irDAC-II
The Element comes across as being slightly more aggressive and slightly leaner in its presentation  than the Arcam. In contrast the irDAC-II is smooth and mature while perhaps retaining slightly better detail. For functionality the Element fares very well with its smooth volume control and the magic button at the back that makes it so easy to switch between headphone amplifier and speaker outputs. The irDAC-II has more connectivity options and the addition of Bluetooth and a remote. The Element however, is less than half the price of the Arcam unit making it a viable option for a wider audience who can't or aren't willing to shell out that much cash on a DAC.
 

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Conclusion:
 
JDS Labs' The Element does a lot of things right. In fact, pretty much everything it does is done right. It's simple, attractive and functional. With its linear sound, precise volume control, digital and analog input options it's also versatile. Some might wish for more input options such as optical or coaxial but for those simply wishing to connect their laptop or desktop computer, the USB line in should be adequate. Coming in at $349 for the basic version or $369 with the added analog in it isn't exactly cheap but it's not unattainable either. If you want something that looks good and just works The Element is an easy recommendation.
 

 
Bravo Audio LTD was established in May 2010. They are a Chinese company developing Tube Headphone AMPs, Tube speaker Amps, USB DACs and Guitar Amps. They were one of the first companies to produce affordable, high quality tube amplifiers. Today I'm reviewing the Bravo Audio Ocean.
 
Disclaimer:
 
The Bravo Ocean was sent to me by Bravo Audio for the purpose of this review. The opinions here are my own based on my experience with the product. I'd like to thank Henry from Bravo Audio for the opportunity to test the Ocean.
 
Bravo Audio website: http://www.bravoaudio.com/index.php?route=common/home
Bravo Ocean product page: http://www.bravoaudio.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=50
 
Features (taken from the official website):
 

1. Powerful dynamic and sweet TUBE sound
2. With Shu Guang 12AU7 TUBE
3. Multiple input output option, no more adapters.
4. Aluminum Casing and Beautiful looking
5. Pure Class A Tube amp, No op amp IC
6. Low voltage, good safety
7. Powerful for any Headphone

 
 

In Put Power	DC24V
Input Sensitivity	100mV
Input Impedance	100KOhm
Out-Put Impedance	20~600 Ohm
Gain	30dB
Frequency response	10Hz-60KHz +/- 0.25dB
Signal/Noise Ratio	>90dB
Dynamic range	84.6dBA(300 ohm) 89.8dBA(33 ohm)
THD	0.016%(300 ohm) 0.45%(33 ohm)I
MD + Noise:	0.045(300 ohm) 0.42(33ohm)
Dimension	115mm (D) X 82mm (W) X 78mm (H)
Input	Stereo RCA x1, Stereo 3.5mm x1
Output	Stereo 6.35mm x1

 
Packaging and accessories:
 
The Ocean came in a fairly compact white and blue box with Bravo Audio logo on the front and a QR code on one side. Opening this up I was presented with another plain white box. Inside the second box is the amplifier, seated in some nice, sturdy black foam with the tube pre-installed. There's also the small power adapter included and a little User's Manual.
 
     
 

 
Build:
 
The Ocean is made of a high quality brushed aluminium and feels strong and well built. The blue color is rather striking and is matched by black front and back panels. There's an U shaped protector that sits over the tube for protection against knocks. While this makes it more difficult for those wanting to roll tubes, I find it a sensible addition and it also adds to the overall aesthetic of the unit.
My only gripe with the build is the lack of any feet on the amp. Some simple rubber domes on the bottom would help raise the amp off the surface allowing better airflow and would help to keep temperatures a bit lower.
On the front panel we find the power switch,  6.35mm and 3.5mm headphone jacks, a (very bright) red power indicator LED and the volume knob. The power switch is sturdy and the volume knob is smooth with a nice amount of resistance to it.
On the back panel is the power socket, a 3.5mm line in, RCA line in and RCA line out.
 

 

 

 

 
Sound:
 
This is my first experience with a tube amp and the sound is in line with what I was expecting but surprised me as well. It adds a bit of weight to the low end and fills out the sound spectrum with a subtle warmth that's very pleasing. What surprised me the most however was the fact that very little detail is lost in the music and the highs don't lose any of their sparkle or impact. The Ocean seems to add some airiness and a nice analog presentation.
 
Equipment used:
 
Arcam irDAC-II
JDS Labs Element
 
Music:
 
Arne Domnerus Group "Jazz at the Pawnshop" album [flac]
Helen Jane Long "Embers" [mp3 320 kbps]
Ludovico Einaudi "Islands" album [flac]
The Pineapple Theif "Your Wilderness" album [flac]
Michail Eick "Midwest" album [flac]
 
 
Bass extension is good and the Ocean doesn't appear to suffer from any 'slowness' that is sometimes attributed to tubes. Kick drums retain their punch but sound a little fuller overall.
Midrange sound natural and warm making the Ocean great with vocals and classical music. Listening to "Indaco" by Ludovico Einaudi and "Embers" by Helen Jane Long, violins, cellos and piano sound fantastic and rich with good tonality.
Highs retain their sparkle as I mentioned above and extension is good. While playing Arne Domnerus Group's "Barbados" from "Jazz at the Pawshop" cymbals and high hats remain clear throughout with no noticeable roll-off and they don't get lost in the busy drum solo sections.
In use:
The aluminium body of the Bravo Ocean does get quite hot but hey, it's a tube amp so this should be expected.
This thing has 'powah'! Serious, brain melting power. I never take the volume knob past 9 o'clock (7 o'clock is the minimum!) I haven't tested it with anything super inefficient or with very high Ohms but I'm confident it has the grunt to push any headphone you could throw at it. There is a slight channel imbalance at very low volume but this disappears before 8 o'clock on the knob and was never an issue for me.
Unfortunately I don't really have  anything to compare the Ocean with so this review will be a 'standalone' effort.
 

 
 
Conclusion:
This is a good option for anyone who  wants to dip their feet into tube amping without having to spend a ton of cash. The Bravo Ocean pairs particularly well with neutral sources and cold or bright headphones but worked well with everything I tried. For those that want to tube roll the Ocean works with 12AU7 tubes which are abundant and can be found quite cheap online. This is a great little amp and is a no-brainer recommendation.

 
 
In 1976 two engineering students at Cambridge University with a passion for electronics and music founded Amplification and Recording Cambridge (Arcam). In 1988 they produced the first stand alone DAC then as time went on many other iconic products. Then a few years ago they released the highly acclaimed irDAC that impressed audio fans far and wide. Today I'll be looking at the successor of that product the irDAC-II.
 
Arcam website: http://www.arcam.co.uk/
irDAC-II official page: http://www.arcam.co.uk/products,rSeries,USB-DAC,irdacii.htm
Mungkong Gadget: https://www.munkonggadget.com/gb/
 

Disclaimer:

 
The Arcam irDAC-II was loaned to me by a local distributor - Mungkong Gadget for the purpose of this review. I do not gain financially from this collaboration and all opinions stated here are my own based on my time spent with the product. I'd like to thank Robert and George from Arcam and Khun Winai from Mungkong Gadget for giving me the chance to test the irDAC-II.
 
 

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Packaging and accessories:

 
The irDAC-II comes in a cardboard box that feels and looks premium. The front of the box is black with irDAC-II in large white print and an image of the DAC itself. The back is white with black text outlining the specifications, features and included accessories and a picture of the rear casing showing all the input options.
 
Specifications

1. Dimensions [WxDxH] 194 x 124 x 44mm
2. Net weight: 1.1kg
3. Power supply: 12V DC, 1.5A
4. Inputs: 1 x USB Class II, 4 x SPDIF [2 x Optical, 2 x Coaxial], 1 x Bluetooth
5. Outputs: 2.15V RMS RCA phono, 0-2.15V RMS RCA phono, headphone

 
What's in the box?

1. irDAC-II digital to analogue converter
2. Power adaptor with interchangeable plugs
3. Infrared remote control
4. Bluetooth antenna
5. Stereo phone audio interconnect
6. Coaxial digital interconnect
7. Optical digital interconnect
8. USB type-A to type-B cable
9. Quick start guide

 
Features

1. Links your digital audio sources to you Hi-Fi
2. aptX™ CODEC
3. High resolution up to 24-bit 384kHz
4. DSD128 support
5. Line output with volume control
6. High quality headphone output
7. De-jitters incoming data
8. Infra-red remote control
9. All necessary audio cables included

 
As you can see there are plenty of accessories included and inside the box you'll have everything you need to get up and running.
 
The remote control unit is refreshingly simple. There are playback and volume controls on the top section. Below are separate buttons for each of the input methods. The buttons have a nice tactile click which is something rarely seen and I like these a lot. It uses 2 AAA batteries and it's a nice remote which, like everything else here exudes quality.
 

 

 

Build:

 
The irDAC-II feels very solid and reassuring in the hand. The housing is beautifully crafted from cast aluminium. All the edges are rounded and smooth, presenting a premium impression. The front edge curves over the front of the unit, revealing six pinstripe LEDs (one for each input). The LEDs change color from red to green when a signal is detected through the selected input.
 
Near the top-front edge are 4 round buttons - 2 for input selection and another 2 for volume control. Personally I would have preferred a rotary style volume control but this is partly negated by the option of a fixed level RCA output, which allows you to take control of the volume from an external pre-amp or amp. The front panel is bare apart from the 3.5mm headphone jack and an IR sensor.
 
On the rear panel we find the host of digital input options. Fixed and variable RCA, 2 x optical, USB and coaxial. There's also the power switch, power jack and screw terminal for the Bluetooth antenna.
 
 

 

 

 


 
Maximum supported sampling rates are as follows:

1. USB: 24-bit, 384kHz
2. Coaxial: 24-bit, 192kHz
3. Optical: 24-bit, 96kHz
4. Bluetooth SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX:LL

 
On the bottom of a unit is a rubber base that covers the entire under section. It's a practical addition as it prevents scratching of the surface the DAC sits on, however the rubber is a little too hard which results in the unit sliding easily on your desk when inserting or removing headphones.
 
Equipment used:

1. Windows 10, Gigabyte Z170x Gaming 7, Samsung Galaxy Note 5
2. foobar2000
3. Pioneer VSX-329 Receiver
4. Kingston HyperX Cloud, DQS* D200*, **** 4in1, SHOZY Zero, Tennmak Pro, HLSX-808
5. Elac B6 bookshelf speakers

 
Music tested:

1. Solar Fields - "Altered - Second Movements" full album [flac]
2. Marcin Wasilewski Trio - "Spark of LIfe" full album [flac]
3. The Pineapple Thief - "Your Wilderness" full album [flac]
4. Wiener Symphoniker, Philippe Jordan "Schubert Symphonies Nos. 7 & 8 [flac]
5. Mathias Eick - "Midwest" full album [flac]

 

Function and sound:

 
The Arcam irDAC-II has a fluid yet detailed presentation while reproducing audio faithfully and without coloring. Instrument separation and soundstage is exquisite, especially when using the headphone amp. The headphone amp incidentally was taken directly from Arcam's flagship amp the A49 and paired with the ES9016 Sabre DAC it's a formidable combination. There is absolutely no background noise evident when listening.
 
As I mentioned above I would prefer a traditional volume knob for fine adjustments but this is just nitpicking as the provided buttons work perfectly well.
 
Listening to Marcin Wasilewski's "Spark of Life" album the imaging and tonal neutrality are wonderful, with the piano and bass notes sounding warm and rich and at the same time high-hats and cymbals are crisp and natural without any hint of scratchiness. With Mathias Eick's "Midwest"  I was really impressed with the soundstage and again with imaging, being able to place the instruments with ease. Throughout testing the irDAC-II stayed cool as a cucumber, barely getting any warmer than in its powered off state.
 
When using the RCA line out (both fixed and variable) there's no way to switch between headphone amplifier and line out, so when you insert headphones the speakers continue to output sound. This seems like a rather large oversight and I'd like to see a more elegant solution such as the one used on the JDS Labs Element.
 
Pairing with Bluetooth was a breeze with my Samsung Galaxy Note 5 and worked flawlessly. Some purists might wonder at the inclusion of Bluetooth on a DAC of this quality but obviously it's a convenience and if you're sitting down for some critical or analytical listening you'd most likely use a different input method. For my tastes though it's really handy for certain situations, such as a friend who's visiting and wants to share their new favorite music with you - just pair their phone up with the irDAC-II and  you're good to go. Oh and hope your friend doesn't have awful (from your point of view) taste in music.

 

Comparisons:

 
irDAC-II vs JDS Labs Element
 
As far as inputs go the irDAC-II is the obvious winner here unless you need an analog in. Both of these DACs have impressive headphone amps with enough power to drive just about anything you can throw at them. I prefer the volume control knob of the Element and the button to switch between amp and line out is something I feel is sorely missing on the Arcam model. The Element seems slightly more aggressive in its presentation compared to the more refined and subtle irDAC-II so for me this would come down to personal preference. I'd give the irDAC-II a slight edge in sound but prefer the user friendly nature of the Element. Another factor for deciding would be price with the Element currently retailing for $349US and the irDAC-II at roughly $641US (or £269 vs £495 respectively).
 
irDAC-II vs FX-Audio DAC-X6
 
This is not really a fair comparison considering the price difference but the FX-Audio holds up well in terms of inputs. It has almost the same amount of digital input options excluding Bluetooth (USB, Coaxial, Optical) albeit only 1 of each. The DAC-X6 only has a fixed level RCA output but has a traditional style volume knob which earns it extra points. As you'd expect when it comes to the power and quality of the headphone amp the Arcam comes out on top. Build quality on the irDAC-II really stands out as it is heavy and solid, as if there's no empty space inside (there was no way I was going to open it just to find out!) whereas the DAC-X6 feels like an aluminium box with some PCB inside. Keep in mind though the irDAC-II comes in at almost x10 the price of the FX-Audio unit.
 

 

Conclusion:

 
The Arcam irDAC-II is a solid product and well suited to be at the center of your digital audio experience. Beautifully crafted, loaded with features and producing a warm, neutral sound at an affordable price and it also looks sweet on the desktop. DACs are ever increasing in popularity due to the surge of digital sources and integration with things like Spotify and Tidal and Arcam are leaping right into the fray with confidence. The included remote control is icing on the cake. This would probably have been given a 5 star rating if not for the volume buttons and no switching between headphone amp and line out although this is just my opinion and might not be an issue at all for others. The sound and build of the irDAC-II however, is fantastic and easily worth 4.5/5 stars.  If you're looking for a DAC and a high quality headphone amplifier this is well worth considering. Recommended.

 
Introduction:
 
Lend Me UR ears, based in Singapore is an online and physical store that opened in December 2011 with a goal to “bring quality audio products to the masses and providing good customer service in the process” They offer free international shipping and international warranty for all items purchased. They also have their own in-house brand “Alpha & Delta”. Today I’ll be looking at their sport oriented model the Alpha & Delta D2.
 
Disclaimer:
 
This item was sent to me free of charge for the purpose of this review. Opinions here are mine based on my experience with the product. I’m not affiliated with the company and am not gaining any financial incentive for writing this review. I’d like to say thanks to Teo from Lend Me UR ears for the opportunity to test the Alpha & Delta D2.
 
Lend Me UR ears website: http://www.lendmeurears.com/
Alpha & Delta D2 product page: http://www.lendmeurears.com/alpha-delta-d2/
 

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Packaging and accessories:
 
The D2 comes with a nice bundle of accessories including:

1. 1 shirt clip
2. 3 pairs of silicon tips
3. 3 pairs of bifiange tips
4. 2 pairs of foam tips

 
Specifications:
 

1. Driver unit: 10mm dynamic driver  
2. Impedance: 16 ohm  
3. Rated power: 1mW
4. Frequency Response: 10 Hz- 20 Khz
5. Speaker Sensitivity: 95 +/- db/ mW  
6. Cord Length: 1.2m  
7. Plug: 3.5 mm  

 

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Build quality:
 
In a word – outstanding. Very solid construction that also includes an IPX 4 rating. The housing is made from a solid plastic with a rubberized coating and are an over-ear design. There are no sharp edges – everything is nicely rounded. On the inside of the housing towards the back is a pinhole port. It’s difficult to tell but I’m fairly certain that the port would be blocked once the earphones are inserted which makes me think that it may not be a bass vent but there to prevent driver flex. If that is the case, then they work very well because I haven’t encountered any driver flex whatsoever.
 
There are strain reliefs (red on the right and black on the left (clever design) joining the cable to the housing and from those are attached a clear plastic tubing that acts like a memory wire but is more malleable and easy to manage. On the cable (I chose the version without microphone) there is a rubber Y-splitter with very good strain relief. There’s also a cable cinch which is always a nice addition for those that like them. The cable itself is a black rubber that feels quite strong and doesn’t tangle easily. The cable ends in a rubber 45-degree angle plug with strain relief.
 

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Fit, comfort and isolation:
 
The rubberized coating and rounded edges make the D2 feel silky smooth and extremely comfortable in the ear, in fact they’re one of the most comfortable IEMs that I’ve ever used. The plastic tubing I mentioned above does a really good job of holding the D2 in place when you’re moving about and is much more comfortable than having actual memory wire. I can easily wear these for hours on end.
 
Sound isolation is about average for this type of earphone, blocking a fair amount of external noise and making them suitable for noisy environments or commuting.
 
Sound:
 
These earphones have a V-shaped signature, with emphasis on the mid-bass and laid-back treble. As a result, they’re non-fatiguing (unless you don’t like bass) and well-suited to long listening sessions. They have a warm and inviting sound but still manage to convey detail quite well.
 
Bass is prominent but well controlled and textured. There is some slight bleeding into the lower mids but for the most part is more than acceptable. Personally I’d like a little less mid-bass (this can be achieved with EQ) just to allow a bit more detail to come through in the midrange and make the sound slightly more neutral.
 
Male vocals can at times be a little overshadowed by the warmth of the mid-bass but still sound intimate enough without being too distant. These are really well suited for hip-hop and electronic music but handled everything I tried with competence.
 
Highs have reasonable extension and I don’t find them at all edgy or piercing. There’s enough of it there to give music some energy and brightness without being uncomfortable. A little more emphasis on the highs might have been nice to balance out the weighted low end.
 
Comparisons:
 
Alpha & Delta D2 vs Fischer Audio Omega Ace
Both of these have a similar V-shaped sound signature and form factor. The housing on the D2 is slightly larger but it’s smooth edges and rubberized coating make them more comfortable. The memory wire and cable placement on the Ace also made it difficult for me to get a good fit where the Alpha & Delta mate perfectly with my ears providing a wonderful fit and seal.
 
Alpha & Delta D2 vs Tennmak Piano
The D2 has more fullness and warmth in the midrange making the presentation feel smoother than the Piano. As always in this price range though I still find the Piano’s bass superior in texture and control. There’s a way the bass resonates in the Piano’s housing that is just so engaging for my taste. The Tennmak has more detail and has a brighter sound overall. They’re both comfortable to wear but the D2 considerably more so. This one would come down to personal preference and intended use.

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Conclusion:
 
The Alpha & Delta surprised me with its build quality but even more so with its fit and comfort. While the sound is about average for the price range I think it’s well suited to the intended purpose of the D2 (being advertised as a sport model) with enough bass to be energetic but a smooth overall presentation. Weighing up I find the sound to be pretty good but considering they’re IPX4 rated, extremely comfortable, reasonably priced and come with a generous amount of accessories I think they’re easily deserving of four stars. Highly recommended.

Introduction:
Most people reading this need no introduction to FiiO as a company. They have firmly established themselves in the audio market with their DAPs, DACs and amplifiers that are top quality at affordable prices.
 
Website: http://www.fiio.net/fiio
http://www.fiio.net/en/products/52
 
Originally made for the FiiO M3 portable DAP, the EM3 is a budget oriented earbud that comes with an inline remote and microphone. Designed primarily for use with low powered DAPs and smartphones I was curious to see how it compared to the venerable VE Monk. Let’s see how it fares.
 

 
 
 
Disclaimer:
The FiiO EM3 was sent free of charge for the purpose of this review. I’d like to thank Sunny and FiiO for the chance to test these earbuds.
 

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Packaging, build and accessories:
 
The EM3 comes in a slim, compact, white box. On the front is a picture of the earbuds along with the FiiO slogan “Born For Music and Happy”. On the back you will find specifications and some QR codes which will take you to the website and Facebook pages.
 
Inside the box you’ll find the earbuds, 3 pairs of foam covers and an instruction booklet.
 
As for the earbuds themselves, they’re a glossy black plastic that feels fairly durable and of higher quality than you might expect from something of this price. They look like most typical earbuds but from certain angles remind me of something you might see in a science fiction movie – like alien stingray-shaped spacecraft. However, they’re fairly low-key as appearance goes, from a distance they look like most other earbuds.
 
There are strain reliefs attached to the bottom of the earbud’s stem, leading to the cable which is feels durable and doesn’t tangle too easily. On the left side is the inline single button remote and microphone. Using the microphone with my Samsung Galaxy Note 5 the quality is good with voice coming through loud and clear.
Just below the microphone is a hard rubberized Y-splitter and at the end of the cable there’s an L-shaped 3.5mm plug that also has a good strain relief.
 

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Fit, comfort and isolation:
I find the EM3 to be very comfortable as many earbuds are. They’re just the right size for my ears and with the included foam covers stay in place really well without ever feeling like they will fall out. The stems on the bottom of the earbud make it very easy to adjust the position when putting them in your ears.
 
Being an earbud the sound isolation is almost non-existent. This can be a problem if you’re in a noisy area or in transit but at the same time it’s this aspect that makes earbuds sound so airy in their presentation and gives them a large soundstage.
 
Sound:
The sound of the EM3 is V-shaped, warm and non-fatiguing. While not the cleanest of sounds it’s perfectly suited to long listening sessions.The bass on these is well done, having some weight behind it but remaining controlled and in good proportion to the other frequencies. It’s a little on the woolly side but never gets out of control. Mid-bass is perhaps a little too forward and can sometimes dominate the music and muddy the midrange. The midrange is warm and inviting in the EM3, though at times it struggles with the slightly bloated mid-bass. There is a good amount of detail present here and I find these well suited to rock music and electric guitar.The treble plays a very passive role on the EM3, being slightly too recessed for my preference. Extension is decent but I would like the highs to be more forward to add some liveliness and sparkle and also to help balance out the exaggerated mid-bass.
 
Comparison:
EM3 vs VE Monk.
Well you all saw this coming I’m sure. The VE Monks have stormed the globe with their low price and great sound. With the EM3 FiiO is targeting the same demographic so a head to head was inevitable.
The Monk doesn’t have a microphone which might be a major factor for people deciding between the two. I find the Monk to be more forward in the mids and having a bit more clarity but the EM3 carries a stronger bass. The VE Monk sounds a bit more natural but the two have many similarities. The EM3 comes in a nice retail box compared to the Monk’s plastic bag which would in my opinion make them better suited as a gift and it also has the advantage of the inline microphone which is an important aspect for smartphone users. They both offer excellent value and it most likely would come down to personal preference and features (remote/microphone).
 

 
Conclusion:
The FiiO EM3 is an excellent value earbud that should be an upgrade over most of the ones that come bundled with smartphones. It has a great microphone which is a big advantage for many in its target demographic along with a warm and inviting sound. As always, price is a significant factor in my review scores and the EM3 comes in at a budget friendly $10-20 range. If you like the comfort and airiness of earbuds and like to have a microphone handy when using your smartphone then these are a great companion to have.

 
Introduction:
The Brainwavz Krudal Duo - Earphone Management System is the latest in earphone accessories from Brainwavz Audio, designed to help you store your earphones neatly and conveniently.
 
Disclaimer:
I received the Krudal Duo in exchange for my honest impressions and review. The opinions here are based on my own personal experience with the product. I'd like to thank Brainwavz and Pandora for giving me the opportunity to test their latest product.
 
Here is the description from the Brainwavz product page:
 
"Krudul Duo by Brainwavz, an earphone accessory made in two individual parts; Krudul Monitor and Krudul Vertical, used to store earphones in an inventive and creative way.
 
Designed specifically as an earphone management system, the Krudul Duo allows convenient storage of earphones right by your monitor, desk space or workstation depending on which Krudul unit is used.
 
Made from die-cast aluminum, the Krudul Duo attaches onto surfaces using a 3M VHB™, a strong double-sided acrylic foam tape making the Krudul Duo a trusty and dependable earphone hanging solution.
 
Sold as a pair, both accessories are designed to keep your earphones safe and secure in a practical and convenient manner. A new and innovative accessory, Krudul Duo is the answer to earphone storage solutions to keep your earphones accessible and safe."
 

Features:

1. Self adhesive
2. All-Metal
3. Sleek and stylish
4. Convenient, Tangle Free Storage

Krudul-Monitor:

Krudul Monitor, affixes behind a monitor, or vertical back surface area, allowing users to hang their earphones by their workstation, keeping your space clean and tidy and your earphones safe and secure.

Krudul-Vertical:

Krudul Vertical, can be affixed to most vertical surfaces, allowing safe and secure earphone storage. Use the Krudul Vertical around the house or even in your car to store your earphones efficiently and conveniently.

Features:

1. Self adhesive
2. All-Metal
3. Sleek and stylish
4. Convenient, Tangle Free Storage
5. Attaches anywhere

Specifications: (Vertical)

1. Weight: 33 g
2. Width: 32 mm
3. Height: 60 mm
4. 3M VHB Tape

Specifications: (Monitor)

1. Weight: 32 g
2. Width: 86 mm
3. Depth: 50 mm
4. 3M VHB Tape

Packaging:
The Duo came in a compact plastic box which is very similar to the one that came with the Brainwavz Hooka. You can see my review of the Hooka here. The front of the box is clear allowing you to see the Duo inside. On the back of the box are some pictures of possible mounting options for the pair of hangers. On the sides there is a label stating that they come with Brainwavz' exellent 24 month warranty. That's all there is to it - no need for any other accessories and its this simplicity that makes them all the more appealing: you don't have to worry about screws or tools. Just find a good location and stick them on.
 
Click images to see them in full size.
 
Build and looks:
Made from die-cast aluminium the Krudul Duo feels extremely durable. There is a nice, light texture on the surface which is painted black. Both the Krudul-Monitor and Krudul-Vertical are minimalist in their design and that's a good thing. After all their job is to hold earphones and there's no need for anything fancy. Having said that though I think these things look very classy, similar to the Hooka. Both have Brainwavz in white print on the surface and it compliments the appearance without being distracting. These should fit in just about anywhere and look classy and without any silly gimmicks.
 
Click images to see them in full size.
 
 
Application and use:
These are really easy to use. You just need to decide where you want to put them, peel off the plastic from the 3M VHB tape and apply them to your monitor, desk, wall or any flat surface. Make sure though that you choose your location carefully because the tape secures itself very firmly and you may damage it or your surface while attempting to remove it.
 
As for how to use these, it's pretty much self explanatory. You...hang your earphones in them. What else is there to say about that? There's enough room to hang 2 or 3 earphones if that tickles your fancy.
 
Click images to see them in full size.
 
Conclusion:
I didn't realize I needed these until I had them. The Krudul-Monitor attached to my desk is the perfect companion for the Hooka as I'm always switching between headphones and earphones and things immediately felt more organized after I had installed it. I'm still deciding on a final location for the Krudul-Vertical but it will most likely end up either in my bedroom or living room - 2 places that I've always got earphones lying around.
 
Priced at US$14.99 for the pair I think it's quite reasonable considering the quality materials, durability and usability. If you're like me and always have earphones littering your desk, coffee table, dresser and all other manner of places then you need to get some of these.

 

Introduction:

The Fischer Audio Omega Ace is designed to be fun and adaptable to all your everyday activities. They have a recommended retail price of USD$49. Below is the description from the folks at Fischer Audio:
 
“About Omega Ace
A blend of fun and expression, the Omega Ace earphones guarantees powerful and thumping bass with an optimal fit. This sturdy pair of earphones is made with a new robust, braided cable design and a minimalistic one-button microphone with superb voice clarity. With the interesting semi-transparent black housing, Omega Ace will blend seamlessly into your active lifestyle while satisfying your bass demands.”
 
Disclaimer
I received this sample unit from Fischer Audio Singapore in exchange for my honest review. I have no affiliation with the company and this review is based on my own opinions. I’d like to say thanks to Royston, Sofia and Fischer Audio Asia for the opportunity to test the Omega Ace.
 
Fischer Audio Asia website: http://fischeraudio.com.sg/FischerAudioAsia/
 

 
Packaging and accessories:
The Ace comes in a nice looking box made of smooth cardboard. On the front there is a clear image of the earphones giving you an idea of the shape and style. On the back is a handy frequency response graph along with a genre performance chart.
 

Music Recommendations – Omega Ace:
Hip Hop / RnB Excellent
Pop / Electronic Excellent
Rock / Metal Very Good
Classical Average
Jazz / Blues Average
 
There are also some specifications in four languages including English, Dutch, French and Russian. Speaking of specs here they are:
 
 
On the front of the box is a magnetic flap which opens up to reveal the inside cover and the earphones in a clear window. There’s a host of information here detailing the accessories, wearing instructions, a detailed breakdown of parts and phone controls.
 
Included in the box are 3 pairs of silicone tips, 1 dual flange tips, 1 foam tips and a shirt clip. There is also the Fischer Audio black carry case.
 
Anyone familiar with my reviews might remember that the included tips with most IEMs are too small for me. Again that is the case here, so for testing I had to dig something out of my personal extra-large tip collection.
 
I would have liked to see some kind of Velcro cable tie included to make storage a bit easier.
 

 
Build: 
The Ace has a very small housing, similar to the other Omega Series IEMs. They’re made of a translucent, smoky gray plastic that looks good and feels sturdy. On the outside is the Fischer Audio Logo and on the inside you’ll find Left and Right indicators.
 
The nozzle is a fairly standard size so tip rolling is easy to do.
 
The cable on the Ace is quite good. From the rather stiff strain relief on the IEM housing there’s a memory wire that holds things in place, although it’s a little stiff for my preference. The cable is a smooth plastic that is resistant to tangles and feels durable. At first it was kinked a fair bit from the original packaging but after a few days of use it became more supple and manageable.
On the left side is the microphone and in-line remote. The remote enables you to play and pause music, skip or rewind tracks as well as answer and end phone calls.
 
There’s a cable cinch above the Y-splitter to help with secure fit while moving about. The cinch and splitter are both made of a hard rubber material.
 
The cable ends in a 90-degree plug that has a decent strain relief on it.
 

 

Fit and isolation:

The Omega Ace fits easily into the ear due to its small size. I can wear them for hours on end without any discomfort and most of the time can forget that they’re there at all – if not for the music coming out of them.
 
Isolation is a little below average for an over-ear style IEM due to the small size but with music playing these would be fine for use in transit or a noisy area.
 

Sound:

Testing was done primarily with my Benjie K9 and XDuoo X2 DAPs, Samsung Galaxy Note 5 and desktop PC paired with FX-Audio DAC-X6.
 
Music tested with the Ace:
Leudovico Einaudi – Islands, Essential Einaudi (full album flac)
The Pineapple Thief – Your Wilderness (full album 320kbps mp3)
Hans Zimmer – Interstellar (full album flac)
Earthside – A Dream in Static (full album flac)
Solar Fields – Random Friday (full album flac)
Jeremy Soule – The Elder Scrolls V, Skyrim soundtrack (full album flac)
 
The Ace has a V-shaped sound as one would expect from something aimed at the masses. The sound melds well together and maintains a good balance. The soundstage is rather good with plenty of width and the ability to project sounds just out of the head. Imaging is fairly accurate and separation decent except for the busiest of segments where things can become slightly muddled.
 
Bass:
The bass on the Ace (see what I did there?) is exaggerated but decay is fairly fast and texture is good with only slight bleeding into the mids. Sub-bass was perceptible starting at around 15Hz and has the ability to shake you up a bit but is by no means bass head level.
 
Midrange:
Mids are warm though a little recessed. Vocals sound natural and engaging and there’s a good amount of detail discernable throughout. There is sometimes a slight bleed from the bass but for the most part separation is decent.
 
Treble:
Although the treble is somewhat 'relaxed' it makes itself heard and extends well. It never became piercing but still manages to give the sound a lift and balance things out with the low end.
 
Comparisons:
 
Omega Ace vs Omega Twin
The Ace has a lot in common with its bigger sibling. They are both V-shaped and have a boosted lower end and smooth treble. The Twin comes out on top due to having a cleaner bass and as a result slightly better resolution although having said that, I do prefer the treble on the Ace which has more presence and less roll-off than the Twin.
 
Omega Ace vs Omega Spark
The Ace is warmer in the mids and has more bass presence. It’s actually not far behind the Spark in terms of detail and doesn’t have the hot peaks that are present in the Spark. The Ace has a slightly more engaging sound and is probably the more versatile in terms of covering different music genres.
 

 

Conclusion:

The Fischer Audio Omega Ace surprised me at first because I was expecting them to be much bassier after reading the official description but the bass is actually well controlled though it is elevated. Even though the treble is somewhat ‘relaxed’ it still has enough presence to add some brightness without getting edgy. They’re very comfortable and lightweight and stay securely in place with the help of the memory wire. If you’re looking for an all-rounder for all your daily activities whether it be commuting, walking or working out these are worth considering.

 
 
Introduction:
The FX-Audio (Feixiang) DAC-X6 is a Digital Audio Decoder and amplifier with multiple input options and a budget friendly price.
 
About the company (translated with Google):
Founded in 2009, we are engaged in R & D digital amplifier, audio decoder, amp, HIFI PC desktops digital amplifier, power amplifier boards, background audio systems, digital amplifier board and other products. The company is committed to cutting-edge technology products, developing the best products, the best services to meet customer demand, in the face of fierce competition, fast-changing market. we will of "quality-oriented, the credibility of the soul" of the corporate philosophy and the "rapid response, immediate action" style of work to fair and reasonable prices, good quality products, good pre-sale, sale, service, for all the friends.
 
Feixiang website: http://www.szfxaudio.com/
Alibaba page: Shenzhen Fydea Digital Technology Company Limited
 
Disclaimer:
I purchased this product on Aliexpress from the ICAIRN Audio store. I have no affiliation with the company or the store and this review is based on my personal opinions and experience.
 
A quick note about me:
Before we get started I’d like to point out a few things. I’m not a technical guy. So if you’re looking for numbers, measurements and a detailed breakdown of internal components you won’t find them here. What interests me when it comes to DAC/AMPs is ease of use, aesthetics, input/output options, build quality and sound (not necessarily in that order). So that means this is coming from the point of view of a non-techie end user – the kind of person that picks something up because the specs at a glance seem okay, it has the desired connectivity and is not offensive in its construction or outward appearance. Basically this review will be in layman’s terms. With that out of the way, let’s get to it.
 
Packaging and accessories:
The DAC-X6 comes in a basic brown box with the company brand on the front along with “Mini Audio DAC. Your Music Dream!”
Inside is 1 x 12V power supply, 1 x USB cable and the DAC itself. The USB cable is blue in color and is of surprising quality. The power supply is fairly small and unobtrusive and can easily be tucked away somewhere.
 
 
Build and looks:
I opted for the silver unit and I’m glad I did. The X6 is small – lengthwise it’s almost exactly the same size as my Galaxy Note 5 and only about an inch wider. It has a black body of brushed aluminium and a polished silver faceplate. Overall it’s a nice looking product and not necessarily what you would expect for something in this price range. Everything feels very solid. The switches are tight and the Volume knob is machined from the same aluminium. There are 4 rubber feet on the bottom to prevent marking your surfaces and hold the DAC firmly in place. The volume dial moves in increments with a tactile bump in between each notch which makes adjustments easy.
 
On the front panel we find (from Left to Right): the ON/OFF switch, Input select switch (Optical, USB, Coaxial), the 6.35mm headphone jack and finally the Volume knob. The faceplate is attached with 4 Allen screws that sit flush with the plate.
 
On the back panel are (again from Left to Right): PC-USB In, Optical in, Coaxial In, RCA Right and Left in and the DC 12V in.
Each of the inputs, outputs and switches are clearly marked in white text.
 
 
Technical Specifications:
Standard Input Interface: PC USB / coaxial, fiber optic (with toggle switch)
Standard output interface: 6.35mm headphone output base line standard RCA connectors
Line level output: RMS 2V
Perfect driving 32Ω-600Ω headphones
Output power: 90mw / 600Ω, 180mw / 300Ω, 450mw / 100Ω, 610mw / 62Ω, 910mw / 32Ω, 1000mw / 16Ω
SNR: ≥105dB
Distortion: ≤0.001%
Frequency response: 20hz-20khz
Adapter Voltage: 100-240ACV
Machine power / adapter output voltage: Dc12V 1A above
Machine dimensions: 146mm x 98mm x35mm (including protruding parts)
USB-tier manufacturers in Taiwan with a stable performance VIA VT1630, high resolution, under a wide range of frequency support 44.1K-192k 24BIT 16BIT mode 44.1K-96K, Android 4.2.2 system can support OTG mode (need native system), support Apple phone tablet, etc. OTG mode, DAC part is fine CS8416 + CS4398 LPF output using OPA
 
 
Ease of use:
Just plug it into your computer via the supplied USB cable or optical cable and you’re good to go. It’s that simple. There’s no driver installation required with Windows 10, just plug and play. I would assume it’s the same for W7 and W8 but haven’t tested those. The device shows up in Windows’ Playback Devices as SPDIF Interface FX-AUDIO-DAC-X6. Just select that as your default device and that’s all you’re required to do.
 
 
 
 
Sound:
Note at this point that my inventory for comparison is rather limited so take this with a grain of salt. So my comparison is against the Benjie K9, Galaxy Note 5 and Sound Blaster Recon3d. Testing was done playing from Foobar2000 using .FLAC and mp3 files from my desktop computer via USB and optical connection using 2 channel, 24 bit, 96000 Hz (Studio Quality). Music tested with includes:
 
Leudovico Einaudi – Islands, Essential Einaudi (full album flac)
The Pineapple Thief – Your Wilderness (full album 320kbps mp3)
Hans Zimmer – Interstellar (full album flac)
Earthside – A Dream in Static (full album flac)
Solar Fields – Random Friday (full album flac)
Jeremy Soule – The Elder Scrolls V, Skyrim soundtrack (full album flac)
 
There is no audible hiss, even with very low impedance IEMS at high volume.
 
Testing was done with my Kingston HyperX Cloud (essentially a Takstar Pro 80) and a host of different IEMs. The bass seems to extend a bit further compared to my other sources which brings a nice fullness to the sound. Bass is fairly fast and punchy with good control that reaches deep. With the Cloud the soundstage seemed to open up quite a bit with a bit more airiness and detail. Orchestral soundtracks bring rich tonality with string instruments and low notes on the cellos have a fantastic resonance that is really moving.
 
The X6 drives the HyperX effortlessly, though obviously they are still easy to drive at only 60 Ohms but the sound was noticeably improved. Acoustic guitars are crystal clear and you can hear the vibration of the individual strings. Drums are life-like with no apparent congestion. Listening to Gavin Harrison’s drums in “The Final Thing on My Mind” is a real treat with the X6. There seems to be plenty of juice left as I rarely pushed the volume knob above the 10 o’clock position and I’m looking forward to testing with some higher end cans in the near future. I will make updates to this section when that happens.
 
My recently acquired **** 4in1 IEM also had a noticeable improvement with the X6. They’re slightly harder to drive than many of my other IEMs and the X6 seems to really bring out the life in them, particularly with acoustic guitars, high hats and an improved soundstage but let’s not forget the extra extension on the bass too.
 
Conclusion:
I like the FX-Audio DAC-X6. I really do. The build and quality control is excellent. The aesthetics work well for me – I think it’s a very nice addition to my desktop and being able to easily move it around on the desk makes it so much easier when I want to change headphones. It has a host of input options, RCA outputs and a 6.35mm headphone jack.
 
If I had to find anything negative it would be that the white text on the silver front panel can be difficult to read depending on the lighting in the room but that’s just nitpicking. Apart from that I can’t really see any faults with the DAC-X6 when factoring in the price, which is always a major determining factor in my reviews.
 
For someone who’s just getting started in the audiophile world or simply wants to get a better sound than is provided by their onboard computer solution the DAC-X6 is a great entry-level product. It can be found for as little as $60-$70US and is a fantastic little unit.
 

 
 
Disclaimer:
I bought the Benjie K9 DAP from Penon Audio for the retail price of $24. It has 8GB of internal memory and support for MicroSD expansion card and supports high quality music formats. I have no affiliation with the manufacturer or the store where it was purchased and there's no monetary benefit to me for doing this. I'm simply sharing my own experience. Read on to learn more.
 
Specification

1. Solution: ATJ 2127
2. Screen: 1.8" OLED colour screen
3. Case: Zinc alloy    
4. Size: 94*38*9mm, net weight:79.2g
5. Capacity:  built-in 8GB flash memory, 32GB external storage
6. Playing time: 12 hours by earphone
7. Charging time: 1.5 hours
8. Battery capacity: 3.7V/260mAh
9. Color: Silver/Gray

 
Package and accessories:
The Benjie K9 comes in a very compact box that despite its low cost has a much more premium appearance to it.
Included in the box is a USB-USB micro cable for charging and transferring media, an instruction booklet, a complimentary pair of earbuds and the player itself.
The provided earbuds actually sound quite good but they’re really hard to drive. The cable feels strong and there are really good strain reliefs on the Y-Splitter and plug.
 
 
Build:
I was surprised by the weight of this DAP when I took it out of the box. For such a small and inexpensive player, it feels very solid in the hand. There are no rattles or loose buttons on the device anywhere and my immediate impression was very positive.
 
The casing is cut from a single piece of zinc alloy that feels solid and reassuring and has nice, smoothed edges. On the front is a plastic cover from top to bottom which also acts as the windows for the screen. Below the screen is the control wheel for navigation and adjustments and in the middle of the wheel is the play/pause/OK button. On the right side is the Micro SD card slot. On the bottom is the on/off switch, micro USB charging port and 3.5mm audio jack. On the back you’ll find the Benjie logo, along with the model number and the built-in speaker.
 
The K9 basic functions:

1. FM Radio
2. Voice Recording
3. E-book reading. TXT format
4. USB2.0 high speed transfer

 
Main Features:

1. Full zinc alloy case, with loudspeaker
2. Support MP3, WMA and all lossless music formats
3. Support FM radio and FM radio recording
4. Support voice recording, e-book reading
5. Support picture, video play (.amv format)
6. Support folder switch function
7. Support resume function
8. Lyrics synchronized display
9. Stepless variable speed with constant time
10. Multiple EQ mode: Rock, Funk, Hip hop, Jazz, Classical, Electronics, Custom
11. Can add songs to your Favorites or Playlist
12. Support adding bookmarks to songs or e-book reading
13. 4 recording scenes. Normal/train/meeting/long range
14. Recording format: MP3, WAV, ACT
15. 28 languages optional

 
*Note that these photos were taken at night under poor lighting due to time constraints. The screen is very clear in real use.
 
Power Output:
I wasn’t able to find specific details for power output but the K9 packs a punch. Admittedly I haven’t tried it with any high impedance gear – the highest I’ve tested is my Kingston HyperX Cloud (Takstar Pro 80) which is rated at 60 Ohms per unit. For all the various IEMs I’ve tested there’s plenty of power and then some.
 
Sound:
I’m not going to talk too much about the sound here. After all we’re talking about a $20-25 product (depending on where you purchase). I will say that to my ears it sounds as good as the XDuoo X2 which is around double the price.
 
Conclusion:
Look at those features. Just look at them! I won’t ever use a lot of them (speaker, e-book reader, voice recorder etc.) but they’re there if the need ever arises.
 
The only thing I don’t like about this DAP is the lack of dedicated Volume buttons. I also wish that pressing Up and Down would correspond with navigation in the UI, rather than Left and Right to scroll through lists and menus. The volume buttons I will always miss but the UI was second nature by the second day of use.
 
It feels good in your hand. It feels robust and solid. There are no rattles or loose parts. The screen is clear and visible even in direct sunlight. It sounds good. Custom EQ. 12+ hours playback time and fast charging… You get the idea. All of this for the same price as a budget pair of IEMs or a couple of junk food lunches. If you need a portable DAP and don’t need high end features like a line out or Bluetooth buy one of these. Buy one now
 
.

 

Introduction:

The Fischer Audio Totem Paco (FE-131) is a newly released earphone from Fischer Audio. They’re small, built well and sound good. Want to know more? Read on.
 
 Below is the description from the folks at Fischer Audio:
 
About Totem Paco
Designed to go seamlessly with the latest Smartphone trends, the petite in-ear headphones Totem Paco FE-131 is available in 3 attractive finishes, namely Rose Gold, Forest Green & Classic Silver.
Despite being comfortably sized for all ages and genders, the lightweight aluminium alloy casing houses a quality 7mm driver that delivers clean, precise sound with punchy, emotional bass. We would recommend these earphones for rock music, classical music, and pop music. Priced at only US$29, the audio quality punches way above its price.
 
Disclaimer
I received this sample unit from Fischer Audio Singapore in exchange for my honest review. I have no affiliation with the company and this review is based on my own opinions. I’d like to say thanks to Royston, Sofia and Fischer Audio Asia for the opportunity to test the Totem Paco.
 
Fischer Audio Asia website: http://fischeraudio.com.sg/FischerAudioAsia/
 
The Paco comes in a very compact box with the name and clear image of the earphones on the front. On the back is a clear window where you can see the actual earphones themselves. There’s also some specifications here in English and Russian languages.
 
 
 

 
Build and accessories:
Included in the box are the earphones, 3 pairs of silicone tips and a small, black carrying pouch. The pouch is a soft velvety material with drawstrings. There’s not much in the way of accessories here. I would like to also see a branded Velcro strip to make it easier when storing the earphones. The velvet pouch is handy but it can be difficult to stuff the earphones in there. I would prefer to see a clamshell carrycase instead.
 
Anyone familiar with my reviews might remember that the included tips with most IEMs are too small for me. Well this time I am actually able to use the provided large tips which is always a refreshing surprise for me when it happens.
 
The Paco has a lightweight aluminium alloy housing and they’re quite small but fortunately there’s enough length to the body that makes them easy to fit in your ears. The finish is very clean with smooth, rounded edges that make these very comfortable to wear for long periods without any discomfort. On the insides of the housing are Left and Right markings clearly shown and on the outsides is the Fischer Audio logo.
 
The cable is a black rubber that feels durable and doesn’t have any ‘stickiness’ to it. There’s a little microphonics when moving around which is about average with all cables of this type. On the left side a few inches above the Y-splitter is a single button, in-line remote and microphone which appears to be the same aluminium as the housing and has Fischer Audio in gold print along one side. The Y-splitter is a hard rubber material similar to the ones on the Omega series earphones. Unfortunately, there’s no cable cinch and while I rarely use them myself, it’s always nice to have one to suit everybody’s preference. The cable terminates in a 90-degree rubber plug that has a decent strain relief.
 
 
 

Fit and isolation:

The Paco is really easy to fit in the ears and due to their light weight and smoothed edges are extremely comfortable. They can easily be worn over-ear style if desired and when worn this way any microphonics are practically nonexistent. 
 
Sound isolation is pretty good, despite the small size of the earphones.
 

Sound:

Testing was done primarily with my Benjie K9 and XDuoo X2 DAPs, Samsung Galaxy Note 5 and desktop PC connected to a FX Audio DAC-X6 via USB/SPDIF..
 
The Totem Paco has a clean yet musical sound signature that leans slightly towards bright but doesn’t become edgy or cause fatigue. Detail is good in the mids and the bass has enough weight behind it to make music emotional.
Soundstage has more width than depth but gives a good impression of imaging on the stage. The Paco sounds particularly good with female vocals, reproducing excellent tonal quality with ease.
 
Bass:
Bass is tight on these with good impact and texture on drums. There’s little decay and it’s fairly fast with little-to-no bleeding into the mids. Next to the punchy bass, the Paco’s sub-bass came as a bit of a surprise. It digs deep but remains well controlled at all times. It’s impressive for a single dynamic driver to be able to cover both ends of the spectrum this well.
 
Midrange:
Mids are clear, bringing a good amount of detail while still being musical enough to bring emotion into the mix. Slightly dry here but that’s part of the reason the detail comes through and it sits well with the overall sound signature. Female vocals sound particularly striking. Listening to The Gentle Storm’s “The Moment” the tonality shines and there’s no hint of sibilance or harshness.
 
Treble:
The treble is very well executed with these. It brings liveliness and sparkle to the mix but never gets piercing. Cymbals sound great with good realism and levels. Listening to The Pineapple Thief’s “The Final Thing on My Mind” showcases the excellent treble on the Paco.
  
Comparisons:
 
Totem Paco Vs Omega Spark
These two share some similarities as they are both aimed at being on the bright side of the spectrum. The Paco wins for me as it shares the pros of the Spark but has much better executed treble without any of the sharp peaks found in the Spark. I also prefer the standard cable down style for ease of use and comfort. The aluminium housing of the Paco gives it an edge in feeling more premium than the plastic Spark.
 
Totem Paco Vs Brainwavz Jive
The Paco and Jive are strikingly similar in many ways. Both have an aluminium housing, similar cable, form factor and sound signature. If I were to do a blind A/B test between these two I doubt that I would be able to tell the difference. I’d place these two equally side by side without a clear winner.
 

Conclusion:

The Fischer Audio Totem Paco is a delightful IEM that has a crisp, clear sound and comes in a small, neat form factor. The build quality is excellent, comfort is superb and they sound great to boot. Anyone who is a fan of the Brainwavz Jive is sure to like these as they are so alike.
 
When factoring in the price, it’s clear that Fischer Audio have a winner on their hands with the Totem Paco. A great value IEM that will surprise you with its mature sound.

 
 
Introduction:
The Fischer Audio Omega FE-321 (Spark) is a lively little wonder of an IEM with a sparkly, bright sound and tiny footprint. The current price is US$59. Below is the description from the folks at Fischer Audio:
 
About Omega Spark
Omega Spark is a petite in-ear headphones that packs a punch above its weight. Offering excellent audio quality of clear, distinct highs with sweet lows and mid-lows, the in-ear headphones will bring out the best of a wide genre of music. Combined with a striking red-black housing combination and durable braided TPU cables in a matching red, Omega Spark has the looks to match its performance.
With a sporty, modern look and bendable memory wire over-the-ear design, the Omega Spark will provide a comfortable fit for anytime of the day. Omega Spark is specially recommended for ladies and youth because of its small body design which will sit snuggly for consumers with smaller ears. 
Disclaimer
I received this sample unit from Fischer Audio Singapore in exchange for my honest review. I have no affiliation with the company and this review is based on my own opinions. I’d like to say thanks to Royston, Sofia and Fischer Audio Asia for the opportunity to test the Omega Spark.
 
Fischer Audio Asia website: http://fischeraudio.com.sg/FischerAudioAsia/
 
 
Disclaimer
I received this sample unit from Fischer Audio Singapore in exchange for my honest review. I have no affiliation with the company and this review is based on my own opinions. I’d like to say thanks to Royston, Sofia and Fischer Audio Asia for the opportunity to test the Omega Spark.
 
The Spark comes in a nice looking box made of smooth cardboard. On the front there is a clear image of the earphones giving you an idea of the shape and style. On the back is a handy frequency response graph along with a genre performance chart.

 

 
Music Recommendations – Omega Spark:
Hip Hop / RnB Good
Pop / Electronic Good
Rock / Metal Very Good
Classical Excellent
Jazz / Blues Very Good 
 
There are also some specifications in four languages including English, Dutch, French and Russian. Speaking of specs here they are:
 
On the front of the box is a magnetic flap which opens up to reveal the inside cover and the earphones in a clear window. There’s a host of information here detailing the accessories, wearing instructions, a detailed breakdown of parts and phone controls.
 
Build and accessories:
Included in the box are 3 pairs of silicone tips, 1 dual flange tips and 1 foam tips. There is also the Fischer Audio black carry case.
 
Anyone familiar with my reviews might remember that the included tips with most IEMs are too small for me. Again that is the case here, so for testing I had to dig something out of my personal extra-large tip collection (thanks to Sylmar and 1clearhead!)
 
The first thing that came to mind when I saw these is that they are tiny! I mean really small. The housing is made from a translucent red plastic that looks really neat. On the side is the Fischer Audio logo. The housing feels very strong and I doubt that any type of normal usage could ever damage them.
 
The cable is red to match the earphones and is accentuated by the black memory wire, microphone, Y-splitter and 90 degree plug. It’s a smooth plastic sheath that is resistant to tangles and feels durable.
 
On the left side is the microphone and in-line remote. The remote enables you to play and pause music as well as skip or rewind tracks. When testing the mic, the person I was talking to said I sounded very clear.
 
There’s a cable cinch above the Y-splitter to help with secure fit while moving about. The cinch and splitter are both made of a hard rubber.
 
The cable ends in a 90 degree plug that has a decent strain relief on it.

 

 

Fit and isolation:

The Omega Spark actually fits me quite well, better than the Twin actually. They’re so small it’s easy to forget that you’re wearing them.
 
Due to their small size and light weight, the Spark is very comfortable and can be worn comfortably for long periods.
 
Sound isolation is average.
 

 

 

 
 

Sound:

Testing was done primarily with my Benjie K9 and XDuoo X2 DAPs, Samsung Galaxy Note 5 and desktop PC.
 
The Spark has a lively, energetic and bright sound. As a result, the detail is above average and I definitely agree with Fischer Audio’s genre recommendation here as they are very well suited to classical music.
 
Bass:
The bass on the Spark is rather good, although not as accentuated as it is with the Omega Twin and Ace models. Sub-bass has a surprising amount of rumble to it as well which I wasn’t expecting at first. Overall the bass is what I like to call ‘tidy’ but still has enough impact to move the music.
 
Midrange:
Mids are a bit drier than the other Omega models but still sound musical enough. Because of this they have above average clarity. Female vocals in particular sound good on these though sometimes get intruded upon by the aggressive treble. Normally this happens with bass tones but it’s the opposite with these.
 
Treble:
The treble is up front with these. As a result, there’s plenty of detail coming through but it can sometimes border on edginess and may become fatiguing. I would have liked to see the treble tamed just a little bit to avoid those harsh peaks.
  
Comparisons:
 
Omega Spark Vs Omega Ace
The Ace is warmer and darker than the Spark. Bringing a lot more bass to the table and more fullness to the mids. The treble on the Ace is also much more relaxed and rolled off, resulting in a smoother presentation.
 
Omega Spark Vs Omega Twin
The twin has much more bass impact and is warmer in the mids. Personally I found the fit of the Spark much easier due to the elongated shape of the Twin which combined with the angle of the cable made them awkward. The Twin is much easier to drive, requiring significantly lower volume levels.
 

Conclusion:

The Fischer Audio Omega Spark is the smallest IEM I’ve ever used. They’re absolutely minuscule but their sound is anything but small. Lots of focus has been put on the high frequencies, paired with a fairly tame bass. Plenty of details come through and for certain music genres this is a winning combination. If you listen to a lot of classical music these might be worth your interest.

 
 

Introduction:

The Fischer Audio Omega FE-351 (Twin) is the big gun of the Omega series, being the only one of the three to feature dual dynamic drivers. Here’s a description from the people at Fischer Audio:
 
About Omega Twin
Omega Twin will be the choice for those that demands only the best. The double dynamic drivers in this audio menace deliver tight, punchy bass with a warm vocal reproduction that will bound to bring you into music fantasy. 
 
The unique shape of the semi-transparent black housing is specially designed so that it sits snuggly into the cavity of our ears, providing comfortable fitting and excellent passive noise isolation.
Sporting an over-the-ear design with memory cable and paired with high quality TPU braided cables, Omega Twin is the ideal earphones from working to working out.
 
The Omega Twin is also completed with a large variety of accessories that includes a hard carrying pouch, 3 pairs of single flange silicone ear tips (S/M/L), 1 set of double flange silicone ear tips (M), 1 set of premium foam tips and a shirt clip.
 
Disclaimer
I received this sample unit from Fischer Audio Singapore in exchange for my honest review. I have no affiliation with the company and this review is based on my own opinions. I’d like to say thanks to Royston, Sofia and Fischer Audio Asia for the opportunity to test the Omega Twin.
 
Fischer Audio Asia website: http://fischeraudio.com.sg/FischerAudioAsia/
 
The Twin comes in a nice looking box made of smooth cardboard. On the front there is a clear image of the earphones giving you an idea of the shape and style.
On the back is a handy frequency response graph along with a genre performance chart.
 

 

Music Recommendations – Omega Twin:
Hip Hop / RnB          Very Good
Pop / Electronic       Excellent
Rock / Metal            Excellent
Classical                    Very Good
Jazz / Blues               Excellent
 
There are also some specifications in four languages including English, Dutch, French and Russian. Speaking of specs here they are:
 
On the front of the box is a magnetic flap which opens up to reveal the inside cover and the earphones in a clear window. There’s a host of information here detailing the accessories, wearing instructions, a detailed breakdown of parts and phone controls.
 

 

 

 
Build and accessories:
Included in the box are 3 pairs of silicone tips, 1 dual flange tips and 1 foam tips. There is also the Fischer Audio black carry case.
 
Anyone familiar with my reviews might remember that the included tips with most IEMs are too small for me. Again that is the case here, so for testing I had to dig something out of my personal extra-large tip collection (thanks to Sylmar and 1clearhead!)
 
Build quality looks very good. The earphones are made of a lightweight but rugged plastic shell that feels solid. Where the cable attaches there’s a memory wire to help with wearing over-ear style. There’s a good amount of stiffness to the wire part making it neither too hard or too soft.
 
The cable itself is quite good. It’s a smooth plastic sheath that is resistant to tangles and feels durable. At first it was kinked a fair bit from the original packaging but after a few days of use it became more supple and manageable. No complaints here.
 
On the left side is the microphone and in-line remote. The remote enables you to play and pause music as well as skip or rewind tracks. When testing the microphone, the person I called said that it was difficult to hear me because the volume was too low even though I was holding the mic right next to my mouth.
 
There’s a cable cinch above the Y-splitter to help with secure fit while moving about. The cinch and splitter are both made of a hard rubber.
 
The cable ends in a 90 degree plug that has a decent strain relief on it.

 

 

 

Fit and isolation:

I found the placement of the cable attachment a little odd as it’s at the back of the housing meaning I have to tilt the earphones forward in order to get the cable over my ears. This wasn’t a problem for my wife, who has small ears but for me made it quite difficult to get a proper fit.
 
Due to their small size and light weight, the Twin is very comfortable and can be worn comfortably for long periods.
 
Sound isolation is average.
 

Sound:

Testing was done primarily with my Benjie K9 and XDuoo X2 DAPs, Samsung Galaxy Note 5 and desktop PC.
 
The Twin’s double dynamic drivers produce a V-shaped sound with powerful bass, warm midrange and relaxed highs.  Things still manage to become a little congested at the lower end if there’s a lot going on in the track but for the most part they perform admirably.
 
Bass:
The bass on these is quite punchy and fast with a good overall texture. Although it has a strong effect it doesn’t outweigh the other frequencies so is fairly balanced in relation to the mids and highs. Due to the dual drivers the bass is able to do its thing without bleeding into the midrange. Sub-bass has a good presence without being overbearing and is generally well behaved and non-intrusive. It’s there when needed though it rolls off a little early.
 
Midrange:
Mids are neither forward or recessed with natural tones. Acoustic instruments sound good although sometimes are a little overshadowed by the mid-bass. Mids are warm and full bodied but can sometimes sound a little congested or veiled. Detail is still fairly good.
 
Treble:
The treble is fairly relaxed but not lacking in presence. Detail comes through without bringing any harshness or sibilance with it although I wouldn’t be offended if it were a bit more prominent. At times it can sound dominated by the lower mids but it results in a smooth presentation that doesn’t cause fatigue for the treble sensitive.
 
Soundstage is fairly wide with good spatial imaging and the smooth highs help make the presentation quite intimate without being uncomfortably close.
 
Comparisons:
 
Omega Twin vs Omega Ace
The Ace has a lot in common with its bigger sibling. They are both V-shaped and have a boosted lower end and smooth treble. The Twin comes out on top due to having a cleaner bass and as a result slightly better resolution.
 
Omega Twin vs Omega Spark
The Spark is the odd one out in this trio due to having much more energy and presence in the upper midrange and treble. I find them quite refreshing as a result. The bass is not all that far behind that of the Twin, although it's not as full but the treble is much clearer giving some sparkle to the top end which I like, however it can be a little too bright on some tracks. The Twin is much louder, requiring lower volume for similar listening levels and they're warmer in the mids.
 

Conclusion:

The Fischer Audio Omega Twin is a nice earphone. It’s surprising the big sound that comes out of these rather small things.They have a good energy but at the same time bring a smooth overall presentation.Comfort is very good but as stated above I do have some difficulty getting a good fit due to their small size and the placement of the cable attachment.
 
The only other drawback I find with these is the price. At $79 there’s a lot of competition to deal with at this price point and for a double dynamic it might be asking a bit much.For those with large ears it might be a good idea to see if you can audition them before buying but for anyone with small to regular sized wings they should be fine.
 
These would be perfect for physical activities such as working out or running due to their light weight and over-ear style with plenty of gusto in the low end to keep you moving. They also have a very low profile so are good for lying around as they don’t protrude out to the side of your ears.

These are a review unit sent to me by Pandora at Brainwavz in exchange for my honest review. I have no affiliation with the company.
 

 
 
Taken from the Brainwavz website: Jive Noise Isolating IEM Earphones w/ 3 Button Remote & Microphone - Blue
 
The Brainwavz Jive has been meticulously crafted out of high quality metal and designed into a sleek and sophisticated shape to give crisp, smooth and accurate playback of any music. Embedded into these earphones are finely tuned dynamic drivers that not only produce high fidelity vocals & acoustics with accuracy, but an incredible liveliness and a wide soundstage.
The Brainwavz Jive bring you right into the music when listening to either rock, jazz or classical. Included together with the Jive earphones, are a complimentary set of Comply™ Foam tips giving you that extra comfort for easy listening.
 

Features:

·         High Fidelity Audio.
·         Lively Sound
·         Sleek and Stylish All-Metal Housing.

Specifications:

·         Drivers : Dynamic, 9 mm
·         Rated Impedance : 16 Ω
·         Frequency Range : 20 Hz ~ 20 kHz
·         Sensitivity : 98 dB @ 1 mW
·         Rated Input Power : 20 mW
·         Plug : 3.5 mm, Gold-Plated
·         Cable : 1.3 m, Copper

Microphone & Remote:

·         Phone Call Control
·         Audio Player Control
·         3-Button Remote
·         Supports TRRS Connector
·         Supports Apple iOS and Android Devices

Included Accessories:

·         Earphone Hardcase (wide)
·         3 sets of Silicone Ear Tips (S M L)
·         1 set of Comply™ Foam Tips S-400
·         1 Shirt Clip
·         Velcro Cable Tie
·         Instruction Manual
·         Warranty Card (24 month warranty)
 
 

Note that the image on the box corresponds with the color of the IEM inside. This is typical of Brainwavz' attention to detail.
 
Build and accessories:
Click on images to see in full size

The Brainwavz Jive feels and looks quite premium, especially when considering the modest retail price. The paint has a high quality glossy finish with Left and Right markings on one side and the Brainwavz logo on the other.
The cable is color matched in the same blue as the housing which is a nice touch, as are the strain reliefs and in-line mic/remote. There’s a cable cinch above the Y-splitter to ensure a more secure fit and helps reduce micro phonics.  
 
One thing I don’t like about the cable is that it’s quite thick below the Y-splitter which is good for durability but unfortunately is rather bouncy and hard to manage (much like the original cable on the Tennmak Piano). When I put it in my top shirt pocket it’s like a coiled snake that’s ready to pop out like a jack in the box. When in use though the cable cinch and provided shirt clip help a lot with management.
 
The 3.5mm plug is angled with a rubberized coating. There’s even a concave indentation on the main part which makes it easier to insert and remove the plug. Brainwavz really excels with these little finishing touches and I commend them for their attention to detail.
 
Overall it’s a very coherent presentation which suggests that the design process has been well thought out and hasn't just been thrown together.
 

 

Sound:

I mostly use these with my XDuoo X2 and Galaxy Note 5. At the time of this review they’ve been burned in for approximately 40 hours.
 
The Jive’s sound is crisp and detailed with a V shaped signature, focusing more on the upper mids and highs. Soundstage is slightly above average. There's a good amount of energy present and the trebles sound remarkably similar to what you'd expect from a Balanced Armature driver.
 

Bass:

The bass is slightly emphasized but far from dominant. It's fairly well controlled but sometimes left me wanting a bit more "oomph". I wouldn't recommend these for bassheads. Sub-bass digs fairly deep but feels a bit recessed.
 

Midrange:

The mids on the Jive come across with good clarity and detail, with vocals being very crisp but slightly lacking in warmth. Sound separation with orchestral music is very good, making it easy to determine various instruments but I would have like a bit more fullness and intimacy.
 

Treble:

Treble extends well and is fairly prominent in the sound. There are peaks in some areas that are bordering on being edgy but don't cause fatigue. Sibilance is mostly non existent which is impressive considering the emphasis on the highs in the sound signature.
 

Comparison:

 

Jive $28 vs Tennmak Piano $25.99:

Compared to the Jive the Piano has fuller bass which extends further, particularly in sub-bass. There is a similar amount of control in each. Mids on the Piano are more forward with more warmth. The Jive reveals details with a bit more clarity. Treble extends further on the Jive and may cause fatigue at higher volume.
 
Comfort wise they are both good but for me the Jive wins here because of its small size and cable down wearing style.
 
I found the Jive required a couple more notches on the volume to reach the same levels as the Piano.
 

Jive $28 vs HLSX-808 $43.28:

Compared to the Jive the 808 has more bass presence especially in the sub-bass. Mids are similar on both - a bit recessed and dry sounding. The details on the 808 come through more clearly, especially the highs which are super clean on the 808. The treble on the Jive gets closer to edgy due to some peaks and while the 808 can also border on piercing with some sounds they are a little more balanced in the highs.
 
I find the Jive to be more comfortable due to its rounded edges on the housing compared to the sharp back end on the 808. Isolation is similar between the two.
 
They both require the roughly the same power to drive.
 

Conclusion:

The Brainwavz Jive is an interesting IEM. It has highs and clarity similar to BA driven earphones and a lively top end. As usual it comes with Brainwavz' excellent 24 month warranty which makes the low asking price even more impressive.
 
The build quality is superb and put together in a cohesive and professional package that makes them feel worth more than their $28 cost. If anything they're let down slightly by the "bouncy" cable but as I stated earlier the cable cinch and shirt clip help remedy this.
 
I'd also like a bit more fullness or warmth in the mids which make some vocals and string instruments a bit dry and light on emotion. Bass and sub-bass are well controlled and the detail is very good for a dynamic driver.
 
The Jive is a solid product and in my opinion easily worthy of its price. I'd recommend these to people who like a lively and detailed sound but for bass-heads and people who like warm/dark signatures these may not be for you.
 

I bought the Tennmak Piano from the Tennmak store on Aliexpress. So far that’s the only place I have seen them available, though some of their other products such as the Dulcimer and Pro can be bought on Amazon and some other AE stores. It’s currently priced at $25.99 but I got mine slightly cheaper during the big AE anniversary sale in March 2016.
 
Company info (from their website): http://tennmak.com/
 
Tennmak Brand

Our unwavering appreciation for design motivates us to develop visionary audio products that deliver a “never heard before” experience; one that shatters expectations and leaves the listener wanting more. As one of the music industry’s most sought-after innovators, we’re obligated to provide our customers with a premier product suite for both professional and home use, with an emphasis on sleek design, high-quality materials and incredible longevity. Our products set the tone for audio ingenuity, and take user experience to another level.
 

 

 

Build and accessories:

The Tennmak Piano are an over-ear IEM with a single dynamic driver. They’re available in black, red, blue or a combination of red and blue. I have the black version.
 
The earphones came with 9 pairs of whirlwind eartips in S,M,L sizes in a silver metallic case. As of June 10^th they will come with a soft, black carrying case.
 
*The cable on the Piano has good and bad points. It’s designed to be worn around the neck so the right side above the Y-splitter is significantly longer than on the left. On the left side is an in-line microphone with a single button that can be used to answer or end phone calls, pause music and skip or go back tracks. The button has a tactile click and feels sturdy.
 
The cable itself is slightly thicker than average and is a greyish brown color. While it feels reassuringly strong it does retain some kinks and bounces around a bit and can sometimes be a little unruly. At the end is a 45° gold plated, 3.5mm connector.
 
*Keep in mind as of 20^th July they will come with the new cable.
The earphones themselves are made of plastic, are well put together and feel very strong. There is a L/R marking in white print along with the Tennmak name on each side.
 
Click on pictures for full size
 
Specifications:
 

Fit and ergonomics:

The Tennmak Piano is very comfortable for me and I can wear them all day long without discomfort. I’ve actually fallen asleep while wearing them and didn’t realize until I woke up in the morning. They’re worn over the ear and like most custom style earphones they have a low profile and don’t protrude out the side very much.
 
The included whirlwind tips give a good seal but I’ve been able to use several tips from my own collection without any problems as the nozzle size is standard.
 
The isolation is average using silicone tips. I’ve not found any foam tips that fit me yet so can’t comment on those.
 
Click on pictures for full size
 

Sound:

 
I mostly use these with my XDuoo X2 and Galaxy Note 5.
 
I have clocked in many, many hours on these since I’ve had them and I continue to use them almost every day for my commute to and from work. Because of their design and good isolation, they are ideal for outdoor use and noisy areas.
 
The sound signature of the Piano is V-shaped. They’re more prominent on the low end but don’t fall short in other areas as a result.
 

Bass:

Fantastic fast, punchy bass that is tidy and pushes the beats along effortlessly. As stated above its slightly boosted but certainly not bass head level. The sub-bass on these is just incredible. It rumbles deep and is intensely satisfying but always controlled. Probably the favorite of all my sub $50 IEMs in this department. It reminds me a bit of the bass on the Shozy Zero but is a bit cleaner and faster.
 

Midrange:

The midrange is fairly neutral as far as I can tell and remain mostly unhindered by the bass. Vocals sound natural with good tones for both male and female. Orchestral strings sound rich and full and musical so there’s plenty of emotion there. The Piano seems to have less of the more common coloring of the mids which most IEMs in this price range tend to do, which enables a bit more detail to come through.
 

Treble:

The treble has a slight boost but is never edgy or intrusive while retaining good detail and clarity with fairly good extension. The result is a laid back but clear sound that doesn’t cause any fatigue.
 
The soundstage is fairly wide and quite impressive, with good 3d positioning throughout. They even manage a certain degree of height in the sound.
 

Conclusion:

The Tennmak Piano are in my opinion an amazing IEM for their relatively low price, coming out on top of pretty much everything I have tried in the sub $30 price range (note here that my collection is still rather modest). The sound is crisp and detailed yet still remains musical with just the right amount of tasty goodness spread over the frequency range.
 
For some the lower mid-bass might be a little too prominent but for me personally it’s just how I like it as I listen to a lot of electronic and hip-hop music. The treble while not harsh or too exaggerated gives a good energy and some sparkle to the high end.
 
These have not gained the recognition of Tennmak’s other models and since I don’t own any of those yet I can’t say what the reason is. I do plan on getting the Pro very soon and am really looking forward to doing a comparison.
 
To sum up, the Tennmak Piano is a stellar performer in the $20-30 price range especially considering it’s a single dynamic and I heartily recommend that people consider them if they’re looking for a comfortable IEM with fun yet tidy  and detailed sound signature.

The Z2016. A strange beast that did have some potential

 

Introduction

Zhiyin is a name that has recently caused quite a stir here on Head-Fi after releasing their flagship model the QT5. Some claimed it was a giant killer and the hype train accelerated rapidly. It was during this period that I discovered the QT5's little sibling the Z2016.
 
When I first saw the Zhiyin Z2016 on Aliexpress their design grabbed my attention. They looked as though the build was very solid, rugged and would be suitable for holding and protecting all the goodness inside. The QT5 was out of my budget so I thought the Z2016 might be a great way for me to taste some of the greatness. I ordered them from the HCK store on Aliexpress. 
 

 

Review

This will be short and sweet as for reasons which will be revealed below I did not spend a lot of time with these.
 
The package was delayed at Guangzhou airport for almost a full week which caused me concern. When the package finally arrived it appeared as though it had been run over by several trucks.
 

 

 
Fortunately the unit was undamaged by the apparent abuse.
 

 
They arrived in a generic clamshell case with a large and well known "S" on the top (if ya know what I mean). There were quite a few different types of eartips included but since they were all too small for me I settled, as usual for my large, stock ROCK Zircon tips to get a good seal.
 
Specification:                                                                                      
 
  1. Product Name: ZhiYin Z2015/Z2016 Hybrid drive unit in ear earphone
  2. Type: In-ear  
  3. Brand: ZhiYin
  4. Model: Z2015/Z2016
  5. Impedance: 60Ω 
  6. Headphone sensitivity: 98dB/mW
  7. Frequency range: 20-20000Hz
  8. Interface: 3.5mm 
  9. Cable Length: 1.2m±5cm
 10.Weight: 30g
 11.Color: Gray,Silver,Gold
 12.Whether with Mic: No
 13.Headphone plug type: Straight type
 14.Headphone Interface type: MMCX Interface
 15.Drive unit: 
      Z2015: 1 DD + 1 BA hybrid drive unit  
          Z2016: 1 DD + 2 BA hybrid drive unit
 

Ergonomics and fit

The casing is quite large on these and might be an issue for people with small ears. There were no sharp edges and so were fairly comfortable for me despite being rather heavy. The provided cable is longer than usual above the Y-split, suggesting that these are meant to be worn over the ears, however due to the metal cylinder attached to the top of the cable I could not wear them in this fashion. So I wore them cable down which is my preferred style for this type of iem. I did have another MMCX cable on hand and with that one I was able to wear them over-ear easily.
 
Nozzle size is about average so it was easy to do tip rolling.
 

Sound

This is where things start to get awry. These were tested with my XDuoo X2, Galaxy Note 5 and desktop pc. The soundstage is about average and separation was quite good, allowing the listener to determine different instruments in songs.They have a forward bass and very forward mids which left the highs feeling understated. The overall experience is rather strange and unnatural.
 

Bass

The bass is somewhat bloated and loose although it did seem to improve a little after 20+ hours burn-in. Sub bass was present but rolled off too early for my liking and didn't have enough satisfying rumble behind it. The mid bass was exaggerated and not overly fast.
 

Midrange

Midrange on the Z2016 is very forward making vocals and warm instruments prominent in the music.It just sounds unnatural and overshadows everything else. Vocals sound strange as though the performer is singing through a large PVC tube which adds a reverb effect to everything. This also carries over to other sounds in the mid frequencies and feels totally out of sync with the tidy treble. I don't know what the producers were going for here but it does not work and makes things sound broken.
 

Treble

The treble is actually quite good. Details are impressive and this more than anything gave me the impression that the Z2016 actually had potential if not for the awful tuning and execution. There isn't any hint of harshness or sibilance in the treble but the detail is still there. Unfortunately it's so far behind everything else that it often goes unnoticed.
 

Conclusion

I don't like the Z2016 at all. On certain tracks I thought they were about to come alive (remember the magical QT5 unlocking?) However on other tracks everything sounded wrong and made it impossible to enjoy even the best music.
 
The build quality is very good and the earphones feel premium to the touch, albeit fairly heavy. Comfort wise they are pretty good - probably more so when worn over-ear but that is near impossible with the default cable provided.
 
My recommendation for the Zhiyin Z2016 would be to stay well clear of them and Zhiyin products in general until the engineers have their ears tested. Don't waste your hard earned money on this strange beast.

Hooka - The All Metal Headphone Hanger pretty much sums it all up! It's a stylish, sturdy and attractive way to keep your headphones safe and out of the way when not in use. With a retail price of just $17.95 it's a no-brainer for anyone who wants to ummm hang their headphones.
 

Packaging

Comes in a very compact, clear plastic box that is surprisingly small but feels solid when picked up. On the front you can see the name printed clearly and the Hooka itself in all its glory. On the back are some very easy to follow instructions on how to mount it.
 

 
 

Design and build quality

The Hooka feels very strong and solid and I have no doubt it could hold pretty much any headphone in your inventory. It's an attractive all black in color that should easily match any surrounding decor and mounting surface with the Brainwavz logo on the top and brand name on the faceplate. It's beauty lies in it's simplicity and choice materials. There is a raised hook at the end to prevent headphones from sliding off so you can rest assured that your precious belongings don't end up on the floor. The seat of the Hooka has a concave curve that fits perfectly to the headband of your headphones and prevents any indentation or marking on the cushioning.
 
The Hooka can be easily installed with the supplied 3M VHB™ adhesive tape which is attached to the base. It's so incredibly simple to use and feels really strong. Make sure you choose your positioning carefully because once it has been stuck on a surface it would most likely be very difficult to remove.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
It would have been nice to include some extra mounting options like screws or clamp but if that's what you're after you could instead get the Hengja - The Desk Headphone Hanger which serves the same purpose and is actually slightly cheaper than the Hooka.
 

Conclusion

The Brainwavz Hooka is another excellent product from the company and so far I've been very impressed with the things they're doing. It's stylish, attractive, has impeccable build quality, serves its purpose flawlessly and comes in at a very reasonable price point. It does its job so well that most of the time you'll forget it's even there except when you're keeping or retrieving your headphones from it and the high quality aluminium looks and feels very premium.
 
It's obvious that Brainwavz means business and my experience with the Hooka and BLU-200 has made me take notice and garnered a high respect for the company due to the high build quality and functionality of their products. I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for what they do next.
 
A big thanks to Pandora from Brainwavz for the opportunity to review the Hooka.

Disclaimer

The BLU-200 was provided to me for an honest review and I am in no way affiliated with the company. I’ll make my best effort to express my real experience and opinion of them. This is the first time I have tried a Brainwavz product.
 
I’d like to thank Pandora from Brainwavz for the opportunity to test the BLU-200.
 
Link to the company website:  http://www.brainwavzaudio.com
Link to the BLU-200 webpage:  http://www.brainwavzaudio.com/products/blu-200-bluetooth-4-0-aptx-earphones
 
These can be bought from the company website or on Amazon.

 

Features:

·         Wireless Bluetooth earphones
·         Stylish matt black aluminum design
·         Full bodied sound signature

Specifications:

·         Transducers/Drivers: Dynamic, 9.2 mm
·         Rated Impedance: 16 Ω Closed Dynamic
·         Sensitivity: 96 dB at 1 mW
·         Frequency range: 20 ~ 20000 Hz
·         Bluetooth 4.0 (CSRBC8645) with aptX
·         Operation max distance: 30 ft (10 m)
·         Battery: 60 mAh - 4 hrs playtime, 100 hrs standby, 2 hrs for full charge (Micro USB charging)
·         CVC echo and noise cancellation
·         Supports voice prompt for MMI: Power on / Paring / Connecting / Battery low / Power off
·         Supports HFP, HSP and A2DP
·         Supports pairing with two devices at the same time
·         3 button remote, works with Apple iOS products, Android & Windows phones & PC
 
Sources used during this review: 
•    Samsung Galaxy Note 5
•    iPhone 4S
 

Accessories and packaging

 
 
 
 
The iem comes in a very compact white box with a clear image of the earphones on the front and details of the contents and accessories on the back, along with a picture of the in-line remote.

Included Accessories:

·         Earphone Hard case
·         3 sets of Silicone Ear Tips (S M L)
·         1 set of Comply™ Foam Tips S-400
·         1 pair of Ear Hooks
·         1 Micro USB Charging Cable
·         Velcro Cable Tie
·         Instruction Manual
·         Warranty Card (24-month warranty)
 
 
 
 
Unfortunately, all the supplied tips are too small for my ears so I’m using stock ROCK Zircon tips which are my main go to when I can’t get a proper seal. The ear hooks are easy to apply, soft rubber and comfortable. I only use the hooks when I’m moving around a lot - If I’m just lounging at home or the office the earphones stay in my ears well without them.
 
 
 

Bluetooth pairing, signal, battery, controls

Pairing is stupidly easy to do and near idiot proof (Hey I did it!) Once you learn the basic controls of the in-line remote they’re very logical and work well.
 
The range of the signal seems around what is stated in the specs (30ft) and I had no trouble or dropped signal unless I went into another room behind a thick wall where it would sometimes cut out. I did have some problems while I was at a large shopping mall on a particularly busy day. At certain locations the signal would cut out very badly making them near unusable. Note this was only in areas surrounded by many stores all with their own Wi-Fi and thousands of people around all using their mobiles and I’m guessing that was the cause. I didn't have any such issues anywhere else.
 
The included microphone seems to work well. Whilst talking to my wife during a call she said my voice was coming through clearly even though I was standing beside a very busy road at the time. Answering calls can be done by simply pressing the middle button on the remote and calls can be ended using the same method.
 
 Battery life is also as stated and should last about 4 hours even using at loud volume. The earphones give you an audible message telling such information as: Power on, Power off, Pairing, Connecting and Battery low. There's also an audible beep when skipping tracks forwards and backwards. All very intuitive.
 
 

Build, fit and comfort

These are obviously pretty big earphones but the size is actually pretty standard for a Bluetooth set. Despite the bulk they are not all that heavy and I can easily forget that they’re in my ears. This might not be the same experience for those with smaller ears but I can wear these for hours on end with no discomfort.
 
The BLU-200 build quality is excellent and feels like a premium product. Brainwavz also gives a very generous 24-month warranty. The cable is of the flat ribbon type and comes with a handy chin slider. I prefer to wear them with the cable down but you can also put it over the ears and on the back of your neck. Microphonics are average and didn’t cause any concerns.
 
 
 

The sound

I was quite shocked at the level of detail coming through the BLU-200. In fact, they put many iems in my collection to shame for detail retrieval. That was really unexpected. They even trump some of my other iems (in the same price range) in overall sound quality. (My experience may vary from others due to the fact that I use these with different tips). For a single dynamic driver these do a fantastic job of covering all the bases and more than once I caught myself dancing in my living room.
 
 

Bass

Has a strong presence in the music but it doesn’t dominate.  I find it to be at a good level, although admittedly I tend to like a bass heavy signature and it suits my preferred music genres well. I couldn’t determine any major bleeding into the mids. There’s some nice sub bass rumble that stays hidden in the basement until called upon and then it sneaks up on you and growls in your ears in a pretty satisfying manner although I would have liked it to be a bit more forward.
 
 
 

Mid-range

The mids are slightly recessed which is the norm with V-shaped signatures but they sound natural and have enough presence so it feels that the artist is singing for you and isn’t someone passing by outside the back fence. String instruments have a nice resonant tone that projects warmth like a nice pair of furry slippers in winter. The bass detracts from the mids a little but hey, these are a $50 Bluetooth kit so I don't expect them to be perfect.

 

Treble

The treble in these suits my taste very well, allowing good detail and a bit of sparkle, sometimes bordering on being harsh but only at high volume (higher than my normal listening levels). They help to provide a clean sound and balance out the low end nicely.
 
 
 

Conclusion

 
The BLU-200 caught me unawares with their competent and compelling sound. Because they’re wireless I was expecting signal problems or a much lower sound quality in general but these don’t hold back and can easily compete with many of the similarly priced wired earphones in my collection.
 
It’s very refreshing to be able to get up and move about without having to worry about wires getting tangled or accidently pulling my music source off the table if I forget to pick it up when I get out of the chair. The earphones maintain a stable signal when moving about and sound only cuts out if you’re near the maximum range or behind a solid wall.
 
When considering the intended use and cost of the BLU-200 (sweating it out at the gym, doing chores at home, walking the dog etc.) I believe these perform above their price point and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them to anyone looking for a Bluetooth earphone.