The Hifiman EF499, my first Dac/amp from them, I didn’t know what to expect, When I finally got it in my hands and took it out the box, This Dac/amp size surprised me, I...
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
Latest reviews
Filters
Show only:
Loading…
genclaymore
Headphoneus Supremus
For Hifiman EF499 in Amp/DACs
Pros: Driver-less
Knob to change Gain settings
NOS and OS filter settings
6.3mm and XLR Balance
Doubles as a Headphone Stand
Stand can be removed
RJ45 Ethernet plug
Can be used with a NAS or Mobile to stream over Ethernet
Doesn't feel cheap
Knob to change Gain settings
NOS and OS filter settings
6.3mm and XLR Balance
Doubles as a Headphone Stand
Stand can be removed
RJ45 Ethernet plug
Can be used with a NAS or Mobile to stream over Ethernet
Doesn't feel cheap
Cons: Doesn't comes with USB cable
Couldn't figure out how to do the Streaming function
Couldn't figure out how to do the Streaming function
The Hifiman EF499, my first Dac/amp from them, I didn’t know what to expect, When I finally got it in my hands and took it out the box, This Dac/amp size surprised me, I...
jeromeoflaherty
New Head-Fier
For FX-Audio R07Plus in Amp/DACs
Pros: Lots of clean power
Transparent sound
Balanced and RCA inputs
XLR, 6.5mm and 4.4mm headphones outputs
Internal power supply
Transparent sound
Balanced and RCA inputs
XLR, 6.5mm and 4.4mm headphones outputs
Internal power supply
Cons: Nothing at this price
A great Headphone Amplifier in the new “Good time” series
FX Audio are on a major rebranding exercise. It...
Attachments
Last edited:
jeromeoflaherty
New Head-Fier
For FX Audio DR07 in Amp/DACs
Pros: Fantastic transparent DAC performance
Tons of power for SE headphones and IEMs
Screen and Remote are not extras at this price point
Tons of power for SE headphones and IEMs
Screen and Remote are not extras at this price point
Cons: No Balanced support
Audible 'click' when device goes in 'lock' mode
Small screen only visible on a desk
Audible 'click' when device goes in 'lock' mode
Small screen only visible on a desk
All the features you would want from a headphone amplifier on a budget
In this review, I want to share my experiences with the FX Audio DR07 which I have been using (with its...Attachments
Zeka
Are there any pops/clips when changing the bit/sample rate or at the beginning of each audio tracks?
jeromeoflaherty
No not between tracks - I only got them when I paused the music for a few seconds and then started playing music again.
Pranto Dev
New Head-Fier
Pros: Build
fit and comfort
Imaging
Soundstage
Smoothest Treble
Creamy sub bass
decent bass and texture
fit and comfort
Imaging
Soundstage
Smoothest Treble
Creamy sub bass
decent bass and texture
Cons: Bass Body
Technicalities
air suction (can be avoided using foam tips)
paint chip
Technicalities
air suction (can be avoided using foam tips)
paint chip
All the testing were done using
- Ibasso DX170
- 4.4mm cable...
Rsifur9
classic untill this day
Ianbanz
New Head-Fier
For KZ ZS10 Pro 2 in Universal Fit
Pros: • Excellent Sound Quality (for the price): The ZS10 Pro 2 offers a dynamic sound with detailed highs, clear mids, and a solid bass foundation.
The 4-level tuning switch.
• Spacious Soundstage: The soundstage is wider than average for this price range, creating a good sense of space for the music.
• Good Imaging: Instruments are well separated, making it easy to distinguish individual sounds in a mix.
• Solid Build Quality: The use of decent materials ensures a sturdy and well-made product.
• Comfortable Fit: The common-sized nozzles should fit most ears comfortably.
• Affordable: The ZS10 Pro 2 offers a lot of features and performance for a budget-friendly pri
The 4-level tuning switch.
• Spacious Soundstage: The soundstage is wider than average for this price range, creating a good sense of space for the music.
• Good Imaging: Instruments are well separated, making it easy to distinguish individual sounds in a mix.
• Solid Build Quality: The use of decent materials ensures a sturdy and well-made product.
• Comfortable Fit: The common-sized nozzles should fit most ears comfortably.
• Affordable: The ZS10 Pro 2 offers a lot of features and performance for a budget-friendly pri
Cons: • Unoriginal Design: The design lacks originality and follows the mold of many other KZ IEMs.
• Treble Can Be Fatiguing: The bright treble detail can be harsh on some recordings and might be fatiguing for listeners sensitive to bright
sounds.
• Mids Lack Warmth: The mids, while clear, can lack some richness and fullness, especially at lower volumes.
• Bass Lacks Punch: The bass is controlled and doesn't overpower other frequencies, but it might not be enough for those who prefer a
super boomy bass experience.
• Impractical Tuning Switches: While a cool feature, I believe you'll likely settle on a preferred setting and rarely use the switches
again. i have never been a fan of switches.
• Treble Can Be Fatiguing: The bright treble detail can be harsh on some recordings and might be fatiguing for listeners sensitive to bright
sounds.
• Mids Lack Warmth: The mids, while clear, can lack some richness and fullness, especially at lower volumes.
• Bass Lacks Punch: The bass is controlled and doesn't overpower other frequencies, but it might not be enough for those who prefer a
super boomy bass experience.
• Impractical Tuning Switches: While a cool feature, I believe you'll likely settle on a preferred setting and rarely use the switches
again. i have never been a fan of switches.
Specs:
• 10mm Internal Magnetic Dynamic Driver
• Dual 31736 Balanced Armature Drivers (x2)
• Precise 3-Way Crossover Technology
• 4-Level Custom Tuning...
Show full review
• 10mm Internal Magnetic Dynamic Driver
• Dual 31736 Balanced Armature Drivers (x2)
• Precise 3-Way Crossover Technology
• 4-Level Custom Tuning...
Redcarmoose
@Ianbanz,
A perfect interpretation of how the Pro 2 is. I could not have said it better.
A perfect interpretation of how the Pro 2 is. I could not have said it better.
hitchhiker
New Head-Fier
For Penon Voltage in Universal Fit
Pros: Decently specced
Tuning switch options
Reasonably priced for a flagship
Tuning switch options
Reasonably priced for a flagship
Cons: Treble extension could be a bit more along with speed
Switches could have been avoided, keeping either 00 or 11 as the default options
Switches could have been avoided, keeping either 00 or 11 as the default options
Thanks to AG and Penon for the review tour of the Penon Voltage iems.
As always the opinions expressed here are mine only with no influence of any kind requested or endorsed.
OVERVIEW
The...
Show full review
As always the opinions expressed here are mine only with no influence of any kind requested or endorsed.
OVERVIEW
The...
jeromeoflaherty
New Head-Fier
For Sineaptic SE-1 in Over-Ear
Pros: Excellent bass and treble from the Ribbon drivers
Amazing wide soundstage
Wireless - walking around your house freely with a open back sound is amazing
Large ear cups (but lightweight)
Amazing wide soundstage
Wireless - walking around your house freely with a open back sound is amazing
Large ear cups (but lightweight)
Cons: No LDAC or AptX-HD support (only SBC and AAC codecs)
Some bass distortion at high volumes
Some bass distortion at high volumes
A unique headphone experience from Sineaptic
I love a company that tries to ’think differently’ (to borrow the Steve Jobs mantra from the early days of Apple) and I believe...Attachments
baskingshark
Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: Generous accessories
Well-fitting, lightweight shells
Elegant housing
4 tuning options for versatility via unique bass dial
Fast and clean bass
Transparent midrange without shoutiness
Sibilant-free treble with decent extension
Natural timbre
Well-fitting, lightweight shells
Elegant housing
4 tuning options for versatility via unique bass dial
Fast and clean bass
Transparent midrange without shoutiness
Sibilant-free treble with decent extension
Natural timbre
Cons: Mirror-like shells may be potential scratch or fingerprint magnets
Moderate driving requirements
Not for bassheads
Average technical chops
Moderate driving requirements
Not for bassheads
Average technical chops
DISCLAIMER
I would like to thank HIFIGO for providing this review unit.
The Tanchjim 4U can be gotten here: https://hifigo.com/products/tanchjim-4u (no affiliate links)...
Show full review
I would like to thank HIFIGO for providing this review unit.
The Tanchjim 4U can be gotten here: https://hifigo.com/products/tanchjim-4u (no affiliate links)...
Last edited:
Jarlaxle
100+ Head-Fier
Pros: Premium build and unboxing experience
Good accessories
Mid centric tuning
Great staging
Good Timbre
Good accessories
Mid centric tuning
Great staging
Good Timbre
Cons: Sibilant
Not very comfortable
Not very comfortable
Hiby is mostly known for their digital audio players and applications like Hiby Music and Hiby Cast. Occasionally, they release earphones, which consistently receive praise. This time, they have...
Show full review
MD Rohit
New Head-Fier
For Softears Studio 4 in Universal Fit
Pros: • Simple design
• Detailed and smooth treble
• Rich and natural midrange
• Controlled and articulate bass
• Wide soundstage and precise imaging
• Nice and protective heart case
• Easy to Drive: Achieves a nearly straight impedance curve, making it easy to drive with various audio interfaces
• Articulate Mids: The midrange is well-textured and articulate, making vocals and instruments sound natural and smooth
• Detailed and smooth treble
• Rich and natural midrange
• Controlled and articulate bass
• Wide soundstage and precise imaging
• Nice and protective heart case
• Easy to Drive: Achieves a nearly straight impedance curve, making it easy to drive with various audio interfaces
• Articulate Mids: The midrange is well-textured and articulate, making vocals and instruments sound natural and smooth
Cons: • Stock tips are useless
• ok type cable
• Bass may lack impact for bass-heads
• Treble may be too reserved for some
• ok type cable
• Bass may lack impact for bass-heads
• Treble may be too reserved for some
Technical Specifications:-
>Impedance: 12Ω.
[COLOR=rgb(235, 107...
A
arifgraphy
Very nice and detailed review. It feels like an audio tour. Keep the good works coming.
All the best.
All the best.
MotherX1
Nice writing, adding musical reference was a nice touch . Keep it up
littlenezt
100+ Head-Fier
For KZ ZSN PRO-2 in Universal Fit
Pros: +Technicalities
+Looks
+Cheap
+Bass
+Looks
+Cheap
+Bass
Cons: -Sibilance
-Too Much Treble
-Too Much Treble
KZ ZSN PRO 2
1DD + 1BA
$19
Before I begin this review let me say thanks to KZ for directly providing me the ZSN PRO 2 for this
review.
Rest assured, my review is...
Show full review
1DD + 1BA
$19
Before I begin this review let me say thanks to KZ for directly providing me the ZSN PRO 2 for this
review.
Rest assured, my review is...
Last edited:
Colin5619
Great review, like you I enjoyed the bass and midrange, great for the price, but to my ears and preference, the highs were too bright, just a little too bright for me, but as you say, I can see some folks loving them. For there price, they’re good.
tjkohli
100+ Head-Fier
For Abyss Diana DZ in Over-Ear
Pros: - Fantastic, huge soundstage
- Great timbre and tonality
- Clear highs reminiscent of the best of Utopia 2022
- Planar bass slams down low
- Comfort strap huge upgrade over previous Dianas
- Easier to drive than TC/Susvara/etc. with comparable, top-tier sound
- Compact form factor good for portability
- Beautiful inlays make a striking yet subtle visual statement
- Great timbre and tonality
- Clear highs reminiscent of the best of Utopia 2022
- Planar bass slams down low
- Comfort strap huge upgrade over previous Dianas
- Easier to drive than TC/Susvara/etc. with comparable, top-tier sound
- Compact form factor good for portability
- Beautiful inlays make a striking yet subtle visual statement
Cons: - Comfort could still be better: clamping force is a bit hard, exacerbated by the comfort strap (which decreases headroom)
- Packaging should feel more premium for the price
- Packaging should feel more premium for the price
Test Equipment
- Abyss Diana DZ
- Stock cable 6.35mm
- Chord Hugo TT2
- @ 768 kHz
- High-gain
- ddHiFi Nyx USB cable
- MacBook Pro...
Attachments
Last edited:
up late
while i've welcomed the improved comfort with each iteration of the diana, i think that its sleek, minimalist design aesthetic has been compromised somewhat as a consequence of the introduction of increasingly large and pillowy ear pads and now the comfort strap
B
bezs
Thanks for this detailed review! I was curious how the tuning and timbre was going to be ever since this was announced and I’m glad it seems to be just as good as their other recent dianas. Up until now it seems the only compromise the dianas had were soundstage but the DZ looks like it checks every box
walterboss
Apparently Abyss are tinkering with the head strap design again. My order has been put back a few weeks to accommodate this.
SilicaGel
New Head-Fier
Pros: Beautifully designed, ultra-compact unit.
Nice packaging with Great accessories make it exciting to unbox.
4-way tuning switch with much wider range of variation than competitors.
Nice packaging with Great accessories make it exciting to unbox.
4-way tuning switch with much wider range of variation than competitors.
Cons: Sound tuning via the switch is limited to the low end.
Questions over the tuning switch itself.
Questions over the tuning switch itself.
TANCHJIM 4U :: 1DD :: $69.99
The 'DMT4' driver, which has been applied to previous products such as OLA, and PRISM - has been...
Last edited:
GREQ
Headphoneus Supremus
For Fosi Audio PH05 in Desktop Amps
Pros: Cheap
Unbeatable aesthetics at this price
Master volume is rare for this product type
Build quality
Master mute button
Can drive most headphone types adequately
Unbeatable aesthetics at this price
Master volume is rare for this product type
Build quality
Master mute button
Can drive most headphone types adequately
Cons: Some hissing/humming
3rd channel knob is too close to the master volume knob
No rear 3.5mm input
Only one 3.5mm front input
No colour coding
No live channel monitoring
No individual channel mute buttons
3rd channel knob is too close to the master volume knob
No rear 3.5mm input
Only one 3.5mm front input
No colour coding
No live channel monitoring
No individual channel mute buttons
Tanalasta
1000+ Head-Fier
Pros: Excellent technical aspects
Tight, textured and well controlled bass
Ergonomics. Comfortable, not too thick.
Pure copper but "sounds like Silver Plated Copper" or a hybrid cable
Tight, textured and well controlled bass
Ergonomics. Comfortable, not too thick.
Pure copper but "sounds like Silver Plated Copper" or a hybrid cable
Cons: If you can afford it, very few.
Tuning may not synergise with all IEM's
Tuning may not synergise with all IEM's
Ode to Laura
From Eletech
Housed within the Flagships of Eletech ‘Parnassus’, the "𝐎𝐝𝐞 𝐓𝐨 𝐋𝐚𝐮𝐫𝐚" features a fully maxed, triple bespoke copper configuration in 22awg geometry.
- 𝟐𝟐...
Show full review
From Eletech
Housed within the Flagships of Eletech ‘Parnassus’, the "𝐎𝐝𝐞 𝐓𝐨 𝐋𝐚𝐮𝐫𝐚" features a fully maxed, triple bespoke copper configuration in 22awg geometry.
- 𝟐𝟐...
Last edited:
jamejfio
New Head-Fier
For HIFIMAN HE400se in Over-Ear
Pros: Exemplary imaging and soundstaging
Solid bass extension for the price
Smooth treble
Solid bass extension for the price
Smooth treble
Cons: Build is plasticky
Not the most comfortable headband
Not the most comfortable headband
Full Review here: https://jamesfiorucci.wordpress.com/2024/05/31/simple-audio-review-hifiman-he400se/...
Show full review
Attachments
rev92
Reviewer at Ear Fidelity
For Meze Audio Empyrean II in Over-Ear
Pros: The best Meze headphone to date
Natural, fun, emotional sound
Dynamic and plentiful, but not overdone bass
Lush, rich, smooth midrange
Great dynamics in the treble without an ounce of sibilance
Satisfying detail and accurate imaging
Top-of-the-line design, comfort, accessories and build quality
Natural, fun, emotional sound
Dynamic and plentiful, but not overdone bass
Lush, rich, smooth midrange
Great dynamics in the treble without an ounce of sibilance
Satisfying detail and accurate imaging
Top-of-the-line design, comfort, accessories and build quality
Cons: The soundstage could be larger
Lovers of a sharper sound may enjoy the Elite more
Lovers of a sharper sound may enjoy the Elite more
Introduction to the Meze Empyrean II Review
Meze’s...
rev92
Reviewer at Ear Fidelity
For HiFiMAN Prelude in Desktop Amps
Pros: Authoritative, natural, tactile and tangible sound
Plenty of power on tap
Capable of driving any headphone
Solid build quality
Simple and intuitive operation
Plenty of power on tap
Capable of driving any headphone
Solid build quality
Simple and intuitive operation
Cons: Gets pretty hot
Unable to drive IEMs due to noise, even though gain settings allow for that
Unable to drive IEMs due to noise, even though gain settings allow for that
Introduction to the HiFiMAN Prelude Review
In June of...
rev92
Reviewer at Ear Fidelity
For HIFIMAN SERENADE in Amp/DACs
Pros: Well built and cool design
A beast of an amp
Fantastic DAC
Sound quality is just spectacular
Drives a lot of headphones with authority
Very fair price
A beast of an amp
Fantastic DAC
Sound quality is just spectacular
Drives a lot of headphones with authority
Very fair price
Cons: No remote control
Takes a significant amount of space on your desk
No vertical option
Takes a significant amount of space on your desk
No vertical option
Introduction to the HiFiMAN Serenade Review
HiFiMAN is...
Hablmet
New Head-Fier
For Moondrop Space Travel in Wireless
Pros: Surprisingly solid tuning at this price range! Very fun and enjoyable.
Bass has decent impact and does have any notable bleed.
Mids are still quite decent and I can't expect much more at this price range.
Treble is controlled and does not get hot with additional volume.
ANC is surprisingly fine and competent enough to deal with fan noise.
Fit is decent enough on my end and I can keep them in my ears for a couple hours.
Bass has decent impact and does have any notable bleed.
Mids are still quite decent and I can't expect much more at this price range.
Treble is controlled and does not get hot with additional volume.
ANC is surprisingly fine and competent enough to deal with fan noise.
Fit is decent enough on my end and I can keep them in my ears for a couple hours.
Cons: Volume stepping is a little weird on my phone, making fine-tuning loudness a little awkward.
Touch areas are very, very sensitive - to adjust the fit, try pinching them on the stem sides.
The Moondrop Link app is very poor and needs much more work.
Technicalities are below average - staging is not very impressive and imaging can feel vague.
Touch areas are very, very sensitive - to adjust the fit, try pinching them on the stem sides.
The Moondrop Link app is very poor and needs much more work.
Technicalities are below average - staging is not very impressive and imaging can feel vague.
The alternative title for this review was far less appropriate.
Introduction
It's been a while since I reviewed anything...