LETSHUOER Cadenza 4 ($249): Does Trickledown work? Me thinks so. 4.25 LETSHUOER Cadenza 4 Intro: Following on the heels of the successful Cadenza 12 (a wonderful TOTL), and the S15 (A smooth-sounding IEM), the Cadenza 4 tries to fit into a niche using both (IMO) IEMs as models. A hybrid that uses both DD and two types of BAs (Knowles & Sonion), the company uses the expertise from both models mentioned to fashion a high “low-end” model. The Cadenza 4 was given to me for review. It is implied that the critter is mine, but may be asked back for...

iFi Diablo 2 ($1299)- The devil is in the details? Diablo 2 Intro: iFi is an innovator. Presenting items that push the boundaries of what we need, the company clearly feels this path is working. I personally own the iDSD Pro and iCAN Pro for my reference desktop setup and still lament selling my OG micro iDSD Black Label. That thing was a beast. An untamed beast, which set the tone for transportable headphone amplifiers in the company stable. The OG Diablo was indeed an upgrade, taming the raw unfettered power of the original, without losing its...

iFi GO Pod ($299): iFi lets us use our IEMs in a new light GO Pod Intro: I am a fan of iFi. I have owned many of their products, and still own the iDSD/iCAN Pro models. Other models I have liked, and there are some I have not. When offered a review sample of the GO Pod, I accepted Lawrance’s gracious offer. What follows are my own words, for good or ill, and I thank Lawrance & iFi for the opportunity to try something new from them. Specs: DAC: Cirrus Logic Master-HiFi 32-bit DAC Bluetooth Chipset: Qualcomm QCC5144 Bluetooth 5.2 (Snapdragon)...

Kefine Klanar ($119): A new kid on the planar block. Klanar Audio46 HiFiGo *Discounted to $89USD currently Intro: The Klanar is a new planar IEM from Kefine, Dongguan Kefine Electronics Technology, CO; Ltd. Using a 14.5mm “driver” with your choice of 3.5mm se or 4.4bal, it enters the ultra-competitive sub-$150usd market with high hopes. The unit was sent to me pre-launch for an honest assessment. The words are mine and mine alone. I thank Kefine for the sample and know it may be asked to be returned at any time. Unless specified, it is...

Sivga Nightingale ($229): Sivga enters the planar market in IEMs 3.75, because HF doesn't differentiate closer than 0.5. Nightingale Intro: Sivga is known for gorgeous-looking headphones, with a variety of sound signatures. The recent iterations of Luan and Oriole are stunning at which to look, with a sound that backs up the look. The Nightingale is the company’s first planar IEM, but continues the excellent looks with a hand-finished and polished wood faceplate. Does the sound match the looks? We shall see. I thank Collin and Sivga for the...

Astell & Kern CA1000T ($2299): Nutube sounds adds to a legend CA1000T Intro: While sitting at T.H.E. Show, in June a gentleman came up to the booth where will and I were sitting. I had just returned from my room with the outstanding CA1000, in preparation for returning it to our contact, Jason. As I was packing it up, I said, “I’m just packing this up, but if you want to hear this outstanding piece, I can remove it.” He replied,” actually I’m here to pick it up.” It was indeed Jason. In gushing over the CA1000, I mentioned how if I were to...

Letshuoer Cadenza 12 ($2300): Is this worthy of the name flagship? Yes. Yes it is. Cadenza 12 Intro: When Will messaged me that he had what he considered to be one of the most resolving, thoroughly satisfying sounds he had heard in quite some time from an IEM, I let him go on for a bit. He then mentioned it was the Letshuoer Cadenza 12...I let that sink in...he talked some more, and I listened. My mind wandered to a previous model I had reviewed from the previous company (before the name change), the Tape. Some liked it, some loved it’s...

Sivga Luan ($299): The latest from a company that knows gorgeous. Luan Intro: The Luan is the latest from Sivga, who are known for outstanding build quality and stellar looks. And they have mostly succeeded with the sound as well. I consider the Robin (SV021) & Oriole to be very fine models from the closed-back department, and the SV023 to represent a very fine open-back model. Looks are superb on the models, and the Luan follows suit in that department. With a seemingly standard 50mm dynamic driver (dd) for a headphone, the Luan had better...

BQEYZ Winter ($239): The End Of It All? Winter Intro: This culminates the seasonal cycle for BQEYZ, and that makes me sort of sad. But, the end of one run means something else is hopefully in the works. With each seasonal iteration, the sound was different. Some liked certain models, while disdaining others. Some thought each iteration while different yes, improved on the previous “season.” A third camp of listeners see each model clearly and could be held up on their own merits. I will say that I like all of the four iterations, and would be...

T10 Bespoke, by EAR Micro, featuring Klipsch Audio pt2: Published before Pt. 1… Purchase/Information here:T10 Those initial three-and-a-half hours of listening set the tone for what was to follow. Playing with all of the settings I could, Bears T10 performed without issue in that initial listen. This was the rudimentary app version, while the one on mine is fully updated and is actually a new app. Since Bear’s were burned in with well over 400 hours, I can state the following with good authority: The T10 is one of the best TWS/IEM’s I have heard...

UM U-Free TWS ($349): Why should everyone else have all the TWS fun? Free Intro: After seeing the news about release of Unique Melody’s first TWS earbud, I was very interested. My first flagship model was the Mason V2. I still have it, and value it for a sound, which to me defines clarity and details, while not being overly analytical. I had a Mentor V3, which while good, very good was a hard fit. The cable was exceptional, but not of good fit either. I sold it to a gent who loves it, but kept the Mason V2. I hold the marque in high esteem as...

Cayin N7 ($1995): The “near-flagship” carries tricks up its yellow sleeve... Cayin N7 Intro: This sample is part of a North American tour. Andy Kong contacted me to see if I was interested, and of course I said yes. After my time, this unit will be sent to the next reviewer in line. My words for good or ill are mine only, with no affiliate connection what-so-ever. I have a soft spot for Cayin DAP’s & portable headphone amplifiers. One of my current go-to DAP’s is still the venerable N6ii, running the E01 motherboard. I also have the A01 & T01...

Dunu Vulkan ($379): What’s in a name? Vulkan Upon reentering the portable market in earnest, the Dunu Titan 1 was my first purchase. For the price, it sounded quite good. Then Dunu seemed to fall a bit behind other far eastern manufacturers, or so it seemed. With the SA-6, Dunu reentered with vigor. Multiple changeable jacks were included, so all one needed to do was change the jack, not the whole cable. It worked, and we consider the SA-6 as one of the top contenders at the $500 IEM price. It also seemed that Dunu took a step away from the...

Drop x Etymotic ERX ($229): This collaboration works. The ERX can be purchased here. Introduction Etymotic IEM’s are near legendary for their deep fitting nozzle. To the point that some won’t wear them. The design goal here though, is to put the musical emanating from that long nozzle closer to where the experience is: your inner ear. They have a reason for that and describe it as allowing musical purity to come about as a result. Closer to our listening mechanism, the inner ear allows for several benefits. 1. There is less of a chance...

Beyerdynamics Xelento Remote Generation 2 Introduction Coming off the heels of their excellent first TWS effort the Free Byrd, along with a stellar reputation from the first-generation models, the Xelento Remote G2 and Xelento Wireless G2 are here. Senior Headphone Editor W. Jennings has glowing recommendations of the marque’s headphones for their superb detailed sound, along with the studio models, which are highly sought in the sound industry as well. Widely acclaimed for a crisp, clear top end, many of their top headphones mimic...

Beyerdynamics Xelento Remote Generation 2 Introduction Coming off the heels of their excellent first TWS effort the Free Byrd, along with a stellar reputation from the first-generation models, the Xelento Remote G2 and Xelento Wireless G2 are here. Senior Headphone Editor W. Jennings has glowing recommendations of the marque’s headphones for their superb detailed sound, along with the studio models, which are highly sought in the sound industry as well. Widely acclaimed for a crisp, clear top end, many of their top headphones mimic this signature...

Astrotec Phoenix6 ($1599): Astrotec aims for the moon and hits it with flames! Phoenix6 Intro: A good review friend of ours loaned me the Phoenix6 for listening. I liked it so much, that I am turning it into a (late) review. I graciously thank this fellow for the loan of the IEM. It will be returned (late!) to this fine fellow upon completion. Astrotec is known for many models in the $100-300 range. They have also produced some successful TWS bud, expanding into that market. But, the Phoenix6 blows right on by these moderately priced items...

iFi GO Link ($59): Does iFi make a bad product? Me thinks not. GO Link Intro: I am a fan of iFi. That is well documented in my reviews. I own several of their products, and consider the iCAN/iDSD Pro duo to be my totl DAC/Amp. Yes, it is a few years old, but it satiates my tastes completely. Dongle/DAC’s are quite common now. Will and I carried a small truck-full to T.H.E. Show last year and at T.H.E. Headphonium, we had more questions on that then anything else. So much so, that a run was had on a specific Dongle/DAC from another manufacturer...

Focal Stellia ($2990): Is this the closed-back version of the Utopia? Stellia *A version of this will be posted on eCoustics Intro: Between Will and myself, we have reviewed pretty much all of the models Focal has produced. Will stated, “the Utopia walked out carrying the bag against the other top tier headphones,” which I think means he liked it and the Utopia performed admirably (review here). Those are high words indeed for a model pushing the envelope of $5000. We both appreciated the Liric as a top tier closed-back headphone, but at that...

iFi Zen Signature Series DAC V2 & CAN HFM: Continuing what is loved from the series. Pros: Affordable duo, typical iFi excellent sound, versatility, cool look to it Cons: Shape while cool, is not conducive to stacking, maybe not as powerful as one would like, other options available now While at T.H.E. Show, last summer, I struck up a conversation with one of the vendors present; Michael Giardina from BeachHiFi, which is an online shop specializing in portable gear. Michael brought some heavy hitters to the show, from the Audeze LCD-5, to the...