Snapacap posted an interesting review of the Nighthawk headphones over on Head-Fi.
Pros: Comfort. unique sound, interesting engineering, resolving
Cons: Inconsistent treble, often feel closed, could be a bit lighter. That smell…….
Month: February 2017
Schiit Audio Jotunheim Headphone Amp/PreAmp Review
Chris Martens posted a great review of the outstanding and innovative Jotunheim Amp/PreAmp over on Hi-Fi+. BTW, there are optional DAC and phono modules. The Jotunheim provides single-ended, balanced and RCA outputs. It is all around an outstanding solid state machine.
Read the review by clicking the link below:
iBasso Audio DX200 DAP Review
H20Fidelity has a review of the DX200 digital audio player on Head-Fi. One item to be aware of is that it uses USB-C connector and while this is the future in the USB world it is early in its adoption period so you likely don’t have any spare USB-C cable laying around if you misplace or forget to bring the one provided by iBasso.
Pros: Amazing sound performance, resolution, detail, dynamics, features, large screen, fast interface, build quality, purchase presentation
Cons: Single micro SD card slot, minor features missing on initial release firmware, slightly heavy/large device for portability
Focal Utopia Headphone Review
Aornic posted a very nice video and extensive written review of the Utopia over on Head-Fi. I included a link below for the video review on Head-Fi. It’s interesting that the soundstage is a bit constrained i.e. similar to HD600 series.
Pros: Extreme clarity and detail, easily driven, good build quality, not lacking in any frequency, dynamic and impactful sound, weight distribution
Cons: Price, only a 1/4 terminated stock cable included, stock cable heavy and unwieldy, bit on the heavier side overall
Video and written review of the Utopia
Meze 99 Classics Headphone Review
PinkyPowers posted a review of the Meze 99 Classics on Head-Fi. It is an interesting review and you need to travers the first sections where PinkyPowers goes off on IEMs.
Pros: Tuning that shines with every device. Comfort. Detachable Cable. What a looker!
Cons: Needs mods for custom cable, or a Meze proprietary plug.
Sennheiser HD 600 Headphone Review
Serman005 posted a very nice review of the HD 600 over on Head-Fi. Included in the review are comparisons to the HD 598 and HE 400s. The are a bargain at $288.
Pros: neutral signature, profound detail, lushness
Cons: lean-ish sub bass, modest soundstage
Sony MDR-Z7 Headphone Review
Gerelmx1986 has posted a great review of the MDR-Z7 headphones over on Head-Fi. These are great headphones which compete well with those exceeding $1k. The MDR-Z7 list price is under $700 but you can frequently find them used for around $500. I purchased a refurbished pair from a vendor on Amazon for around $300.
Pros: warm n´smooth Sound quality, soundstage, Build quality, comfortable, balanced capable
Cons: Poor isolation
Ultimate Ears Pro Reference Remastered – IEM Review
Nathan posted a review of these IEMs over on Headfonia. From the review it appears that that these IEMs have a pretty flat presentation. The vocals shine but you don’t have bass of other IEMs such as Noble’s K10.
Fiio F1 IEM Review
Ryanjsoo reviewed the Fiio F1 IEM over on Head-Fi. Click on the link below to read the whole review.
Pros: Comfort, Isolation, Build & cable, Remote, Smooth sound, Relatively linear tuning, Nice treble, Integrated cable strap
Cons: Slow bass gets lost, Perhaps too laid-back, Remote buttons rattle in housing
Stax SRS-3100 Electrostatic Headphone Review
Earfonia posted a review of the electrostatic Stax SRS-3100 headphone on Head-Fi.
Pros: Smooth balanced and musical sounding.
Cons: Shallow earpad might not be comfortable for some; Build quality not very convincing for the price.
