Audeze. The legendary LCD-2 re-imagined: Those utterances alone suffice to generate enough interest in the $800 planar magnetic bass-heavy LCD-2 Classic, which goes with a more eco-friendly construction and has amp-friendly power requirements as it aims to deliver a satisfying Audeze experience for well under a thousand bucks.
What do you get when you cross IEMs with an alien space ship? The BLON BL-A8 Prometheus aims to answer this with a unique 3D-printed openwork shell that is quite unlike anything else on the outside and keeps things simple on the inside with a single 10 mm diaphragm dynamic driver.
Ikko impressed us before with the OH10 IEMs, and we take a look at their latest earphones today. The Ikko Gems OH1S uses a brand-new dynamic driver-based hybrid system and comes in two color options, each with a resin layer that adds to the aesthetics of the textured shell.
The final audio brand has a relished history and reputation, having been associated with highly technical companies, including the Molex company. It puts all this into its first true wireless earphones, the EVA2020 x final which also has a strong collaboration with the Japanese Evangelion franchise.
Audio-Technica is known for a lot of things, but active noise cancellation is not necessarily one of them. With the ATH-ANC300TW, the company aims to change all that by promising excellent noise cancellation, high fidelity audio, and first-party mobile app support for further customization!
Campfire Audio makes a debut on TechPowerUp with its release of two relatively budget-friendly IEMs compared to what it usually puts out. Today, we take a look at the bold Honeydew that uses an individually 3D-printed acoustic chamber and custom dynamic driver for some very energetic and consistent tuning.
Campfire Audio makes a debut on TechPowerUp with its release of two relatively budget-friendly IEMs compared to what it usually puts out. Today, we take a look at the bubbly Satsuma, which uses an individually 3D printed acoustic chamber and full-range BA driver for some very deliberate and consistent tuning.
Lypertek has updated its impressive PurePlay Z3 to version 2.0, which adds numerous improvements. The case gets Qi wireless charging support, there is Bluetooth 5.2 support, and we get compatibility with the company's PureControl mobile app for even more customization than ever before!
We introduce frequency response measurements for earphones today, and begin with the ThieAudio Legacy 5 in-ear monitors. They feature hand-painted face plates and a five-driver setup combined with fine tuning across the board, and aim to compete favorably against higher-priced products from more established brands.
Philips has previously offered excellent value for money and a generally pleasing sound signature with the Fidelio X2/X2HR. The all-new Fidelio X3 aims to bump things up a few notches in all regards, be it with higher-end materials, a revamped driver system, or fully balanced mode!
The SteelSeries Arctis 9 Wireless is an excellent gaming headset with dual wireless connectivity. It can simultaneously be connected to the supplied 2.4 GHz RF dongle and a Bluetooth source, which opens it up to a host of interesting use cases.
Ikko is a relatively new brand to the audio space with a focus on in-ear monitors. Today, we take a look at their $200 OH10 IEMs, which are of superb build quality. Sound quality is excellent as well, and price-to-performance can easily compete with much bigger brands.
Lypertek is a relatively recent audio brand that recognizes the importance of value-driven products to break into the market. With the PurePlay Z3, we see an excellent set of true wireless earbuds with a neutral sound signature, good battery life with quick charging support, and easy controls for media playback on the go.
The MSI Immerse GH61 is an interesting $100 USB gaming headset equipped with a pair of 40-millimeter speaker drivers installed by the famous hi-fi brand Onkyo, as well as an ESS Sabre DAC/headphone amplifier you may also use with other headphones you might own.
The Creative SXFI Trio in-ear headphones are equipped with three speaker drivers per ear piece, which are driven by the SXFI Wire, a more compact version of the SXFI Amp DAC/headphone amplifier. They offer USB-C connectivity, as well as the powerful Super X-Fi headphone holography technology.
The Thermaltake RIING Pro RGB 7.1 is a $95 USB gaming headset equipped with the ESS ES9018 DAC and SABRE 9601K headphone amplifier, and based on a dual-headband design. It also offers a retractable microphone and fully supports the TT RGB Plus and Razer Chroma RGB ecosystems.
The Mad Catz F.R.E.Q. 4 is an inexpensive USB gaming headset based on an intuitive dual-headband design. It's equipped with a pair of gaming-tuned 50-mm dynamic speaker drivers, a retractable microphone, and a configurable RGB lighting system.
The Creative SXFI Gamer is an amazing USB gaming headset, offering excellent sound and microphone quality, intuitive controls, and an advanced Super X-Fi technology with the addition of their so-called Battle Mode, which will give you a competitive edge in multiplayer shooters.
HiFiMAN's original HE400 turned a few heads in the headphone industry when it launched eight years ago. Since then, the design has been updated a few times, most noticeably with the release of the i-version. Today, we will have a look at the 2020 version of the HE400i. Despite the upgrades, it remains relatively affordable at $169.
The $100 Corsair HS70 Bluetooth takes everythingwe know and like about the award-winning HS gaming headset lineup and adds extensive connectivity options. These make this headset extremely versatile, opening it up to a host of possibilities you won't get elsewhere.
The Creative SXFI Air headset features four different modes of connectivity, onboard and gesture controls, dedicated mobile and desktop programs for customization, RGB lighting, and integrated Super X-Fi Gen2 headphone holography for an excellent price.
The Corsair HS75 XB Wireless is an officially licensed Xbox Series X and Xbox One gaming headset. Based on the same excellent hardware platform as other Corsair HS headsets, it's built like a tank, pleasant to listen to, and comfortable. For the best surround sound experience in existence, a Dolby Atmos license is also included.
The Mad Catz F.R.E.Q. 2 is an affordable gaming headset with a practical dual-headband design, retractable microphone, and pair of 40-millimeter dynamic speaker drivers tuned for excellent spatial awareness, which makes them a good option for multiplayer shooters.
The Corsair HS60 HAPTIC gaming headset offers excellent build quality, an engaging, bass-heavy sound signature, a solid microphone, and a unique haptic bass technology to improve immersion while gaming, which it does successfully!
The AIAIAI TMA-2 is a modular headphone system based on an interesting concept, as you get to pick the headband, speaker drivers, earpads, and cable. You then put it all together—only with that done can you start enjoying the performance of these headphones.
