FiiO has updated its wallet-friendly set of well-tuned IEMs to appeal to entry-level music lovers worldwide. The new JD3 Black Edition goes for only $20 and comes with a more balanced tonality from an updated 9.2 mm dynamic driver paired with a semi-open acoustic chamber and an all-aluminium unibody construction for improved build quality. You even get an integrated microphone with line controls for the great price!
HIFIMAN introduces an inexpensive set of closed-back over-ear headphones using in-house developed dynamic drivers. The HE-R9 comes in wired or wireless options with the latter making use of the novel Bluemini R2R DAC/amplifier, and goes with a bass-first tuning that may well appeal to you.
Premium audio brand Astell&Kern partners with IEM mainstay Campfire Audio to put out the PATHFINDER with several unique driver and acoustic chamber technologies inside. This hybrid set comes with deluxe accessories and boasts a high-end build and design while aiming to be your personal audio end game.
ThieAudio wants to take on the emerging world of open-back planar magnetic headphones with its new $550 Wraith over-ear set. It comes with three pairs of ear pads to go with excellent build quality and comfort, making for nice looking headphones with some unfortunate issues to be aware of.
Truthear comes back with a 1-2 punch to the rest of the audio industry courtesy its take on the budget IEM space with the impressive $19 HOLA in addition to joining the portable DAC/amp market with the SHIO. The HOLA is a single DD set that is tuned better than many more expensive IEMs and the SHIO reminds me of a popular ~$200 product to where you certainly need to read this entire review!
Time for another 2-in-1 review as we cover MOONDROP's debut into the over-ear dynamic driver headphones market with the new open-back VOID headphones. It pairs well with the company's recently released DAWN 4.4 mm balanced dongle that provides plenty of clean power in a small form factor.
AFUL Acoustics is a new company aiming to shake up the competitive IEM market with its Performer 5 hybrid driver set. It uses a 1 DD/4 BA configuration paired with novel engineering and electronics to make for a compellingly smooth tonality and a highly comfortable listening experience at a reasonable price.
Truthear returns to the party with the 1 DD, 3 BA hybrid driver set called Hexa. It takes a lot of the successful features from the commercially and critically successful ZERO, and pairs the same dynamic driver with three custom balanced armature units for a more natural presentation and a further extended frequency response.
Sivga introduces its new closed-back set using a familiar 50 mm dynamic driver that gets tweaked for a new sound signature. The Sivga Oriole comes in two color options and builds upon the popular Robin, with better yokes that offer cup swivel and a bass-heavy tonality that also works well with a multitude of different music genres.
Tripowin partners once again with audio influencer HBB to update its popular Olina set of in-ear monitors. The new Olina SE gets an updated driver on top of a more balanced tuning to make a best-selling set all the more relevant for those who thought the original was too bright and fatiguing.
We get back into the popular Drop headphones collaboration game today with the Aeon Closed X. This is a closed-back, over-ear planar magnetic set made by US-based Dan Clark Audio, that adopts a purposeful dampening material-driven tonality and clever build/design to make for a highly comfortable and relaxing sound experience.
Custom Art holds true to its name as we debut the Polish audio brand with a deeper dive of its flagship FIBAE 7 Unlimited. Available as both UIEM or CIEMs, it uses an innovative flat impedance/phase technology to make the most of its seven balanced armature drivers, for a simultaneously pleasant and fun sound signature.
Nectar Sound is a US-based one person outfit that is making waves for its high-value, high-performance headphones. Today we examine their HiveX electrostatic headphones that aim to change the market entirely when it comes to bass response and overall sound presentation at an affordable price.
MOONDROP enters the over-ear headphones market with the VENUS. It is an open-back set using in-house developed planar magnetic drivers that fit into an all-metal housing, to make for good build quality paired with balanced tonality and decent technicalities, for a reasonable price.
FiiO adds to its popular hybrid driver line of in-ear monitors with the new FH7S, featuring a large LCP dynamic driver and four custom Knowles BA drivers. Expect a grand unboxing experience in addition to a customizable sound signature courtesy tuning filters, making this FiiO FH7S review worthy of your time.
MOONDROP enters the competitive planar magnetic IEM market with the STELLARIS. It's an intricate set with novel drivers placed inside impressive looking and feeling shells, but weighed down by poor fit and tonality to make this a divisive product at best.
Focal updates its $5,000 flagship Utopia headphones with several changes both inside and out. It continues the use of innovative speaker drivers with a pure beryllium diaphragm and pairs it with a new voice coil, warmer tuning, and a cleaner aesthetic, which makes the Utopia one of the very best headphones on the market today.
The HYTE Eclipse HG10 is a $100 no-nonsense wireless gaming headset that aims to sound fun and engaging, without bogging your system down with unnecessary software. From design to performance, it feels like a breath of fresh air on the overflooded gaming headset market.
7Hz jumps aboard the collaboration train now with its latest planar IEM offering. The Dioko is more budget-friendly and thus part of its new Salnotes sub-brand, and is tuned with Crinacle's help to have a clean, resolving signature in mind while retaining the design language from the 7Hz Eternal.
Enter the world of custom in-ear monitors with the LETSHUOER EJ07M, as we explore the process of getting your own CIEMs beginning with ear impressions, a custom design, and the various pros and cons of going this route.
Focal enters the competitive wireless ANC headphones market with the all-new Bathys. It is a $799 audiophile-centric set of over-ear, closed-back headphones with hybrid ANC, physical controls, app-based customization, and even a dedicated USB DAC mode that aims for a punchy and satisfying sound you can take on the go.
ZEPHONE aims to use its 25 years of experience in the audio space to target a more premium headphones market. The all new ZEPHONE Tiger uses custom planar magnetic drivers in a novel chassis design, with the goal of providing an authentic and enjoyable listening experience without breaking the bank.
LETSHUOER partners with HiFiGo and audio personality Z Review to bring out a customized version of its popular S12 planar IEMs. The new Z12 comes in black or gold (or both) colors while also introducing a new modular cable and a slight bass boost, with the goal of a more balanced and fun tuning.
HIFIMAN updates its popular Ananda open-back planar magnetic set to include stealth magnet technology, also overhauling the unboxing experience. The new Ananda Stealth goes for a neutral-bright tuning and offers a comfortable, enjoyable listening experience for fans of jazz and classical music alike.
MOONDROP chills us with a new snow-themed variant of their popular Aria in-ear monitors. This version uses a different dynamic driver and has a cool aesthetic paired with a unique set of accessories to grab your eyes and also potentially your wallet.
