HIFIMAN continues its technology trickle-down with the all-new Edition XS. It is the least expensive teardrop-shaped open-back, over-ear set from the company and features stealth magnets as well as a much thinner, more responsive diaphragm than its predecessor to make for excellent headphones at a reasonable price.
1MORE updated its popular ColorBuds lineup of TWS earphones with even more technological features to improve the user experience. The ColorBuds 2 comes in three color options and has wireless and fast charging, hybrid ANC, Bluetooth 5.2, and native SoundID integration for a personalized sound signature at under $100.
Today, we check out the HarmonicDyne Zeus, an open-back, over-ear set that uses an attractive combination of walnut wood and a stamped grille with a premium hard case and thick cable to make it seem like a luxurious audio solution for audiophiles and the general public alike.
LETSHUOER joins the planar magnetic IEM train with the new S12 in-ear monitors. It uses large 14.8 mm planar drivers fit into a small, ergonomic aluminium alloy shell to make for an attractive combination of aesthetics, build quality, decent tuning for multiple music genres, and comfort without hurting the wallet too much.
Audeze caps off a productive 2021 with the LCD-5, its hotly anticipated new flagship. The LCD-5 is a genuine contender for the best headphones in the world because of unfathomable detail retrieval and an accurate sound signature, which makes it a favorite among award-winning music artists and audiophiles who want the best!
Sennheiser aims high with its new TrueResponse dynamic driver system for a new generation of true wireless earphones, and we examine its budget-friendly CX True Wireless in more detail. It comes in two color options and promises long battery life by keeping things simple and effective.
Monoprice is back at it with the Monolith series of audio products, and this time we‘re taking a look at its new closed-back over-ear offering: the M1070C. It is a planar magnetic set that comes with two different stock pads and a clean aesthetic to appeal to different customers, all without hurting the wallet too much!
The SPC Gear VIRO Infra is a fantastic €38 analog gaming headset. Because of its great sound quality, excellent microphone, and outstanding wearing comfort, this is without question our new reference budget gaming headset!
Astell&Kern is a premium audio brand known for its DAPs, but it has several headphones and IEMs in collaboration with others. The AK ZERO1 is the company's first self-developed set of IEMs, and it has many engineering chops courtesy a tribrid driver configuration with a unique planar magnetic driver and vocal-first tuning.
ThieAudio has been on a roll off late with appealing IEMs at various price points. Today, we look at its latest and greatest: the V16 Divinity flagship. It employs a whopping 16 Sonion and Knowles balanced armature drivers combined in a complex 5-way crossover per channel and aims to be a technical masterpiece for years to come.
DUNU is back at it with an impressive set of IEMs that don't break the bank. The TITAN S takes inspiration from a cyberpunk world for its design language, and pairs a neutral-bright tuning with good build quality, excellent cable, functional carry case, and plenty of ear tips to make for a sub-$100 attraction.
Sivga Audio is a relatively new brand out of China that aims to bring good-looking, well-built headphones to a more affordable market segment. Today, we examine the Sivga Robin (SV021) which comes in two wooden ear cup finishes and uses a well-tuned 50 mm dynamic driver for mainstream appeal at a nice price.
SeeAudio has paired up with noted IEM reviewer Crinacle to release an improved version of its well-regarded Yume IEMs. The new Yume Midnight gets a bass boost and extended treble on top of a reworked acoustic chamber for enhanced technicalities, as well as updated accessories.
The Meze Audio Liric is a premium set of portable closed-back headphones developed in partnership with Rinaro Isodynamics. It uses a hybrid array, dual voice coil planar magnet drivers paired with many other novel engineering systems to make for a luxurious and comfortable listening experience on the go.
CCA joins the TechPowerUp review database with the CA24, a 12 balanced armature set that is an engineering spectacle to behold through its resin shells. It uses a 5-way electronic crossover, deliberately tuned V-shaped signature, and ergonomically shaped shells for comfort.
The Sharkoon Skiller SGH50 is a reasonably priced analog gaming headset. It is particularly interesting because of its high sensitivity, making it easily driveable by a wide selection of sound cards, including the most basic integrated ones. It offers good overall sound quality and a downright fantastic detachable microphone.
7Hz is back at it with a new release hot on the footsteps of the immortal Timeless. Aptly named Eternal, 7Hz is using a single large dynamic driver paired with unique aesthetics to celebrate its 10th anniversay as it aims to offer a dynamic parallel for those who don't get along with the planar drivers in the Timeless.
Dekoni Audio has made a name for itself with a variety of replacement ear pads for headphones, many of which offer enhanced comfort and different tuning characteristics over first-party options. Today, we examine its Elite Sheepskin offering for the Meze 99 series of headphones and compare it to the stock pads for the Meze 99 Neo.
64 Audio is near-synonymous with world-class IEMs routinely used by the who's who of music. The company has several patents to its name. Today, we examine its $3000 flagship-class U18t using 18 balanced armature drivers and incorporating its innovative Apex module and tia driver technologies.
Kinera impressed before with its modular IEM cable, and we now take a look at its new limited edition set of TWS earphones featuring a hand-painted and assembled custom design, hybrid ANC with transparency modes, pre-programmed touch controls, and tuning inspired by its IEM R&D experiences to date.
The LETSHUOER EJ07M is a testament to letting a product shine by keeping things simple and executing them well. It is a tribrid set that aims to be a harmonious mix of accuracy and fun for both monitoring and enjoying music, and comes in two color designs in addition to a custom-fit option.
The Tripowin x HBB Olina is born out of a collaboration with an audio reviewer (HBB) and aims to put a popular dynamic driver used in a much more expensive set of IEMs into a more affordable package. It is tuned for more widespread appeal and placed in very comfortable and pleasant-looking shells to interest many looking for IEMs at the $100 price point.
HIFIMAN's tried-and-tested stealth magnets technology trickles down to the budget-friendly HE400se open-back, over-ear planar magnetic headphones. This is a well-tuned set that outperforms many others costing significantly more, and does so without many compromises. Oh, did I mention that it's less than $150?
Lypertek fills the missing gap in its product lineup with hybrid ANC support on its new PurePlay Z5. This is a true wireless set strong on technological features, including wireless charging for the case, fast charging for the earphones, well-executed touch controls, and a feature-rich mobile app—all for a reasonable price.
Another two-for-one, and we happen to move up the price ladder, too, to $2000. The Lime Ears Pneuma is a fairly unique hybrid set of IEMs for using a dynamic driver as a sub-woofer and a switch for two tuning signatures to good effect. It is paired with the Hapa Audio KnØt IEM cable that aims to raise the bar for aftermarket customizable cables.
