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.
Mangird is now XENNS, and builds upon its impressive Tea IEMs with the newer XENNS UP. It is a tribrid set employing seven drivers for a promised extended frequency response coupled with audiophile tuning and technicalities, as well as individually hand-painted face plates that make for a unique set each time.
FiiO, via its sub-brand Jade Audio, has released a wallet-friendly set of well-tuned IEMs to appeal to entry-level music lovers worldwide. The JD3 uses a custom 9.2 mm dynamic driver paired with a semi-open acoustic chamber and an all-steel unibody construction for improved build quality, and throws in an integrated microphone with line controls for a great price!
Padmate is an audio brand with plenty of experience and resources backing it. It has successfully used crowdfunding for its TWS products, and we now get to examine the PaMu Z1 aiming to offer a good balance of aesthetics, technology, and sound signature at an affordable price.
FiiO partnered with Crinacle for a re-tuned version of the popular FH3 triple-driver hybrid IEMs. The FiiO x Crinacle FHE:Eclipse is a bass-emphasized set with better in-ear resonance compensation, extended treble response, and the goal to be a fun, energetic set with a niche separate from balanced IEMs in the sub-$200 market segment.
Tronsmart aims to one-up the true wireless world with its Apollo Air+ earbuds that use a large 10 mm dynamic driver. It is paired with a premium Qualcomm QCC3046 chipset supporting Bluetooth 5.2, aptX adaptive, and hybrid noise cancelation.
DUNU unleashes its improved ECLIPSƎ dynamic driver platform with the new ZEN PRO using an all-metal dome paired with >1.8 T flux magnets for a punchy and satisfying bass response. It also boasts better treble extension and a more balanced tuning than its predecessor, and comes with a cable you need to see to believe!
MOONDROP aims to continue its excellent 2021 run with its new entry to the TWS market—the MOONDROP Sparks. Priced at under $100 and available in three different colors/designs, let's find out if the company's VDSF tuning works well here, too.
