Headphones & Audiophile
Headphone and hi-fi reviews, measurements, new gear, deals, vinyl and value for money for discerning listeners.
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What IEM/earbud are you listening with now, and what are you listening to?
I'm going to copy @timb5881 thread from the headphone sub forum, and post it here in the portable section as well. The headphone version of this thread is by far my favorite thread on Head-Fi, and I think there is enough activity to seperate the threat into two, to keep the other focused on headphones. I enjoy this type of thread more than the one found in the misc. sub forum, because it is often more a talk about the music and the gear, rather than farming post counts and likes... Read more
IFi Audio Announces The Zen Stream 3
Bring Your Hi-Fi Online. With upgraded hardware, software, and a host of new features, the ZEN Stream 3 adds audiophile-grade network playback to any system setup. Key Features of the ZEN Stream 3 include: • High-Resolution Network Streaming: Next-gen engine provides 384kHz/DSD256 digital audio from Qobuz Connect, Tidal Connect, and more. • K2 Technology: Restores musical harmonics lost in production/encoding for a natural... Read more
Everything TWS and Wireless.. with a dash of whatever(wired) thrown in for flavor
Fellow Head-Fier's Welcome! I thought it would be great to start a thread dedicated to everything related to TWS and wireless audio. This includes headphones, earbuds, technology, codecs, etc. You can also share your wired recommendations if you'd like. Let's aim to keep this thread focused on personal experiences and try to limit the use of AI-generated content. Feel free to share as many photos as you'd like; the more, the merrier!
Hi,Im noob iem user
안녕하세요, 저는 음악 듣는 것을 좋아합니다. 저는 CP752B&SP3000T를 사용하고 있습니다. Nice to meet you!!
Best IEM tips?
For durability, comfort, fit, price, and all that other stuff.
Do we need tuning nozzles and modular cables in a $50 to $60 IEM?
Hey everyone! I have had the upcoming Juzear Nimbus here for a few days now and I will be preparing my review for them soon. Giving you some quick specs, they range between $50 and $60 depending on the cable configuration you choose, they feature a laser glass faceplate that changes depending on how the light hits it, and they feel a bit heavier than your average resin IEMs, though that is not a drawback at all once they are in your ears. They use a single 10mm MACCD DD and have a warm and... Read more
The FitEar CIEM Impressions Thread
Looks like there's a new custom IEM from FitEar MH335DW. The DW stands for Double Woofer. Photo courtesy of Fujiya Avic. There's very little info about the MH335DW at the moment. Edit: Title changed from "New FitEar MH335DW Custom IEM" to "The FitEar CIEM Appreciation/Impressions Thread"
FIIO Open-Back Planar Headphones FT7
FIIO FT7 applies FIIO’s all-new self-developed 106mm large planar driver, coupled with multiple innovative patented acoustic technologies to discover the ultra-low frequency response capabilities of planar headphones. Moreover, the FT7’s driver employs a patented multi-layer coating technology (Patent number: ZL2024205488218). The planar driver uses high-performance PET as the diaphragm substrate and selectively applies 24K gold and pure silver to create a multi-layer coated driver –... Read more
Show Off Your IEM Photography - Let's See Your Best Shots!
Hey Head-Fi fam! Thought it'd be fun to have a dedicated space where we can all share our IEM photography—whether it’s a casual phone shot or a full-on studio still. Doesn’t matter if it’s your daily driver or a new toy—if you’ve snapped a nice pic, this is the place to drop it! Feel free to post: • Solo IEM shots • Desk setups with your IEMs • Creative flat-lays • Photos from tours or reviews Just make sure to include the name/model of the IEM in your post. Bonus points if you add your... Read more
Oriolus EJ01 IEM System - Discussion and Impressions Thread
This topic developed within the Oriolus Traillii Ultra thread - so thought I would give it its own space here. As an owner of the original Oriolus Traillii (formerly) and also the Ultra - I am looking forward to this new system and have just put a pre-order in. It is less than a third of the cost of the Oriolus Triallii Ultra, yet has more useful functionality. The Ultras are the best iem's I have listened to - so fingers crossed these little electrostat hybrids come close. Oriolus EJ01... Read more
ICELAB Spectrumica impressions thread
I can't believe how there is still no dedicated thread for the Spectrumica till now. While there are loads of reviews and appreciation, they are all scattered in the Watercooler or elsewhere. Shall we start giving the wonderful Specs its long overdue credits here? Let's do it. To me, despite its warm tilt, it really offers everything I'd want, and every great quality I could name, in an iem. Sub-bass rumble, mid-bass thump, ultimately detailed mids, absence weird peaks in the vocal and... Read more
Luxsin X8 Intelligent DAC & Headphone Amplifier Officially Released, The PEQ AI era starts now
It has been six months since Luxsin released its first product, the X9. Developed over two years by the Luxsin team, the X9 is a reference-grade DAC and headphone amplifier created with a strong focus on sound quality, stability, and long-term reliability. At launch, the X9 introduced several features that were considered world-firsts at the time, and it has since been well received by users. Beyond its sonic performance, the X9 also integrated a range of practical functions, presented... Read more
Nightcraft Audio Impressions & Discussions Thread
Hi all, About 2–3 weeks ago, I received a set of IEM cables from Nightcraft Audio on loan, as part of their Australia tour. I first heard about the brand through attendees of CanJam Singapore this year — including @Yifang, @GiullianSN, and @AxLvR — all of whom gave overwhelmingly positive impressions, which naturally piqued my curiosity. After spending time with the cables, I can confidently say the hype is well-deserved. I’ve created this thread for those who have tried... Read more
Cable Myths: Do Cables Matter, or Is Pricier Always Better?
We just put out a new video on a question that shows up in pretty much every cable thread here: do cables actually make a difference, or is it all placebo? Our answer might annoy both camps a little. “Cables don’t matter” usually comes from comparing one cheap cable to another cheap cable, so of course they sound the same. “Just buy the most expensive one” has the opposite problem. It skips the question of whether that cable suits your headphones at all. Both sides miss what matters: what... Read more
Thieaudio Cables
I feel like the thieaudio midnix is the greatest value cable at 50 bucks. The pliability and suppleness of the cable is some of the best ive ever had across all cables that have either come WITH an iem or cables ive bought aftermarket. While there's no denying the quality of something like an eletech or effect audio cable, the bang for buck is insane for the midnix. I sincerely wish it came in more colors so I can accommodate my whole iem library. Disclaimer, I enjoy a chunky 2W cable. 8W... Read more
Diana: the second release by Abyss Headphones!
http://abyssheadphones.com/abyss_diana.html Thought I'd create a proper thread for the new Abyss Diana. (General rumors and discussion are in this thread.) Things are going to get confusing, because most people refer to the Abyss AB-1266 as simply the Abyss. Now, we will have to specify which Abyss we are talking about. I suppose this was inevitable... Anyway, I will post updates here and add the most relevant info to this first post. And of course, we... Read more
The ZMF Weight Project
Hi folks! If you're insane like me and buy and sell ZMFs as some form of a demented hobby, and you happen to be weight sensitive, you may be interested in a spreadsheet I created: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1tlcAeqy4_keJpFNAeNaEDMSChuiRA2dzz8aYkz79lig/ * I've seeded it with both the official ZMF info, as well as headphones I weighed personally, and from a few historic listings I've scanned * The goal is for people to add entries so over time we could figure out the... Read more
Shanling H7 - High-End Portable DAC/AMP/Player, Featuring new AKM AK4499EX Flagship DAC
Introducing SHANLING H7 With H7 we are taking a big step into the High-End Portable DAC/AMP market. And we made sure it comes packing all the important features: - New Flagship AK4499EX DAC chip from AKM, with its matching AK4191 Modulator - Extra powerful amplifier offering up to 1.2W @ 32 Ohm - 3.5 / 4.4 / 6.35mm headphone outputs and rear RCA - Xmos USB input supporting Hi-Res playback, including MQA - Combined input for Coaxial and Optical SPDIF -... Read more
The (Un)Official Amp Thread For ZMF Headphones
We've been tossing this idea around for awhile, so I thought I'd go ahead and get it started. If you're looking for amp recommendations for your new ( or not so new) ZMF, this is the place. Kindly add photos of your tube, tube hybrid or solid state amps, comments, questions, recommendations, impressions, tube rolls, cables too and anything else amp related for ZMF headphones, and of course photos of your lovely ZMF headphones are most welcome also. Please try to add the name of your amp... Read more
The Watercooler Headphone Edition – TOUR THREAD (see second post for active tours)
The Watercooler Headphone Edition – TOUR THREADWelcome! We now have a headphones tour thread. Similar to the Watercooler tour thread for portable audio, this thread will facilitate tours of full-size headphone demos for community members interested in demoing headphones and/or providing feedback. Spoiler: Eligibility Who is eligible? The tours are offered for active Head-Fi community members. To be eligible to
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