ohmage to the JVC HA-FW10000

March 21, 2019 ohm

The HA-FW10000 works with Hi-MD well, pre-MDLP units a bit less well.

Before earphones really blew up, I publicly flirted with a number of then-obscure Japanese earphones. FitEar was my biggest break. Final Audio was on its heals. In 2008 I snagged the HP-FX500, JVC’s first wood-dome earphone. I loved it. I hated it. Eventually I broke it. In its wake I was left with an FX500-shaped hole, defined by out-of-head staging and other wordly texture detail. I was also left with a weariness for its piercing highs. More than that, I was left with an ardent dedication to the dynamic driver. I’ve since scoured the market for dynamic driver earphones as impactful and detailed as the FX500. Sadly, not even JVC’s follow ups: the HA-FW02 (which I reviewed here), and the like, did the trick.

Venture Electronics's logo: uniquely free of V

August 4, 2017 ohm

Evidently, there's a V in this wholly unique logo. I've also been told that the logo looks 'nothing like the Senns logo'.

イヤホンGeek's XBA-H3/H2/H1 hand's on

September 6, 2013 ohm

Earphone Geek is a pretty well-known audio blogger here in Japan. Rightly, he got a short but good ear on Sony's new earphones. Here are a few notes from his review.

XBA-H3 Highlights: ohmage

Wide sound stage
Good high frequency extension
Powerful, well-resolved 30-50Hz detail
Great sound balance for a hybrid dynamic / balanced earphone

XBA-H3 Highlights: porridge

Vocals should step out further

NOTE: MMCX connection

XBA-H2 Highlights: porridge

Balance is poor
Same confused high range as EX1000
Cloudy high range of Sony's previous XBA series
Too much bass for such confused high range

NOTE I: Sound that mimics the worst of the EX1000 and the worst of the previous XBA series.
NOTE II: Earphone geek notes NO good points.

XBA-H1 Highlights: ohmage

High range is a clear improvement to the cloudy presentation of the previous XBA series
High range still not perfect; some defects from the XBA series remain
Beautiful bass reproduction
Most mature-sounding of the new H series

NOTE: Among the new, bass-blessed H series, this model has the best cost/performance ratio.

Again, Earphone Geek's review is here.

XBA-H3/H2/H1, PHA-2: Sony are on a portable audio roll!

September 5, 2013 ohm

Fujiya-Avic released the details and pre-order info for three new large-driver hybrid earphones: XBA-H3/H2/H1 as well as the new PHA-2 portable headphone amp/DAC which will support 24/192 PCM and 2,8/5,6MHz DSD. Yes, DSD audio.

Sony EU have more details about the new XBA series.
Here is the PHA-2's page.

PHA-2 should retail for 55.000¥. Its predecessor, the PHA-1, bookmarked the entry of mainstream audio companies into a market that, largely, has been controlled by a number of feisty boutique manufacturers. I was ecstatic about the PHA-1. If Sony has addressed the so-so performance with low-Ω earphones, the PHA-2 should kill its target market.

PHA-2: 55.000¥

XBA-H3: 16mm dynamic driver + 2-way balanced armature unit
37.000¥

XBA-H2: 13,5mm dynamic driver + single balanced armature unit
26.000¥

XBA-H1: 9mm dynamic driver + single balanced armature unit
16.000¥

This new line of portable products will debut and be ready for purchase in time for Fujiya-Avic's 2013 Fall Headphone Festival.

Sony is back.

Chord & Major: Major 7, 8, and 9 earphones

June 23, 2013 ohm

At e-Earphone's 2013 Spring portable festival, Ω met a number of interesting companies. One that really caught my eye was Chord & Major, a new earphone maker from Taiwan. What set them apart from other manufacturers was their attention to logical design: fit, ergonomics, ease of use were obviously important in each of their products.

Their debut series, Major, are badged 'Tonal Earphones', and feature earphones tweaked for rock, jazz, and classical. Their prices should hit north of 120$ and south of 150$, region-dependent.

Ω's got them in the review queue for the week of Canada Day, so expect fireworks, booze, drunk loyalists, and plenty of good music.

音茶楽 Flat4-玄 - Ocharaku Flat4-Kuro

May 1, 2013 ohm

Ocharaku's excellent Flat4 series is about to get another entrant. Kuro is the latest Twin Equalised Element. Like Sui, it will also utilise aluminium in its central cabinet. The best news is that it comes at a much lower, audio folk-friendly price.

It will be released in June and demo'd at Fujiya's upcoming headphone festival on May 11.

For more information as it becomes available, please visit Ocharaku's earphone home page.

Press materials below:

(NOTE: Press release is in PNG format. Links can neither be copied nor clicked. Sorry for the inconvenience.)

UPDATE: Flat-4 KURO has just got some ohmage.