The moment I tore open the MA350’s packaging, an upside down smile cracked across my clock. I may have even groaned something like, “you’ve got to be kidding!”. This was not the cardboard of 79$ earphone. And, the unassuming aluminium earphone said 40$ more than it ever said 80$. I spent the next ten minutes slapping myself silly, however, because after popping the MA350 into my ears, my impressions changed. Ahh, that’s why they can sell this phone in such a cheap box. Such midrange clarity actually had me convinced the 350 wasn’t a 79$ earphone at all.
Read moreohmage to the Sleek Audio SA7
Back when Cube, was rolling with Lorenzo in a Benzo, Sleek was polishing their chrome-trimmed SA6. Under da hood was a single ultra-wide band driver that laughed in the faces of the tubby competition. But times is changing. Sleek has doubled the SA6’s ultra-wide band armature count and dropped most of the chrome. Sleek’s hard core: the customisable VQ system, the coaxial detachable cable still roll with their shit off safety.
Read moreOcharaku Donguri-欅(KEYAKI) debut
Donguri is finally out. It rings in at 45.150¥ and sports Ocharaku's proprietary second-generation Tornado Equaliser, Tornado Turbo. The first-gen Tornado Equalizer adapted Ocharaku's signature tea leaf spiral techy wechy to fit Audio Technica's CKM55 earphone. It was a fabulous and, by comparison, light purchase. Bass was heavy, detail retrieval above average. Today's Tornado Turbo puts the spiral directly in the sound chamber in front of the driver. The acorn-shaped echo compartment is made of zelkova wood.
Ω will take a good long look later this year. For your reference, please check out the following Ocharaku articles.
ohmage to the Ocharaku CKM55
ohmage to the Ocharaku Flat4-KURO
Ocharaku KAEDE review
オークヴィレッジの匠の技と音茶楽の音響技術を融合したコラボレーションモデル第２弾。
木材の中でも音の伝わる速度が最も早く、響きが美しい欅の芯材をリアキャビネットに採用。更にリアキャビネットの形状をどんぐり型にする事により内部の定在波を抑制、より自然な音質を再現します。
音響技術には音茶楽の特許トルネード・イコライザー回路を採用。(*1)
カナル型の音質劣化の元凶、外耳道を塞ぐ事によって生じる６ｋHz付近の共振を抑えます。更にエレメントにアコースティック・ターボ回路を付加する事により振動系の等価質量を周波数に応じて可変制御。
低fo化による重低音域の充実と中音域での感度向上の両立を実現。
シングルエレメントの利点を生かしながら超低音域から超高音域までスムースに再現します。
13/14 October Tube Festival in Tokyo
Today, the muscular, V-Moda breaking heafier, Anak Chan, reminded me that Tube Festival is going down next Monday. That would be 14 October, or Health and Sports Day, here in Japan. Woohoo! Holiday!
The closest station to the atsumari no basho is: Ochanomizu station
The Tube Festival is all about the application of tubes/valves in both living room and portable audio, from DAC to power amp.
Its organisers tag it with 「このデジタル時代に、なぜ真空管なのか！」which I roughly translate: "We is digital, baby! WTF is with tubes?!"
But I'm a crap translator. However, Anak puffing up his balls to head to the big boys has shitcanned a number of stereotypes which I've held dear for years.
Basically, I reckoned it is rare day for a headfier to show not only the balls, but the desire to hit up a big rig event. Why? Because headphone users:
a. can't afford speakers
b. can't fit speakers in their flats
c. are introverts by nature
But Sean is no ordinary headfier. He's a geek throughout. He owns a Leica M9 and a gaggle of its best lenses. He drives FitEear earphones from one of a dozen powerful amps. At home, he uses a respectable B&W N804 / McIntosh combo. The Mc is a new item; prior to it, he used an Accuphase amp.
For Sean, headphones are not a gateway upper; they are a gateway downer. He swears to me that he loves his speakers, but I swear when I see his 24 'Lux.
*&$#!!!
In Japan, trend is for headphones. Why? A massive population stuck in tiny flats with no sound or weather insulation head banging to anime songs from 12AM till 6AM is one reason. Really, there isn't the space to put large audio systems. Not without pitching the sofa. Or the spouse.
So, while many European and American headfiers hope maybe, someday, possibly, if their mum allows it, to work up to speakers - but of course just meagre ones -, Japanese audiophiles (who squabble over which colourful squiggle and jingle really would win when faced off in Gundam suits) trends towards headphone sets. God bless 'em.
Venturecraft will be there and so will Ω. And Anak. And that fantastic 24 Lux.
ohmage to the Earsonics SM64
Earsonics have come a long way. Outwardly, their designs don’t show it. But under the bonnet- whoowee! This reviewer has reviewed almost every universal SM series earphone. After carefully fawning over each one, he’s realised two things: first that he is somewhat of an aficionado; and second, that the SM64 is the SM earphone to have.
Read moreSennheiser MOMENTUM On-Ear Contest (US residents only)
Sennheiser USA are giving away a pair of their Momentum On-Ear headphones. Full contest details are available at headfi.
I only got a few minutes with them whilst shooting the 2014 volume of Mac Audio . These bad boys are comfortable, solid, impeccably made, and so free of build niggles that mar lesser headphones. While the colour scheme isn't my favourite, the fit and finish are gorgeous. Alas, I was too busy to plug in my monstrously audiophiliac iPod nano and cue up John Denver, so I can't comment on sound. Trusted audio conspirator, Mr. Satoshi Oyama, promised me that it is worth it.
If I lived in the USA, you can be sure I would enter the contest. Because I don't, I will only harbinge the goodness to you that do.
Momentum usually goes for 229$ USD.
If you don't want to take Mr. Oyama's advice, check out the following links.
Headfi customer impressions
Trusted Reviews impressions
Apple Store customer impressions
Colorware's Sennheiser HD800 and HDVD 800
Whether you send in your HD800 headphones and get Colorware treatment for 299$, or opt for a brand new set replete with Colorware's motley fingerprints for 1599$, there is but one reaction to the Senn/Colorware collab: whoa. (Channel Keanu Reeves to do it right.)
The Lego-dynamic duo also do the HDVD 800 headphone amp: post-sale whoa for 249,00$ or pre-sale whoa for 2099$. (Prices in USD.)
Whoa.
ALO's new The Island hi-res USB DAC
This rather flashy-looking USB DAC is ALO Audio's new The Island. It will go toe to toe with Meridian's Explorer and the glut of USB interfaces that have hit the market lately. Unique to The Island is balanced headphone output. And of course the bright colour schemes. And the giant three-stage volume pot on top- something I think headphone lovers will really appreciate.
Otherwise, The Island's rather hi-flight specs, and its 299$ USD price fall in line with what is out there today.
Description:
The power and performance of balanced audio has arrived in The Island. Spacious sound stages are delivered with a superior sonic punch. Chewy bass lines underpin sparkling highs.
Specially machined volume knob paired with 3 gain stages gives you finer control of your listening, regardless of your headphone selection. The 24 Bit / 192 kHz capable Cirrus Logic CS4398 DAC chip offers plug and play convenience with high-fidelity asynchronous fully balanced performance on both PC and Mac. (PC’s require included drivers for 24 Bit /192 kHz playback.)
A simple design and anodized aluminum enclosure makes The Island a solid choice for portable listening with your laptop as well as home desktop listening sessions. Available in Blue, Gold, Silver and Black anodized finishes.
Tech specs:
Input 1 x mini -USB
Output 1 x 3.5mm stereo jack socket
Output 1 x Stereo jack(Balanced)
Input: USB 2.0 Audio
Output: stereo analog, balanced
Sampling Frequency
44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4khZ, 192kHz
Resolution
16 up to 24 bit
Output power-Balanced :
130mW @32 Ohms
200mW @50 Ohms
160mW @300 Ohms
83mW @600 Ohms
Output power-Unbalanced :
130mW @32 Ohms
200mW @50 Ohms
660mW @300 Ohms
330mW @600 Ohms
Frequency response:
5-22kHz (+/-1dB)
THD+N:
0.001% @ 1kHz
Power:
5V DC from USB bus .
Amber indicator light illuminates when powered.
AKG K3003 vs. Shure SE846 at Head-fi
Head-fi's dleblanc343 has put up a one-on-one shootout between two flagships, the European AKG K3003 and Shure's new SE846, which I demoed back in May. dleblanc343 found the SE846 better than the K3003 for these reasons:
1. They're a better end product overall. The detachable cables being the biggest motivator for most to be willing to dish out a grand on earbuds. You get usable transport cases, a earphone that is less prone to kinks and cosmetic damages, more vast selection of tip options (not including aftermarket), and much much better isolation from noise. Comfort and hold is also superior.
2. They sound better with most genres of music and are an overall more realistic listening experience.
From a holistic perspective I tend to agree. The SE846 comes with a fit more traditional to both portable audiophiles and stage musicians. Its cables are robust, detachable, and use MMCX connections. Its selection of ear tips is massive, and it provides a more coherent sound experience.
Both earphones represent incredible technological leaps forward and both represent the respective tops of their classes. If sound weren't the deciding factor for most prospective customers, fit could be. The Shure's fit could be summed up thusly: strap in and down; the AKG's like this: push in.
Expect more and more Shure SE846 reviews to trickle in.
Woo Audio's 234 MONO stuns Head-Fi
From their perch atop headfi's premier sponsor lounge, Woo Audio massage in the new 234 MONO headphone amp with tube switching key (TSK) tech that allows various power tubes to be switched out from the same socket. Perhaps more interesting is the fact that MONO is both a headphone amp and a speaker amp. Perhaps more interesting than that is the MONO's stunning organic design.
More details and rather fine photos at the MONO thread.
Ω was rather impressed by their recent WA7 Fireflies.