As per usual, Sean Chan (captain, my captain) made it to the latest mad Tokyo headphone show. He attended geeked out in gold: a Noble Audio K10 custom, and a Nikon D800. He ogled the booth babes, hounded the exhibitors, and produced this wonderful Head-Fi report.
OHM AIR episode #010: Brought to you by Sennheiser
Lieven joins OHM because he doesn't want to work. He says he was able to record from his home thanks to a train strike. Yeah right. Well, at least he got time to discuss the finer points of what Calyx got right, and wrong, with the M DAP.
Lieven points out that I'm stuck on portable gear. I think we sussed it.
Relevant topics include:
FitEar fitear - AV Watch 'mini review'
Calyx M - Headfonia reivew
Expensive portable gear
Making pointless audio gear
The original ALO Rx - TouchMyApps review
Be sure to follow OHM AIR on SoundCloud.
And be just as sure to check out Headfonia.com.
Note: I had issues with software compression from the getgo. I didn't suss them in time. The result is the worst-sounding OHM AIR in history. My apologies.
Speaking of the Aurender FLOW - Anakchan reviews it at headfi
Sean Chan has published an early review of it at Head-fi. It's worth a read.
“The Flow has just taken over my Cypherlabs stack in that respect of “presenting a big sound”. The Flow has been able to just make the sound bigger, larger, wider, deeper. I’m actually comparing the Flow to my Invicta/Zana Deux desktop gear - although not up to that level it’s mightily close at a fraction of the cost. So despite the somewhat clinical tonal presentation, it’s width and depth presentation on the other hand makes the overall music sound so palatable to the ears. ”
The Aurender FLOW
The FLOW's comber aesthetic and washing-machine aesthetic take a little getting used to. But its ease of use, perfectly legible OLED screen, plug/unplug safety features, and remote control functionality, are perfectly endearing.
In case you're wondering, this 1300$ DAC:
1. has a low (but not silent) background noise floor
2. boasts lots of current into low ohm loads
3. pumps good volume, high-quality signal into high-ohm loads
4. works with both iPhone and iPad (as well as Android devices)
5. boasts decent stereo separation and detail levels across all frequencies
6. has a battery and can be used on the road
7. has external controls that interface directly with your device
And, it is machined impeccably. Korean portable Hi-Fi units have the unique advantage of being produced in Korea, by Koreans. They look, and feel, wonderful next to outsourced competitors. And the FLOW is the best-feeling Korean unit yet.
FLOW is a wonderful device. It probably isn't the be-all-end-all of performance DACs, but it boasts headphone safety features, is well-machined, and speaks for itself as an important member of an impressive, and growing, family of products.
I will be reviewing it at Headfonia in the new year.
More about the FLOW: Aurender FLOW personal entertainment
Note: click on images below to proceed to next image
Lachlan's Holiday Earphone Buying Guide 2014
Lachlan compares/contrasts nine different earphones. He also almost manages to hang himself. Hang in, Lach!
Be sure to subscribe to Lachlan Likes a Thing for more great videos.
DIY 0,40 calibre earphone
While the stress relief is probably inadequate, this DIY 0,40 calibre earphone is awesome.
MacRumors readers up in arms about headphones
Apple offering Master & Dynamic headphones on their online shop is taking a beat. Nothing draws the ire of headphone audiophiles more than the mention of any brand not AKG, Sennheiser, Grado, or any myriad quality earphone producer.
Anyway, as a bloke that loves Master & Dynamic's MH40, I feel proud that one of my favourite headphones can now be snagged from one of the world's largest online retailers.
Here's where to find them:
MH30: Master & Dynamic MH30 On-Ear Headphones
MH40: Master & Dynamic MH40 Over-Ear Headphones
Source: Apple Adds 'Anti-Beats' Master & Dynamic Headphones to its Online Store, Proves Open to Competition
Headfonia: Calyx M
If only it was smaller. If only its battery lasted longer than 6 hours. If only it didn't toast up my boys-- only those provisos weren't part and parcel of the Calyx M experience, the M would be the most amazing portable music player on the market.
If you want the long-winded version, head on over to Headfonia to read the entirety of my review.
How BMW came to the K-thunk sound of the 4 Series Gran Coupe
Yes, this Medium article is an unabashed BWM advert. But it shows how audiophile sensibilities carry from the whisky chair to the highway.
“The moment the door connects with the frame, the metal parts of the latch collide creating a low but audible click. A thunk follows more clearly as the dampers and seals compress, decelerating the door nearly instantly as it locks in place, deadening the sound at once to create a crisp and precise effect.”
My parents drove what they called a 'Swedish tractor'. The doors of our Volvo 840 didn't sound bad, but every time I heard doors close on a BMW, or some Lexus models, my insides rose up in salute. They said: that was how a car door should sound.
As with all things luxury, it is the little things that count.
Source: Click, Clack, K-thunk How the Perfect Car Door Sound Is Made
Flare Audio and the meaning of 'open'
Has Flare Audio's use of 'open' in their R1 headphone copy been keeping you up? Headfonia fan, Brandon Peterek, answers it below Lieven's cryptic Facebook post:
“I think they are implying that the cups are actually part of the driver assembly.”
Nighty night.