ohmage to the Hidizs MS1 and MS4

February 20, 2019 ohm

In 2014 the AP100 DAP introduced me to Hidizs. The AP100 was a fascinating DAP. It boasted an antiquated, yet blazingly-fast GUI, robust build, and a nice, warm sound signature. Unfortunately it hissed. A lot.

Today’s Hidizs subject, Mermaid MS1 and MS4, are sensitive earphones and would have magnified every audible flaw in the AP100. Attached to the right source, they are brilliant-sounding earphones. Each is built around a proprietary 10,3mm dynamic driver, which powers the MS1 all on its lonesome. To it, the MS4 adds three balanced armature drivers to round out the highs and mids.

ohmage to the Fiio M6 Hi-Res DAP

February 7, 2019 ohm

FiiO’s M6 Hi-Res DAP is compact and well constructed. It has decent battery life, a small but good selection of hardware buttons, a somewhat programmable interface, and good sound. But it’s not a player that moves me, nor is it one I think that will move you.

ohmage to the Campfire Audio Atlas

December 13, 2018 ohm

Campfire Audio’s new line of earphones meets or surpasses industry leaders in CNC machining and accessory quality. But quality - of build and brand - has always been the core of Campfire Audio. Since Andromeda, high-frequency texture and reach has mediated Campfire Audio’s otherwise warm and robust house sound. Atlas, which punches fast and hard like no Campfire before it, and which crowns the V-shape signature with a mature top, is, in some respects, something of an anti-Andromeda.

Relevant links:

Campfire Audio Andromeda - Excitement engine
ohmage to the Campfire Audio Comet
ohm air #26 OHM AIR Campfire Audio Andromeda
Eyes on Jupiter - Campfire Audio’s case for patience
The Campfire Audio Lyra
Campfire Audio Andromeda - Topping the maker game
Campfire Audio Jupiter pre-production report

ohmage to the Campfire Audio Comet

August 17, 2018 ohm

Disclaimer: I received Comet directly from Campfire Audio in Tokyo. I paid nothing for it nor have I been prompted to return it. It goes for 199$. Hit up Campfire Audio for more about it.

No earphone as small shines as much. No earphone as small is tough like it. Comet nails build, nails branding, nails budget, and nearly nails fit. It’s a 199$ USD earphone, that, after doing the maths (Atari Jaguar style), feels and works like something much, much more expensive.

Sennheiser IE800s - the most beautiful earphone I've not heard

May 18, 2018 ohm

The above image I snapped between platform changes for a recent magazine shoot. I wasn't the biggest fan of the original IE800. Too shiny. Too dark. I had ample time to touch this one, which is resistant to touch blemishes and corrosion, but which fits just like its predecessor. I'm told that it is a bit brighter, too, which may be right up my alley.

If I pick one up, you can expect a long profile of it on ohm, as well as my fledgeling YouTube channel, Fauxtaku Lounge.

Beautiful gear I shot in March

April 16, 2018 ohm

On average, I shoot four to five magazine catalogues a year, the latest of which is Headphone Book's Spring 2018 edition, which tends to go against a white background. This year, a few items went on black, most of which were beautiful. Listed below are both groups.

Wireless, balanced GR8e - Just don't tell Grado

March 20, 2018 ohm

In short succession I fell in with Grado’s original 120Ω GR8, then their GR10, and finally their GR8e. Put simply, I’ve become a single-driver supremacist. Since late 2016, however, I’ve seldom listened to any of the GR series.

ohmage: HiFiman RE2000

December 7, 2017 ohm

I was one of the lucky ones: with no more pomp than an email, HiFiman hooked me up with a box loaners, two of which have blown quite through three pair of my sox, one which left me fuming, and another about which I oscillate between cynicism and joy. In no particular order, that lot is: Susvara, RE2000, RE800, and the Megamini DAP.

ohmage: HiFiman RE800

August 28, 2017 ohm

It's been a long while, but ohmage is back, though with some acrobatics, and without stepping on Headfonia's toes. Today’s ohmage comes straight from a special HiFiman loan, and one which is fuller of goodies than ever I could have hoped. The RE800 is my favourite of what fit in the box, despite Susvara also blowing my brain. It’s small, bright, and where it counts, powerful. It’s got many bugger points, some of which we will get to.

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'.