The New York Times touts audiophilese in Sennheiser Momentum review

November 26, 2013 ohm

“As with the Sennheisers, the bass is pumped up more than you will find on colorless audiophile headphones. And they do reasonably well on a variety of music, although the sound is a little muddy on intricate orchestral pieces, like those in opera and on movie soundtracks.”

Muddy, intricate, pumped up, colorless: the NYT's got all its bases covered in this compact review that proves again that headphones are audio's new face. By the way, these things rock. I got a few minutes with them whilst shooting the 2014 edition of Mac Audio and I didn't want to put them down. Comfortable, light, tough, and fun- everything a headphone should be.

Thanks for the heads-up, @SennheiserUSA.

Astrotech AX60 IEM Headfi reviews

November 12, 2013 ohm

Headfi's got a leg up on the English-speaking world with a couple of concise reviews of Astrotec's hybrid dynamic/balanced armature AX60 earphone. Ω is preparing one, too, but don't expect it before next week.

UPDATE: Ω's review of the Astrotec AX-60 is out.

Bass heads should be happy. White Lotus sure is:

Curse you, Astrotec. Curse you for making this product. I am a self-admitted basshead, and these things are an absolute dream. I have loved the Westone 3 for years now, and in the bass department, the AX60 dynamic driver dances rings around the W3. It's not just the sheer visceral impact that you notice, it's the deep-reaching sub-bass that people so often mistake for “bass decay”. It's great to hear it in an IEM. My tests indicate that the volume of the mid-bass is only slightly higher than the sub-bass. To me, that is INCREDIBLE. How is this even possible in an IEM? I found myself reaching time and time again for my “guilty pleasure” bass-heavy music, and just letting it wash through my skull.

If you're not keen to read for more than three minutes, Loquah has a conciser, lighter write-up. His full review can be found here.

The consensus seems to be that these are a "great value for someone looking for an IEM with awesome bass". Generally I don't buy earphones I review, but I have been impressed enough by the AX60 that I bought them. If you're keen on them, check out Noisy Motel.

Cypher Labs Copper Theorem 720 DAC Giveaway

November 9, 2013 ohm

If you're dying for a chance to listen to the awesome Theorem 720 DAC, Cypher Labs are putting on a giveaway of their top products this month, the grand prize being a special copper edition of the 720 that has been signed by its creator, David Maudlin. Even if you don't pick up either 720, the equally awesome AlgoRhythm Solo -DB and Solo -R are up for grabs.

Winners are picked randomly.

1 Grand Prize random winner will be the proud owner of one of a kind special edition copper Theorem 720 DAC

along with some Cypher Labs swag signed by David personally.

1st random pick wins a Theorem 720 DAC

2nd random pick wins an AlgoRhythm Solo -dB

3rd random pick wins the AlgoRhythm Solo -R

4th – 10th random picks will get awesome Cypher Labs swag (hats, shirts, wrist wraps, and much more …)

*Names will be randomly picked.

Contest details and entry at Cypher Labs' FACEBOOK page.

* Cypher Labs ohmage.

ohmage to the Cypher Labs Theorem 720 DAC

November 4, 2013 ohm

Cypher Labs’ Theorem 720 is the Sony A7/r of portable amp/DACs. It’s for the dude and dudet that want the best sound on the go, but don’t necessarily want to shove a mains-level battery, a separate DAC and a desktop amp into their p/murses. In fact, if you’re in cargos, Theorem 720 will fit in your pockets along with your iDevice/Android portable source of choice. It just so happens to work nicely with your computer, too. Possibly its biggest asset is its big-arse battery that needs charging about twice a week even during that everyday-multiple-times post-purchase honeymoon phase.

ohmage to the RHA MA350

October 25, 2013 ohm

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.

ohmage to the Sleek Audio SA7

October 20, 2013 ohm

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.

Ocharaku Donguri-欅(KEYAKI) debut

October 19, 2013 ohm

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。

Source: http://ocharaku.jp/sound/service/#serviceT...

13/14 October Tube Festival in Tokyo

October 10, 2013 ohm

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

October 8, 2013 ohm

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.

Sennheiser MOMENTUM On-Ear Contest (US residents only)

October 8, 2013 ohm

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