Dan Clark has just released its latest closed-back headphone, the E3, promising a new generation of driver technology and a level of skill and musicality that sets a new standard for the brand in this price range.  Building upon the success of classic best-sellers, like the ol’ Aeon Flow and Ether Flow, what can we can we expect from the E3 in terms of tuning and performance? What's in the Box? E3 Closed-Back Headphone Cable with Choice of Termination Hard Carrying Case Leather Pouch Warranty User Guide   Look and Feel With its blue-stitched headband and upgraded ..read more

Moondrop tends to be a friend to audiophiles on a budget. Able to produce sound signatures that perform way better than the price tag may suggest, Moondrop might have surprised us with the release of the Solis 2, which is a relatively expensive model, competing with high-performing IEMs from brands such as Campfire Audio and 64 Audio. Can the Solis 2 stand out in the sea of other high-end IEMs? Or should Moondrop stick to the cheap stuff? What's in the Box? Solis 2 IEMs 2-pin cable with interchangeable plugs (2.5mm, 3.5mm, 4.4mm) Various sizes silicone tips Various sizes f ..read more

Noble Audio is one of the few famous high-end IEM brands to dip their toes into the wireless world. Given that the Company never produces an average consumer product, it’s unsurprising that their latest true wireless model, the pricey, FoKus Prestige, looks quite different from the sea of other popular wireless earbuds. What can you expect in terms of sound performance and design? What’s in the Box? FoKus Prestige Earphones Charging case Carrying pouch Charging cable 6 pairs of ear tips Look and Feel Right out of the box, the Focus Prestige is unlike any wireless IEM model I’ve see ..read more

Fostex doesn’t produce a ton of consumer headphones, but when it does, the brand delivers skillfully. With respect to their audiophile line, their sound signatures tend to be somewhat unique and memorable when compared to other headphones in the same class. So, what can we expect from their latest release, the TH-616, in terms of tuning and performance? And how distinct is its sound signature? What’s in the Box TH-616 headphones Detachable 2-pin cable with 1/4 termination Leather pouch User guide Look and Feel In terms of visual appeal, I’m a big fan of all of Fostex’s wooden cans ..read more

The iconically expressive and warm Meze Empyrean is getting a facelift. Despite the original Empyrean being heralded as one of the most emotional and musical headphones ever built, some nitpickers have criticized it for being a little too slow or too heavy or too warm. Transparency is another area where critics have suggested there is room for improvement. Well, Meze has heeded the call of anal audiophiles all over he world to make an amazing headphone even more impressive. How different is the Empyrean II’s sound signature from the original model? And what can you expect in terms of skil ..read more

iFi’s pricier DAC/amps tend to produce highly musical sound profiles that feel somewhat refined in their presentation. They are also addictively pleasing to the ear. Almost all of their models, especially those featuring the Burr Brown chip set (utilized in this model), have been huge sellers. So, I was curious to see the next iteration of one of my favorite DAC/amps, the iFi Diablo 2. How much power does it offer? And how does it perform with respect to skill and sound signature? What’s in the Box? iPower 2 power supply  USB-C cable 3.5mm to 6.3mm adapter  USB-C-to USB-A ada ..read more

Dali has always been an appealing niche headphone to me, given it’s incredibly clean and distinctive paper-coney sound. But this is Dali's highest performing headphone to date. What improvements has the company come up with? And can the iO-12 compete with wireless cans from luxury brands, like Focal and Mark Levinson? Let’s take a look at what you can expect in terms of performance and tuning. In the Box USB-C charging cable (also works as audio cable) 2 3.5 mm stereo cable (different lengths) 3.5 mm to 6.3 mm adapter  Flight adaptor Damn fancy travel case Look and Feel These cans ..read more

Denon is perhaps most famous for its home audio gear, though it makes a killer over-ear headphone as well. But I have yet to trie any of their in-ear models. So, I was curious to see how their latest true wireless earphone, the PerL Pro, fared against other leading high-end earbuds. Can Denon compete with the Sony's and Sennheiser’s of the world? Or are the PerL Pro overpriced for what they deliver?  What’s in the Box? PerL Pro Earphones Charging Case USB Type C Charging Cable Silicone Ear Tips XS/S/M/L  Wing Tips M/L Look and Feel While the round circular design of the ..read more

I’m a big fan of Astell & Kern’s sound, and I’ve owned a couple of their market leading DAPs over the years. So, I’m always excited to see their newest creations. The AK HB1 is Astell & Kern’s first portable Bluetooth DAC/Amp, hoping to join the likes of FiiO’s BTR5 and iFi’s Go blu in market popularity. What kind of features does the AK HB1 offer? And more important, how does it sound? What’s in the Box? AK HB1 Portable Bluetooth DAC/AMP USB Type-C to USB Type-C Cable USB Type-C to Lightning Cable  Quick Start Guide  Warranty Card Look and Build The AK ..read more

When it comes to portable and desktop DAC/amps, no one beats FiiO with respect to quality for the price point. So, I’m always excited to see what new budget-friendly devices the company has to offer. The K11 is FiiO’s latest super affordable desktop DAC/amp. How much power does it deliver? And how does the K11 sound? What’s in the Box? K11 Power adapter USB A to C cable 1/4 inch adapter User guide Warranty card Build The K11 has to be the most attractive piece of equipment that FiiO has created in a while. Ultra sleek and minimalist with a pricey appearance, the K11 looks pr ..read more