With the WF-1000XM5, Sony has taken noise reduction to a new level. More specifically, 20 per cent better than its predecessor, if Sony’s engineers are to be believed. With two chips and three microphones per earbud, the successor delivers an impressive experience of silence and tranquillity. In terms of design, the WF-1000XM5 has become even …
The Audio-Technica ATH-TWX9 are stemmed earbuds, as we know from Apple’s popular AirPods. I don’t always think they’ve been successful with the look and fit, but I like these – even if they are a little more rustic and angular than a pair of smooth AirPods. The earbuds fit really well in the ears and …
Beoplay EX is B&O’s first hearing aids with protruding microphone stems that help improve speech quality during calls and meetings. The design is tasteful with subtle details and all available colour options provide an elegant look. Where B&O really hit the mark for me is in the fit. Put them directly in your ears – …
Tour One M2 is a pair of noise-cancelling headphones, which JBL boldly claims are “the best on the market”. The headphones adjust noise cancellation in real time based on your surroundings. They also have a smart feature that recognises when you start talking. The music is then muted while Ambient Aware is activated, allowing you …
It was with some anticipation that we received the Argon Audio Quiet Storm for testing. The competition for wireless headphones is admittedly fierce and relentless. But we’ve tested a number of products from Argon, and they’ve often impressed us with their sound quality at a very accessible price. The Argon Audio Forte A5 MK 2, …
There’s never really been anything wrong with the Sennheiser HD660S. When we tested the headphones three years ago, we wished for a little more deep bass and punch. In addition, we were pleased with an exceptionally silky smooth and detailed soundstage. The warm tonal balance may not be to everyone’s taste, but listening to music …
We hear it over and over again: a pair of high-end speakers or headphones are designed to give the listener as pure and unaffected a musical experience as possible, so that it feels as if the musicians are standing in the room playing for you, and only you. Almost every hi-fi equipment manufacturer makes this …
The first time I heard the Focal Utopia was at a hi-fi fair, where I realised that I was getting the best sound of the fair among all the super-expensive stereos. That’s how fantastic they sounded! As I became more familiar with them, on my own equipment and with my own music collection, I was …
We’ve said it time and again: If you want to really enjoy your expensive headphones, you need a proper headphone amplifier. Even if there is a 3.5 millimetre hole with the text ‘headphones’ on the side of the computer, mobile phone or, for that matter, the amplifier. Because all too often the electronics in the …
Australian Burson Audio has been known for its headphone amplifiers for about 10 years. Both with and without DAC built in. And where a few competing headphone amps might be skimping a bit (Questyle and Marantz, I’m looking at you!), Burson has never had that problem. We loved the first Soloist and also liked the …
When I tested the Tour Pro+, I was very excited, especially about the EQ settings. It was possible to adjust the frequency curve just enough to achieve the desired sound. The ease of use, on the other hand, is so similar on most good earplugs that it was difficult to distinguish the Tour Pro+ from …
The market for completely wireless earbuds has become very crowded, with a few standing out among a large crowd of mediocre ones. With its new top model TW-E7B, Yamaha wants to carve out a place for itself in the premium segment and has invested in large 10 mm drivers to reproduce the music with the …
Swedish company Ilicon specialises in replacing the ear tips on universal earbuds with their own 3D-printed silicone ear tips. The new tips are made after a moulding or 3D scan of the user’s own ears. This can be done at an audiologist – or directly at Ilicon in Jönköping, if you happen to be in …
It was in 2011 that I first listened to a pair of moulded earplugs from Ultimate Ears. It was the UE 18 Pro, the top model from the American manufacturer at the time. It was one of the craziest things I’d ever heard. New drivers The heir apparent UE 18 Pro+ has brand new drivers …
When I tested the Px7 S2, I had no doubt that this was a new favourite in the all-important premium class around €400. At that level, you’re up against giants like Sony and Bose, and while B&W may not be at the top of the noise reduction league, it has significantly better sound quality. And …