Do you want Dream Sound with a capital D, while it wouldn’t occur to you to pay tens of thousands for a stereo system? How about a pair of high-end headphones instead? Now I’m not talking about headphones for people on the go who want to block out the noise while they’re on the train …
Bang & Olufsen makes some of the most beautiful products we know, not least when it comes to headphones. Like the Beoplay HX, which has memory foam ear pads covered in lambskin. Nor should we forget the top-of-the-range Beoplay H95, which oozes luxury galore with both ear cups and case in solid aluminium. Because of …
When Shure launched their first noise-cancelling headphones, the Aonic 50, I was more than excited. Superb sound quality, EQ in the app and great fit. The noise reduction was only so-so, but it did what it was supposed to. Shure had simply nailed it on the first try! What I missed most was the ability …
A few years ago, people thought you were crazy if you spent more than a grand on a pair of headphones, let alone earbuds. But then came wireless noise-cancelling headphones and then fully wireless earbuds, changing people’s view of what personal sound could cost. Now you see Sony, Bose and Apple everywhere, and it’s the …
Gaming has become mainstream to the point where even traditional hi-fi manufacturers need to include gaming headsets in their range. We’ve seen this with JBL and Audeze, among others. Bang & Olufsen launched its first gaming headset, Beoplay Portal, just under a year ago. At the time, they surprised by focusing strictly on Xbox – …
Most headphones sold today – and that is quite many – are active and wireless. Fortunately, there are still good, old-fashioned hi-fi headphones with cable, intended for a cozy moment at home in the living room. And some of them come from unexpected orgins. Sivga Phoenix is from Dongguan, China. The company, which has been …
The more expensive big brother to Asada Zakura is called Kokutan, or ATH-AWKT, if you look at the official model designation. But Kokutan is thus what Audio-Technica hope they will be popularly known as. The name comes from the striped Japanese ebony tree, and the colour is deep dark brown with an even darker natural …
Cherry wood has rarely seen more beautiful than on the ear cups for ATH-AWAS from Audio-Technica. The headphones are also called Asada Zakura, which, non-coincidentally, is the name of a Japanese cherry tree variety. The wood is red and treated with semi-clear varnish, as it itself is quite dull. The wood is reportedly chosen for …
Sennheiser is in the process of renewing their wireless earbuds. Not long ago we had a pretty nice encounter with CX True Wireless, which had good sound – albeit a little cautious. But which lacked active noise reduction and ambient sound, which placed the earbuds a bit behind the competition. And so we recommended instead …
Tone Free FP8W has a fixed case that cleans the earplugs with UV rays after use – and kills 99.9 percent of all bacteria, if we are to believe the manufacturer. Battery life is stated at an impressive 24 hours from the earplugs themselves and an extra 15 hours from the case if the active …
The Jabra Elite 7 Pro are quite advanced. The app tells one you the ear pads are tight and thus provides the best possible noise reduction. Then you can adjust optimal noise reduction with a virtual slider. After that is set, it is time to undergo a quick hearing test to determine how well one …
Sony WH-1000XM4 is our reference among noise-canceling headphones. Not because they necessarily have the very best sound – but the noise reduction itself has proven superior. The “Speak to chat” function automatically pauses the music when you start talking to someone, while activating ambient sound through the headphones. Adaptive sound control adjusts noise reduction and …
There are many active noise reduction (ANC) earbuds on the market, so you actually have to stand out a lot to be noticed. Personally, I reckon that the sound on earplugs for £100 and over should be fully acceptable – which it usually is. Manufacturers can then get extra points for packaging, material selection, comfort, …
The round headphones Philips Fidelio L3 give a good premium feeling, with a earcup mount in metal and a sturdy plastic headband. The fit is also very good, with plenty of room for the ears, and although the weight of 360 grams is more than most in the class, the headphones do not feel heavy …
American Altec Lansing is far from fresh in the hi-fi market. Founded back in 1927, they are older than JBL, and were definitely among the players to be reckoned with during the first wave in hi-fi, the so-called Golden Age of Hi-Fi. The Grateful Dead’s famous Wall of Sound, which they brought to the Woodstock …