A common request that I’ve been getting as of late is reviewing audio gears that are more mainstream locally. Being more popular would mean being more budget-friendly and accessible which is great! I did browse some local marketplaces and found the KZ earphones to be one of the more popular. I randomly picked one product from their line and that happened to be the KZ ZSN which I have in my possession for more than a month hence this review.
Revisiting the Audio-Technica ESW9
Parting ways with old headphones are a struggle primarily because of the nostalgia factor. Reminding you of the early days of your journey, how far you’ve come, and how the landscape of the hobby has changed since. Though that is only true if the headphone is good enough to be kept around. Today, we are going to be doing a super long-term review/revisit of my first ‘expensive’ headphone, the Audio-Technica ATH-ESW9.
Meze Rai Solo Review
Just like some of you, my audiophile journey started with in-ear monitors specifically a Sennheiser CX200. At the time I thought “hey what’s wrong with earphones?” Plus they’re not as expensive as headphones.
Fast forward to today, about 97% of what I own and have tried are headphones, and earphones have taken a backseat for the last 7-8 years or so. So whenever I can get my hands on one like this gorgeous Rai Solo from Meze Audio, I get a little excited and nostalgic at the same time. Let’s go check out this earphone.
What can a $4,000 headphone get you? Focal Utopia Impressions
It really is no secret that the law of diminishing returns kicks in hard the more expensive the headphone gets. And at roughly $4,000, the value is just terrible, let’s face that. But we are audiophiles so none of that matters in the end. Being able to try out headphones like the Focal Utopia that we have today is what we live for.
Wireless Headphone for Audiophiles? Hifiman Deva Review
Every time I have to review a wireless headphone, I usually have to adjust my expectations knowing these types are just not quite there yet. Either that or I have been living under the rock. The Hifiman Deva is NOT a true wireless headphone but allows it to be used as one through an adapter. How did it fare? Let’s just say I enjoyed my time with it. ?
Delightfully Bassy – Meze 99 Classics Review
Back in the day, overly bassy headphones are considered to be a travesty to the hobby. Of course, there are some who like it but as a whole, this type of headphone gets easily snubbed and remarked “not for me” by purists. Fast forward to now, things have changed quite a bit and headphones like Meze 99 Classics are no longer just considered for mainstream consumers. We’ve spent a couple of weeks listening to this headphone and have a pretty good idea why.
The Incisive Etymotic ER4SR Review
Audiophiles have generally been a fan of Etymotic IEMs though it can be argued that their line has gone a little stale in the last 10 years or so and that many IEMs or earphones have surpassed them in one way or another. Released in 2017, the ER4SR and ER4XR have been the much-needed update to the ER4 line that was first released in 1991. We have the ER4SR and have spent weeks putting it through its phases to see if this is still a competitive earphone by today’s standards. Let’s check it out!
Still an End Game Candidate in 2024? Focal Clear Review
Throughout my journey as a headphone hobbyist, I have learned that there are expensive headphones, more expensive headphones & outrageously expensive flagship headphones. Believe it or not, the Focal Clear clocking in at around $1,500 (72,000 php) sits just right in the middle of that list. Regardless of what box it belongs to, it’s worth asking if the Focal Clear is a realistic end-game headphone for most of us. Let’s find out in this review!