Headphone Over Ear | Audiophilepure

STAX SR-X9000 EARSPEAKER REVIEW

September 5, 2024 Comments Off on STAX SR-X9000 EARSPEAKER REVIEW

STAX SR-X9000 Earspeaker Review

As an owner of a set of SR-L700 Lambda earspeakers and an SRM-D50 energizer, I was able to do a little swapping around of gear and make some comparisons during the review. I also had the iFi iCAN Phantom combination headphone amplifier/electrostatic energizer (review coming soon) in the house to use with these earspeakers as well. I was curious to see how this non-STAX model of amp would fare with these king-of-the-hill headphones.

For a source, I was using my Microsoft Surface 3 Pro as my Roon Core, handling my complete digital audio music library. Roon could then send any digital audio content to my Topping DX9 DAC/Headphone amp which would then pass an analog signal through to either of the STAX or iFi amplifiers that I was using at the moment.

HIFIMAN MINI SHANGRI-LA ELECTROSTATIC HEADPHONE SYSTEM

September 4, 2024 Comments Off on HIFIMAN MINI SHANGRI-LA ELECTROSTATIC HEADPHONE SYSTEM

HIFIMAN Mini Shangri-La Electrostatic Headphone System – Budget Perfection

About two weeks after I received the HIFIMAN SUSVARA UNVEILED Planar Magnetic Headphone the HIFIMAN Mini Shangri-La Electrostatic Headphone System arrived in a large master carton which I opened immediately to find two smaller boxes, one for the HIFIMAN Mini Shangri-La Electrostatic Headphone, and the other housing the HIFIMAN Mini Shangri-La Electrostatic Amplifier. First order of business was to connect the amplifier to my Core Power Technologies A/V Equi=Core 1000 and HIFIMAN EF600 R2R DAC & Headphone Amplifier via the balanced DAC outputs using Black Dragon Cables and, after plugging in the headphone, I cued up my Qobuz “equipment break-in” playlist and set it to run my accustomed 100 hours while I worked on other reviews. The first thing I noticed before even opening the box was how lightweight the headphone was, by far the lightest over-ear headphone in my extensive collection. During my burn-in period, it became clear that the HIFIMAN Mini Shangri-La Electrostatic Amplifier runs a bit on the warm side, which is actually normal for MOSFET amplifiers, but you probably don’t want to set your DAC or Headphone Stand on top as this might cause premature aging.

DCA Aeon 2 Noir Closed-Back Headphones vs. Aeon 2 Closed vs. Aeon 2 Open REVIEW

August 26, 2024 Comments Off on DCA Aeon 2 Noir Closed-Back Headphones vs. Aeon 2 Closed vs. Aeon 2 Open REVIEW

ZMF BOKEH $1,098 REVIEW

August 22, 2024 Comments Off on ZMF BOKEH $1,098 REVIEW

ZMF Bokeh Review

We already know that ZMF like using different ear pads as they can easily that to alter the headphone’s tuning. The Bokeh pads are an evolution of ZMF’s Caldera pads design, and there are different versions available: Hybrid, Suede and Protein (see pics). All of the pads incorporate a distinctive fluted design, asymmetrical ear-side hole orientation, and a skewed Z-Axis angle for an optimal seal on the submental space of your neck, ensuring unparalleled comfort and sound. The driver side’s inner diameter can adapt seamlessly to airflow requirements, without messing up your sensory experience via the outer diameter that touches the skin thanks to the fluted design. Tweak the circular axis on the baffle to make these pads your own, so the thickest part matches perfectly with your unique contours

STAX SRS-X1000 EARSPEAKER SYSTEM $980 REVIEW

August 18, 2024 Comments Off on STAX SRS-X1000 EARSPEAKER SYSTEM $980 REVIEW

STAX SRS-X1000 Earspeaker System Review

For many audiophiles, electrostatic systems represent the pinnacle of headphones. However, the price of entry is steep for most of the systems, leaving out a large group of potential listeners. The STAX engineers have created a system that costs less than a decent pair of headphones, thus placing ownership within reach of most of us. When I unpacked the SR-X1 earspeakers and the SRM-270S amplifier, my first impression was just how tiny and almost toy-like this system was. When I previously reviewed the STAX SR-L500 MK2, I had to clear my desk and re-arrange my gear to make space for the energizer. This time, nothing got moved. The SRM-270S amplifier sat on top of my Topping, with room left over for the Topping remote, and the SR-X1 earspeakers took up almost no airspace hanging from a headphone stand. It makes it possible to add an electrostatic system to an existing system. It gives someone not familiar with electrostatic headphones, a way to explore their unique sound with hardly any additional impact to valuable desk real estate.

Grado SR325x $295 Review

August 16, 2024 Comments Off on Grado SR325x $295 Review

https://www.whathifi.com/reviews/grado-sr325x

Comfort is another area where these headphones divide opinions. At 340g, they’re not heavy, and there’s enough in the way of adjustment to cope with a wide variety of heads. But not everyone will get along with the new foam earpads, or the on-ear design – which is becoming increasingly rare in a world dominated by noise-cancelling wireless cans. These are firmly wired headphones aimed at home use, so we would warn against taking these out on the move.

Even as long-term Grado users, it takes us a while to get used to them due to their thinness and overall shape, but it’s worth persisting. A few days of acclimatisation makes us more kindly disposed towards them, particularly as the new earpads cause a subtle shift to the balance of the SR325x’s sound, making them a less demanding listen.

We compare the two types of earpads and it becomes clear that the headphones sound smoother and more authoritative in the bass with the new design. We try the new pads on previous generations of the SR325s (we have both the older ‘e’ and even older ‘i’ versions on hand) and in each case the sonic changes are consistent; a more direct presentation with greater top-end refinement and improved low-end solidity.