Ultimate Ears Reference Remastered: a reviewers brick and mortar

February 27, 2017 1

Ladies and Djentleman

For metal. I like speed and technical prowess. A while back I was surfing the metal section on Tidal and ran across a playlist about Djent. I had never heard of this staccato technical geekery--I'm all for geekery. Tidal described djent thusly: It started with just a chord and a band, and, whether they like... Continue Reading →

February 27, 2017 0

1MORE Triple Driver IEM: bang, bang, bang … out of damn bullets for your buck

Pros: Balanced, energetic sound with a decent soundstage, insane value, red carpet unboxing experience Cons: Has a touch of midbass bloom, big nozzles List price: $99 (£99) Acknowledgment Thanks 1MORE UK for providing this review sample in return for my honest opinion. An earlier version of this review was posted on HeadFi. Introduction I heard... Continue Reading →

February 23, 2017 2

About Audioprimate

Audioprimate is a group of UK-based HeadFi enthusiasts with varying backgrounds. This post gives a brief introduction to the crew here and what you can expect going forward. I'm Glassmonkey, you may know me for throwing zany youtube videos into reviews on HeadFi. Maybe you've asked me questions on HeadFi or I've told you to... Continue Reading →

February 22, 2017 0

30th Anniversary Bristol Sound & Vision Show this weekend

If you can be around Bristol this weekend, it's worth having a visit to the Bristol Sound & Vision show. At present, 197 exhibitors will be showing there, including HeadFi brands like: Alpha Design Lab Arcam Astell & Kern Audeze AudioQuest Benchmark Media Systems Bowers & Wilkins Bryston Chord Company & Chord Electronics Creek Audio... Continue Reading →

February 21, 2017 0

WyWires Red HD600: well-built, tangle free cable with a deep black background and big soundstage

Pros: Oval design eliminates tangles, heavy duty durable construction, light weight, good connectors Cons: Utilitarian looks Acknowledgment Thanks Alex Sventitsky, founder of WyWires, for providing this sample in return for my honest opinion. An earlier version of this review was published on HeadFi. Introduction This is a first for me. I’ve never reviewed a cable.... Continue Reading →

February 21, 2017 4

iFi Micro iCAN SE: Powerful, clear, excellent sound with some sonic flexibility

Pros: enough power to drive the HE-6/AKG K1000/name it to sufficient volume, very good sound, flexibility for different sound preferences, good value Cons: sounds dull without switches engaged, demanding headphones don’t reach potential in spite of copious power, lesser amps may sound better with lower demanding gear Acknowledgment Thanks iFi for lending me this review... Continue Reading →

February 17, 2017 5

Fidue Sirius A91: rich cosmic body, and an illuminated stage amongst the void with some anomalies to starboard

Pros: Well above average soundstage, great instrument separation, excellent details, full bodied, speedy, easy to drive, excellent build quality, beautiful Cons: Harsh treble and artificial mids on some tracks (minority of tracks), shallow insertion, potential vent blockages change sound, large shell won't fit all ears, price Acknowledgment Thanks to Tony at HiFi Headphones for loaning... Continue Reading →

February 17, 2017 3

Arcam rHead: a solid black brick of audio goodness worth building on

Pros: Good power, excellent build quality, compact form factor, pairs well with IEMs all the way to full-size cans, nicely musical Cons: Stage depth not as great as my other amps, some details and natural edges are smoothed over Acknowledgment Thanks Arcam of Cambridge for including me in a UK tour in exchange for my... Continue Reading →