Author: glassmonkey

Like most sensible people I started falling in love with music as a child. My first portable audio device was a Sony Walkman (the cassette kind) that I got when I was 10 years old (25 years ago). I toted that lovely brick around with the cheap included headphones for several years in cold Fairbanks, Alaska. Like a Hieronymous Bosch mural, my tastes can be weird and wonderful: from dreamy Japanese garble pop to banks of strings and percussion in the Mariinsky Orchestra. I listen mostly to rock. I tend to like neutral bright headphones and I'm a sucker for soundstage. I don't do EQ. I believe that cables can make a difference but do not unconditionally make a difference, same thing goes for balanced outputs. Some axioms: Frequency response isn't everything, but it is important. If you didn't volume match, how can you be sure you heard a difference? Ears are beautiful things, but we hear with our brains and brains can be pretty darn stupid.

Unboxing(s): Unique Melody Mason v3 and Mentor v3

These came in late last week. They've now headed off to the first participants in the European tour. Twelve lucky participants will enjoy one of this pair. If you'd like to follow the impressions of the tour participants and see as their reviews on Head-Fi pop up, go check out the tour thread. Box worship... Continue Reading →

May 17, 2018 2

Focal Utopia: a detail and instrument separation monster with some limitations

Pros: detailed, revealing, outstanding depth and instrument separation, punchy engaging listen, speedy like a coked up F1 driver Cons: compact soundstage for a flagship (small width/height), poor accessories, long-term comfort, listening fatigue, $$$$, sensitive to accessory cables (you’ll probably buy at least one) List Price: £3499 (UK, Audio Sanctuary), $4000 globally Product Website: https://www.focal.com/uk/headphones/home/utopia Rating... Continue Reading →

May 15, 2018 4

Acoustica show 2018 impressions: some speakers are magic

The Acoustica Audio Show is an small audio show that Geoff Coleman of Acoustica has been putting on for the last 5 years. It attracts a pretty good local crowd and has a good variety of exhibitors with about 25 brands represented across the rooms. This was my first time going to a small scale... Continue Reading →

May 1, 2018 1

Headed off to the Acoustica Show in Chester

I'm heading off to another audio show today. This one isn't so well known outside the region I'm in, but if you are near Chester, the Acoustica show is worth checking out. The show will feature product debuts from ATC Loudspeakers, AURALiC, Kudos, Leema Acoustics, Roon, and Spendor. There is also loads of vinyl to... Continue Reading →

April 14, 2018 0

Bristol Sound & Vision 2018: AKG, Creek, EPOS, Rega, ELAC, Exposure, Audioquest, Focal, Wilson Benesch and Best in Show

In which I listen to two of my favourite headphones of the show, the AKG K812 and the Focal Clear, do a power demo and listen to some more speakers. Links to part 1 and part 2. Stay tuned all the way to the end to be rewarded with my ‘best-in-show’ items. AKG The AKG... Continue Reading →

April 13, 2018 3

iFi iEMatch 2.5mm: hiss busting miracle worker in a tiny magnesium suit

Pros: I can listen to sensitive IEMs on the Questyle QP2R now without being swallowed by hiss, nice diamond dust feel and look to the casing, simple to use, lightweight, takes pressure off of 2.5mm jack Cons: 2.5mm jack isn’t flush with barrel, original iEMatch less expensive List Price: $69 Product Website: https://ifi-audio.com/portfolio-view/accessory-iematch2-5 Rating Disclaimer:... Continue Reading →

March 31, 2018 7

QP2R Cases: Miter vs. Spyker

Introduction The Questyle QP2R is a nice-looking piece of kit, and I want to keep it that way, so I was already looking for a case for it before anybody offered me one to review. I looked at Dignis, but they were way expensive, unavailable, or both. I looked at Miter, but I wasn’t sure... Continue Reading →

March 27, 2018 3

Interview with Tatco Ma of Lear

Introduction I like to reach out to companies that I view as doing innovative things. I gained interest in 64Audio when they worked with ADEL to relieve pneumatic pressure on the tympanic membrane with the potential to save hearing. I followed Noble for their gorgeous designs. I checked out oBravo because they were the first... Continue Reading →

March 20, 2018 0

Dawnwood GT-36, unboxing and initial impressions, $50 IEM shootout

$50 IEM shootout pre-amble One of the coolest phenomenons in audio right now is the big improvements moving forward in the budget sector. $100 headphones can and do compete with $400 headphones, and $25 headphones sometimes compete with $200 headphones. It’s a great time to be an audiophile, even if your budget isn’t as large... Continue Reading →