Campfire Audio Holocene & Mammoth: Unboxing Eye Candy
Greetings! Here are some pics of the new Holocene and Mammoth from Campfire Audio. Enjoy! Holocene Mammoth Continue reading Campfire Audio Holocene & Mammoth: Unboxing Eye Candy
Venture Electronics Impressions
Greetings! Today we’re checking out a few products from Venture Electronics (VE), the BIE, Monk Go, Monk Lite, and Odyssey HD. Wild Lee reached out a few weeks ago to see if I’d be interested in checking out some of his recent lineup. After a great chat about a variety of topics, he confirmed a package would be sent over with some goodies. I’ve enjoyed … Continue reading Venture Electronics Impressions
Campfire Audio Honeydew: Smoooooooooth
Greetings! Today we’re checking out the Honeydew, one of two brand new products from Campfire Audio. Hailing from Portland, Oregon where their products are designed and hand-assembled, Campfire Audio has been bringing high end in-ear-monitors to the public since 2015. It all started with the Jupiter, Orion, and Lyra. Since then their lineup has been expanded and refined with popular releases like the Andromeda and … Continue reading Campfire Audio Honeydew: Smoooooooooth
Campfire Audio Satsuma: Orange Justice
Greetings! Today we’re checking out the Satsuma, one of two brand new products from Campfire Audio. Hailing from Portland, Oregon where their products are designed and hand-assembled, Campfire Audio has been bringing high end in-ear-monitors to the public since 2015. It all started with the Jupiter, Orion, and Lyra. Since then their lineup has been expanded and refined with popular releases like the Andromeda and … Continue reading Campfire Audio Satsuma: Orange Justice
Astrotec Lyra Nature Limited Edition: Refinement
Greetings! Today we’re checking out Astrotec’s newest premium earbud, the Lyra Nature Limited Edition (LE). The lack of isolation, fitment oddities, bass presentation, and negative reputation built by crappy pack in earbuds that come with various electronics have left them as a niche product, though one that has its die hard fans. Just visit the Earbuds Anonymous group on Facebook, or earbud thread on Head-fi.org … Continue reading Astrotec Lyra Nature Limited Edition: Refinement
Kinera BD005 Pro: Bringing A Classic Into The Modern Age
Greetings! Today we’re checking out the BD005 Pro, Kinera’s update to one of their most popular models from years past. Kinera is one of those brands that seems to be very hit or miss within the community. They always look great, but their tuning choices often clash in a way that leads to mixed opinions. A love it or hate it affair you could say. … Continue reading Kinera BD005 Pro: Bringing A Classic Into The Modern Age
Dunu ZEN: Immerse Yourself
Greetings! Today we’re checking out the ZEN, Dunu’s entry into what has become a very competitive, upper mid-range market. Like Dunu’s flagship Luna, the ZEN moves away from the hybrid and armature-only configurations that have become quite popular in recent years. This doesn’t mean it’s a simple product. The 13.5mm dynamic used in the ZEN utilizes technology derived from the Luna. The wide, cone-shaped dome … Continue reading Dunu ZEN: Immerse Yourself
Campfire Audio Dorado 2020: Bombastic
Greetings! Today we’re checking out the heavily refreshed Dorado 2020 from Campfire Audio. Hailing from Portland, Oregon where their products are designed and hand-assembled, Campfire Audio has been bringing high end in-ear-monitors to the public since 2015. It all started with the Jupiter, Orion, and Lyra. Since then their lineup has been expanded and refined with popular releases like the Andromeda and Atlas. The Andromeda … Continue reading Campfire Audio Dorado 2020: Bombastic
Campfire Audio Vega 2020: All-In
Greetings! Today we’re checking out one of Campfire Audio’s final releases of 2020, the Vega. Hailing from Portland, Oregon where their products are designed and hand-assembled, Campfire Audio has been bringing high end in-ear-monitors to the public since 2015. It all started with the Jupiter, Orion, and Lyra. Since then their lineup has been expanded and refined with popular releases like the Andromeda and Atlas. … Continue reading Campfire Audio Vega 2020: All-In
JBL Reference Series 420: 14 Years New
Greetings! Today we’re checking out a pair headphones that are old, irrelevant, and well out of production; the JBL Reference Series 420. Released in 2007, the 420 was the base model in JBL’s Reference Series of headphones. Released at the same time was the 610, a Bluetooth model sharing more-or-less the same design. When in university, I was looking to get a quality set of … Continue reading JBL Reference Series 420: 14 Years New
Meze 12 Classics V2: Updated and Enhanced
Greetings! Today we’re checking out the reworked 12 Classics from Meze Audio. The original 12 Classics released in 2016 brought a more affordable product to Meze’s lineup alongside yet another timeless design. While it was a very competent earphone there were some areas that could have used attention; the cable and an overly safe tune that was somewhat lacking micro detail. Meze must agree that they … Continue reading Meze 12 Classics V2: Updated and Enhanced
Meze Rai Solo: Steel Samurai
Greetings! Today we’re checking out Meze’s midrange earphone offering, the Rai Solo. In the realm of earphones Meze had some budget options in the 12 Classics and Neo and a premium offering in the Rai Penta, but were lacking presence with no products priced in between. Enter the Rai Solo. Released in late 2019 at 249 USD, it showed itself to be a competitive product … Continue reading Meze Rai Solo: Steel Samurai
DDHiFi Janus (E2020A): Innovation
Greetings! Today we’re checking out a unique product from the ‘Masters of Audio Accessories’ over at DDHiFi, the Janus. DDHiFi has been making a name for themselves thanks to a wide variety of high quality portable audio accessories, be they compact DACS, cases for various FiiO products, cables, adapters, and whatever else the audio enthusiast needs. With the Janus, ambitiously named after the Roman ‘God … Continue reading DDHiFi Janus (E2020A): Innovation
Sennheiser IE 300: Premium EDC
Greetings! Today we’re checking out the all-new Sennheiser IE 300. Sennheiser is a brand that needs no introduction. They’ve been around since 1945 and have created some of the most memorable and respected products in the industry, many of which have become staple recommendations for sound engineers, budding and seasoned audiophiles, and general music lovers around the world. The new IE 300 is a replacement … Continue reading Sennheiser IE 300: Premium EDC
TinHiFi TWS2000: Or is it T2000?
Greetings! Today we’re checking out TinHiFi’s entry into the world of true wireless earphones, the T2000. Or is it TWS2000? Early marketing called it the TWS2000, and this is pure speculation with absolutely nothing to back it up, but I bet they were asked to change the name. HiFiMAN already uses the TWSxxx moniker for wireless versions of their iems (RE600 = TWS600, RE800 = … Continue reading TinHiFi TWS2000: Or is it T2000?
The Contraptionist 