Greetings! Today we’re checking out one of ddHiFi’s earphone and earbud upgrade cable options, the BC120B “Sky”. I’m not one to push cables for the purposes of sound improvement, instead opting to swap cables for comfort, durability, aesthetics, or simply to replace a broken stock cable. Cables included as part of a product’s standard kit are rarely the best a brand has to offer, often … Continue reading ddHiFi Sky (BC120B): Plush Candy Goodness
Greetings! Today we’re checking out a new single dynamic earphone from Astrotec, the Volans. Rolling with the astronomy-based theme they’ve been using on-and-off for a while now (ex. Lyra and Delphinus5), Volans is a southern constellation representing a flying fish. Interesting to me is is that its composition includes two galaxies as well as two double stars, the latter of which are apparently visible with … Continue reading Astrotec Volans: Niche
Greetings! Today we’re checking out something truly special, that being the flagship for FiiO’s armature-only lineup, the FA9. While probably best known for their amps, dacs, and DAPs, FiiO has been humming along nicely with their earphone releases. Single dynamic, hybrids, and armature-only models abound. The FA9 is their new armature only flagship with some features that help set it apart from other products in … Continue reading FiiO FA9: The Pantologist
Greetings! Today we’re checking out something special; Dunu’s DK-3001 Pro. Back in 2017 Dunu released the original DK-3001 to positive fanfare. While I never had the chance to try out that model, looking back on old reviews it seems much of the original’s DNA remains, although with the Pro Dunu has reworked the concept. Along with the addition of an extra armature bringing the total … Continue reading Dunu DK-3001 Pro: Finesse
Greetings! Today we’re checking out the Form 1.1, an affordable hybrid earphone from Shozy. Last month I reviewed Shozy’s newest mid-range offering, the Form 1.4. At 199.00 USD it is a seriously impressive earphone bringing with it a classy, comfortable design and a hybrid driver setup that is bassy without sacrificing the midrange or treble quality or quantity. It has a wonderful sound stage, is … Continue reading Shozy Form 1.1: Fun IS Fun
Greetings! Today we’re checking out the AF1120 MK2 from Audiofly. Based out of Australia, Audiofly has been in the business of portable audio since 2012. They embrace the concepts of technological innovation, musician empowerment, and quality sound on all levels. They have worked to achieve this through products that cover a wider range of prices and purposes, from affordable Bluetooth to high end studio monitoring. … Continue reading Audiofly AF1120 MK2: Reference Quality
Greetings! During the ‘before times’ of 2017, the Simgot EN700 Pro crossed my plate. Simgot was getting a ton of outstanding feedback for their products and the design of the EN700 Pro was so very eye catching. At the time I had been drooling over various orthodynamic headphones and the EN700 Pro strongly evoked them with it’s slatted face plates and ovular shell design. Plus, … Continue reading Head-to-Head: Moondrop Starfield vs. Simgot EN700 Pro
Greetings! Today we’re checking out the Model 3 BA2 from ADV. Four years ago (has it really been that long!!??), ADV released the Model 3, a 6mm micro driver equipped earphone with MMCX removable cables. It had a stylish, low profile shell similar in style to products from Weston and Shure. Depending on which version you ordered (Live or Mobile) it came with either a … Continue reading ADV Model 3 BA2: Purposeful
Greetings! Today we’re checking out the Kinera Sif, the Yang to Kinera’s Yin (SEED). Back in 2018 Kinera released the SEED (Yin), one of a two part iems series (Yin and Yang). It was a budget friendly hybrid earphone originally intended to be a replacement for the BD005, though they had completely different signatures and seemed to coexist for a while. I liked the SEED … Continue reading Kinera Sif: Welcome To The Other Side
I’d like to thank The Contraptionist for allowing me to help fill-in for him while he takes a much needed breather. I recently had a chance to try out the Meze Rai Penta and thought this audience would be interested . Disclaimer: I received the Rai Penta as part of a tour arranged by Meze and Head-fi. I have received no incentives in exchange for … Continue reading Meze Rai Penta, Its Strength Is Musicality.
Greetings, Today we’re checking out one of Campfire Audio’s newest premium releases, the four driver hybrid Solaris. It’s not often a new brand appears and sweeps an industry with game changing gear, and even less common for them to keep the momentum going in the following years. Campfire Audio, brainchild of ALO (Audio Line Out) founder Ken Ball, exploded onto the high end audio scene … Continue reading Campfire Audio Solaris: Awe Inspiring
Greetings! Today we’re checking out one of the mid-range models in the Fearless lineup, the S6 Rui. The last few years have seen Chinese audio manufacturers really take off, and they’re not slowing down. With brands like Knowledge Zenith absolutely dominating the budget sector, it was only natural for other markets to see massive growth too. For 150 bucks you can get a feature rich … Continue reading Fearless S6 Rui: Ultimo!
Greetings! Today we’re checking out an impressive hybrid from Tenhz, the K5. A couple years ago Knowledge Zenith (KZ) stirred the pot and started a new trend with the creation of their uber successful budget 2+2 hybrid, the ZS5. Tons of other companies hopped on the hype train to try their hand at the format, such as the BGVP DM5, BQEYZ KC2, TRN V80, Revonext … Continue reading Tenhz K5: 2+2, All Grown Up
Greetings! Today we’re checking out the latest entry into Astrotec’s lineup of premium ear buds, the Lyra Nature. Astrotec’s lineup of Lyra earbuds dates back a few years and was recently reinvigorated by the release of three models; the Classic, the Lyra Collection 32 ohm, and the Lyra Collection 150 ohm. The DNA making up these three ear buds can be found throughout the Nature, … Continue reading Astrotec Lyra Nature: Budding Champion
Greetings! Today we’re checking out one of FiiO’s first forays into the balanced armature market, the FA1. The FA1 is an earphone with some appealing features, like lightweight, 3D printed, custom-styled housings, the use of a Knowles 33357 full-range driver, and the ability to replace the cables via a common MMCX connector. Add to that an extensive accessory kit and a low price tag of … Continue reading FiiO FA1: 3D BayBee!!
The Contraptionist 