Portable audio gear reviews
Archive #36109602
"Bad sound kills good music"
This is meant as a lighthearted yet helpinghand ear and general knowledge base for portable audio products, including earphones, amps and media players.
All earphone/headphone reviews have been done by using a Rockboxed iBasso DX50 and a Teac UD-H01 headphone DAC/Amp (previously a Cowon D2 and a Sansa Clip), without any EQ or DSP tweaking.
Best sound all categories:
Sennheiser HE 1
Earphone (IEM/in ears) top ten:
This top list is my personal preference, and may not be true to someone else. Also note that all IEMs on this list are exceptionally good.
Favourite IEMs for different sound signatures:
For bassy/warm sound:
Zagg ZR-SIX, Sennheiser IE8, Hippo VB, SonoCore Chrome and COA-805, Denon C710, Brainwavz M5 R1 S1 S5, Rock Jaw Alfa Genus (silver sound filter).
For natural/neutral sound:
Phonak PFE232, Meelectronics M6 Pro, Fidue A83, Minerva Mi-3, Sensaphonics J-Phonic K2 SP, Shure SE535, Westone UM-3X, Head Direct RE262, Sennheiser IE7, Dunu DN-11, Westone 4R, Brainwavz B2 M1 R3 S0 S3, Rock Jaw Alfa Genus (black sound filter).
For detailed/cold sound:
Phiaton PS200, Audio Technica CK10, Etymotic hf3.
Headphone (on/over ears) top five:
Wireless headphones/headsets top three:
The Matrix2 and Metro2 are equally good, just different in presentation and shape/form.
Digital Audio Players (DAP) top three:
Earphone reviews:
Audio Technica, Brainwavz part 1 part 2, Crossroads.
Denon, Dunu, Etymotic, Fidue, Fischer Audio, HifiMan, Hippo.
HiSound, I-Mego, Jays, Klipsch, Lindy.
Meelectronics, Minerva, Nocs, Nuforce.
Phiaton, Phonak, RHA, Rock Jaw, Sennheiser, Sensaphonics.
Shure, SonoCore, SoundMagic, Thinksound, Vivanco.
Westone, Zagg.
Headphone reviews
Headphone reviews (part 2)
Portable amp reviews
Portable media player reviews (with screen for video etc)
Portable music player reviews (without screen, or monochrome screen)
Tablet / media player reviews
Accessory reviews
Car audio related reviews
The discussion thread, AKA as the original review thread
New portable audio/video stuff
Latest review(s) added:
Even H1
MEE Audio M7 PRO
Coming review(s):
This is meant as a lighthearted yet helping
All earphone/headphone reviews have been done by using a Rockboxed iBasso DX50 and a Teac UD-H01 headphone DAC/Amp (previously a Cowon D2 and a Sansa Clip), without any EQ or DSP tweaking.
Best sound all categories:
Sennheiser HE 1
Earphone (IEM/in ears) top ten:
- RHA CL1
- Westone UM Pro 50
- MEE Audio Pinnacle P1
- Accutone Pisces BA
- Phonak Audeo PFE 232
- Fidue A83
- Westone 4R
- Sensaphonics J-Phonic K2 SP
- MEE Audio M7 PRO
- Minerva Mi-3
This top list is my personal preference, and may not be true to someone else. Also note that all IEMs on this list are exceptionally good.
Favourite IEMs for different sound signatures:
For bassy/warm sound:
Zagg ZR-SIX, Sennheiser IE8, Hippo VB, SonoCore Chrome and COA-805, Denon C710, Brainwavz M5 R1 S1 S5, Rock Jaw Alfa Genus (silver sound filter).
For natural/neutral sound:
Phonak PFE232, Meelectronics M6 Pro, Fidue A83, Minerva Mi-3, Sensaphonics J-Phonic K2 SP, Shure SE535, Westone UM-3X, Head Direct RE262, Sennheiser IE7, Dunu DN-11, Westone 4R, Brainwavz B2 M1 R3 S0 S3, Rock Jaw Alfa Genus (black sound filter).
For detailed/cold sound:
Phiaton PS200, Audio Technica CK10, Etymotic hf3.
Headphone (on/over ears) top five:
Wireless headphones/headsets top three:
- Meelectronics Air-Fi AF62 Matrix2 & Meelectronics Air-Fi AF72 Metro2
- Lindy BNX-60
- Meelectronics Air-Fi AF52 Venture
The Matrix2 and Metro2 are equally good, just different in presentation and shape/form.
Digital Audio Players (DAP) top three:
Earphone reviews:
Audio Technica, Brainwavz part 1 part 2, Crossroads.
Denon, Dunu, Etymotic, Fidue, Fischer Audio, HifiMan, Hippo.
HiSound, I-Mego, Jays, Klipsch, Lindy.
Meelectronics, Minerva, Nocs, Nuforce.
Phiaton, Phonak, RHA, Rock Jaw, Sennheiser, Sensaphonics.
Shure, SonoCore, SoundMagic, Thinksound, Vivanco.
Westone, Zagg.
Headphone reviews
Headphone reviews (part 2)
Portable amp reviews
Portable media player reviews (with screen for video etc)
Portable music player reviews (without screen, or monochrome screen)
Tablet / media player reviews
Accessory reviews
Car audio related reviews
The discussion thread, AKA as the original review thread
New portable audio/video stuff
Latest review(s) added:
Even H1
MEE Audio M7 PRO
Coming review(s):