Category: Reviews
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We’ve Built A Intoxicating Budget Audiophile Setup Using One Of The Best New Bookshelf Speakers!
Analog, Best Buys, Bluetooth, Budget, DACs, Deals, Hi-Fi, Hi-Res Music, Home Audio, Integrated Amps, Music, News, Power Amps, Preamps, Reviews, Speakers, Streaming, Videos, WirelessI just finished reviewing the new Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-600M II speaker, and I was very impressed by its transparency and dynamics. The soundstage and imaging are also top-notch. You get a lot for a very affordable $749, which inspired me to build a musical budget audiophile around this awesome bookshelf. The only knock against…
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SIVGA SV023 Review: These Sensational Open-Back Headphones Will Blow You Away!
Intro If you want an affordable closed-back headphone with wood earcups, the $309 Meze 99 Classics have owned the market for some time now. That said, open-back headphones usually sound better than closed-back headphones at the same price point, so where do you turn if you want the beauty of wood in an open-back design?…
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LIVE: The Best Amazon Prime Day Deals For Audiophiles (2022)-Home Audio, Speakers, Headphones, Electronics
Best Buys, Bluetooth, Budget, DACs, Deals, Headphone Amps, Headphones, Hi-Fi, Hi-Res Music, Home Audio, Integrated Amps, Music, News, Noise Cancelling, Portable Audio, Power Amps, Reviews, Software, Speakers, Streaming, WirelessLIVE UPDATES: Deals are posted on a continuous basis, and newer deals are at the bottom of the list. Some of these prices only last for a few hours, so move quick! It’s Almost Here! Amazon Prime Day 2022 starts tomorrow, and we are here to highlight all the best Home Audio and Headphone discounts…
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Audiolab Omnia Integrated Amp In The House: First Impressions And Unboxing Pics!
Analog, Best Buys, Bluetooth, Budget, DACs, First Impressions, Hi-Fi, Hi-Res Music, Home Audio, Integrated Amps, MQA, News, Reviews, Speakers, Videos, WirelessIt seems like every high-end hi-fi company has an all-in-one amplifier at this point. That said, there aren’t too many with a built-in CD player. As a matter of fact, I can only think of one. That would be the $2299 Audiolab Omnia, a do-it-all integrated that builds off their 6000A Play streaming amplifier. In…
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SMSL DO100/HO100 Review: This Affordable DAC/Amp Combo Is A Budget Audiophile Dream!
TD; LR The SMSL DO100 + HO100 stack is an excellent entryway into DAC/Amp separates. They’re well built and provide exceptional detail, depth, and soundstage. Intro: While I like the simplicity, affordability, and utility of all-in-one desktop DAC/Amp combos, matching DAC and Headphone Amp separates or “stacks” have become all the rage right now, as…
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Best Audiophile Headphones Under $500 (2022)
Best Buys, Bluetooth, Budget, Headphone Amps, Headphones, Hi-Fi, Hi-Res Music, Home Audio, Reviews, The Best, WirelessAre you looking for the best headphone under $500? We’ve put together a list of our favorite options. Check them out now! Want to learn more about Audiophile Headphones? Check out our Audiophile Headphones Buyers Guide! Here’s our shortlist of the Best Audiophile Headphones Under $500 (2022): The Best Super Cheap Headphones: Koss KPH30iCL ($29.99)…
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Focal Clear Mg Headphone Review: Beauty And Beast!
TD; LR No other headphones at this price point give you a front-row seat at the concert like these do. Intro When purchasing a pair of high-end headphones, you fundamentally want something with a combination of beautiful design and remarkable sound quality. Unfortunately, I’ve seen a lot of expensive headphones that do one or the…
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“Level Up” With This Simple, Yet Awe-Inspiring, Budget Audiophile System!
Best Buys, Bluetooth, Budget, DACs, Deals, Hi-Fi, Hi-Res Music, Home Audio, Integrated Amps, MQA, News, Reviews, Speakers, Streaming, Videos, WirelessYou don’t need tons of money and “know-how” to build a top-notch hi-fi sound system! There’s a misconception that you need to be some kind of “guru” or expert to put together an affordable high-end hi-fi system. But with the new class of audiophile streaming amplifiers, building a capable system has never been easier! A…
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iFi Audio Go bar Review: The Best Ultra-Portable DAC Amp Combo. Period.
Best Buys, Budget, DACs, Headphone Amps, Headphones, Hi-Fi, Hi-Res Music, MQA, Music, Portable Audio, Preamps, Reviews, VideosTL;DR If you’re looking for the most capable ultra-portable DAC/Amp combo, look no further. Intro I’m a big fan of iFi Audio’s DAC/Amp combos. It’s hard to beat their combination of power, build quality, and affordability. However, they’ve been missing one thing: an ultra-portable combo that could go toe to toe with something like AudioQuest’s…
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Best Headphone Amps For Audiophiles On A Budget (2022)
Best Buys, Budget, DACs, Headphone Amps, Headphones, Hi-Fi, Home Audio, MQA, Portable Audio, Reviews, VideosBuilding an Audiophile Headphone system can be a rewarding and economical way to enjoy high-fidelity music reproduction. For example, when I was younger and couldn’t afford a super-expensive 2-channel hi-fi system (I also didn’t have much room for one), I was able to piece together my personal hi-fi nirvana using a tube headphone amp and…
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Kef LS50 Meta Review: These Innovative British Monitor Speakers Are (Still) Awe-Inspiring!
TL;DR These remarkably balanced and transparent speakers set a new standard at the price point. Just make sure you pair them with high quality amplification. Intro As a long-time owner (and fan) of Kef’s legendary LS50 mini-monitor, I was intrigued when I heard they were coming out with a sequel. Dubbed the LS50 Meta ($1599.99),…
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HIFIMAN HE-R9 Review: These Dynamic Closed-Back Headphones Provide Sensational Sound On The Move!
Best Buys, Bluetooth, Budget, DACs, Headphones, Hi-Fi, Hi-Res Music, Home Audio, Portable Audio, Reviews, WirelessTL;DR These closed-back headphones provide a natural laid-back sound with superb comfort and easy-to-use wireless capabilities. That said, the look won’t be for everyone, and they could use a touch more transparency. Intro In March, I took a look at Hifiman’s Deva Pro, a planar magnetic headphone with a novel feature. That would be its…
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Best Floorstanding Speakers For Audiophiles On A Budget (2022)
Floorstanding or Standmount Speakers? That’s an age-old question for many an audiophile (one which I covered here). In most cases, the size of your listening room will dictate which one to pick. Standard-size rooms will usually get sufficient output from standmount speakers, which provide the added benefit of enhanced image focus. That said, those with…
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Soul Emotion MAX Headphones Review: Great ANC, So-So Sound & Comfort
Bluetooth, Budget, Headphones, Hi-Fi, Noise Cancelling, Portable Audio, Reviews, Streaming, Videos, WirelessGreat noise canceling and a nice mix of features are offset by finicky fit and average sound quality I remember when SOUL Electronics first hit the market as another celebrity-driven headphone brand, a la Beats. That was over ten years ago, and back then, they were known as SOUL by Ludacris, a nod to the…
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Best Wireless Noise-Cancelling (ANC) Headphones For Audiophiles (2022)
Best Buys, Bluetooth, Deals, Headphones, Hi-Fi, Hi-Res Music, Music, Noise Cancelling, Portable Audio, Reviews, Streaming, Videos, WirelessIf you work from home or travel a lot for work or pleasure, then a pair of Wireless Noise-Cancelling (ANC) Headphones is almost a necessity. I know I refuse to go on a trip without having a pair in my bag and judging from the sheer amount of folks I see wearing them on the…
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Philips Fidelio L3 Headphones Review: Premium Build & Superb Noise Canceling
Bluetooth, Headphones, Hi-Fi, Hi-Res Music, Home Audio, Noise Cancelling, Portable Audio, Reviews, Streaming, Videos, WirelessTL;DR The Fidelio L3’s excellent build quality, detailed sound, long battery life, and superb noise canceling are somewhat let down by so-so comfort and touch controls that take some getting used to. Intro Wireless noise-canceling headphones are a dime a dozen at this stage in the game, but very few are marketed to audiophiles. However,…
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Best Audiophile Bluetooth Receiver DACs For Your Stereo
Bluetooth, Budget, DACs, Hi-Fi, Hi-Res Music, Home Audio, Music, Reviews, Streaming, Videos, WirelessIf you’re looking for the absolute best sound quality and/or optional multi-room capability, Wi-Fi music streamers are the way to go. That said, you may want a music streamer that doesn’t depend on network bandwidth or has an easier setup. In that case, we recommend a Bluetooth Receiver/DAC that will accept higher-bandwidth Bluetooth codecs like…
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Adore Your Vinyl And CD Collections With This Brilliant Budget Audiophile System!
Analog, Bluetooth, Budget, DACs, Hi-Fi, Hi-Res Music, Home Audio, Integrated Amps, News, Reviews, Speakers, Streaming, Videos, WirelessI get it. Most people stream their music from Tidal, Qobuz, Etc. I do too. (Qobuz for Free) That said, I also have CD and Vinyl collections, and I love the feeling of playing a piece of physical media. I also love looking at the cover art and reading the liner notes. I highly recommend…
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Moondrop CHU Dynamic Driver IEM Review
This $20 wired earphone plays music with surprising naturalness and refinement! When you talk about IEMs nowadays, you have to talk about Moondrop. They know how to crank out reasonably priced earphones with impeccable tonal balance, and the headphone enthusiasts are eating them up. Today we have their latest IEM, the $20 CHU Dynamic Driver…
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Technics EAH-A800 Review: These Are Lowkey The Best ANC Headphones On The Market!
Best Buys, Bluetooth, Headphones, Hi-Fi, Hi-Res Music, Home Audio, News, Noise Cancelling, Portable Audio, Reviews, Videos, WirelessThese amazingly comfortable Wireless ANC Headphones go toe to toe with the best from Sony and Bose! In January, Technics unveiled the $349 EAH-A800 Wireless Noise Cancelling Over-Ear Headphones, a premium set of Bluetooth earphones that promise industry-leading battery life (up to 50 hours), top-notch active noise canceling, and LDAC Hi-Res wireless audio. Price-wise, they’re in…
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