The Audio Stuff - Headphones Reviews

HIFIMAN HE1000 Stealth Review: Flagship Planar at a Lower Price

Jakub Charkiewicz — Sat, 27 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT

A years-old HIFIMAN flagship, cheaper than ever: Stealth Magnets, a nanometer diaphragm, a wide open soundstage, and a fun, bright tuning - mind the treble peaks and the large fit.

Verdict: Highly Recommended - 8.5/10. Price: $1,119.

What's good

Excellent comfort despite 458g - the wide suspension band spreads the weight
Spacious, deep, breathable three-material hybrid pads; user-replaceable
Top-tier hand-polished, CNC-machined aluminium and real leather build
Stealth Magnets + nanometer diaphragm + Window Shade grille
Dual 3.5mm connectors; includes an extra balanced cable
Wide, open, out-of-your-head soundstage with strong imaging
Tight, well-textured bass with more weight than most HIFIMANs
Fun, engaging, slightly bright reference tuning with natural timbre

Worth knowing

Genuinely large - may not fit smaller heads; cups can press the jaw
Peaky, uneven treble with sharp spots - too much on hot recordings
Revealing - unforgiving of poor recordings or cheap sources
On the heavier side at 458g
Less transparent and detailed than the pricier HE1000SE
Upper-mid lift over a lower dip won't suit thick, forward-vocal lovers

Read the full HIFIMAN HE1000 Stealth review on The Audio Stuff

Sivga SV021 Pro Review: A Fun, Wooden Closed-Back for $179

Bastien Beauchamp — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT

A $179 wood-earcup closed-back with a fun, bass-forward sound. A revised driver fixes the original's treble sibilance, though isolation and midrange refinement still lag.

Verdict: Recommended - 7.6/10. Price: $179.

What's good

Real wood earcups at $179 - a look and feel that usually costs thousands
Beautiful design and genuinely solid build quality
Very light at 289g, with breathable, comfortable materials
Fun, dynamic bass with real grit and excitement
Easy to drive at 106dB / 45 ohms - scales nicely with a dongle or amp
Revised driver smooths out the original's high-treble sibilance
A great-looking, disappear-on-your-head travel headphone

Worth knowing

Poor passive isolation - you hear the street while you walk
Pads are too thin and too firm, letting air and noise leak through
Recessed midrange; vocals and low treble can sound compressed and rolled off
High treble can still get a touch sibilant on trumpets and hard cymbal crashes
Included cable is a bit rigid, and there is no balanced connection
Not refined enough for critical listening to classical, acoustic, or jazz

Read the full Sivga SV021 Pro review on The Audio Stuff

Meze 105 Silva Review: The Most Beautiful Headphone Under $500?

Jakub Charkiewicz — Sun, 17 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT

A $499 open-back dynamic with hand-polished walnut cups, a custom 50mm carbon-fiber driver, and a warm, fun, easy-to-drive tuning that punches well above its price.

Verdict: Highly Recommended - 8.7/10. Price: $499.

What's good

Hand-polished walnut earcups with intricate radial grille
Custom 50mm driver with carbon-fiber W-dome and titanium torus
Self-adjusting elastic suspension headband - zero hotspots
Light 350g weight for a full-size wooden headphone
Plush, breathable velour earpads - glasses-friendly
Modular, fully serviceable - assembled with screws, not glue
Easy to drive (42Ω, 112dB) - USB-C DAC dongle included
Waterproof hard case + braided stock cable - no upgrades needed

Worth knowing

Musical, warm tuning - not a flaw-revealing reference
Mid-bass is slightly forward - flat-tuning purists won't love it
Lower mids step back behind a small upper-mid lift
Treble has noticeable extra sparkle - bright-sensitive ears beware
Meze's optional $250 upgrade cable is hard to justify over the stock
Open-back design leaks sound - not for shared spaces

Read the full Meze 105 Silva review on The Audio Stuff

Kiwi Ears Belle vs Cadenza II vs Orchestra II Review: Which One Should You Buy?

Bastien Beauchamp — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Three Kiwi Ears IEMs head-to-head - the $30 Belle with a mic, the $50 Cadenza II with KARS 2.0, and the 10-BA $350 Orchestra II flagship. Which is the value pick?

Verdict: Recommended - 8.1/10. Price: From $30.

What's good

Covers three budgets - $30 Belle, $50 Cadenza II, $350 Orchestra II
Belle is a tremendous-value V-shape with a built-in microphone
Cadenza II betters the Belle in every sonic way and stays light
Orchestra II's 10 balanced armatures stay coherent and linear
Cadenza II's KARS 2.0 labyrinth tube tightens the low end
Orchestra II ships with 3.5mm + 4.4mm balanced cables and a case
Multiple ear-tip densities (Belle and Orchestra II) tune the sound
All three scale up impressively with a decent dongle

Worth knowing

Belle's ear tips are a real fight to fit and swap
Low bass and high treble roll off straight from a phone
All three really want a ~$79 dongle to open up
No microphone on the Cadenza II or Orchestra II
Orchestra II is heavy at 7g per side - not for jogging
Cadenza II includes only a single set of ear tips
Orchestra II's price jump is only justified with a balanced dongle

Read the full Kiwi Ears Belle, Cadenza II, Orchestra II review on The Audio Stuff

HIFIMAN Arya Unveiled Review: Too Fragile to Recommend?

Jakub Charkiewicz — Mon, 16 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT

An open-back planar that strips away the outer grill entirely - exposing the driver to deliver dead-silent backgrounds, holographic imaging, and the smoothest Arya treble yet.

Verdict: Highly Recommended - 9.1/10. Price: $1,299.

What's good

Grill-less design eliminates micro-reflections off protective metal
Stealth Magnets pass sound waves without turbulence
Nanometer-thickness diaphragm - extremely fast and detailed
Most comfortable Arya yet - lighter, less clamp
Suspension strap with zero hotspots over hours
Smoothed-out, mature treble - no glassy edge
Holographic imaging with dead-silent background
New fabric-sleeved crystalline copper stock cable

Worth knowing

Driver fully exposed - real damage risk if mishandled
Magnetic Veils required when not in use - new ritual
Glossy plastic earcups - fingerprint magnet
Plastic construction feels less premium than HE1000 series
Still needs a real amp - 94dB sensitivity is misleading
Less mid-bass bloom than Arya Organic - bass-heads may want more

Read the full HIFIMAN Arya Unveiled review on The Audio Stuff

Kiwi Ears Atheia Review: The Best of Two Driver Worlds?

Jakub Charkiewicz — Wed, 10 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMT

A closed-back hybrid headphone pairing a 50mm dynamic driver with a 14.5mm planar - dynamic slam on the bottom, planar speed on top, in a walnut and aluminum chassis.

Verdict: Recommended - 7.9/10. Price: $349.

What's good

Walnut wood earcups with aluminum brackets
Hybrid: 50mm dynamic + 14.5mm planar magnetic
Surprisingly wide soundstage for a closed-back
Bass extension deeper than many pricier planars
Auto-adjusting suspension headband with stretchy bands
Locking 3.5mm cable connectors with mixed braided/rubber
Hard-shell carrying case included
Easy to drive (32Ω, 102dB) but scales with better amps

Worth knowing

Vegan leather pads feel a bit generic
Cups aren't huge - some ears will touch the pads
Mids are slightly recessed and lean honky
Tonally thin/quick - not warm or lush
Exaggerates reverb - can sound messy in busy mixes
Cable is still mildly microphonic

Read the full Kiwi Ears Atheia review on The Audio Stuff

HarmonicDyne Eris Review: The Most Absurd Headphone Bass?

Jakub Charkiewicz — Sun, 02 Nov 2025 00:00:00 GMT

A semi-closed dynamic with 50mm ceramic-metal drivers and a deliberately overwhelming sub-bass tuning - tactile, fun, and tailor-made for EDM, hip-hop, and bass-heavy genres.

Verdict: Mixed - 6.8/10. Price: $249.

What's good

50mm ceramic-metal long-stroke dynamic drivers
Massive, deep, physical sub-bass extension
Semi-closed 4-vent cup design balances slam and openness
Thick, well-built balanced 4.4mm stock cable
Soft micro-suede and vegan leather pads
Wider-than-expected stereo image
Easy to drive (32Ω, 118dB sensitivity)
Decent isolation despite venting

Worth knowing

Mostly plastic construction with glossy fingerprint magnet
Ear cup openings are smallish - ears touch the pads
Recessed midrange - vocals pulled back
Bass can overwhelm complex mixes
Detail retrieval gets swallowed by bass energy
Imaging width is good but depth is weaker

Read the full HarmonicDyne Eris review on The Audio Stuff

OLLO Audio X1 Review: Can a Studio Headphone Be HiFi?

Jakub Charkiewicz — Fri, 01 Aug 2025 00:00:00 GMT

An open-back studio reference headphone with AI-assisted per-unit calibration (±1dB), modular design, real wood cups, and a flat tuning that works for both mixing and music.

Verdict: Highly Recommended - 8.9/10. Price: $549.

What's good

USC II per-unit calibration to ±1dB tolerance
Real wood machined earcups, no veneer
Modular, repairable, service-friendly design
Hybrid velour + perforated leather pads, user-replaceable
Locking dual 2.5mm cable with forward-angled entry
Sturdy hard carrying case included
32Ω / 101dB - works from any laptop or interface
Realphones-compatible mix translation profiles

Worth knowing

Tight clamp force - takes adjustment if you're used to looser cans
Soundstage is realistic, not impressively wide
Tuning is intentionally flat - some will call it boring
Packaging is minimal - not premium-feeling
Pads are functional, not luxurious
Not the cheapest at this price point

Read the full OLLO Audio X1 review on The Audio Stuff

Sivga Anser Review: $200 Bass That $2k Cans Can't Touch

Jakub Charkiewicz — Tue, 24 Jun 2025 00:00:00 GMT

A $200 open-back dynamic with real wood cups and a tuning that delivers springy, bouncy mid-bass you won't find on $2,000 headphones - musical, fun, and built to last.

Verdict: Recommended - 8.0/10. Price: $199.

What's good

Solid wood earcups with aluminum grilles and yokes
No plastic - just wood, metal, and leather
342g - light enough for hours of listening
Earcups rotate 180 degrees for fit adjustment
Unique springy/bouncy mid-bass texture - addictive
Natural, warm midrange with great vocal body
Easy to drive (38Ω, 105dB sensitivity)
Eco-friendly hemp bag and minimal packaging

Worth knowing

Soundstage is on the intimate side - not super wide
Treble could be a bit more refined
Sub-bass is present but not the main focus
Hemp bag offers limited protection
Upper mids may stand out on some tracks
Soundstage feels centered vs. holographic options

Read the full Sivga Anser review on The Audio Stuff

KBEAR KB02 Review: The Most Bizarre $40 IEM I've Tried

Jakub Charkiewicz — Sat, 26 Apr 2025 00:00:00 GMT

A $40 hybrid IEM combining a 10mm beryllium-plated dynamic driver with a bone conduction driver tuned for sub-bass - V-shaped, punchy, and surprisingly capable.

Verdict: Mixed - 6.9/10. Price: $39.

What's good

Lightweight resin shell with no rough edges
Hybrid: 10mm beryllium-plated DD + bone conduction driver
Bone conduction tuned specifically for sub-bass impact
Multiple silicone tip sizes and types included
Detachable 2-pin cable with braided sleeve
Three colorways - all done exceptionally well
Beryllium tweeter provides fast transients and treble detail
108dB sensitivity - easy to drive from any phone

Worth knowing

Faint resonating spring sound when tapping the shell
Stock cable is generic - upgrade-worthy
Bass blooms and bleeds slightly into lower mids
V-shaped tuning recesses vocals and midrange instruments
Soundstage depth is limited - more lateral than 3D
Microdynamics are less pronounced than macro

Read the full KBEAR KB02 review on The Audio Stuff

OneOdio Max 1 Review: The Most Loaded €180 Wireless

Jakub Charkiewicz — Thu, 24 Apr 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Hi-Res certified wireless over-ears with LDAC, a 20ms ultra-low-latency wireless DJ mode, dual jacks, and 120 hours of battery life - all for €180.

Verdict: Mixed - 7.0/10. Price: €179.

What's good

Wired and wireless with LDAC + Hi-Res Audio certification
Dual analog jacks: 3.5mm and 6.35mm built in
Dedicated 20ms wireless DJ mode via M1 transmitter
Bluetooth 5.3 with multiple codec support
120 hours of battery life - days of listening
5-minute fast charge gives 2.5 hours of playtime
Surprisingly wide soundstage for closed-back wireless
Thick padding and 90-degree swiveling cups

Worth knowing

Recessed midrange - vocals feel pushed back
Bass can bleed into lower mids at higher volumes
Treble occasionally leans toward sharpness
Mostly plastic build, though feels solid
Glossy earcups can show fingerprints
Microdynamics aren't a strong suit

Read the full OneOdio Max 1 review on The Audio Stuff

Sivga Luan Review: Possibly the Most Comfortable Headphone

Jakub Charkiewicz — Mon, 25 Nov 2024 00:00:00 GMT

A $360 semi-open dynamic with real wood cups, a suspension headband, and a natural, chocolatey midrange that punches well above its price.

Verdict: Recommended - 8.1/10. Price: $299.

What's good

Looks and feels like a $500+ headphone for $360
Real wood earcups with smooth blacked-out metal grills
Suspension headband with Dekoni-style soft elements - zero hotspots
Silent, perfectly damped cup swivel and tilt mechanism
Large pads relative to cups - plenty of ear space
Standard 3.5mm jacks - no fragile 2.5mm connectors
Hard leather carrying case included
Natural, chocolatey midrange with detailed vocals

Worth knowing

Bass rolls off below ~45Hz
Semi-open (felt behind grills) - not fully open-back
Soundstage is decent but not hugely expansive
Stock cable looks utilitarian - rubberized, single-ended only
Sounds presented mostly in front, less around-the-head
Mid-range scaling with better amplification is subtle

Read the full Sivga Luan review on The Audio Stuff

Verum Audio Verum 1 Review: The Planar That's Scared of Treble

Jakub Charkiewicz — Tue, 05 Nov 2024 00:00:00 GMT

A $350 open-back planar that goes the opposite direction from most of the market - smooth, refined highs, full warm mids, and ruler-flat bass to 20Hz.

Verdict: Recommended - 8.0/10. Price: $349.

What's good

Stunning wooden earcup design with metal cut-out grills
Real leather pads, magnetically attached for easy swap
Smart 90-degree cable that stays off your shoulders
Suspension-style leather headband adjusts beautifully
Smooth, non-fatiguing treble - almost impossible to make sibilant
Full, warm, inviting midrange with forward vocals
Ruler-flat bass extension down to 20Hz, fast yet with long decay
Can place sounds behind your head

Worth knowing

8Ω impedance demands real current from the amplifier
Needs ~2W/ch to truly open up - scales heavily with power
Treble may sound a touch veiled on first listen
Soundstage is fairly closed-in, not super wide
90-degree connectors make many aftermarket cables awkward
Only single-ended cable in the box - balanced sold separately

Read the full Verum Audio Verum 1 review on The Audio Stuff

Kiwi Ears Orchestra Lite Review: Should Everybody Buy This IEM?

Jakub Charkiewicz — Sat, 21 Sep 2024 00:00:00 GMT

An 8-balanced-armature IEM with a 3-way crossover at $250 - mid-forward, naturally warm, with depth-focused staging that's the opposite of most IEMs in its class.

Verdict: Recommended - 8.0/10. Price: $249.

What's good

8 balanced armature drivers with 3-way crossover
Semi-transparent shell exposing internals - gorgeous
4-core 7N OFC braided stock cable included
Mid-forward, naturally warm tonality
Excellent midrange detail and timbre
Outstanding depth perception in soundstage
Sharp, focused imaging
16Ω, 112dB - extremely easy to drive

Worth knowing

Thick nozzle due to driver count
Bass rolls off - not for sub-bass lovers
Not particularly punchy or dynamic
Soundstage width is limited
Hiss possible with cheap amps (high sensitivity)
Detail varies a lot song-to-song

Read the full Kiwi Ears Orchestra Lite review on The Audio Stuff

HIFIMAN RE2000 PRO Silver Review: Does IEM Shape Matter for Sound?

Jakub Charkiewicz — Wed, 18 Sep 2024 00:00:00 GMT

An older HIFIMAN flagship IEM with the same topology driver as the RE800 but a CNC-machined aluminum shell - by far the most detailed IEM I've ever heard at $350.

Verdict: Highly Recommended - 8.8/10. Price: $349.

What's good

Topology diaphragm with nanoparticle coating
Aviation-grade aluminum shell - no plastic
CNC-machined for refined fit and acoustic properties
By far the most detailed IEM I've ever heard
Razor-sharp imaging with width, depth, and layering
Detachable 2-pin cable - aftermarket support
Premium thicker stock cable vs. RE800
Padded metal carrying case included

Worth knowing

Unusual shape takes time to fit perfectly
Slight midrange dip around 2-3kHz
Lacks scale to instruments (driver size limit)
Sometimes a bit analytical in treble
Bass extension is good but not boosted
Don't run from a phone - quality matters

Read the full HIFIMAN RE2000 PRO Silver review on The Audio Stuff

HIFIMAN RE800 Silver Review: An IEM That Will Save You $500

Jakub Charkiewicz — Mon, 26 Aug 2024 00:00:00 GMT

An older flagship IEM with topology driver tech, now $100 (down from $600) - audiophile-grade performance with surprisingly wide staging and an interesting non-target tuning.

Verdict: Recommended - 8.0/10. Price: $99.

What's good

Topology driver - HIFIMAN's signature tech
Aluminum alloy shell - feels premium
Very small, lightweight earbud-style fit
Wider soundstage than most full-size headphones
Razor-sharp imaging
Excellent dynamic punch with coherent localization
Sparkly top-end with prolonged decay
Frequency response 5Hz-20kHz

Worth knowing

Non-detachable cable
Cable is slightly microphonic and tangle-prone
Lower mids forward but rest is recessed and thin
Sub-bass not elevated - some roll-off
Tonality won't match any standard target
Treble peaks somewhat - on purpose
Detail retrieval is just OK - not the headline feature

Read the full HIFIMAN RE800 Silver review on The Audio Stuff

HIFIMAN Arya Organic Review: Can This Be Your Endgame?

Jakub Charkiewicz — Fri, 26 Jul 2024 00:00:00 GMT

A continuation of the Arya series at $1,300 (or $1,100 on sale) - the most resolving headphone at this price, with spectacular detail and bass you can feel.

Verdict: Highly Recommended - 9.2/10. Price: $1,099.

What's good

Most resolving headphones at this price - microdetails pop clearly
Wood veneer surrounding earcups - much more premium look
Smooth, bright treble that's somehow not fatiguing
Bass that can be felt, not just heard - speaker-like
Wide, out-of-head soundstage that beats Stealth Arya
Long, satisfying decay - room reverbs become audible
Black plastic earcups feel premium vs. gunmetal Stealth
Halved impedance (16Ω) - drives easily

Worth knowing

Vocals slightly forward, background vocals also pop
Slightly hot 'S' and 'T' sibilance
Pads are quite stiff (by design for tuning)
Depth is missing - mostly width-focused stage
Wooden ring color shifts in different lighting
Demands non-bright amplification to control treble

Read the full HIFIMAN Arya Organic review on The Audio Stuff

HIFIMAN Arya Stealth Review: Can You Resist Loving It?

Jakub Charkiewicz — Thu, 25 Jul 2024 00:00:00 GMT

An exceptionally comfortable HIFIMAN flagship at $759 with a rare warm-leaning balance, unbeatable imaging, and a taste of high-end sound at a non-flagship price.

Verdict: Highly Recommended - 8.7/10. Price: $759.

What's good

Most comfortable HIFIMAN at this price
Highest-end suspension strap headband with full 360° cup rotation
Stealth Magnets + nanometer-thickness diaphragm + Window Shade Grills
Slightly warm, full presentation - very rare for HIFIMAN
Bass extends to 20Hz, fast and transparent
Unbeatable, accurate, near-3D imaging
Excellent at large-scale music with vertical stretch
Improved braided cable with better feel and ergonomics

Worth knowing

Doesn't feel premium when you pick it up
Earcup material is gunmetal, not true black - looks slightly cheap
Soundstage isn't super wide, doesn't get far out of your head
Detail retrieval is inoffensive - not a wow factor
Slight plasticky tint to timbre
Vocals slightly less weighty than expected

Read the full HIFIMAN Arya Stealth review on The Audio Stuff

Sivga Robin SV021 Review: A Very V-Shaped Budget Headphone

Jakub Charkiewicz — Thu, 11 Jul 2024 00:00:00 GMT

A $150 closed-back dynamic with real wood earcups, masterpiece-level build, and a fun, exciting V-shaped sound that breaks the 'budget closed-back' mold.

Verdict: Recommended - 7.8/10. Price: $149.

What's good

Built like a masterpiece for the price - real wood earcups
Extremely soft pads that adapt to any ear shape
Lightweight at 275g with light clamp force
Excellent included cable - non-microphonic, color-matched
Nice linen pouch and 3.5mm-to-1/4" adapter included
Very long, satisfying decay - great for percussion and strings
Easy to drive from anything (32Ω, 105dB sensitivity)
Decent sound isolation

Worth knowing

Very uneven tonality - big mid-bass boost, dip at 500Hz, treble boost
Vocals sound empty, hollow, slightly echoey
Bass leans bloated, not full
Vocals played dead-center inside your head
Soundstage isn't particularly wide
Can get shouty at higher volumes
Dual 2.5mm connectors - less common, less durable

Read the full Sivga Robin SV021 review on The Audio Stuff

HIFIMAN Ananda Nano Review: Is This an Upgrade vs Ananda Stealth?

Jakub Charkiewicz — Wed, 26 Jun 2024 00:00:00 GMT

A nanometer-thickness diaphragm trickled down into the Ananda line - one of the best picks in its price range, with detailed treble that can occasionally cross the line.

Verdict: Highly Recommended - 8.6/10. Price: $499.

What's good

Nanometer-thickness diaphragm at $500 - previously Susvara-only tech
Stealth Magnets and Window Shade Grills retained
Bass extends linearly to 20Hz
Best soundstage width in its class
Very accurate, almost 3-dimensional imaging
Great for string instruments - quick decay, realistic reproduction
Easy to drive (16Ω, 94dB sensitivity)
Frequency response 5Hz-55kHz

Worth knowing

Treble can cross into too-bright territory for some
Hi-hats can distract from other elements in the mix
Significantly more clamp force than the Stealth
Hard plastic earcup material - not real black
No earcup swivel - only tilt
Pairs poorly with bright amps like the Topping A90

Read the full HIFIMAN Ananda Nano review on The Audio Stuff

HIFIMAN Ananda Stealth Review: The Most Overlooked Planar

Jakub Charkiewicz — Tue, 18 Jun 2024 00:00:00 GMT

An overlooked HIFIMAN planar at $360 with a slightly warm tonality, fantastic imaging, and a 'pleasantly wet' sound that beats the Edition XS in almost every way.

Verdict: Highly Recommended - 8.8/10. Price: $359.

What's good

Slightly warm tonality - rare for HIFIMAN
Fantastic instrument and vocal placement within the soundstage
Linear bass extension down to 20Hz
Suspension-strap headband - distributes weight well
Stealth Magnets + NEO Supernano Diaphragm
Lightweight at 400g
Easy to drive (16Ω, 93dB sensitivity)
Beats the Edition XS in presentation, imaging, and bass extension

Worth knowing

Inner foam isn't very soft - takes getting used to
No earcup swivel - only tilt
Soundstage isn't the widest
Resolution roughly on par with Sundara - not class-leading
Doesn't have an immediate wow factor - grows on you

Read the full HIFIMAN Ananda Stealth review on The Audio Stuff

Simgot EM6L Review: 5-Driver Hybrid IEM at $109

Jakub Charkiewicz — Mon, 13 May 2024 00:00:00 GMT

A budget hybrid IEM with 1 dynamic + 4 BA drivers, a 3-way crossover, and an attempt at the Harman 2019 target - mostly successful, with a fun 'weirdly big' soundstage.

Verdict: Recommended - 7.6/10. Price: $109.

What's good

1 dynamic + 4 BA drivers with hybrid 3-way crossover
Frequency response 8Hz-40kHz - excellent low-end extension
Glossy 3D-printed shell with no visible imperfections
Small shell - great fit for smaller ears
OFC silver-plated braided cable included (rare at this price)
Treble is smooth without losing amplitude
Wide, 'weirdly big' soundstage with great channel separation
Concentrated, focused punch in the bass

Worth knowing

Mid-bass has extra energy that can sound bloaty
Bass bleed slightly muffles vocal clarity
Lacks pinpoint precision in instrument placement
Doesn't provide a sense of large scale
Treble doesn't extend exactly to 20kHz

Read the full Simgot EM6L review on The Audio Stuff

Flare Audio E-PROTOTYPE Review: Detail-First IEM at $149

Jakub Charkiewicz — Fri, 05 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMT

Unlike anything you've heard or seen. The E-PROTOTYPE goes to extremes - both positive and negative - using proprietary technologies you won't find anywhere else.

Verdict: Recommended - 8.0/10. Price: $149.

What's good

Possibly the best low-end of any IEM I've heard
Bass is extremely well layered, resolving, and punchy
Ideal sound separation - nothing blends, no matter how busy
Astonishing detail retrieval without getting sharp
Impeccable dynamic range with long, satisfying decay
3D-printed in the UK with professional-grade equipment
100-day return window - real confidence from the brand
Lightweight despite the unusual shape

Worth knowing

Tonality is a love-or-hate situation - not for everyone
Recessed yet peaky and unnatural mids
Timbre is a real weakness - things sound slightly plasticky
Soundstage is intimate, not wide
Cable is non-detachable
Single-ended only - no balanced option
Fit takes work - left earpiece needs precise positioning
Definitely not a one-and-only IEM

Read the full Flare Audio E-PROTOTYPE review on The Audio Stuff

HIFIMAN Svanar Wireless Review: $499 Premium Wireless IEMs Tested

Jakub Charkiewicz — Wed, 02 Aug 2023 00:00:00 GMT

A $500 single dynamic driver TWS with an R2R DAC and LDAC. It's both lacking and feature-packed at the same time - and it actually delivers where it matters.

Verdict: Recommended - 7.8/10. Price: $499.

What's good

Built-in R2R DAC - same approach as HIFIMAN's desktop amps
Bluetooth 5.2 with LDAC support (24-bit/192kHz)
Stable connection - no issues like some other wireless IEMs
Decently wide soundstage - not the typical in-head experience
Excellent dynamic range - punches and slams strongly
Very textured and detailed bass
Surprisingly resolving treble for a TWS
8 pairs of ear tips included - tons of options

Worth knowing

ANC isn't amazing for the price
Bulky and pretty heavy charging case
Carbon fiber part has a slightly rough, scratchy feel
Big earbuds - took some time to get used to the shape
Sound is extremely tip-dependent
Foam tips kill the fullness and fun
Recessed midrange tonally

Read the full HIFIMAN Svanar Wireless review on The Audio Stuff

HIFIMAN Sundara Closed-back Review: It's... Different?

Jakub Charkiewicz — Wed, 26 Jul 2023 00:00:00 GMT

Sundara, but cheaper, better isolation, easier to drive? Nope, not even close. An entirely different headphone that manages to be mediocre in every way that matters to me.

Verdict: Mixed - 6.8/10. Price: $229.

What's good

Suspension strap headband - much more comfortable than solid
Beautiful real Beechwood earcups
Pads feel significantly more comfortable than the open-back Sundara
Fairly large soundstage for a closed-back design
Pleasant surprise on dynamics, punch, and slam
Extremely easy to drive (20 ohms, 98dB sensitivity)

Worth knowing

Extremely mid-forward tonality - main reason for my aversion
Highs lack airiness - sounds darker than most HIFIMANs
Treble extension is unimpressive
Sound separation only acceptable - not great for $229
Detail retrieval requires you to actively look for it
Adjustment mechanism leaves scratches in the painting

Read the full HIFIMAN Sundara Closed-back review on The Audio Stuff

HIFIMAN Sundara Review: They Made AMAZING Even Better

Jakub Charkiewicz — Fri, 14 Jul 2023 00:00:00 GMT

An amazing value proposition - the latest Sundara revision performs exceptionally well at $300 in the open-back planar market. It's just steel.

Verdict: Highly Recommended - 9.0/10. Price: $299.

What's good

Balanced and neutral tonality - never boring
Outstanding micro-detail retrieval, especially for the price
Great wide and decently accurate soundstage
Strong dynamics with serious punch and slam
Fast transients with above-average decay
Excellent build - metal parts, suspension strap, dual 3.5mm
Quite lightweight at 372g

Worth knowing

Inner pad diameter likely too small for many ears
Pads can get warm inside after some time
Suspension strap doesn't swivel
Some clamp force (though it helps weight distribution)
Does not include Stealth Magnets

Read the full HIFIMAN Sundara review on The Audio Stuff

HIFIMAN HE400se Review: $109 Planar Magnetic Headphone?

Jakub Charkiewicz — Thu, 22 Jun 2023 00:00:00 GMT

A stupidly cheap open-back planar with Stealth Magnets technology at $109 - loved by some, criticized by others. So what's actually going on with it?

Verdict: Recommended - 7.6/10. Price: $109.

What's good

Stealth Magnets technology at just over $100 - hard to believe
Soft, hybrid angled pads
Lightweight - no hotspots from the solid headband
Clean, pleasant bass with surprising punch
Decent detail retrieval for the price
No obvious points of failure despite plastic build

Worth knowing

Bass extension lacking below 60Hz
Mids sound quite muffled - dip around 2kHz
Narrow soundstage
Vocals stay blended in, not forward
Inner pad diameter likely too small for some ears
Needs an external amp to perform - phones aren't enough

Read the full HIFIMAN HE400se review on The Audio Stuff

HIFIMAN HE-R9 Review: Weird, But SO Fun

Jakub Charkiewicz — Mon, 05 Jun 2023 00:00:00 GMT

Both terrible and amazing at the same time - the HE-R9 is a closed-back bass monster at $200 with a tuning that's either perfect for you, or completely wrong.

Verdict: Mixed - 6.9/10. Price: $199.

What's good

Massive, punchy bass that doesn't bleed into the mids
Surprisingly wide soundstage for a closed-back design
Extremely easy to drive (32 ohms, 100dB sensitivity)
Lightweight - no hotspots even with the solid headband
Bass quality and quantity for the price are excellent

Worth knowing

Pads are too shallow - ears touch the drivers
Stepped-back upper mids make female vocals sound boring
All-plastic construction feels cheap
Look really big and dumb on your head
Not great for sound separation, clarity, or detail
Can get a tiny bit muddy in some bass-heavy songs

Read the full HIFIMAN HE-R9 review on The Audio Stuff

HIFIMAN Edition XS Review: I Can't Believe They Did This

Jakub Charkiewicz — Thu, 01 Jun 2023 00:00:00 GMT

An exceptional open-back planar at $500 with a sound signature that's hard to find elsewhere - held back only by a controversial headband design choice.

Verdict: Highly Recommended - 8.7/10. Price: $499.

What's good

Unique, pretty earcup design
Large, deep earcups fit any ear shape
Bass extends to 20Hz, clean and free of distortion
Fantastic, wide soundstage with great image separation
Easy to drive - works fine from a dongle or cheap amp
Truly exceptional sound for the price

Worth knowing

Solid headband (no suspension strap) creates a hotspot after a few hours
Insufficient clamp force - weight rests on the top of the head
Headband doesn't adjust small enough for many heads
Highs can sound plasticky and sibilant in some songs
Vocals positioned behind the head - takes getting used to

Read the full HIFIMAN Edition XS review on The Audio Stuff