headphones guide

Transcription

headphones guide

HEADPHONES GUIDE
www.adairacoustic.co.uk
INTRODUCTION
At Adair Acoustic, we have chosen a selection of great sounding headphones, perfect for a range of different needs and budgets. Whatever
type of headphones you are after, we will be able to assist you to nd a high-quality option ideal for you.
This guide focuses mainly on our headphones, but we also stock a huge range of devices that are aimed at enhancing your sound whether it
be from our headphones, a laptop or your home Hi-Fi system. These include USB headphone ampli ers, digital to audio converters, phono
stages, streaming devices, portable players as well as loudspeakers and record players.
Throughout this guide we may use some terms that you might not be familiar with so here is a quick explanation of them below.
In-ear monitors - IEMs are portable headphones that t inside the ear canal. Clearly the biggest plus point of these headphones is the
portability, they also nearly always come with a mic and controls to add smart-phone functionality. The negatives being that some people
can nd them a little uncomfortable and have trouble with the buds falling out of the ears.
On-ear headphones - On-ears feature ear pads that are the size of the ear or slightly larger and t onto the ears comfortably. On-ear
headphones are usually lightweight, collapsible and designed for on-the-go use. These types of headphones are ideal for people who like music
on the go, but do not like in-ears. They also in most cases have improved sound quality to in-ears.
Over-ear headphones - These headphones have ear pads that completely cover/enclose the ears, usually a ringed pad. Over-ear headphones
are usually (but not always) designed for home usage. These can provide the highest sound quality of any headphones and at the top level can
provide a true audiophile experience. A negative of these is the size, although with the recent trend in large headphones, this is now becoming
a positive thing. Recently its been a case of the bigger, the better. Large headphones are now used to show people that you care about your
music/sound.
Closed-back headphones - The majority of headphones that you will have seen in public wearing are likely to have been closed-backed. They
feature fully closed ear-cups which stop sound from leaking out and annoying those around you. Though they do not have as spacious a sound
as open-back headphones they can often achieve a weightier bass sound, making them more exciting and fun.
Open-back headphones - These are headphones which do not feature fully closed off ear-cups, this means they allow the user to hear external
noise quite clearly (this is good for people wearing the headphones on the street). Open-backs often give a natural airy sound. The sound from
open back headphones has a sense of space that is not found on most closed back models. Open-back headphones might get you some funny
looks on the tube however, as they do tend to leak sound.
Semi-open back headphones - Some manufacturers like to get the best of both worlds by opening the cups slightly, this is a great technique to
minimise the leakage and the intrusive external sound.
Noise cancelling headphones - There are two different methods of eliminating external noise into headphones. Some companies use active
noise cancelling, which electronically reduces the sound in, but many companies are now leaning towards passive noise cancelling methods
instead. This is seen as an improvement as the electronics used in active noise cancellation often effect the sound produced. Passive methods
usually involve modifying the pads including the use of memory foam.
If you like our range in shop and want to know more or order online please visit www.adairacoustic.co.uk where you will nd all the
headphones in this guide as well as a wider selection of headphones and devices.
FROM THE KITCHEN TABLE TO THE WORLD
Grado Labs is a widely respected name within the audiophile world now but it was not as easy a ride as
you would think. In fact it was more of a roller coaster ride really.
In 1953, with just $2,000 dollars saved, Joseph Grado embarked on developing the rst Grado phono
cartridge on his own kitchen table. Two years and some success later and Grado Labs had moved into
it’s own factory, located at Joseph’s family grocery store in the Brooklyn neighbourhood of Sunset Park.
Though originally intending to manufacture all types of hi ; in1963 Joseph decided to dedicate all the
company’s time to developing ‘the world’s nest’ phono cartridges.
The company continued to grow and grow, but Grado was hit dramatically from the supposed ‘death’ of
vinyl and just a few years later the company was just comprised of John Grado (Joseph’s nephew), three
part-time employees and a full-time engineer. Joseph was considering shutting the company, but John
was adamant that the Grado brand still held esteem in the audio world and with the right direction it
could once again reach the heights it held in the early 80s. The direction that John had decided on was
headphones.
John set about stripping the business down and cutting expenditure. “As soon as I took control, I cut
(costs) wherever I could" Grado explained " We had a Pitney Bowes postage meter that maybe cost $15
a week. We got rid of it and licked the stamps". John and his family lived above the factory, and John
could regularly be found chipping in on the factory oor.
John completed the development of the affordable ‘SR60’ headphones and they became a huge
success. Grado Labs had its foot back on the ladder. Since releasing the ‘SR60s’ Grado Labs has built a
solid and varied range of great sounding headphones becoming a leading force in headphone manufacture as it did with phono cartridges under Joseph in the 50’s.
John Grado managed to transform the company from a $300k/year company to an over $10,000,000/year which continues to grow year on year. Oh and all this without moving from the site of his great
uncle’s grocery store.
SR60i
OVER-EAR / HOME / OPEN
PRICE - £79.95
The SR60i is an extremely well respected model in the audiophile world. It’s predecessor, the SR60 was really
the rst £100 headphone to deliver truly great sound quality.
The retro look resembles something that a call-center worker in war time might wear. Lovers of retro audio will
love the design of Grado headphones. They are handmade in Brooklyn, NY to an incredibly high quality. You
really get a sense that Grado have built the headphones with great care and attention.
The new SR60i has an upgraded driver design, and give a very musical sound. They are detailed enough to
provide great isolation of the instruments. These are headphones that really get your feet tapping with the
music. They are the perfect choice for fans of rock/indie/pop music.
.
SR80i
PRICE - £99.95
The next step up the Grado ladder from the SR60i. Still great value at £135.00 but with improved sound quality.
The SR80i utilises a 4 conductor connecting cable and the driver diaphragms are put through a special ‘de-stressing' process in order to enhance inner detail.
The SR80is have a bright, enjoyable sound. They are very easy to listen to and fun. The detail in the mids mean
that songs come to life; unlike most other headphones at this price range. The open-back design gives the music
a real sense of space and sound-stage is wide enough to really utilise this space brilliantly.
The result is a headset which delivers a wider, more open and dynamic sound, but which is also smoother in the
treble and deeper in the bass. The classic Grado sound.
SR325is
PRICE - £385.00
The SR-325is headphones are the agship of the Grado ‘Prestige Series’.
The SR325is headphones boast ultra-low resonance metal alloy housings. The result is improved control and stability
of the upper and lower, which both better support Grado's world renowned midrange. Oh, and they don’t look too
bad either.
Like with the rest of the ‘Prestige Range’ the SR325is headphones give a bright sound, meaning the upper mid-range
and lower treble excel. Vocals and guitars really shine due to the fantastic openness that these cans achieve.
The de nition given by the SR-325is headphones is remarkable, a must-buy for anyone who loves an analytical sound.
iGrado
ON-EAR / ON-THE-GO / OPEN
PRICE - £55.00
These cans sound spectacular for £55. The iGrados have such a fantastic balanced and natural sound, there is a wide
soundstage and the imagery they give is great. The bass is good, it is not overpowering but it is substantial for an
open-back.
It was Grado's goal to design a street style headphone that sonically outperforms anything currently available at a 'real
world' price. This they have clearly accomplished. The iGrado headphones are functionally stylish, lightweight and
comfortable. By incorporating the same drivers used in the award-winning SR60 headphones, Grado can con dently
claim the iGrado is the obvious hi- earphones of choice for the mobile users.
The price tag for these is almost unbelievable, in our opinion, they put many £200 cans to shame, Grado has once
again shown that it is possible to make brilliant headphones at affordable prices.
THE WORLD’S FIRST ELECTROSTATIC HEADPHONES
Stax do not manufacture run-of-the-mill headphones.
They produce high-end electrostatic headphones and have been doing so for 50 years. In
fact Stax invented the electrostatic headphone, hence the name, which was originally
derived from the word ‘electrostatic’.
So, what is the difference? Electrostatics are a whole different animal to the more
common dynamic headphones. Conventional electrodynamic headphones use a coil
inside a magnet to create an electromagnetic force and vibrate the coil which is attached
to the cone, moving the cone in and out. Electrostatic headphones work using an
ultra-light lm. A static electric charge is applied to the lm (without touching it) and
when audio voltages are applied the static cling and repulsion causes the lm to move.
This basically means that no energy is stored and there are no resonances, leading to a
superior, less distorted sound.
Many well-known brands have tried manufacturing electrostatic headphones including
Sony, Pioneer and Audio-Technica but all have soon stopped production and concentrated on more easy-to-sell dynamic headphones instead. This is what sets Stax apart from
the others; where most companies have seen the difference in sound that can be
achieved they have still given up. Through their love of sound, Stax continue to sell
amazing quality electrostatic headphones when no one else can or wants to.
Stax set out with a simple goal, to attain the most transparent, high resolution sound
achievable. A goal the company still holds to this day. They may not sell millions of units a
year, but they are a reference to many audiophiles who are happy to save up their
pennies for Stax combinations. Many people think the Stax sound so good, they use
them as their main speakers, as to buy a power amp and speaker set up to rival the sound
of the Stax would cost much more.
SRS-2170 SYSTEM
SR-207 EARSPEAKERS + SRM-252S ENERGIZER
PRICE - £745.00
Stax call them their ‘Basic’ earspeakers, but they really are far from basic. This is the entry-level Stax system, but
entry-level Stax is pretty much equivalent to reference for most other headphone manufacturers.
The SR-207s are subtle, they are not as powerful as the likes of the HiFiMAN HE-6, but they have a more realistic,
honest sound. The bass is substantial, but not booming. The earspeakers keep a grip on the bass and control it
brilliantly. The isolation is stunning too, you nd that you are able to focus on certain instruments in-depth and pretty
much block out everything else.
The SR-207s have the classic Stax Lambda look, large rectangular grill like cans with a somewhat curved headband
with a comfortable inner headband inside.
SRS-4170 SYSTEM
SR-407 EARSPEAKERS + SRM-006tS ENERGIZER
PRICE - £1695.00
The SR-407 is called the ‘Signature’ model. Looks-wise they are pretty much identical to the SR-207s except they are a
dark green/brown colour as opposed to the black nish.
The main difference between the 407s and the 207s was the sound-stage, it is that bit wider. The 407s also have
increased clarity, the sound has a little more snap to it.
`The SRM-006tS is a high voltage dual valve ampli er. The rich mid and low-range tone are greatly enhanced,
improving all genres from vocal to orchestra.
SR-009 SYSTEM
SR-009 EARSPEAKERS + SRM-007tII ENERGIZER
ON-EAR / HOME / OPEN
PRICE - £5990.00
The SR-009 earspeakers look very different to the rest of the range. For starters, they do not have the classic
rectangular grill look. They have much more modern styling.
The circular ear-cups are manufactured from aluminium, they are open still, and have a very nice aluminium
mesh design over the open sections. These are extremely comfortable cans, even more comfortable than the
Lambda range, in most part this is to do with the ear-pads. They are thick and well cushioned and easily surround
your ears and feature a 10-click adjustment system.
When it comes to the sound, the SR-009s are supreme beings, they have the classic Stax sound, everything is so
crisp and balanced. The sound-stage goes for miles and the highs are vividly clear. These earspeakers are
extremely spacious, it really does feel like the whole room is lled with sound.
SR-002 SYSTEM
SR-002 EARSPEAKERS + SRM-002 ENERGIZER
ON-EAR / ON-THE-GO / OPEN
PRICE - £549.00
The SRS-002s are the only in-ear headphones currently available from Stax. They are still electrostatic so they
need to be used with the SRM-002 portable battery-powered energizer.
The design of the SRS-002s is quite an original design, the buds are a larger than modern in-ears, they do not t
into the ear canal like an Etymotic IEM might, they rest in place just into the ear. The headband is made from a
thin metal strip. The sound-stage is very wide for IEMs, you get the feeling you are being surrounded by the
music, it seems to come from all directions. There is no other IEM on the market that is capable of giving such an
open sound.
The SRM-002 driver unit is a great little portable energizer designed to power the SRS-002s that can run off just 2x
AA batteries.
AMAZING SOUND FROM THE SOUTH COAST
John Bowers and Roy Wilkins met whilst serving for the signals corp during World War II.
Upon returning from the war, the two decided to open their own electronics retailer on the
outskirts of sunny Worthing.
Until 1965 that's all it was, simply an electronics retailer , however with a hunger for more
and a passion for music, John Bowers began manufacturing custom loudspeakers in the
back of the shop for clients.
He must have had a knack for it as one of his customers, Miss Knight, was so impressed with
her speakers that she left £10,000 to John in her will to develop his own speaker business.
John enlisted the help of his lifelong friend Peter Hayward and B&W Electronics was born.
Starting with the P1 loudspeaker, B&W developed a number of well received loudspeakers
throughout the 1960’s and by the mid 70’s were already supplying monitors to both the BBC
and Abbey Road Studios.
Always eager to improve and innovate, in 1981 John Bowers set up the now world famous
Steyning Research Establishment, which is often referred to by those in the industry as the
‘University of Sound’. Here B&W have a team of acoustic and electronic engineers who work
speci cally on R&D, making sure the company is forever breaking boundaries in sound
quality.
It wasn’t until 2010 that Bowers & Wilkins began producing headphones, however the
reputation that B&W had earned through its loudspeakers meant that the P5 headphones
were highly anticipated and popular upon release.
Since the release of the P5s, the B&W headphones range has expanded and grown bringing
with it a new wave of people discovering the famous Bowers & Wilkins sound.
C5
IN-EAR / ON-THE-GO / SEMI-OPEN
PRICE - £149.99
C5 in-ear headphones and your iPhone® or iPod® were made for each other. The C5’s Apple®-approved cable comes
with its own remote control and microphone.
The C5's inner casing is weighted with Tungsten, ensuring they are balanced towards the ear, not away from it. So the
in-ear headphones will stay securely inside your ears throughout even the bumpiest bus ride. This is complimented
by the adjustable secure loop system to ensure the buds t perfectly within your ears.
Getting an open-back sound from IEMs is difficult. B&W have got around this problem with a Micro Porous Filter.
Hundreds of microscopic steel balls act as a sonic diffuser, opening up the sound and making the music feel remarkably rich and expansive. The C5s still have a full sound with prominent bass, combined with the detailed highs and
impressive stage. Lovers of acoustic music will be in their element with these headphones.
.
P3
ON-EAR / ON-THE-GO / CLOSED
PRICE - £169.99
The P3s are the starting point of the B&W on-ear range. They are small, lightweight and extremely
nice to look at, coming in black, white, red or blue. The design is similar looking to the P5s but
made to be lighter, these are some of the most comfortable headphones on the market.
The sound given from the P3s is very clear and precise, it is natural sound that is great across the
board making these an incredible versatile pair of headphones.
Designed to be used out and about, the P3s are compatible with any device with a headphone
output, but one of the two supplied cables provides extra functionality for the latest Apple iPod®
and iPhone® models. These include track switching and volume control.
P5
PRICE - £249.00
The original B&W headphones. These super-stylish multi award winners feature on-ear pads manufactured using
memory foam, to increase the noise cancelling properties. The pads and headband are covered with incredibly
soft sheep’s leather to further add to the comfort and quality of build.
A warm and controlled sound, all the layers of a track are presented with great clarity and transparency. Balanced
but with a slight lean towards the highs. The P5s give an accurate portrayal of the original recording; there is no
overpowering bass just smooth mids and clear highs.
Designed to be used out and about, the P5s are compatible with any device with a headphone output, but one
of the two supplied cables provides extra functionality for the latest Apple iPod® and iPhone® models including
track switching and volume control.
P7
OVER-EAR / HOME OR ON-THE-GO / CLOSED
PRICE - £329.00
The P7s are the big brother of the well received and popular P5s, which have been around now for a few years.
Whereas the P5 is an on-ear model mainly intended to be worn on-the-go, the P7s are intended for hi- use at
home as well as a luxurious travel companion, and as such are larger and more expensive.
Sound wise, the P7s are very warm; they manage deep bass well and integrate it nicely with a great mid-range.
The sound-stage provided by these cans is wide and revealing. They are very engaging headphones that’s for sure.
It is de nitely a step up in sound quality from the P5 and for the price tag, they seem to be a bit of a steal.
These are extremely comfortable over-ears with real leather and dual cavity cushioning. The memory foam is used
for comfort and also to help with the passive sound cancellation capabilities, decreasing outside noise and
improving stereo imaging. The large pads cover the ears easily. The P7s cables provide functionality and a mic.
THE NEW FACE IN TOWN
HiFiMAN is the new face of the high-end audio industry being established in 2007
by Dr. Fang Bian whilst he was completing a Nanotechnology PhD in New York
City.
The HiFiMAN story really began when Bian was a teenager. He became obsessed
with the Sony Walkman and Discman, so much so that he began collecting
damaged and discontinued models that he would refurbish and sell online. Later
on Bian would help his parents assemble a home theatre system, it was then that
Bian came up with the idea of a high delity version of the Walkman, and HiFiMAN
(Hi-Fi Walkman) was created.
Though the initial idea behind the company was to create high-end portable
players, it is HiFiMAN’s highly praised range of headphones that really put the
brand on the map.
HiFiMAN has become especially known for its planar magnetic (or orthodynamic)
headphones (HE-400, HE-500, HE-6), which offer a more affordable alternative to
the highly-acclaimed electrostatic drivers. Planar magnetic drivers are basically a
cross-breed of electrostatic and dynamic drivers. Like the dynamics, they use a
magnetic eld around a conductor with electrical current owing through it to
drive the diaphragm. Like the electrostatic drivers, the diaphragm is a thin exible
lm, although differing in that the lm has at conductors on it. The diaphragm is
immersed by a magnetic ux meaning that when the current is applied, the
conductors (and diaphragm) move back and forth.
The goal that Dr. Fang set for HiFiMAN headphones was to achieve a high quality
‘traditional sound’ rather than the ‘modern, digital sound’ that has become
common place in portable audio.
RE-400
IN-EAR / ON-THE-GO / CLOSED
PRICE - £99.00
The RE-400 in-ear headphones are very aesthetically pleasing, they are small and light with a simple minimalist
metallic design.
The sound of the headphones is clear with great transparency; the highs are very good without distortion even
at very high volumes. They are balanced towards the trebles rather than the bass. The sound-stage is wide for
IEMs and they isolate the certain instruments really well.
The RE-400s are versatile, they handle most genres well. Perhaps not ideal for those into drum & bass and other
bass heavy genres, but they handled rock, classical, soul & folk very well.
RE-600
PRICE - £280.00
The RE-600 is the next step up (and also the top) in the HiFiMAN IEM range. They are similarly designed to the
400s although they have a gloss black nish as opposed to the metallic look. The advanced ergonomic design
aids both ease-of-use and comfort.
An all-new, custom-designed driver utilizes a special Titanium coating for remarkable detail and extended
frequency response. The addition of Neodymium magnets and premium cabling of Copper-Silver on the RE-600
helps deliver the music brilliantly.
The 600s are incredibly clear and analytical. They take the analytical sound that the 400s achieve but then
bolster the sound with more warmth, bass and give a more three dimensional sound. Technically these are
supreme headphones; they are fast paced and precise, offering brilliant imagery.
HE-300
PRICE - £270.00
The HE-300s are the starting point of the HiFiMAN over-ear range at £270.00. They utilise dynamic drivers and
low impedance so they are easy to drive on a portable device (i.e. iPod or iPhone) but can also be used in a high
quality hi system.
The HE-300s are the lightest in the HiFiMAN range, they are extremely comfortable headphones, the most
comfortable in the whole HiFiMAN set in fact.
They give a warm sound, which is vastly different to the sound of HiFiMAN’s IEMs as the bass is prominent. For
open-backs the bass is quite staggering, there is a strong mid-range to integrate it well though. It is easy to slip
into a world of your own with these headphones on. The performance / price ratio is truly excellent.
HE-400
PRICE - £395.00
From looks alone, the HE-400s are almost identical to the 300s, however picking up the HE-400s you can straight
away determine that they are made to a higher quality, are heavier and the metal feels sturdier.
The 400s have one planar magnetic (or orthodynamic) driver. This is generally what people want from HiFiMAN
headphones, they have become well known for these drivers.
Listening to the HE-400s you can notice the difference, while they have quite a similar sound signature to the 300s
they sound more textured and the separation is better. Although there is still some room for improvement in that
regard. The warmth is improved, the bass actually has a lot of umph on these headphones, when the pulsating
bass kicked in on Beach House’s ‘Lazuli’ I could really feel the vibrations carrying me along with the song, particularly in the deep bass.
HE-500
PRICE - £695.00
Another step up the HiFiMAN chain is the HE-500s, these have two planar magnetic drivers, and are at present
the best selling headphones in the range.
The step up in price from the 400s to the 500s brings with it a wealth of tonality, it’s a smooth sound. The
mid-range is exceptional again but the bass is more subtle than the 400s and the sound-stage has been
widened, even further making the imagery vivid and very immersive. The biggest change, which is quite
noticeable when directly comparing the two, is how full the sound from the 500s is. Vocals have real depth,
they are tremendously engaging.
HE-500 headphones are much more efficient than the HE-6s. Customers can use regular headphone ampli ers
to drive the HE-500s.
HE-6
PRICE - £950.00
HiFiMAN’s agship headphones. The HE-6s produce a very powerful sound. It is a clear and analytical sound and
you really get a sense that these are reference headphones as soon as you put them on.
The sound-stage seems somewhat never-ending; when listening it can be difficult to picture the limits. HE-6s
make a song that you have heard hundreds of times sound so new and different. Listening to music through
these headphones can be like listening for the rst time. You start to hear intricacies that you wouldn’t with a
lesser product.
Vocals are given amazing depth and tone, allowing you to really feel the emotion in the songs. The HE-6s are
great for delicate and detailed music but also are powerful enough to really shine with electronica and rock
music.
BIG SOUND, SMALL FOOTPRINT
Aaron Fournier and Mike Tunney met in the early 90s whilst working at Tivoli Audio,
where Fournier was an audio engineer and Tunney was the creative director. They
discovered that each other had the belief that products should be designed and
manufactured responsibly. Thinksound was set up and they began putting their
ideology into practice.
The most important thing to Thinksound was to apply their responsible designs
without sacri cing on the quality and so the goal was set; to create incredible
sounding headphones, with the smallest eco-footprint possible.
Aaron and Mike decided that the best way to achieve this was to use real wood which
is renewable, but also creates a more natural resonance and unparalleled acoustics.
Once they had developed the real wood housings they set about developing other
eco-friendly design additions, including –
•
•
•
•
•
•
Packaging is made from recycled materials
Bleach-free packaging materials
Smaller packaging size = less materials used
Elimination of plastic bubble insert
Cotton carrying pouch is sewn from renewable sources
PVC-free cables
A lot of the time these days companies look to appear ‘environmental’ by using a
green logo and a snazzy advert that looks like it has been handmade, however, with
Thinksound this is not the case. Fournier was quoted with saying “I am trying to be as
eco-friendly as possible while making audiophile grade headphones for an affordable
price. We are not a lifestyle company or a fashion company” and from trying out the
products you feel like his words have materialized.
TS-02 w/ MIC
PRICE - £78.99
The Ts-02s are very easy to listen to; they have a balanced, slightly warm sound. The excellent bass and colouration
make these very enjoyable headphones. Ideal for a wide range of music fans, the detailed mid-range really gives
depth to almost all genres. The TS-02s are incredibly dynamic and de nitely pack a punch.
With a stylish and environmentally friendly wooden housing design, Thinksound in-ears are remarkably light and
comfortable. They are de nitely one of the easiest to wear IEMs on the market. As it is always important to make
sure the t is excellent, four interchangeable silicon buds are provided.
It’s not just the minimal bleach-free recycled packaging but the use of PVC cables and wooden housings shows
that Thinksound are really pushing the envelope when it comes to lowering the carbon footprint of headphones.
MS-01
PRICE - £98.99
Thinksound have created the ‘Monitor Series’ in-ears with a specially engineered frequency response giving an
accurate and detailed sound. The MS-01s are great analytical in-ear headphones.
Compared to the TS-02, these are crisper; they are a little more capable of handling the highest of highs, even at
high volume. The MS01s are very impressive given that they are in the under £100 IEM bracket, they give a really
clear and balanced sound. These headphones are very well-rounded and seemingly don’t have any weaknesses to
speak of.
As with the TS-02a, these are incredibly light and comfortable IEMs and are provided with four sets of interchangeable silicon ear buds.
ON1
PRICE - £289.99
Thinksound’s debut on-ears take their signature sound to the next level. After 3 years of development the On1s
have nally been released to great acclaim.
The On1 supra-aural monitor is available in a beautiful natural wood nish and includes two sets of detachable
Kevlar reinforced, tangle resistant fabric cables. One is a standard 4.5’ cable and the other cable features a
microphone with single button control for smartphone use. The On1s feature memory foam ear pads, which add
comfort whilst helping to reduce exterior noise.
As with the rest of the Thinksound range, the On1s give a great neutral sound, it is a clear sound with excellent
managed bass and an impressively wide sound-stage.
A cotton carrying pouch is also included to protect the headphones and store the accessories.
30 YEARS OF INNOVATION
Musical Fidelity recently celebrated its 30th year of business. A great achievement for anyone,
but especially so for a company that was started by accident.
In 1982, Anthony Michaelson, a keen music fan and clarinet player, decided he was fed-up
with the pre-amp in his home system so he designed and made his own. He named it simply
‘The Preamp’ and in his house it stayed. However, some time later, Anthony’s audio dealer
friend came round and heard it, and immediately placed an order for some. They sold out
over the rst weekend they were on display, so he ordered more. Almost by accident Musical
Fidelity was born.
Two years later, Anthony released his second product the ‘A1’ integrated ampli er, which got
extremely great reviews and allowed Musical Fidelity to put its foot rmly on the map. Hi-Fi
Answers magazine for example called the A1 ‘the most important development so far in the
renaissance of the UK hi- scene’.
Musical Fidelity became known as a company that was pushing the boundaries of Hi- in
1987, when it developed the world’s rst DAC (digital-to-audio converter). A product which is
now common place in modern hi- setups worldwide.
Over the next 15 years, Musical Fidelity continued growing and developed a wide range of
products including tube ampli ers, SACD players, turntables as well as developing their
already popular pre and power ampli ers.
The company’s latest products, the V90 series (including a mini DAC, headphone amp and
phono stage) as well as the new MF headphones range have successfully managed to transfer
their distinctive signature into affordable and more accessible products, meaning entry-level
audiophiles are now able to get the Musical Fidelity sound without spending thousands.
EB-33
PRICE - £79.00
The EB-33 in-ear headphones are the starting point of the Musical Fidelity range. They are ergonomically
designed to t perfectly into the ear canal. As it is so important that the buds on IEMs t well Musical Fidelity
provide an incredible nine different sized buds with their headphones.
The EB-33s are exciting headphones, for in-ears they have an incredible bass presence but integrate it well with
lush highs, making a colourful sound that is easy to enjoy.
The at tangle-free cables included mean your days of untangling tricky headphone cables will be over.
Ideal for on-the-go use, the EB-33s have an integrated microphone and volume control, designed to work with
Android and iPhone models.
MF-100
PRICE - £119.00
The MF100s are Musical Fidelity’s only on-ear headphones, they have a light foldable design with closed back
housings. They are well made, and made to last.
The leather earpads are designed for maximum comfort (a spare pair of extra comfortable Alcantara pads are
included). At the same time they give excellent sound isolation. To add to the ease of wear, they have just one
cable from the left earphone to the device.
The MF-100 give a sweet airy sound with lush highs and effortless bass control. The imagery given by these
cans is precise and vivid making them a prime on-the-go candidate for many genres including classical, folk
and jazz. As you would expect from Musical Fidelity it is a natural sound.
TURNTABLES TURNED HEADPHONES
In 1991 most people were just discovering CD players. The world seemed fascinated by digital
music and the ease in which music was becoming playable. Many were saying that analogue
music, speci cally vinyl, was dying out. A crazy time to form a company specialising in phono
products, right?
One person who might disagree would be Heinz Lichtenegger, who established Pro-Ject Audio
in Prague that very year, with quite strange circumstances. Heinz was given the base turntable
for his rst prototype, the ‘DM1000’, by a girl who had found it in the throw-away pile outside
the factory of Czech manufacturer ETA. Being a keen lover of vinyl, he began to tweak and
upgrade the turntable to get a sound that he could appreciate out of it. Once nished, it
sounded so good that he entered it into a German hi- magazine to review. It was rated the
best in its class, against a range of far more expensive competitors.
After the successful review and the demand that followed, Heinz went back to the factory for
more supplies only to be informed by the owners that turntable production had ceased
because nobody wanted to buy them anymore. Discussions went on, and Heinz ended up
buying the company and evolving it into Pro-Ject Audio.
The goal that Heinz wanted to achieve from Pro-Ject was simple, affordable, easy to use
turntables, designed to bring to people what Lichtenegger calls ‘the art of listening to music’ at
the lowest cost. Pro-Ject have stripped back turntables, taking out the unnecessary (and often
sound affecting) features to concentrate on the key features properly; A mentality that the
company still holds to this day. Pro-Ject continued to sell record players when almost everybody else gave up, and now with 20 years experience behind them, they are in pole position to
reap the rewards of the current vinyl revival.
Never one to give up on something, Pro-Ject has recently vowed to help turn the ‘Ipod generation’ back to hi- . They are doing this through the introduction of their ‘Box Design’ range of
desktop hi- products, many of which are designed speci cally to enhance digital music.
HEAR IT TWO
PRICE - £49.00
The little brother to the Hear It One, these headphones have been speci cally designed to be used with mobile
audio products, and more speci cally to get much improved sound reproduction out of the devices. This is achieved
by utilising the high efficiency drivers.
Developed for use on-the-go, the Hear It Twos have a swivelling pads design, meaning the headphones are able to
t at into tight spaces when storing or packing. The Hear It Two are extremely lightweight also making them great
for use when exercising.
The sound produced matches the headphones, in that it is a lightweight sound, it is fresh and easy to listen to.
Like the One, the Hear It Two has excellent quality nishes, with the cables, jack and cushioning are all high quality
choices. These are important components that often get overseen when it comes to affordable headphones.
HEAR IT ONE
PRICE - £75.00
You might have expected a company that specialises in phono equipment to have entered the market with a
hugely expensive high-end model, however Pro-Ject have instead produced very affordable great quality
headphones.
The Hear It Ones are retro looking closed back cans that are ideal for people looking for stylish yet great
sounding headphones, for use at home or on-the-go. Their leather head-band is easily adjustable. They feature
soft ear cushions made from memory foam and a leather coating which helps to block out unwanted noise.
The y offer a very clear sound but with a good bass presence able to manage the deepest lows. The
sound-stage given by these headphones is impressive for their price point, the highs and lows seem miles
apart, the Hear It Ones also boast great isolation of instruments.
APPLYING LOUDSPEAKER EXPERTISE TO HEADPHONES
KEF began life producing agricultural equipment in an old World War I nissen hut,
under the guise of Kent Engineering and Foundry. In 1961, KEF MD Raymond
Cooke acquired the premises for his new venture. High delity stereo loudspeakers.
Prior to founding KEF Audio, Cooke had learnt much of his electronics knowledge
during his time in the army throughout World War II, he then went on to further his
expertise at the BBC and Wharfdale. When the latter was taken over by a larger
corporation, Cooke decided to take the jump and form his own loudspeaker
company.
Though KEF were producing their own loudspeakers, Cooke decided that it was
bene cial to distribute their drivers to our speaker companies and it wasn’t long
before the likes of IMF, Linn and Wilson Audio were all using KEF drivers. At its peak,
KEF was making a total of 10,000 raw drivers, of all types, per week.
During the past 50 years of manufacturing loudspeakers, the biggest achievement
by KEF has to be reducing the average size of home loudspeakers with adequate
bass from 9–10 cubic feet to about 2 cubic feet. KEF were also the rst loudspeaker
company to begin large-scale production of drivers with cones made of materials
other than paper.
In 2013, KEF announced that it was taking its extensive experience in speaker
design to the portable market, blending its audio expertise with high-quality
industrial design and manufacturing to deliver the new M Series headphones.
M200
PRICE - £159.00
The M200s are KEFs rst foray into in-ear headphones. They are well designed to give both an aesthetically
pleasing exterior as well as an ergonomically supreme t.
The M200s include KEF’s unique Dual Dynamic Driver to achieve a highly detailed and engaging sound. This
means the headphones include both a LF driver and a Neodymium driver.
The discreet, exible ‘Secure Arm’ folds neatly to the shape of your ear to hold each earpiece in place, even when
you’re moving around.
These in-ears are designed to be used on the go with portable devices and as such have has an in-line microphone
and remote control for iPhone and other Apple products, allowing you to operate the play functions or switch
between calls and music.
M500
PRICE - £249.00
KEFs M500 headphones are the current top of the range, they are on-ear headphones perfect for people
with busy lives. They are lightweight, compact and robust, making them great for commuters and
travellers.
These are incredibly well manufactured headphones, built to last from precision aluminium alloy.
The memory foam ear-pads offer excellent comfort as well as maximising bass and cancelling out
unwanted external noise. They come with 2 cables, one with a mic and controls and one without.
Sound-wise the M500s are impressive, the give excellent detail to the songs with great isolation and vivid
imagery. For a closed-back can the sound-stage is good. The M500s are engaging; don’t be surprised if
you miss your tube stop with these on.
HAND-CRAFTED IN GERMANY
One of the oldest headphone manufacturers still going, Eugen Beyer designed his
rst ampli er and speaker system in 1926. By 1937 he had moved into headphones
with Beyerdynamic rst set the DT 48s, which remarkably remained in production
until late 2012.
The 1940s are regarded as the sound era, as this was this decade when sound
recording and production really became prominent. Eugen Beyer was a true
innovator in this generation. During World War II Eugen was forced to cease
production , during this period he carried on experimenting and designing, and by
1948, when production began again, his ideas took shape in the form of the
Stielhorer DT 49.
During the 40’s and 50’s the company had achieved a great success but this cannot
be compared with the grand success achieved in the 60’s and following years.
Legends like Abba, Elton John and Stevie Wonder also took the opportunity and
owned these products.
With a huge reputation amongst professionals, Beyerdynamic headphones are
used in studios and radio stations alike. At the Seoul Olympics, every single reporter
wore Beyerdynamic headsets. Today, DJs Chris Evans and Chris Moyles, as well as
artists Adele and Plan B, regularly use Beyerdynamic headphones to apply their
trade.
Being hand-crafted in Heilbronn, Germany, Beyerdynamic headphones are
exceptionally well made and built to last. It is clear they are well made from the
instance you pick them up.
DTX 501 p
PRICE - £69.95
Perfect for people who cannot get on with in-ear headphones. The DTX 501ps are lightweight, portable and
comfortable closed-back headphones which give great quality. Ideal for travellers and commuters. The
headphones can be folded to t into the sturdy included carry case.
Sound-wise the DTX 501ps are a leader in their class. Their sound signature leans to the warm side but still has
an edge, making them an extremely enjoyable and fun listen. The bass is well managed and has a kick, unlike a
lot of other headphones with solid bass, the clarity on the DTX 501ps is still excellent. These are lightweight
headphones with a heavyweight sound.
Praised for their comfort, the DTX 501p features high quality leather ear pads which help to eliminate outside
noise and make the headphones easy to wear even after hours of listening.
T 51 p
PRICE - £245.88
Beyerdynamic’s T 51p headphones are a step up in quality from the DTX 501 p. They are incredibly well-made
and sturdy, and have a great stylish brushed metallic look.
The T 51ps use Beyerdynamic’s trademark ‘Tesla’ driver. A particularly deep bass response and transparent, clear
highs are apparent from the T 51p due to the common properties that make all Tesla headphones so special:
high efficiency and low distortion. The result is a clear and powerful yet analytical sound across the entire
frequency range, even at low levels.
With a fully-adjustable headband and swivelling ear-cups, the T 51p ts perfectly on all head sizes. The ear pads
are made of super-soft synthetic leather and t the contour of the outer ear thanks to their viscoelastic lling
(memory foam). The swivel ear-cups make the headphones ideal for commuting or travelling, as they t easily
into the included sturdy nylon travel case.
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headphones guide

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