All Entries in the "News and Rumours" Category
TrendsAudio Combo One Hi-Fi Systems – headphones and speakers, oh my!!!
Like the excellent (and tiny) Travagan’s Red headphone amp/pre-amp, TrendsAudio’s Combo One HI-Fi system is a do-it-all workhorse for both headphones and sensitive speakers and includes 3 units: TA-10.2P Class T power amp, PA-10 tube headphone amp, and PW-10 power supply unit. The Combo One Hi-Fi also comes in an iPod-friendly version complete with high quality line out docking cable.
The PA-10 headphone amp can roll tubes for minute sound enchancement. You’ve met up with op-amp rolling in our headphone amp reviews before: now it is taken back a few warm years into the tepid and heady days of tube audio. TouchMyApps will be looking at a number of tube-powered headphone amps including the Woo Audio 3 and the affordable USB DAC/amp: Head Direct EF2A.
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Jays launches a-JAYS – high performance earphones
More details emerge about Jays 2010 earphone line up. Jays’ entry level earphone, the dynamic-driver a-JAYS will debut as a price-tiered model and start at 39$. Each a-JAYS model utilises the same-sized speaker unit, a titanium-coated 8,6mm driver. The new earphones also come with a new flat cable and excellent carrying case and package, making their asking price seem paltry. I’ve spent a few tender minutes with boy Jays a-JAYS and t-JAYS and can say with certainty, that their new line up is powerful, fun, and aimed at killing their respective price brackets.
TMA has reviewed Jays’:
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Jays launch handcrafted ear moulds for q-Jays earphones!
The q-Jays is already a wonderful earphone full of details and space. But Jays aim to make it even better with a new service: custom silicon ear moulds for their current top-of-the-line earphone. Unlike other manufacturers, Jays will make use of silicon rather than acrylic. This ostensibly affords listeners and performers better isolation and comfort than traditional acrylic moulds. Jays’s partner is Bellman & Symfon AB, a Swedish hearing protection company, to bring audiophiles and professionals alike, a kick apps in-ear system. Feel free to discuss the Jays launch handcrafted ear moulds for q-Jays earphones in our forums.
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Transferator acquire 20% of Jays – moolah in the ear
Jays‘ name is getting out; the company have already stormed TouchMyApps’ headphone oubliette with great products. This time around, a dose of fresh financing in the form of a 20% investment from privately held Swedish investment company, Tranferator AB. 2010 will see the small Swedish company introduce 7 new headphone products including the the dynamic driver a-Jays and t-Jays and the worlds first and smallest quadruple-driver universal earphone, the x-Jays. The influx of capital is a great shot in the R&D arm and whatever other arms a headphone manufacturer has 
Jays debuted their first earphone, the d-Jays in 2006 and today have an enviable catalogue of headphones for audiophiles of all budgets.
Reviews of Jays’ earphones can be found here: Jays reviews at TouchMyApps
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Sensaphonics 3XMax triple-driver custom earphone introduced
Sensaphonics are a virtual monolith in the American professional/musician earphone business. Their hitherto bread and butter, 2X-s and Max are excellent custom earphones for professionals and audiophiles alike. While TMA is still working on the 2X-s review, Sensaphonics one-upped us by introducing their newest, the triple-driver 3XMax. The new earphone shares many similarities to its older brother: both earphones are housed in medical-grade silicon which isn’t susceptible to the horrors of cracking whilst in the ear. And, mirroring last year’s 2X-s upgrade, it touts a field-replaceable cable for added insurance. Of course, the addition of an extra driver will aid dynamic range and accuracy in musical reproduction.
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Jays launching seven new headphones: a-Jays, t-Jays, x-Jays, more?
The Swedish portable audiophile company, Jays, have several new cards up their sleeves: seven new headphone products for keen listeners with all sizes of pocketbooks. Firstly, their a-Jays and t-jays, a pair of dynamic-driver based earphones will come in a variety of colours and different sound qualities for customisation freaks. Perhaps bigger news, however, is their new flagship, the x-Jays, a quad-armature design! Not only is it the first universal quad armature based universal-fit earphone, it is designed for size and sound quality. TMA will be taking a look at their new earphones over the next two quarters. Expect 2010 to be an exciting year for the portable audiophile! Feel free to discuss Jays’ new products in our forums!
TMA has reviewed Jays’:
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Rockford Fosgate PUNCH PLUGS In-Ear Monitors – getting personal
Car audio enthusiast Rockford Fosgate have taken a personal step with their newest product, the Punch Plug earphone. The earphone carries a massive 15mm driver which is smaller only than Final Audio’s 1601 series which stretches the ruler to 16mm per driver. The new Punch Plugs however, will debut in March at a much easier to swallow 99$. Recently there have been a lot of great sub 100$ earphones to hit market among which the Rockford’s debut model may be one to watch.
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Tokyo Apple Store to give ear to portable headphone amplifers
Big news in the world of headphones: @BJ, organiser of the Tokyo OFF headphone amp exhibition where dozens of local manufacturers and audiophiles met, will be meeting with Apple next week to showcase the merits of portable headphone amplifiers on portable media players such as the iPod. The meeting is scheduled for February 8, and if successful in wrangling the right ear, could mean very prolific exposure for the world of high-end portable audio. Discuss Apple and BJ in our forums.
Headphone Deal: Klipsch Image X5 – Amazon Gold Box Deal of the Day
Pretty sweet news: the Klipsch Image X5, a great earphone which usually sells for 250$ has dropped to 149.99$ today only! It is a balanced, comfortable inner earphone which keeps the outside out and the music in. Though TMA has not reviewed it, shigzeo has spent a considerable time at the Apple Store in Seoul auditioning and wishing. If only I lived in a place where Amazon ships!
Klipsch Image X5 Noise Isolating Earphones
Monster Jamz and Lil’ Jamz headphones at Amazon
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Monster’s Turbine was a surprise hit and the first official headphone for review at TMA. Now a year later, Monster are still on a roll, pushing out an impressive number of headphones at an equally impressive range of prices. Jamz and Lil’ Jamz are a couple of the latest to grace Amazon’s virtual shelves and thankfully, can be had for south of 100$. TMA will be reviewing the Monster Turbine Pro in the next couple of weeks and will not; I repeat: will not spoil the review by admitting that it is better in every way than the Turbine.
Monster Lil’ Jamz: $79.99
Monster Jamz: $89.95
Monster Turbine Pro: $249
