All Entries in the "News and Rumours" Category
Audio Technica AT-PHA3i and AT-PHA10 headphone amps
With all the latest audio wizardry coming from smaller, boutique manufacturers, it isn’t surprising when one of the world’s largest headphone companies jumps into the fray with new headphone amplifiers. Audio Technica will debut the made-for-iPod AT-PHA3i in the spring of 2010 and the more traditional AT-PHA10 on 11 December, 2009.
Deal Alert: Head-Direct RE0 for 79$
The Head-Direct RE0 is considered by a boisterous section of Head-fi to be one of the best inner earphones in the world. Head-Direct have already dropped the RE0′s introductory price from over 200$ to 99$. And just in time for America’s biggest feasting day, their high-end IEM has dropped another 20$. Thank you Head-Direct! In case you were wondering, the RE0 is positioned two steps above the GRAB-worthy RE2. And just in case you didn’t know, the RE2 is also on sale, coming bundled with a Fiio headphone amp!
Driver unit: 9mm
Impedence 64 OHM
Sensitivity 100dB/1mW
Rate input 10mw
Max. input 30mw
Feequency response: 15Hz ~ 22KHZ
30 days refund and 1 year replacement
Head-Direct RE0 79$ Thanksgiving season sale
Be sure to keep an eye on our Headphone section for more reviews, contests, and news.
Deal Alert: Head-Direct RE2 and Fiio E5 headphone amp 39$
Nary does news get me all tizzied up, but this bit is hot. The Head-Direct RE2 inner earphone which earned a GRAB from TMA has received another price reduction in a new bundled package with the miniature E5 headphone amp from Fiio (which retails at up to 25$). If you are looking for an excellent, but flat-line neutral dynamic listen, the RE2 is one of the best earphones (if not the best) in its price category. Enjoy!
Check it out: RE2 and Fiio E5 combo 39$
Bowers and Wilkins P5 Mobile Hi-Fi Headphones coming soon
Nothing gets me’ panties hitched more than juicy headphone news, and B&W have ‘em hitched. The legendary designer of the Zeppelin and Zeppelin Mini iPod docks (not to mention excellent loudspeakers), will debute the P5, a new closed-back, noise isolating headphone. The advantages of noise isolation rather than cancellation is that it doesn’t rely on noisy electronics. The P5 will seal your ears and music from the environment, so expect no unwanted background hiss. Also, unlike its competition from the oft’ sung Bose and Monster, the P5 is made from natural materials in a sturdy, classic design.
Press literature and pics after the gap.
Contest Alert: Win an 875$ Emmeline Headphone amp from Headphone Solutions
Imagine winning the 32GB iPod touch from Hexus.net and then snagging a huge deal from one of the headphone world’s sleekest amp manufacturers: Ray Samuels. At Headfi, he is one of the most respected and dedicated professionals whose research has created the excellent SR71-A, Hornet, and now the tiny, IEM-focused Shadow. Therefore, Headphone Solutions‘ contest is a bit more involved: you must register and provide a good-quality review of any of the products they carry. The contest ends on 30 November.
Contest Rules after the gap:
Audio Line Out’s Rx Amplifier available now
A couple of months ago, TMA had the unique opportunity to post early specs and spy shots of Audio Line Out’s new amplifier, the ALO Rx. Well, the amp is out now, and available for purchase at 345$. As illustrated in the photos below, it is a slim thing of beauty. But, adding to the fire are some preliminary reports that this amp does indeed sound good. It comes in a variety of colours and sports sophisticated circuitry, some of which hasn’t been seen before in a production headphone amp. TMA’s review of the ALO is done.
More pictures and specs after the gap.
Apple Inner Earphones with Mic and Remote – breakage boners
Admittedly, Apple’s new In-ear Harphones are inexpensive in comparison to many other dual-driver models; and especially considering their functionality with the remote and mic, they may be a good deal. But, this white wonder is simply not an engineering marvel. For some, it is the cable which goes first, and for others, the filters get lost or strip the corkscrew. For 80$, they are one of the best options available for a balance of sound and features, but with the failure rate so high, it might be time for Apple to invest in engineers rather than just-graduated metrosexual designers with a penchant for ‘cute’.
Check after the gap for Apple Discussion information.
Jerry Harvey Audio Store opens – for all your high-end earphone needs
Jerry Harvey Audio, the world’s current custom inner earphone technology leader, have taken a major step in rearing their new business in opening an online store. If you have forgotten who JHA are and why they are important, let me remind you: founder Jerry Harvey began the in-ear professional monitor business back when he mixed for Van Halen. Since then, he has been pushing the limits of the technology, and now at the helm of his new company, reshaping the hi-end earphone world. Jerry Harvey Audio is his second major hi-end business; the first, Ultimate Ears is still hands down the market leader, but has since been sold to Logitech and subsequently, renamed to Logitech Ears.
Still looking for more? Try TMA’s review of Jerry Harvey Audio’s top of the line custom earphone, the JH13Pro (below), a six balanced-armature driver beast which really sizzles. They are earphone for the serious professional, or the outright insane audiophile.
Jerry Harvey Audio Store — accessories coming soon!
Seyo Shop – THE place for Japanese headphones
Many Japanese audio companies don’t distribute headphones (let alone other audio equipment) overseas. It is is a flying shame since brilliant products such as the Victor/JVC FX500 can’t be sampled by international buyers unless at extravagant importer prices. The Japanese exporter, Seyo-Shop, manage to supply eager international hands with Japanese headphone gems which otherwise would cost an arm, leg and part of your jaw to buy.
Buying from Seyo has a few strong advantages
- selection: there are dozens of domestic releases which cannot be found elsewhere under one roof.
- price: Seyo serve up great prices for international buyers: from headphone deals to excellent international shipping rates, they are ahead of the curve.
- shipping: Seyo ship via the world’s defacto express postal service, EMS who are unrivalled for cost, speed, and ensuring the safe and reliable delivery of your product.
- guarantee: if your product suffers manufacturer’s defect, purchases from Seyo are guaranteed for up to one year.
Look below for some good deals from Seyo Shop.
Monster Turbine Pro earphone – it’s official
Last year, the Monster Turbine rocketed the cable manufacturer into the realm of hifi portable audio. Great sound and a sturdy housing set the Turbine aside in its price range, and like other ‘grabbed’ headphones at TMA, cemented its spot as a great buy. Its weakness, however, was cable design which has no stress relief, comes in a straight-jack, and has a wishy-washy y-split.
Apparently, things have changed: Monster are listening to customer requests and the feedback from reviewers.
The Monster Turbine Pro (while not in these hands), looks to change a lot of that. The new earphones retain the same sturdy housing design, but enter the market with strain relief, a right angle plug, a better y-split, and according to Monster, better sound. The MSRP is a stiff 250$, but if Monster pull all of the punches listed above, the new earphone should be worth it.
Our Monster headphone reviews are here.
Additional Monster literature, spec, and pictures after the gap.
