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  1. dalethorn

    Apple AirPods Pro Review (as used with Apple iOS13.2)

    Sources: iPhone XS-Max, 16/44 WAV files (CD rips). Disclaimer: I purchased the Airpods Pro from Apple at full price. In this mini-review I'll use my own definitions for 'Earbud', 'Earphone', 'IEM', etc. IEM: The most common of hi-fi earphones, these sell for as little as $15 and as much as...
  2. dalethorn

    Grado PS2000e Flagship Audiophile Stereo Headphone

    Youtube review: Sources: iPad Pro 11-inch/iPhone XsMax/Various computers using the Chord Mojo/Oppo HA-2/AQ DragonFly Cobalt/Meridian Explorer2 DAC/amps, plus a custom-made tube amp. Looking over my recent review of the Grado White (WH1) headphone and my review of the PS1000e from 2015, and...
  3. dalethorn

    Master & Dynamic MW07 Ear Pods

    Louis Vuitton is OEM'ing the MW07 now. https://www.engadget.com/2019/01/17/louis-vuitton-wireless-earbuds-will-cost-you-almost-1-000/
  4. dalethorn

    Grado WH1 'White' Limited Edition Headphone review

    Yesterday I purchased (from Hyperion Records) and downloaded the album The Organ of St. Bavo Haarlem, played by Joseph Nolan. Selections by Bach, Buxtehude, Mendelssohn, and Reubke - all sound magnificent on the Grado White headphone. I am still amazed after weeks with this headphone, how at...
  5. dalethorn

    FiiO Q1-II Portable USB DAC/Amp for iOS Devices

    Youtube review: Photo: http://dalethorn.com/Photos/iPhone_XsMax/Headphone_Dac_Amp_Fiio_Q1ii_01.jpg Sources: iPhone XsMax, iPad Pro 11-inch, Oppo HA-2se/DragonFly Cobalt DAC-amps, AudioQuest DragonTail USB-C. When I first read about the FiiO Q1-II, I ignored it, having other premium portable...
  6. dalethorn

    Edifier P841 Around-Ear Stereo Headphone with Smartphone Controls

    What would a review of a full-bass headphone be like without a selection of EDM music tracks? Incomplete - and so I continue with with the best of that genre here: Above & Beyond - We're All We Need (feat. Zoe Johnston): A very nice tight but impactful bass with crystal clear vocals - the P841...
  7. dalethorn

    Edifier P841 Around-Ear Stereo Headphone with Smartphone Controls

    Kellogg Auditorium, Battle Creek Michigan, Aeolian-Skinner Organ (1933) - Pedal, 32', Resultant, Arpeggio: This 16 hz organ pedal tone differs from other music tones in that you won't "hear" the tone - you'll only feel it. Although most music tones have harmonics (including this one), the...
  8. dalethorn

    Edifier P841 Around-Ear Stereo Headphone with Smartphone Controls

    Youtube review: Photos: http://dalethorn.com/Photos/iPhone_XsMax/Headphone_Edifier_P841_01.jpg http://dalethorn.com/Photos/Audioforge/Edifier_P841.jpg Sources: iPhone XsMax/iPad Pro 11-inch with Oppo HA-2/AudioQuest DragonFly Cobalt DAC/amps, various computers using the Meridian...
  9. dalethorn

    Grado WH1 'White' Limited Edition Headphone review

    Here follows part 2 of my acoustic music, jazz, and female jazz (+related) vocalists as played and very much enjoyed with the Grado WH1. As before, these examples are track-specific, so I wouldn't necessarily recommend the performance or sound of other tracks by the same artists without testing...
  10. dalethorn

    Grado WH1 'White' Limited Edition Headphone review

    I had intended to give this review a rest, but given my predilection for acoustic music, jazz, female jazz (+related) vocalists and the WH1's marvelous (albeit EQ'd) sound in these genres, I've decided to add a few more examples of exemplary reproduction by my own WH1. These examples are...
  11. dalethorn

    ESS-422H Heil Air Motion Transformer Headphone review

    The ESS-422H has such a strong yet reasonably tight bass that it seems like a perfect choice for EDM music, and these are my usual test favorites: Above & Beyond - We're All We Need (feat. Zoe Johnston): A strong impactful bass with crystal clear vocals - the 422H plays this with great...
  12. dalethorn

    ESS-422H Heil Air Motion Transformer Headphone review

    I've been in apts. and on the road for years consulting on software, so gave up the rig. Someday I'd like a new analog system with turntable and a collection of fine LPs, but that isn't happening soon.
  13. dalethorn

    ESS-422H Heil Air Motion Transformer Headphone review

    Animotion - Obsession (1980's New Wave/Techno): The upper bass synth has great detail and tone, and both male and female vocals sound natural without favoring either. The 422H plays this extremely well. Bauhaus - Bela Lugosi's Dead (~1980): Strong midrange sound effects - this is a good...
  14. dalethorn

    ESS-422H Heil Air Motion Transformer Headphone review

    Youtube review: Photos: http://dalethorn.com/Photos/iPhone_XsMax/Headphone_Ess422h_01.jpg http://dalethorn.com/Photos/Audioforge/Ess422h.jpg Sources: iPhone XsMax/iPad Pro 11-inch with Oppo HA-2/AudioQuest DragonFly Cobalt DAC/amps, various computers using the Meridian Explorer2/AudioQuest...
  15. dalethorn

    Grado WH1 'White' Limited Edition Headphone review

    This should be the finale of my Grado White Headphone review. Here are a short listing of albums that I see as a match made in Heaven for this headphone. Carmen Gomes Sings the Blues -- Gomes' takes on the Belafonte album of the same name. The subtle percussion sounds and the detailed upright...
  16. dalethorn

    Grado WH1 'White' Limited Edition Headphone review

    Here's the photo I took at home. It looks pretty cool here, but put this on your head and you'll look like an astronaut or something.
  17. dalethorn

    Grado WH1 'White' Limited Edition Headphone review

    My third short list of music for the Grado WH1 review are tracks that I featured in my review of the Grado PS500 nearly eight years ago. Those years have diminished neither the quality of the PS500/PS500e nor the quality of these recordings, although some of these may now be available as...
  18. dalethorn

    Grado WH1 'White' Limited Edition Headphone review

    Continuing my review with a few additional music samples, the following are some of the "odds and ends" I've picked up in the process of reviewing headphones. The sound of most of these tracks is good enough to complement any decent headphone, but they show off the 'WH1's sonic qualities as well...
  19. dalethorn

    Grado WH1 'White' Limited Edition Headphone review

    Youtube review: Photos: http://dalethorn.com/Photos/iPhone_XsMax/Headphone_Grado_Wh1_01.jpg Sources: iPad Pro 11-inch/iPhone XsMax with Oppo HA-2/AudioQuest DragonFly Cobalt DAC/amps, various computers using the Meridian Explorer2/AudioQuest DragonFly Cobalt/DAC-amps. Review note: My first...
  20. dalethorn

    V-MODA M100 Master Around-Ear Stereo Headphone review

    M100 Master Custom Shields review: http://youtu.be/i8CHqruBot0
  21. dalethorn

    V-MODA M100 Master Around-Ear Stereo Headphone review

    Continuing my review with a few additional music samples, the following are some of the "odds and ends" I've picked up in the process of reviewing headphones. The sound of most of these tracks is good enough to complement any decent headphone, but they show off the Master's sonic qualities as...
  22. dalethorn

    V-MODA M100 Master Around-Ear Stereo Headphone review

    What would a V-MODA review be like without a selection of EDM music tracks? Incomplete is what, and so we continue with with the best of that genre here: Above & Beyond - We're All We Need (feat. Zoe Johnston): A very nice tight but impactful bass with crystal clear vocals - the Master plays...
  23. dalethorn

    Great-Sounding Headphone Amp for About $100

    A tube amp like the Bravo Ocean takes care of that, due to the power required to heat the tubes. I kept mine cool by using my Macbook as a large heat sink.
  24. dalethorn

    V-MODA M100 Master Around-Ear Stereo Headphone review

    Animotion - Obsession (1980's New Wave/Techno): The upper bass synth has great detail and tone, and both male and female vocals sound natural without favoring either. The Master plays this extremely well. Bauhaus - Bela Lugosi's Dead (~1980): Strong midrange sound effects - this is a good...
  25. dalethorn

    V-MODA M100 Master Around-Ear Stereo Headphone review

    Youtube review: Photos: http://dalethorn.com/Photos/iPhone_XsMax/Headphone_Vmoda_M100_Master_01.jpg Sources: iPhone XsMax/iPad Pro 11-inch with Oppo HA-2/AudioQuest DragonFly Cobalt DAC/amps, various computers using the Meridian Explorer2/AudioQuest DragonFly Cobalt DAC-amps. Review note: My...
  26. dalethorn

    Great-Sounding Headphone Amp for About $100

    DragonFly Black, Monoprice Monolith Liquid Spark, PA2V2, almost any FiiO in that range, particularly the E17 series. If a tube amp is possible, the Bravo Ocean is a great one.
  27. dalethorn

    AudioQuest DragonFly Cobalt USB DAC & Headphone Amp review

    Youtube review: Photos: http://dalethorn.com/Photos/iPhone_XsMax/Headphone_Dac_Amp_Audioquest_Dragonfly_Cobalt_01.jpg Sources: iPhone XsMax, iPad Pro 11-inch, Macbook 12-inch, Generic PC Tower, Meridian Explorer2/Oppo HA-2se/DragonFly Red DAC-amps, AudioQuest JitterBug, AudioQuest DragonTail...
  28. dalethorn

    Marantz MPH-4 Around-Ear Stereo Monitor Headphone review

    I just published my latest EQ curve and settings (my estimate of freq. response, inverted of course) for the MPH-4. http://dalethorn.com/Photos/Audioforge/Marantz_Mph4.jpg http://dalethorn.com/Headphone_Audioforge_Eq_App_Review.txt The amazing thing is how bright this headphone is in the upper...
  29. dalethorn

    Marantz MPH-4 Around-Ear Stereo Monitor Headphone review

    This headphone under the Marantz name retails for $120 USD, yet I got it from a major hi-fi retailer for $60. The review explains why it's worth having, for those who are willing to tweak the sound or try mod'ing it...
  30. dalethorn

    Marshall Minor II Bluetooth Earphone review

    And now for phase 3 of my Marshall Minor II ('Minor2') Bluetooth earphone review. As noted above, I use a minimum amount of EQ with earphones that need it, in an attempt to bring them closer to the sound of live acoustic music**. This doesn't always succeed, either because the equalizer is too...

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