Latest news with #audiophile
Digital Trends
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Digital Trends
Save $200 on Campfire Audio's IEMs that push the limits of what earbuds can do
Here's something you won't find on our list of the best earbuds but you may be interested in if you're deep into the music space or play music yourself. They're Campfire Audio's Supermoon IEMs. An IEM is a type of earbud (though some may argue it is its own, separate device) that sit directly in your ear canal (IEM stands for In-Ear Monitors) and provide a 'pure' sound free of post-processing. They're typically used for live audio feedback by musicians but are also appreciate by audiophiles for their extreme quality. Of course, with that great sound quality, they can be very expensive The Ultimate Ears Premier are $2,999, for example. But sometimes you can get a very expensive pair of IEMs at a discount. Right now the Campfire Audio Supermoon are marked down from $1,099 (they used to be $1,500) to $899, a savings of $200. These are premium IEM earbuds, no matter how you look at it and, if you're in the audiophile world, they're a possible pickup for you. Why you should buy the Campfire Audio Supermoon The Supermoon are 14mm planar magnetic IEMs that combine solid bass and technical details on the high-end of the spectrum. They have a wide 5Hz to 20kHz frequency response and produce less than 1% total harmonic distortion. They come in a cool shiny black or a color that I can't help but call, as a native of the state, a 'Tennessee' orange. In our large IEM shootout they were featured as an example of what the very top of the line of IEMs can get you — earbuds that fit perfectly in your ear because they were built for your very ear, an 'undeniably smooth and precise sound signature,' and a listening experience that gives noticeably more even at the hard to improve upon midtone level. The rub was that they were $1,500 at that time. Today, they're considerably more affordable. The Campfire Audio Supermoon are down to $899 for a limited time, $200 off of their usual price of $1,099. They aren't the usual fare around here, but they can bring something new to your music experience if you need something extra. If they aren't your style, however, you should check out Campfire Audio's new Axion earbuds that are also designed to provide a premium listening experience, though at a more universally approachable price.
Forbes
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Sennheiser's New HD 505 Headphones Bring Audiophile Sound To The Masses
Sennheiser has begun shipping its HD 505 Copper headphones. These open-back audiophile headphones are aimed at music lovers who want to upgrade their headphone listening to the next level. The HD505 headphones offer classic Sennheiser tuning with plenty of treble detail and a rich bass. The lightweight design is made for comfort and should please budding audiophiles looking for the finessed sound that only open-back headphones can deliver. 'The HD 505 is for anyone ready to experience the audio awakening a great set of Sennheiser headphones is known for,' says Klaus Hanselmann, Sennheiser's audiophile product manager. 'There is something truly special in here that puts serious listening within arm's reach of the emerging audiophile or gamer.' These new headphones with their custom-designed 120Ω dynamic drivers housed in an open earcup are a big step up from the $100 closed-back headphones that tend to dominate the market. The drivers are manufactured at Sennheiser's audiophile factory in Tullamore, Ireland, the same facility that turns out a lot of the brand's high-end headphones and IEMs. With a frequency response ranging 12Hz to 38,500Hz, plus total harmonic distortion measuring less than 0.2%, the Sennheiser HD505 Copper have a tuning that delivers a balanced sound signature with a punchy bass, clear mids and a top end that has very few harsh edges. By angling the drivers to recreate the classic triangular positioning of a set of nearfield loudspeakers, the HD505 headphones manage to project an expansive soundstage that has the kind of imaging that makes the listener feel as if they are in the front row of a concert. Sennheiser's new HD 505 headphones are based on the brand's HD 500 chassis, which has been lauded for its comfort and lightweight fit. The icing on the cake is the headphones' copper accents that give them a look of sophistication. The surprising aspect of these headphones is how light they are to wear. Weighing in at just 237g, the HD 505 are designed to provide a level of comfort that makes extended listening sessions truly enjoyable. Thanks to their open-back design, the HD505 doesn't suffer from thermal build-up, keeping ears cool and fresh even after three hours of listening to prog rock. The HD505 are supplied with a detachable 1.8m cable terminated with a single-ended 3.5mm connector and a 6.3mm adapter for use with a wide range of audio sources like amplifiers, sound cards, audio interfaces and A/V receivers. As with all Sennheiser's 500 series headphones, there's a wide range of cables in different lengths and plug types available for the HD505. There are also alternative ear pads available and they can be easily swapped over by the user without the need for specialist tools. Sennheiser's modular design means the HD 505 can adapt to changing setups. For example, it's possible to swap out the cable to a balanced mode or even add one with an inline microphone for making phone calls. As with all open-back headphones, the Sennheiser HD505 leak quite a bit of sound and don't have any passive isolation. What this means in practice is that these are headphones best used for solo listening in a quiet place. So, if that sounds like your kind of thing, these headphones could be an affordable way to get an open and laid-back audiophile sound. The Sennheiser HD 505 Copper open-back headphones are available now from Sennheiser and and priced at $249.95 / £229.99 / €279,90. Wearing style: Circumaural. Drivers: Dynamic, open-back. Ear pad material: Velour. Frequency response: 12Hz–38.5kHz. Impedance: 120Ω. Sound pressure level (SPL): 107.9dB (1kHz / 1Vrms). THD, total harmonic distortion: <0.2 % (1kHz / 90dB SPL). Weight (w/o cable): 237g. Cable: 1.8m cable with 3.5 mm jack plug, detachable, left side.
Forbes
16-05-2025
- Forbes
Beats Studio Buds Review: Luxe, Affordable Earbuds For iPhone Fans
If you're an iPhone user, you have a few choices for earbuds specifically built for the Apple ecosystem. One of your options is the Beats Studio Buds, a budget-friendly pair of wireless earbuds that pack a ton of features while keeping a small physical profile. But are they worth the hype? As the consumer tech and electronics editor at Forbes Vetted, and as a classically trained musician and audiophile, I sought to find out exactly that. I tested the Beats Studio Buds for more than a month, considering audio quality, design and more. I tested the Beats Studio Buds for over a month to check their audio quality, comfort, active noise cancellation (ANC) and more to determine whether these wireless earbuds should be your go-to earbuds. I also cross-tested them against other iPhone options, most notably the Apple AirPods 2. Read on for my full review. Amazon Forbes Vetted Forbes Vetted ratings are based on thorough evaluations by our editorial team to help you choose the best products with confidence. Battery life (buds): Up to 8 hours | Battery life (case): Additional 16 hours | Waterproof rating: IPX4 | Drivers: 8.2mm Best for: Skip if: The Beats Studio Buds aren't very large compared to many of the best wireless earbuds I've tested. They skip the earbud stem, instead opting for an in-ear design. One of my favorite features about this design is the earbud's shape; 'pinch' the oval shape and you can adjust the fit in your ear, so you don't have to grab a stem or try to finagle a rounded ear tip. It's so easy to place in your ear and adjust for a comfortable fit. While I have small ears and the profile juts out just a bit, the profile should be discreet if you have larger ears. I'm also a huge fan of the red hue of the Buds. As someone who thrives on color, I'm all for Beats' color choice here. Plus, the color makes them easy to spot around my house when I lose them on a table. The Beats Studio Buds use physical controls and don't have any kind of stem. There's also another feature I'm enamored with: The Buds come with physical buttons. While most companies have opted to remove physical controls in favor of touch controls, I'm fully in favor of physical controls. It's easier not to accidentally skip songs or pause my music, especially when my voluminous hair is a smidgeon wet or damp. One of the first things that surprised me about the Beats Studio Buds is that there's no equalizer or EQ—or at least not in the traditional sense. Odds are, if you're considering the Beats Studio Buds, you're pairing them with an iPhone, which tucks EQs and listening preferences under an Accessibility section. If you're looking to customize your music, you'll probably want to skip those. Rather than have full control over the bass, mids and trebles, the iPhone EQ experience has you listen to a series of EQ presets to choose your preferences. From there, it builds your listening profile. It's useful, and while I received a dynamic audio setting, there's no way to manually adjust the listening profile. If you want to 'set it and forget it,' then these are a lovely pair. My only beef with the audio quality is that during testing, the Beats Studio Buds just miss some of the lowest bass frequencies. Take Ashnikko's 'Daisy,' which is my go-to for bass testing because the artist uses some of the deepest basses I've heard to date. While the Buds can register the bass, they can't fully register the correct notes—it sounds probably a half-step above what's intended there. If you're not listening to EDM or deep bass music, you shouldn't expect to notice, and even then, it's only if you're really listening for those frequencies. Note the low profile of the Beats Studio Buds in my ear. Outside of those deep basses, the Buds sound lovely, with a clear profile that rivals their more expensive competition. I would go so far as to say these earbuds are like a luxe listening experience without spending a ton. When I compared the Apple AirPods Pro versus the Beats Studio Buds, I felt that the Buds punched well above their weight in terms of audio quality, and I still stand by that. Even out of the box, the profile sounds pretty balanced. Another thing I really appreciated? Its lack of Spatial Audio. For context, the Apple AirPods Pro 2 automatically turn on Spatial Audio when I'm watching content on my iPhone. The Beats Studio Buds don't, and it's for the better when I watch shows and movies. One of the most impressive features of the Beats Studio Buds is that for the price—around $150, but frequently found on sale for $100—they still offer active noise cancellation. It's not the best, but it does reduce outside and ambient noise. You won't get the powerful ANC that other earbuds like Bose's QuietComfort Ultra earbuds or the Apple AirPods Pro 2 offer, but it's still good enough that you can tune out the world around you and enjoy your music. For around $100, the Beats Studio Buds offer much more than their price suggests. iPhone users who want a good pair of earbuds but don't want to spend too much can't go wrong with this pair; the Beats Studio Buds are a great choice. Audiophiles will probably want to look elsewhere, as the Buds can't hit the lowest bass frequencies. But for most needs, the Beats Studio Buds are just fine, and if you're seeking a pair of earbuds that don't require any EQ adjustments, they're a great option. Also, if you like physical controls, the Beats Studio Buds offer this increasingly unique feature. The case is larger, which may dissuade some users, but it's still easy to tuck into your pocket for on-the-go listening. The Forbes Vetted team has published hundreds of tech and electronics guides that leverage our hands-on testing and research, including audio stories for all of your listening needs, like wireless headphones, outdoor speakers and more.
The Verge
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Verge
WiiM's first smart speaker looks like a HomePod for audiophiles
WiiM has announced three new wireless audiophile devices including the brand's first smart speaker called the Sound with a design that looks inspired by the Apple HomePod. The speaker is joined by the company's first sub-woofer called the Sub Pro that pumps out 250W of bass, and the WiiM Amp Ultra, a new amplifier that can stream directly from services like Spotify, Amazon Music, Tidal, Deezer, and Pandora. The WiiM Sound features playback controls on the top as well as a 1.8-inch high-res touchscreen on the side that can also be used for navigating playlists and menus, selecting presets, or just displaying album art for whatever's currently playing. Using a four-inch woofer and 'dual-balanced mode radiator tweeters' the Sound delivers 100W of power or more with two of them configured as a left and right stereo pair. Image: WiiM The speaker uses a built-in microphone to measure the acoustics in a room and optimize its sound output for the space, but it can also be customized using a 10-band EQ or one of 24 different preset sound profiles. With Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, and an ethernet port, the WiiM Sound can stream from over 20 different music services or from apps on other devices using Chromecast, Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, DLNA, or Alexa Cast. Hands-free operation is made possible through Alexa, Google Assistant, or an included wireless remote that supports voice commands. WiiM expects the Sound to be available sometime in the third quarter of 2025 through Amazon and 'select retailers,' but says it won't reveal pricing for any of the products it announced today until they launch. If WiiM's smart speaker doesn't deliver enough low-end performance for your ears, it can be paired with the new Sub Pro which features an eight-inch driver and a Class-D amplifier that works in the 25-200Hz frequency range. Connectivity includes Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, ethernet, and an RCA input for connecting to home theater gear, while the Sub Pro offers the same customizability as the Sound smart speaker with automatic room correction and a 10-band EQ available through WiiM's mobile app. Image: WiiM Wiim calls its new WiiM Amp Ultra its 'most refined streaming amplifier yet.' Featuring a unibody aluminum chassis with a 3.5-inch touchscreen on the front, the amp uses audiophile-grade components including an ESS ES9039Q2M Sabre DAC and can deliver 100W of power per channel to drive up to four passive speakers simultaneously. Dual antennas help ensure fast and stable streaming over a Wi-Fi 6E or Bluetooth 5.3 connection, even while listening to high-res music at 24-bit/192kHz quality. Through the WiiM Home app the WiiM Amp Ultra can stream from several popular services including Spotify and Amazon Music while support for Google Cast, Alexa Cast, DLNA, Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, DLNA, and Roon facilitates streaming from other apps. The amp also supports voice controls through Alexa, Google Assistant, and its bundled wireless remote, includes an HDMI ARC port with support for Dolby Digital decoding, and has a dedicated subwoofer output so it can be paired with WiiM's new Sub Pro.
Digital Trends
06-05-2025
- Digital Trends
I loved these speakers so much, I burned myself trying to fix them
Table of Contents Table of Contents Love of the ridiculous A glimmer of hope Maybe I can fix high-grade electronics myself… So long and thanks for all the riffs Sigh. Today's a legitimately sad day. I've had to say goodbye to my Harman Kardon GLA-55 2.0 PC speakers. I've had them for over 15 years of faithful service, but despite trying to have them repaired and my own botched attempts at fixing them, I've had to accept that their time has come and they've joined the paint tins for the next trip to the dump (for recycling). I have a new pair on the way, and they won't sound as good, nor look as iconic, but they will work properly, which is arguably more important. It's still a sad day though, and worth eulogizing. While technology tends to come and go, we all have that one gadget, peripheral, or component which has a special place in our hearts and for me, my ridiculous Harman Kardon speakers were one of them. Recommended Videos I literally just wrote a piece for PCWorld about why these speakers were so great, too. A fitting send off, but an ironic one. Let's give them one more. Love of the ridiculous The GLA-55s are a unique set of speakers that were gifted to me in the early 2010s by my then boss who had no need for them in his even-more-impressive audiophile setup. They're huge and heavy and completely ridiculous. They didn't ever fit into my setup or look right next to my more modern, and less-crystally monitors and other hardware. But they sounded great and were a brilliant conversation starter. Out of all the strange gadgets, gizmos, and components I've had over the last 20 years of writing about PCs and other hardware, my Harman Kardon speakers always drew the most interest from visiting friends and family. They were as much a work of art as capable PC speakers with strong bass and clear highs. TechPowerUp even called them the coolest speakers ever in its coverage of them way back when. But after so many years of use they had started to show their age. Scratches in the crystal-like plastic, dents in the soft-surface tweeter from errant kid fingers, and finally, a hole in the rubber surrounding the main drivers. While manoeuvring them for some shots for the aforementioned article I wrote about their longevity, I brushed my finger against the rubber and it just disintegrated into a sticky, powdery mess. At the lightest of touches I had inadvertently destroyed the airtight chamber around the driver which helped deliver such thumping good sound. In an instant of carelessness I'd ruined this speaker. But apparently this wasn't my first time. Looking closer at the other speaker revealed similar stress points on the rubber and in actuality, it had already started to come away from the plastic surround too. Neither speaker was in great shape and some quick Googling suggested that at best, I shouldn't be using them until they were fixed. If they could be fixed at all. A glimmer of hope My first contact with Harman Kardon was a dead end. These speakers had been end of life for years, so no, they couldn't fix them or provide any repair aid. They did have a third-party company they used for repairs in the UK, though. They might be able to do it, I was told. But no. The parts to replace this very specific speaker surround no longer existed, so there was no way they could do it either. Perhaps a third party alternative? I looked, but the drivers on these speakers were a very specific 3.1-inches in diameter. I couldn't find anything close to the right size… Until I did. It turns out that a Dutch speaker repair shop had a few foam replacement driver surrounds for my very specific Harman Kardon GLA-55 speakers. What luck! I ordered a pair to be shipped over in due haste and eagerly awaited their arrival two weeks later. In the meantime I contacted the original repair shop, but balked at the potential bill. It was $150 (equivalent) to even look at the speakers to see if they could or could not repair them. The estimates for the actual repair were several hundred more, plus shipping. While these speakers might have been worth $1,000 when new, but I could get a comparable set of speakers for the same price of a repair. But I'm an industrious chap. Before I confine these speakers to the trash heap I should take one more shot at it. Maybe I can fix high-grade electronics myself… I've been taking apart graphics cards, laptops, and other complicated PC hardware for years. Surely with due care I could have a good go at fixing these myself. So I set to work. I peeled off the underside rubber feet, I removed the screws. I took apart the base housing, and undid the screws on the circuit board and… solder. Unleaded solder at that, so my hobbyist soldering iron couldn't quite get it hot enough to melt it effectively. I didn't have a solder wick. I burned myself twice in my inexperience. Two hours into this mess of melted skin and stubbornly solid solder, I considered my options. I was on the cusp of diving down an (admittedly autistically driven) rabbit hole. There was still a chance I could fix this, but I was about to order a new soldering iron and some other kit to make this one repair easier, that I wasn't confident of performing effectively. I touched the rubber on the speaker surround again, as if to confirm how bad it was, and it melted away in my hand in a sticky mess that would have made fitting the foam even after an effective teardown difficult. This wasn't going to work, was it? I could spend hours of my time and tens or hundreds more of my dollars to fix these old, busted, dented, beautiful speakers. Or I could go and write an article about it and earn enough to pay for their replacements. So, here we are. So long and thanks for all the riffs Reluctantly, I spent the next 20 minutes tidying up the mess I'd made. The blobs of solder on the table, the seemingly-liquifying bits of speaker rubber on the floor, put the tools into the toolbox, my blistered finger under the tap. I thought about screwing the speakers back together so they could at least take their funeral march to the dump in full form. Like preparing them for an open casket. But they're speakers, not a person or pet. I stuck them next to the pile of other junk outside and ordered some perfectly fine Edifier R1280DBs. They're not super exciting, don't look weird and wonderful, and probably won't sound as good as the Harman Kardon's did back in their heyday. But there is Bluetooth support, and they'll fit better on my desk, and won't have a weird popping sound when I'm instead using my wireless headphones. I will miss the GLA-55s though. They weren't just a great piece of hardware, but an iconic part of my PC gaming and working setup for over a decade. It honestly feels a bit weird typing away like this without them flanking my monitors. Something is amiss. I suspect it'll feel that way for quite some time.
