Buyers Guide

Audio Holiday Gift Guide 2011

By adam November 04, 2011

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Best Speakers Under $500 You Should Own

By adam August 19, 2011

So many to choose from! Lets us boil it down.

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Buyers Guide | Editorial Reviews | Feature Articles

Best Budget Audio Gear Buyers Guide

By adam July 19, 2011

One can go far on a small budget. But just stopping into a big box and picking up the cheapest thing won’t get you there. If you are on a budget but want good sound and don’t know where to start, here’s a guide. These components have many recommendations from a variety of places; user forums, electronic and audio magazines, and our own ears here at AudioReview.com.

Below is a list of budget components that has caught our attention over the year.

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Buyers Guide | Earphones | Editorial Reviews | Feature Articles | Headphones

Best Earphones

By adam May 09, 2011

Editor’s Choice Best Earphones

Shure SE535 Isolating Earphones – $499.00

Specs:

Sound Isolating Design
Speaker Type: Hi-Definition MicroSpeaker
Included Premium Fit Kit (with additional 9” extension cable)

Engadget Says: …it’s not hype and these aren’t expensive just for the sake of being expensive: you will, against all odds, get what you pay for with these things. If you already own the E500 or SE530, … — you’re not getting any improvement in sound quality with the SE535, and the main improvements center around robustness of the cable,

CNET Says: The Shure SE535 headphones offer exceptional clarity; deep, tight bass; rich, enveloping sound; and great noise isolation.

iphoneheadphonesreview.com Says: The Shure SE535 are my top recommendation if you are looking for the best sound quality. Their clarity and definition, coupled with great comfort, are unmatched by any pair of universal-fit in ear headphones.

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Shure E3c – Sound Isolating Earphones – $69

Specs:

Speaker Type: Dynamic MicroDriver

Sensitivity (at 1kHz): 105dB SPL/mW

Impedance (at 1kHz): 16

Cable Length: E2c: 1.57m (62 inches) E2c (in black): 1.45m (56 inches)

Net Weight: 30g (1 oz)

Input Connector: 3.5 mm (1/8″) gold-plated stereo plug

4.48 out of 5 – 25 Reviews

Evan S Said: I am am a drummer in a band and needed good headphones/ earphones for studio work and concerts. I have found that the E2c’s are very good for concerts because they block out alot of noise and you can’t really see that I’m wearing them. Low end bass is very good, but it is a little boomy.

Colin Said: The bass was very rich when I listened to Rap and Treble also brought out sounds I have never heard before in my music. I also watch a part of Saving Private Ryan on my Zune. I was at the end about 30 seconds before the planes came in for an attack I could hear the low rumble! I was amazed!

PC-Mag Says: These light, durable, and accurate ear-canal headphones provide lots of value but are slightly uncomfortable; a significant portion remains outside the ear. They’re a good choice for those who won’t be adding an amp to their rig.

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Editors Note: These headphones have been discontinued but you can still find the quiet easily at online stores. Along with the price drop, $60 at Amazon.com, makes them well worth this list. These are a pair you should snatch up quick!

Shure SE310 Isolating Earphones – $299

Specs:

Peaker Type: Hi-Definition MicroSpeaker + Tuned BassPort

Sensitivity (1mW): 111 dB SPL/mW

Impedance (1kHz): 28

Frequency Range: 22Hz – 19kHz

Cable Length/with Extension: 18 in. / 45cm (54 in. / 136cm)

Color: Available in Black and White

4.15 out of 5 – 13 Reviews

Headphone Room Says: We just can’t get past the fact that the SE310 is pretty much the perfect balance of everything we’ve hoped for in a mid-priced ear canal headphone for the past 15 years. Believe us, your iPod is lonely for a pair of SE310s.

CNet Says: If you’re looking for a premium listening experience, check out the Shure SE310 Sound Isolating Earphones. They sound fantastic and will probably outlast your MP3 player.

Digital Trends Says: The Shure SE310s are the best single-driver canalphones we have auditioned to date. While they lack a unique signature and sound slightly flat, overall performance was excellent. The design showcases the maturity of Shure’s place in the market, and the new ear sleeves are the most comfortable we have used.

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Sound Magic PL30 – $30

Sound Magic PL30 are hard to beat, especially at this price point. In fact I think they sound better than a pair of Grado SR60s at less than half the price. Sure the stage isn’t huge, but balance, clarity and dynamics are very good. They come with a huge variety of fitting options and each ear has a bass adjustment knob. After a few hours of burn in the frequencies are very well balanced and clear. They isolate well. Very little cord feedback and frankly they just sound good.

9mm Neodymium Magnet Drivers
Impedance: 12 ohm
Sensitivity: 100+/-3dB/mW at 1kHz
Frequency Response: 20Hz to 22kHz
Connector: 3.5mm stereo plug

Best Travelling and Wireless Headphones

By adam May 09, 2011

Editor’s Choice Best Travelling and Wireless Headphones

Logitech FreePulse Wireless Headphones – $99

Specs:

Protocol: Bluetooth® 2.0 with Enhanced Data Rate (EDR)

Range: Maximum 33 feet

Frequency: 2.4 GHz

Transmission format: Digital

CNet Says: Users looking for an affordable, full-sounding pair of wireless headphones that can handle the abuse doled out by long jogs and cluttered gym bags need look no further.

3dxtreme Says: I have used the FreePulse Wireless headphones on both my iPod and my PC and I can tell you the experience has been very enjoyable. I’ve yet to kill the battery, rated for 6 hours of continuous use. Blue Tomorrow Says: Logitech’s FreePulse Bluetooth Headphones come a long way in providing an easy-to-use, private, wireless, listening experience that will sound good to most. The headphones have connection and range issues and their one-fit design will surely have many users grumbling. But we can certainly recommend these headphones to people who want to bring their audio device with them and not have to deal with routing wires from their pocket to their ears.

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Sennheiser MM-450 Headphones – $590

Wearing style: On-the-ear
Talk time: Up to 20 hours
Charging time: Approximately 3 hours
Range: Up to 33 feet
Pick-up pattern: Omni directional

Sennheiser MM-450 are the great traveling, noise isolating, Bluetooth headphones that actually sound really good. Apparently as Judefrom Headfi.org points out – some engineer at Sennheiser must have sold his soul to the devil.

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Buyers Guide | Editorial Reviews | Feature Articles | Headphones | Headphones

Best Headphones

By adam May 09, 2011

AKG k701 – $449.00

Specs:

Revolutionary flat-wire voice coil technology
Patented AKG Varimotion ultra-precision two-layer diaphragm
Bi-wiring, high-performance cable with 1/4″ jack plug
Comfortable, specially shaped “3D-Form” ear pads
Complete with stylish storage cradle
Individually tested and numbered

4.20 out of 5 – 5 Reviews

audiowize Said: After letting them play for a little over 100 hours (they were used when I got them, but not well broken in), the sound has softened and the tunes are sweet. The bass control is out of this world!

tngiloy Said: The sound is clear and neutral. The bass is very good for headphones. I have yet to hear floorstanding speakers that match the sound from these cans. I’m sure there are some, but they are out of my price range.

Wes Phillips – Stereophile – 2006 Says: The K 701s just flat-out sound more like music as I hear it than any other headphones I’ve ever heard. I love ‘em and I won’t be sending ‘em back. They’re mine, all mine! Bwah hah haha haaa!

EnjoytheMusic – 2006 Says: The AKG K701 is one beautifully rounded performer. Top shelf sound, superb ergonomics, a competitive price and no quirks. The new reference has arrived and I’m not letting it go. Anyone wanna buy my K1000s?Read More Reviews

Sennheiser HD 555 – $170.00

Specs:

A comfortable, high-quality headphone system
Extended spatial field surrounds you with sound; ergonomic Acoustic Refinement (EAR) enables ideal sound channeling for a new kind of listening experience

4.20 out of 5 – 5 Reviews

Garth Said: Ecellent headphones overall, but the mid bass boost is too much for me. (The HD-595 is better in this aspect) The spatial sound field is incredible …. it’s like the music is in your brain (I can’t say it in a better way).

spilner Said: OK, so here’s what they give you after over 200 hours of intensive burning in: Generally speaking, it’s a nice, detailed and pretty well balanced sounding headphone. Now to be more specific. The harshness of the treble is pretty much gone..

GoodCans Says: …offers surprisingly good detail in all areas; highs, mids and bass. In addition to great sound quality for a portable headphone, it’s light weight, comfortable, and collapsible.

TechRadar UK Says:Meticulous sound reproduction that enlightens not strains the ear, and a good retail price.Read More Reviews

Denon AH-D5000 – $700

Specs:

Reference Audio, circum-aural
Real Mahogany wood housing. Micro fiber diaphragm
Acoustic optimizer for life like audio reproduction
Gold plated aluminum connector.
Light wieght magnesium frame structure

Head Room Says: The scientific audio lab measurements don’t lie: the results we’ve seen in every category for the AH-D5000 rival that of any high-end audiophile reference headphone that has entered our testing facility.

CNet.UL Says: The D5000s blew us away with stellar reproductions of every musical genre we threw at them — tightly orchestrated classical recitals, brutal black metal performances, chest-pounding drum ‘n’ bass, over-produced pop.

HeadphoneReviews.org Says: The first thing that strikes you is the enveloping bass, the full-range sweetness of the trebles, followed by more of the bass. The bass is never completely tight; while most often pleasing.

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Koss Portapro – $50

Specs:

Dynamic-element design for deep bass performance
Comfort Zone setting on temporal pad for comfortable, secure fit
Collapsible for maximum portability when listening on the go
Multipivoting ear plates and adjustable headband for added comfort
Includes convenient carrying case

4.45 out of 5 – 67 Reviews

RobDigital Said: Highs: Clear and not to sharp though ever so slightly hissy at low sample rates. Mids: Present and strong. Strong like English breakfast tea, not like Starbucks bold. Bass: The bass is very respectable for the size. They won’t send shockwaves through your heart like a nice set of JL subs, but they stand up to the spectrum and with the highs and lows create a rich listening experience.

lisitsa Said: The other reviews have covered this as well, but there is something special about the bass. I once had this song which had a really punching bass for the first 20 seconds, and it literally felt like your ears were being plucked.

CNet Says: Koss hit a home run with the PortaPros. Love or hate the design, there’s no denying the sound quality here: they’re the ideal companion for mobile audiophiles and home theater enthusiasts.Read More Reviews

Sennheiser – HD 800 – $1,399

Specs:

Natural hearing experience – realistic and natural sound field with minimal resonance
Biggest transducers ever used in headphones up to today – new innovative dynamic transducer design
Note – You will need a headphone amp for these, a good one.

GoodGearGuide.au Says: Despite the price we were very impressed with the Sennheiser HD 800 headphones. They consistently handled every bass and treble note we threw at them, and the build quality is exceptional.

CNet.au Says: it becomes clear that you need to make quite an investment to get the best out of these headphones. But if you’re a hi-fi hobbyist, or simply love music, then this is perhaps the best set your money can buy

HeadRoom Says: xtraordinary transient response. The natural snap of the leading edge of pianos and drums is beautifully coherent without being overly sharp; within each xylophone strike one hears both the instantaneously loud bell-like tone and the metallic ‘ting’ as the mallet strikes the bar.

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Audeze LCD2 – $945

Specs:

Impedance: 50 Ohms, nominal
Sensitivity: 91 dB/1mW
Maximum power handling: 15W
Frequency Response: 5 Hz – 20 KHz, usable high frequency extension 50 KHz.
Distortion: Less than 1% even at full output.

Audeze LCD2 headphones are simply the best headphones I’ve ever heard. Steve Guttenburg from CNet thinks so, Srajan Ebaen from 6moons thinks so, and the forums at Headfi are in love with them too. If money is no object, these are it. Paired with a good S.E.T. amplifier and solid source, you just beat the guy with the $40k stereo system

Ranked #1 on Head-fi.org (It doesn’t get any better than that.)

Srajan Ebaen – 6moons: Within my headphone harem, the top echelon is occupied by the LCD-2, T1, HD800 and HE-6 and in that sequence. I find the Audez’e first amongst equals by an appreciable margin but other tastes will reshuffle my rating.

Daryl Hoffman – headphonista.com: They are just as detailed as the Beyerdynamic T1 or STAX setups, while also avoiding some of the pitfalls of those, such as limited bass. They are unrivaled for sound engineering / mastering purposes, and are at their best when paired with the correct amplifier.

Editor’s Note: The Audeze LCD3 are now availble for purchase for $1945. Initial reports from the 2011 RMAF is that they are even better than the LCD2. We suspect the LCD3 will soon be the new #1.

Grado SR60 – $65

Specs:

Tranducer Type: dynamic
Operating Principle: open air
Frequency Response: 20-20
SPL 1mV: 98
Normal Impedance: 32ohms
Driver Matched db: .1

4.53 out of 5 - 173 Reviews

Nick Said: These headphones are incredible! At $69.00 they are a steal for someone looking for a well built quality set of cans. I read all the reviews online for a good month before purchasing these cans. I would agree with all of them except comfort. I find them fitting perfect against my ears with no discomfort whatsoever.

vchu7105 Said: The Grado’s have a open air, light, but crystal clear feel to them making the music come alive. The Sony Earbuds can’t even compare, just a diffrent class. They are good for travel or mowing the lawn.

CNET Says: Grado’s cheapest headphones belt out big sound with pint-size portable audio devices.

IGN Says: As for value, I would venture to say that there will not be a better set of headphones for $70.00 until Grado figures out a tweak for these. If you are on a budget, you simply must buy the SR60s. And there is no way in hell you will be disappointed.

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Sennheiser PX 100 Travel – $39

Specs:

Compact, folding, on-the-ear design
Open earcups and adjustable headband
Neodymium magnets for low distortion
4.5-foot cord with stereo mini plug (no full-size plug)
Hard carrying case included

4.15 out of 5 – 13 Reviews

Larscis Said: When I bought these, I was skeptical as to how good they would actually sound. I’ve dealt with higher-end Sennheiser and Grado products before, but hadn’t really dealt in the portable market. After an initial break-in period of about three or four days, the sound quality was, for their size, phenomenal. For any iPod user, these are a definite step up, and they blow away any set of headphones in the price range.

Ray B. Said: I want to confirm anything positive you’ve read about the PX-100 headphones. As a musician with a post-master’s degree in music, I am VERY picky about music. The Sennheisers were my fifth try at finding decent replacements to the stock ear buds

Headphone Room Says:This might be the best “open” headphone for under $50 bucks, and a perfect choice for great listening on the go, at the gym, or directly from your laptop computer and/or iPod. Plus the PX100 has now been made iPhone compatible for happenin’ Apple Fashionistas!

CNet Says: The PX100 is a good choice for travelers seeking a compact headphone design.

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