InnerFidelity's "Wall of Fame"

Editor's Note: The following is my first of many passes at creating a one-stop spot for getting
advice on the best headphones available. I've disabled the comments for this post so that it doesn't
get confusing for folks showing up for advice. But I have created a forum thread for you to
comment on current selections and to nominate new cans for me to measure and hear.

Why a "Wall of Fame?"

Between forums, emails, Facebook, Twitter, and the InnerFidelity YouTube channel, I get asked,
"What headphones should I buy?" at least 50 times a day. I can't possibly answer all the questions or
I'd never get my job done. So, I present you with the InnerFidelity "Wall of Fame."

Want to know what headphones I think are best? You'll find them here.
In my headphone evaluation area, I have a wall with a pegboard that holds my favorite headphones
of every type and price to compare with the cans I receive for review. One day it dawned on me that
simply doing a really good job keeping track of these headphones would provide a great way to
answer the question: "What headphones should I buy?"

These pages contain my current favorite headphones, and are a great place to come for headphone
recommendations. Feel free to send your friends here too.

How the Wall of Fame is Organized

Basic categories of headphone types will be sorted by page in the Wall of Fame. You'll find links to
each category at the bottom of every page.

Over-Ear Open (around-the-ear, circumaural; does not isolate you from outside noise): These
headphones generally deliver the best quality and are used in quiet environments as they provide
very little isolation from outside noise.

Over-Ear Sealed (provides some isolation): These headphones provide some isolation in louder
environments to let you hear your music better.
On-Ear Open (on-the-ear, supra-aural; does not isolate): These are lightweight, cool, comfortable,
good sounding headphones that let you remain aware of your environment. They're often used with
a portable player while moving about, both indoors and out.

On-Ear Sealed: This extremely versatile type of headphone is lightweight, cool, and will isolate
you from outside sounds; it is used by audio pros, enthusiasts, and consumers alike.

Earphones (seals in ear canal): This type of headphone can be very good sounding, and delivers the
highest amount of isolation of any headphone type, but can be uncomfortable for some.

Noise Canceling (uses active electronics for noise canceling, may be of various headphone types):
Used to provide better isolation than full-size sealed types. These headphones have batteries and use
active electronics to reduce outside noise. Sound quality with this type of headphone can range from
very poor to fairly good, but often has an odd and/or unnatural character.

Wireless (Bluetooth, KLEER, and other wireless protocols): This category includes both home base
station units for TV/movie viewing, and Bluetooth/wireless devices for use portably.

Each page will list the headphones roughly in price order, most expensive to least. Often, two
headphones may be found at the same price because they serve different applications (travel vs. DJ
for example.)

How the Wall of Fame Works

The WoF will be an ongoing project. Whenever I find a headphone that is my favorite of a
particular type/price, I will put it on the Wall of Fame and it will receive a Wall of Fame badge.
Manufacturers and Retailers may display the badge on packaging and web sites (if on the web, the
badge must link back to the WoF page that product is on).

If a headphone gets knocked off the WoF with a subsequent product, it can still wear the WoF
badge, though now retired from the wall. Headphones knocked off the WoF (or discontinued) will
be retired to a section at the bottom of the page they were on.
InnerFidelity's "Wall of Fame" Over-Ear Open

Over-Ear Open Headphones

These are headphones that have pads that go completely around your ears (circumaural) and are not
sealed to isolate you from outside noise. These are generally the most comfortable and best
sounding type of headphone, and are typically used around the home or office where there is little
outside noise, and/or when you have to be able to hear your surroundings (ringing phone, kids).
Sonoma Model One Electrostatic Headphone System ($5,000)

Sonoma Model
One

The Sonoma
Model One is a
delightful
listening
experience. It has
some distortion
problems at high
listening levels—
especially with big
bass drops—and
treble response is
just a tad too hazy
to compete with
some reference level headphones on that score. But the overall balance of performance, especially
in terms of tonal neutrality, is terrific. I heard no wonky problems like treble spikiness or midrange
suck-outs at all. I can't think of any other headphone I can say that about.
Many will complain that $5000 is an outrageous price for headphones...I agree. The Model One is
not just a headphone though, it's a very good DAC, correction DSP, and amp. Take your average
$4000 headphone: if you don't throw at least another $4000 in amp and DAC at it you're probably
wasting money with underperforming very expensive gear. $5000 with the Model One and you've
got it all without spending a bunch of time mixing and matching expensive gear to find something
just right. On the other hand, that's part of the fun of the hobby and maybe the Model One isn't for
you.

Bassheads and people who like to play their music loud need not apply. But if you listen at
responsible levels (say 80-85dBspl avg), and are looking for a one-stop, get it and forget it solution
for desktop high-res USB listening, this is a must-hear bit of kit.
Focal Clear ($1499)

The Focal Clear is

what an enthusiast
headphone should
be: It's gorgeous;
it's comfortable;
its accessories are
spectacular; and
its sound is clear
as a Montana
winter sky. It's not
bright, or dark, or
liquid, or even—
in some odd way
—neutral. It's just
competently and
confidently true to
the music.
It doesn't have the
tightest bass I've
ever heard, nor the
most liquid
midrange, nor the
smoothest treble
resolve, but it is
the best all around
headphone I've
ever heard. Weak points are a bit lacking in bass resolve and midrange liquidity; a very slight glare
in the treble; and not much image depth. (Also, not a good match for high output impedance tube
amps.) Strong points are fantastic overall balance; great dynamics; and terrific vocal and treble
realism.

For the first time I can unreservedly recommend a $1000+ headphone. If you've cautiously made
the headphone enthusiast approved treck from a Koss Porta Pro to the Sennheiser HD 600/650, and
have found your carefully protected wallet stuck there without a sure fire step up, now you have it.
Even if it's a financial stretch, the Focal Clear is worth the struggle for an end-game headphone.
That's not a recommendation I make lightly.
Mr. Speakers Aeon Flow Open ($799)

The Aeon Flow

Open is a mildly
warm and
extraordinarily
inviting
headphone. Bass
is powerful for an
open headphone,
but has a slight
bloom in the
upper-bass/lower-
midrange.
Midrange has a
mild warm tilt and
laid-back presence
region. Very
slightly muffled or
veiled are both too
strong a word, but
it's there. Treble is
articulate and
without any harshness. There is a slight treble zing 8-10kHz, but is well controlled to taste with the
included damping pads. Though not totally neutral, I find the Aeon Flow Open has an extremely
alluring sonic character, and once my head had adapted to its sound I just didn't want to take them
off.
Styling is a bit unusual, but quite appealing to my eyes. Comfort is second to none, though it's
worth noting that the adjustment sliders do, from time to time, need to be tightened up to hold
securely while donning and doffing the cans. Build quality is simply outstanding, with mostly metal
and leather parts. Synthetic materials, when used, are top quality. Accessories are minimal having
only a cable, 3.5mm to 1/4" plug adapter, and hard side, clam-shell case.
Audeze LCD2 Classic ($799)

The LCD2 Classic

is a well, if
unusually,
balanced effort by
Audeze to bring
the perfomance of
their LCD product
line to a sub-
$1000 price point.
Build quality and
materials are top
notch at this price.
The new crystal-
infused nylon
rings appear to be
brutally sturdy;
the new braided
cable is
ergonomically
excellent. On the
other hand
accessories are stark. Only a plain cardboard shipping box with foam cutouts is included. I
recommend viewing the optionally available $125 carry case as a near mandatory purchase in
addition to complete the package, making this a $924 headphone.
While I would consider this a slightly warm headphone, with a somewhat laid back presence region,
it delivers a very snappy listening experience. Bass is very tight and well textured; midrange is
nicely neutral; presence region is a bit laid back. Treble region tends to sound a bit grainy to me; I'd
call it a slightly dry presentation. The LCD2 Classic has extremely low distortion and, to me, this
provides a clarity the ties the sound together well despite any modest treble grain or presence area
tonal imbalance. I find this to be a great rock and pop headphone—the somewhat relaxed response
4kHz to 6kHz does a good job of filtering out the hash often found with this genre.

The LCD2 Classic will make the Wall of Fame as a more snappy alternative to the romantic and
warm sound of the MrSpeakers Aeon Flow Open. Audeze has done a very tidy job of bringing their
high-end sound down to more affordable prices. Thank you!
HiFiMAN
Sundara ($499)

I think this may be

the best HiFiMAN
headphone to date.
Maybe not in
absolute terms,
but in terms of
being a very well
balanced product
offering. It looks
good; it feels
good; it appears to
be well built; I
think it's priced
fairly; and the
sound—though a
tad cool—is well
behaved top to
bottom and
delivers a coherent
musical picture.
I could nit-pick
and complain the
headband
adjustment is a bit
gritty, and a small
carry sack should have probably been included, but I'm going to stop right there. I think this is a
solid product offering from HiFiMAN.

Yup, the Sundara is going to make it onto the Wall of Fame for not only providing a slightly bright,
and probably better balanced, worthy alternative to the slightly warm Audeze LCD2C and the even
warmer MrSpeakers Aeon Flow Open, but also for doing it at a little over half the price! Well done,
HiFiMAN!
Sennheiser HD 600 ($399)

The middle sibling

in a long-lasting
line of excellent
headphones (it sits
between the HD
580 and HD 650)
the HD 600 has
been a strong
recommendation
from me for a very
long time. Many
will whine about
it's slightly soft
sound, "they have
the Sennheiser
veil," some will
say, but I think
this excellent
headphone is just
gentle on the ears.
With an easy and
sonorous sound,
the HD 600 is a
forgiving
headphone and will do well with poor recordings. But it also has the chops, when coupled with a
good amp and front end, to do a very nice job reproducing high fidelity recordings. Unlike most
headphone at this price, I find the HD 600 ticks all the boxes nicely without any serious downfall. It
seems to me, the HD 600 is the least expensive headphone of this type that can be called
"audiophile grade."

This is a very comfortable headphone, and coupled with it's excellent sound is well suited for long
listening sessions. The cable connects at each earpiece, making aftermarket and balanced cable
replacement easy.
HiFiMAN HE400S ($299)

This relatively
inexpensive planar
magnetic
headphone
punches way
above its weight
class. In fact, I
found it to be
modestly superior
to the Sennheiser
HD 600/650,
delivering a more
present mid-range
and tighter bass.
Bassheads be
warned: This
headphone does
lack some bass
extension.
Fortunately a
swapping with
other pads
available from
HiFiMAN make
significant
improvements to
the low notes.
While lacking a bit in the bass department, the HE400S delivers a marvelously balanced mid-
range...and that's where most of the music is. Deeee-licious! Treble is ever so slightly splashy
(never harsh, though), but I do find its transient response cleaner than the HD 600, thereby
delivering slightly better imaging.
Bose SoundWear Companion Personal Speaker ($299)

The Bose
SoundWear
Companion
sounds way better
than I expected. It
produces a very
unusual sonic
cocoon around
your head. While
it might be
somewhat
artificial and
foreign sounding,
it remains a
remarkably
pleasant listening
experience.
It works great for
puttering around
the house or
garden when
moving from place to place makes a speaker less than ideal, and where physical activity makes
headphone less comfortable. It also allows you to hear the kids call or chat with a spouse in passing.
When tucked under the crew neck of a t-shirt they are quite stable and could easily be used for
exercise activities, and may be particularly well suited for bicycling and skateboarding where
helmets are used and you want to retain some situational awareness.

On the other hand it's poor in loud environments where IEMs, and sealed or noise canceling
headphone work better. Though they will be much louder for you than the people near by, they will
still be able to hear your music. These do produce some noise pollution and should be And though
they're pleasant enough for casual listening, they won't have the fidelity desired for a high-end
listening experience.
Retired from this List

Focal Elear ($999)

Another fatality
with the only
moderately more
expensive but very
well tonally
balanced Focal
Clear. Like the
LCD-4, the Elear
has a missing
octave 4-8kHz,
but it's a bit more
obvious with the
treble above not
so emphatic as the
LCD-4.
The Focal Elear is
a drop-dead
gorgeous high-end
headphone. Build
quality is
spectacular;
comfort is very
good (though the
cable is a bit
heavy); and the
new purpose built

aluminum/magnesium M-dome drive is a testament to the technical accumen of Focal.

Sound quality is superb; this is an extraordinarily dynamic and punchy headphone. Unlike most
high-end headphones, the Focal Elear seem to have no Achilles heel. It's very easy to just get
wrapped up in the music and be unaware of the headphones themselves. I'd like a dB or two more
bass, but the terrific bass tightness seems to make up for it, and a slightly laid back character up top
has this headphone pushing almost all of my buttons.

Focal has done an absolutely beautiful job of producing a worthy high-end headphone. They've
driven a spike in the diminishing returns curve that's going to have competitors scurrying to find
ways to tighten their game up. This headphone is a game changer.
Audeze LCD-4 ($3995)

The LCD-4 was

removed with my
2017 house
keeping. The
treble imbalance is
all too obvious in
light of the Focal
Clear's much
better balance
tonally, and too
many complaints
with driver
failures has me
squeamish...had
one fail on me as
well. Time for
everyone to do
better.
Differentiated
from other Audeze
headphones by
chromed grills, a 3-meter hefty blue cable, and sporting a very nice carbon fiber headband with a
wide, floating, glove leather headband strap. Though a large and heavy headphone, I find its very
ample and plush ear cushions and wide headband cozy and comfortable. You don't so much put
these on your head as you do put your head inside the headphones. A sonic helmet of sorts.

The LCD-4 also sport a number of technological advancements with a sub-0.5 micron diaphragm,
Uniforce diaphragm circuit, Fluxor magnet arrays on both sides of the diaphragm, and aperiodic
ear-pad vent.

The LCD-4 is a clear improvement over previous LCD models both technically and musically with
better clarity, and bass through mid-range control and evenness. Audeze LCD line fans will be
tickled pink with the LCD-4. But the added clarity make all the more obvious to me that a notch in
response between 4kHz and 8kHz, and elevated response above 10kHz throw off treble balance and
cause cymbals and other high-frequency sounds a bit less snappy and more breathy.
Focal Utopia ($3999)

The Focal Utopia

is being removed
from the list
primarily due to a
bright spot at
6kHz that mars
the otherwise very
smooth and
refined sound. I'll
also note the
reviewed Utopia
was later found to
be not
representative of
production units.
My apologies to
those I may have
mislead...the unit I
reviewed was
quite a bit
different than
production units,
and did sound
better to my ears.
The Focal Utopia
is a sexy beast
with rock-solid
build quality;
looks with just the right mix of conservatism and bling; brimming with technological innovations;
and sound quality to die for. I love this headphone.

Though the audio image is small and the bass just a tad light, in every other way this headphone
sounds spectacularly good. Tonal balance is beautiful; image, though small is marvelously precise;
dynamic punch is terrific; micro-detail is nuanced and well integrated. And everything comes
together as whole so well that you simply don't feel the need to analyze...you just kick back and
listen to the glorious music.

It's hard to imagine any headphone at $4000 that will deliver a commensurate value...I certainly
wouldn't call the Utopia a bargain. But for the first time ever I'd be willing to say to someone of
limited means with a strong interest in headphones, "Yes, this $4000 headphone is worth saving
your pennies for."
Stax SR-009 ($5,250)

This headphone
was retired from
the WoF at the end
of 2017 when I
was clearing
house. The SR-
009 is a bit bright,
and many claim
the modified SR-
007 is better, and I
think the Sonoma
Model One has a
more balanced and
pleasing sound—
even though it
can't play very
loud. I guess I
think Stax can and
should do better.
Simply put, this is
the world's best
headphone. The
speed, clarity, and
resolution is
simply stunning. I
spent quite a bit of
time comparing
the SR-009 to
other headphones
that compete for a
spot as ultimate reference headphones, and the SR-009 equaled or bested all comers with the singlar
exception of the spectacular imaging of the Sennheiser HD 800.

These are electrostatic headphones and require a special type of amplifier to drive them. Because
they are "cost no object" headphones, and because they are so extraordinarily good, I highly
recommend purchasing the best possible electrostatic headphone amplifier. For me, that means the
HeadAmp Blue Hawaii SE.
Mr. Speakers Ether Flow ($1799)

This headphone
was removed from
the list with the
advent of the
MrSpeakers Aeon
Flow Open, a less
expensive and
better sounding
headphone to me.
The Ether Flow is
a rather simple but
very well thought
out design. Build
quality and
materials are very
good, and the
headphone is light
and very
comfortable. The
included cable and
clam-shell carry
case are top notch
—though the case
is a bit ugly.
(Think of it as
theft aversion.)

The sound quality of the Ether Flow is simply lovely. The tonality is well balanced, but a bit "V"
shaped with a slightly emphasized bass and treble—or you could say they're neutral but for the
somewhat reduced presence region. Imaging is good with a fairly large image up and forward in the
head. Dynamics are good, but I'd call it bouncy rather than punchy. The overwhelming impression
is that of balance and then an etherial space in which the music plays happily.

With the Ether Flow I think Dan and the Mr. Speaker crew have punched through into the world-
class level.
HiFiMAN HE1000 ($2999)

This headphone
was retired with
the advent of the
Ether Flow that
has some of its
soft, ethereal
character, but has
a more balanced
and dynamic
sound.
Expensive? Yes.
But quite likely
the most pleasant
sounding
headphone
available. The
HE1000 has an
unusually "soft"
nature to its
sound, which
makes it
particularly
sonorous for hours
long listening
sessions. Very
large ear pads and
a very comfortable
fit help as well.

Detractors will say

the "soft"
character arrises
from a treble
response that lacks the speedy articulation of the best reference headphones, and I agree that the
HE1000 has a slightly hazy character to its transient response. But I can't help falling for its
seductive sound. Comes with three cables and a leather covered presentation box. Those looking for
a planar magnetic headphone at a more affordable price may want to consider the Mr. Speakers
Ether.
Mr. Speakers Ether ($1499)

This headphone
was retired with
the introduction of
the Ether Flow,
which is smoother
and warmer.
The first fully in-
house made Mr.
Speakers
headphone is a
hit! though
tending slightly
toward the bright
side, the Ether is
otherwise a very
competent and
nicely balanced
headphone.
Comfort, build
quality, and
styling are
likewise top-
notch.

The Ether uses a

proprietary
pleated diaphragm
Mr. Speakers calls
"V-Planar"
technology intended to reduce distortion and to allow the diaphragm free movement without over-
tensioning the diaphragm at the extremes. Measurements indeed show very low distortion. Hard
side carry case included; numerous cable choices are available when ordering.
Sennheiser HD 800 S ($1,699)

This headphone
has a rather thin
and analytical
sound relative to
the recently
introduced Focal
Utopia and Elear,
and Mr. Speakers
Ether Flow, which
provide better
balance and more
pleasing listening.
The new
Sennheiser HD
800 S adroitly
adresses sonic
issues long heard
with the HD 800.
It tames the
piercing 6kHz
treble peak, and it
provide a nice
warming of the
bass, overall
producing a much better behaved headphone and a more enjoyable listening experience. However,
the warming of the bass seems to be done by adding a bit of second harmonic distortion, which in
turn obscures a bit of bass clarity, having a slightly thick and congested sound relative to its
predecessor...but just slightly.

Fresh out of the box in stock form, the new HD 800 S provides a terrific listening experience; I
don't think I've ever heard clarity expressed so musically before. The HD 800 S adds musicality to
the legendary precision of HD 800, strengthening its position as the world's finest dynamic
headphone. Well done, Sennheiser, a masterful tweaking of this great headphone!
Philips Fidelio X2 ($299)

The Philips X2 was removed from the list

essentially with the advent of the HiFiMAN
HE400S, which has a smoother and more
musical presentation at the same price.
Now with the removable/replaceable ear-
pads, better cable, and larger headband that
X1 owners clamored for, the Fidelio X2
arrives on the scene with those improvements
and more. Improved acoustics and diaphragm
take this headphone to another level,
delivering terrific balance and neutrality
while keeping the music exciting overall.
Only a slight tendency to be a tad edgy mars
this otherwise excellent headphone's
performance.

Earpads are velour, and are large and

comfortable. The headband is now large
enough for most all heads, though the tension
may be a bit tight. Comes with a 3-meter
cable..as these are for home use no
smartphone remote is included.
Sennheiser HD 800 ($1,499)

This headphone
was retired from
the Wall with the
introduction of the
HD 800 S, which
rids the headphone
of the annoying
6kHz peak, and
has subtly
improved bass
response.
I feel the most
resolving, and best
imaging
headphone in the
world is the
Sennheiser HD
800. Using a novel
"ring radiator"
angled driver
design, these
headphones
produce the best
imaging on
headphones I've
ever heard. The HD 800 is spectacularly well designed, and wonderfully comfortable to wear.

The one problem these headphones have is a somewhat "analytical" sound, which can be
significantly reduced with a fairly straightforward modification. The detail and resolution of these
headphones make them ideal for mixing and mastering engineers who want to hear every little pop
and tweet in the mix. Audiophiles will be well rewarded by careful amp selection, aftermarket
cables, and the mod mentioned above.
Audeze LCD-3 ($1945)

This headphone
was retired from
the Wall of Fame
with the
introduction of the
HiFiMAN
HE1000 and Mr.
Speakers Ether
that deliver better
price/performance
at their respective
price-points.
This is my
favorite
headphone for just
kicking back and
having a lovely
listening session.
It's not quite as
articulate as the
Stax SR-009, but
it's half the price
and you don't need
a special amp.
And it's not quite
as microscopically
revealing as the
Sennheiser HD
800. But for me,
the great tonality and improved resolution and imaging with the Fazor make it one of the prime
listening experiences in Headphonedom.

This is a planar magnetic headphone and is fairly large and heavy. I find it fairly comfortable, but
it's not a headphone for walking around, and may be a bit warm in hot, humid climates. Audio Pros
looking for an open headphone may find these attractive for long listening sessions and mixing.
There is also a much less expensive and quite good similar model from Audeze, the LCD-2, which
is listed on this page below. Pads are available in lamb skin or vegan leather.
Audeze LCD-X ($1699)

This headphone
was retired from
the Wall of Fame
with the
introduction of the
HiFiMAN
HE1000 and Mr.
Speakers Ether
that deliver better
price/performance
at their respective
price-points.
The LCD-X is a
great alternative to
the LCD-3 above
for audio pros and
youthful
headphone
enthusiasts. Their
efficiency and low
impedance make
them play well
with any gear you
plug them into,
and their potent
bass and smooth
sound make them
ideal for all manner of contemporary music.

The planar magnetic driver and aluminum housing used in these headphones make them fairly large
and heavy. I find it fairly comfortable at home, but it's not a headphone for walking around, and
may be a bit warm in hot, humid climates. The included transport case is excellent.
Oppo PM-1 ($1095) and PM-2 ($695)

This headphone
was retired from
the Wall of Fame
with the
introduction of the
Mr. Speakers
Ether that deliver
better
price/performance
albeit at a higher
price/point.
Not so much a
reference
headphone as a
luxury general
purpose
headphone, the
Oppo PM-1 not
only coddles you
in its sumptuous
build quality, it
also cozies you
with a glorious
mid-range and
meaty dynamism
without a trace of
harshness. Some
won't like its somewhat laid-back and polite sound, but I found it simply yummy.

The PM-1 includes a beautifully finished wooden presentation box, lamb-skin and velour earpads,
short cable for mobile use (no remote), long cable for home use, and denim clam-shell case for
travel. This is a luxury headphone and you pay for many pride-of-ownership features; you get what
you pay for though, this is a beautifully appointed headphone.

The PM-2 is very like its more expensive sibling, but uses synthetic leather instead of lamb skin for
the pads, and has some plastic parts where the PM-1 uses metal. INcluded accessories are pared
down to the denim clam-shell case, 3 meter OFC cable, and 1.1 meter portable cable.

InnerFidelity recommends the now included alternate leather pads for the PM-1 and the PM-1
original leather pads to get the best from your PM-2. Oppo now also makes a 1.8 meter portable
cable, which is preferable to the somewhat short 1.1 meter cable. Cables and pads may be
purchased here.
Philips Fidelio L1 ($299)

This headphone
was retired when
the HiFiMAN
HE400S made the
scene.
I like to think of
this very nice
home/office
headphones as a
great "gentleman's
headphone." By
that I mean it's not
only a very good
sounding
headphone, but it's
also built and
designed with
adult sensibilities.
It's black and
silver color
scheme is
elegantly executed
with aluminum,
leather, and
synthetic
materials. It's light
weight and plush
padding deliver
excellent comfort. It's handsome cloth-covered cable includes three-button remote and nicely
finished compact 1/8" mini-plug---1/4" adapter included.

The sonic performance of the L1 is very good, though it's slight lack of treble resolution has it fall
just short of audiophile grade. None-the-less, the sound of these cans is very good at this price
point. The sound is marked by a slightly warm overall tilt, with fairly well extended and tight bass.
Nicely balanced mids have a slightly forward transition into the treble. The L1 is a solid performer
without any points of fail.
Philips Fidelio X1 ($499)

the X1 was retired

from the WoF
with the
introduction of the
Philips Fidelio X2
The X1 has a
couple of issues to
overcome (fit and
cable, see article)
but once sorted
out, these make
for a very exciting
listen around the
home or office.

Audiophiles
looking for a fun
listen will be
delighted, and
basshead will be
in heaven with
this bass heavy
can that also
manages to sound
balanced as well.
The bass is a tad
loose, and the
highs a tad grainy,
but the overall
sense of impact and fun is unmistakably obvious. A really great headphone for EDM, DnB,
Ambient, and all things electronica, but the X1 is also balanced enough for all types of tune when
you're in the mood for a fun, warm headphone.
Audeze LCD-2 ($1145)

Ed Note: The
LCD-2 was
bumped from the
list by the Oppo
PM-1 due to the
slightly better
sound, but mostly
based on the
ergonomic
advantages as a
better general
purpose
headphone.
Like its big
brothers above,
the LCD-2 is a
wonderfully
headphone, a very
good first
introduction to
reference level
headphones. If
you're into bass,
you're in for a real
treat with these
cans as the low
notes are
powerful, tight,
and well extended.
Now with the Fazor, and other ongoing improvements, the CD-2 is nicely balanced, and delivers
good imaging and resolution.

The planar magnetic driver used in these headphones make them fairly large and heavy. I find it
fairly comfortable, but it's not a headphone for walking around, and may be a bit warm in hot,
humid climates. Audio Pros looking for an open headphone may find these attractive for long
listening sessions and mixing. The LCD-2 is available in Bamboo and Rosewood. Pads are
available in lamb skin or vegan leather.
Sennheiser HD 650 ($499)

Editors Note: This

headphone was
retired from the
list when, after
doing the official
review, I found the
less costly HD
600 to be slightly
better sounding
for me. The
original text
follows.
Third in a long-
lasting line of
excellent
headphones (the
HD 580 and HD
600 came first) the
HD 650 and it's
antecedents have
been a strong
recommendation
from me for a very
long time. Many
will whine about
it's slightly soft sound, "they have the Sennheiser veil," some will say, but I think this excellent
headphone is just gentle on the ears.

With an easy and sonorous sound, the HD 650 is a forgiving headphone and will do well with poor
recordings. But it also has the chops, when coupled with a good amp and front end, to do a very
nice job reproducing high fidelity recordings. Unlike most headphone at this price, I find the HD
650 ticks all the boxes nicely without any serious downfall. It seems to me, the HD 650 is the least
expensive headphone of this type that can be called "audiophile grade."

This is a very comfortable headphone, and coupled with it's excellent sound is well suited for long
listening sessions. The cable connects at each earpiece, making aftermarket and balanced cable
replacement easy.
InnerFidelity's "Wall of Fame" Over-Ear Sealed

Over-Ear Sealed Headphones

These headphones encircle the ear and are sealed to isolate you from outside noise. This is a good
type of headphone for people looking to do their listening in moderately loud environments where
some isolation is needed, and where the comfort of a full-size headphone will permit long listening
sessions.

The downside of sealed headphones is that because of the partially or completely sealed acoustic
chambers between the ear and driver, and behind the driver, acoustic resonances that color the
sound can occur. The sound of these headphones are generally more "closed in" and "uneven"
sounding.

Good sealed headphones generally provide less isolation from outside noise than noise-canceling
and in-ear headphones, but will usually provide better sound quality than noise-canceling
headphones. If you are listening in very loud environments (airplane, subway, factory floor) a noise-
canceling or in-ear headphone is likely a better choice.
Mr. Speakers Aeon ($799)

Under the unusual

tear-drop shape of
the MrSpeakers
Aeon you'll find a
quiet, comfortable
sanctuary for
sublime music
listening. Build
quality, comfort,
and rock solid
accessories
complete this
excellent piece of
headphone kit.
With a sound
straight down the
middle, both audio
enthusiasts and
professionals will
find themselves
pleased as punch
with this high-
value audio
transducer. Tonal
balance and
transient response
are extraordinary;
imaging is very
good for a sealed
headphone; only
some roughness and slight dynamic compression belie the fact that this is a sealed headphone and
isn't going to deliver the finess, smoothness, and liquidity of some open headphones.
Shure SRH1540 ($499)

A wonderful
sealed headphone
with an open,
spacious sound,
complemented
with a terrific
build quality,
smashing good
looks, and superb
comfort. Designed
primarily with
audio pros in
mind, the
headphone comes
with spare ear-
pads and cable,
and appears quite
durable. It has no
folding features,
but does come
with a nicely
protective hard
case for transport
and storage.
An important
note: while these
headphones sound
extraordinarily
good at low
listening levels,
they tend to fall
apart a bit at higher volumes—bass can get bloated and loose; treble can become a little over-
emphatic. Those who want a headphone that will perform more consistently mat want to consider
the Focal and NAD headphones below.
Oppo PM-3 ($399)

I don't think I've

ever had a
headphone come
through the lab
ticking so many
boxes so
confidently. Sound
quality, styling,
comfort, build
quality, isolation,
and
accessorization are
all very well
executed for this
price. The Oppo
PM-3 may be the
most well rounded
headphone offering I've seen to date.
On the other hand, it's a bit like going to a party with the honor roll students—straight A's and
across-the-board competence can feel a little boring. A little missing info mid-treble and in the top
octave has the PM-3 sounding just a bit laid back and closed in. Fortunately, a near ideal response,
in my opinion, between 500Hz and 3kHz, delivers vocals with an organic balance I've rarely heard
before. All-in-all, though lacking in that last bit of refinement and air (that's generally reserved for
open acoustic headphones), the PM-3 is an extraordinarily competent sealed headphone.
Meze 99 Classics ($309)

The Meze C99 Classics are simply a great headphone!

Styling is elegant and simple,
luxurious and jewelry-like. A little
over-the-top for my taste, but I
recognize this is a tasty headphone.
Build quality is very good with lots
of cast zinc, steel, and wood. The
headphones are fundamentally
screwed together and can be
disassembled with relative ease for
repair. Hard-side clam-shell carry
case and accessorization is terrific.

Comfort takes a slight knock for a

slightly tight self-adjusting headband
(for my head), and for slightly small
and stiff ear-pads that tend to put
more pressure at the top of my ears
than the bottom.

Technically, sound quality is quite good, taking a small knock for slightly loose bass. But sound the
quality as heard subjectively blows through all technical assumptions and comes together in a
terrifically fun listening experience. Time after time as I compared these cans against others in its
category I found them not only superior in balance and natural sound, but also delivering a far more
fun listening experience than competitors.
V-Moda Crossfade M-100 ($310)

For just about any

one I know under
the age of 35, the
V-Moda M-100 is
at the top of my
recommendation
list. The thump
and drive and
sparkle are
irresistible with
any form of
contemporary
popular music.
Whether from an
iPhone, computer,
or high-end amp,
as long as I was
playing youthfully
exuberant music
the V-Moda M-
100 flat out
rocked. The V-
Moda M-100 are a
basshead's delight.
Audiophiles
looking for faithful reproduction should look elsewhere for a full-sized sealed headphone
(Sennheiser Momentum, Logitech UE6000), the M-100 simply not transparent. But there are plenty
of audiophiles, both young and old, who want something fun for popular music, and these cans will
satisfy that itch. I know I'll definitely be keeping the M-100 in heavy use for a slammin' good time
when the mood strikes.

Add to the good time fun sound of the M-100 the fact that you're getting great styling, superb build
quality, good isolation from noise, and uniquely useful accessories in an amazingly small package,
and you've got yourself a candidate for the headphones with the broadest possible appeal in todays
young market.
1More Triple Driver Over Ear Headphone ($249)

The 1More Triple

Driver Over-Ear
Headphone is a
stylish and very
well built
headphone at this
price using quite a
bit of metal and
quality materials.
Ear pads are plush
and the
headphones quite
comfortable, but
the earpads are as
much on-ear as
open-ear. The
accessorization is
solid including a
Kevlar reinforced
fabric covered
OFC cable; 14" to
3.5mm adapter;
and both hard-side
clam-shell zipper
closure case and
fabric storage bag.
Sound is mildly
bass emphasized
with a fairly neutral midrange and treble response. Mids and treble are fabulously articulate and
nuanced; imaging isn't particularly deep but breadth, specificity, and stability are excellent; macro-
and micro-dynamics are very good. Bass is moderately emphasized but lacks textural resolve,
seems like the bass reflector passive element is smearing things a bit. But it also adds a unique and
subtle visceral sense of physical bass impact. I do hear it as a bit flawed but also quite fun.

Yes, these cans will be going up on the Wall of Fame as a really solid choice at the price. I think
bass lovers will be particularly pleased; even though the bass is a little flawed the solid level and
fun listening experience will win many over. And I can't say enough about the brilliantly nuanced
control in the upper-midrange and treble. These headphones can shine without ever getting strident.
Sennheiser HD 569 ($179)

The Sennheiser HD569, while relatively

new, delivers a mature and high-value
experience due to its roots going back a
decade and more in the Sennheiser
HD5xx line. Build quality, comfort, and
styling are simply superb. Synthetic
suede ear pads over plush memory foam
and "just right" ergonomics makes this a
great headphone for long listening
sessions at work without being disturbed
by, or disturbing neighbors.
Sound quality is quite neutral with a
solid sense of the whole of the music.
Overal response is smooth and more
open sounding than many sealed cans.
Bass lacks deep extension and mild
distortion causes a modest lack of
textural resolve. Though mid-bass
centric the bass is tastefully emphasized
delivering an appropriate sense of
weight, and doesn't intrude on the mids as so often happens. 500Hz to 1kHz is slightly emphatic
relative to 1kHz-3kHz giving vocals slightly hefty character...but this is slight. Treble is slightly low
in level, and is slightly hazy, which to my ears creates more of a problem with a reduced depth of
image rather than tonal balance or articulation.

The Sennheiser HD569 is a solid performer delivering value on all fronts. Budget minded
audiophiles, social media producers, and audio pros looking for a solid performing affordable
sealed headphone won't be disappointed.
Audio Technica ATH-M50x ($179)

This may be the most commonly

recommended headphone among
headphone audio enthusiasts of all
time, now made slightly better
sounding, and having removable
cables. A terrific value at this price
point, the ATH-M50x delivers on all
fronts.
Sound quality is quite good, but
somewhat uneven. Bass is slighly
accentuated, and is very well
extended into the lowest octaves.
The treble now is slightly more
relaxed than previous models and is
quite resolving and accurate. Mid-
range is slightly withdrawn making
these cans sound just slightly hard,
but it's audio performance remains
head-and-shoulders above other
sealed headphones at this price.

Isolation and comfort are good, and

build quality and durability are very
good. Budding headphone
audiophiles, amateur recordists, and
audio pros needing a general purpose headphone for non-critical applications will really appreciate
the M50x. The Audio Technica ATH-M50 is a very competent performer.
Beyerdynamic DT 240 Pro (~$99)

Beyerdynamic has set its sights on the

entry-level pro audio (social media and
music production) market with the $99
DT 240 Pro and have done an admirable
job balancing durability, light weight,
and sound quality. Sound is warm,
slightly forward, with a relaxed, if
uneven, treble. Bass could be a bit
tighter, but overall dynamic punch is
good. Imaging is surprisingly wide and
deep.
Earcups are a bit too small to be
comfortably called an "full-sized, over-
ear" headphone, and clamping pressure
is slightly strong. While I wouldn't call it
comfortable for long listening sessions,
it is very secure on the head. Combined
with the well designed coiled cable that's
less likely to get tangle up with stuff on
the desk this makes for a good audio pro
working headphone that will stay on you
noggin' without worry while you move around.

Overall, the strengths of the DT 240 Pro easily outweigh its weaknesses, and it holds its own
against other headphones of its type and price. I heartily recommend it for those taking their first
step into mobile audio production; the decent sound balance, small size, and apparent durability will
serve well. While the Sennheiser HD 471i sound cleaner, it's a little bass light and not as sturdy.
While the Audio Technica ATH-M50x may be more rugged, fold smaller for transport, and more
comfortable, the DT 240 Pro sounds and looks a little better.
Sennheiser HD 471 (~$70)

Don't let the light weight, all plastic build,

and low price fool you, the HD 471 is a
very high price/performance ratio
headphone. The styling in matte black and
silver are tasteful and understated. Though
the materials are no doubt low cost, the
build quality appears to be robust. Its light
weight allows low-cost pads, foam, and
pleather covers to confidently provide a
comfortable fit. This is "cheap" done right!
Sound quality is close to neutral with a
mildly rolled-off treble and a very slightly
under emphasized though well extended
bass. There are no glaring faults, but it's
performance is clearly not as liquid and
coherent as reference cans. I find them
inherently truthful sounding and my mind
quickly accommodates to their sound and
simply listens to the music. I can't tell you how rare it is to hear this much competence in a low-cost
headphone.
Sennheiser HD 202 ($34)

Budget conscious?
Wondering if $20
can get you a
worthwhile
headphone? The
good news is that
the Sennheiser HD
202 is not a cheap
plastic toy...but
rather an
inexpensive but
well-built plastic
tool. It's stylish,
fairly comfortable,
and, well,
ridiculously
inexpensive. It's
also got a very
long cable, which
is good if you're
using the
headphone in a working environment...but not so good if you're using on-the-go—though the
included cable take-up winding gizmo makes it a little more tenable.

Sound quality is warm and somewhat disjointed with strong bass, slightly forward mids, and a
relaxed but reasonably articulate treble. Though far from perfect, the HD 202's laid-back sound is
easily accommodated and never strident or obnoxious. A much better sounding headphone can be
had for a bit more than twice the price in the Creative Aurvana Live—well worth it if you're
looking for sound quality. But if you're in a working environment, the longer cable and beefier build
quality of the HD 202 might be better in the long run.
Monoprice 8323 ($21.59)

I can't imagine how anyone can produce a full-

size headphone for $21, much less how they
could do so and make one that sounds good as
well. But by golly they sure did! If you're
looking for a cheap beater headphone that will
see duty in a backpack, playroom, or be bashed
around in the back of the mini-van, these are
your go-to choice.
The one downfall of these headphones is a
somewhat uncomfortable fit due to poor
padding on the headband. The cable is very
long at 10', and is removable from the left
earpiece and is terminated at both ends with
identical straight 1/8" mini-plugs.
Wall of Fame Full-Size Sealed Retirees

Creative Aurvana Live! ($60)

This headphone was retired from the Wall of

Fame with the introduction of the Sennheiser
HD 471,
Every time I put these cans on I'm surprised
at how good they sound! Overall the sound
quality is very well balanced with a slight
warm tilt. Low bass is slightly rolled-off and
a bit loose, but the treble is very nicely
proportioned and not harsh in the least.

This is a great general purpose headphone for

around the home or office, but somewhat
poor isolation prevents them from being very
useful for listening in loud environments.

While the build quality is good, I would not

consider these a durable headphone. If you're
looking for headphones for kids and college
students where time in a backpack is likely, I'd suggest the less expensive Monoprice 8323 ($21) or
more expensive Sony MDR-ZX700.
Mr. Speakers Ether C ($1499)

This headphone was retired from the Wall

of Fame with the introduction of the
MrSpeakers Aeon that was found to be
equal or superior at a significantly lower
price.
This is a great headphone! Build quality,
comfort, and styling are outstanding. Sound
quality is superb. Tonal neutrality is
excellent, as are dynamics, and imaging is
particularly good for a sealed headphone.
Audio performance is modestly marred by a
slightly soft and slightly low in level bass
response. There is a small resonant feature
at 10kHz that makes the mid-treble slightly
swishy sounding. But these flaws are slight
and the overall impression is almost
overwhelmingly musical.

Time after time I found myself saying, "This is how this track should sound!" Audio pros will be
particularly pleased with a headphone you will soon learn to trust. College students, this is the one
time I would say eating raman for two months is worth it. Headphone enthusiasts, this is the one
sealed headphone to get. Headphone manufacturers, buy one right now and take a good hard look,
you've got work to do.
Mr. Speakers Ether C Flow ($1800)

This headphone was retired from the Wall of

Fame with the introduction of the
MrSpeakers Aeon that was found to be
equal or superior at a significantly lower
price.
The MrSpeakers Ether C Flow is a superbly
styled and built headphone that is very
comfortable to wear. Included cables and
case are likewise excellent.

Sound quality is superbly neutral for a

sealed headphone, but a small peak at 6-
7kHz and a generally unrefined sound
prevent it from achieving audiophile quality
sound commensurate with its high price. For
that I'd suggest the Ether C and a bit of bass
boost. Audio pros, however, may find its
honest presentation makes it an excellent
tool when speakers are not an option. This is
a trustworthy, though expensive, headphone.

I like this headphone very much, and give it

an InnerFidelity "Wall of Fame"
recommendation largely on its excellence as
a monitoring headphone for audio pros. For audiophiles it's a tougher call. It's not that I think the
Ether C Flow is a poor performer—it's not, it's a very good sealed headphone—it's just that I think
audiophile sensibilities are not well served by sealed headphones at this time, and you'd be better
served by a much lower cost sealed headphone when you need the isolation, and save the big money
for open headphones when you can listen in quiet spaces. If you are intent on an expensive sealed
headphone that performs well, I love the Ether C with a bit of bass boost.
Audio Technica ATH-MSR7 ($249)

The ATH-MSR7 is a solidly built with

conservative but tasteful styling. They're a
little heavy on the head, and clamping
pressure is a little high right out of the box,
but a bit of bending to the headband and you
should be able to achieve a fairly
comfortable fit. Still, comfort is good, but
not great.
Sound quality is superb, but these
headphone do lean somewhat to the bright
side. Bass is a bit low in level but quality is
very good—these are not for folks who like
a lot of bass, however. Upper mid-
range/low-treble are a little forward, but
from mid-treble up response is just about
right in level. Transient response is
extraordinary; this headphone is near
reference level in terms of an articulate and
transparent view into the details of a
recording. Highly recommended to
audiophiles and audio pros alike with the
one caveat that they tend a bit toward the
bright side.
NAD VISO HP50 ($299)

This outstanding
headphone was
designed with the
philosophy that a
headphone should
sound like good
speakers in a good
room...and boy
does it succeed!
This somewhat
warm sounding
can does deliver
slightly
emphasized bass,
but in so doing
doesn't forget to
care well for the
rest of the music.
Mid-range and
treble response are
very well
proportioned, and
quite coherent and
open sounding for
a sealed
headphone.
The goodness
doesn't stop with the sound quality though, these cans are stylish, comfortable, nicely accessorized,
and very importantly, fairly priced. One of the best over-ear, sealed headphones for general
purposes; these will be very difficult to best.
Focal Spirit Professional ($349)

The Focal Spirit Pro was knocked off the

Wall of Fame with the introduction of the
Oppo PM-3, which sounds better and is
more roomy around the ear.
This is an absolutely fantastic headphone
for audio professionals. Supremely neutral
with just a tad of elevated response in the
600Hz to 2kHz region for a bit of
excitement and a deep bottomless bass,
these cans are ideal for sound engineers.
Dynamics are superb, and the music is
effortlessly presented as a coherent whole.

Ear-cups on these are slightly small and

headband caliper pressure is slightly high,
but these will ease a bit with time. None
the less, those with large ears or head may
want to look elsewhere. Finish is a durable
black spackle; comes with both short cable
with remote and long coiled cable; includes
fabric carry/storage sack.
Focal Spirit Classic ($399)

The Focal Spirit Classic was retired

from the WoF with the placement
of the Audio Technica ATH-MSR7,
as it felt a bit redundant with the
Focal Spirit Pro already on the list.
Slightly more relaxed sounding
than the Spirit Professional, the
Spirit Classic is a headphone that
audiophiles will love for long
listening sessions. Extraordinarily
neutral and wonderfully even
sounding, the Classic is a terrific
headphone for home and office.
Dynamics are superb, and the
music is effortlessly presented as a
coherent whole.

Ear-cups on these are slightly small

and headband caliper pressure is
slightly high, but these will ease a
bit with time. None the less, those
with large ears or head may want to
look elsewhere. Finish is a classy
metallic bronze; comes with both
short cable with remote and long
straight cable; includes fabric carry/
storage sack.
Audio Technica ATH-M50 ($159)

This headphone was replaced on

the Wall of Fame by the subsequent
model: ATH-M50x
This may be the most commonly
recommended headphone among
headphone audio enthusiasts. A
terrific value at this price point, the
ATH-M50 delivers on all fronts.

Sound quality is quite good, but

somewhat uneven. Bass is slighly
accentuated, and is very well
extended into the lowest octaves.
This is a good headphone for
bassheads. The treble does have a
slightly hard edge to it, but it's
audio performance remains head-
and-shoulders above other sealed
headphones at this price.

Isolation and comfort are fair, and

build quality and durability are
good. Pros and avid enthusiasts
would do well to spend the extra to
go for the SRH 840 above, but as a
good consumer headphone, or
general purpose studio can, the
Audio Technica ATH-M50 is a
competent performer.
Sony MDR-1R ($299)

This headphone was displaced by

the NAD VISO HP50 and Focal
headphones.
While a little over emphatic in the
upper-bass and upper-mids, I find
at low to normal listening levels
these cans sound much better than
one would expect from the
measurements. Warm and clear,
with good imaging, I find them
terrifically pleasurable for a mobile
headset. Add to that its very good
looks and terrific comfort, and
you've got a headphone that's
bound to please.

A slight warning to those with ears

that stick out a lot: the cups are a
bit shallow, and you may find some
discomfort after a while with ears
touching the baffle plate. And those
who listen to music loud may be
off-put by a bit too much bloom in
the bass, and a forward upper
treble. But for most folks, this is
likely the nicest mobile headset you
can find.
Sennheiser Momentum ($349.95)

This headphone was retired from

the "Wall of Fame" due to the
release of the NAD VISO HP50,
which is less expensive, more
comfortable, with somewhat better
sound.
Let me get my one gripe out of the
way, these cans are slightly small
for circumaural headphones, and
folks with larger than average ears
may want to test fit a pair before
committing to a purchase. Aside
from that...

The Momentum is simply one of the

best balanced headphone offerings
I've ever experienced. They're very
good looking, very good sounding,
have excellent isolation, are easily
driven from portable players, and
are supremely comfortable. This is
an ideal headphone for home,
office, and listening on the move,
but its sound is so good that I'll
happily recommend it to audio
professionals and audiophiles for all
but the most demanding applications.
Denon AH-D5000 ($499)

This headphone is retired due to

being discontinued in mid-2012.
Denon replacement headphones
were not up to snuff, in my opinion.
While the significantly more
expensive D7000 ($799) sounds
slightly better, I feel the D5000
delivers far more value for money.
This is a luscious sounding
headphone that delivers audio
fidelity that will satisfy audiophile
and audio pro alike. Though the
bass is slightly loose, and highs
slightly bright, these are minor
quibbles given the poor
performance of most sealed
headphones.

The big problem with the Denon

AH-D5000 (and D7000 and D2000)
is that they don't isolate very well at
all, and while the build quality is
quite good, they are not a rugged
headphone. As a result, I do not
recommend these cans for studio
musician and portable applications
where isolation and durability are
likely important. But for
home/office use where some isolation is useful, and were very good performance is desired, the
D5000 is an excellent headphone.
AKG K550 ($349)

This headphone was retired due to

the introduction of the UE6000,
which I feel is a significantly more
balanced sounding headphone. The
slightly artificial sounding treble in
the K550 became quite obvious in
comparison.
A great all-around performer!
While not quite having the sonic
finesse of the Denon sealed cans,
the AKG K550 has a very well
balance sound across the board.
Some will complain they are thin
and strident, but I've found that
difficulty getting a good fit and seal
on the head is the likely culprit.
Once fitted to your head properly
these deliver very good sound
quality, indeed.

The isolation is also very good on

these headphones, which are well suited to listening in moderately loud environments. The comfort
is excellent, as is the build quality and styling.

For most audio pros, musicians, and audiophiles who are in search of a great all-around sealed
headphone, the AKG K550 would be my top recommendation. I love these cans!
Denon AH-D2000 ($349)

This headphone is retired due to being

discontinued in mid-2012. Denon
replacement headphones were not up to
snuff, in my opinion.
For a long time this was my top
recommendation for audio professionals
needing some isolation. While the AKG
K550 mentioned above is better as an all-
around sealed headphone, the Denon AH-
D2000 bests it in terms of clarity in the
treble. These headphones are wonderfully
resolving and coherent, with a slight
tendency to be a tad bright.

Comfort and build quality is excellent,

but due to their somewhat fragile design
should not be used in rough-and-tumble
applications. Isolation is poor, so those
listening in louder environments should
look elsewhere. But if you're looking for
excellent performance with some
isolation at this price point, the AH-
D2000 is an excellent choice.
Logitech UE6000($199)

This headphone was retired from the Wall

of Fame due to the Sennheiser Momentum
coming out with a better sounding sealed
headphone (the 6000 is a bit lacking in
mid-to-upper treble), and the Sony MDR-
1R arriving with roughly comparable
sound quality, but better looks and
ergonomics at the same price. Original
copy follows.
With a slightly warm, but very well
balanced character, the UE6000 has
rapidly become one of my favorite full-
size, sealed headphones...at any price. The
styling, build quality, and isolation are
excellent. It's also a noise canceling
headphone, but the noise canceling is not
particularly effective, and makes the
headphones sound too bass-heavy and
loose, and somewhat withdrawn in the
mids. None the less, this feature may come
in handy in loud environments where a
little extra bass and treble presence may
make movies and videos a bit more
enjoyable.

I'd also recommend this headphone for audio professionals as the balance is so good, and it seems
to be well built. I don't recommend using the noise canceling circuit in pro applications.

The headphones come with a soft carry case and headphone splitter. The cable has a three-button,
Apple compatible remote.
Shure SRH840 ($199)

This headphone was retired due to

the better sounding UE6000
becoming available at the same
price.
With a warm and comfortable
sound, good isolation, and tank-like
build quality, the Shure SRH840 is a
top performer at this price point.
Semi-pros, musicians, and audio
enthusiasts looking for a headphone
that will satisfy in moderately loud
environments will love the SRH840.

Recordists should be aware of the

slightly warm tilt to the sound of the
SRH840 so as not to overly
compensate with eq. Treble response
is likewise slightly emphatic, giving
these cans a slightly "happy," U-
shaped listening experience.

While these headphone apear rather

large and bulky, they are quite
comfortable and appropriate for
long listening sessions, though they can get a bit warm.
InnerFidelity's "Wall of Fame" On-Ear Open

On-Ear Open Headphones

Know for their light weight, good sound, cool comfort, and ability for you to remain aware of
your surroundings, ear-pad open headphones serve well in the quiet of the home and office listening
for the phone or kids, and while running and active outdoors to let you remain aware of sounds
around you.
This type of headphone pairs perfectly with portable players, and many have special folding
features that allow them to be stored in a very small amount of space---perfect for briefcases,
backpacks, pockets, and desk drawers.
Sennheiser HD 239 ($119)

These compact little gems are a great

example of how Sennheiser is able to nail a
category and make it look so easy you
almost take it for granted. The HD 239 is a
perfect office headphone: easy to take on
and off; easy to hear the phone ring; easily
slips into a drawer; and sounds very good
for a headphone of this type.
The sound quality is superb with
surprisingly good bass extension into the
lowest octaves, and marvelous coherence
from bottom to low treble. Only a slight
sharpness and grain to the mid and upper
treble pull these away from truly excellent
sound. I wish these came in a headset
version.
Sennheiser PX 100-IIi ($89)

One of my all-time favorite headphones, the

PX 100-IIi sounds terrific, and in this latest
iteration sounds better than the Grado
SR60---my long-time favorite headphone in
this category. While the sound is very good,
the really great thing about these headphones
is their ability to fold up like a pair of
sunglasses to easily slip into a shirt or
backpack pocket. To my knowledge, along
with their sibling sealed headphone the PX
200-IIi, these are the smallest headband
headphone when folded.
While not extending quite as far into the bass,
and not having quite the refinement of the
HD 239, their compact size, comfort, and
ease of transport make them an ideal
headphone for moving about while retaining
awareness of your surroundings.

The PX 100-II is available both with and

without smartphone remote and mike, and is
available in a sealed version (PX 200-IIi) to
provide better isolation from environmental
noise.
Grado SR 60i ($79)

I've been recommending this

headphone for some 20 years now.
While I think the above two
headphones now best it in sound
quality, and it's rather larger size
make it less convenient in normal
use, the Grado SR 60i is a classic
and remains a favorite among
headphone enthusiasts due to its
ability to be easily modified. I
highly recommend these cans for
folks looking to get started in the
hobby of modifying headphones,
and point you to the Head-Fi Grado
SR60 modifying threads here and
here, and my InnerFidelity article
on Grado pad modification and
measurements.
Koss Porta Pro ($49)

For almost thirty years now, Koss

has produced this low-cost,
compact headphone. Literally one
of the first headphones designed for
portable players, the Porta Pro has
stood the test of time largely on the
merits of their amazingly good
sound at a very low price. (It
certainly wasn't on its styling.)
Its ugly duckling looks and the fact
that your hair can get caught in the
headband occasionally are
overwhelmed by the benefits of the
Porta Pro's extraordinary light
weight and very compact size when
looking for a headphone for
running and action sports outdoors.
Their open design will permit you
to remain aware of your acoustic
surroundings, and the light weight
design prevents them from jostling
on your head during vigorous
activity.
Koss KSC75 ($19.99)

Using the same drivers as found in

the Koss Porta Pro above, the KSC
75 marries good sound with the
convenience of a clip-on headphone.
Ideal for ladies who don't want to
muss their hair and action sports
enthusiasts who wear a helmet
during activity, these ear-clip
headphones are surprisingly secure,
comfortable, and very good
sounding---especially at this very
low price.
InnerFidelity's "Wall of Fame" On-Ear Sealed

On-Ear Sealed Headphones

This type of headphone is lightweight and compact, as well as offering some isolation from outside
noise making them a natural solution for portable listening. Ear-pad sealed headphones are also
often use by audio professionals for location recording, ENG (electronic news gathering), and DJ
work.
Sound quality and isolation with these types of headphones is often a hit and miss affair; getting a
good seal while being placed on the folds and ridges of the outer ear can be quite difficult. Also,
designing for good sound can be a challenge with the small, sealed acoustic enclosures with this
type of can. While often cooler than full-size headphones in warm environments, the need for a
good seal will often require significant pressure against the ear which may be uncomfortable for
lengthy listening sessions. Full-size headphone are usually more appropriate for all-day listening.

At their best, however, sealed, ear-pad headphones can sound very good, provide excellent
isolation, and can make for an excellent choice when portability and compact stowage are required.
Audeze SINE ($449, $499 w/Cipher cable)

The Audeze SINE is a tight, good looking,

little sports car for your head. This on-ear,
sealed, planar magnetic headphone is a
solid-performing portable headphone
made particularly cool when used with the
DSP/DAC/Amp Cipher cable on Apple
iOS devices.
Sound quality is refined and coherent,
doing a great job of making the whole of
the music nicely integrated. A bit less
uneven treble, a bit of bass boost and a
smidge of upper-midrange presence would
improve tonal balance; but these niggles
are largely corrected/correctable with the
Cipher cable and EQ app.

This is clearly the nicest on-ear, sealed,

portable headphone I've had the pleasure
of experiencing.
Sennheiser HD 25 Aluminum ($329)

This entry was changed from the Amperior

to HD 25 Aluminum as the Amperior has
been discontinued. The HD 25 is essentially
the same headphone and measurements are
nearly identical. The HD 25 will therefor
not receive a new review as the AMperior
review remains accurate.
The latest in a 25 year long run of HD 25-1
variants, the Sennheiser HD 25 Aluminum
is simply outstanding in the field of sealed,
ear-pad headphones. The new milled
aluminum ear-cups provide a significantly
stiffer enclosure behind the driver, and
make for a more transparent and grain-free
listening experience.

The sound of these cans is excellent, giving

a slightly forward but overall very well
balanced sound for a headphone of this
type---probably the best I've heard. The bass is punchy and very well extended; upper mids are
slightly forward, but overall clarity and naturalness is very good; treble is slightly uneven and a bit
sparkly.

The split headband of the HD 25 ensures an extremely secure fit, making these headphones ideal for
people who are very active during listening. The left earpiece will swivel forward or back to allow
one-ear listening. Drummers and DJs will love these headphones.
Sennheiser Urbanite ($199)

Built like a tank, comfy on your head,

and with functional good looks, the
Sennheiser Urbanite rocks it in the build
quality department. Fortunately, it rocks
it in the sound quality department as
well with very tight punchy bass
response the transitions quite nicely
through a very well behaved mid-range.
The treble is too relaxed and rolled-off
to be considered neutral, but what treble
is there has good quality, and will never
annoy with harshness or glare.
The Urbanites do a great job of isolating
you from outside noise, and are efficient
enough to play at solid levels with
portable devices. This is a terrific
headphone for active urban dwellers
wanting kick-ass tunes as they transit the
metropolis.
V-MODA XS ($212)

One of my favorite recommendations for a

small, portable, general purpose headphone.
The V-MODA XS has an outstandingly
balanced sound, is extraordinarily well
constructed, and is very tastefully designed.
The accessories that come with these cans are
very nice. It includes a cable with one-button
remote and mic for Android devices. Also
included is a very nicely finished, hard-shell
carry case. Ear-piece metal badges may be
customized with your own logo for a small
additional charge.
The sound of the XS is very good for this
class, delivering a very well balanced listening
experience. The bass is good, but somewhat
loose. Upper mids/low treble are slightly and
refreshingly forward, the mid- and upper-
treble don't have quite the resolution of the
previously mentioned and more expensive
headphones, but but neither are they strident or harsh.
Beats Solo2 ($199)

Likely to be the world's most popular

headphone for a while to come, the Beats
Solo2 is worthy of the position. Solid
build, good looks, color choices available,
and a warm and punchy sound the general
public will love. Audiophiles will find it a
bit thick in the mid-bass to low-mids, and
will notice a rolled-off top octave in the
treble. But they'll also find the bass quite
tight and well defined, and likewise a
treble that's articulate and clear. While the
Solo2 is excellent for the urban and pop
music crowd, those interested in a clearer
sound might prefer the Sennheiser
Momentum On-Ear or V-Moda XS.
Bottom line: the Solo2 performs right at
best-in-class for $200 on-ear sealed cans.
Isolation, comfort, and efficiency are all
good with Solo2, making it an excellent
choice as a portable headphone. The cable
uses a 3-button remote and a zippered soft
side case is included.
Sennheiser HD 25-1 II ($199)

Simply the world's most sought after DJ

headphone, the HD 25-1 II is famous with
very good reason: they're indestructible and
sound terrific. At slightly more than half the
price of their aluminum counterpart, the
Amperior mentioned above, and with nearly
as good sound quality, the HD 25-1 II is a
great buy.
The sound of these cans is very good,
giving a slightly forward, but overall very
well balanced sound for a headphone of this
type. Though it's a tad more grainy and
sharp sounding than the Amperior, the HD
25-1 II remains among the best sounding
cans in this category. The bass is punchy
and very well extended; upper mids are
slightly forward, but overall clarity and
naturalness is good.

The split headband ensures an extremely

secure fit, making these headphones ideal
for people who are very active during
listening. The left earpice will swivel to
allow one-ear listening. Drummers and DJs
will love these headphones.

I can't mention these headphones without pointing you to a very cool U.K. site that custom paints
HD 25-1 II and other DJ headphones. See blog photos here for Custom Cans.
Noontec Zoro II HD ($99)

At its $99 price, the Noontec Zoro II HD is

well above average in styling, comfort, and
build quality to my eyes. To my ears, they lead
the pack under $100. The sound of these cans
is marvelously neutral with a slight tendency
towards a polite, mid-forward character. While
it bests most headphones of this type in terms
of neutrality, it's slightly gritty sound lacks the
refinement of headphones 2-3 times the price.
I'd say the Zoro II HD performs about on par
with headphones twice its price...it's quite a
good value.
Skullcandy Grind ($59)

Getting cheap, durable, and good sounding

in one package is one heck of a trick, and
Skullcandy nails it with the Grind. The bass
is a bit loose and wooly, and the treble a little
hard. But these problems are mild, and, for
the intended audience, will likely be heard
more as a bass emphasis and good speech
intelligibility than as problems with sound
quality.
At $59 I just can't think of an on-ear sealed
headphone that delivers a comparably
satisfying listening experience. But this one's
going up on the Wall of Fame not so much
for its ability to satisfy headphone
enthusiasts—though I certainly think it can,
and did for me at the price—but more
because I think it will seriously deliver for
action sports enthusiasts. This is a really
good shredder's headphone, highly
recommended for the skatepark crowd.
Beyerdynamic DTX 350 m ($59)

The Beyerdynamic DTX 350 m is a dandy

little headphone for folks desiring a well
balanced tone with kickin' bass at a bargain
price. Buyers should be aware that this may
be a somewhat fragile headphone and
should be used with care. If you plan to
lovingly use and abuse your headphones,
throwing it into backpacks care-free, check
out the built-like-a-brick Skullcandy Grind.
If you're looking for a more neutral tonal
balance (less bass) the Noontec Zoro II HD
may be right up your alley.
The Beyerdynamic DTX 350 m is going up
on the "Wall of Fame" as a really great
sounding, entry-level, basshead headphone.
It's hard to believe you can get so much
pleasingly punchy oomph at a price this
low. Damned good.
Retired Wall of Fame Ear-pad Sealed Headphones

Beyer Dynamic DT1350 ($295)

These headphone were retired after reviewing

the much newer Beyer T 51 i, which was
superior, though not good enough to make it
onto the Wall of Fame in current times.
I think the Amperior above is slightly more
neutral and coherent sounding, but I just love
the warmth and virtually bottomless bass these
little headphones convey. Getting the DT1350
to seal on the ear properly can be a little
difficult, but efforts are well rewarded with
excellent bass and isolation from outside noise.
Similarly, the overall balance of the DT1350
can be a bit odd until a good seal is achieved.

The treble response is a bit shelved down, and

I'd like to hear a bit more sparkle out of these
cans, but for those listening to recordings that
can sometimes be a bit strident, these cans are
easy on the ears. Highly recommended for
rock and metal.

Like the Amperior, the DT1350 is light weight

and very secure on the head, making it an
excellent headphone for those very active while listening. Both earpieces swivel for one-ear
listening.
Onkyo ES-FC300 ($149)

Bumped off the WoF by the Noontec Zoro

II HD, which is less expensive and better
sounding.
Onkyo has done a bang up job with their
first entry into the headphone world. The
ES-FC300 is marketed as a sealed, on-ear
headphone, but they're rather large and
almost make it into the over-ear category.
Punching well above their weight, they
are a slightly warm and nicely controlled
sounding headphone. This is a very good
student headphone.

The headphone is mostly aluminum

construction, and is available in white,
black, and purple. Also available is the
ES-HF300, which is identical to the
FC300 with the exception of a nicer,
oxygen-free cable. Also included is a
travel pouch.
Koss SP330 ($129)

Bumped off the WoF by the Noontec Zoro II

HD, which is less expensive and better
sounding.
This humble little headphone is a bit plain
looking, and lacks folding features so is a bit
large when stored in its included hard-side
case. But, boy oh boy, put it on your head, fire
up the tunes, and goodness gracious does it
sound good for this price. Bass response is well
extended and surprisingly tight and punchy;
mid-range response is well balanced and even.
Only a slight metallic tinge mars the otherwise
quite well balanced treble response.

Accesorization is a bit sparse including only

the cable without remote, and the hard-side
carry case.
Noontec Zoro ($99)

Bumped off the WoF by the

replacement Noontec Zoro II HD.
This Beats Solo look alike
absolutely slays the competition
from Dr. Dre and crew. While
similar in looks and build
construction, these dandy little cans
really deliver fabulous sound for a
headphone of this type and price.
Though the isolation is not good
enough for heavy-duty commuting
and travel needs, it's adequate for
general purpose home and office
use.

The cable has a three button Apple-

compatible remote, is removable,
and a bit flimsy. I'd suggest a
replacement cable from V-Moda.
Bowers & Wilkins P5

The B&W P5 was retired from the WoF

when discontinued and superseded by the
B&W P5 Series 2, which was found to be
inferior.
A headphone seemingly made to go with fine
scotch, cigars, and vintage motorsport, the
B&W P5 is an elegant design in chrome and
leather with nary a glimpse of plastic to be
seen. Its opulent goodness doen't stop with
it's looks either: the sound is warm and
smooth, with an ample and punchy bass,
relaxed treble, and creamy mids between.
Great for casual listening to movies, music,
and phone calls on portable phones and
tablets.

The cord is thin with a convenient length of

about four feet; detachable under the nifty
magnetically attached ear-pad cushions; and
includes an Apple compatible, three button remote with mike. The headphones fold flat, and a
quilted fabric carry pouch is included for ease of transport.
Sennheiser Momentum On-Ear ($229)

The Momentum On-Ear was retired from

the Wall of Fame with the introduction of
the somewhat better sounding Sennheiser
Urbanite.
With a bass that can be a bit overwhelming
at times, the Sennheiser Momentum On-Ear
might not please some audiophiles, but for
the average premium headset purchase
these headphones are a real treat. Most
listeners will enjoy the bass and mid-treble
emphasis as an exciting sound, add the
extremely good looks, comfort, and build
quality, and you've got a very nice
headphone to strap to your head.

The Momentum On-Ear does not have a

folding mechanism, but the headphones are
fairly compact in size, and the included
velour firm-sided case is slender enough to
fit easi;y into a briefcase or desk drawer.
The Momentum On-Ear comes with two
1.7 meter cables; one plain, and one with
Apple three-button remote.
AKG K 81 DJ ($79)

A very nice entry-level DJ headphone, the

AKG K 81 DJ has very good sound for a
headphone of this type. Bass notes are
punchy and reach into the lowest octaves;
mids and treble are somewhat uneven, but
better than most at this price. I find these
headphones a great choice for those wanting a
strong bass for hip-hop and other urban music
listening.

Very good isolation, comfort, and efficiency

make these a perfect portable can for walking
around town. Earpieces on these headphones
fold flat and rotate inward for compact
trasport and storage, and apear sturdy enough
for everyday rough-and-tumble student use
and backpack transport.

AKG's K518LE is essentially the same

headphone with a fancy paint job.
V-MODA M-80 ($230)

The V-MODA M-80 was retired from the

"Wall of Fame" with the introduction of the
moderately better V-MODA XS. The M-80
remains an excellent headphone.
One of my favorite recommendations for a
small, portable, general purpose headphone.
The V-MODA M-80 sounds very good, is
extraordinarily well constructed, and is very
tastefully designed. The accessories that
come with these cans are outstanding. Two
cables are included: one with a three-button
remote and mike cable for iDevices; and a
cable with one-button remote and mike for
Android devices. Also included is a very
nicely finished, hard-shell carry case. Ear-
piece metal badges may be customized with
your own logo for a small additional charge.

The sound of the M-80 is quite good,

delivering a slightly forward sounding
listening experience. The bass is likewise
good, but does require a good seal to
achieve. Upper mids/low treble are slightly
and refreshingly forward, the mid- and
upper-treble don't have quite the resolution
of the previously mentioned and more
expensive headphones, but but neither are
they strident or harsh.
Philips Citiscape Downtown ($99)

The 2012 Consumer Electronics Show saw

Philips introduce a herd of new headphones,
many of which were very good indeed. Chief
among them, in my opinion, was the Citiscape
Downtown, which is among the very best sub-
$100 headphones one can buy.
This very fashionable headphone is a treat to the
eyes, certainly, but beauty is more than skin
deep here. These cherry cans have great bass
impact and extension, and are strong throughout
the mid-range. They possess a slightly polite,
laid-back treble which is gentle on the ears
without forgoing enough detail to be satisfying.
Comfort is excellent with these lightweight
cans; isolation is very good; and are efficient
enough to play loud on portable players. Perfect
for plying the sidewalks of the most
cacophonous urban landscape.

The Downtown comes with a one-button

Android compatible mike and remote, and the
tangle-free cable is spectacularly effective at
resisting knots. Currently available in cream,
brown, and purple, I think these are one of the
nicest headphones for the ladies I've seen.
Philips O'Neill Bend ($69)

This headphone was retired due to

the Noontec Zoro sounding quite a
bit better and being nicely styled at
the same price.
Whether on snow or concrete, if
you like zooming around on some
kind of board these may be just the
headphones for you. Built with
extreme durability in mind, the
headband and earpieces are
virtually indestructible. The
headband has roughly textured
areas on either side that prevent
goggle straps from sliding around.

The sound is also quite good for a

headphone of this price/type, with a
strong bass and general warm tilt
throughout. Highs a nicely rolled
off and will make listening to
raucous music gentler on the ear
drums.

This is a great headphone for 8-14

year old boys known for their
ability to break bowling balls.
InnerFidelity's "Wall of Fame" Earphones

Earphones

These headphones have a small, soft tip that is inserted into the ear canal. When well designed, in-
ear monitor sound quality can rival world class full-size open headphones, but will usually not have
as strong a sense of space and imaging. This category is huge, however, and there are a lot of in-ear
monitors that have too much bass, excessively bright treble, and/or very poor comfort and fit.

In general, in-ear monitors deliver the best isolation from outside noise of any headphone type
including noise-canceling headphones. They are ideal for travelers, commuters, and people who
wish to listen in very loud places. If the bass seems weak with this type of headphone, you probably
haven't achieved a good seal. Persistence trying the various tips and experimenting with the fit will
usually be rewarded.

Some people will find IEMs uncomfortable in their ears. Again, patiently trying the various tips will
usually deliver a tolerable, if not comfortable fit. Using squishy stock and aftermarket foam sponge
tips (Comply) often helps with comfort, but may reduce high frequency response slightly
(sometimes a good thing with this type of headphone).

In-ear monitors custom made to fit the shape of your particular ears are now broadly available.
Though quite a bit more expensive, the comfort of custom fit earphones is significantly better than
the generic tip models; and in the best of this bread, sound quality can be spectacular.

There are two types of drivers used in in-ear monitors: dynamic and balanced armature. Both can
yield good results, but generally dynamic IEMs: use a single driver; are less expensive; can be very
easy to drive for portable players; but are usually limited in sound quality. Balanced armature IEMs:
may have multiple drivers with cross-overs in the earpieces; may be custom made for the shape of
your ears; are typically more expensive; can be difficult for portable players to drive; and can have
unbelievably good sound quality.
Empire Zeus XR ADEL ($2729)

The ambitious Zeus XR ADEL

from Empire Ears is an expensive
yet highly rewarding in-ear
monitor. It offers extreme clarity
and sparkle, you-are-there
midrange, and deep, tuneful bass,
with the most expansive
soundstage I've heard. The XR
option and ADEL modules allow
for some tweaking of the sound to
best suit your mood, but they
won't transform it into something
completely different. Overall, the
Zeus XR ADEL redefines the
statement-level CIEM category.

Ultimate Ears Reference Remastered ($999)

I quite enjoy the UERR sound

signature. The somewhat darker
tonality is a perfect fit for my
tastes, while still feeling plenty
accurate and—dare I say it—
neutral. Detail still abounds but
is presented in a more natural
way, and to my ears does in fact
seem more "right" than the
brighter UERM.
I own several dozen CIEMs and
the UERR stands alone as a
unique tuning, which is an
accomplishment in and of itself
in this saturated market. Using some of my favorite high-end gear—a ModWright Oppo 205 player,
the Resonessence Labs Mirus Pro Signature Edition DAC, and Pass Labs HPA-1 amp—the UERR
produces rich, tangible sound that digs deep into the music without a trace of harshness. While it
may not be positioned at the apex of the Ultimate Ears lineup, I still consider this a top level
CIEM... making it something of a bargain considering the typical flagship pricing these days. Good
enough to make it to the Wall of Fame? Absolutely.
Unique Melody Miracle ($950)

With marvelous clarity like JH13, but

without the emphasized bass response, the
Unique Melody Miracle is great for
acoustic music of all types. Jazz and
Classical listeners will find these excellent.
The JH13 will provide better coherence
and imaging, but at times may be slightly
too bassy for some purists.

I enjoyed the sound of the Unique Melody

Miracle quite a bit. I felt the tonal balance
overall was quite neutral with just a bit of
additional mid-treble sparkle and a slight
lack of bass. The Miracle sounded polite
and airy, and would be a good choice for
classical and acoustic music listeners.

Audeze iSine 20 ($599)

Audeze has done a really terrific job of

developing this product; the iSine 20
delivered a far more mature user
experience than could reasonably be
expected of a first-of-its-kind product.
Though heavy for an IEM, the 10oz.
earpieces were surprisingly comfortable
and stable when positioned with the
EarHooks over my ears. Build quality,
accessorization, and packaging are
simply outstanding.
I felt the sound quality with the
standard, passive cable was just okay.
Switching to the Cipher Lightning cable
with built-in DSP and iSine correction
delivered a remarkable improvement in
tonality, image spaciousness, and
dynamic punch.

I'm definitely happy to recommend the

iSine 20 with Cipher cable for iOS device owners who want a general purpose earphone that allow
you to retain some situational awareness in quiet home or office environs. I really enjoyed being
able to move from music to phone calls to movies in bed with ease over the course of an evening.
I'll cautiously recommend it with the standard cable for non-iOS users (you can't use the Lightning
cable with a Mac) who would like the open acoustic performance around the home/office. Future
plug-in support for popular player software appears to be forthcoming shortly.
EarWerkz Supra 2 ($429)

Once I logged some hours with them

I was able to appreciate what they
have to offer. Vocals in particular are
just stunningly well done. Female
singers ranging from Jesca Hoop to
Cheryl Lynn, and their male
counterparts from Eric Bibb to
Freddie Mercury, are presented very
clearly and with very little
editorializing. As incisive as the
Supra 2 sounds, I appreciate that it
refrains from having as much upper-
midrange "zing" as other so-called
neutral IEMs. Something like an
Etymotic or a Phonak IEM can be
fatiguing in the long term, but the Supra 2 manages to keep that in check without losing perceived
detail in the process. It's a great balance, one that I wish more companies could nail.

Shure SE 535 ($499)

Cry once when shelling out the big

bucks for these headphones, and
then forever after experience only
tears of joy. I love the Shure
SE535, and think every penny is
well spent on these great sounding
in-ear monitors.
Yummy and warm sounding, the
3-way balanced armature driver
SE535 has great bass extension
and brilliantly integrated bass and
mids, with a slightly polite, but
very articulate and clear treble.
The ergonomics and comfort of
these IEMs is excellent, and they
come with a nice selection of tips.
Once in the ear, the cables go up
and over the back of the ear, and a
cable keeper can be slid up the
cable to snug them at the back of
the head, which provides and
extraordinarily secure fit on the
head. Custom fit tip can be made,
and are available from
Sensaphonics here.
Etymotic ER4XR ($349)

The recent refresh of the Etymotic

ER4 is a very welcome upgrade to
a legendary IEM. The anodized
aluminum earphone body will
improve durability significantly.
The cable is excellent with a nice
dead, low-tangle feel to the main
body of the cable, and the thin
twisted pair of the leads to the
earpieces lay easily and
comfortably over the top of the
ears. Ample tips, good accessories,
and a somewhat too large zippered
case are included.
I definitely prefer the extra bass of
the ER4XR over the flatter sound
of the ER4SR, and would
recommend the XR as the
preferred headphone for both audio
pros and enthusiasts alike. Overall
tonality, dynamics, and coherence
of the ER4XR is very good; treble
performance is simply outstanding
with no trace of harshness or artificiality. Audio image is somewhat narrow and quite shallow.
Depth of image is this earphone's weakest point; in all other ways it's performance is very good to
excellent.

HiFiMAN RE-400 ($79)

HiFiMan’s 3rd-generation dynamic in-ear monitors offer

spectacular sound and comfort along with improved fit and
finish.
The RE-400 is a smaller, better-isolating alternative to the
Philips Fidelio S1 with a smoother, more easy-going sound.
Offering less bass and softer treble compared to the Philips,
it toes the line between accuracy and musicality in a way
that is rare at any price point, especially the very
reasonable $99 being asked by HiFiMan.
RHA MA-750 ($119)

The MA750 from Scotland-based RHA

brings the bass with a deep, hard-hitting
low end and warm tonal character. A bit
of treble sparkle counteracts what would
otherwise likely be a somewhat dull-
sounding earphone, resulting in a fun, if
not exactly neutral, sound.
Though it is slightly more expensive than
the Shure SE215 model it replaces, the
MA750 is even more certain to please
both bassheads and casual listeners. Good
noise isolation and a heavy-duty
construction, as well as a wide selection
of eartips and nice carrying case, round
out the MA750 as a great value. An
iPhone-friendly MA750i version is also
available.

Philips TX2 ($39.95)

Slightly more refined and neutral that

it's TX1 sibling, the Philips TX2 is a
terrific value for price. The Philips TX2
raise the bar for audio performance on a
tight budget. While they aren't better
than the sub-$50 reference, the VSonic
VSD1S, the Philips offer similar
performance at an even lower price and
boast built-in headset functionality to
boot. There are a few caveats—the
13.5mm drivers mean that these
earphones may not comfortable in small
ears, and the noise isolation is average
at best. However, for the price, the
sonic performance alone is enough to
recommend the TX in-ears.
The TX2 comes in both black and white
livery, have a flat cable, and a three-button remote.
In-Ear Phones Retired from this Page

Noble Audio Kaiser 10 ($1599)

This headphone was removed when discontinued.

Noble Audio's stunning Kaiser 10 most

definitely deserves a spot on our Wall of Fame.
It has a brilliant yet nonchalant character which
keeps me coming back for more. Factor in the
remarkable build quality and customization
options, and we end up with a CIEM worthy of
replacing not one but two of my former
favorites. Of all my in-ear monitors—scratch
that, of all my headphones in general—the
Kaiser 10 is the one I find myself reaching for
most often these days; for portable use but also
for dedicated listening at home. I'd say that
speaks very highly of what Noble Audio has
achieved with this flagship design.

Users can design their own look with choices like carbon fiber, wood, and brushed aluminum
faceplates. The list of customization is extensive and I'm really oversimplifying here—check out the
Noble website for some further ideas. Most of these range from $50 to $100 but a few cost more,
such as the $300 wood inlay option (understandable when considering the craftsmanship involved).
Noble distinguishes their flagship K10 by throwing in most any option you want without extra
charge—the exception being that expensive wood inlay.

Etymotic ER4PT ($299)

Etymotic Research Labs had been making hearing aid,

and hearing research and diagnostic devices for quite a
while before producing it's first consumer audio
product. Headphone audio enthusiasts were quick to
adopt and provide feedback, and in fairly rapid
succession Etymotic released the ER4B; ER4S; and
ER4P, all single balanced armature driver earphones
with slightly differing frequency response curves. The
outward design of these cans may apear a bit dated, but
the performance remains very good. Though slightly
weak in the bass, the performance otherwise remains
quite good, with the treble response among the best
available.
One outstanding feature of the ER4PT is that they seal
much more deeply in the ear canal than most other in-
ear monitors. Once inserted fully (about half way into the depth of the ear canal at what is call the
"boney section"), these earphones isolate better than any other. I highly recommend the ER4PT for
people needing the highest level of isolation from outside noise. Problems with comfort are
common with these cans, but time spent with careful tip selection, and trial and error fitting will be
rewarded with an easily tolerable fit and extraordinary isolation.
Xiaomi Piston 2 ($25)

This headphone was retired when

discontinued.)
The second-generation Piston from Chinese
electronics giant Xiaomi is the perfect budget
headset for the smartphone crowd, delivering
versatile, warm, full-bodied sound with
plentiful bass. It may not have the ergonomic
design or noise isolation of higher-end in-ear
monitors, but it is well-designed as far as
basic earphones go and also includes a 3-
button Android remote.

While higher-end IEMs can point out where

the audio quality of the Piston 2 falls slightly
short, in the age of internet radio this really
may be all the performance many smartphone
users need.

What Xiaomi has created here is not just a

must-have for any Android user, but an easy recommendation for all budget-minded music fans.

(Note: due to abundance of counterfeits, exercise caution when purchasing the Piston. There are
legitimate sellers on eBay and other marketplaces, but if a deal seems too good to be true it
probably is. A genuine Piston won't be priced below $15 and should be $20+ once it gets stateside).

Philips Fidelio S1 ($99)

This headphone was retired when discontinued.)

This shallow fit, dynamic IEM provides less isolation
than many IEMs, which can be ideal when wanting to
remain somewhat aware of your surroundings. This is
a great portable IEM/headset for walking around
town.

Slightly warm sounding with a tight punchy bass,

clear mids, and articulate treble that provides good
imaging for an IEM, these little gems perform far
above what their price tag would lead you to believe.
1964 Ears V3 ($499)

This headphone was retired when discontinued.)

Currently priced at $499 as a result of a recent price
adjustment they still represent an excellent audio
investment, in my opinion. They have just the right
amount of slightly emphasized bass that just begs to be
driven hard and I found myself having to exercise a bit of
restraint with the volume knob on my Headamp Pico
Slim. The icing on the cake is that the top end is the best
of the bunch as well. Clear with no etch or harshness.
Overall if I'm taking a trip for work or sitting down to
some critical listening and want to block out the world I
reach for the V3s every time.

For information on getting proper ear impressions contact

1964 Ears.

Jerry Harvey Audio JH13Pro FreqPhase ($1099)

This headphone was retired when discontinued.)

When I heard the generic fit version of the new

FreqPhased JH13Pro at RMAF last year, the hair
on the back on my neck stood on end. I'd simply
never heard anything so transparent in a
headphone. I'm a big fan of time-aligned
speakers, and have noticed in the past that multi-
BA (balanced armature) driver IEMs seem to
have problems with time alignment. It came as no
surprise to me that Jerry had recently figured out
the problem (he's kind of brilliant when it comes
to these kinds of things) and reincarnated the
JH13Pro now with the FreqPhase moniker. It's a
revolution in CIEM design and it's effect is
astonishingly obvious. I'll let the words of the
reviewers speak for the experience.

The JH13Pro is outstanding due to its spectacular imaging and coherent sound. It has a somewhat
emphasized bass and treble response for a fun, slightly "V" shaped response. A clear consensus
among the writers that this is the best-in-class ToTL CIEM, though because of it's not perfectly
neutral signature, matters of taste and application may warrant an alternate choice.
Heir Audio 8.A ($1299)

This CIEM retired from the WoF with the

introduction of the Noble Audio Kaiser 10
reviewed by John Grandberg.

The Pride-of-Ownership King! Exquisite good

looks can be a real treat, but impeccable finish
makes for excellent comfort as well. Warm,
juicy sound provides an immersive experience.
Emphasized bass is great for movies and loud
environments, and relaxed treble makes long
listening sessions a pleasure. A really fine
traveler's headphone. Bassheads will love this
one, too.

"There's a reason the Heir logo wears a crown—these earphones have some serious class. The 8.A I
have is the undisputed champion of fit and finish. Overall, it provides a warm but very smooth and
cohesive audio experience with great bass. It delivers all of the musical nuances without pushing
them on the listener for a rich sound that's fantastically well-suited for easy listening. Fit for a King
indeed."
lJokerl

Westone ES5 ($950)

This model retired from WoF as it's been discontinued.

This marvelously dynamic CIEM has excellent

neutrality, though a slightly relaxed treble response.
Its acrylic/vinyl hybrid design makes this the most
comfortable of WoF candidates (though individual
fitment will certainly play a strong roll on a case-
by-case basis). The polite treble and comfort makes
these a great candidate for people who expect to
regularly use them for long periods of time.

While mastering engineers might prefer the clarity

of the JH13Pro, I think most audio professionals
would end up prefering the Westone ES5 for its
neutrality and fatigue-free punchy sound. Add in
the comfort of the hybrid acrylic/nylon design, and
you've got a headphone you can wear all day long.
I'd also recommend these for rock fans, all that
punch without an annoying treble will deliver hours of fatigue-free head-banging.
Shure SE 215 ($99)

The Shure was retired when the RHA MA-

750 was deemed a better headphone in this
price range.
Bassheads, here's your headphone. I'm not
talking about fake, bloated, one-note, or
wooly bass, but tight, punchy, and yes,
somewhat over-emphasized for you lovers of
the low notes.

For the rest of you, I'd still recommend these

dynamic driver earphones. If you'd like an
IEM that's gentle on the ears, and still does a
good job of being articulate and musical, the
SE 215 will satisfy.

The ergonomics, comfort, and build quality is

very good; as are the accessories and options.
Shure builds these cans for pros, and I think
getting this level of quality in so many ways
for $99 makes it a great buy.

Audeo PFE Gold ($179)

(This model retired from the Wall of Fame due

to Audeo dropping out of the in-ear headphone
business altogether.)
Manufactured by European hearing aid maker
Phonak, the PFE Gold effortlessly blends
contemporary styling with comfort and
marvelously transparent sound. Though a bit
bass-shy, the single balanced armature driver
PFE Gold is extremely articulate and clear
sounding, delivering entry-level audiophile
performance ... at a surprisingly low price.
They also come with two different types of
filter which alter the frequency response of the
headphones: gray for a brighter response;
black for a warmer response. There are also
green filters (not included, but available) for
an even warmer bass response.

The ergonomics and comfort of these very light-weight in-ear monitors is simply excellent. They fit
in my ears as good or better than any I've tried---not surprising given the years of experience this
company has with hearing aids. The cable exits looping up and over the top of the ear, and may be
snugged in place either behind the neck or below the chin. The cable includes a one-button mike
and remote.
Spider Realvoice ($79)

(This headphone dropped from the Wall of Fame

due to the $20 more expensive, but much better,
Philips S1 arriving on the scene.)
Another dynamic driver design, but this time with
a warm tilt focusing on the mid-range, the Spider
Realvoice is designed to reproduce vocals ... and
by golly, the've done it! These sound very nice,
indeed.

The styling and ergonomics are a bit odd, but

required by the diameter and placement of the
driver. They don't isolate terribly well, but would
be fine for general commuting. They do have a 3-
button remote and mike on the cable. There's
really not much that sets them apart from a million
other headphones ... other than they sound so
darned good.
InnerFidelity's "Wall of Fame" Noise Canceling

Noise Canceling
Noise canceling headphones perform a fancy little electronic trick with microphones and electronic
widgetry that sums an acoustic counter-signal in with your music that will help cancel out outside
noise. At its best it works very well and will isolate you better than the passive isolation of sealed
headphones. But it comes at a price as the electronic circuits that modify the signal can have some
strange effects on what you hear. Even the good noise cancelers can sound a bit odd ... the bad ones
can sound miserable. As a rule, I think the better sound of passive sealed headphones makes them
the better choice for most everyday uses, and I usually reserve recommendation of noise cancelers
to air travelers and rail commuters.
Noise canceling headphones require batteries to operate the electronic circuitry. These can be both
replaceable or rechargeable, but many noise canceling headphones will not operate when the
batteries die, so you'll have to plan your use on long excursions accordingly.

AKG N90Q ($1499)

The AKG N90Q is one sweet piece of headphone

audio kit—especially for the headphone enthusiast
business traveler. Though somewhat large, the
headphones are very well made, comfortable, and
nicely styled...though tending just a bit toward
gaudy. Noise canceling and sound quality are very
good. Accessorization is superb with a very nice
hard shell case, a leather carry bag, four cables,
and an extra storage battery for extending the 10
hour life of the headphone itself.
The noise canceling, EQ, Stage Control, and auto-
calibration of the TruNote function are way better
than I expected for this first-of-a-kind headphone.
Its performance in this regard gives me great hope
for DSP-based headphones in the future. Stage controls work very well and introduced only minor
colorations problems in Surround mode. The Studio mode the introduces ITD and IAD
psychoacoustic cues was excellent to my ears. The EQ control the emphasizes or de-emphasizes
both bass and treble simultaneously was not as useful as I would have hoped. I would have
preferred a tilt control that warmed or cooled overall response.

Sound quality was very good but for some unevenness of response in the low- and mid-treble. Bass
response was powerful, punchy, and retained excellent microdynamic response. Imaging was above
average in Standard mode, and improved significantly in Studio mode. Surround mode likewise
increased depth of soundstage, but also introduced some mild room coloration that was a bit
distracting at times, though worked well with some material (usually movie sound tracks).

While I don't think the AKG N90Q is quite competitive with passive high-end headphones at this
price, I think it makes much more sense to view the N90Q as the next logical step up for enthusiasts
looking to improve on the sound from premium noise canceling headphones like the Bose QC35,
JBL Everest Elite 700, or Sennheiser PXC 550. In those comparisons, the N90Q is clearly the better
sounding headphone, and as such will establish a new high-water mark on the Wall of Fame noise
canceler page. This is a terrific headphone for the well-to-do business traveler...and my new favorite
for time in the aluminum sky tube. Ahhhhhh!
Bose Quiet Comfort 35 ($349)

I found this headphone value packed. I see it

that way because I know how much very
complex technology it takes to pull off the
noise canceling trick and still sound decent.
$350 isn't cheap, but the Quiet Comfort 35
delivers world class noise canceling and best-
in-class sonic performance.
Add to that outstanding build quality; terrific
comfort; convenient folding features; a dandy
carry case; good performance when the
battery dies; and...well...you're getting one hell
of a value. If you're a traveler or someone who
needs a good noise canceling headphone, bite
the bullet, cry once, and get the Bose Quiet
Comfort 35. A killer noise canceler.

PSB M4U8 ($399)

The PSB M4U 8 is a solid offering at this price.

While styling is a bit clumsy, build quality,
materials, control functionality, and accessories
are top notch. Fit is a bit cozy, but well suited to
portable use for sound isolation and security of fit
during activity.
The M4U 8 sound quality in passive mode is
good, but a bit bloated with the bass accentuation
bleeding into the mids. In active modes I would
characterize sound quality as fundamentally
neutral with an emphasized bass and a modestly
emphasized presence region. While this leads to a
slightly too sharp a response in music listening, it
provides outstanding speech intelligibility in
movie watching and telephone conversation.

I think my overall preference for music listening

remains with the Bose QC35, but it's
close...damned close. I prefer music on the Bose
by a modest amount, but I prefer movie watching
on the PSB M4U 8 by a pretty healthy margin. I think these headphones are very well suited to
folks who watch a lot of video and movies on their portable devices, and I think they may be
particularly well suited for older folks who are starting to get some hearing loss for both movies and
music. It's going to edge its way onto the Wall of Fame as a close second to the Bose, with a third
no where in sight.
Bose Quiet Comfort 20 ($299)

Bose have really outdone themselves with the

QC20, it not only meets or beats the noise
canceling abilities of the QC15, but sounds
way better in the bargain. Performing as well
as the best $100-150 IEMs, this is simply a
fabulous sounding noise canceler.
The QC20 will operate for 16 hours on a full
charge, batteries are not replaceable, but
should retain full capacity for 500 charge
cycles. The QC20 will operate in a passive
mode when the battery is discharged or
power turned off. Apple compatible remote is
available on the QC20i version, order QC20
for Android/Blackberry/Windows
smartphones. Ships with carry pouch, shirt
clip, and Small, medium, and large
StayHear+ tear-tips.

JBL Everest Elite 700 ($299)

Though mostly plastic and not particularly

stylish, I find the build quality and comfort of
the JBL Everest Elite 700 very good. Ergonomic
button placement give easy control of a rich set
of features. TruNote calibration does seem to
subtly improve tonality and smoothness. Two
levels of Ambient Aware permit increased
awareness of outside sound when not needing
the very good isolation of full noise canceling on
these headphones.
Sound quality is only fair when running on the
wire and electronics off; sound is somewhat
forward and hard. But many active headphones
sound much worse in passive mode; the Elite
700 is listenable, which is better than most.

Sound quality in all active modes, both wired

and wireless, are quite good. Only a modest
forward/hardness in the upper-midrange, and a
lack of nuanced resolve mid-treble modestly mar
its performance.

All-in-all, I find this a surprisingly solid offering at this price point, with a solid balance of value in
comfort, features, and sound quality rarely found in an active headphone.
AKG N60NC ($299)

Boy there's a lot of crappy on-ear, sealed,

wireless, noise canceling headphones out there,
and the N60NC is not one of them. No, it's not
going to wow audio enthusiasts with its great
sound, but it will provide decent tonality and
mid-fi performance in active modes, and even
better, dare I say upper mid-fi, sound quality
passively on the wire.
Bass is somewhat loose, mids a bit hard, and
highs a bit rolled off in active modes—a
decidedly middle of road sound. But sound
quality gets significant better passively on the
wire—a rarity among NC wireless cans! Simple
decent tonality and consistency of performance
in all modes should be the norm...but it's not.
The AKG N60NC cheerfully delivers a
satisfying listen in all modes, and
ergonomically performs well on the head and in
its pouch both in the home and office or portably on the road.

If you're a serious traveller and need a really good noise canceler in a plane or train, spend the extra
$50 and go for the Bose QC35. But if you're just looking for a general purpose headphone to do
anything and everything reasonable well, the N60NC may be just the ticket.

Wall of Fame Noise Canceling Retirees

Sennheiser Momentum Wireless ($499)

This headphone was retired with the superior

sounding/noise canceling JBL Everest Elite 700.
While the Sennheiser Momentum Wireless M2
AEBT doesn't sound as good as the passive
Momentum models, it does sound better than any
other Bluetooth noise canceler I've heard. I'd
characterize it as good upper mid-fi when run
passive on the wire, and a notch lower with the
power on.

Styling, build quality, comfort, and ergonomics are

simply outstanding. This is a headphone that can be
worn for hours and with confidence you won't look
odd wearing them. Battery lasts 20 hours and you
can keep listening when the juice runs out. The M2
folds to become more compact and the included
carry case is as handy as it is stylish.

At $499 I would expect Sennheiser to have made the best sounding, most stylish and comfortable
Bluetooth noise canceler available...and to my eyes and ears they have.
Bose Quiet Comfort 25 ($299)

Bose have long been making noise canceling

headphones, and in the Quiet Comfort 25 it shows. Its
ability to quiet the world around you is shockingly
good, and the sound quality is likewise remarkable.
Critical listeners will hear some oddities in the sound,
but given their superior ability to deliver good listening
in a noisy aircraft cabin I heartily recommend these
cans.
The QC25 is an incremental improvement over the
QC15 in every way, but it's not a huge improvement in
any way. If you currently have a QC15 there's no need
to replace it immediately.

This is a fairly neutral sounding headphone. Bass

extension is very good, but might benefit from a bit
more level; mid-range is very nicely neutral and
coherent; treble balance is very good, but sometimes a
bit artificial sounding making "s" sound a little more
"th" than it ought.

The QC25 is comfortable on the head being very light, and having ample space in the earpieces. Ear
pad protein leather is high quality and memory foam underneath making long listening session very
comfy. Runs on a single AAA battery for about 35 hours, and will operate (though sound quality
takes a solid hit) when the battery runs out.

Sennheiser MM 450 X ($449)

This headphone was bumped off the WoF by the

Sennheiser Momentum Wireless that's significantly
better sounding, more isolating, and more
comfortable for only $50 more.
The excellent sound, small size, and freedom from
tether make the noise canceling and bluetooth
wireless Sennheiser MM 450 X a great traveler's
headphone.

The MM 450 X bristles with features like: a

TalkThrough button you can push to hold quick
conversation with those around you without taking
off the headphones; A2DP high resolution stereo
Bluetooth with compatible devices (regular Bluetooth
for other devices); a cable for times when Bluetooth
is unavailable; it charges from USB or included wall-
wart; and the headphones fold and store in included
compact carry case.
Bose Quiet Comfort 15 ($299)

This headphone was retired from the WoF

when Bose disontinued it and replaced it
with the nicely improved QC20, which is
now on the WoF.
Bose have long been making noise
canceling headphones, and in the Quiet
Comfort 15 it shows. Its ability to quiet the
world around you is shockingly good, and
the sound quality is likewise remarkable.
Critical listeners will hear some oddities in
the sound, but given their superior ability to
deliver good listening in a noisy aircraft
cabin I heartily recommend these cans.

The QC15 will not operate without a

battery, but readily available AAA batteries
will power the headphones for about 35
hours. Two cables are included: one plain,
and one with 3-button Apple compatible
mike and remote. A hard-shell case and
airline adapter are also included.
InnerFidelity's "Wall of Fame" Wireless

Wireless
I'll be breaking down wireless cans into two categories: bluetooth headsets for use with phones and
portable players, and wireless headphones for use at home---typically for TV and movie watching
but can be used for music.

For a number of reasons, I'm not a big fan of wireless headphones. Usually, sound quality suffers
from the wireless transmission link. Only recent lossless digital methods of audio transmission get
really good sound to the headphones. Sound quality can also be limited by size and weight
limitations on the battery and electronics; only so much can be put into the headphones and still
remain light and sleek enough to wear comfortably. The electrical signal used to drive wireless
headphones from these low-power miniaturized circuits can be significantly poorer than when a
wire and external electronics are used. As a result, you'll always get better sound quality for the
money with wired headphones.

None the less, being without the tether can be quite valuable, and there are a few pretty good
sounding wireless cans available.
Bluetooth Wireless Headphones for use with Portable Devices

Bowers & Wilkins P7 Wireless ($399)

The Bowers & Wilkins P7 Wireless is an

elegant, well built, comfortable Bluetooth
headphones with excellent sound quality
and good isolation. Built with leather,
chromed steel, and anodized aluminum,
the build quality, fit and finish is superb.
A true daily driver...especially if you like
English sports cars; very natty.
The overall sonic character is warm and
lively. The lows are nicely emphasized,
though a bit mid-bass centric and slightly
invading the low-mids. Mid-treble is very
slightly emphasized and is nicely
resolving; cymbals are natural sounding
though just a tad forward.

This is a really solid from a premier audio

company; the P7 feels like the beginning
of a new age of quality headphones worth
the price of admission.

Parrot Zik 2.0 ($399)

The Parrot Zik is a stunningly beautiful

headphone, and a remarkably ambitious
engineering project. Sounding quite a bit more
natural than the preceding version, the Zik 2.0
also improves on weight, comfort, and the
performance and usability of the companion
app for smartphones.
This is a slightly warm sounding can with very
deep, extended bass response and an even
midrange. Treble remains a bit unnatural
sounding, but the parametric EQ and virtual
speaker software in the app do a great job of
allowing you to tailor sonic response to your
tastes.

Downsides of the headphone are non-replaceable ear pads—which reduces the lifetime of the
product—and a very flimsy fabric carry pouch.
Sennheiser HD 4.40 BT ($149)

What can the world's most accomplished

headphone manufacturer put on your head
wirelessly for $149? Turns out, quite a bit.
The HD 4.40 BT is elegantly styled and
very well built. Comfort is quite good, but
not great as the ear pad openings are a bit
small forward to back—big eared folks
may want to look elsewhere. Bluetooth
controls are easy to use and pairing is
flawless.
Sound is warm, smooth, and enjoyable.
Bass is mid-centric and a bit high in level;
upper-mids a tad shouty; and treble a tad
low in level but quite organic and
articulate. Not a trace of harshness or tizz
here. Wired and Bluetooth sound quality is
quite similar; wireless there's a bit more
bass and low/mid-treble energy and
actually a tad better sounding to my ears.
It's not a world class sounding headphone,
but it's a well-rounded offering with
pleasant sound, solid build quality, and
elegant styling—top-notch at an affordable price. Dandy!

Noontec Zoro II Wireless ($149)

Looking for a low-cost way to cut the cord? The

Noontec Zoro II Wireless is a solid performer. This is a
good looking, well built, decent sounding headphone
at this price. Comfort is quite good for an on-ear;
Bluetooth controls and operation is intuitive and easy.
A folding feature and included carry bag make for easy
transport and storage.
Sound quality is good; the overall presentation is warm
and polite. Bass boost is modest, but bleeds into the
midrange making the bass a bit intrusive and
accentuating the lower midrange making for a warm
sound. In wireless mode the bass is less tight and
extended.
Wireless Headphones for Home

Many transmission methods are used for this type of headphone including: infra-red; FM radio;
analog and digital spread spectrum; and proprietary digital transmission methods like KLEER.
Infra-red methods are light based and only work if you're in the same room as the transmitter, and
may be interfered with by other light sources in the room. FM radio methods may work over longer
distances, but are often plagued by noise. Analog spread spectrum works better, but noise can still
be an issue. Spread spectrum digital methods are noise-free with good reception, but some don't
handle loss of signal well and can blurt out bursts of horrible noise when they loose data lock. Well
designed proprietary digital methods like KLEER often handle low signal levels and drop out better
and are more satisfactory than older and cruder schemes.

Sennheiser RS 220 ($599)

At the top of the heap, Sennheiser's

latest addition to their wireless
headphone line is the RS 220. With
acoustics based on their HD 600 line
of headphones, these simply sound
excellent. Using a DSSS (direct-
sequence spread spectrum)
modulation technique, low-latency,
uncompressed, CD quality digital
audio is transmitted to the headphone
from the base station. Transmission
range is claimed to be up to 300 feet
line-of-site, and about 100 feet with
normal use in the home.
This is an open headphone with little
isolation, so a bed-mate will hear the
headphones, and they will not isolate
well from outside noise. But their
open design also allows for the best possible sound quality. (See the RS 170 below for a sealed
wireless headphone.)

Both analog and Toslink digital inputs and loop outs are provided on the base station. The
headphones charge while hung on the cradle.
Sennheiser RS 180 ($329)

These very good sounding headphones use the

KLEER wireless audio transmission chip-set, and
deliver uncompressed, CD quality audio to the
headphones. KLEER is capable of pairing with
multiple devices, so up to four people can listen
simultaneously with extra headsets. Inputs to the
base station are analog only.
I particularly like the Automatic Level Control
built into this headphone which allows you to
engage dynamic compression of the audio. This
will make soft sound louder, and loud sounds
quieter, which will improve speech intelligibility,
and will reduce the level of loud commercials
when TV watching.

This is an open headphone with little isolation, so

a bed-mate will hear the headphones, and they will
not isolate well from outside noise. But their open
design also allows for the best possible sound
quality. (See the RS 170 below for a sealed
wireless headphone.)

Sennheiser RS 170 ($279)

Similar to the RS180 above, but in a closed

design, these very good sounding wireless
headphones will provide some isolation from
outside noise, and will significantly reduce
the amount of sound heard by a bed-mate.
The RS 170 uses the KLEER wireless audio
transmission chip-set, and delivers
uncompressed, CD quality audio to the
headphones. KLEER is capable of pairing
with multiple devices, so up to four people
can listen simultaneously with extra
headsets.
The base station includes buttons for Bass
Boost and Surround, neither of which I
found particularly useful, but the headphones
sound so good it matters not. Headphones
charge when hung on base station.
Sennheiser RS 120 ($79)

Providing very good sound for a wireless

headphone at this price, the RS 120 is an open
design, on-ear headphones, and provides little
isolation from outside noise. It uses an FM
stereo transmission scheme, so some noise may
be heard, but the transmitter is quite powerful,
so nearby reception is clear and transmission
distance is very good. The transmitter can be
set to three different frequencies to avoid
interference from other local RF sources;
earpiece receiver is continuously tunable for
best reception. Headphone charges on base
station.
I've had one of these in my home for the last
ten years, and it's seen myriad duties for the
family from late night TV and gaming, to
headphones for housekeeping. It's taken a
beating and continues to work good first time,
every time.

Wall of Fame Retirees

Scosche RH1060 ($199)

This headphone was retired when the Sennheiser HD

4.40 HD was found to be better at a lower price.
It's big, glossy black, and a bit gaudy looking, but, this
is a damned good basshead Bluetooth headphone.
With a very strong bass and clear treble, this
headphone is somewhat "V" shaped with a strongly
emphasized bass and mildly emphatic treble that will
likely satisfy bass lovers.

Battery life is 8 hours for continuous wireless use, and

they will run passively on a wire. BT does not have
aptX, but does use AAC and BT2.1 with A2DP,
AVRCP, and HFP profiles. A hard-sided, zipper
closure, clam-shell case is also included.
Phiaton Chord MS530 ($299)

This headphone was retired on being

discontinued and replacement models found
inferior.
The Phiaton Chord MS530 tops my list of
Bluetooth headsets with its very good sound
quality in all modes of operation. Able to run
off a wire or Bluetooth with noise canceling,
this large ear-pad headphones works
wonderfully as a general purpose can.
Comfortable, stylish, relatively low-cost, and
good sound in all modes...what's not to like?

Sennheiser Momentum Wireless ($499)

While the Sennheiser Momentum Wireless M2 AEBT

doesn't sound as good as the passive Momentum
models, it does sound better than any other Bluetooth
noise canceler I've heard. I'd characterize it as good
upper mid-fi when run passive on the wire, and a
notch lower with the power on.
Styling, build quality, comfort, and ergonomics are
simply outstanding. This is a headphone that can be
worn for hours and with confidence you won't look
odd wearing them. Battery lasts 20 hours and you can
keep listening when the juice runs out. The M2 folds
to become more compact and the included carry case
is as handy as it is stylish.

At $499 I would expect Sennheiser to have made the

best sounding, most stylish and comfortable
Bluetooth noise canceler available...and to my eyes
and ears they have.
MEElectronic Air-Fi Matrix2 AF62 (~$80 street price)

This headphone was retired when discontinued

and replacement headphone found not as good.
Wow! This Bluetooth headset sounds way
better than its price would indicate. These are
a neutral sounding headphone. Bass extension
and quality is a bit poor, but because it's not
over emphasized it tends not to be bothersome.
Bassheads beware, you might much prefer the
Scosche even though double the price. From
the upper-bass to the upper-mids, the AF62 is
dead flat, and a real treat for the ears. These
cans have a wonderfully un-colored response
through the body and soul of the music. Treble
is a bit laid back making for a slightly veiled
sound, and the treble response overall is a little
hazy and indistinct.

The AF62 is very light and comfortable on the

head. Ear cushions, while not providing the
luxurious feel of better materials, are ample in size and depth, and caliper pressure against the head
is just about right.

The Matrix2 AF62 comes well equiped with Bluetooth 4.0, NFC, and supports both aptX and AAC
codecs. Battery life is a whopping 22 hours! I can be played passively with the included cable.

JayBird Sportsband ($99)

This headphone was retired from the WoF

and replaced by the similarly low cost but
much superior sounding Meelectronics Air-Fi
Matrix2 AF62.
This dandy little Bluetooth wireless headset
is an open, on-ear design that sounds superb
at this price. It's light and comfortable enough
to be used when active around the house, and
its open design will help you remain aware of
traffic noise while walking around town.

The Sportsband includes: a built-in

microphone; volume and track controls on
the earpiece; and is available in a wide
variety of colors
Parrot Zik ($399)

This headphone was retired from the WoF

as it's been replaced by the Parrot Zik2.0,
which replaces it on the WoF.
The Parrot Zik is a stunningly beautiful
headphone, and a remarkably ambitious
engineering project. When I first heard of
them, I expected a clusterfail of epic
proportion. I'm pleased to report that I
found them the best Bluetooth wireless
headphone I've experience to date--a
brilliant harmony of style and substance.

Yes, they're a bit rough around the edges

with a few software bugs and a somewhat
artificial sound that leaves them short of
refined audiophile standards. But I have
hope that the bugs will be fixed in future
software updates, and I've heard exactly
zero other Bluetooth headphones that
meet audiophile standards. They're a bit
pricey, but if you compare what you're
getting with other Bluetooth headphones
of this caliber, I think you'll find them to
be a pretty darn good deal.

Sony MDR-1RBT ($399)

This headphone was retired from the WoF

as it's been discontinued and doesn't have
quite the sound quality of others recently
tested.
Having spent quite a bit of time using this
Bluetooth headset, I'd have a very hard
time switching to anything else available at
the moment. The MDR-1RBT looks
terrific, is wonderfully comfortable, and the
control ergonomics are very good. It's only
downfall is less than stellar sound, with
warm bass and strong presence region
overwhelming the bit in between. On the
other hand, I've simply not heard anything
really better from a Bluetooth headset.
Logitech UE9000 ($399)

This headphone was retired with the arrival

of the Sony MDR-1RBT, which is less
expensive, more comfortable, better looking,
with roughly equivalent sound.
This handsome, versatile, and well-built
headphones has a lot going for it. It's most
attractive feature is it's very good, balanced
sound in passive wired mode. It's also a
noise canceling headphone, that works fairly
well, but sounds somewhat too bassy and
bloated for audiophile listening, but is a
good compromise for smartphone and iPad
uses in noisy environments. (Hard core
travelers should look at the Bose Quiet
Comfort 15.)

It's Bluetooth capabilities are very good,

delivering very good sound without the wire,
and includes a "talk through" feature in that
mode. It has three-button Apple-compatible
remote capabilities both wired (control on cable) and in wireless mode (control on right earpiece).

Sennheiser MM 450 X ($449)

The excellent sound, small size, and freedom

from tether make this noise canceling and
bluetooth wireless Sennheiser MM 450 X a
great traveler's headphone.
The MM 450 X bristles with features like: a
TalkThrough button you can push to hold quick
conversation with those around you without
taking off the cans; A2DP high resolution stereo
Bluetooth with compatible devices (regular
Bluetooth for other devices); a cable for times
when Bluetooth is unavailable; charges from
USB or included wall-wart; and the headphone
folds and stores in included carry case for
compact storage.
InnerFidelity's "Wall of Fame" Headphone Amplifiers

Headphone Amplifiers

Headphone amplifiers are not needed to make headphones louder, but rather to drive them with
more authority making them sound better. On this page we'll show you our favorite headphone
amps in various categories and price points.

VACUUM TUBE AMPLIFIERS

HeadAmp Blue Hawaii Electrostatic Headphone Amp($4980)

Often referred to as a "wire with gain" for electrostatic headphones, the Blue Hawaii is a perfectly
splendid amp for your Stax and Sennheiser electrostatic headphones. The BHSE is a hybrid amp
sporting a quad of EL34 output drive tubes in an OTL DC coupled configuration, fed by a solid-
state input section and power supply. Both balanced and unbalanced inputs allow use with multiple
sources.

"Every detail, every brush stroke on a drum skin, every fingernail tick on a guitar string, every chuff
of air across the mouth of an organ pipe, was simply available to be heard in organic proportion."
Can you tell I love this amp?
Apex High-Fi Audio Teton ($5000)

Previously incarnate as the Wheatfield Audio HA-2, Pete Millett has breathed new life into his
venerable design with subtle tweaks as only he can do and a drool-worth parts selection. This
output-transformerless design uses a 6SN7 dual triode as the input tube, a 6AS7/6080/7236/5998 as
the output tube (also a dual triode, but a much larger and more powerful one), and a 5U4GB as a
rectifier tube. Output impedance is around 50 Ohm depending on the power tube used; this amp
pairs best with high-impedance headphones.

Music played from the Teton flows in a remarkably effortless way. The beauty of the vocals,
guitars, and keys, all of which like squarely in the all-important midrange, are a delight. The treble
performance of the Teton is world-class—sweet, delicate, nuanced, clean, and not at all rolled off.
This isn't that easy a trick for a tube amp that isn't both well designed and well implemented, but the
Teton pulls it off well.
Eddie Current Balancing Act ($3850)

The Eddie Current Balancing Act leaves nothing on the table, and is deserving of its title as a
"statement" piece, offering the best design chops that Craig Uthus currently has to offer. Its price
point of $3950 makes it competitive against its closest rival, which is the TTVJ Apex Pinnacle at
$10,000, another fine sounding amp that offers similar functionality and sonic ability. The
Balancing Act can accommodate all the inputs you would expect to have in a normal system, while
offering excellent preamp functionality and pretty much will support any kind of termination that
headphones are currently offered in. The soundstaging is spectacular and fits perfectly the core
value of Craig's design philosophy that audio gear should strive to transport the listener inside the
music itself. Detail and resolution are extraordinary and the amp is spot on tonally. Nothing else can
be said other than saying the Eddie Current Balancing Act is one of the finest commercial
headphone amps available, and owners will find themselves extremely happy with its sound.
Pathos Aurium ($1495)

The Pathos Aurium is a hybrid tube amp using 6922 tubes as the input stage and a MOSFET output
stage. With three unbalanced and one balanced input, and having rear panel continuously variable
gain and balance controls, this is a very versatile amplifier.

The Aurium is very transparent, and is not "tubey sounding" in the colloquial sense of being super-
buttery-smooth. It is smooth enough, and very pleasurable to listen to, but not in any way
smoothed-over. There was a high degree of transparency and detail on tap, as well as a nice sense of
liquidity.
SOLID-STATE AMPLIFIERS

HeadAmp GS-X mk2 ($2795 w/Alpha pot; $2995 w/DACT stepped attenuator; blue and red
color options +$200)

The HeadAmp GS-X mk2 is one of the most fairly priced high-end headphone amplifiers of which
I'm aware. Build quality, and fit and finish may rarely be equaled, but I doubt ever surpassed. The
price/performance ratio is outstanding—and that's something you'll rarely hear from me with high-
end gear.

This is a purist amp; you will not get balanced drive unless you have a balanced source. The focus
here is performance, not handy features.

Sound quality is ruthlessly articulate. If you've got headphones you consider a bit too bright, don't
pair them with this amp, you'll just bring out the worst in your cans. EQ is a must if you'll be using
headphones with a lean signature. But if you use EQ or pair the GS-X with warm cans you will be
shocked with the detail retrieval and resolution to be found here.
Simaudio MOON Neo 430HA ($3500, $4300 w/DAC)

The Simaudio MOON Neo 430HA ($3500) is both brute and ballet dancer. It easily drives even the
most stubborn of planar magnetic headphones with Adam's apple wobbling authority. And it's lithe
articulation simply and cleanly draws out fine detail, without drawing undue attention or venturing
into treble excesses of any kind.

The 430HA has a well fleshed out feature set with full complement of analog and digital inputs, and
both single-ended and fully-balanced headphone outputs. It comes with a remote control, and has an
optionally available built-in DAC.

The 430HA just wreaks of competence. It's going up on the Wall of Fame as an outstanding all-
around, neutral-reference amplifier...and as my current personal reference here at InnerFidelity.
Cayin iHA-6 Balanced Headphone Amp ($999)

how does the iHA-6 sound? I could go on an on about it but I'm going to start by referring you to
my review of the excellent Auralic TAURUS mkII. Why would I bring up that particular amp,
which was formerly on the Wall of Fame and used as a reference by both Tyll and myself? Because
the Cayin iHA-6 sounds nearly identical. Seriously. I knew I liked the Cayin right from the start but
it took a while to come to the realization that I've heard this sound before. That neutral tone, the fast
and clean treble, the tight, well-controlled bass response, the precision imaging... I actually had both
amps running side by side for quite some time and I'm not sure I could reliably tell them apart.
Keep in mind the Auralic unit sells for $1,899 which is nearly double the Cayin's price.
Resonessence Labs Concero HP ($850)

The Concero HP is good. But maybe good doesn't cover it. Great? No, that seems too cliche.
Amazing? Superb? Preposterously capable? Now we're getting closer. How about this: I'm
confident enough in the HP to bestow upon it the Wall of Fame award. That means it's among the
absolute best I've encountered for anywhere near the price. Does that get my point across? For the
modern user who doesn't have a lot of space, and doesn't need a dozen inputs, it really doesn't get
much better than this. Doubly so if IEMs are your weapons of choice. Can you get more if you
spend more? Always. But a lot of people won't need more and that's the whole point of this device.
As sound quality goes, there is very little compromise involved—maximum power is about the only
thing to watch out for. Aside from that, a brilliant device that I really can't recommend strongly
enough.
Arcam rHead ($599)

The Arcam rHead is an exciting product for several reasons. First, and most obvious, are its sonic
properties, which I find quite satisfying across the board. It's a clean, neutral sound with excellent
resolution that avoids any faux-HiFi shenanigans. This comes in a well built, attractive, and
relatively compact presentation suitable for integration into most any system.

Second, it's a classic audio brand applying themselves successfully to a dedicated headphone amp.
This lends credibility to the headphone world and, if all goes well, should encourage others to
follow suite. More competition, more choice, more retail space carved out for headphone gear in
dedicated audio shops and maybe even big-box stores like Best Buy.

Lastly, and probably key to the whole thing, is the price being very reasonable for such a competant
amp. At $599, the Arcam is an excellent amp priced within reach of most buyers, while not being so
cheap as to require compromise in quality. Is it on the level of the Pass Labs HPA-1, which I
absolutely adore? No, but the Arcam might be a more "important" amp in the long run.

The rHead has a sound signature both neutral and natural, with a great balance between detail
retrieval and musicality. I particularly like the way Arcam handles the critical upper midrange and
high frequency spectrum—this is about as nuanced an amp as I've heard without spending crazy
money. Imaging and soundstage, though obviously very different from what I normally experience
from the speaker side of this system, are also top-of-class. This is a seriously satisfying headphone
amp with no apologies needed for price or size.
Meier Audio Corda Rock ($240)

The Rock is based around the TDA2030 IC, and the relatively few parts it has are of nice quality.
Being a non-portable amp, it sports a full-size 1/4" headphone jack, and one pair of RCA jacks on
the back. The Rock's power supply is on-board, and it has an IEC power cord receptacle, although
one cost-saving method is that it does not come with a power cord.

When fed the best, the little Rock provides a clean, smooth sound that isn't audibly flawed in any
one dimension. Detail retrieval is admirable, and soundstage is reasonably deep and wide, if
somewhat lacking in definition. Bass has good weight, though the very deep bass seems a tad
truncated. Treble is smooth and clean, and the mids are also smooth and essentially transparent.
Yes, I have heard better in just about every dimension--but for the relatively low price of admission,
the show put on by the Rock is really very satisfying.
PORTABLE HEADPHONE AMPLIFIERS

CEntrance HiFi-M8 ($699)

The CEntrance HiFi-M8 portable headphone amp/DAC is rather pricy and large, but boy you get
bang for your buck with this gem. Input and output options are abundant; iOS users (30-pin cable
only with current units, a Lightning cable version is in the works and will be available sometime in
the future) should get the standard model; Android users might prefer the "XL" version with
Toslink input. Output options are available for a variety of balanced and unbalanced connections;
please see the the review for details.
InnerFidelity's "Wall of Fame" Portable Music Players

Portable Music Players

In the era of the Smartphone, that iPhone or Android in your pocket is likely perfectly adequate to
the task of casual music listening...especially when using wireless Bluetooth headphones. But when
a superior listening experience is desired on the move, a dedicated Portable Music Player (often
called Digital Audio Player or DAP) is the order of the day.

Sound quality and the ability to drive a variety of headphones without tonal compromise are of
prime importance in InnerFidelity DAP reviews. However, many other features are important to
headphone enthusiasts: supported file formats and data rates; storage capacity; build quality;
styling; user interface; operating system; support for third party apps; battery life; and analog and
digital wired and wireless connectivity are all covered in InnerFidelity reviews.

The following Portable Media Players have been placed on the Wall of Fame for their excellent
performance at various price points.
Astell&Kern KANN ($999)

Astell&Kern took a gamble by tapping

a different design team on their KANN
player. The resulting product looks
fairly unique compared to prior AK
designs, and handles very differently
thanks to those front panel controls.
Obviously that massive battery is the
headlining feature, but we also get
increased power and connectivity
thanks to the expanded real estate. The
$999 price tag is certainly not cheap,
though for an Astell&Kern product it is
actually on the low side.
What to make of all this? Well, for
starters, KANN has very little
competition when it comes to potent
output plus extended battery life. Other
brands have models which are either
powerful (Fiio X7 with AM5 amp
module) or long lasting (Sony WM1A/
Z), but nothing pulls off both aspects
quite like KANN. This combination,
plus its superb sound quality, makes
KANN a rather compelling option...yet
I can't quite universally recommend it.

Potential owners really need to do some reflection about their needs. Are they ever going to actually
drive a difficult full-size headphone with a portable player? Will they regularly listen for 12+ hours
per day without access to a charger? Are they fine with only using Tidal via WiFi? And, most
importantly, can they stomach the bulk and weight of this player? If the answer to those questions is
universally "yes", KANN is absolutely recommended.
Questyle QP1R ($899)

The QP1R may seem perhaps a bit

disappointing on paper. There's the
wonky scroll wheel, simplistic UI,
mediocre battery life, and somewhat
limited output capability. Then you
actually use the device and find out
those things don't bother you much—
the experience just "works".

Questyle's DAP is a favorite in terms

of sound signature. It really has very
few peers. The low output power isn't
a bother in real-world use, especially
with IEM compatibility being
excellent. The money you'll save
buying this thing compared to a twice-
as-expensive competitor can be
directly funneled into better CIEMs,
or just more music. Seems like a fair
trade. A quirky, but lovely DAP.

Retired from the Wall of Fame

Sony NW-ZX2 ($1199)

This player was retired from the WoF because it's been
discontinued.
This is a no brainer. In nearly every category—build
quality, ergonomics, user interface, battery life, and of
course sound quality—the ZX2 is either at or very near the
top of InnerFidleity rankings. It's easily the most well-
rounded device experienced to date. Tidal integration plus
generous storage size and wide format support means you
always have plenty of music on hand, and it all sounds
terrific.

The Sony ZX2 has a 4 inch, 854 x 480 display; a thick

PCB; gold-plated copper insulation on the chassis; more
capacitors in the critical analog circuit; a "super capacitor"
for more stable voltage reserves; a larger capacity battery;
dual oscillators for native sample-rate playback (the ZX1
had to upsample 44.1kHz material to 48kHz due to its
single clock design); and on and on. With spectacular
build quality, Tidal integration, and the best battery
performance by a substantial margin to date, the ZX2 is a
clear winner.
Cowon Plenue 1 ($699)

This player was retired from the WoF because it's been discontinued.

In a way, the Plenue 1 feels like something of a guilty

pleasure. It's just such a warm, inviting DAP that I
don't feel like it belongs in the same sentence as the
QP1R, ZX2, or 901S. And yet here it is on the Wall of
Fame for exactly that reason—this is "analog" sound
done right.

The fact that Cowon has added newer and more

expensive models to the line does nothing to diminish
the appeal of the Plenue 1. Since getting a major price
drop some months back, the value proposition on this
thing went up several notches to the point where it is
hard to recommend anything else sporting a similar
signature. Yes, you can get warm and smooth sound
elsewhere, but the Cowon offers a more complete
experience than the rest, and at a compelling price too.
Very highly recommended despite its age.
Sony NWZ-A17 ($299)

This player was retired from the WoF because it's been discontinued.

Sony strikes again! For a compact and relatively

affordable device, the A17 really delivers. It
captures a good portion of the lovely sound
from the ZX2 at a mere 25% of the price. This
is a real world DAP which goes places other
chunky models wouldn't dare, and there have
been many times where I actually preferred
grabbing it over the ZX2 as I headed out the
door.

The NWZ-A17 is small, easy to use, and costs

less than most of the competition. I would have
liked to see DSD support just because that's
Sony's format, and the build is a little
underwhelming in some respects, but I still
really enjoy this thing. If you can make due
without much power, and don't have wacky
armature-based IEMs that demand a <1 ohm
output impedance, the A17 is an excellent
choice for everyday use, and is very easy to
recommend.
InnerFidelity's "Wall of Fame" Portable and Table-Top Speakers

Bluetooth speakers are one of the fastest growing categories in all of consumer electronics.
According to this press release, BT speakers are expected to grow at an annual rate of over 38%
through 2019. Expect to see lots of innovation and cool features coming along in this category.

InnerFidelity's focus is primarily on headphones and headphone amplifiers, and as such, the
Bluetooth speaker Wall of Fame is not intended to represent the absolute best in these categories.
Rather, the speakers show here are the known best performers of the speakers we've tested. There
may be better available, but the speakers on this list are surely solid buys.

The list is divided into two sections: A.C. wall powered speakers intended for home use, and battery
powered speakers that can be used portably.

Table-Top A.C. Power Speakers

This section contains speaker systems that are powered by an A.C. wall socket and do not have
internal batteries.
Peachtree Deepblue2 ($399)

Looking for a full-range speaker that

can fill a room and deliver tight, well
extended bass? This may be your
ticket. The Peachtree Deepblue2
includes a 440 Watt amplifier, a 6.5
inch woofer, two 3 inch mid-range
drivers, and two 1" tweeters. At
14"x9"x6" and 16 lbs., the Deepblue 2
is a bit large, but the built in carry
handle makes moving it from room to
room fairly easy. Deepblue 2 will take
bluetooth, optical digital, and analog
inputs. A remote control is included.

Wren Sound Systems V5 ($399)

With a simple, elegant look, the

Wren Sound V5 is available in
both dark and light wood and
plastic finishes. This speaker is a
good choice for folks desiring a
sophisticated look to complement
their decore. Sound is good, a bit
mid-centric, and, like most players
of this size, has limited bass
response.
Models are available with
compatibility with various wireless
source protocols: Wren V5AP for
Airplay; Wren V5PF for Play-Fi,
Wren V5BT for Bluetooth; and the Wren V5US for compatibility with all three protocols. An
analog input is available on all three models.
Amazon Echo ($179)

With a bit above average sound

quality, the Amazon Echo is not
going to slay the competition with
its sonic performance. Sound is
mid- to upper-mid centric with very
good speech intelligibility; music
listening, though, suffers a bit from
lack of low bass—like virtually all
speakers of this size.
But the Echo does far more than
just play music, it's a terrific voice
actuated personal assistance—think
Siri or Google Now in a Pringles
can on you kitchen counter. For
best experience you need to become
an Amazon Prime member.

"Alexa" is it's wake-word. Say,

"Alexa, play Barney Kessel," and
shazzam, the Echo plays his music
from Amazon Prime. Say, "Alexa,
add bananas to my shopping list," and by the time your phone is out of your pocket and the Alexa
App is turned on, the bananas are on your list. Many other features are currently available from
local weather, to national/international news briefings, to traffic reports and travel time estimates for
your daily commute, with many more features now appearing regularly from Amazon and third
party vendors.

Portable Battery Powered Speakers

This section contains speakers that have internal batteries and can be used portably.

Riva Turbo X ($299)

Here's a little speaker built by audiophiles for

audiophiles. The Riva Turbo X has lots of digital
signal processing going on, but it's all there just to
deliver outstanding sound quality from a box this
size. Surround and Turbo modes are available too
increase a sense of space and play clean at loud
levels respectively.
One of the most unexpected features of this
speaker is the ability to play very loud with very
little distortion. This is a very good choice for
those wanting a work-site speaker that will over-
fill a room and project sound to a wide area.

No other tone controls are included; audio inputs are bluetooth and analog. Also available
separately is a very nice carry case; highly recommended for those who expect to be traveling
significantly.
Infinity One ($299)

Here's a portable speaker that really knows how

to put out the thump! The Infinity One is about
the size and shape of a football and constructed
within a ceramic coated aluminum body. Very
nice. It has four drivers—two front-facing and
two rear-facing—driven by a 25 Watt amplifier,
and two passive radiators at either end. This unit
has more bass response than any other BT
speakers of the same size. I would characterize
the bass response as somewhat one-note, but it
does manage to project a surprisingly stout
thump—even outdoors.
Inputs are Bluetooth (with NFC pairing if desired) and an analog input. The unit can be charged
rapidly with the included 13VDC dedicated power supply, or may be charged, though more slowly,
with a standard USB phone charger. The internal battery and rear panel USB connections can also
be used to charge smartphones and pads.

UE Boom ($199)

Here's one for the teens to try to

break. Ha! The UE Boom is built
like a brick—extremely durable and
even splash proof, it also comes in a
wide variety of festive colors.
The UE Boom takes both Bluetooth
and analog inputs. An iOS and
Android app is also available for
advanced features, which include
the ability to tie two UE Booms
together for stereo reproduction.
Sound is clear and moderately loud,
bass response is limited as usual.
(Caution: the UE Megaboom is
larger and more expensive, but has
very poor tonal characteristics with
a really muddy bass.)
FoxL V2 ($149-$229)

For those desiring a very compact BT

speaker, the FoxL V2 is a superb choice.
Though amazingly compact at 5.6" x 2.2"
x 1.4", this little dynamo puts out much
better sound quality than one could
reasonably expect. Sound is certainly
mid-centric, but is tastefully balanced.
The FoxL will have a hard time filling a
room, but placed neatly in front of you on
a hotel room desk it delivers a
surprisingly good audio image and satisfying listening experience.
Also available from Soundmatters is a companion sub-woofer called the FoxLo ($179-$219). I was
a little disappointed by this product and do not recommend it.

Creative SoundBlaster Roar ($99)

Here's a BT speaker with tons of

features ripe for some time on
the desk of a busy business
person. The Creative
Soundblaster Roar plays music
from Bluetooth, USB, and
analog inputs, and can also play
music from a micro-SD card
inserted in the rear slot.
Maybe its coolest feature for
some will be the ability to act as
a hands-free headset for your
smartphone, and, with a Micro-
SD card mounted, can record
your phone calls. I've struggled with smartphone apps for recording interviews, and the Creative
Soundblaster Roar makes quick and easy work of it.

The original product has now been superseded by the Creative Soundblaster Roar 2 ($199), which
has not been tested by InnerFidelity as yet. Fortunately, the current price of the original has been cut
in half making it a steal.