Irthlingborough, UK (April 18, 2023)—At NAB 2023, Sonifex Ltd has debuted its new AVN-AH8 multi-channel headphone amplifier, which distributes two stereo audio streams alongside to as much as eight totally different pairs of headphones over a Dante community.
The new AVN-AH8 is meant to be a easy resolution for talks in areas and theatres/venues the place headphone monitoring is required. Continuing the corporate’s use of Dante, it’s a multi-output headphone amplifier with entrance panel controls and the selection of two inputs, for every output.
Each output has entrance panel unbalanced 1/4” and three.5mm jack sockets and a rotary stage management. The entrance panel potentiometers regulate the headphone volumes from mute (absolutely anticlockwise) to 0 dB of achieve (absolutely clockwise)—helpful if the Dante stream stage is low or excessive and requires adjusting. There are eight parallel 1/4” jacks on the rear panel to help wiring if the unit is put in in an enclosed rack.
Each of the eight skilled headphone outputs can every choose between two stereo Dante sources that are routed by way of Dante controller. The stage of every stereo Dante stream will be adjusted ±12 dB utilizing one of many two entrance panel rotary controls. The unit helps AES67 operation and is Dante Domain Manager compliant.
The AVN-AH8 entrance panel incorporates an influence (PoE) LED, a DC LED, a community hyperlink standing LED, and a clock LED. A recessed reset change can be offered. The unit is powered by way of Power over Ethernet (PoE) or a 12VDC enter by way of a locking 2.5mm DC Input, 2A minimal score.
What is the Focal OD Stone 8? Well, I’ve been hitting the Focal and Naim rooms at the previous few high-end audio exhibits fairly exhausting for just a few causes. First, I’ve been getting a gentle […]
Meze headphones hail from Romania. Its products are the result of a unique design collaboration between Meze and Rinaro Isodynamics. During the last 30 years, Rinaro has focused all its design efforts on perfecting planar-magnetic transducers. The Rinaro Parus planar diaphragm achieves an extremely low mass by utilizing an ultra-thin, biaxially oriented, semi-crystalline film. This film is produced through a special process that involves stretching it in transverse directions at high temperatures. Instead of one unified voice coil the Elite uses a dual-driver system. The switchback coil, located in the upper section of the planar diaphragm, is more efficient on lower frequencies. While the spiral coil, located in the lower section, is more efficient on middle and upper frequencies. Meze has also developed a unique headband design that originated on its Empyrean headphones to increase the Elite’s wearability. Instead of the standard U-shaped curve to the leather lower part of the headband, the Elite’s is almost W-shaped, which spreads the headphones weight over a larger portion of your head, making them more comfortable. The Elite is an open-back design whose sonic attributes reflect that. It produces a huge soundstage that is comparable to other reference headphones with a similar backless design, such as the Warwick Sonoma system. The Meze Elite is, in every way, a reference-quality headphone that earns its flagship status and justifies its price. The Meze Elite is the kind of headphone that quickly and conclusively elevates listening to the point that after some time spent with it, it’s hard to go back to headphones that are merely extremely good.
September 16, 2022 – First launched in 2016, Focal’s Utopia headphones rank amongst the best headphones in the world. Under constant renewal, the French brand with a unique savoir-faire in acoustics, has given its iconic product a new design while adding acoustic enhancements (new voice coil, ‘M’-shaped grilles inside the earcups…). All the exclusive, high-end technologies that make the Utopia headphones so successful are still to be found in this new edition, continuing to bring sensational listening experiences to your home with even more sophistication and elegance.
A NEW LOOK, A REWORKED DESIGN
The design of the new Utopia is a combination of moderation and distinction. Taking the aesthetics of Focal’s latest hi-fi open-back (Clear Mg) and closed-back (Stellia and Celestee) headphones, the honeycomb grille on both the outside and inside of the earcups gives a unique and remarkable look. In addition to its Black Chrome rings – now attached on from the inside for a cleaner appearance – these headphones introduce new design codes, which will also be used on Focal’s future Utopia products. Among them, the “Yin & Yang” featured on the outer case symbolizes the perfect balance between design and technology, embodied by these highend, French headphones, as well as the black and red double grille on the speaker drivers’ motor unit.
THE BEST FOCAL TECHNOLOGIES
Continuing to strive for excellence in their creations and beginning a new chapter in the history of these iconic headphones, Focal’s engineers opted for a new voice coil made up of copper – to improve reliability – and aluminum – to make it more lightweight. This alloy provides a rejuvenated sound signature, that lends even greater neutrality, with powerful bass and more mellow treble. What’s more, the grilles inside the earcups are now M-shaped, following the curves of the speaker drivers, to give improved linearity and even more precision.
In addition to these innovations, the new Utopia headphones still include everything that made the first editions such a success, such as full-range speaker drivers with pure Beryllium, ‘M’-shaped dome, and being fully open-backed for strikingly real listening full of neutrality, dynamics and transparency. Exclusive to Focal, the patented speaker drivers run with zero active or passive correction, from 5Hz to over 50 kHz. The headphones seem to totally disappear, leaving audio signal reproduction that is unrivalled in its purity.
PREMIUM MATERIALS DEDICATED TO SOUND AND COMFORT
Utopia is made from premium, sophisticated materials. The new yoke, made from forged, recycled carbon, is an elegant touch, whilst making the headphones more lightweight and distributing their weight more evenly. The genuine leather headband and perforated memory foam earcups— also leather-bound — provide unparalleled comfort and softness.
And finally, exceptional headphones merit top of the range accessories: Utopia comes in faux-leather packaging with a black fabric thermoformed carrying case and two high-fidelity cables (10ft and 5ft / 3m and 1.5m) for using the headphones at home with an amplifier or on the go with Lemo® connectors and a Jack adapter.
Utopia will be available September 2022 for $4999.
Sivga, originating from China has been making some of the most talked about headphones of recent times. They raised their head a couple of years ago and have a handful of headphones under their belt. Sivga has been delivering eye-catching designs as well as intriguingly equipped headphones since their arrival. The Phoenix reviewed by Ryan has been one of their most popular headphones.
What I am reviewing here is the SV021, aka Robin. This is their answer to the competition at $200. Just like any other Sivga headphones, Robin too has wooden cups and comes in two colors, black and brown. It houses a 50mm dynamic driver and is currently priced at $150.
I will compare it with a few old timers like SRH440 and and new gen Headphones like Blon BL-30.
Robin ships with an all black box with some info graphics on it. Unboxing experience is very straightforward, and doesn’t have any tricks here. First thing that shows up inside the box is the headphone. A compartment within the headphone cavity contains the HEMP carry pouch and externally braided cable. There is a quarter inch adapter to use with AMPs.
HOW IS THE CABLE:
Sivga barely has any information about the cable but it is safe to assume that it’s a 2 meter (strangely their website has it at 1.6m) Copper cable with protective fiber braiding over it. This braiding will keep the cable safe for a lot longer than other without giving into general wear and tear and keeps from tangling. On the down side it makes this cable a bit stiffer than expected.
Components used in this cable are of very good quality. All the connectors and even the Y splitter is made out of metal, giving it a premium feel.
BUILD QUALITY AND ERGONOMICS:
Robin has a very sturdy build quality. It uses a metal skeleton to hold the cups and head bend. It has protein leather on the head bands and earpads while the ear cups are made out of wood.
Even when the egg-like shape of the wooden cups looks eye-catching it is slightly on the smaller side and sits a bit on the lobes of my 9cm long ears but thanks to the soft and supple pads it’s done not bother at all even after hours of usage. Another problem is, it doesn’t have any sidewise movement. The cups do move vertically but that barely compensates for the uneven bone structures around the ear. It kind of feels like there is some gap and feels a bit odd, compromising it’s closed back nature. I will like a bit of sidewise movement or a slightly bigger cup, this does feel a bit odd on my bigger ears.
PAIRING WITH SOURCES:
Sivga Robin has an impedance of 35ohm with a sensitivity of 105db making it harder to drive out of mobile phones. It doesn’t show any anomalies when driven out of weaker sources but it doesn’t get much louder. Using a portable DAC/amp is advised. A bit of power does open up it’s stage as experienced with the Earmen sparrow and TR-amp. Giving it a much more powerful source doesn’t make much sense.
SOUND QUALITY:
I wasn’t expecting a lot out of a $150 headphone. I have a few headphones in this price range, while all of these are very good, none have the accuracy of the Sivga. The Robin with its 50mm dynamic driver delivers a well rounded performance. It’s not bass heavy but do have a dip just after the vocals while the treble region is a bit more forward. SV021 does all this without suppressing or trimming out resolution or definition. It does have a different kind of v shaped sound signature.
Just like most of the head-gears of recent times the Robin too doesn’t have much coloration while having a neutral timber.
I have used Earmen Sparrow and Qudelix 5k for this review.
BASS:
This 50mm dynamic driver has a more balanced approach and doesn’t exaggerate the lower end but delivers very good details. It has excellent extension and very good sub-bass rumble but doesn’t have the volume or weight to it. Mid bass is fuller and more voluminous but is still not in the bassy category. It doesn’t try to bring the bass unless the track asks for it, exhibiting it’s control and dynamic abilities. Upper bass is slightly less voluminous but is equally capable as the Robin uses it to place notes more dynamically. It has the layered feel without slowing down or dropping frames. Decay speed is on the faster side and is neck in neck with more expensive headphones like Austrian Audio HI-X55.
If you are looking for hard hitting bass with lots of vim and vigor, please turn around. Robin doesn’t have any interest in pleasing the bass heads. It is more into accuracy and precision while keeping the air clean of any wooly stuff.
MID RANGE:
After coming from a neutral lower end we are treated with a mid range with very good transparency and clarity but this headphones only weak point lies in its mid range. The transition from upper bass to lower treble is nicely done with very good energy and clarity. Vocals have accurate notes body with neutral tonality. Both male and female vocals are aptly accurate without trying to be overly thick or thin. Finishing definitions are spot-on. Texture and details are very good too. Yes male vocals could have been slightly throatier but can’t complain about that on a $150 headphone.
What could have been better is the balance. The vocals could have been more leveled. And if the instruments after the vocals and before the upper mids have had the same projection levels as the vocals, the SV021 would have been a bit more balanced. Don’t confuse it with veil or lack of clarity though.
Instruments before the vocals and at the upper mids have very good projection and emphasis. Notes have better height and fuller feeling. From there on, the energy levels start to rise, notes get more forward and the upper mids can feel a bit sharper at times but doesn’t have any sibilance to worry about. It can feel a bit more aggressive for sensitive ears.
HIGHS:
If we see the whole spectrum, SV021 has a V shaped signature and it’s mostly because of the elevated treble region. The rise in energy we see with the upper mids is carried over to the treble region. Unlike the mids where the Robin is willing to compromise a bit, in the treble region it doesn’t hold back. It has the forwardness and energy too. I have had a few headphones in this price range but none of them, even the MSR-7B has the treble details and extension of the Robin. It has very good contrast and details. It’s sparkly with a livelier feel. I would have liked a bit more air between instruments but I am getting greedy. It’s an excellent sounding headphone, and it’s natural to expect a bit more from it.
SOUND STAGE AND IMAGING:
Surprisingly this budget headphone has a much bigger stage than its counterparts, let it be SRH440 or HD598. Robin has a very tall and wide stage which has a reverse conical feel. The best thing is, it doesn’t feel limited, it manages to deliver good dynamic cue placement.
It has a good concentration near the head and further to the head while the region in-between these are slightly thinner and a bit less dense. The treble region takes the lion’s share here but nothing feels clumsy. Cue placements and sonicality is very good, not as good as the SRH440 though.
COMPARISONS:
vs Shure SRH440:
SRH440 has been one of the classics and is still on sale.
The Shure is a more neutral sounding IEM with a slightly less extended sub-bass and less rumble. The mid bass is smaller while the upper bass is slightly more elevated. Both have similar details, texture and definition. Mids is where the Shure has a bit of advantage at first with a more forward projection but when looks in depth SV021 has better timber and notes accuracy. Both have similar details but the Robin has better separation. Treble of the Shure is lacking energy and doesn’t have the extension of the Robin. In simpler words Robin has better details and transparency with treble notes but can feel a bit aggressive.
Picking one is more about preference. If you like details, both will do, but the Robin is more sonically and technically capable headphone.
VS Blon BL30:
The Blon headphone has a similar sized driver but its cups are bigger. It is an open back headphone and has the similar kind of sealing issue because of its stiffer pads. Build quality of the BL30 is slightly better but it still is a bit difficult to handle because of heft.
BL30 gas slightly smaller sub-bass rumble but have similar extension. Mid bass is a bit softer with slighter bigger volume. Decay speed oddly is slower on the BL30 and lacks a bit of layered details. Mid range of the BL30 sounds hollow and lacks weight but is well balanced. It has a more organic a warmer feel. It is crisper and slightly thinner too. Vocals have very good height but are slightly on the thinner side and male vocals are oddly hollow. Female vocals are much better but the Robin is better with both. Instruments are less attacking and doesn’t have the extra bit of finishing definition but have better timber. High are less defined, less extended and can feel a bit veiled. The only place where the Blon is slightly better is with the stage. It has a more rounded stage with better sonicality and dynamic cue placement. It has slightly better layering and contrast too.
Robin is a more technically capable headphone while the BL30 is sonically better. Both won’t disappoint depending upon their applications and requirements but Robin has the upper hand.
CONCLUSION:
Robin has a very good frequency response. Even if it’s not perfect it has very good transparency and details. It doesn’t veil or try to hide its sound signatures behind hollow or edgy notes. It does have the V shape but owns it with a smile. This is a neutral sounding headphone which delivers some of the best details for under $200. The bass is aptly voluminous but could have been slightly fuller, the mid range instruments could have been a bit more forward and the treble can be a bit less energetic when seen separately.
All these bits do not feel inspiring individually but put all this together with excellent transparency, very good resolution and details, it not easy to sideline the Sivga Robin SV021, especially when you are not looking for a bassy headphone. It is a very capable headphone, highly recommended.
Audeze is one of those legendary headphone brands that has been the subject of desire for so many audiophiles. Their LCD-4 flagship blew many listeners away with its rich tonality and detailed sound. Following hot on the heals of the CRBN electrostatic system, Audeze once again turns their attention towards their planar magnetic offerings, with an all-new flagship, the LCD-5.
The LCD-5 is a completely new design bottom to top. It sports a new driver design with parallel uniforce voice coils and a new magnet assembly. The housings have received equally drastic changes, being designed to minimise refletions, improve frequency response and offer an altogether more open and accurate soundstage.
Audeze has considered each and every part of the headphone including new acoustic leather earpads, an improved carbon-fiber suspension headband, deep “tortoise shell acetate rings, lightweight magnesium housing and a new cable with high-purity OCC copper conductors. These yield a 1/3rd weight drop relative to the LCD-4. Finally, an aluminium travel case keeps the headphones safe during transit.
The LCD-5 just launched for $6799 AUD or $4500 USD. Australian readers can see authorised dealers on Busisoft AV and our international readers can find more info via Audeze’s website here.
Meze Audio made a huge splash with their first set of portable over-ear headphones, the 99 Classics, which featured an organic sound, gorgeous woodgrain design and fully modular housings that made them easy to maintain. The company then shocked the audiophile world when they announced the Empyrean, which didn’t just build upon the Classics but sought to establish Meze as one of the most venerable in the field. And, this was to great success with the Empyrean receiving accolade after accolade for its well-rounded performance – see our review here.
Since, the company has revisited this design and has once again teamed up with Rinaro to refine their summit-Fi headphone design. Welcome the ELITE, Meze’s new flagship headphone using a similar hybrid array driver as seen on the Empyrean further upgraded with improved diaphragm materials and a new voice coil configuration. Meze reasons the ELITE sets a new benchmark in resolution and accuracy of sound production.
The ELITE just launched for $4000 USD. You can read more about it and treat yourself to a set on Apos Audio!
London, UK (April 23, 2021) – Cranborne Audio has shipped its new N22H Reference-Grade Headphone Amplifier, designed for tracking, mixing or mastering.
According to the company, the headphone amplifier takes much of its design from the Cranborne Audio 500R8 interface, in an effort to similarly provide a flat frequency response and low distortion. The new unit offers both high and low power modes, which can be applied via a switch. A custom, logarithmic level control allows performers to control the headphone output.
To provide flexibility, Cranborne designed the N22H to be powered in multiple ways. Users can power the N22H unit with the included 9V DC power supply, a typical guitar pedal power supply, variously available pedalboard power supplies or a 9V battery that provides up to 10 hours of operation.
The Cranborne Audio unit can be also be positioned anywhere using a single, shielded Cat 5e, Cat 6 or Cat 7 cable using Cranborne Audio’s C.A.S.T. system. With a range of 330 feet, N22H can be used as a solution for headphone distribution or as a connectivity hub for mic/line sources as an all-analog, Cat 5e snake.
VZR Model One Hands-On Preview The story of the VZR Model One is a rather curious one… it’s not often I get to write about a product like this. The story is extraordinary, and the product itself is special and unusual in ways that are novel, at least to my ears. We begin with, of all people, Mark Levinson. After the eponymous company, he began building tube electronics under the name Red Rose Music, in partnership with Vic Tiscareno, the head engineer and technical force behind VZR. Red Rose even had a retail presence in Manhattan, with customers as illustrious as Steve Jobs and other tech royalty. Through these connections Vic came into work building the first audio testing lab at Apple, and participated in building some products which are likely familiar to you. Needless to say, Vic is an incredibly smart guy. After chatting with him a few times, the impression is reinforced. This guy knows a ton of stuff about audio, certainly well more than I do. Words by Grover Neville Over the course of several chats with both Mike and Vic, they gave me a peek into some of the tech that goes into the VZR Model […]
When Joseph Mou told me about this new company he was building, Metal Magic Research, and this strange IEM with an even stranger name, I found myself gripped by a savage need to know more.
Shortly thereafter, Homunculus arrived at my door.
From my understanding, everything MMR makes will be metal-housed, and Homunculus is no different. They take their metalwork seriously, too. The build quality is top shelf, making for a handsome finished product. I’m not a huge fan of the fit, however. While they stay in place well enough, they do tend to get uncomfortable after an hour or two. If you have large Western ears, the sharp rim makes contact with your ear, and over time, that becomes a hot spot which can become painful.
The cable is from Eletech, a newer company which came out of the gate with a slew of extremely high quality cables that easily compete with the best the industry has to offer. Furthermore, the internal wiring of Homunculus is also an Eletech conductor. This is an area most companies overlook. Whether it makes any audible difference or not, I can’t say, but it is a nice tough you don’t see very often.
Homunculus is a 3-way hybrid IEM: dual Electrostats, one vented Balanced Armature, and a “Bespoke” 9.7mm Foster Dynamic Driver. MMR’s website isn’t the most coherent, but if I had to guess, the eStats are for high frequencies, the BA is for mids, and the DD is for bass. Though, it’s possible there’s some serious crossover. Hell, it’s just as possible that all drivers are attempting to cover all ranges. But if I had to guess, well, I gave you my guess already.
