Intro: Collabs are a tricky business. Sometimes they result in a genuinely tuned product that fixes the flaws of earlier ones; other times, they feel more like a marketing exercise. The Kiwi Ears x Z Reviews Serene is an interesting case. Priced at $159 USD, this entry-level planar has the potential to shake up a … Continue reading Review of Kiwi Ears x Z Reviews Serene: Way too chill, or is that the point?
Intro: When Zaylli initially reached out to me with their WIP product — a retro-looking on-ear headphone "Lyrö" launching on Kickstarter — I was admittedly skeptical. I hadn't heard of the brand, and we’re all too familiar with audio Kickstarters that promise the moon but fail to deliver a viable product.But my doubts were quickly … Continue reading Zaylli Lyrö review: retro on-ear, benchmark sound?
Intro: Despite feeling a bit too bright for my taste, I still enjoyed the original Moondrop Para when I reviewed it. It offered excellent value for money with its technical performance and flexibility with EQ and pad rolling. Moondrop's current flagship, the Cosmo, also won me over with its overall sound quality. So, I had … Continue reading Moondrop Para II review: where’s the upgrade?
Cut from the same cloth? Intro: I previously reviewed Aune's first over-ear headphone, the AR5000, which I found to be a strong entry into the market with its well-balanced tuning and solid overall value. Now, Aune is back with its second headphone: the SR7000, a closed-back model priced at almost double the AR5000. Right out … Continue reading Review of Aune SR7000: a closed-back that doesn’t sound like one
Upgrade, downgrade or side-grade? Intro: I’ve reviewed several Focal headphones here before, ranging from the budget-friendly Elear to higher-end models like the Clear MG Pro and the Radiance. Focal’s rich, engaging tuning has always been to my taste. This time, I have here Focal’s latest flagship, the Utopia 2022. With a significant price premium, does … Continue reading Review of Focal Utopia 2022: a pricey refinement
