Review of Kiwi Ears x Z Reviews Serene: Way too chill, or is that the point?

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?

Zaylli Lyrö review: retro on-ear, benchmark sound?

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?

Review of Sennheiser HD 505: a great listen but a tough sell?

Intro: EDIT 8 August 2025: The HD505 has recently been available at 30-40% off during Amazon sales (AU$275, RRP AU$449). At these discounted prices, the value proposition is significantly stronger, and I highly recommend them.Right out of the box, the HD505 feels like a typical Sennheiser headphone: mostly plastic, yet well-built and robust. It doesn’t … Continue reading Review of Sennheiser HD 505: a great listen but a tough sell?

Audio Technica ATH-R70xa: Measurement and First Impression

Disclaimer: this unit is purchased and owned by unheardlab. First impression: I like how these sound. Going in, I was expecting a neutral/warm neutral tuning based on my previous experiences with the R70X. That said, it’s been a while since I last heard the R70X, so I can’t provide a direct comparison as much as … Continue reading Audio Technica ATH-R70xa: Measurement and First Impression