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(2014) Headphones and Related

Alpha Design Labs A1 USB DAC-Headphone Amplifier

Details
Parent Category: 2014 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
Category: (2014) Headphones and Related

Alpha Design Labs A1Price: $599

Website: www.adl-av.com

Hans said: The A1 headphone amplifier-DAC is pretty much faultless in terms of sound quality; add in its flexibility and DSD capabilities, and I could happily live with one for a long while.

Read the SoundStage! Xperience review.

The gist: Stylish, full-featured, great-sounding headphone amp.

Alpha Design Labs EH008 Earphones

Details
Parent Category: 2014 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
Category: (2014) Headphones and Related

Alpha Design Labs EH008Price: $239

Website: www.adl-av.com

Hans said: On the whole, the EH008s sounded nearly full-range, with a wealth of resolution easily audible down to all but the very lowest registers, and with low-frequency information doled out in responsibly ample portions.

Read the SoundStage! Xperience review.

The gist: Competitive with the better earphones out there.

Alpha Design Labs X1 USB DAC-Headphone Amplifier

Details
Parent Category: 2014 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
Category: (2014) Headphones and Related

Alpha Design Labs X1Price: $479

Website: www.furutech.com 

Vince said: Although other portable USB DAC-headphone amps work well with Apple devices, the ADL by Furutech X1 is a unique device that adds 24/192 capability via USB. It sounded splendid at all resolutions, and with every device that I connected it to. At $479, the X1 is pricey -- but you get a versatile, classy-looking device with exceptional sound quality to match its good looks.

Read the SoundStage! Xperience review.

The gist: Competition for Astell&Kern.

Astell&Kern AK240 Portable Media Player

Details
Parent Category: 2014 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
Category: (2014) Headphones and Related

Astell&Kern AK240Price: $2499

Website: www.iriverinc.com

Rad said: The Astell&Kern AK240 makes it possible to listen to high-resolution music practically anywhere. It’s pricey, but look at what it can do and what components it can replace, and see if that doesn’t lessen the sticker shock. After using it for a month, I concluded that it was probably worth close to its asking price of $2499.

Read the SoundStage! Xperience review.

The gist: Lotta money, but if you want portable hi-rez . . .

Audeze LCD-3 Headphones

Details
Parent Category: 2014 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
Category: (2014) Headphones and Related
  • Reviewers Choice

Audeze LCD-3Price: $1945

Website: www.audeze.com 

Garrett said: The Audeze LCD-3s created the best head-fi listening experience I have yet had. They’re serious contenders for a reference-level set of headphones and a must-hear for anyone looking at the top-tier of head-fi.

Reviewers' Choice

Read the SoundStage! Xperience review.

The gist: The anti-Beats set of headphones.

Audeze LCD-X Headphones

Details
Parent Category: 2014 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
Category: (2014) Headphones and Related
  • Reviewers Choice

Audeze LCD-XPrice: $1699

Website: www.audeze.com

S. Andrea said: The LCD-Xes imbue every recording with a little extra glow, but their enhanced high-frequency performance, and the fact that they’re more easily driven, will likely broaden their appeal beyond Audeze’s current fan base. Last, the LCD-Xes’ materials, build quality, and accessories embrace both luxury and utility. For anyone truly serious about headphones, the Audeze LCD-Xes are a must audition.

Reviewers' Choice

Read the SoundStage! Xperience review.

The gist: Newish company stands apart in a crowded headphone market.

Audio-Technica SonicFuel ATH-AX5iS Headphones

Details
Parent Category: 2014 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
Category: (2014) Headphones and Related

Audio-Technica SonicFuel ATH-AX5iSPrice: $89.95

Website: www.audio-technica.com

Rad said: Audio-Technica’s ATH-AX5iS headphones are in no way outstanding, but they have competently good sound, and they’re lightweight and easy to wear for just about any activity.

Read the SoundStage! Xperience review.

The gist: Not bad, but doesn’t stand out in a crowd.

Audiofly Performance AF140 Earphones

Details
Parent Category: 2014 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
Category: (2014) Headphones and Related

Audiofly Performance AF140Price: $349

Website: www.audiofly.com

Brent said: I think probably just about anyone would like the Audiofly AF140s. Who would love them? Listeners who want a neutral, natural, spacious sound in the mids and treble, combined with some extra bass power.

Read the SoundStage! Xperience review.

The gist: Audiofly’s upscale earphone series contains this good middle-of-the-road performer.

  1. Bowers & Wilkins P7 Headphones
  2. Brainwavz S5 Earphones
  3. Focal Spirit Classic Headphones
  4. JBL Synchros E50BT Bluetooth Headphones
  5. KEF M200 Earphones
  6. Motorola S11-HD Bluetooth Earphones
  7. NAD Viso HP20 Earphones
  8. NAD Viso HP50 Headphones
  9. NuForce Primo 8 Earphones
  10. Oppo Digital HA-1 Headphone Amplifier-Preamplifier-DAC
  11. Oppo Digital PM-1 Headphones
  12. Outdoor Tech. Privates Bluetooth Headphones
  13. Pathos Acoustics Aurium Headphone Amplifier
  14. Samsung Level In Earphones
  15. Sony XBA-H1 Earphones

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