How It Begins: Problem Definition From the very beginning, we (Norbert, Martin and Michael) wanted our stand to look different from what is most associated with a headphone stand (or banana hangers). We thought that it would be a good idea if the headphones sit in the stand instead of hanging to reduce the headband compression. But still, at that point, many questions remained unanswered, like what materials should we use....
One of the most annoying inconveniences is when you want to sit down and listen to some great music, but only hear static noises or intermittent audio playing. What’s worse is that no matter how much you fiddle with your headphones or audio device, you just can’t seem to understand what’s causing the problem. How will you be able to make the annoying static and buzzing sounds go away? Luckily for you, we’ve made a comprehensive guide covering all the possible causes and solutions for getting rid of static in your headphones for different devices....
Muffled or distorted sounds can easily ruin any listening experience, and can cause you to tirelessly search for the root cause of the problem. These issues become especially problematic when you’re using the headphones for a work meeting and you find yourself missing out on half of the information being discussed because of the terrible sound quality. Today, we’re going to look at a few reasons why you may be experiencing muffled or distorted sounds, and how you can fix them....
Every few years, a new group of headphone enthusiasts discovers the least well-kept secret in portable audio. Brace yourself. The truth will blow your mind. Gasp * I know, right? Shocking! The latest iteration of these enthusiasts calls themselves #KossGang. Those of us with a few grey hairs, might remember that these great-sounding and inexpensive headphones have been around for a year or two, err…, decade or three. Doctor, set the Tardis to the fantastical year 1984, and let’s see what Koss is up to....
How to Pick the Best Earbuds for Kids When choosing earbuds for kids, it’s important to find a pair that are kid-friendly in terms of size, quality, durability, and safety. The challenge, however, is that children have different needs than adults because they have smaller ears, and their developing sense of hearing is more sensitive. An impulsive purchase might result in you either wasting money or potentially putting them in harm’s way....
So, you decide that it’s time to ditch the cables and switch to wireless headphones. You’ve probably looked into some products and noticed that not all wireless headphones have the same features. But the more you look into it, the more confused you get. This is especially when you learn that there are different wireless headphones other than Bluetooth, like radio-frequency, infrared, and Kleer. Now you’re stuck with the question: which should I go for?...
Dyson isn’t a name you’d normally hear mentioned in the same breath as audio products, but if a filed patent is anything to believe, we may be seeing the company combine one of its special pieces of tech with its own headphones soon. The news was first reported by Bloomberg, which also shared the early designs you see here. Dyson, known for home gadgets with high-tech designs, plans to integrate its popular air purifier technology with headphones....
You have to admit, sometimes you find yourself thinking, “Hey, these headphones are expensive!” You can get to the point where you think that the phrase “audiophile on a budget” is an inherent contradiction. Maybe the best thing about updated, modern headphones is that they lower the price of older models. Electronics, in general, have gotten less expensive over the years, unlike everything else, and manufacturers have had to reduce the prices of vintage products that are no longer newsworthy....
Where to Buy Introduction A couple of years ago, Bose had a commendable lead in the Active Noise Canceling (ANC) Bluetooth headphones niche, given the sheer lack of competition. Fast forward to 2022, and the scene has changed dramatically. Sony now boasts the “best ANC” crown, while Apple is hot on their heels with their debut wireless ANC full-size headphones. Established players like Beyerdynamic and Focal also offer cutting-edge tech in the ANC department....
The search for the exotic has been chaotic, hypnotic, quixotic, and even borderline erotic. The exhaustive pursuit of endgame in-ear monitors (IEMs) have bled and healed me, blessed and cursed me. Deluded by thoughts that “the one” awaits at the furthest possible location (or “our princess is in another castle” syndrome), my eternally thankful ears have sampled IEMs more diverse than a UCOB catalog. The Queen Dream Today, we take a long, alluring gaze at Violet, their new queen supreme atop the throne....
If you cavort in any audiophile or headphone communities, you will have inevitably caught the buzz on the Edition XS (hereafter referred to as the XS). They are the most spoken and inquired about of numerous new HIFIMAN models to make a splash, with the possible exception of the most recent 2022 release, the Sundara Closed. In the HIFIMAN headphone hierarchy, the XS sits above the Sundara and Deva, and is the lowest-price model to share the large oval-shaped ear cup design of their upper-line models....
HiFiMAN is one of the few brands that offer the most expensive, alongside perhaps the cheapest, pairs of planar-magnetic headphones in the market. The HE400se are of the latter category and strangely enough, have a few of the latest technical breakthroughs employed by their more expensive siblings. It’s rare to see a pair of budget headphones offer so much on the spec sheet. So are the HE400se too good an offer to be true, or is the hype justified?...
The Sendy Audio Peacocks are their first go at no-compromise, open-back, flagship headphones. They blend premium wood and leather construction with a lightweight chassis. The 88mm planar magnetic drivers aim to bring that premium sound and feel to your ears. Technical Specifications Driver Type: Planar Magnetic Driver Size: 88mm Impedance: 50 Ohm +/- 15% Sensitivity: 103dB +/- 3dB Weight: 578g Packaging and Accessories The Peacocks ship in a simple but durable box with the outline of the headphones and typical branding....
Ok, Ok. We get it. Planar magnetic IEMs are hot right now. Another pair is released just about weekly, and many seem to share the magic driver size of 14.5mm. However, despite the parallels, all are not the same, and there are some very different sound signatures to be found. To be frank, I was not impressed with many of the early planar magnetic IEM offerings. Some were too bass-light for my tastes, and few sounded truly natural....
Tech giant Samsung is keeping a close eye on the advancements of artificial intelligence (AI) and what it can contribute to the future development and innovation of its hardware lineup. Allan Devantier, vice president and head of Samsung Research America’s Audio Lab, believes that AI would play a role in future audio technologies, empowering future solutions and creating big leaps in sound quality advancements. Specifically, AI can be used to help loudspeakers to play louder with more pronounced bass and less distortion, Devantier said....
Typically, the arguments would get stuck in a loop, similar to the one below: Please note that this article will focus primarily on analog headphone cables (and extension cables), rather than digital connections (such as USB or Lightning). With that said, wireless Bluetooth headphones will only be impacted when connected with an optional analog detachable cable. Claimed Improvements in Expensive Cables I think it is important to note that ‘expensive’ doesn’t necessarily mean ‘high-end’....
Listening to loud music can be fun and exhilarating. Doing so for long periods of time, however, leads to ear damage. It can be especially more damaging to children because their ears are less developed. Frequently listening to music at high levels can even lead to their hearing loss. The good news is that there is a device that allows both adults and children to enjoy their music without compromising their health – volume-limiting headphones and earbuds....
Thinking of gifts for kids isn’t exactly easy. You won’t want to give clothes they’ll just simply outgrow in months. Or toys they might not even want. But there’s one thing we all know every kid can enjoy. And that is a pair of the best kids headphones. However, if you think picking headphones for kids is just about cool designs, then you are sorely mistaken. Every kid has their own needs and preferences....
PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds was arguably the one battle royale game that started it all. However, since the game first gained mainstream popularity way back in 2017, the hype surrounding the OG battle royale title has faded, with the majority of PUBG’s most popular streamers having already moved on to playing other more popular battle royale titles. 10 Best PUBG Pro Players and their Gaming Headsets Best Gaming Headsets used by PUBG Pro Player Mind you, that doesn’t mean that PUBG has faded into obscurity....
How to Choose the Best Studio Headphones Making, recording, and mixing music all require listening to audio over extended periods of time. In the studio, you’ll be monitoring audio frequently, ensuring that the audio sounds great in every medium. Thus, it’s crucial that what you hear while mixing or recording is faithful to the sound you will later play and produce. But, this isn’t a feat that normal headphones can do....
