Ulf Kaiser
Ulf Kaiser has held various positions in the professional audio industry since 1997 and since 1998 as a tech author, translator and editor. In addition to music, studio technology, synthesizers, guitars and all things hi-fi are among his areas of interest.
Article from Ulf Kaiser:
Sennheiser IE 300
With the IE 300 model, Sennheiser launches a wired in-ear headphone in the around 300 euros price range, aimed at buyers who are looking for a compact solution for mobile use with superior sound quality. The product is technically positioned between the Pro models IE 100 and IE 400 Pro, but is listed in the audiophile consumer section of the manufacturer's website. In addition to the high-quality, lightweight construction, they claim that the premium drivers provide a sonic bonus.
Focal Clear Mg Professional
The Clear Mg Professional from Focal is the successor to the Clear Professional. Those come from the French manufacturer's Professional series and are expressly aimed at professional and demanding sound engineers, while Focal offers the Clear Mg to the audiophile music lovers segment of the market.
Lypertek SoundFree S20
Lypertek's SoundFree S20 have an appealing minimalist design and a straightforward, functional performance. The aim is to offer great-sounding True-Wireless headphones without an app and noise cancelling, but at an attractive price.
SPL Phonitor xe
The flagship model among the SPL's headphone amplifiers is the Phonitor xe. In contrast to the similarly priced Phonitor x, which with its balanced output can also be used as a preamplifier for a power amplifier and loudspeakers, the Phonitor xe is a pure headphone amplifier for the most demanding applications. You can choose between a version with or without an integrated D/A converter, which has been further improved compared to the other models in the Phonitor series.
Sennheiser HD 820
With the HD 820, Sennheiser has followed the outstanding HD 800 S with a top-of-the-range closed model for a particularly demanding clientele.
Sennheiser HDV 820
With the HD 800 S and HD 820 models, Sennheiser offers first-class headphones aimed at demanding music lovers. Naturally, the corresponding headphone amplifier is not missing from the range of products offered by the Lower Saxony-based manufacturer: The HDV 820 is housed in a stylish, flat, black anodised casing with an internal power supply unit and so visually it is a matching partner to the HD 800 S.
SPL Phonitor se
Sennheiser HD 800 S
With the exception of the Orpheus HE-1, the HD 800 S is the top model among Sennheiser's open headphones. The successor to the HD 800 from 2009 is available both in the regular version tested here in black and in a technically identical Anniversary Edition in stylish matt gold which is limited to 750 units - and available for the same price.
Cambridge Audio Melomania Touch
Cambridge Audio have been active in the field of high-end hi-fi technology for five decades. The British manufacturer does not limit itself to conventional components such as amplifiers, loudspeakers, CD or record players; they also support modern forms of music consumption such as streaming. And of course, headphones are included in their range.
SPL Phonitor One
For smartphones and inexpensive stationary audio devices, but also in the studio, one should refrain from making overly high demands on integrated headphone amplifiers. They are part of an overall cost calculation for the product and often, in a sense, more of an accessory than a selling point. Accordingly, a dedicated headphone amplifier can certainly improve your listening experience, since it is a piece of technology that devotes its full attention to precisely this task. This is the case with the Phonitor One from SPL.