Etymotic EVO
Wired in-ear headphones with audiophile standards
Etymotic has been building in-ear headphones since 1984 and has plenty of experience in the field of acoustics and hearing aids. And for more than 20 years, the Illinois, USA-based manufacturer has been active in the field of in-ear monitoring (IEM) and during that time, they have consistently pushed the use of balanced-armature drivers. In fact, the classic ER-4 is considered a pioneer in this field. Now, for the new Evo model, Etymotic has fundamentally revised the design in many respects. The result is the first Etymotic IEM with multiple drivers.
Shanling M3X
Portable Hi-Res player with balanced headphone output
The 2001 invention of iPods was a brilliant thing. Suddenly you were able to listen to your own music library on the go. With the appearance of smartphones and their ability to store your music library, this kind of specialised portable music player initially disappeared from the shelves. For some years now, however, they have been made a comeback, offering a wealth of technical possibilities that are almost as good as home stereo systems, focusing on increased sound quality. Has the portable music player's time come again?
HiFiMan HE400se
Magnetostatic, open over-ear headphones for audiophile beginners
For entry into the realms of audiophile headphones, you used to have to dig deep into your pockets, at least for electro- and magnetostatic designs. But now, HiFiMan, the Asian manufacturer known for its high-end headphones, is venturing into the lower price range with the HE400se.
Klipsch T5 II True Wireless Sport
True Wireless in-ears for sports activities
The dominance of Apple's AirPods has one unquestionable benefit: it forces other manufacturers to be inventive and try out innovative concepts to compete with the omnipresent AirPods. The T5 II from Klipsch, tested here, are just such a case and are aimed specifically at water (and dust) loving hi-fi enthusiasts. Fully dust- and splash-proof, these True Wireless in-ears aim to be there for all those activities where Apple's fancy white earphones would be out of place.
Audeze LCD-2 Classic Closed Back
High-end sound with an old-school look
Audeze has long been known for high-quality headphones that offer the finest sound and workmanship. The closed-back version of the LCD-2 Classic is squarely in line with this, and as an extension of the LCD-2 aims to inspire us with a contemporary tool for music enjoyment with all the warm sound and great dynamics of classic Audeze models.
Sendy Audio Aiva
Planar-magnetic, open high-end headphones
With the Aiva, Sendy Audio present a pair of open, circumaural headphones at the upper end of the price range. This manufacturer has worked on fine-tuning these headphones over a period of three years, targeting and optimising even the smallest part. We were therefore looking forward to seeing how these planar-magnetic headphones performed in our test.
Sennheiser IE 300
High-quality wired in-ear headphones
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.
Bang & Olufsen Beoplay Portal
Premium Gaming Headset with ANC, Transparency Mode and Dolby Atmos
After Bang & Olufsen announced a partnership with Microsoft in mid-2020 and specifically mentioned the US software giant's Xbox gaming console, it was only a matter of time before we got the chance to wear a pair of gaming headphones from the Danish hi-fi specialist on our ears. Now the time has finally come: Beoplay Portal are here, and we shall see if they have what it takes to take the throne in the hotly contested gaming headset market. But will the result be Game Changer or Game Danger?
Bang & Olufsen Beoplay HX
Lightweight over-ears with comfort features
Bang & Olufsen launches the HX, a successor to the H9 that is supposed to offer more in all respects - except weight. At 285 grams, it occupies a top spot in the lightweight ear-cup league, which makes them exceedingly pleasant to wear right from the first fitting.
Focal Clear Mg Professional
Audiophile open over-ear headphones for professional use
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.
