Audix A10
Wired in-ear headphones for professional live applications
Headphones are subjected to a demanding and rigorous daily routine when used on stage. In order to do their job, they should be of a suitably robust design. The use of comparatively delicate in-ear monitors seems at first glance to be incongruous, yet they are designed to be inconspicuous during the performance. However, if the equipment in question is to meet the demand for neutral sound reproduction and high output volume, the limit is quickly reached. But when an old hand in the audio industry takes on the task, we can only be curious about the result.
Phonon SMB-01L
Closed/semi-open high-end headphones
It was exactly seven years ago that the SMB-02 debuted from the then newly founded headphone company "Phonon". The founding trio of the company consisted of Isao Kumano, Yusuke Uchiyama and Alex Prat, all of whom are active musicians, producers, engineers and DJs – the best prerequisites for developing decent headphones. And indeed, the SMB-02 was able to win over an enthusiastic following (the author of this review is one of them) within a very short time due to its extremely detailed and linear sound. The new SMB-01L now wants to join this tradition. The "L" in the name stands for "large" because its declared aim is "big studio sounds in your ears". With a statement like that, we are, of course, immediately on the alert, and we subjected the headphones to an extensive test.
Austrian Audio Hi-X65
Open over-ear headphones with detailed sound
With the Austrian Audio Hi-X65, the successor to AKG in Vienna present their first open headphones. These are aimed not only at demanding professional users from the recording studio sector but also at fans of audiophile listening pleasure.
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.
SPL Phonitor xe
Audiophile stationary headphone amplifier with Voltair technology
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.
ESI eXtra 10
Wired over-ear headphones with linearisation software
The German manufacturer ESI offers a wide range of products for use in professional sound and home studios. With attractive prices and practical features, they are aimed at beginners as well as customers in the mid-price bracket. With the eXtra 10 model, the manufacturer makes its debut in this segment of the very competitive headphone market.
Sennheiser HD 820
Audiophile closed over-ear headphones
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
Audiophile, stationary headphone amplifier with XLR outputs
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.
Sennheiser HD 800 S
Wired, open over-ear reference headphones for audiophile and professional applications
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.
SPL Phonitor One
Headphone amplifier with crossfeed function
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.
