What’s In The Box?

Look and Feel

The Audeze Maxwell weighs 450 grams and features a suspension headband to distribute the weight. The ear pads are soft with moderate clamping pressure, offering a snug fit. The button layout is intuitive, with precise and responsive controls. The detachable microphone and wireless functionality add to its modern appeal, despite its somewhat heavy and convoluted design.

In contrast, the Beyerdynamic MMX 300 Pro boasts high build quality with aluminum yokes and velour ear cushions. The clamping style might feel tight for some, but it ensures comfort during long gaming sessions. However, its wired design, non-detachable mic, and bulky cable system make it a bit more cumbersome compared to the Maxwell.

Design, Battery, Bluetooth, and Specs

The Maxwell impresses with an 80-hour battery life and quick charge capabilities. It connects seamlessly via a USB-C dongle or Bluetooth. The transparency mode and detachable boom mic deliver excellent clarity, and the 90mm planar driver ensures powerful and clean low-end reproduction. It supports high-resolution audio formats like LDAC, providing strong passive isolation even without active noise cancellation (ANC).

The MMX 300 Pro features the 45mm STELLAR.45 driver for studio-quality sound. It performs best on a PC due to the volume limitations of the 3.5mm connector. The cardioid condenser microphone provides clear chat audio, ideal for communication during gameplay.

Soundstage & Imaging

The Maxwell excels with its 3D Audio compatibility, offering an expansive and detailed soundstage that enhances the gaming experience by allowing precise pinpointing of sounds. This feature is particularly useful in competitive shooters.

The MMX 300 Pro delivers a realistic soundstage with a natural stereo field, suitable for both competitive and atmospheric gaming experiences. Its more natural soundstaging makes it versatile for both music and gaming.

Sound Impressions

The Maxwell features a V-shaped tuning, emphasizing the bass and treble while slightly recessing the mids. This results in thunderous sub-bass, crisp sound effects, and detailed imaging. I was deeply impressed with its ability to parse out layers of sound during busy moments in games. But while this tuning is excellent for gaming, it can feel unnatural for certain music genres.

The MMX 300 Pro offers a balanced bass response with a theatrical tone, enhancing the gaming experience with smooth and textured low frequencies. The midrange is clear and neutral, providing ample space for sound effects. The highs are subdued by Beyerdynamic’s standards, but overall, they add a tactile feel that provides traditional detail in a way that the Maxwell can’t.

Final Thoughts

Both the Audeze Maxwell and Beyerdynamic MMX 300 Pro offer excellent but different features. For gamers prioritizing 3D sound immersion and wireless convenience, the Maxwell is the better choice. However, the MMX 300 Pro is more versatile, performing well for both gaming and music. Ultimately, it’s great to see audio companies providing a range of gaming solutions to suit different preferences.

The Audeze Maxwell and Beyerdynamic MMX 300 Pro are available at Audio46. 

The post Beyerdynamic MMX 300 Pro vs Audeze Maxwell Comparison Review appeared first on Major HiFi.

What You Get

• TOZO T6 Wireless Earbuds
• Wireless Charging Case
• 6 pairs of Ear tips (XS/S/M/L/XL/XXL)
• USB Charging Cable
• Quick Guide & User Manual

Look & Feel

The T6 has a simple but elegant design. You get a standard oval shell that is small, and has a glossy faceplate that acts as a touch sensor. It’s a stylish look that comes in tons of color variations. The version I used for this review is the champagne variation, which is even more fashionable than the others. No matter what color the T6 comes in, the level of comfort will be the same. The T6 sits easily in your ear without any extra pressure, and it’s easy to forget about them while you’re just sitting there listening to music.

Design & Functionality

What supports TOZO’s main driver configuration is its OrigX system which is responsible for the earphones tuning. Other than its sound, the T6 doesn’t have many other features. There’s no active noise-canceling or environmental features, but there is a companion app that has EQ. Another part of its functionality is the touch sensors, which work well even after long delays.

Bluetooth

The T6 supports Bluetooth 5.3 with low latency. They have very fast paring and stable streaming quality throughout your listening time. It features standard CODECs, so no aptX or LDAC.

Battery Life

With the T6, you should be able to get ten hours from a single charge. The charging case totals 45 hours of listening time before needed to recharge, which is very good for the price point.

Soundstage

It’s hard to find many flaws with this soundstage considering the price. I’m so easily impressed by the T6’s moderately wide stereo field. When cheaper products like the T6 make any attempt to feature basic stereo dynamics and accuracy, it will receive praise from me. The T6 does an adequate job stacking its layers on top of each other elegantly and showing some degree of separation. You can localize different instruments with ease thanks to its channel balance.

Low End

This bass has everything you’re looking for from a set of budget true wireless earbuds. Even without EQ, the bass on the T6 is very thumpy. It features satisfying bass grooves that dig deeper than you might expect, offering a consistent edge to bass performances. If the constant drive of the bass is too much, you can always reduce it with EQ. Using EQ to add more bass is a bit overkill for me though, as the lows start to lose some of its grace.

Mids

A lot of earbuds like the T6 tend to bury its mids underneath a more dominant bass. The T6 does a good job hiding its lack of midrange detail with a relatively clean timbre. It supplies instruments with a fine layer of surface level resolution. It’s not the most full range of frequency content, but nothing about it feels too destructive to the mix. Maybe the frequency response is more constricted in the midrange, but it’s not too distracting.

Highs

The T6 does a good job adding a little bit of spice to the top-end region of the sound signature. There’s a thinly veiled sparkle that gives cymbals enough juice to have significant presence in the mix. Nothing about it is overtly bright or harsh, but it doesn’t settle for dullness either. It features some pleasant ticks that feel detailed, and it gives sound elements a solid amount of tail.

Summary

There’s a ton of value to the T6, with a good design and sound for an inexpensive price. Its bass and highs present more expressive features than its price would have you assume, and the same goes for its soundstage too. It also features nice aesthetics, and a wonderfully comfy fit that almost makes the T6 the whole package for a generous price.

The TOZO T6 is available from Amazon.

The post TOZO T6 Review appeared first on Major HiFi.

What You Get

• EVO
• Storage Bag
• USB Cable
• Manual
• Service Card
• QC Certificate

Design

The Evo is like a white version of the Fiio UTWS5. The outside is sleek, thin, and lightweight, causing as little distraction as possible when looped over your ears. No matter which pair of IEMs I paired with the Evo, I always felt the main body and hooks of the Evo were comfortable. They sat naturally around my ear, and I never thought about them throughout my listening time

I also particularly like the zipper bag charging case. It’s a bit bulky, but different from what you’re used to getting from true wireless adapters. It makes it feel like more of a specialized accessory than another cheap product. Your IEMs, no matter the size will be able to fit in this case while still attached to the adapters. Everything about the presentation of the Evo outclasses other Bluetooth adapters of its kind.

One aspect of the Evo’s design I’m not so keen on is its touch panel. It’s finicky and not very responsive. The actions only activate after long delays and multiple touches. This might interfere with taking calls over the Evo too, but the actual call clarity is servicable. Disappointingly, there is no companion app for the Evo. I would have liked to see some added features like an EQ or adjustable controls.

Bluetooth & Battery Life

Getting the Evo to pair is very easy. It supports Bluetooth version 5.2, and it has a fast connection with good stability. There’s a big selection of CODECs that the Evo offers, including aptX Adaptive and aptX HD. Of course, using an iPhone with the Evo only gave me access to AAC audio.

By far the most infuriating aspect of the Evo is its battery life. I was shocked when I first heard the “battery low,” and “power off” voice indicators play, as I had only been listening for an hour or two. It would appear that’s all the charge the Evo is capable of giving you.

Sound Impressions

I used a few different IEMs with the Evo, from the Dunu Titan S2 to the Meze Alba. What the Evo did to the sound was most apparent in the overall volume of it. The sound signature as a whole felt elevated in pure gain, acting as a true DAC/Amp component. Listening to music on my phone gave me tons of headroom to play with compared to most Bluetooth headphones and earphones. It kept as much detail as possible while squeezing through common Bluetooth CODECs. For its price, the sound is mostly impressive for its energy alone, making up for the loss of detail with its strong drive. I can’t say there was much else to distinguish in these IEMs, but they rival the Go Pods and UTWS5 in terms of their power, which is quite a feat for its price point.

Summary

The Moondrop Evo has a lot of faults, but for the price, it does what’s expected of a true wireless Bluetooth adapter for your IEMs. If sound quality is all that matters to you, then the Evo is exactly what you need. It has more power than you would assume for the price, and it maintains your IEM sound signature quite well over Bluetooth. Otherwise, it’s hard to look past the finicky touch controls and incredibly disappointing battery life.

The Moondrop Evo is available at Audio46.

The post Moondrop Evo Review appeared first on Major HiFi.

What You Get

Look & Feel

It’s very hard to beat B&W when it comes to aesthetics. The PX7 S2e just looks so classy sitting next to any pair of headphones, let alone the M4U. You get a lot more striking color variations on the S2e, with the forest green and ocean blue being two of my favorites. The M4U only has black and brown, but for them, it’s less about the aesthetic and more about the gyro-action ear pads. This is one of the only advantages the M4U has over the S2e in terms of design. You can achieve a good seal with more flexibility, but the S2e isn’t any less comfortable in comparison.

Design & Functionality

You’ll find both headphones use 40mm dynamic drivers, but they use different diaphragms and components. The PX7 S2e has a bio-cellulose diaphragm, while the M4U has an ABS + Polycarbonate housing. Neither set of headphones gets particularly loud, but the M4U gives you a bit more headroom to play with than the S2e. Both of these headphones feature noise-canceling, with the S2e being slightly stronger than the M4U. They also both have companion apps, but they’re very different from each other. The S2e is much more simplistic, while the M4U has “RoomFeel,” and a personalized EQ that requires a hearing test. In terms of functionality, the only feature I prefer on the S2e is the wear sensor that automatically activates play/pause when you take the headphones off and put them back on.

Bluetooth & Battery Life

Neither the M4U nor S2e features anything too out of the ordinary in terms of Bluetooth capabilities. They both offer different kinds of aptX CODECs and have fast connections. You won’t see anything crazy in terms of battery life either, with the S2e giving you only five more hours of playtime than the M4U.

Soundstage

Both of these headphones showcase similar abilities in their soundstage and imaging. Neither headphone will give you the greatest width, but their stereo fields are completely intact. Everything will sound like it’s happening inside your head, but both headphones do a good job of articulating space and localization. Comparing the two results in more similarities than differences, but I feel separation is better on the PX7 S2e. There’s more blank space for the sound to play with, however, the M4U might have better depth with its more decipherable layers. The PX7 S2e feels more like the complete stereo image, but the M4U goes a bit further with its non-linearity, adding a bit more dimension to the sound.

Low End

Their respective EQ settings strongly impact the bass section of these headphones. With their natural tuning, you won’t find them lacking impact. They both have a thick tone that feels meaty and satisfying. There is a great texture to both of their sound signatures, with the PX7 S2e featuring the most bloom. The M4U appears more direct in comparison, but they both have balance and accuracy too. You might not get as much of a significant lift from the M4U without EQ or the personal sound test, which is a characteristic that comes naturally to the PX7 S2e.

Mids

You’ll find more fullness in the midrange with the M4U than you will with the PX7 S2e. That’s not to say that the PX7 S2e doesn’t have anything resembling fidelity in the mids. The M4U just provides a lot more weight to the frequencies compared to the S2e, giving notes a lot more definition. With the S2e, the mids have minimal gain but still take a clear shape in the frequency response. Both headphones treat musicality with realism, doing vocal performances great justice.

Highs

If you’re not looking for a treble extension, avoid both of these headphones. Both the M4U and S2e have crisp high frequencies that have bright textures. I don’t mind this response, and both headphones treat their high-frequency content well. Everything is easy to digest, making the sparkling timbre more enjoyable to listen to. The S2e feels the smoothest of the two, while the M4U has the most energetic sizzle, but I don’t find either response very tame.

Summary

The PSB M4U MK II and the Bowers and Wilkins PX7 S2e have similar sound signatures but are ultimately two very different sets of headphones. With the M4U, you get a much more complicated headphone due to its features, and that can work for and against it. You may prefer the simpler design of the S2e, with its superior functionality, ANC, and build quality. However, when it comes to sound, what you may prefer becomes more complex. I think I prefer the depth of the M4U overall, but the S2e isn’t far behind.

The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2e and PSB M4U MK II are available at Audio46.

The post Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2e Vs PSB M4U MK II Comparison Review appeared first on Major HiFi.

What You Get

Sony’s offering is straightforward, while PSB includes a few additional accessories that might appeal to frequent travelers or those needing more versatile connectivity options.

Look and Feel

The PSB M4U8 MkII opts for a traditional, bulkier design. Its appearance doesn’t follow the sleek fashion trends of recent Bluetooth headphones. Instead, it prioritizes function over form with big switches for ANC, volume, playback controls, and Bluetooth. This design might seem cumbersome, but it’s highly practical. The gyro ear cups maximize comfort and sound quality, providing a great seal without feeling overly tight, unless worn for extended periods. This ensures that even during long listening sessions, the headphones remain comfortable and deliver consistent audio performance.

In contrast, the Sony WH-1000XM5 features a modern, sleek design that appeals to contemporary tastes. Sony went for a complete design overhaul for their 1000X series headphones on the XM5. With a sleek yoke design and a comfortable headband, Sony achieves a balance of style and durability. The XM5 employs fewer, more discrete buttons for power and toggling ambient mode/noise canceling mode. What sets the XM5 apart is its touch controls on the back of the ear cups, contributing to its stylish and less bulky appearance. This design choice allows the headphones to appear more sophisticated and streamlined.

Design and Functionality

Driving the sound of the M4U8 MkII is a 40mm dynamic driver within an ABS + Polycarbonate housing. Using this driver and “RoomFeel” technology, the PSB headphones aim to mimic high-quality speakers set up in a good-sounding room. This unique approach to sound design provides a rich and immersive audio experience. The M4U8 MkII also includes ANC, which can drive itself to loud, if not excessive levels. While the ANC performance is not the strongest in its class, it gets the job done for most environments. The PSB companion app offers EQ controls and a sound personalization test, allowing users to tailor the performance to their ears.

The XM5 retains the popular design and functionality features you’re used to from the Sony ecosystem. This includes ambient sound mode, multipoint connection, and top-notch adaptive ANC. The adaptive ANC adjusts based on your environment, significantly reducing ambient noise. The touch-sensitive controls and voice activation features enhance the user experience, though they do take a little getting used to. The XM5 is driven by a new 30mm driver with a thermoplastic polyurethane and carbon fiber dome, promising better ANC and sound performance, especially in high frequencies.

Bluetooth and Battery Life

The M4U8 MkII features robust Bluetooth connectivity, compatible with codecs like AAC and aptX HD. However, the battery life somewhat undermines the solid wireless features, maxing out at 25 hours with ANC off. This performance lags behind newer models, making it less competitive in terms of battery longevity.

The XM5, on the other hand, boasts an impressive 30-hour battery life with ANC turned on. This is a standout feature, especially for users who need long-lasting performance. In terms of wireless connectivity, the XM5 uses Bluetooth 5.2 and supports AAC, SBC, and LDAC. The inclusion of LDAC is welcome as it aims to provide higher quality audio. However, the lack of aptX compatibility might be a downside for some users.

Sound Quality

Soundstage and Imaging: The M4U8 MkII shines in imaging depth, providing a closed but immersive soundstage. Each sound element possesses dimension and presence, offering an intimate yet engulfing listening experience. The “RoomFeel” technology significantly enhances spatial accuracy, making it a highlight of the M4U8 MkII.

Sony’s 360 Reality Audio enhances the soundstage for supported tracks, offering an immersive experience. However, without spatial audio, the soundstage feels narrower. That said, the imaging is precise, making it easy to pinpoint sound elements within the mix. The XM5 provides a different but equally impressive auditory experience.

Low End: The M4U8 MkII offers balanced and textured bass, enhanced by sound personalization. The bass response is punchy without being exaggerated, adding warmth and depth without overwhelming other frequencies. This makes the PSB headphones appealing to audiophiles seeking quality over quantity in bass performance.

The XM5’s bass is powerful and gripping but can be boomy without EQ adjustments. However, there’s plenty of room for customization to reign it in. Compared to the M4U8 MkII, the bass is slower but louder with great impact. Bass enthusiasts might find the Sony headphones more satisfying in this regard.

Mids: The M4U8 MkII’s mids are detailed and well-defined, with clear vocals and a balanced sound. The midbass transition is smooth, allowing more space for the mids to breathe. This results in a Harman-like feel to the sound, providing an enjoyable listening experience without extensive EQ adjustments.

The XM5’s mids are clear but can be overshadowed by the bass. Male vocals sometimes lack prominence, but instruments and effects are well-balanced. The midrange is more transparent and textured than previous models, but compared to the M4U8 MkII, it doesn’t feel as sophisticated and well-tuned.

Top End: The M4U8 MkII’s highs are present with a nice sense of splash and sparkle. The treble is not overly bright but has a pleasant extension, topping off the frequency response nicely. The tuning of the M4U8 MkII is its greatest feature, offering a well-rounded sound that should be pleasing to audiophiles.

The XM5’s has improved highs compared to previous Sony iterations but aren’t as clear as the PSB’s. EQ adjustments can enhance the treble performance for a more suitable sound. While the highs on the Sony are good, they don’t quite match the refinement of the PSB headphones.

Final Thoughts

Overall, choosing between the Sony WH-1000XM5 and the PSB M4U8 MkII depends on your priorities. If you seek superior noise cancellation, long battery life, and a plethora of features, the Sony WH-1000XM5 is the better option. It offers a modern design, touch controls, and advanced adaptive ANC, making it a top choice for tech enthusiasts and frequent travelers.

However, if sound quality and personalization are your primary concerns, the PSB M4U8 MkII offers a compelling alternative. With its unique “RoomFeel” technology, balanced sound signature, and detailed mids, the M4U8 MkII is ideal for audiophiles seeking an immersive and customizable audio experience. While it might lack some of the advanced features of the Sony, its focus on delivering high-quality sound makes it a promising choice in its price range.

The PSB M4U8 MkII and Sony WH-1000XM5 are available at Audio46. 

The post PSB M4U8 MkII vs Sony WH-1000XM5 Comparison Review appeared first on Major HiFi.

What’s in the Box:

• Verio 200 TWS earbuds
• Charging & carrying case
• Quickstart guide
• Warranty info
• USB-A to USB-C charging cable

Look and Feel:

Beyerdynamic consistently prioritizes build quality, and the Verio 200 TWS earbuds are no exception. From the case to the earbuds, the build exudes durability. The IP54 rating ensures resistance to water and dust, making them suitable for exercise. The build materials instill confidence in their ability to withstand various terrains and conditions.

The fit and feel are particularly interesting. The open design results in a somewhat unconventional fit. The ear hook system, while not entirely new in TWS earbuds, presents a unique approach in the Verio 200. The earpieces sit next to your ear, with the hooks angling over your ears until the ear speakers align with your ears. There’s no insertion into the ear canal; they sit flush with your ear, providing a snug fit.

In testing, the fit felt neither awkward nor loose. The unique experience of having music play without feeling unnatural stands out. The only minor issue is that the hard materials can become cumbersome after long listening sessions. However, compared to deeply inserted earbuds, these are far more comfortable for extended use.

Design and Functionality:

The Verio 200 operates on Bluetooth 5.3, supporting aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless, and AAC codecs, ensuring high functionality and sound quality. With a battery life of up to 8 hours on a single charge, these earbuds suffice for a day’s use. The charging case extends the battery life by 27 hours, totaling 35 hours before needing a full recharge.

For voice calls, the Verio 200 utilizes Qualcomm® aptX Voice technology, offering excellent call quality with a dual-microphone setup that cancels background noise, ensuring clear voice transmission. This setup is reliable, making the earbuds ideal for frequent calls.

Sound Impressions:

Low End:

The Verio 200 delivers a cool and bright sound signature, typical of Beyerdynamic’s sound profile. The bass is gentle yet present, contradicting initial fears that the open design might diminish the bass due to a lack of seal. While not bass-heavy, the earbuds provide enough low end to give body to the sound, complementing the breezy timbre.

Mids:

The midrange is a highlight of the Verio 200’s frequency response. It is clear and detailed without being overly forward, making it versatile for on-the-go use or exercising. The earbuds excel in vocal and instrument reproduction, offering high-quality sound with impressive detail. This clarity also enhances the quality of podcasts and spoken word audio, benefiting call quality as well.

Top End:

The bright sound signature extends to the high end, providing a splashy effect without being sibilant or harsh. The sound is more top-end oriented due to the open design, but Beyerdynamic embraces this, tailoring the sound to suit the configuration.

Soundstage:

The soundstage is solid, offering a balanced width that is impressive for the price range and competition. While not capable of features like spatial audio, the Verio 200 effectively places sounds throughout the audible plane.

Final Thoughts:

The Beyerdynamic Verio 200 stands out among open design TWS earbuds. Its combination of features and unique sound profile places it near the top of the market. While open earbuds may not suit everyone, those seeking to stay aware of their surroundings while enjoying quality audio should consider the Verio 200 TWS.

The Beyerdynamic Verio 200 is available at Audio46. 

The post Beyerdynamic Verio 200 Review appeared first on Major HiFi.

What You Get

• W830NB headphones
• USB-C charging cable
• User guide

Look & Feel

Edifier’s headphones tend to have a similar design no matter the price, which seems to work out well. Their designs are simple but sleek, with soft earpads that make for a comfortable fit. The W830NB is no different, featuring an elegant look and that same secure fit that should give you comfortable listening for many hours.

Design & Functionality

The W830NB uses a 40m dynamic driver with an independent acoustic chamber layout. This will lay some interesting sound results, but the main concern here is the output level. You get some solid loudness here, and the headphones do an okay job making sure you reach a comfortable volume with headroom to spare. Noise-canceling helps too, and the W830NB has a few different modes you can cycle through. There’s high, medium, wind reduction, and ambient sound. Its strongest noise-canceling does its job considering the price. You can switch between these modes using Edifier’s companion app, which also houses an EQ and spatial audio.

Bluetooth

Edifier has upgraded the Bluetooth capabilities from their last model, now featuring Bluetooth version 5.4. The W830NB also features LDAC, making it one of the least expensive options to feature the higher-end CODEC.

Battery Life

Wireless headphones have been getting serious about boosting playtime, and the W830NB is the most impressive I’ve seen. It advertised a monumental 94 hours of battery life, outdoing the Sennheiser Momentum 4, which originally led the market. The W830NB is a much less expensive headphone than that, which makes this all the more impressive.

Soundstage

There’s more to the soundstage on the W830NB compared to a lot of budget wireless headphones. It’s not enough to wow you, but the lengths to which Edifier goes to provide a satisfying width are appreciated. The W830NB also features some nice depth, where the vocals come forward, and the music doesn’t feel like it’s sitting on a flat plain. While the soundstage and spatial imaging are still fairly limited, the W830NB does the most with the space it can. Surprisingly, its natural stereo environment is more immersive than its virtual 3D soundstage. In spatial audio mode, the W830NB feels narrower than the larger scope of the stereo field. It also solidifies the imaging in the center of the stage, lacking real movement and accurate positioning. Nothing about the spatial mode presentation feels 3D compared to other Bluetooth headphones that use Dirac or Sony 360 Reality Audio.

Low End

The low frequencies are pretty nimble without EQ, or the “Heavy Bass” preset. It’s clearly missing a bottom-end foundation, but with EQ, the bass takes on a completely different character. While it shouldn’t be expected to be realistic, the bass becomes energetic enough to have fun with. Most of its timbre will consist of a mid-bass thump, but it’s a thick tone that balances well with the rest of the mix.

Mids

You can set the EQ to put the mids in a good place. Of course, you’re not going to get the best detail out of a sub-hundred dollar pair of Bluetooth headphones, but the W830NB maintains a solid surface of midrange presence. Vocals give you the most clarity, and most instruments appear full while staying out of the background.

Highs

The highs are slightly elevated over the mids but still remain on a very linear surface. Certain height is shown well, and the overall timbre is smooth so you don’t have to worry about brightness unless you use the EQ.

Summary

There’s not much to criticize the W830NB for with that eighty-dollar price tag, but it holds up in its own right. It makes every improvement it could make from the last model, increasing its Bluetooth and battery life capabilities significantly. 94 hours for eighty dollars might even be all you need to convince you. Sound-wise, the W830NB isn’t perfect, but it’s easy to find enjoyment with if you use EQ. Overall, this is more than a solid option for the price, offering many features you usually need to pay more for.

The Edifier W830NB is available on Amazon.

The post Edifier W830NB Review appeared first on Major HiFi.

What You Get

• M4U 8 MKII headphones
• Airplane adaptor
• Quarter-inch stereo adaptor
• Gyro-action ear pads
• 3.5mm cable
• USB-C cable
• Travel case

Look & Feel

Even though the M4U doesn’t look as elegant as some of the other popular Bluetooth headphones in this price range, it makes up for it in practicality. The gyro ear cups definitely set it apart from many other wireless headphones, creating a better seal around your ears. It always angles itself just right, encompassing your ears with grace. You only start to feel the pressure while wearing the headphones for many hours, but the seal never loosens.

Design & Functionality

The M4U uses a 40mm dynamic driver enclosed within an ABS + Polycarbonate housing. There are ways to adjust the output power within the PSB headphones app, and you can get the M4U to sound loud enough with marginal headroom. Noise-canceling also helps with this, but its strength is a bit lacking compared to some of the more popular Bluetooth headphones in this price range. It seems to mostly attenuate low-end sonic obstructions, but not mid-range high-end ones, which can be quite frustrating. Circling back to the sound though, the M4U sports a special technology called “RoomFeel,” which mimics the feel of high-quality loudspeakers, separating it from most other consumer wireless headphones. The sound becomes the M4U’s major feature, with everything else supporting it, including the in-app EQ and sound personalization test you can take. The test takes a few minutes and forms its own personalized sound spectrum based on the types of tones you can hear. Other wireless products have done this before like Denon’s PerL earbuds, but the M4U features more subtle sound changes to its specific tuning based on your results.

Bluetooth

The M4U has a strong Bluetooth connection that never features any dropouts. It has fast paring too, connecting within seconds after holding down the dedicated Bluetooth button. The only CODECs it features are AAC and aptX HD.

Battery Life

Unfortunately, the M4U doesn’t have the best battery life. The most you can get out of its playback time is 25 hours, and that’s only with ANC turned off. This would have been acceptable for the price a few years ago, but recent wireless headphones have been pushing 50-60 hours for even less money.

Soundstage

One of the most impressive aspects of the M4U is its imaging depth. While the soundstage shows its limits, the left and right channel balance is communicated well. The soundstage definitely feels closed, but the imaging keeps everything from feeling too solidified. Everything feels like a real object with dimension, engulfing your headspace more significantly. It’s very immersive, even with its limited headspace. Its spatial accuracy is impressive for a Bluetooth headphone, as all the sound elements surround your head intimately and effectively.

Low End

PSB’s sound personalization and EQ affect the bass response quite a bit. With these features turned off, the bass still has some personality to it. Its tone is the right combination of thick and balanced. There’s tons of energy to the low frequencies, and its layers stack on each other in an organized fashion. It combines texture and clarity in a way that feels genuine to the track. Using EQ can add some extra lift to the sub-bass, but the sound personalization features make the most significant difference. Activating my personal sound filled out bass notes more effectively. It creates warmth and smooth vibrations that are very enticing.

Mids

There’s some surprising weight to the mids. While the frequency response isn’t as layered and organized as the bass, the mids have a clear showing. You get some nice details dispersed throughout the sound spectrum, and it results in some surprising transparency. If there are any considerable dips, the M4U never brings them into focus. Everything appears clear and well-defined for a Bluetooth headphone, giving vocals and notes good definition that you rarely need to EQ.

Highs

If you’re expecting a dropoff in the highs, the M4U will surprise you. I was not expecting how crisp the highs would appear in the mix. Even without EQ, treble has a significant presence in the sound signature, offering sparkle and sizzle to the top end of the region. It brings a respectable height and tail to the sound signature without sounding too bright or harsh.

Summary

The M4U gets everything it needs to right. That mostly has to do with the sound, which is the most important aspect of any pair of headphones after all. Its loudspeaker-inspired drivers reproduce some great sound, maybe some of the best you can hear over Bluetooth headphones in this price range. The level of transparency and depth it displays is rare to hear over Bluetooth, and that makes it its major selling point. Other features like ANC feel underdeveloped, only included because they felt like it was needed. The battery life is a bit disappointing too, especially with the swath of new headphones that feature huge playtimes. At the end of the day these are headphones, and the sound is going to be what everyone wants to buy them for. With its price, its shortcomings become so much more forgivable once you’re immersed in its sound.

The PSB M4U 8 MKII is available at Audio46.

The post PSB M4U 8 MKII Review appeared first on Major HiFi.

What’s in the Box:

• Strauss & Wagner Albi cable
• USB-A to USB-C charging cable

Build Quality

The Albi’s build is straightforward, prioritizing simplicity for a wireless device. The adapter features a robust cable with a DAC section and control bar in the middle, and gold-plated Sennheiser IE compatible MMCX connectors at each end. The cable is designed to be thin at the ends for a comfortable over-ear fit, while the neckband portion is thicker to enhance comfort and stability.

Overall, the build quality of the Albi is impressive. Despite initial concerns about the neckband’s bulkiness, it proved to be lightweight and comfortable. I was able to walk around with the IE900 in my ears without them falling out or causing any distraction.

Design Features

The Albi integrates Bluetooth 5.2 and the 3015 chipset, ensuring a robust and efficient connection. Bluetooth 5.2 offers improved speed, range, and stability, making it ideal for wireless audio transmission. The 3015 DAC chipset not only accurately reproduces audio but also enhances it. Additionally, the Albi is aptX compatible, delivering high-fidelity audio that captures every nuance and detail of your music, rivaling wired setups.

Functionality

Battery life is a crucial aspect of the Albi, offering 13-15 hours of listening time. You can check the battery status on your device, whether it’s an Android, iPhone, DAP, or another device.

The right side of the device features a control for volume, play/pause, and skip/reverse functions. There are three buttons: the middle button powers the device on and off and enters pairing mode, the minus button lowers the volume and reverses the track, and the plus button raises the volume and skips the track. This simple yet effective setup makes the Albi easy to use. The large, tactile buttons are a significant improvement over the stock cable that comes with the IE series IEMs, which lack these controls.

Sound Impressions

The Albi offers a transparent sound, meaning it doesn’t alter the sound profile of your IE series IEMs significantly. However, the built-in DAC provides subtle enhancements, particularly in the bass region, where the sound becomes stronger and more engaging. The mids remain smooth and clean, preserving the superb midrange of the IE900. The treble response is also transparent, with minimal loss of detail despite the inherent limitations of Bluetooth audio.

Final Thoughts

When seeking a wireless adapter for your wired IEMs or headphones, functionality and sound quality are paramount. The Albi excels in both areas, maintaining the high fidelity of Sennheiser’s IEMs while maximizing portability and convenience. If you’re looking to make your earbuds fully portable without sacrificing sound quality, the Strauss & Wagner Albi is highly recommended.

The Strauss & Wagner Albi is available at Audio46.

The post Strauss & Wagner Albi Review appeared first on Major HiFi.

What You Get

Look & Feel

Both of these headphones have the classic Sony look to them. They both carry a solid color, with a plasticky build that’s lightweight and compact. The XM5 is a bit lighter, but the ULT WEAR folds inward like the older 1000x models used to do. Despite some of these differences, these headphones are very similar in terms of comfort. While the ULT WEAR has a tighter, more secure fit, they can both be worn for many hours without causing extra pressure or fatigue.

Design & Functionality

The XM5 and ULT WEAR have two different drivers. With the ULT WEAR, you get a bigger dynamic driver that is supported by Sony’s Processor V1. This is all to help that headphon’s bass properties, as the XM5 is only 30mm in comparison. All of the extra features that you expect from Sony still exist with both headphones though, including their industry leading noise-canceling technology. Other features like 360 Reality Audio will allow you to listen to both headphones with spatial audio, provided that you are subscribed to a service that offers it.

Bluetooth

Both the XM5 and ULT WEAR offer stable wireless connections supported by Bluetooth version 5.2. They both offer the LDAC CODEC and have multipoint connection.

Battery Life

The ULT WEAR surprisingly has a much better battery life than the XM5. A 30 hour battery life for the XM5 was solid when it launched initially, but since then more inexpensive headphones have beefed up they playtime. While it depends on the amount of features in-use, the ULT WEAR should last you around 50 hours of playtime, which is much superior to the XM5.

Soundstage 

With both headphones, you’ll get the most out of the soundstage if you can use them with 3D Audio. Listening to the ULT WEAR and XM5 with spatial audio increases the immersion that the built-in soundstage can bring. However, when listening in standard stereo, the ULT WEAR has more of an advantage over the XM5. This might be surprising to some, but switching between both headphones reveals that the XM5 feels a bit constricted in comparison. Some of the bass extension features on the ULT WEAR can impact its spatial imaging, but the scope of the sound is still more apparent than it is on the XM5. These headphones will perform similarly when listening through 360 Reality Audio though. The soundstage and imaging take on a whole new depth where everything appears more like a precisely placed object.

Low End

Usually, this is where the XM5 thrives compared to most other Bluetooth headphones. The thickness and customizability of the lows are still some of the XM5’s best attributes, but bass richness is the ULT WEAR’s entire MO. The reason the ULT WEAR exists is to be the bassist headphone that costs significantly less than the XM5, and it definitely succeeded on that front. While the XM5 has body and resonance, the ULT WEAR is thunderous and cinematic. It feels more artificial than the XM5, but it’s more fun. Both headphones create this pool of bloated low frequencies that result in boominess, but the ULT WEAR takes better advantage of its timbre that way.

Mids

Neither the XM5 nor the ULT WEAR have the midrange as their strong suit. The unfocused mids have always been a personal gripe of mine with the XM5, but I find it more forgivable on the ULT WEAR. Both headphones feature major recession in the mids, but the ULT WEAR feels less hollow to me somehow. With EQ, the XM5 can sound clearer than the ULT WEAR though. You can reduce some of the cloudier low mids and make some space for the mids to balance out the sound profile, which is easier to do on the XM5 than on the ULT WEAR even though they both use the same in-app EQ.

Highs

The treble is where the XM5 is the clearest winner. While the ULT WEAR doesn’t falter too much in the highs, the XM5 is much more articulate in comparison. There’s more room for the high frequencies to develop naturally, and it’s much more responsive with EQ. The XM5 delivers much more height and clarity to the sound signature, while the ULT WEAR just smooths them out so as not to get in the way of the more dominant frequency areas.

Summary

While you can never go wrong with a pair of wireless headphones from Sony, the ULT WEAR and XM5 are very different headphones for two very different prices. They carry many of the same features, but they still serve different functions. The ULT WEAR is a bass machine, and while it’s incredibly fun to listen to, the XM5 gives you a bit more detail to bite on in terms of fidelity. This mostly has to do with the upper-mids and highs being better, but the sound signature is also more natural in comparison. Your decision will come down to price and how important bass response is on your preferred sound profile. Otherwise, everything else that’s great about Sony headphones exists with both products.

The Sony WH-1000XM5 and ULT WEAR are available at Audio46.

The post Sony WH-1000XM5 Vs ULT WEAR Comparison Review appeared first on Major HiFi.