Saffron is specifically designed to build tension and make your instruments sound more dramatic. The XY pad makes it possible to blend, and layer orchestral sounds to create unique, atmospheric soundscapes with woodwinds, strings, synths, and more. Whether you are new to composition, or a pro, Saffron offers tons of variety through randomization and over 120 presets.

Key Features

• 16 sound sources to choose from
  • Use the XY Pad to blend between 16 hybrid sound sources, effects, and sound controls, including woodwinds, strings, synths, and more
• Built-in effects
  • Transform textures with a range of effects presets, including reverbs, delays, and modulation
• Aftertouch-enabled
  • Polyphonic aftertouch compatibility gives you hands-on control of parameters like volume, tuning, and motion
• Lightweight & low-cost
  • An install size of around ~1GB and an affordable $29 price tag make Saffron an accessible option for composers.

Scene: Saffron is available now for $29. You can purchase it here.

The post Native Instruments New Saffron Cinematic Instrument Pack Is Made For Composers appeared first on Major HiFi.

Best Budget Gaming IEMs

Blon X Z Jojo

Some of the best budget IEMs can last you a long time, especially ones that are built like the Jojo. Not only does it get style points for its look, but the shell is made from a zinc alloy die casting, and a front plate made of real 18k gold. Even selections that are much more pricey don’t have this kind of design. It’s not all about the looks though, and thankfully the Jojo also brings everything you need for the price. The Jojo will do your gams justice with good imaging, width, and explosive bass.

Final Audio VR2000

Final Audio is no stranger to supplying quality budget IEMs, which makes the VR2000 a great choice. While the E series IEMs might also give your games what they need to sound authentic and immersive, the VR2000 is specifically made for gaming. If you find some gaming IEMs too weighty, then the VR2000 should be a great alternative. It’s light and easy to wear for many hours, matching up to your ear like a puzzle piece. In terms of sound, the VR2000 has a neutral timbre that will make dialogue very clear, but what gives it flavor is its highs that give height to many different gaming environments.

Moondrop Aira 2 

The last time I made a list of top gaming IEMs, the first Aria was included. So, it only makes sense to include its latest version in this list. It makes some notable improvements to its build, including a great new stock cable. The sound should allow for balanced effects and music that feel separated and easy to point to sonically. Should also get some good detail in the midrange for the price, highlighting steps and other specific sounds well.

Shure Aonic 215

One of the best budget reference IEMs also makes for one of the best budget gaming IEMs too. They’re common in the music world and used for production and on-stage performance. This is suitable for a good gaming IEM as well, with its reliable accuracy and spatial positioning. The SE215 offers great width and depth for the price, with a full spectrum of frequency content that will add realism to your game audio.

Moondrop Kato

If you like Moondrop, and you have a bit more money to spend than what the Aria 2 goes for, the Kato is the next step up. Everything about the Kato is elevated compared to the Aria. The soundstage has a holographic appearance, which is very helpful for immersion, and its frequency response is rich and tight for textured instruments and effects. With the Kato, there’s almost no disadvantage, making it one of the best options for gaming for less than two hundred dollars.

Meze Alba

One of the most recently released IEMs makes a great budget gaming option. Meze is known for its high-end, audiophile items, and the Alba brings those sensibilities to a more affordable product. The Alba is uniquely elegant for the price, with its anodized aluminum shell and quality 2-pin stock cable. Its sound signature reflects the Alba’s outer design with exceptional spatial accuracy and detailed response across each range of frequency. Its crisp, precise details will help envelop you in your game with ease, and it also includes its own USB-C DAC dongle.

Sennheiser IE 200

Another reference monitor from a reliable name. The Sennheiser IE 200 makes for a perfect inexpensive game audio companion. Its design is smaller than most, so if you’re displeased with bigger IEM shells the IE 200 might be the best fit for you. Either way, you won’t be disappointed by the IE 200’s accurate, warm, and intimate sound. It’s like the SE215 but more lively and detailed.

Best Mid-Fi Gaming IEMs 

TRN BAX 

You might not have heard of the brand, but the TRN BAX should be on your radar. The BAX has a powerful sound that immediately jumps out at you. Its bass will be the first thing you take notice of, and it’s quite enticing, but it’s also very spacious and balanced. Each range of frequency has a special quirk that adds flavor to your game audio, resulting in a very colorful presentation. This is one of the best affordable mid-fi gaming IEMs you can get before getting into the five-hundred-dollar range.

Campfire Audio Cascara

Campfire Audio is synonymous with high-end IEMs, and the Cascara is one of their best mid-budget options. It serves as a great gaming IEM, with its broad stereo field and deep, rumbly bass response. The rest of the sound signature is very dynamic, with warm mids and sparkly highs that amplify theatrical sound effects and music very well.

Moondrop Variations

It’s no surprise to see Moondrop show up multiple times on this list. The Variations are one of Moondrop’s best IEMs, featuring an impactful bass and wide stage for you to enjoy. Your game audio should sound very clear, showcasing a large scope and theatrical tonality.

Sennheiser IE 600

One of the best IEMs for less than a thousand dollars is the Sennheiser IE 600. Every reason that the IE 200 is a good option goes for the IE 600 as well, but with even more fidelity and versatility. Everything has a distinct shape, which will help immensely with sweeping musical scores and soundscapes.

Best HiFi Gaming IEMs

Shure SE846

Another incredible stage monitor that doubles as a great IEM for gaming. The Shure SE846 is as much a dependable tool as it is a casual listening item. This makes it suitable for detecting precise sound elements in your games, and it perfectly replicates their scale with its soundstage and imaging.

64 Audio Duo

Everything about the 64 Audio Duo feels high-end, and its open-grille design helps achieve that through its impeccable sound signature. Its depth is unparalleled compared to a lot of other IEMs, with a deep bass and immersive soundstage that any gamer can get behind.

Beyerdynamic Xelento Remote

This is the second generation of this model, and it’s one of the best IEMs for gaming. The Xelento supplies swift technicalities to your sound, supported by an open headspace that makes soundscapes feel so engaging. There’s a musicality to its performance that not a ton of other IEMs have, so scores and dialogue should feel completely transparent.

Campfire Audio Supermoon

There’s so much rich texture to the Supermoon, and it makes it an ideal way to experience your game audio. It’s one of the few planar IEMs on this list, which tend to serve games more than traditional dynamic drivers. Everything that comes through it is incredibly smooth, and it quickly became one of my new favorites from the brand after the Andromeda.

Sennheiser IE 900

It’s no surprise to see the flagship IEM from Sennheiser take the final spot here. The Sennheiser IE 900 is one of the best IEMs you can get, supplying fantastic detail and coloration to your game audio. Its sleek balance should do a great job putting all of your game’s complicated sound elements in their place and making them easy to consume all at once. This is thanks to great channel balance, dimensional imaging, and a fully transparent frequency response.

The post Level Up Your Sound: The Ultimate Guide to the Best Gaming IEMs of 2024 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.

Final Audio E500

Some of the most inexpensive IEMs can be found in Final Audio’s library. The E500 is one of the newest IEMs to be featured on this list, and it will only set you back $24.99. They’re a simple set of earbuds that demonstrate exceptional value. Its sound is surprisingly tactile for its price, with a clear midrange and high-end detail. The earphones are small and easy to wear, with a lightweight and comfortable design.

Strauss & Wagner EM205

Another simple set of wired earbuds is the Strauss and Wagner EM205. While they’re not the fanciest-looking set of IEMs, the EM205 supplies you with clear, energetic bass and a wide soundstage that is hard to pass up. For only $39.95, the EM205 is one of the best traditional earbuds you can find on the market.

Moondrop LAN

Moondrop has a great selection of IEMs. Their standard for quality across a big selection like theirs is impressive, especially with their budget IEMs. The LAN is one of their cheapest sitting at $33.99. This is also one of the most inexpensive options to feature a detachable cable, which allows for potential upgrades to improve sound quality. This is also one of the best designs you can get for the price, with a MIM stainless steel shell that you usually get from more expensive IEMs.

Blon x Z Jojo

The Jojo is certainly one of the flashiest IEMs you can get for the price. Its zinc alloy housing, gold plates, and purple finish certainly get a ton of style points. This is also true for the cable design as well, feeling like one of the best stock cables for an IEM in this price range. In terms of sound quality, its best properties are its soundstage and its bass. It’s a wonderfully wide sound that features more depth than you expect, with a thumpy bass that is very impactful.

Final Audio E3000

This list is fittingly bookended by Final Audio IEMs. The E3000 also has a stainless steel design, which is always great to see on a set of budget IEMs. What the E3000 excels most in though is rich, clean sound across the frequency spectrum. If you’re looking for something wide, dynamic, and elegantly performed instruments on the cheap, the E3000 might just be the whole package.

The post Unbeatable Sound on a Budget: Top 5 Cheapest IEMs Of 2024 appeared first on Major HiFi.

Bluetooth Headphones

Sony WH-1000XM5

It’s the most obvious pick for a reason. Most of that has to do with its superb noise-canceling, which is likely what you’ll favor most if you’re buying headphones for travel. The XM5 might not have the best sound quality compared to the other selections on this list, but the comfort and isolation are unlike anything else you’ll find on the market. It’s not like the XM5 has bad sound quality though, as the bass is very energetic and you can personalize the sound through in-app EQ.

Sennheiser Momentum 4

While the noise-canceling isn’t as strong as the XM5, the Momentum 4 still offers great isolation with better sound quality. Everything from the bass to the highs has better resolution while still providing impact to the sound. You also get a better stereo soundstage that separates the instruments more favorably. It also features the best battery life on the market for ANC headphones, with a maximum of 60 hours of playtime off a complete charge.

Bowers & Wilkens PX7 S2e

The PX7 S2e is one of the best-looking wireless headphones on the market, but it’s not all about style. Thankfully, the PX7 S2e is more than just its looks; its sound and comfort are great, too. It has a compact design that makes them easy to carry around and rest on your shoulders when you’re not using them. You also get good separation and a fun sound signature that combines texture and detail. The noise-canceling also gets the job done, combined with natural isolation from the ear pads. These headphones also have the best color variations, from ocean blue to forest grey.

Focal Bathys

Now we are starting to get into the audiophile territory. Focal is known for its high-end headphones and speakers, and its Bluetooth option is one of the best. The Bathys is not only one of the best sounding wireless headphones, it’s just a great sounding headphone regardless of its Bluetooth capabilities. It also has a sleek design that is comfortable to wear for many hours. The cups are very breathable and have naturally isolated properties on top of good ANC. Sound quality is what you’re buying these headphones for through, and it is nothing short of amazing. This is the closest thing to having audiophile-grade headphones that are wireless.

DALI 10-12

If you’re really looking to go all out, I highly recommend the Dali IO-12. It’s one of the priciest selections on this list, but it offers you so much. The sound is nothing short of spectacular, containing little difference from some of the best closed-back wired headphones out there. They’re bigger than most headphones on this list too, but that’s mostly do to the large ear pads, which are super comfortable. It’s one of the few Bluetooth headphones out there that truly makes you feel like you’re listening to a luxury product.

Wired Headphones

Sivga SV021

If you’re looking for a closed-back headphone that is inexpensive, has good sound quality, and is comfortable, then the Sivga SV021 might be the whole package. For on-the-go listening, the SV021 offers these big ear pads that rest on your head comfortably while forming a tight seal on your ears. It also has a very clean sound that has a kick to its bass. The aesthetic of the SV021 is also on-point, especially te rosewood variation.

Audio-Technica ATH-M50x

You can never go wrong with a classic like the M50x. These headphones are bound to show up on many lists out there regarding headphones, so it’s safe to say that they make great travel companions as well. With the M50x, you’ll be able to enjoy studio-quality sound anywhere, with a classic build that always comes out with some assortment of color variations. Most of its parts are replaceable too, like the ear pads which tend to wear over time.

Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro X 

Another studio legend that I have no problem traveling with is the Beyerdynamic DT 770. I choose the recent edition of the 770 mainly because of the quality of life differences, like the replaceable cable and more comfortable ear pads for the easier-to-drive version. These headphones can withstand more than the M50x can, and although they are slightly bigger, the sound is exactly what you need.

Meze 99 Classics

Like the SV021, the 99 Classics is another simple plug-and-play headphone. It’s also another stylish wooden design with a compact look and comfortable ear pads. What elevates the 99 Classics is Meze’s sound signature, which enhanced vocals and instruments to great transparency. Upgrading the stock cable also makes the 99 Classics an even better investment.

The post Top Travel Headphones of 2024: Comfort and Quality on the Go appeared first on Major HiFi.

What You Get

Look & Feel

The Pulse Elite takes on the aesthetic of the PS5, while the Maxwell has a chunkier, heavy-duty build. With the Maxwell, you get a sturdier design, with high-grade materials that appear more durable compared to the Elite. Both headphones give off a cool look, and I particularly like how they implement their boom mics. Wearing the Pulse Elite gives off a lighter feel compared to the Maxwell, but I prefer the isolation Audeze’s headphones give you. The Elite is comfortable, but sometimes the fit can feel a bit loose. I have one bit of gripe with the Maxwell though, and it’s the headband. The three-hole design is not one that I favor, especially compared to the Elite’s headband, which adjusts automatically.

Design

Sony’s Pulse Elite headphones adapt Audeze’s planar design principle, but information on the driver’s exact size is not made specific. However, we do know that the Maxwell has a 90mm driver, which is pretty sizable. I’ve heard some complaints about the Maxwell’s loudness quality, but after some firmware updates it’s gotten better. This is not a problem for the headphones when used over PlayStation, as they both output the same amount of volume. EQ controls can also be used through the PlayStation, but Audeze also has its own app called Audeze HQ.

Microphone Quality

This is one of the few areas where one headphone is outright better than the other and it would be hard to say otherwise. The Pulse Elite’s mic quality is very disappointing compared to the Maxwell. When I was testing the Pulse Elite for my review, I noted that my voice came across as boxy when chatting with my friends over Discord on the PlayStation. The Maxwell doesn’t have this issue, and while the voice quality still isn’t perfect, it’s way more clear than the Elite.

Bluetooth & Battery Life

There is a clear winner for battery life and that’s the Maxwell. It offers 80 hours of playtime compared to the Pulse Elite’s 30 hours. Both are appropriate for their price points though, and I never had a problem with the charge time of either of them. In terms of their wireless connection, both headphones are on a similar level. They both offer dongles that give you low-latency wireless connections that you can use with Bluetooth simultaneously.

Soundstage

I thought it would be fitting to directly compare the PlayStation version of the Maxwell to the Pulse Elite for obvious reasons and to see how they handle Tempest 3D audio with the PS5. Testing was also done on PC, but only the XBOX version allows you to use Dolby Atmos. Listening to the Maxwell in Dolby Atmos wields better results in terms of spatial performance. Still, since we’re comparing it with the Pulse Elite, it’s fairer to judge the soundstage based on how it functions with the PlayStation.

Even with these parameters set, the Maxwell still impresses me more with its soundstage than the Pulse Elite. While Sony’s headphone showcases better pure stereo dynamics than most of its other efforts, the Maxwell still outclasses it. No matter how it acts in 3D, you can still tell which headphone has the better soundstage based on stereo accuracy and depth. The Maxwell shows a better identity with specific effects and music through the left and right channels, enwrapping your head in an immersive sonic environment before you even activate spatial audio. The Pulse Elite should get some credit though for exercising breathability in the soundstage. It allows for sounds to also feel more localized in a specific place, but the Maxwell is more elegant with its imaging overall.

Listening to sounds whirl around you like wind or flames over the Maxwell has more movement behind it than the Pulse Elite. However, switching to 3D makes them more similar in terms of spaciousness. The Maxwell still retains its superior accuracy and width over the Pulse Elite, but the Pulse Elite has more of a hovering effect. In this case, the 3D audio might be more fun with the Pulse Elite as sounds are propelled into a more forward headspace. The Maxwell still has the better height and depth though, featuring a better scale to singular sound elements than the Pulse Elite.

Low End

I respect the level of balance that the Pulse Elite exhibits with its lows like the bass has restraint to it. This might not be what you’re looking for in a pair of gaming headphones, but it can make a difference in terms of clearer sound fidelity. Thankfully, you can boost the bass to your liking with the PlayStation’s EQ, which adds more presence and texture to the bass frequencies. With the Maxwell, the bass features greater impact and rumble throughout its sound signature. It slams down with a quick, thunderous vibration of tone. Surprisingly, the bass never gets out of control with this response. The Maxwell presents a sub-bass that makes all the difference, giving a pointed buzz to bass-heavy sound effects and instruments.

Mids

Both headphones exhibit a V-shaped sound profile. This is common for a lot of gaming headphones, but that doesn’t stop the Maxwell and Pulse Elite from showcasing better properties. This is thanks to their planar drivers, which make the mids come across a bit more transparently, but the Maxwell ends up with better balance than the Elite. You can hear a dip in energy when dialogue occurs over both headphones, but neither push sounds toward the background. I think the Pulse Elite just comes across as a hollower timbre overall compared to the Maxwell. When it’s time for both headphones to show excitement in the upper-mids, the Maxwell feels a lot more detailed. The Pulse Elite has some good energy to it here, but the resolution isn’t as clear.

Highs

While the Maxwell outdoes a lot of what the Pulse Elite can do in terms of fidelity, the highs appear surprisingly more lifelike. The Maxwell has solid crispness in its treble, but the timbre is more veiled than the Pulse Elite. It appears less believable than the Pulse Elite, which is more expressive in comparison. There’s more brightness to it, but the response rings out more and takes on a clearer shape than the Maxwell. It can be a bit peaky and forward, but I prefer its coloration over the colder high frequencies that the Maxwell presents.

Summary

Sony’s future gaming headsets have the opportunity to take more of what the Maxwell does right, but for now, both headphones still have their pros and cons. The Maxwell sounds like a great headphone in general, while it’s hard to find much use for the Pulse Elite outside of gaming on your PS5. The Elite does surprise me though, with its expressive highs, easy adjustability, and generous price point.

The Audeze Maxwell is available at Audio46, and the Sony PlayStation Pulse Elite is available from Sony here.

The post Sony PlayStation Pulse Elite Vs Audeze Maxwell Comparison Review appeared first on Major HiFi.

What Makes InDelay Different From Other Delay Plugins?

InDelay aims to bring new dimensions to your delays with its special effects powered by Sound Particles’ legendary 3D audio engine. You can Particle-ize your delays with just one click, and add Air simulation that ensures realism. It allows you to customize 16 independent channel sources, With support for all major output formats from Stereo to Ambisonics or Dolby Atmos, inDelay will open new doors to your artistic domain.

Nuno Fonseca, founder and CEO of Sound Particles, reveals: “A delay is one of the most used plugins by sound professionals, so we had to create something that could fit this daily need, but keep pushing the boundaries of creative expressiveness. So we decided to create our modern take on a classic delay, with plenty of new features never done before inside a delay. We’re sure that it will captivate a lot of musicians and sound designers and that they’ll find tons of inspiration on inDelay.”

Advanced Features:

• Dynamic Particles System: Enjoy Sound Particles’ 3D engine, loved by Hollywood,
  running in your delay. Add a touch of magic to your sounds.
• Up to 100 Delays: Create up to 100 delays simultaneously. You can never have too many Particles.
• Delay Movements: Bring life to your mixes by adding movement to your delays.
• Intuitive Time Editor: Click and drag on the visual time editor to effortlessly change
  multiple parameters with a single click. Shape upcoming delays while keeping an eye on
  the past & present delays.
• Air Simulation: Get the most natural sounding delays with air absorption, a feature that simulates the depth and distance of each delay particle.
• Soundscape Mode: Discover the secrets of crafting the perfect soundscape with inDelay, turning your audio into an immersive experience.
• Delays in Space: Get maximum spatial control by positioning your delays precisely
  where you desire in your room.
• Random Presets: With a click of a button, get the creative gold mine in your search for
  “happy accidents”.
• Craziness: Achieve astounding delay transformations with only one knob, turning your
  mix into a rich delay or lush reverb with a single twist.
• 30+ output formats: Acquire complete flexibility by supporting all major output formats, from mono to stereo, 5.1, High Order Ambisonics, Sony 360, or Dolby Atmos.

InDelay from Sound Particles is available now for $149 from their website. A 30-day demo is also available.

The post Sound Particles Releases Groundbreaking InDelay Plugin appeared first on Major HiFi.

What You Get

Look & Feel

By far, the biggest change that the Unveiled made from the original is its grille-less design and magnetic veil. This has more advantages to its sound properties than it does to aesthetics or comfort. It also makes the Unveield a much more high-maintenance headphone than the original with its driver all but exposed. The original Susvara has a much more common open-back design that you can easily identify as part of HiFiMAN’s catalog. It’s also slightly larger than the Unveiled and feels it has a much stiffer frame. Both Susvaras are expertly crafted though, with a level of build quality that exemplifies the height of HiFiMAN’s design. If you’re worried about weight, the Unveiled is slightly lighter than the original, but both are still lightweight and comfortable with hardly any force that needs to be applied to obtain the best seal.

Design

With the original Susvara, HiFiMAN established their Stealth Magnet technology that’s been a part of most of their headphones since. These magnets are known for allowing acoustic waves to pass through them without generating interference. What the Unvield adds to this design is maximizing the space between those magnets within the diaphragm to increase precision and spatial properties. What will make the most difference though is what it takes to drive these headphones. The original Susvara is notoriously hard to drive, requiring a powerful amp to get to a comfortable level. With the Unveiled, a good amp is still recommended, but I find it a bit more versatile than the original. Usually, I wouldn’t use products like the Chord Mojo 2 or the Fiio K19 with the Susvara, but they power the Unveiled very efficiently.

Soundstage

Where these headphones intersect the most is in their soundstage and imaging. It’s extremely hard to compare their intricacies when both headphones are the best of their kind here. No other headphones can so effortlessly reproduce the exact positioning and graceful pan movement of each sound. The Susvara’s can communicate an incredible amount of stereo realism and breathability with every instrument and effect played through them. I can’t discern any significant differences between these two headphones and how they go about presenting their phenomenal soundstage and spatial imaging presentation. If anything, the Unveiled might have less height than the original due to its smoother treble which lessens the airiness that the original has. However, you can expect similar depth and layering with both Susvaras.

Low End

The bass frequencies have the most immediate clash in tone, bringing forth the most discernable difference between the two Susvaras. I would consider both headphones neutral in their timbre across almost the entirety of their frequency spectrums, but the Unveiled has more of a consistent warmth. There was a more apparent bloom of sub-bass and mid-bass texture that coated the frequency response, while still presenting its bass with the same amount of finesse as the original. Both headphones dive deep, but the foundation of the bass is slightly elevated with the Unveiled. Sometimes the specific amp combo you use with the original can offer you a similar response, but it feels more like a consistent tone with the Unveiled. This might not fit with the realism that the original Susvara is known for, but both headphones offer full bass clarity with neutral tuning.

Mids

It’s hard to find many elements of the midrange that one does better than the other. Both Susvaras showcase incredible transparency, with detailed instruments that feel like they’re put directly under a microscope. Again, they feature a strong neutral tuning, but the sound elements always have a clear body to them. I think the Unveild appears a bit lusher than the original, enunciating notes with a bit more strike to them. This could be seen as taking away some subtlety and articulation, but I feel like it enhances the experience for me. It offers a different flavor of tone compared to the original, which can be seen as lacking edge, especially with vocals.

Highs

Both Susvara’s are smooth and sparkly in their highs. They present easy-to-digest tones that never overly brighten the sound signature, but still keep its exquisite detail. I feel like the Unveiled might feature the most smoothness, as the original can still enter airy territory. The Unveiled brings the highs down to a more surface foundation while still featuring tons of depth. With the original, the highs have more of a crisp sheen to them that never exert any peaks. I can’t say which one I prefer, as glistening details exist with both Susvaras.

Summary

Comparing two of the most prestigious headphones in the audiophile market can be a daunting task, but the similarities and differences between the Susvaras became pretty clear to me. I always appreciated the original Susvara for its unbelievable realism and natural detail, but the Unveield feels a bit more expressive to me. The bass and mids give me something more to bite on than just standard neutrality and with the headphones being easier to drive, the sound signature has more of a consistency to it. That is what I can see people spending more on, as their current system might already be able to run it. This makes the original Susvara more of a potential investment that will match the price of the new one anyway.

The HiFiMAN Susvara and Susvara Unveiled are available at Audio46.

The post HiFiMAN Susvara Vs Susvara Unveiled Comparison Review appeared first on Major HiFi.

What You Get

Look & Feel

The Alba and Kato have spectacular designs that are based on their price points. They’re very different designs that both surpass what’s typical in that range. With that Kato, you have a few different color variations, like its glossy chrome, blue, and matte. The Alba only has its white color, but it’s still an eye-popping look that has the same sleekness that you’d expect from Meze. In terms of fit, both the Alba and Kato are very comfortable. You have a smaller housing with the Alba, and it sits in your ear a bit easier, but the Kato is also very ergonomic.

Design

These are both single-driver IEMs that are similarly sized, with the Kato featuring the most advanced configuration. The Kato utilizes a DLC diaphragm that has high rigidity and dampening. Both IEMs are very easy to drive, but the Alba is the only option that includes its own DAC/Amp dongle. This is a UBC-C dongle that is quite good and comes packaged with the Alba.

Soundstage

When it comes to Moondrop and Meze, you know you’re getting a good soundstage. Both IEMs offer superb depth for their respective prices. They offer a similar amount of width and scale to their sound signatures, with a full scope of sound to immerse yourself in. While they’re both winners here, they still have slightly different spatial characteristics. For instance, the Kato has an airier presentation to its imaging, while the Alba is more focused on precision and accuracy. They both accomplish non-linearity in their imaging, but the Alba appears like a truer stereo field than the Kato. If you’re looking for something more holographic, the Kato will feature more expanded layers, but the Alba feels more realistic.

Low End

Both IEMs have a tight bass response with good control. The Alba is a bit more concise in its low-end detail retrieval, resulting in a quicker response that feels like there’s more velocity behind the frequencies. The Kato is much smoother in comparison, terminating with a more apparent texture that fills out the tone. Like the soundstage though, the Alba and Kato have more similarities than not. They both feel similarly accurate in their response, both showcasing exceptional low-end clarity for the price.

Mids

While both the Alba and Kato feature great midrange details that surpass what most IEMs can do, they’re the most different from each other in terms of timbre. I was more surprised by just how rich the Kato is in the mids compared to the Alba, but that’s barely a knock against the latter. The Alba is very casual with its midrange tuning, and it allows for some dips in energy sometimes. However, this is never distracting, and the Alba is still able to provide roominess and specificity to the sound elements. The Kato is a bit livelier in comparison, mixing in more texture and musicality to its midrange response.

Highs

The Alba has the most feeling in its highs, providing a striking glisten in its upper region. With the Kato, you get some great crispness in the treble, but the way they appear in the mix is much softer than the Alba. You might get some better height on the Kato, but it’s a much airier presentation where the frequencies dissipate much quicker.

Summary

The Kato and Alba are both at the top of their class and have tons of value for what they are. They have the best designs for their price and feature different tunings that share tons of benefits. I don’t think one is truly better than the other, but your decision will depend on personal tastes. For instance, I prefer the precise soundstage and detailed bass and highs of the Alba, but the Kato is more crisp in its midrange and treble. Honestly, because these are relatively inexpensive IEMs, why not have both?

The Meze Alba and Moondrop Kato are available at Audio46.

The post Meze Alba Vs Moondrop Kato Comparison Review appeared first on Major HiFi.

What You Get

• RA15 IEMs
• 2-pin 3.5mm cable
• Drawstring pouch
• Four pairs of silicone eartips
• Bright and Warm sound tubes
• User Guide

Look & Feel

The RA15 must be one of the best-constructed IEMs for less than a hundred dollars. While the body of the earphones feels standard for NF Audio, the metal cast shells are very impressive. It brings durability to its structure, helping protect the RA15’s components, especially with its removable nozzles. Although the RA15 sports a great build, I don’t think they have the best seal. The top of the housing seems to always stick out of my ears, requiring me to push them back in a few times before I feel like they sit right.

Design

Inside the RA15 is a dynamic driver that uses a high polymer composite diaphragm. It uses a dual-magnet circuit design with one Tesla of magnetic flux. This increases sensitivity, as well as provides a more significant driving force.

Soundstage

The RA15 joins a few IEMs that give you impressive soundstage and imaging properties for less than a hundred dollars. The recent DUNU Titan S2 is also in this club, as well as the Moondrop Aria. What makes the RA15 stick out is its precision compared to those models. While others might concentrate more on spaciousness and dimension, the RA15 focuses more on true accuracy and stereo width. Most of its imaging feels like a straight line across the sound field, but its presentation is never bland. The instruments and effects still show a satisfying scale in the mix, and although it doesn’t encapsulate your head the RA15 offers a good amount of headspace. I was immersed in its spatial properties without it featuring the greatest depth. Thanks to its excellent localization, everything that came through the RA15 has enough identity to feel believable.

Low End

At first, I thought the lack of bass I was getting had something to do with not having the right tuning nozzle attached. When I switched them, the bass timbre became even less significant. My initial impressions of the bass must have been with the warm tuning nozzles attached, which is a little disappointing. If there is a warmth to this bass, it’s not a texture that you can easily feel when listening to any track.

The warm nozzles have a strong mid-bass focus, but it’s a very tight, surface-level response. I didn’t mind it, but I don’t think the tone is significant enough to label a whole extension for it. The sub-bass feels missing, like there’s no foundation to the sound signature. It has a clear shape, but very little body. The bass has a clear, satisfying presence with the warm nozzles, but it feels too reserved most of the time.

Mids

The midrange is very clean and detailed. Instruments and effects have tons of room to showcase fullness and clarity through a wide range of frequencies. They’re brought a bit more forward than the bass, but they mostly stick to an even level of energy. Some of the upper-mids have the most heat to them but are kept under control. At its best, it can make notes extra punctual, but it also tends to sharpen the tone a bit too much. That’s without the bright nozzles too. There’s tons of finesse to these mids though, and it overall creates a very exciting timbre for the price despite some of its quirks.

Highs

No matter what nozzles you’re using, the RA15 always tends to have bright spots. With the warm nozzle, that brightness is concentrated in the upper-mids and treble range. Using the bright nozzles, the brightness takes up a much larger surface area of high frequencies. The texture of this brightness doesn’t bring much flavor to the performances, it just creates height and more present peaks. It can be a bit overbearing, but the detail is there. I much preferred the highs with the warm nozzles, as the tone is still bright, but the peaks are a bit more under control.

Summary

NF Audio has provided some cool designs that make them stand out among the pack. While the nozzles might not have provided what I expected them to, it’s still a great way to modify the sound to fit your tastes. Aside from some of its peaky highs, the sound of the RA15 is very enjoyable, with its wide soundstage and detailed midrange that emphasizes musicality.

The NF Audio RA15 is available from HiFiGO.

The post NF Audio RA15 Review appeared first on Major HiFi.