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.

Audio46

Audio46 is a store we talk about a lot, as they provide a lot of great headphones and audio equipment for purchase and demo. Located in the heart of Midtown, Audio46 has a lot of great options, both affordable and high-end, for all types of listeners. Their website gives a lot of detail about the different products and sales they have going on.

Sales Policy

• 30-Day return policy
• 14-Day return policy on turntables and Astell & Kern items
• All sales are final on:
  • Special orders
  • Eartips and earpads (even if unopened)
  • Price matched purchases
  • Custom in-ear
  • Limited Edition or Special edition
  • Items meant for underwater use

Restock Policy

First-time purchase products are not subject to a restock fee as long as they are returned in like-new condition with all accessories. The customer is responsible for the return label only. See their list with more specific cases.

Shipping Policy

Free shipping on all orders in the continental US. Other shipping rates may apply for outside territories.

Demo Policy

You can come in and demo any pair of open-box headphones, no appointment necessary. Bring whatever music and extra gear you need for your demo. You can try the products as long as you like (within reason), but all demos stop 45 minutes before closing each day.

Price Match Guarantee?

Yes, Audio46 matches price.

Rhapsody Audio

This company isn’t exactly based in Manhattan, but the short ride to Brooklyn is definitely worth it. Rhapsody Audio is a great company providing not only retail from their showroom, but also consultations, repairs, and installation services out of their 5 locations across the country. Their website doesn’t give a lot of information in terms of policies, but the reviews they’ve received speak volumes to their high-quality service.

Sales Policy

All sales are final, but exchanges and returns can be made on a case-by-case basis. They recommend calling to ask if your equipment qualifies for a trade-in.

Restock Policy

There is no information on their website about a restocking fee, but you can call to ask if your equipment qualifies for a trade-in. Fees may apply.

Shipping Policy

Since this business focuses on in-person sales, there is no information about shipping.

Demo Policy

You can go to any of their locations and demo the equipment in store.

Price Match Guarantee?

Not specified on the website.

Best Buy

Best Buy carries some of the top audio and visual gear around, on top of all their other electronic gear. They have a lot of well-known brands, both mainstream and for audiophiles alike. This is a great place to get some reliable equipment, and even better because there are many locations not just in the city.

Sales Policy

Items are marked as final sale vs. returnable items. Best Buy has different member programs, and the return/exchange policy varies between plans. Times can vary from 14 to 60 days, but check their website to see their detailed breakdown.

Restock Policy

Best Buy does not charge a restock fee if the product is returned unopened. A restock fee will be charged as follows:

• $45 on activated devices (exception: prepaid phones)
• 15% on drones, digital cameras, camera lenses, camcorders (including action cameras), projectors, projector screens, and special-order products (This is a shortened list, see more on their website).

Shipping Policy

Shipping fees apply. Members can receive special rates or free shipping if their account and purchase qualifies.

Demo Policy

There is no information on if Best Buy does in-store demos.

Price Match Guarantee?

Yes, but it must come from their list of Qualified Competitors.

Park Avenue Audio

Park Avenue Audio is an audiophile safe haven located in Gramercy, providing demos and retailing a host of different audio equipment. While their website doesn’t offer much in terms of an online store, they advertise the many services they can provide for audio equipment. They install home setups, offer consultations, repairs, and

Sales Policy

There is no information about final sales on their website, but they offer consultations with no appointment necessary. They advertise their services to the TriState Area.

Restock Policy

There is no information online about their website about restocking policies, so ask a customer service rep for more information.

Shipping Policy

Nationwide shipping available. Fees may apply, ask your customer service rep for more details.

Demo Policy

Select items are available for demo, as listed on their website. Contact them to visit their demo rooms.

Price Match Guarantee?

Not specified on the website.

Canal Sound and Light

This is a downtown gem that should be on everyone’s radar. Canal Sound and Light is a wonderful department store right on (you guessed it) Canal street that offers rentals and purchases of their audio equipment, as well as installation services for large events. They specialize in speakers and larger equipment for live productions.

Sales Policy

All sales are final on in-store purchases, unless otherwise stated on your physical receipt. For online purchases, there is a 14-day return policy. Any return shipping costs are the customer’s responsibility.

Restock Policy

There is no restock fee for items being returned in like-new condition with all accessories included. Items not returned in resalable condition are subject to a 15% restock fee.

Shipping Policy

Purchases over $199.99 qualify for free shipping. Items over 70 lbs do not qualify and may need additional charges to be shipped.

Demo Policy

There is no information on if Canal Sound and Light does in-store demos.

Price Match Guarantee?

Not specified on the website.

B&H Photo Video

This store has been around for awhile, and it continues to provide great services on all electronic fronts. B&H is a fantastic department store, while they may be known for their photo and video equipment first, they still have a ton of name-brand audio gear that is sure to enhance any listener’s setup. They have a few locations in Manhattan, and their superstore on 34th street proves to be the most popular.

Sales Policy

• 30-Day Return Policy
• All sales final on:
  • Opened TVs, combos, and monitors 37” and larger – original packaging cannot be unsealed
  • Opened computers and computer software – original packaging cannot be unsealed
  • Electronic software downloads
  • Opened consumable items (film, tapes, paper, bulbs, CDs, DVDs, ink cartridges, etc)
  • Any computers built or modified by B&H to customer specifications
  • Select special order merchandise, or any item indicated on the website as nonreturnable
  • Underwater equipment that has been submerged
  • Opened or unwrapped educational tapes and books

Restock Policy

If a purchase does not fall within the criteria for non eligible returns, it will not be charged a restocking fee. If it does, or if a product is damaged upon return, customers are subject to a minimum 15% restocking fee.

Shipping Policy

Shipping rates apply to all purchases. Can take up to 1-7 business days for order to arrive.

Demo Policy

If a piece of equipment is on display in their showroom, you should be allowed to demo it in-store. Ask your customer service rep for more details.

Price Match Guarantee?

You can submit a request for a price-match through their live chat service on the website.

The post Best High-End Audio Stores in NYC in 2024 appeared first on Major HiFi.

Bluetooth Headphones

Strauss & Wagner ANCBT501 $129.95 $84.47

There are a few affordable wireless noise-canceling headphones you can get for Prime Day, but the BT501 from Strauss & Wagner gets the spot here. Not only are they inexpensive, but its sound quality rivals many that cost even more. For less than a hundred bucks, the BT501 is the best option you’re gonna find with ANC this Prime Day.

Sennheiser Accentum Plus $229.95 $199.95

While the lower-priced Accentum is also on sale for Prime Day, the Plus version is more worth it. The Plus is a more significant jump in quality, and with this discount, I can’t see a reason not to jump right on it. Everything about its sound is vastly improved over the Accentum, including its more envigorating bass and immersive soundstage. It also has much better ANC and more responsive controls.

Sennheiser Momentum 4 $379.95 $249.95

Of course, If you want to make a price jump that will ensure better value, go with the Momentum 4. This is a great deal if you’re looking for one of the most satisfying Bluetooth headphones to listen to. The Momentum 4 brings the best wireless sounds you can get anywhere, with good comfort and noise-canceling as well. If you can afford to make the jump from the Plus, the Momentum 4 is a no-brainer.

Sony WH-1000XM5 $398 $298

Almost every list about headphone deals is going to have the XM5 in some capacity. This is currently one of the best discounts I’ve seen the XM5 go for, and it is definitely worth it. You’ll get the best noise-canceling on the market, as well as access to great features like 360 Reality Audio. The XM5 leads the industry in many ways and now is the best opportunity to get one for yourself.

Bowers & Wilkins PX8 $699 $559

There are a few higher-end Bluetooth headphones out there, but the PX8 is one of the few your can get dicounted right now. Everything about the PX8’s sound and build will be elevated compred to what you usually see from most consumer wireless headphones. With this discount, the PX8 is put at a simiar price to what the Apple Airpods Max goes for at full price. So if you’re looking to upgraded from them, the PX8 will outperfrom it at almost every level.

Wired Closed-Back Headphones

Meze 99 Neo $199 $139

There are a few traditional wired headphones available on Prime Day, and one of the best ones you’ll find is the Meze 99 Neo. These are a simple pair of over-ear headphones made from one of the best audiophile brands out there. The sound of the 99 Neo will reflect that, with a detailed sound signtature and spaciouss soundstage.

Focal Celestee $999 $699

If you’ve got money to spend, but are still looking for a good deal on closed-back headphones, the Celestee is the best option going right now for Prime Day. These headphones have the most exciting sound you’ll hear on a closed-back headphone for under a thousand dollars, with a rich bass and accurate soundstage.

Open-Back Headphones

Sennheiser HD 600 $449 $284.95

One of the best pairs of open-back headphones on the market makes a big discount on Prime Day. The HD 600 makes for a great pair of headphones for the studio, but you can easily use them for casual music listening and gaming too. Getting them for less than three hundred dollars is quite the value.

Sennheiser HD 660S2 $599.95 $379.95

Usually, the HD 660S2 is the top of the mid-fi HD series headphones from Sennheiser. Now, for Prime Day, the 660S2 is at its most inexpensive. Although you’ll need a good amp to drive it, the headphones on their own show a ton of value for even less than five hundred dollars. It has a detailed sound with a very immersive soundstage that will enwrap your headspace in sound.

Sennheiser HD 800S $1,799 $1,279

The HD 800s is one of the best open-back headpones you will ever hear due to its expansive soundstage and percise detail retrival. On Prime Day, you can get them for the lowest price I’ve seen it at for a long time. Like the rest of the HD series open-back headphones, the HD 800s is power hungry, but with this new price, adding a good amp with it should be more reasonable.

Final Audio D7000 $3,499 $2,999

One of the more premium audiophile headphones to be discounted for Prime Day is the Final Audio D7000. It has extremly pristine detail, with a holographic soundstage. It shares a lot of simialarities with the D8000, but with this discount, the D7000 might give you the better value.

The post Your Ultimate Prime Day Headphone Handbook: Top Deals and Must-Have Picks! appeared first on Major HiFi.

Audeze Maxwell

Even though Audeze is now part of Sony Interactive, the Maxwell still has all the sonic characteristics that make their headphones so special. Their planar headphones have been a favorite amongst audiophiles, and they successfully translate that quality to a gaming headset. It’s one of the most expressively detailed gaming headsets around, balancing its powerful bass with crisp highs that reveal the layers of each sound effect and musical note so precisely.

You can also listen to the Maxwell in the spatial audio format of your choice, whether that be Dolby Atmos or Sony’s Tempest 3D audio. This makes the Maxwell sound like one of the most expansive headphones on the market, immersing you in your games like you never have before. There are different versions of the Maxwell depending on your preferred game console, but I highly recommend the Maxwell for the PC so you can download the Audeze HQ gaming app that gives you access to the EQ so you can personalize your experience even further.

Beyerdynamic MMX 300 Pro

The MMX 300 Pro is one of the most recent gaming headsets to launch, and it earns the “pro” in its name. Everything about the MMX 300 Pro’s sound reminds me of their rich and reliable studio headphones. It’s more of a natural sound compared to most other gaming headphones, especially next to the previously mentioned Maxwell. The MMX 300 Pro cares more for accuracy and natural details, acting like a robust studio headphone. You can still expect some compelling bass qualities though, with a tonal balance that never results in disorganization. With its clear, studio-like response, the MMX 300 Pro is able to take your game audio and place the dialogue, effects, and music on an equal playing field. On top of this is one of the best onboard mics on a gaming headset, giving your voice some of the best clarity.

Sony PlayStation Pulse Elite

This is the first Sony PlayStation over-ear gaming headphone to implement a planar driver, and the results are quite impressive. Paring it with the PS5 brings out its best qualities, such as 3D Audio. The imaging and soundstage are at their best here, successfully wrapping your head around the ambiance and music of the game world you’re in. There’s a lot more controlled bass here too compared to most other Sony headphones, maintaining stacks of frequencies that don’t bleed into each other. In terms of usability, the Pulse Elite also features multipoint Bluetooth and a lightweight design for one of the most surprisingly inexpensive picks on this list.

Audio-Technica ATH-M50xSTS

One of the most famous headphones regardless of application is the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x. Whether you’re a creator or a music lover the M50x is one of the best decisions you can make on an entry-level headphone. It doesn’t take much thought to see way a gaming version of this headphone would be so compelling. Like the MMX 300 Pro, the M50x is a simple wired headphone that relies on its studio-level sound to make your game audio feel like a complete experience. Making the M50x a gaming headset is as simple as attaching a microphone to it and terminating it to USB-A with a Type C adapter. It almost sells itself at this point.

Audio-Technica ATH-GL3

If you’re not as into the sound of the M50x, Audio-Technica has another headset that is more catered to gaming. The GL3 has a ton of character. It’s wide, dynamic, and detailed with its high and low frequencies. Your music and sound effects should sound very individualized and out of the background. Add onto that some dimensional imaging, a detachable mic, and an inexpensive price point giving you a solid choice for a gaming headphone.

The post Level Up Your Gaming Experience with the Top Gaming Headsets of 2024 appeared first on Major HiFi.

How It Works

Humanoid uses an FFT-based re-tuning engine that allows you to modify specific elements of the sound, like pitch, filtering, and synthesis. With Humanoid’s pitch controls, you can correct your audio in exciting ways, such as correcting individual notes with Scale mode. This is a good way to match your vocals to musical keys in real-time. The wavetable synth takes the set pitch and resynthesizes it with selectable waveshapes. Using filters allows you to shape the tone even further with high and low-pass filters.

There are tons of other features that Humanoid offers that will continue to shake up your vocals. Here are some of the additional key features you can expect.

• Transform Knob: Morph between robotified hard-tuning and re-synthesized vocals to seamlessly blend between human and machine. Use the shape and stretch parameters to manipulate the wavetable and the note shift and octave parameters to fatten and shift the pitch.
• Effects: Humanoid’s effects section gives you creative tools to warp your voice. Widen makes the voice wider, while Warble offers spectral vibrato. Freeze is a unique stutter effect that can be synced to the BPM or programmed freely.
• Utility: The Utility section contains helpful tools for improving the results of the vocal processing. Limit the note range to improve pitch detection, add a de-esser to tame sibilance, and a gate to reduce bleed and background noise. The smoothing function reduces harsh harmonics for a more soft and relaxed re-tuning style.
• Presets: Humanoid comes with 180 presets from top sound designers. From classic hard-tuning effects to transformative vocal manipulation, you’ll find expertly built patches that work across a variety of genres.
• Sharpen: Enhance the vocal signal to achieve a clearer and sharper balance that will cut through the mix. Click the calibration icon to control the brightness.
• Output: Set Humanoid’s global output. Click the calibration icon to set the input gain and global dry/wet mix. Click+drag the bottom right of the interface to re-size.
• Settings: Enter the settings menu to show/hide tooltips, change the interface color, launch the quick-start guide, access resources and more.
• Buffer: Humanoid works by analyzing incoming audio in the spectral domain. Select the Low buffer setting to analyze a smaller window of audio for low latency performance, or select Medium or High for better pitch tracking at the expense of higher latency.

System Requirements

• Plugin formats: VST, VST3, AU, AAX (64-bit).
• Mac OS 10.11 and up (including Native Apple Silicon M1/M2 Compatibility).
• PC Windows 10 and newer.
• DAWs supported: All major DAWs, including Ableton Live, Pro Tools, Logic Pro, FL Studio, Cubase, Studio One, Bitwig, Reaper, Reason, etc

Humanoid costs $79, and is available from Plugin Boutique.

The post Produce Futuristic Vocals With Baby Audio’s New Humanoid Plugin appeared first on Major HiFi.

According to Tidal, they will be replacing all MQA tracks with the highest quality FLAC version beginning on July 24th, 2024. It’s not clear what the exact streaming quality of these MQA tracks will be replaced with. Right now, Tidal’s hi-res selection can reach a maximum of 24bit/192kHz. What this could mean is that these MQA tracks will be replaced with any FLAC streaming quality above 16bit/44.1kHz, which is standard CD-quality lossless audio.

What’s come as even more of a surprise is the added announcement Tidal ditching Sony’s 360 Reality Audio. This means that you will no longer be able to listen to Sony’s spatial audio with headphones like the WH-1000XM5 or the ULT WEAR. However, this doesn’t mean that Tidal is getting rid of spatial audio completely. Tidal already has a selection of Dolby Atmos tracks for you to choose from, and will now be their main format for spatial audio moving forward. Dolby Atmos is also the format that Apple Music is using for its spatial audio tracks. This leaves Amazon Music, and Deezer as the last remaining music streaming services to offer 360 Reality Audio. It will be interesting to see if that format goes the way of MQA as well.

If you’re still interested in MQA, it was reported last week that a new music service is in the works from Lenbrook Media Group and HDtracks. This new digital storefront will feature both FLAC and MQA tracks just as Tidal has been doing for a year now.

The post Tidal Announces Major Changes – Ditches MQA & 360 Reality Audio appeared first on Major HiFi.

Since the release of the XM5, we’ve seen the emergence of premium Bluetooth headphones like the Focal Bathys, Bowers & Wilkins PX8, and DALI IO-12. The 1000x series has never entered that price bracket, but there could be some lessons that the XM6 could take from them. The audiophile market and Sony’s consumer market intersect more than you might think, considering the 1000x series continuous support of the LDAC Bluetooth CODEC. Direct competitors to the XM5, like the Sennheiser Momentum 4 have their advantages over the XM5, but the XM6 could also take notes from it, and greatly improve upon its design.

AptX Lossless

It’s unlikely that Sony will ditch LDAC, but some form of lossless CODEC should be considered for the XM6. Many true wireless earbuds have already started to incorporate aptX Lossless, from the Denon PerL to the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4. With the XM6, Sony could find themselves ahead of the curve by having one of the few over-ear Bluetooth headphones with aptX Lossless. Using Spotify in its current form with this CODEC won’t change anything, but Apple Music, Tidal, and Qobuz enjoyers might find more benefits. This is especially if you’re connected to a reliable WiFi network. However, I can’t see Sony adopting any technology from Qualcomm for the XM6, so this might be the least likely scenario.

USB Type C DAC

The 1000x series has always allowed straight analog audio through a detachable 3.5mm cable. While this has always been a good option to get better audio from your Bluetooth headphones, recent releases have been utilizing USB-C to increase sound capabilities. Some headphones like the Focal Bathys and Bowers & Wilkins PX7S2e now offer built-in DACs. This allows you to connect your headphones straight to your USB-C port on your smartphone, but it also enhances the sound by bypassing the built-in sound chip in your phone and using the headphone’s instead. Ideally, this chipset would upgrade the sample rate and bit depth from your phone, performing better sonic properties in response. This seems to be where the over-ear Bluetooth market is going, as it makes the most sense with the lack of 3.5mm headphone jacks on most smartphones.

Battery Life Upgrade

The standard for battery life on consumer headphones has shifted since the release of the XM5. Sennheiser’s Momentum 4 was one of the first consumer Bluetooth headphone’s to apply this with its massive 60 hour battery life. Now, many other headphones are following suit, even ones that cost significantly less than the XM5. It would be disappointing if the XM6 shipped with the same 30 hour battery life as the XM5.

ANC & Call Clarity

These are two things that Sony already leads the market with, so I don’t see what they could possibly make better. Sony’s QN1 noise-canceling processor is still fairly new, and is already pretty advanced. If Sony is already leading the market in noise-canceling technology, it’ll be interesting to see if they develop it further. As for call clarity, this is another one of Sony’s strengths. Some headphones have been using MEMS microphones, which have helped improve their voice clarity. However, as with the ANC, I think Sony already has a good thing going with their current microphone principle so I don’t expect to see it changed.

The post Sony WH-1000XM6 Wishlist – How Sony Can Improve Their Flagship Bluetooth Headphones appeared first on Major HiFi.

History Of Spotify Going Lossless

There have been a few rumored iterations of Spotify’s lossless plan. In 2021, before even Apple switched to lossless, Spotify was planning a new tier that would introduce “Spotify HiFi.” After other popular music streamers beat Spotify to it, there was little word on when this new tier would be made available. Last year, there was talk about Spotify unveiling a new tier called “Supremium” that would finally enable lossless streaming. However, this tier was never released, and Spotfy’s streaming still caps at 320kbps.

Where Was Spotify Music Pro Discovered?

According to The Verge, a Reddit user uncovered “Music Pro” within the app’s code. This finding insinuates that Lossless no longer be its own tier, and should instead be offered as an option to existing ones. What caught our eye from this Reddit thread was the inclusion of “advanced mixing tools” and “headphone optimization.” These features could set Spotify’s lossless integration apart from its competitors. For now, we can only speculate what these potential features could be.

Recently, Tidal announced that they were reducing the price of their highest tier to 10.99. This brings most music streaming services that offer lossless audio around the same price. Originally, Spotify was planning to offer their lossless tier for ten dollars more a month, but maybe with Music Pro, they’ll finally catch up to their rivals.

The post Could Spotify’s Music Pro Be Their Long Awaited Lossless Tier? appeared first on Major HiFi.

Strauss & Wagner EM8C

One of our favorite Type C earbuds is the EM8C from Strauss & Wagner. These inexpensive earbuds provide a simple earbud design while delivering a sound that might surprise you. Musically, the EM8C has a large scope that you won’t expect, with a low end that has body and weight to it. You can expect good impact and clarity that will always play well with most genres of music. The EM8C also has a remote/mic that lets you control playback and talk on the phone, acting as an overall good companion for your phone.

Moondrop JIU

Moondrop has a few Type C earbuds that might be appearing here, and the JIU is one of the best of them. It’s another inexpensive set of earbuds that shoot well past their weight limit. The JIU Is in the same style as Moondrop’s Chu model, which has a very solid casing made from zinc alloy. In terms of sound, the JIU brings some clean bass, with good detail in the highs. It provides a nice flavor of sound that is easy to digest, all while featuring good separation and imaging that individualizes specific instruments.

Moondrop May

One of the newest Type C earbuds to enter Moondrop’s catalog, the May is more like IEMs than traditional earbuds. Its shape and cable share a lot of familiarity with how higher-end IEMs are presented, including ones from Moondrop’s library.  What’s unique about the May is it’s one of the only wired USB C earbuds to feature its companion app. This app allows you to activate different presets that adjust the tuning of the earbuds to best fit your preference. These options vary from a custom parametric EQ to presets that are based on Moondrop’s other IEMs.

Questyle NHB15(Type C Version)

I reviewed the iPhone version of these earphones, the NHB12, so if you need type C then the NHB15 is one of the best options you can get. This is a significant price jump compared to the other options on this list, but when you hear what the NHB15 sounds like it makes sense. This is a great mid-budget IEM regardless of its termination. Its sound has great depth, with a punchy bass and a tight treble that resonates smoothly.

USB Type C Cables

If you already have a pair of IEMs you like, there are good cables you can get that terminate to USB Type C. Some of the brands I’ve mentioned in this article supply all different types of cables for USB C connections, with 2-pin and MMCX connectors. This includes the Struss and Wagner Lyss, which is a nice braided silver cable that pairs great with MMCX IEMs. Another great option would be the Moondrop Free DSP, which is another braided cable that is silver-plated. It can be used with IEMs that use a 2-pin connection.

The post Best Wired Headphones For The Samsung Galaxy S24 appeared first on Major HiFi.

The Smile – Wall Of Eyes

If you haven’t heard of The Smile, you’ve definitely heard of at least two of their members. The latest album from Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood of Radiohead’s side project “The Smile,” is full of tracks that sound intoxicating over good headphones. Radiohead’s “In Rainbows” is an album you see a lot on headphone-testing playlists, and Wall Of Eyes resembles a lot of its production. I recently tested this album with The Composer from Austrian Audio, and it made the instrumentals feel extra jumpy on tracks like “Under Our Pillows,” adding to the transparency of Greenwood’s hypnotic composition. The specific attack and clean tone of his guitar, mixed with Yorke’s reverberated vocals and a deep vibrating bass create a wonderful synthesis of musicality that your headphones and IEMs will easily engage you in.

Future Islands – People Who Aren’t There Anymore

With the last entry, it was the arrangements and production that made it a great album for headphone testing. This latest album from the synth-pop group “Future Islands,” it’s one main aspect. Sam Herring’s vocal performance in this album by itself is a good indicator of what frequency ranges your headphones can handle. The dynamic range of the vocals spans from the mid-bass, all the way to the upper-midrange, with tons of detail and intricacies to be revealed to you through good headphones. If your headphones can replicate the spectrum between his deep gravel to his burst of shoutier melody with balance and crispness, you might have yourself a good set of cans. Tracks like “The Tower” stand out as having some of the most intimate vocal performances from Herring, and the album also has a deep enveloping bass throughout its runtime.

Billow Observatory – Soliton

I tend to receive some of the most informal and enjoyable listening experiences of testing headphones with ambient music. The ethereal nature of the genre communicates a lot of immersive elements that are integral to headphone testing, and that’s best shown on the latest EP from “Billow Observatory”. A lot of its instrumentation is minimalist, but it’s the texture that the many reverberant drones bring out that listening with good headphones will help completely transport you somewhere else. “Soliton” uses the entire spectrum of sound to entice you in its spacey environment, which certain open-back headphones will wrap around your head, from left to right, up and down, and forward and behind.

Hiatus Kaiyote – Everything’s Beautiful

This is a very recent single from the alternative R&B group Hiatus Kaiyote, and I was entranced by it as soon as I first heard it. The exceptionally clean bass groove, mixed with the tight snap of the snare rim immediately tickles my eardrums through a pair of Meze 109 Pros. Then that crisp female vocal comes in and just oozes expressive detail that could be a new reference for me. There are also these layered vocal harmonies that open up the soundstage and spread out the mix, showcasing great scope.

Joe Hisaishi – The Boy & The Heron(Original Soundtrack)

Great movie scores are a must when I test headphones. The music for this film struck me when I saw it in theaters, and I couldn’t wait to hear how it sounded over headphones. Joe Hisaishi is one of the best composers working today, with his best work scoring the films of Hayao Miyazaki. The original soundtrack has hit streaming recently, and have been reveling in it for many of the headphones and IEMs I’ve been testing.

There’s a strong focus on solo piano on this album, and the performance is incredibly well captured. This piano possesses a full spectrum of sound, with the full gravity of the performance being enhanced by a great pair of headphones. Each note that he strikes should feel like the most important note ever recorded. You get some beautiful orchestration too, which certain headphones can add precision to. All of these different instruments should feel like they’re coming from their own separate origin and form a scene of sound around your headspace. Having a good tonal balance is also very important when the music starts to form a climax towards the end of the album.

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