Phil's Superpower of Enthusiasm

A place to write about things I enjoy, for my own edification. Headphones, audio gear, albums, whiskey, wine, golden retrievers etc.

I’m experimenting with Amazon Affiliate status in an attempt to defray some of the costs of headphone reviews; Amazon links may be affiliate links (depending on whether or not I’ve figured out how to use them correctly). Please feel free to buy elsewhere; this is just one way to recoup the costs of this hobby.

Category: #101

  • The Hadenys are a great headphone, and a worthy successor now that Focal is deprecating the Elex and Clear models, though I would like to see more competitive pricing (and they’re moving in the right direction). – 7 out of 10 Denalis without consideration of cost – 5 out of 10 Denalis with.

  • The Focal Elex: through rose-colored lenses, or still a great headphone?

    The Hifiman Sundara, priced at $179 new, impresses for its performance in the competitive open-back headphone market. Although four years old, it is well-tuned, with a neutral sound and great detail retrieval. The headphones excel with simpler tracks, though comfort could improve. A potential update would be highly anticipated.

  • The Sennheiser HDB 630 headphones are positioned as versatile ANC options but are criticized for their $500 price, which feels unjustified compared to alternatives like the Momentum 4. While they offer parametric EQ and decent sound quality, their comfort and ANC do not surpass competitors. Overall, better options exist for most users.

  • The Hifiman Sundara, priced at $179 new, impresses for its performance in the competitive open-back headphone market. Although four years old, it is well-tuned, with a neutral sound and great detail retrieval. The headphones excel with simpler tracks, though comfort could improve. A potential update would be highly anticipated.

  • The Hifiman Sundara, priced at $179 new, impresses for its performance in the competitive open-back headphone market. Although four years old, it is well-tuned, with a neutral sound and great detail retrieval. The headphones excel with simpler tracks, though comfort could improve. A potential update would be highly anticipated.

  • This content is a collection of frequently asked questions about headphones, audio equipment, and sound quality. It covers topics including the need for DACs and amps, the difference between open and closed-back headphones, recommendations for various price ranges, and the impact of cables and EQ on sound. The answers emphasize personal preference and practical advice…

  • The Hifiman Sundara, priced at $179 new, impresses for its performance in the competitive open-back headphone market. Although four years old, it is well-tuned, with a neutral sound and great detail retrieval. The headphones excel with simpler tracks, though comfort could improve. A potential update would be highly anticipated.

  • The Hifiman HE6se v.2: a Great Value in Planars

    The Hifiman HE6se v2, originally priced at $1,899, offers impressive sound quality for its discounted price of $359. It’s noted for its exceptional detail, soundstage, and instrument separation, making it ideal for critical listening, especially in jazz and acoustic genres. However, it may not suit casual or bass-heavy music as well.

  • The Hifiman Sundara, priced at $179 new, impresses for its performance in the competitive open-back headphone market. Although four years old, it is well-tuned, with a neutral sound and great detail retrieval. The headphones excel with simpler tracks, though comfort could improve. A potential update would be highly anticipated.

  • Headfi Audio for Dummies

    The post outlines essential concepts for building a headphone audio system, emphasizing four rules of hi-fi: personal preference, the value of used gear, the unpredictable interplay of components, and upgradeability. It details necessary equipment, types of headphones, and considerations for amplification, digital-to-analog converters, sources, media quality, and cables, stressing affordability and personal choice in audio…