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.

recent posts

Lawyer, unabashed nerd and geek. Purveyor and pusher of excellent sci-fi/fantasy, good food, and repartee. He/him. Dog dad/servant to @Goldendenali.

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: ANC

  • The Audeze Maxwell: a Great Headphone in a Mediocre System (aka I’m not Mad, Just Disappointed)

    The Audeze Maxwell headphones excel in sound quality but suffer from poor software and design, making setup frustrating. While they offer good performance for gaming and music, their connectivity issues and heavy weight limit appeal. Comparatively, alternatives like the Fractal Scape perform better at a lower price, challenging the Maxwell’s recommendation.

  • The Fractal Scape; Please Let this be the Future

    The Fractal Scape is a remarkable wireless gaming headset currently priced at $139.99. It impresses with excellent sound quality, a user-friendly EQ system, and thoughtful design features. While limited by lack of Xbox compatibility and optical audio input, it offers great value for gaming and casual music listening. Highly recommended.

  • Apple AirPods Pro 3 Review: Worth the Upgrade?

    The Apple AirPods Pro 3 improves on the Pro 2 with better noise cancellation, dust/water resistance, and heart rate monitoring. However, the Pro 2’s sound signature is preferred by many audiophiles. The Pro 3 is a solid choice for casual listeners seeking consumer-friendly audio without a significant upgrade value over the Pro 2.

  • An apology to Sennheiser Momentum 4 fanbois; they’re better than I thought

    [ORIGINAL MSRP $449.95, frequently listed around $200 on Amazon in November 2025. Purchased used from r/AVExchange for $160.] [Tl;dr: The Momentum 4 are an intriguing wireless ANC headphone at their current price point. They sound pretty mediocre to me out of the box, but will reward 30-45 minutes of playing around in the app or finding…

  • Focal Bathys Review: Premium Sound Quality in ANC Headphones

    Focal Bathys Review: Premium Sound Quality in ANC Headphones

    The Focal Bathys are a premium ANC headset that deliver remarkable sound quality, both running wirelessly via Bluetooth as well as via their really excellent DAC mode, connected to a source via USB-C. The ANC leaves something to be desired compared to some of their competitors, particularly their transparency and soft modes, and they are…