Phil's Superpower of Enthusiasm

Headphones, goldens, whiskey, and wine.

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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: Uncategorized

  • On being a 43-year-old Deadbeat

    In February, after three reorganizations in six months, the Gates Foundation eliminated my work group and laid me and my colleagues off. For me, it was more unexpected with regards to the timing, rather than the fact of the lay off itself. After the last couple of reorganizations, I more or less figured the writing…

  • My Headphone Review Methodology Explained

    When I decide I want to review something, here’s my methodology: The actual methodology: All told, this is somewhere between a 30-40 hour commitment per review, which is why I tend to focus on the things that I like. If I get a few hours into listening to something and I really don’t like it,…

  • Meze 105 AER Review; Another Great Meze Product

    Meze 105 AER Review; Another Great Meze Product

    The Meze 105 AER headphones offer an impressive audio experience, approaching the performance of the higher-end 109 Pro at half the price. With a warm sound profile and great detail retrieval, they are ideal for those seeking high-quality sound without a hefty investment. Their comfort and construction further enhance their appeal.

  • Phil’s Sheet of IEM Goodness

    Over the years, I’ve listened to a lot of in-ear monitors (aka IEMs); some good (Tangzu Wan’er 2), some bad (anything by KZ, really), and some ugly (the CCA CRA). They range wildly in price, but I tend towards the less expensive ones just becaus they’re more fun. Very few of them are worth doing…

  • The Bose Quietcomfort SC; a Solid ANC Offering

    [Original MSRP $349.99, on sale from Costco for $219.99 regularly and $199.99 for Memorial Day 2025, $180-200 at Amazon in December 2025.] [Tl;dr: These are a perfectly good pair of ANC headphones that will serve most people very well. They’re not super resolving and their slightly bassy consumer tuning and their layering and instrument separation…

  • The Fiio FT1 Pro; a Great New Addition to the Crowded Open-Back Space

    [MSRP $279.99, purchased on Amazon.com in March 2025 at the old MSRP.] [Tl;dr: I’m really very impressed by the FT1 Pro; I thought given how good the FT1s were that these might be a disappointment, but they did not let me down. For my general musical preferences, I’m still going with my trusty 6XX most of…

  • The Chord Mojo 2: a Ridiculous, but Ridiculously Good, DAC/amp

    The Chord Mojo 2: a Ridiculous, but Ridiculously Good, DAC/amp

    [MSRP $650 from Chord, same at Amazon, purchased used from Hawthorne Stereo in spring 2025.] [Tl;dr: The Mojo 2 seems, at first, like a ridiculous idea. DACs and amps can’t make that big of a difference in sound, right?! Except, it seems, when they do. I’m not saying the Mojo makes your gear better; but I’m…

  • The Fiio FT1; a truly excellent budget closed-back

    [MSRP $159.99, purchased on Amazon.com in March 2025.] [Tl;dr: These are a really great pair of closed back headphones. They’re even better when you consider their pricing, though Fiio has recently announced that they won’t be importing new products in the near future due to the burgeoning trade war so the limited US inventory may be…

  • ZMF Bokeh Closed: A Deep Dive into Luxury Sound

    [MSRP $1099, $200 more with a tuning set, more with additional/upgraded cables.] [Tl;dr: These are an incredible pair of closed backs, from a technical standpoint, an artistic standpoint, and a dedication to craftsmanship standpoint. They are very expensive even for someone like me, and they’re definitely not going to be everyone’s cup of tea, but I…

  • Headfi Audio for Dummies

    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…