audiophile

Before Bluetooth and wireless headphones became a big deal, Audio-Technica was a popular name in the business of wired consumer headphones. That's not to say that the Japanese brand has lost its relevance, but some of its new products seem to rely heavily on nostalgia and the proven credentials of some of its popular models from the past decade, such as the M-series of monitor-grade studio headphones. The product I'm reviewing here is exactly that — a refreshed, Bluetooth-powered version of an old favourite.The…

Till a few years ago, wired headphones and earphones were popular with buyers looking for budget audio products; Bluetooth was still too expensive for many people. Things have since changed, and it's now possible to buy true wireless earphones for less than Rs. 1,000. Although there are still plenty of takers for basic wired earphones that sell for around Rs. 300, most mainstream buyers seem to prefer wireless options. Now, other than the extreme budget end of the market, wired audio is becoming the domain of the…

With many modern smartphones today lacking a 3.5mm headphone jack, it's becoming difficult for audiophiles to use them as source devices for lossless wired listening. While many will be quick to suggest using a dedicated high-resolution audio player or a DAC-amplifier setup using a computer, these can be expensive. Fortunately, budding audiophiles on a budget do have some worthwhile options to consider, including good portable DAC-amplifiers such as the iBasso DC03.Priced at Rs. 4,999, the iBasso DC03 is a compact but…

With Apple Music rolling out support for high-resolution lossless audio in India, there is renewed interest in wired earphones and headphones, particularly of the audiophile kind. I've tested the service with a number of headphones and earphones since its introduction in India, and while there's plenty to enjoy even with budget equipment, spending more money on premium, well-engineered kit will give you a considerably better listening experience. That's where the Sennheiser IE 300, the in-ear monitors I'm reviewing here,…

At its launch event in Berlin, Huawei has announced, among other things, its latest flagship wireless earbuds. The FreeBuds Pro 2 have been co-engineered with Devialet and contain world-firsts for earbuds.  The follow-up to Huwaei’s original FreeBuds Pro earbuds are here and they are the firm’s “most advanced in-ear headphones yet” thanks to developments like the use of planar magnets and improved active noise cancelling (ANC).  Headlining the feature list is the use of dual-drivers. That’s not something that…

With easy availability of high-resolution audio in India through Apple Music, many users are now choosing to go back to wired headphones or earphones, and some are even investing in high-end options. It's possible to put together a decent audiophile kit on a budget, but the more you spend, the better the overall experience. Of course, the heart of any audiophile setup is a pair of headphones, and the Meze 99 Classics that I'm reviewing here is highly regarded in its price segment.Priced at Rs. 24,999, the Meze 99 Classics…

True wireless earphones are often considered too mainstream to be audiophile-grade, but some brands and products have tried to strike a balance between good sound and the convenience of the form factor. A simple way to improve sound quality is by supporting advanced Bluetooth codecs, which allow for more data to be transferred between the source device and earphones, resulting in richer sound. Lypertek, a small audio specialist brand that focuses on true wireless earphones, has gone a step further with a hybrid…

The introduction of high-resolution audio to Apple Music in 2021 boosted the already active audiophile movement, and increased interest in budget audiophile kit such as wired earphones and digital-to-analogue converters. While there are plenty of options available in India for under Rs. 5,000, many of these products originate from China. That's how the products that I'm reviewing today stand out; Final Audio is a Japanese brand, known for audiophile-grade earphones and headphones that cover a wide range of prices, from…