SuperCharged

This new Atomic Floyd IEM called the SuperDarts almost escapes my attention not just because it is only released in Japan at the moment, but also absents in the company's own website. What makes it interesting, besides having the usual bold red color and steel housing found on most Atomic Floyd,  is that it is a rare balanced armature + dynamic transducers two driver hybrid. It is supposed to be the upgraded version of the company's current MiniDarts series and it is not cheap at just a little over US$415.

Life on Record

TDK has released a new flagship called the TH-ECBA100BBK (or a more reasonable nickname, BA100). It is single balanced armature based but a little expensive at around US$150. Yes, it look a bit like a certain IEM from Monster Cable. As with most TDK IEM, it probably won't be easy to find outside of Japan.

[REVEIW] FiiO E6

Here is the new chapter for the story about FiiO's tiny amps' line-up: E6 has been in development for over a year now and ready to be launched months ago. But due to the respect for Westone, which has decided to bundle the new E6 with some of their IEM, the launch is delayed till now . I can't begin to tell you how impressed I am when I first received it. Will it beats E11? No. But will it out-do E5 several times over? Hell yes. For those who think E5 is nothing but toy, this is where FiiO is trying to prove to you how serious a tiny amp that cost much less than a decent meal can go.

[REVIEW] AiAiAi TMA-1 – Dark Side of the Moon

First, I’ll like to thank AiAiAi for the sample and the local AiAiAi dealer David @ Event One for the arrangement. Back before the release of TMA-1 just over a year ago, the Danish based AiAiAi was generally recognized as yet-another-life-style-headphone-brand. We have seen companies that offer nothing but bold, mostly aesthetic design which serves to conceal the lack of sound quality before, and the general consensus for any self-respected audiophile is to avoid anything that looks too flashy: Yes, pick the headphone with the old, ugly design. After all, what else would an ugly headphone have to offer beside sound quality? But with the TMA-1, AiAiAi set out with a different approach to combine good design and sound quality into one product that doesn’t offend both the eyes and the ears - a headphone with style and sound that both DJ and audiophile can approve of.

[REVIEW] Spider realvoice

First, I’ll like to thank Spider Cable for the sample. Spider Cable is a relatively small company in the mighty competitive cable market, but they don’t intend to stop at just the cable market. As their first IEM, realvoice is special in the way that it is intentionally tuned to maximize vocal performance, or should I say, to capture the emotion in the singer’s voice. Costing only about US$90, this unique IEM has became one of my favorite in the sub-$100 category.

FiiO E6 - Tiny Amp Marvel

Confession: I have had this little amp for a few weeks now and I am very much impressed, but I was under agreement not to reveal it until now. Here is the FiiO E6, the successor of the much popular E5, and it will be officially launched at 25th of August. Westone will also bundle this little amp with some of their IEM in the near future as well. Last but not least, I will review it in time. For now, please visit this thread @ Head-fi.org for more pictures and discussion.

[REVIEW] Sub-$30 IEM fight: ECCI PG100 vs. Ultimate Ears 100 / 200

First, I'll like to thank lendmeurears.com for the PG100 sample.

Here I have three sub-$30 IEM waiting for review: ECCI PG100 and Ultimate Ears UE100 are both in the $20 mark while UE200 is a bit more expensive at $30. Given so many people out there will never want to spend over 1/5 (or even 1/10) of the price they paid for their DAP, I thought it will be fun to give them a combined review and perhaps a quick comparison with some of the other more popular sub-$30 IEM in my hand, namely the MEElectronics M9, SoundMAGIC PL30, and the very much underrated VSONIC R02 Pro II.

Twins: Brookstone Clear Dual Drive

Radius has had a great success with their dual dynamic IEM for a while now, but it might seem their good day could be over soon. Brookstone, an U.S. novelty chain store, now offers a dual dynamic IEM called the 'Clear Dual Drive Earbuds' that is almost an identical copy of the DDM2, very likely from the same factory (OEM?) that manufactures for Radius. Costing only $60, which is about 1/5 of DDM2's MSRP, the Brookstone dual driver seems like a steal. What is the catch? Well, Brookstone only operates in the U.S.. Hmmm...

*Thanks to Jant71 for the picture. See the Head-fi.org discussion here.

PFE232: September

After months of delay, the new dual balanced armature based Phonak Audeo PFE232 is finally ready to be launched at September. Price tag is set rather high at £399 (US$650). Check out some of the features / package content after the break..

[REVIEW] Xears Resonance / TD III PRO / PB120 / XR120PRO II

First, I'll like to thank Xears for the samples. From the old brand of Playaz to the current Xears, the same German company which is the first to bring the concept of bang-for-the-buck IEM to Europe a few years ago now commands a group of loyal fans and happy customers of its own. Here I will review 4 of their more popular models: The Resonance Black Edition (MSRP US$50), Turbo Devices TD III PRO Blackwood (MSRP US$115), Powerball PB120 Black Edition (MSRP US$34) and Revolution Series XR120PRO II (MSRP US$57).