[REVIEW] Meizu EP-40

Meizu, once a well regarded DAP maker in China, is now perhaps most well known for their M series of Android smartphone and their previous little ‘incident’ with Apple. While headset isn’t exactly their core business, they did however have release a few models in the past, mainly as accessories to go along with their smartphone. The EP-40 on the other hand seems to be more of an independent product.

[Impression] Tralucent Audio T1

Tralucent Audio is a fairly new comer in the portable audio world and they are Hong Kong based. They are better known for their dual BA, single dynamic hybrid universal IEM ‘1Plus2’ that has a custom shell. The T1 however is their offering to the portable amp market.

Buyer Guide 2012

At the end of last year, I wrote a buyer guide for InnerFidelity.com on recommending some solid IEM choice over different price range. As many of you know, sound signature is a major factor on how I like to recommend but obviously it is not easy to recommend each sound signature on every price range. Instead, I had focused on what I believe to be more easy going and enjoyable regardless of sound preference. This year, I have created a new buyer guide here for the new IEM. Those of last year buyer guide still make good buy, but the new selection are just as excellent in value as well.

 

Woo-tallic

Astrotec AM800 with its half wood + half metal housing look rather unique in its own right. It uses dynamic driver and will hit the market by December, but no other detail for now.

[REVIEW] RedGiant Audio’s A00 Malleus and A03 Ossicle

RedGiant is fairly new company to the IEM scene. With HQ in Canada and R&D in Taiwan, the two things that can be said on their products line-up are the uniqueness in design and the high degree of completeness over product concept – making them as much as a statement of taste as they are audio gears.

Old Brand, New Direction.

(Click for larger picture)

Maxell is one of Hitachi division that focuses on PC and portable media related accessories, such as fairly low-end earphones, recordable CD / DVD and such. The company has decided to reinvent the brand for higher end audio gear, and the first two offerings are the one BA + one dynamic hybrid DBA700 and the dual dynamic DD600. Priced at estimated US$120 and US$95, these seems to be too good a deal to resist and certainly a great move on Hitachi's part to introduce itself to a very competitive market. Both will hit the market at 10th of December in Japan and hopefully Hitachi won't keep them to the Japanese market only.

[UPDATE] The rest of the world might see them at Jan, 2013. Rejoice!

[REVIEW] Astrotec AM90, AS100HD and AS200HD

Astrotec is a company that doesn’t seems to have much of a name in the headphone business, even though it has been found back in 2002 making and designing headphone for others. But with so many small OEM/ODM headphone companies in China, you simply won’t make a name unless you have something different to show for – and that’s exactly what Astrotec did a few months ago with the release of AM90 under their own brand, as one of the cheapest single balanced armature IEM in the market. They have also expanded their line-up with two small portable on-ears as well, among others. So far, budget market seems to be their main focus.

[REVIEW] SoundMAGIC HP100

I have had this pair of headphone for a couple of months now but the process of reviewing is quite a slow going, mainly because I was trying to find a really good setup to bring out the best of HP100. As the first pair of full size from SoundMAGIC, they have chosen to go for a more neutral and analytical sound. Though I personally consider myself a neutral and analytical lover with IEM, I tend to opt for something more warm with supra-aural and circumaural to compensate for the lack of isolation. After flittering with different setup, I think I have found my favourite combination and it is time to give HP100 its long delayed review.

Atomic Steel

Atomic Floyd has been known to make beautiful IEM in steel, the new PowerJax+Remote is no exception. MSRP is about US$160.

[Impression] Apple Nano 7G + Lightning-to-30pin adapter

It seems the Apple’s focus these days is more on iPhone and iPod Touch, but much less so on the other iPod line. I have been looking for a decent small DAP for a while now as my Fuze and C30 have started to show some age. The new Nano comes in just the right time as it has pretty much all the features I am looking for, particularly the support of Bluetooth since I am spending quite some time on BT headset these days. Anyway, I have been playing around with the new Nano 7 for a couple of weeks now so I thought I’ll post a quick impression in case anyone is interested.


Not my first choice of color, but beats pink or a week of waiting.