Choosing the right direction
Wherever you look people can be seen using Headphones and Earphones: train, bus even in cars? Not 100% why on the last one but each to there own! What I am basically trying to say is that music on the move is massive at the moment and looks set to continue – I personally would not be seen on the train or bus without my trusty headphones. This popularity raises problems however every manufacture is jumping on the bandwagon and as I am sure you can appreciate this often means inferior quality. As you’re reading this I am sure you are looking for no compromise when it comes to sound quality – in order for you to get the most out of your mobile music we have compiled this blog!
With the giant selection of headphones and earphones out there making a decision can be a daunting exercise but there are some key factors you should take into account – given that most mobile devices, iPhones, Pod’s and other portable players do not have a high amount of voltage to drive it is important to use a lower resistance earphone – the 300Ohm HD800 although beautiful and virtually without rival are an absolute reference using them with an iPhone is not going to herald results. This brings me neatly onto aesthetics, although the majority of us would not admit to thinking about this for vanity reasons the PS1000 on the train is a little of the wall! With the increase of mobile phones becoming mobile music players we increasingly see manufacturers rolling out portable headsets! This can be seen in the new KEF M500 and M200, from a traditional loudspeaker manufacturer moving into the headphone world!
Like in Hi-Fi there are various levels available dependant upon how serious you want to get. Music on portable devices can vary in quality so getting a forgiving headphone for an iPhone for example is must. If you are looking for absolute quality then I am pleased to say that even the portable world there are Audiophile options, currently I am testing out an Astell and Kern AK120 – I will talk about this sublime offering a little bit later but first lets take a look at some of our popular models.
Sennheiser Momentum
Wonderful dynamics with exceptional build quality – possible the ultimate in portable headphones! Deep sound staging and very low Ohm rating, therefore easy to drive! Very natural, lovely with female vocals and jazz. We find sometimes customer may require something a little brighter in the mids however:
KEF M500
Featuring drivers designed to sound akin to KEF loudspeakers the M500 offer shimmering treble, tight bass response and excellent stereo imaging: we have done a complete blog on this headphone alone: check it out here.
Focal Sprit One
Those looking for real performance VS price will not be disappointed with the Spirit One, smooth mid range and pinpoint accuracy in the highs. Available in a choice of two colours looking good and sounding great has never been this cheap or easy!
Choosing your headphones
We have already mentioned key points such as choosing a lower impedance headphone, it is also important to ensure you are comfortable with the headphones, as you may be wearing them for long periods of time. We certainly recommend a visit to our store, our wide range quite often attracts customer from areas such as London because they simply cannot demo the same amount where they are. Another key idea to consider is whether you want over or on ear – the afore mentioned I personally find more comfortable but the tend to be little larger there for more difficulty to carry. There is no right or wrong answer when it comes to headphones – pick the one that works for you in your budget! We would always recommend closed back headphones in portable situations.
Earphones
Those looking to travel light or like the close sound of earphones should pay particular attention to this section! Let have a look at some of our popular models:
Sennheiser IE800
As I am sure you have seen these are probably one of the most expensive earphones out there, however they deserve a place here as they are an absolute reference. Without a shadow of a doubt the best in-ear listening device I have ever heard – even putting some loudspeakers to shame – what more can I say, they just sound correct, natural and organic! Be careful however only match with an appropriate source, Astell and Kern Ak120, Colorfly C4 – playing either WAV or FLAC!
KEF M200
The formidable name KEF, ignites images of reference speakers and fantastic sound! These are no different – as afore mentioned this new range of portable devices from KEF are designed to sound like KEF loudspeakers – cannot say fairer than that!
Yamaha EPH-100
Audio Affair’s product of the month! Not without good reason, breathtaking dynamics, effortlessly clean and an absolute bargain at this price point! Comes complete with various sized ear buds, this is key to getting a perfect fit. These are an Audio Affair staple – offering performance that far outweighs the price!
Portable Players
Before I move onto some great combinations I would like to have a look at a couple of the fantastic portable players we offer:
Astell And Kern AK120
Brand new from this well-known high end manufacturer, the last word in quality, if you are looking for the absolute best then look no further: smooth, refined – a real stunner and that’s just the leather case! Featuring Dual DAC’s ensuring that no subtle nuance of your music collection is lost. In order to get the most from this we recommend using WAV and FLAC files but a great new feature, above the older AK100 is the ability to play Apple Lossless!
Colorfly C4
The Colorfly C4, guaranteed to turn heads with not only its retro looks but superb sound quality – high quality DAC and components throughout out make the C4 a pleasure to listen to, make a statement: you know you want to!
Making a connection
Matching equipment based upon it level is important, for example matching the IE800 with an iPod will not gain great results same goes for a AK120 with cheap OEM headphones for example, based upon the products mentioned here we can build three fantastic packages:
Package one entry level:
Matching either the EPH-100 or Focal Spirit one with your standard portable player will give you a great system – perfect for those who are looking for excellent sound quality but do not want to go overboard! This package can be further improved on by investing in a Graham Slee Voyager, mobile headphone amplifier.
Package 2 intermediate level:
Perfect for those looking for the next step up, offering excellent soundstaging, crystal clear highs and goose pimple inducing realism!
Package 3 The Ultimate!
If you are serious about music on the move, are willing to input the time to ensure you music collection is ripped in the highest format and want the absolute best then look no further than the above. Listening tests (yes the favourite part of my job) blew me away, this new offering from Astell and Kern really has given the portable market a slap, wake up everyone there’s a new kid in town! Just like carrying your traditional Hi-fi around in your pocket!
Conclusion
Getting your mobile listening system sorted as never been easier, as shown here there packages to suit all needs and budgets, you do not need to break the bank to get fantastic listening quality, way above what you would get with out of box earphones! There are many other options out there however, to many to bore you with now! Any questions all you have to do is ask, as always happy listening.