2016 Headphone Shootout Part 2: The Over The Ear Models

Now it's time for part two of the headphone shootout and the over the ear models. They consist of Kingston HyperX Revolver, the Kenwood KH-KR900, Blue Lola, and Audio-Technical ATH-A1000Z. They range from $129 to $399, with $129 for the Kingston,$219 for Kenwood, $249 for Blue, and $399 for the Audio-Technica.

The Kingston HyperX Revolver is actually a gaming headset, that doubles as a standard over the ear headphones. The mic is detachable. The attached cable is a standard cable. Then there is a second cable that attaches to the attached cable. This extends the cable length for sitting back from the TV, and it also has mic mute switch, to mute the mic wherever you need to have a conversation with someone else in the room.  At least this is what I thought initially, which turned out not to be the case.  The second cable with the built-in mic mute and volume switch is for PC gaming.  For XBox One, the cable will plug in to the controller.  In order to have control of the volume at your fingers, you would need an adapter that connects between the Revolver headset and the controller.

Features and specs:

Studio-grade soundstage

Signature HyperX memory foam with premium leatherette

       Durable steel frame

       Detachable noise cancelling microphone

       Next-generation directional 50mm drivers

       Multi-platform compatibilities

       Headphone:

       Driver:  Dynamic, 50mm with neodymium magnets

       Type:  Circumaural, Closed-back

       Frequency Response:  12Hz-28,000 Hz

       Impedance:  30 Ohm

       Sound Pressure Level:  104.5BSPL/mW at 1kHz

       THD:<2 p="">  <2 o:p="">

       Input Power:  Rated 30mW, Max 500mW

       Weight:  360g

       Weight with mic:  376g

       Cable length and type:  Headset (1m) + Audio Control Box (2m)

       Connection:  Headset 3.5mm plug, Audio Control Box 3.5mm stereo and mic plugs

       Microphone:

       Element:  Electet condenser microphone

       Polar Pattern:  uni-directional, Noise cancelling

       Frequency response:  50Hz - 18,000 Hz

       Sensitivity:  -40dBV (0dB=1V/Pa, 1kHz

The Kingston HyperX Revolver came shipped in a nice looking box and cut out insert to protect the Revolver. Included in the box was the owners manual, detachable mic, second cable with the mic switch, and the headset. Materials used in the construction were good, and the quality of construction and the fit and finish was even better! These looked like they should have been priced more.  And they were very well made, which is a good thing based on the amount of time gamers tend to, well.....game!  But, how do they sound?

David Bowie: Let's Dance, had nice depth, impact and authority in the kick drum. The knocker sounded woody and revealed a wide soundstage and good imaging. Vocals were natural, percussion was crisp and dynamic. Journey: Don't Stop Believing, keyboard sounded natural, vocals were very natural with great texture and detail, the size of soundstage surprised me, throwing a large and wide soundstage! Percussion had good dynamics, kick drum had good depth. Also Sprach Zerathustra, very good low end extension as well as output. Brass was smooth and not overly brassy. Nice impact in the tympani, with nice big soundstage. Junior Wells: Why Are People Like That, really nice low end extension in the bass that also played with authority. Vocals were very natural with good texture. The harmonica was nice and clean with good dynamics. Gershwin: Rhapsody In Blue, clarinet was really natural sounding with enough resolution that you could hear their breathing technique. Brass sounded smooth, piano sounded natural, and bassoon had nice depth and texture. They threw a big soundstage, and imaging was good.

Kenwood is fairly new to the headphone industry. They have a couple different models. What they included in the shootout is their top of the line KH-KR900, that has a MSRP of $219. Kenwood has made excellent car stereo components for decades. Having a lot of experience with their quality car audio gear, we naturally jumped at the opportunity to include this model in our Headphone Shootout.

Features and specs:

·         Driver:  40mm

·         Magnet:  Neodymium

·         Frequency Response:  7 - 28,000Hz

·         Impedance:  32 ohms

·         Sensitivity:  102dB/1mW

·         Max Input:  1000mW (IEC)

·         Cord Length:  3.94ft (1.2m)

·         Weight:  7.05oz (200g)

·         Remote + Mic:  Yes

·         Plug:  iPhone compatible, gold plated

·         Accessories:  Detachable cable, Carry Pouch

The Kenwood came in a nice looking printed box with photos of the product and it's specs I like the fact that it also had a clear plastic window on one side so you can see the actual product. And they were well protected, held in a custom molded plastic insert. Materials used were mostly plastic, with some metal. Quality of materials used were very good, as was the fit and finish. They were also fairly light weight, which would be nice for long listening periods.

I also liked the design of the Kenwood KH-KR900. The sides of the earcups swivel, which is popular DJ feature. This allows you to hear the music, as well as those around you. At a price of over $200, they can be considered by some as an investment. The use of detachable cables I feel is a huge selling point, that way if you get a short in the cable, all you are replacing is the  cable.  The styling of the outside of the earcups reminded me of the styling of some of their car amps.  The real question though is if they sound as well.

David Bowie: Let's Dance, keyboard sounded natural, vocals sounded natural with good timbre and texture, soundstage was big, kick drum had good depth and output. Journey: Don't Stop Believing, keyboard sounded natural, vocals were natural with nice texture and harmonics.  Percussion had very good dynamics, kick drum had very good depth and played with authority. Also Sprach Zerathustra, had really nice ultra deep base with really good output. Brass was smooth with good resolution and a big soundstage. Tympani had nice dynamics and impact. Junior Wells:Why Are People Like That, showed nice deep bass with good output and authority. The vocals were smooth with really nice timbre and texture. The harmonica had nice dynamics with crisp harmonics and good resolution. Gershwin: Rhapsody In Blue, clarinet was very natural and smooth with very good resolution to hear the breathing technique. Brass was smooth, clean and not too brassy. The bassoon had nice texture and depth. Piano was very natural sounding, with great dynamics. They throw a big soundstage.

Next up is the Blue Lola. Last year Blue came out with the Mo-Fi. They were a big hit among audiophiles, especially with the built in amp. Now, Blue is expanding their line up with the Lola. The Blue Lola has all of the unique features of the Blue Mo-Fi, only with no headphone amp built in, and lack of headband tension adjustment. The lack of these feature has resulted in a price drop from $349 to only $249. On paper, this is an extremely aggressive price point given the features. We'll see how they actually perform.

      Features and specs:

      Type and Size:  50mm fiber-reinforced dynamic driver

      Impedence:   42 ohms

      Frequency Response: 15-20,000 Hz

      Enclosure Details:  Sealed enclosure with tuned damping material

      Weight:  397 g

The Blue Lola came in a great looking box, with photos of the product and it's specs. The materials used in the construction was actually mostly metal, with some plastic. Quality of materials used was very good, and the fit and finish was excellent! The Blue Lola is a premier product, and built like a tank! Also included in with the Blue Lola is the owners manual, soft carry bag, and longer cable.

I love the design of the Blue Lola. Starting with the Blue Mo-Fi, they started from the ground up in designing a headphone. And the design, especially the headband, was totally out of the box thinking. It allows you to not just adjust the fit, but also the tension. All of this is done by incorporating a lot of metal arms and joints. This makes it not only well adjustable, but very sturdy in build, so it should be able to last a very long time.  The Blue Mo-Fi performed so well last year, I was excited to see how the Lola would sound.

David Bowie: Let's Dance, kick drum had very good depth and had good output. Knockers showed a huge soundstage, percussion was crisp with really good resolution, vocals were natural with great texture. Journey: Don't Stop Believing, keyboard sounded extremely natural and detailed, vocals were silky smooth with excellent texture and harmonics. The soundstage was really big, and imaging was spot on. Also Sprach Zerathustra, really nice clean ultra deep bass, with very good authority. Silky smooth brass with nice detail without being too brass, and throws a big soundstage. Tympani had nice impact. Junior Wells: Why Are People Like That, bass had really good depth and authority. Vocals were silky smooth with excellent resolution and timbre. Harmonica was smooth, really clean, and very dynamic. Percussion was crisp with good resolution. Gershwin: Rhapsody In Blue, clarinet was very clean and smooth with good texture and woodiness from the reed. Brass was also smooth without being too brassy. Piano sounded very natural. Bassoon had excellent depth and air. Imaging was excellent as was the soundstage big.

Last but not least is the Audio-Technica ATH-A1000Z. Audio-Technica is known for providing excellent quality headphone, for a big bang for the buck. With the increase in popularity of the newer Hi-res audio format, it was time for an update. Audio-Technica is starting to redo their lineup with new Hi-res audio compatible models. Up for review today is one of those new models, the ATH-A1000Z.

Features and specs:

• Newly designed 53 mm drivers with OFC-7N bobbin-wound voice coils
• Hand-assembled drivers include top-mounted PCB and pure iron yoke, ensuring precise diaphragm movement and superior transient response
• High-rigidity aluminum housings
• Lightweight magnesium alloy baffle decreases unwanted vibration
• Proprietary 3D wing support system for excellent fit
• Stitched, ergonomic earpads offer superior comfort and sound isolation
• 3.0 m (9.8') OFC-6N dual-sided, four-core cable with elastomer sheath
• Includes 6.3 mm (¼") stereo adapter

Type	Closed-back dynamic
Driver Diameter	53 mm
Frequency Response	5 – 43,000 Hz
Maximum Input Power	2,000 mW
Sensitivity	101 dB/mW
Impedance	44 ohms
Weight	265 g
Cable	3.0 m (9.8') OFC-6N dual-sided, four-core cable with elastomer sheath
Connector	3.5 mm (1/8") gold-plated stereo mini-plug
Accessory Included	6.3 mm (1/4") gold-plated stereo adapter

The Audio-Technica ATH-A1000Z came in a great looking glossy colored box with photos of the product and it's specs. Materials used in the construction is mostly metal, with some plastic. The quality of materials used was very good, as was the fit and finish. The ATH-A1000Z is a premium product, as you can tell. It can be seen in the metal earcup backs, in the thick cable, and even the metal connectors on the end. Also included in the box was the manual, and a 1/4 " adapter.  So far so good, but just how good do they sound?

David Bowie: Let's Dance, Kick drum had very good depth and played with good authority. Percussion was very crisp, clean dynamic. Knockers had detail and woodiness, and revealed a huge soundstage. Vocals were extremely natural with great timbre. Journey: Don't Stop Believing, keyboard was extremely natural with really good resolution. Vocals were palpable in resolution and very natural with great harmonics. Percussion was crisp and dynamic with nice depth in the kick drum. Soundstage was huge. Also Sprach Zerathustra, nice really deep bass that could be heard, brass was smooth and really crisp and clean with excellent harmonics and no audible coloration, throwing a wide soundstage. Tympani had really good impact with resolution to hear the pad being pounded. Junior Wells: Why Are People Like That, bass had nice low end extension with good output. Vocals were lifelike in detail and resolution, and had plenty of texture. Harmonica was extremely dynamic with excellent harmonics. Gershwin: Rhapsody In Blue, clarinet was extremely natural with so much resolution you could fairly easily hear things like the breathing technique, it's woodiness, and the nice air from the clarinet. Brass was crisp, clean, with nice detail. Piano was also extremely natural, with excellent resolution to be able to hear the striking of the keys. Imaging was very accurate and the low level harmonics as well as dynamics were striking.

We had some excellent contenders in the over the ear models this year.  And the competition was pretty fierce!  For a gaming headset, the Kingston HyperX Revolver was a complete redesign for Kingston to have studio grade sound.  And they hit it out of the park!  I was not expecting the sound to be this good at their price point.  They did everything very well, and sound like a significantly higher priced headphone.  Kenwood showed just how strong their audio roots are in their excellent product of the KH-KR900.  Overall they had very good bass output and authority, yet were not lacking in the detailed mids and clean highs.  Blue took things to a higher level with their Lola.  The soft earpads fully engulfed the ears, providing a great seal, allowing all of their resolution to come out in spades.  And the all metal headband was built like a tank! I did notice that the drivers did seem to be more power hungry, as the volume was noticeably lower than the other models when listening to the same track.  If you like your music really loud, they would benefit from a portable headphone amp if listening to them on the go.  I like my music a bit on the loud side.  When listening to them thru my iPod, they were plenty loud enough for me, but I also had the volume up all the way.  Last but not least are the Audio-Technica ATH-A1000Z.  Audio-Technica has an excellent product on their hands!  I could tell that it was a redesign for the new Hi Res Audio, as the resolution was stellar all around.  Highs were crisp and clean, and mids were smooth. While the bass output was a bit shy of the output I tend to like, the bass did play low and deep with sufficient authority.  Based on their design, features, quality, and performance, the Kingston HyperX Revolver and Kenwood KH-KR900 have earned our Highly Recommended Award.  The Blue Lola and Audio-Technica ATH-A1000Z have earned our Editor's Choice Award.  For more info and complete specs, check out their website at www.kingston.com, www.kenwood.com, www.blue-headphones.com, and www.audio-technica.com.

Car Stereo System Upgrades: Ballistic Competition Bulk Kit Sound Dampening Material and T-Spec V10 Series 4 Gauge Power and Ground Wire Review

Summer will soon be upon us, which is the time of year many turn to upgrading their car stereo system. To do it right, you need a good foundation and infrastructure. One of the best companies for this is Metra. They provide the gear you need to get it installed right, and get the best out of your systems.

You may ask, foundation and infrastructure? What do you mean? It’s called wiring, connections, and sound dampening. The road is a noisy environment. To help you better hear your tunes, you need to try to keep the noise outside, and the music in. And your car rattling due to bass from your subwoofer can be obnoxious. Some really good sound dampening material can help with all that. It will get rid of the rattles and help keep the road noise outside the car, Metra can provide that with their Ballistic Sound Dampening Material.  And what they provided is the Competition Grade Bulk Kit.

 

Features and specs of the Ballistic Competition Grade Bulk Kit:

New Jet Black Finish with Silver Logo 2.2mm Thickness 0.72 mass per ft²

Made of proprietary butyl rubber composite with an aluminum constraining layer for vibration damping. Designed and engineered in the United States, Ballistic is extremely efficient at converting vibration to thermal energy. This unique formula allows the material to easily conform and adhere to sheet metal and most other hard surfaces.

COVERAGE

4.0 Sq Ft (0.37²) Each

36.0 Sq Ft (3.34M²⁾ Total

BOX DIMENSIONS

20.75" x 13" x 4.33

Features and specs of the T-Spec Power and ground Wire:

·         > Meets CEA and ANSI specifications for wire gauge

·         > Full virgin copper construction

·         > High strand count for maximum flexibility

·         > Ultra-flexible PVC blended jacket

·         > BC-5W2 marine compliant

You also need good quality wire for ground and power. The right high quality wiring will get the most out of your system. It’s a lot like a freeway. Ever been in bumper to bumper freeway traffic? You can’t get as many cars down a 2 lane highway as you can on an 8 lane highway. It is the same with electrical current. You can’t get the current your amp needs with thin speaker wire sized power and ground cable. That could actually be a fire hazard. I’ve seen guys have a large 1,000 watt amp, and only use cheap 8 gauge wire for it. To get the most out of your amp, you need large high quality wire. This will get the most clean power to your amp.

Not all power and ground wire are created equal. Cheap wire will not have a high strand count, and will have thicker wires. One can argue that high strand count doesn’t provide better sound or more power to the amp. But it certainly makes it much more flexible, hence more friendly to use during installation. The cheap wire is also not as thick. Cheap 4 gauge wire will look like 4 gauge wire. But after you take off the plastic jacket, you will see the plastic jacket is extra thick, and the actual wire is not as thick as it should be. It’s probably more like 5 or 5.5 gauge. You can clearly see from the attached pics. It’s another example of getting what you pay for. Not only do you actually get the wire gauge you pay for, but with provided Metra's T-Spec V10 series power and ground wire it is a full 100% oxygen free virgin copper with high strand count with flexible jacket. It’s a very high quality, very flexible wire that will get the current to your amp that it needs, so you will get everything out of your amp that it can give. And it also makes installation very easy. I’m particular with my installations, for them to have a clean look. Such a high quality flexible wire is critical when you need to bend around corners.  To compare, I included photos of Metra's T-Spec V10 Power cable in 4 gauge using 100% virgin copper high strand count wires.  And as a comparison I included some Performance Teknique 4 gauge high current power wire. 

As you can see from the photos, the Performance Teknique appears to be as thick overall as the T-Spec V10 series wire.  The T-Spec is actually just a tad thicker overall.  But if you look much closer, you will be able to see the real difference.  The red plastic jacket on the Performance Teknique is much thicker than the jacket on the T-Spec V10 wiring.  This means that the amount of actual wire in the Performance Teknique would be much less.  And if you look at the side by side photos of the two wires, you can see that the copper wire in the Performance Teknique is much less! Measuring with a tape measure, the total thickness of the wire cluster in the jacket of the Performance Teknique is 5/32 of an inch.  While the size of the wires in the T-Spec V10 series is 8/32 of an inch.  That's a huge difference!  Since the jacket on the T-Spec is thinner, it also means a much more flexible wire.

When it came time to test the performance, the quality of the T-Spec  V10 Power Wire performed well.  It was easy to install with its high flexibility.  And the fact that you know it is true to its power rating helps you rest assured that your amps will get the current that they need for you to get the most power out of them.  The Ballistic Competition Grade Bulk Kit also performed very well.  You'll want to be careful when cutting it into smaller pieces as your install may require, as it is very sticky!  But due to how sticky it is, you know that it will stay on as a permanent part of your vehicle.    Make sure to also get the install tool, which makes installing the material much simpler.  And the end result is a material that really does help a lot to reduce the amount of road noise that you hear inside the vehicle.   The rattling from the subwoofer is also eliminated.  Based on their design, features, quality, and performance, the T-Spec V10 series power cable and the Ballistic Competition Grade Bulk Kit have both earned our Editor's Choice Award.  Kudos to them on a great product.  For more info and complete specs, check out their website at www.Ballistic-online.com and www.tspeconline.com.

2016 Annual Headphone Shootout Part 1 The IEM's

March Madness is in full force, which means it is time for our annual Headphone Shootout. We have 3 categories, which consist of in-ear, over-the-ear, and wireless. And as usual we have products form great manufacturers, namely Audiofly, Audio-Technica, Blue, JBL, Kenwood, Kingston, Klipsch, Massive Audio, Monster, and Westone.

This year they range in prices from $80 to $600. With March Madness the teams are bracketed by seeds based on performance. Typically the lower seeds beat the higher seeds, but there can be surprises. With headphones, they are priced based on performance. But there can be some surprises as well.

This year we are starting with the in-ear models. They start with the Klipsch XR8I Hybrid for $279, Audio-Technica ATH-IMO2, Westone Am Pro 30 for $439, Klipsch X20i for $549, and Audiofly AF180 for $599. They all feature balanced armature drives, most of them have multiple balanced armature drivers, except for the Klipsch XR8i Hybrid. The Klipsch XR8i is a hybrid design with a full range balanced armature, and a second dynamic driver that is tuned as a dedicated subwoofer, which I am particularly excited for!

The 1st Klipsch IEM is the XR8I Hybrid, which I am particularly excited about. I tend to be a bit of a bass head, so I like a lot of bass. They showed these off at CES, and we jumped at the opportunity when Klipsch wanted these included in our annual shootout. What makes the Klipsch XR8I Hybrid so special is the dedicated subwoofer driver in each IEM.  They feature a full range balanced armature, then a dedicated subwoofer driver!

Features and specs:

• KG-2365 AcuPass(R) Two-Way Hybrid Driver
• KG-065 Dynamic Woofer
• KG-723 Balanced Armature Tweeter
• Die-Cast Zinc and Co-Molded Elastomer Housing
• Patented Oval Ear Tips (4 Different Pairs)
• Three-Button Remote + Mic
• Carrying Case + Clothing Clip
• 1 Year Warranty

The Klipsch XR8I came in a nice looking clear plastic box so you can see the IEM on a plastic display in the box. The Klipsch XR8I was mostly made of plastic, with some aluminum in the molded housing. Quality of materials used was very good, as was the build quality and fit and finish. They appeared in hand to be a well made product. Also included was the owners' manual, carry case, and extra ear tips. I loved the little holder for the additional eartips. It was a little plastic piece, almost like a credit card, with little stubs to hold the extra eartips. There is also an in-line mic and controls to use with your smartphone.

The real question though is how do they sound.  This year, we included some tunes to really test the bass.  And with the recent passing of David Bowie, we thought we would honor him a little bit and include one of his songs.  So while the Klipsch XR8I looks impressive, as the saying goes, the truth is in the pudding.  And with that said, it's time for some aural tasting.

With David Bowie: Let's Dance, the bass was deep with a lot of authority! They threw a nice big soundstage. Drums had nice dynamics, knocker sounded natural, and vocals had nice texture.  Journey: Don't Stop Believing, the keyboard sounded natural, with smooth vocals and nice resolution. Kick drum had good depth. Also Sprach Zarathustra, it had excellent ultra low bass extension that played with a lot of authority! Horns were smooth sounding. Nice resolution in the tympani. Junior Wells: Why are People Like That, had nice texture in the vocals. Bass guitar had excellent depth and authority. Harmonica was dynamic.  Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue, the clarinet sounded natural, as did the piano. There was nice texture and resolution in the bassoon. Tympani had nice low end extension. Brass was really clean sounding.  

The overall sound was smooth, just a tad on the warm side, with good resolution and excellent bass response!  It's the closest headphone I have heard that sounds like a home or car stereo system with a subwoofer.  Klipsch knocked this one out of the park in terms of bass response. And when it comes to the fit, it looks like Klipsch has an unfair advantage.  With some features, it's easy to think it's just hype and no real advantage.  But with the oval tips...it was not just hype!  They helped make for a really easy fit, for both sound quality and comfort!

Audio-Technica is known for their great headphones that give good bang for your buck. And here we have their ATH-IM02 IEM. They are part of their professional series, so no built-in mic. These are designed just for listening. They feature a 2-way design with detachable cable.

Features and specs:

• Exclusive dual balanced armature drivers for pure sound reproduction
• Specially designed to fit and seal within the user’s ear for ultimate in-ear monitoring
• Detachable cables with formable wire improves fit and adds convenience
• Horn-shaped conductor pipe, the “Acoustic Horn,” reduces acoustic radiation resistance
• Includes a case, silicone earpieces (S/M/L) and Comply™ foam earpieces (M)

Type	Dual Balanced Armature Driver
Frequency Response	20 - 16,000 Hz
Maximum Input Power	3 mW
Sensitivity	113 dB/mW
Impedance	36 ohms
Weight	5 g
Cable	Detachable 1.2 m, Y-type
Connector	3.5 mm (1/8") gold-plated stereo mini-plug, L-type
Accessories Included	Case, silicone earpieces (S/M/L), Comply™ foam earpieces (M)

They came in an attractive color printed box, with photos of the IEM, and their specs. They came well protected, in custom molding holding them secure in place. They were constructed of mostly plastic with some metal. The quality of materials used as well as the fit and finish were very good. You could tell this was part of their professional series, and it showed. Included in the box was the owners' manual, hard zippered carry case, and extra sized eartips. The carry case has a pocket on the inside as well, to hold your extra tips.

I'm impressed with the look, design, and quality of the Audio-Technica ATH-IM02.  The cables are good quality, are bendable at the top to help you get a good fit around your ear.  The cables are detachable, so if you get a short, you only have to replace the cable.  I also like the smoke housing so you can see the internal components.  But now it's time to hear how they sound!

David Bowie: Let's Dance, the drums had good depth and dynamics, with some authority. They threw a nice big soundstage, with good imaging. Percussion was very dynamic. Vocals were very natural. Journey: Don't Stop Believing, the keyboard sounded natural, vocals were smooth with good resolution and texture. Imaging was nice. Drums were dynamic with crisp cymbals. Also Sprach Zarathustra, it had sufficient low end extension that could be heard, very smooth bass and very nice resolution in the tympani.  Junior Wells: Why are People Like That, had nice resolution in the vocals, harmonica was crisp and clean with great dynamics. Very good details in the percussion. Bass guitar had good low end extension. Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue, the clarinet sounded really natural with good resolution. Piano sounded natural. Brass was really rich and smooth without being too brassy. Bassoon had good texture. They threw a good sized soundstage and had very good imaging as well.  Overall, you could definitely hear the resolution that two balanced armature drivers provide.  The sound was really crisp and clean with very good resolution and was just barely on the bright side overall. 

The Westone Am Pro 30 is a brand new model that is actually not yet available, but soon will be within the next month or so. Westone makes some excellent IEM's and have been included in our annual shootout in years past. They jumped at the opportunity to be included again this year, but they did not have a final product with packaging, so a final engineering sample was provided with no packaging. They did promise that the engineering sample provided will sound just the same as the final retail product, but look a tad different than the final product that ships. Although comparing what was provided to the look in the photo on Westone's website product page, the look is really close! So when you see our photos, the final product will look just a tad different, if you look really closely.  I had to study it for a few minutes to find the extremely small difference.  They looked like a final product to me!

Features and specs:

·         • Westone True-Fit Technology: 50+ years experience with in-ear applications has yielded a low-profile, lightweight, universal earpiece which delivers maximum comfort and in-ear coupling for dynamic transfer of sound.

·         • Balanced Aramture Driver: Westone’s balanced armature drivers are significantly more compact and efficient than traditional dynamic drivers. By combining multiple balanced armature drivers with sophisticated crossover networks, Westone monitors provide enhanced sonic detail and frequency range that extends well beyond typical in-ear solutions.

·         • MMCX Audio™ Connecter: Designed specifically for musicians’ monitors, our audio connector ensures a reliable connection every time.

·         • Patent Pending SLED™ Technology: Combines your ambient surroundings with your monitor signal with no compromise to the frequency response.

·         • TRU™ Audio Filter: Allows you to fully experience your performance—hear your band, your fans, and everything else.

·         • Designed & Assembled in the USA: Meticulously built by a staff of dedicated artisans and lab techs based in the USA, Westone’s products exhibit a level of craftsmanship that truly embodies America’s rich history of handmade artistry.

Sensitivity: 124 dB SPL @ 1 mW

Frequency Response: 20 Hz - 18 kHz

Impedance: 56 ohms @ 1 kHz

Passive Noise Attenuation: 25dB

Driver: Three balanced armature drivers with three-way crossover.

Cable: MMCX Audio™ Connection.

The Westone Am Pro 30 came shipped in one of their water resistant hard cases for protection. Also included were some difference sized ear tips, and wax tool. Materials used in the construction was mostly plastic. Quality of materials used was very good, as was the fit and finish. It's the quality I have come to expect from Westone.  And I liked the cables being detachable. Westone has for as long as I have been working with them, provided a stellar product.  The Westone Am Pro 30 is designed around the professional musician performing on-stage, so there is no in-line mic or controls for your smartphone. And this is a product they are very excited about, so I couldn't wait to review them.  So let's hear how they sound.

David Bowie: Let's Dance, the bass had nice punch, plenty of depth, as well as good authority. Percussion was crisp and dynamic. The knocker sounded woody and natural, with large soundstage and very good imaging. Nice texture in vocals. Journey: Don't Stop Believing, the keyboard sounded very natural, vocals were smooth with lots of resolution and textures. Cymbals were crisp and very dynamic. Kick drum had nice low end extension. Also Sprach Zarathustra, had nice low end extension that played deep with authority. Brass was very smooth without being too brassy. Very good dynamics and resolution in the tympani. Junior Wells: Why are People Like That, revealed nice sounding vocals with depth and harmonics. Bass guitar played deep and with some authority, harmonica so dynamic it sounded like I was right there, and the percussion was crisp. Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue, the clarinet had excellent tone, with resolution good enough you could hear the woodiness and the breathing technique. Piano sounded very natural. They threw a big soundstage, and imaging was excellent. Percussion was crisp and clean. Brass was very smooth and dynamic without being overly brassy. Bassoon had nice texture. 

The sound in all was extremely neutral, with lots of resolution, and good bass depth and authority.  And the SLED Technology worked! For musicians on a tight budget...this is for you! I'm not sure that they helped give a bigger soundstage the way open back over the ear headphones typically sound.  But it was pretty cool being able to hear some of what is going on around you, in your environment.

Next is Klipsch's 2nd entry into our shootout, the Klipsch X20i. In addition to wanting their X8RI included, they also wanted this model, their top of the line, included. And I can see why. The X20i is part of their Reference series, and their top of the line, for good reason. While it is only a 2 way model at their $549 price point, the way that they designed integrated the two balanced armature drivers is supposed to bring stellar sound.

Features and specs:

• KG-2625 AcuPass(R) Two-Way Driver
• KG-926T Balanced Armature Woofer
• KG-125B Balanced Armature Super Tweeter
• Stainless Steel Construction
• Super-Slim Oval Ear Tips
• Interchangeable Cables
• Advanced Three-Button Remote + Mic 

The Klipsch X20i came shipped in a nice box with a paper sleeve with photos and specs for the IEM. The sleeve wrapped around a very cool wooden box, that is held shut with magnets, which gave a very elegant touch and feel. This is clearly their flagship model! Opening the box revealed the IEM, owners' manual, a leather case with magnets to hold it closed, and one of the credit card sized plastic eartip holders. The quality of the materials used was very good, comprising of some molded aluminum, and plastic. The quality of construction as well as the fit and finish was equally impressive. 

The Klipsch X20i seemed to do everything right.  The cables were very high quality, comprised of twisted strands inside a plastic sheath.  There is an in-line mic and controls for your smartphone.  The cables are also detachable, and the way they do so I think is a bit more durable.

David Bowie: Let's Dance, bass had good depth and authority, percussion was crisp and dynamic. Knocker sounded woody and showed a wide soundstage. Very nice resolution in the cymbal. Vocals had nice detail and smoothness. Journey: Don't Stop Believing, the keyboard sounded extremely natural, vocals were smooth like honey with lots of resolution and texture. Percussion had crisp cymbals and nice low end extension in the kick drum. Also Sprach Zarathustra, revealed good low end extension with lots of authority. The silky smooth brass wasn't too brassy. Very good resolution in the tympani.  Junior Wells: Why are People Like That, the vocals were extremely natural and smooth, harmonica was dynamic and provided a musical experience that has to be heard to be appreciated. The resolution provided was life like. Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue, provided excellent clarinet tone, and lots of resolution so you could hear the breathing technique, with air and woodiness of the reed. Piano sounded extremely natural. Brass was as smooth as honey with excellent dynamics without coloration. Bassoon had amazing texture. Low level harmonics was very nice, as was the imaging and large soundstage.

The overall sound was more refined, just a bit warm, and so silky smooth!  And I loved the level of resolution that they provide! The housing is actually very small. So if you have small ears, they are much easier to get a great fit!  And for those not so small ears, they have larger sized eartips to help you get the right fit.  I could not believe the level of sound provided by 2-way monitors!!!

Last but not least is the Audio Fly AF180. The AF180 is also one of Audiofly's top of the line products, and it shows just as well. Having reviewed their products for a few years now, I at first was impressed with the sound of Audiofly's products. They always seem to give a big bang for the buck. But I soon came to learn that's the way these Aussie's roll. They like giving value to their customers. So when given the opportunity to see if the AF180 continues in the tradition, We naturally jumped on it!

Features and specs:

Passive crossover splits the audio signal and routes it to the appropriate driver

Quad drivers: 4 balanced armature drivers

Audioflex™ SL Cable: low profile for stage

Mouldable over-ear cable

Selection of high grade silicon and COMPLY™ Premium Earphone Tips

Driver configuration: Four balanced armature drivers with crossover 
Frequency range: 15-25kHz 
Sensitivity: 108dB at 1 kHz 
Impedance: 18 Ohms
Cable length: 1.6m / 64” 
Plug type: 3.5mm gold plated, right-angle format

The Audiofly AF180 came in a great looking printed box with photos and specs of the AF180. They came well protected. Materials used in the construction was mostly plastic, but quality of materials is very good, as is the fit and finish. I loved the sexy look of the stone blue housing. These are towards the top of the line for Audiofly, and it shows in the quality of the product. Audiofly may be fairly new to the headphone industry, but they were quick to establish them as a serious contender with quality products. Also included was a nice leather carry case, owners' manual, wax loop, and multiple sets of difference size and style eartips.

I was seeing things I was used to see from Audiofly.  The top of the cable is molded to help give a better fit around your ears.  The cables were high quality with cloth cover. And as stated before, the gloss stone blue of the housing was pretty sexy looking.  I couldn't wait to hear how they sound!

David Bowie: Let's Dance, the bass had good low end extension and played with authority. Percussion and cymbals were very crisp and clean and dynamic. Vocals had a lot of resolution and texture. Knocker sounded woody and threw a wide soundstage with great imaging. Journey: Don't Stop Believing, the keyboard sounded extremely natural, vocals were extremely smooth with tons of resolution to reveal lots of texture and timbre. I loved the harmonics, and lack of coloration. Percussion was crisp and clean with good depth in kick drum. Also Sprach Zarathustra, yielded nice low end extension that played with very good authority. Horns were smooth like honey with lots of resolution without being to brassy. Excellent resolution and dynamics in the tympani. Junior Wells: Why are People Like That, vocals were smooth and very detailed, bass guitar had excellent depth and authority as did the kick drum. Percussion was crisp and clean. Harmonica was extremely life like and detailed. Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue, the clarinet was extremely detailed with good air, with so much resolution you could easily hear the breathing technique and woodiness. Piano had nice harmonics. The bassoon had excellent texture and depth. Soundstage was very big and imaging was spot on.

The Audiofly AF180 performed extremely well.  Using four balanced armature drivers, the resolution and detail they provided was closer than I expected to custom models I have reviewed in the past.  The highs were crisp and clean, mids were warm and smooth, and the bass played deep with lots of authority.  And the sound was overall very neutral.  I couldn't help getting lost in the music, going on to listen to more of my favorite tracks.  The sound was so good I got goosebumps!

All of the IEM models in this years shootout performed very well.  They were also all made very well.  So no matter what you sound preferences, they are all made well to provide years of service.  The Klipsch XR8I provided a detail I would expect from a single balanced armature.  The sound was overall smooth, a bit warm in signature.  And with the built-in subwoofer driver, it played deeper and with more bass output than any of the other IEMs.  The Audio-Technica ATH-IM02 takes the detail and resolution to the next level with incorporating dual balanced armature drivers, while lacking in the bass output of the Klipsch XR8I.  They also feature detachable cables.  Overall sound signature is a just a tad bright and provides very good resolution. Next are Westone Am Pro 30, and they up the ante even more, providing three balance armature drivers.  The level of detail, imaging, and soundstage are exceptional, which I have also learned is signature Westone.  I also liked their SLED technology, which allowed you to somewhat hear what is going on around you, and that feature could make it perfect for you.  Next up is the Klipsch X20i, with is their top of the line model, and it shows.  They performed some serious magic to get sound this good from a 2-way balanced armature driver system!  It's dual balanced armature drivers provided a lifelike sound that was silky smooth, refined, and a bit warm.  And with it's small size, if you have small ears, they could be just what you have been looking for.  Last but not least is the Audiofly AF180, with it's quad balanced armature drivers.  They had an overall neutral sound, and provided an aural bliss that must be heard to be believed.  And surprisingly the bass performance in depth and output was 2nd only to the Klipsch XR8I.  Based on their design, features, quality, and performance, the Klipsch XR8I and Audio-Technica ATH-IM02 has earned our Highly Recommended Award. The Westone Am Pro 30, Klipsch X20i, and Audiofly AF180 have earned our Editor's Choice Award.  For more info and complete specs, check out their website at www.audiofly.com, www.audio-technica.com, www.klipsch.com, and www.westone.com.